Randall Wallace
About
Biography
Filmography
Bibliography
Biography
After graduating from Duke University, Tennessee-born Randall Wallace relocated to Los Angeles and began writing novels. Within several months, he had landed at Stephen Cannell Productions as a producer and writer. Wallace went on to work in those capacities on the series "J.J. Starbuck" (NBC, 1987-88), starring Dale Robertson, the short-lived "Sonny Spoon" (NBC, 1988), with Mario Van Peebles, and "Broken Badges" (CBS, 1990-91).
A Scottish vacation led Wallace to make the transition to the big screen. While visiting Edinburgh, he learned of the 13th-century adventurer William Wallace, who led a revolt against English rule. After further research, he penned the script for "Braveheart" (1995), which caught the attention of Mel Gibson, who directed and starred in the epic. Wallace's screenplay won praise from critics, enthralled audiences and earned nominations for both the Writers Guild of America Award and an Oscar. The script writer moved behind the camera to helm the uneven but popular 1998 remake of "The Man in the Iron Mask," starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Wallace next turned to a WWII-era drama about a pair of sailor brothers in love with the same woman. He had encountered director Michael Bay at an industry function and at Bay's recommendation was offered a job by Disney to write the screenplay for "Pearl Harbor" (2001). Rejiggering the original story idea, Wallace made the main characters friends from Tennessee instead of siblings. As played by Ben Affleck and Josh Harnett, the pair are buddies and friendly rivals both in the skies (as pilots) and on the ground (for the affections of a nurse played by Kate Beckinsale). During the pre-production phase, Wallace and director Bay clashed over rewrites. The writer was particularly adamant about not making the dialogue too contemporary (including the use of certain profanities), but the director won out by hiring other writers to tweak the script. (Although Bay did ask Wallace to remain on the project and consult with the new writers, an offer Wallace rejected.) Despite the difficulties, "Pearl Harbor" was one of the summer's most anticipated films.
Retaining a war theme, Wallace returned to the director's chair to helm "We Were Soldiers" (2002), his own adaptation of the Vietnam War-themed book "We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young," which marked a reunion with Mel Gibson who both produced and starred.
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Cast (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1978
Wrote first screenplay, the unproduced "Bully Brigade"
1987
Was co-producer and story editor for "J.J. Starbuck" (NBC)
1988
Created and wrote premiere of "Sonny Spoon" (NBC), also series co-producer
1989
Co-produced and wrote busted pilot "Thunder Boat Row"
1990
Wrote premiere of "Broken Badges" (CBS), also served as co-executive producer
1995
Feature screenwriting debut, "Braveheart"; earned Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations
1998
Made feature directorial debut with remake of "The Man in the Iron Mask"
2001
Penned the script for the big budget epic "Pearl Harbor"
2002
Wrote and directed "We Were Soldiers," a Vietnam War drama starring Mel Gibson
2008
Executive produced and narrated "Fight or Die" for the Discovery Channel
2008
Wrote several songs with singer/songwriter Richard Marx; one of those songs, "Flame In Your Fire" appears on Marx's album <i>Emotional Remains</i>
2010
Appeared as himself in the seventh season of HBO's "Entourage"
2010
Directed the biopic "Secretariat," about the racehorse that won the U.S. Triple Crown in 1973
