ADAM SHANKMAN (Director, Executive Producer) is an artist who as a master of comedy also captures the sensitivity of his stories, making him one of the most loved and commercially successful filmmakers of his generation.
Currently, Shankman is in pre-production on “Untitled Dance Movie,” a project he is producing for Touchstone pictures. The film, written by Melissa Rosenberg, will be directed by Anne Fletcher. Additionally, Shankman just signed on to the high-profile film version of the musical of the film “Hairspray,” for New Line Cinema. Filming is scheduled for 2006.
Shankman is also producing “Premonition” for TriStar pictures. The story centers on a housewife whose husband dies in a car crash and is shocked when he appears alive the next day. Sandra Bullock is in negotiations to star along with Julian McMahon, with Menan Yapo on board to direct. Shankman is producing along with Hyde Park Entertainment, Jennifer Gibgot and Sunil Perkash.
Shankman most recently directed Walt Disney Pictures’ “The Pacifier” starring Vin Diesel, Brittany Snow, Brad Garrett, Faith Ford, and Lauren Graham. The over-the-top comedy stars Diesel as Shane, a Navy SEAL who thought he was prepared to take on any duty no matter how perilous or impossible . . . until he tried baby-sitting. Assigned to protect the five out-of-control children of an assassinated scientist working on vital government secrets, Shane is suddenly faced with juggling two outrageously incompatible jobs: fighting the bad guys while keeping house. The movie made $200 million worldwide and is Disney’s biggest hit of 2005. Prior to “The Pacifier,” Shankman directed Disney's box office hit “Bringing Down the House.” This comedy, starring Steve Martin and Queen Latifah, was number one at the box office for three weeks in a row, grossing over $131 million.
Shankman began crafting an enviable career with his directorial debut, Columbia Pictures' “The Wedding Planner.” The Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey film was the heart-felt hit of 2001. Shankman's following grew with his next film “A Walk to Remember,” distributed by Warner Bros., starring Mandy Moore and Shane West. “A Walk to Remember” was nominated for a 2002 Phoenix Film Critics Award for Best Live Action Family Film.
Shankman and producing partner Jennifer Gibgot recently renewed their overall deal with Walt Disney Studios and their Offspring Entertainment. The duo have several high-profile comedies in development including a retelling of “Topper” starring Steve Martin with Mandeville Films with Shankman attached to direct, “The Other Guy,” “The Fiance,” “Overparenting” and the aforementioned Untitled Dance Movie.
In the world of television, Shankman and Gibgot have sold “The Assistants” to NBC through Twentieth Century Television. Brian Fuller (“Wonderfalls”) will write the project and executive produce along with Shankman and Gibgot. Project is about the “upstairs, downstairs” world of assistants and their bosses.
Prior to directing, Shankman was one of the entertainment world's premiere dance and physical comedy choreographers, putting his creative stamp on many well-known comedies, dramas, thrillers, and animated films. His projects include “The Addams Family,” “Casper,” “Inspector Gadget,” “Anastasia,” “George of the Jungle,” ” Boogie Nights,” “Miami Rhapsody” and “The Flintstones,” for which he was nominated for a Bob Fosse Award. Shankman won the Bob Fosse award for his work with Simon West.
At age 24, Shankman teamed up with influential video director Julian Temple as a music video choreographer. One of the first videos as choreographer was Whitney Houston's “I'm Your Baby Tonight.” He has also choreographed videos for The B-52's, Barry White, Aaron Neville, Chic and Stevie Wonder.
A native of Los Angeles, where he currently resides, Shankman developed a love for the theater at an early age. After high school, he moved to New York and attended Juilliard in the dance program for two years. After five years of work as an actor and dancer in New York and regional theater, he moved back to Los Angeles and began dancing in music videos, including videos for Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. He also performed at the 1989 Academy Awards.
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