RIP: David R. Ellis (1952-2013)
http://news.yahoo.com/r-p-david-r-ellis-221837560.html
Director David R. Ellis has died in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Snakes On A Plane helmer passed away suddenly early this morning Los Angeles-time, Deadline has learned. Ellis was 60 years old. Cause of death is not yet known. Ellis was in South Africa preparing to direct the film KITE. The director’s live-action adaptation of the 1998 Japanese anime was set to reunite Ellis with his Snakes star Samuel L. Jackson.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/david-r-ellis-dead-at-409382
Ellis began his film career doing stunts in movies such as 1978’s Smokey and the Bandit, notching up action credits with Sharkey’s Machine, V, The Beastmaster and Patriot Games.
He moved to second unit directing (Waterworld, Soldier and The Matrix Reloaded were among his credits) and made his directorial debut with 1996’s Homeward Bound 2: Lost in San Francisco.
His big break occurred when he directed 2003’s Final Destination 2, upping the Grand Guignol nature of the horror series to new heights. Cellular, starring a young Chris Evans, followed then by the infamous Snakes. The latter gained an online following largely due to its title and was an example of Ellis’ moviemaking style: simple fun entertainment with a wink or two.
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He had a long career as a stuntman, then as a stunt coordinator, then as a second unit director, and finally as a director. Will always be remembered for Snakes On A Plane.
http://news.yahoo.com/r-p-david-r-ellis-221837560.html
Director David R. Ellis has died in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Snakes On A Plane helmer passed away suddenly early this morning Los Angeles-time, Deadline has learned. Ellis was 60 years old. Cause of death is not yet known. Ellis was in South Africa preparing to direct the film KITE. The director’s live-action adaptation of the 1998 Japanese anime was set to reunite Ellis with his Snakes star Samuel L. Jackson.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/david-r-ellis-dead-at-409382
Ellis began his film career doing stunts in movies such as 1978’s Smokey and the Bandit, notching up action credits with Sharkey’s Machine, V, The Beastmaster and Patriot Games.
He moved to second unit directing (Waterworld, Soldier and The Matrix Reloaded were among his credits) and made his directorial debut with 1996’s Homeward Bound 2: Lost in San Francisco.
His big break occurred when he directed 2003’s Final Destination 2, upping the Grand Guignol nature of the horror series to new heights. Cellular, starring a young Chris Evans, followed then by the infamous Snakes. The latter gained an online following largely due to its title and was an example of Ellis’ moviemaking style: simple fun entertainment with a wink or two.
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He had a long career as a stuntman, then as a stunt coordinator, then as a second unit director, and finally as a director. Will always be remembered for Snakes On A Plane.
