Andrew Niccol
About
Biography
Biography
New Zealand-born screenwriter-director Andrew Niccol began his career in London, successfully directing TV commercials before moving to Los Angeles in order to make films "longer than 60 seconds." He interested high-powered producer Scott Rudin in his "The Truman Show" (1998) script, but Rudin was not willing to gamble on a rookie director, particularly when Jim Carrey came aboard, swelling the budget to about $60 million. Peter Weir helmed instead, bringing a complementary vision which lightened the material somewhat, and the clever satire, which followed a cheerful insurance man (Carrey) as he slowly realizes that all the people in his life are just actors in a TV show, opened to critical raves. Since the deal for "Truman" came together slowly, Niccol actually made his screenwriting and directing debut with "Gattaca" (1997), a superb, well-acted sci-fi movie that raised issues of genetic engineering in a totalitarian environment, focusing on Vincent (Ethan Hawke), an genetically imperfect man who assumes the identity of a crippled superior (Jude Law) willing to sell his DNA. Niccol added a murder mystery and a romance (with Uma Thurman) to the mix and created a believable futuristic society that was undermined by a slightly muddled conclusion. On the heels of his success, he negotiated a two-year production deal with DreamWorks SKG to write, direct and produce projects under the banner of Niccol Productions.
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Life Events
1997
Feature directorial debut, "Gattaca"; also scripted
1998
Scripted acclaimed drama "The Truman Show," starring Jim Carrey
1998
Formed Niccol Productions
1999
Received $2 million from New Line Cinema for script "River Road"; attached as director
2001
Made controversial decision to use computer-generated leading lady opposite Al Pacino in "S1m0ne"
2004
Executive produced and scripted "The Terminal," directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks
2005
Wrote, directed, and produced "Lord of War," starring Nicolas Cage and Ethan Hawke
2011
Wrote, directed, and produced futuristic thriller "In Time"
2013
Helmed sci-fi romance "The Host"; also adapted screenplay from novel by Stephenie Meyer
