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Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Phil Lord & Christopher Miller by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Lord (left) and Miller (right) at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
  • Philip Anderson Lord

  • Christopher Robert Miller
Alma mater Dartmouth College
Occupation
Years active 1998–present
Spouse(s) Robyn Murgio (Miller)
Children 2 (Miller)
Awards Academy Award for Best Animated Feature
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Philip Lord and Christopher Miller are an American filmmaking team. They are known for making movies that are visually exciting and often twist what you expect from a story. They work on both live-action and animated films.

They helped create and star in the animated TV show Clone High (2002–2003, 2023–2024). They also wrote and directed the animated movies Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009) and The Lego Movie (2014). For live-action, they directed the comedy films 21 Jump Street (2012) and its sequel, 22 Jump Street (2014).

Lord and Miller are famous for their work on the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, The Lego Movie, and Spider-Verse film series. They won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018). They were also nominated for the same award for producing the sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023).

They have also worked on TV shows like The Last Man on Earth (2015–2018) and Unikitty! (2017–2020). More recently, they worked on The Afterparty (2022–2023) for Apple TV+.

Early Life and College Days

Lord grew up in Miami, Florida. His mother was a psychologist, and his father worked in aviation and directed a dance company. Miller is from Seattle, Washington, where his father runs a lumber mill.

Both Lord and Miller loved making short films and animation when they were young. They met at Dartmouth College. They each had their own comic strips in the school newspaper, The Dartmouth.

While at Dartmouth, a newspaper story about Miller caught the eye of Michael Eisner, who was then the head of Disney. Miller agreed to meet with Disney executives, but only if Lord could come too. After a few months, they moved to Los Angeles. They were offered a two-year deal to develop ideas for Walt Disney Television Animation.

Their Creative Journey

Starting in the 2000s

Even though their early ideas for Disney didn't become TV shows, they created a pilot episode for Clone High. This show was first dropped by Fox. Later, MTV decided to order a full season of Clone High. The show was well-liked by critics. However, it was canceled after some protests in India about how a character based on Gandhi was shown.

In 2003, Lord and Miller were asked to write the script for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. This was their first big movie project. They worked on the script for a year but were then replaced by other writers. After another year, those writers were also replaced. Lord and Miller were hired back in 2006.

They completely rewrote the script, working closely with their team. The new story was about an inventor who wanted to prove himself. They almost got fired again because Amy Pascal, a head at Sony Pictures, felt the story needed a stronger emotional connection. To fix this, they made the main character's father a more important part of the story.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs came out in 2009 and received good reviews.

Success in the 2010s

Chris Miller & Phil Lord by Gage Skidmore (cropped)
Miller and Lord at the 2015 WonderCon.

After Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Lord and Miller wanted to try something different. They suggested they could direct the movie 21 Jump Street. The studio agreed, and they directed their first live-action film. It was very popular, which led to the sequel 22 Jump Street.

During the making of 21 Jump Street, they shared an idea for a Lego movie with producer Dan Lin. Lin and Warner Bros. loved their idea. So, Lord and Miller wrote and directed The Lego Movie, their third movie together.

Warner Bros. also chose them to write the story for the superhero film The Flash. However, they decided to leave that project to direct a Star Wars movie about Han Solo, which was later called Solo: A Star Wars Story.

In 2015, Sony Pictures Animation asked them to create an animated Spider-Man film. They had the option to direct it. This film became Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), which they produced, and Lord helped write.

Lord and Miller also developed a TV show called Son of Zorn for Fox. They also produced a TV drama based on the popular podcast Serial.

In early 2017, Lord and Miller started directing Solo: A Star Wars Story. However, in June 2017, they left the project due to different ideas about how the film should be made. Ron Howard took over to finish the movie. Lord and Miller still received executive producer credits for their work on Solo: A Star Wars Story.

In November 2017, they spoke about leaving Solo. Lord said they were proud of their work and wished everyone well. Miller added that they were then working on a sequel to The Lego Movie and the animated Spider-Man film.

In August 2019, Lord and Miller made a deal with Universal Pictures to develop new projects.

Projects from 2020 to Today

In 2021, Lord and Miller produced two animated films released on Netflix. One was The Mitchells vs. the Machines for Sony Pictures Animation.

In June 2020, it was announced that Lord and Miller were developing an eight-episode TV series called The Afterparty for Apple TV+. This show is a comedy murder mystery set at a high school reunion. Each episode tells the story of the same night from a different character's point of view. Miller created and directed the series, and both he and Lord were executive producers. The series started in January 2022 and was praised by critics.

