Bryan Singer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bryan Singer
Singer in 2015
Born	Bryan Jay Singer (1965-09-16) September 16, 1965 (age 59)
Occupation	Director film producer screenwriter
Years active	1984–present
Children	1

Bryan Jay Singer (born September 16, 1965) is an American filmmaker. He is known for directing and producing many popular movies. He also founded his own production company, Bad Hat Harry Productions.

After finishing college, Singer made his first short film, Lion's Den (1988). This film helped him get money to make his next movie, Public Access (1993). This movie won a big award at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival.

In the 1990s, Singer became well-known for directing the mystery film The Usual Suspects (1995). He then directed Apt Pupil (1998), which was based on a story by Stephen King.

In the 2000s, he directed many big superhero movies. These include X-Men (2000) and its sequel X2 (2003). He also directed Superman Returns (2006). Later, he directed the historical thriller Valkyrie (2008). He helped write and produce X-Men: First Class (2011). He also directed the fantasy adventure Jack the Giant Slayer (2013) and two more X-Men films: X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) and X-Men: Apocalypse (2016). Singer also directed the movie about the band Queen, called Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).

Early Life and Education

Bryan Singer was born in New York City. He was adopted by Grace Sinden and Norbert Dave Singer. He grew up in West Windsor Township, New Jersey.

When he was a teenager, he started making small films using an 8mm camera. He also enjoyed photography. He went to West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South and finished in 1984. He later studied filmmaking at the School of Visual Arts in New York. Then, he moved to Los Angeles to study at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Filmmaking Career

Early Films and Success (1980s–1990s)

In 1988, Bryan Singer directed a short film called Lion's Den. Some of his friends, like actor Ethan Hawke, were in the film. He also worked with editor John Ottman.

After showing Lion's Den, a Japanese company offered to fund some low-budget films. Singer suggested an idea that became the movie Public Access (1993). John Ottman edited the film and also created its music. This movie won an award at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival.

In 1994, Singer started his own production company, Bad Hat Harry Productions. The name is a tribute to Steven Spielberg and a famous line from the movie Jaws.

Singer then directed The Usual Suspects (1995). This film was very successful. It won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Christopher McQuarrie. Kevin Spacey also won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role.

In 1998, Singer got the rights to make a movie from Stephen King's story Apt Pupil. This thriller is about a boy who finds out a former Nazi war criminal lives nearby. Singer's movie starred Sir Ian McKellen, Brad Renfro, and David Schwimmer.

Big Budget Movies (2000s)

Singer at Comic Con 2006, promoting X-Men: The Last Stand

In the early 2000s, Singer was interested in directing a new Battlestar Galactica TV series. He felt the show was a "sleeping giant" in science fiction. However, he later left the project.

In 2004, Singer was planning to direct X-Men: The Last Stand. But then he decided to direct Superman Returns for Warner Bros. Because of this, Fox ended its deal with his company, Bad Hat Harry Productions.

Superman Returns was filmed in Australia in 2005 and released in 2006. Singer said he always admired Superman. He felt a connection to the character because they were both adopted. He was inspired by the 1978 Superman movie and the comics of Alex Ross.

Singer at the premiere of Valkyrie in 2009

In 2009, Universal Pictures announced that Singer would direct a new Battlestar Galactica movie. This movie would be a fresh take on the 1970s TV series. He also confirmed he would direct Jack the Giant Slayer (2013). He was also involved with X-Men: First Class. However, due to scheduling conflicts, he became a producer and co-writer for First Class, with Matthew Vaughn directing.

Continuing Success (2010s)

In 2012, Singer was announced as the director for the next X-Men movie, X-Men: Days of Future Past. This film was released in May 2014. Singer also produced commercials for Magnum Gold ice cream. He was an executive producer for the short film Ronny and I.

Singer directed another X-Men film, X-Men: Apocalypse. He also produced and co-wrote this movie. Many actors from Days of Future Past, like Hugh Jackman and Jennifer Lawrence, returned for Apocalypse.

In 2015, Singer's company started working on a documentary. It aimed to explore the Israeli–Palestinian conflict through the eyes of an Arab-Israeli activist. In 2016, Fox announced that Singer would direct their movie version of 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. After X-Men: Apocalypse, Singer showed interest in directing a movie just about the character Mystique.

In 2016, it was announced that Singer would direct Bohemian Rhapsody, a movie about the band Queen. He produced the film with Jim Beach and Graham King. During filming, there were reports of challenges, and Singer was later replaced as director. However, he still received credit for directing the film.

In 2017, Singer directed the pilot episode for an action-adventure TV show in the X-Men Universe called The Gifted. The show aired on Fox for two seasons.

Filmography

Film

Television

Web series

Awards and Nominations

Bryan Singer has won several awards for his work in film.

Note: Singer was initially nominated for Best British Film at the British Academy Film Awards for Bohemian Rhapsody in 2019. However, his nomination was later removed.

Personal Life

Bryan Singer has a son, who was born in January 2015, with actress Michelle Clunie. He used to live in Malibu, California. As of June 2023, he lives in Israel.

See also

In Spanish: Bryan Singer para niños