On November 1, 2019, it was announced that Lord and Miller would return as producers and writers for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. This movie was released on June 2, 2023. In December 2021, Lord and Miller shared that Across the Spider-Verse would be split into two parts because the story was too big for one film. The second part is now called Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. Its release date is June 4, 2027.

In July 2020, MTV Entertainment Studios announced a new version of Clone High. Lord, Miller, and Bill Lawrence, the original creators, were involved. In February 2021, HBO Max ordered two seasons of the new Clone High, with the first season premiering on May 23, 2023.

As part of their deal with Universal Pictures, Lord and Miller have produced comedy films for the studio.

Future Projects

In April 2019, they made a five-year deal with Sony Pictures Television to develop animated Marvel series. This could include a series based on Into the Spider-Verse.

In May 2020, it was reported that Lord and Miller are set to direct a film based on Andy Weir's novel Project Hail Mary for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Ryan Gosling is expected to star in the movie. Filming began in June 2024 in the United Kingdom. The film is planned for release on March 20, 2026.

In October 2023, author Dennis E. Taylor announced that his Bobiverse book series might be adapted by Lord Miller Productions for Universal Pictures.

Other Creative Works

Lord co-wrote a Spider-Man Annual #1 comic, which was his first time writing a comic book. He and Miller also co-wrote a Marvel comic celebrating the company's 80th anniversary.

In September 2020, a live-action TV series based on the character Silk was announced. Lord and Miller are executive producers for this series. The show, called Silk: Spider Society, was ordered by MGM+ and Amazon Prime Video. However, in February 2024, the series was redeveloped, and in May 2024, Amazon dropped it. Sony is now looking for other places to air the show.

Lord and Miller also produced the Spanish-language drama film, Los Frikis.

Their Unique Style

Lord and Miller are known for their unique filmmaking style. Their movies often have bold visuals, lots of detail, and use improvisation. They like to use bright colors and exaggerated scenes.

Their films often explore themes of friendship, creativity, and being an outsider. They learned a lot about working together and showing emotion in their stories from their time on Clone High and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

They use popular stories like LEGO, Jump Street, and Spider-Verse as a way to express their own ideas. Lord once said that they approach these projects as a chance to make something truly interesting and personal. Because of this, they are known for turning ideas that might seem simple into movies that are loved by critics and audiences. They are also seen as perfectionists because of their hands-on approach and how they like to improvise.

Lord and Miller have been influenced by many famous directors and animators. Some of their favorite films include The Wizard of Oz (1939), Star Wars (1977), and The Muppet Movie (1979).

Filmography

Movies They Made

Year Title Director(s) Writer(s) Producer(s)
2009 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Yes Yes Executive (uncredited)
2012 21 Jump Street Yes No No
2013 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 No Story Executive
2014 The Lego Movie Yes Yes Executive (uncredited)
22 Jump Street Yes No Executive
2016 Storks No No Executive
2017 Brigsby Bear No No Yes
The Lego Batman Movie No No Yes
The Lego Ninjago Movie No No Yes
2018 Solo: A Star Wars Story Uncredited No Executive
Smallfoot No No Executive
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse No Phil Lord Yes
2019 The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part No Yes Yes
2021 The Mitchells vs. the Machines No No Yes
America: The Motion Picture No No Yes
2023 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse No Yes Yes
2024 Los Frikis No No Yes
2026 Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie No No Executive
Project Hail Mary Yes No Yes
2027 Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse No Yes Yes

Other Movie Contributions

Year Title Notes
2006 Open Season Special thanks
2007 Surf's Up
2008 Igor
2014 Annie Directors: MoonQuake Lake scenes
2016 Sausage Party Special thanks
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
2017 Baby Driver
2023 The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story Special thanks
Credited as Lord Miller Productions

Television Shows They Made

Year Title Creators / Showrunners Directors Writers Producers Notes
1999–2000 Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane No No Yes No Episode: "Crossing the Line"
2001 Go Fish No No Yes No Episode: "Go Wrestling"
2002–2003,
2023–2024
Clone High Yes Supervising Yes Executive 33 episodes
2003 Luis No No No Supervising 5 episodes
2004 Method & Red No No Yes Consulting 9 episodes
Episodes: "Well Well Well", "Da Shootout" and "A House Apart"
Cracking Up No No No Consulting 6 episodes
2005–2006 How I Met Your Mother No No Yes Executive 17 episodes
Episodes: "Sweet Taste of Liberty" & "Belly Full of Turkey"
2013 Brooklyn Nine-Nine No Yes No Executive Episode: "Pilot"
2015–2018 The Last Man on Earth No Yes No Executive 67 episodes
Episodes: "Alive in Tucson" & "The Elephant in the Room"
2016–2017 Son of Zorn No No No Executive 13 episodes
2017 Making History No No No Executive 9 episodes
2017–2018 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs No No No Consulting 104 episodes
2017–2020 Unikitty! No No No Executive 104 episodes
2019–2021 Bless the Harts No No No Executive 34 episodes
2020 Hoops No No No Executive 10 episodes
2022–2023 The Afterparty Christopher Miller Christopher Miller Yes Executive Miller: Showrunner, directed 10 episodes and wrote 6 episodes
Lord: wrote "Zoe"
2026 Spider-Noir No No No Executive

Acting Roles

Year Title Role as Notes
Lord, PhilPhil Lord Miller, ChristopherChristopher Miller
1997 The Empire Strikes Back N/A Stormtrooper Special Edition re-release
1998–1999 Caroline in the City Bill Cliff 3 episodes
2002–2003,
2023–2024
Clone High Principal Dr. Cinnamon J. Scudworth /
Genghis Khan
JFK / Vice Principal Mr. Butlertron Voice roles, 33 episodes
2007 How I Met Your Mother Too Much Tongue Guy N/A Episode: "How I Met Everyone Else"
2014 The Lego Movie N/A TV announcer Voice role
2015 A Lego Brickumentary Himself Himself Documentary film
2019 The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part N/A Chad, horse, chocolate bar, Plantimals, Paperboy Voice role
2020 Lego Masters Himself Himself Episode: "Movie Genres"
TBA Shrek 2 Retold TBA Prince Charming Voice roles

Awards and Recognitions

Year Award Nominated work Result
2009 Satellite Award for Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Nominated
2010 Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Animated Feature Nominated
Annie Award for Best Animated Feature Nominated
Annie Award for Directing in a Feature Production Nominated
Annie Award for Writing in a Feature Production Nominated
2012 Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Comedy 21 Jump Street Won
2013 People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedy Movie Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Comedy Nominated
Empire Award for Best Comedy Nominated
2014 Teen Choice Award for Choice Summer Movie 22 Jump Street Won
National Board of Review: Top Ten Films The Lego Movie Won
National Board of Review Award for Best Original Screenplay Won
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Feature Won
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay Nominated
New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Film Won
New York Film Critics Online Award for Best Animated Film Won
San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Film Nominated
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Picture Nominated
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Film Won
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film Won
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film Won
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Film Won
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Feature Won
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film Won
2015 People's Choice Award for Favorite Movie 22 Jump Street Nominated
People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedic Movie Won
People's Choice Award for Favorite Family Movie The Lego Movie Nominated
Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Animated Feature Won
Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Comedy 22 Jump Street Nominated
Annie Award for Best Animated Feature The Lego Movie Nominated
Annie Award for Directing in an Animated Feature Production Nominated
Annie Award for Writing in an Animated Feature Production Won
Satellite Award for Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature Nominated
Satellite Award for Best Original Screenplay Nominated
BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film Won
Saturn Award for Best Animated Film Won
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series The Last Man on Earth Nominated
Monmouth Award for Communication Excellence (MACE) Lifetime contributions in the field of communications Won
2018 Producers Guild of America Award for Best Animated Motion Picture (With Dan Lin) The Lego Batman Movie Nominated
2019 Annie Award for Best Animated Feature Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Won
Producers Guild of America Award for Best Animated Motion Picture (With Avi Arad, Amy Pascal and Christina Steinberg) Won
Annie Award for Writing in a Feature Production (Only Phil Lord) (With Rodney Rothman) Won
BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film (Only Phil Lord) Won
Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film Won
Academy Award for Best Animated Feature
(With Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman)
Won
2020 Chicago Indie Critics for Best Animated Film (With Dan Lin, Roy Lee and Jinko Gotoh) The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part Nominated
2021 SCAD Savannah Film Festival Outstanding Achievement in Animation The Mitchells vs. the Machines Won
Academy Award for Best Animated Feature (With Mike Rianda and Kurt Albrecht) Nominated
BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film (With Mike Rianda and Kurt Albrecht) Nominated
Producers Guild of America Award for Best Animated Motion Picture (With Kurt Albrecht) Nominated
2022 Hollywood Critics Association TV Award for Best Directing in a Streaming Comedy Series (Only Christopher Miller) The Afterparty ("Yasper") Nominated
Hollywood Critics Association TV Award for Best Writing in a Streaming Comedy Series (Only Christopher Miller) The Afterparty ("Maggie") Nominated
2023 Honorary Degree, Doctor of Arts (Christopher Miller) Dartmouth College Won
Honorary Degree, Doctor of Arts (Phil Lord) Won
2024 Annie Award for Best Animated Feature Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Won
Producers Guild of America Award for Best Animated Motion Picture (With Avi Arad, Amy Pascal and Christina Steinberg) Won
BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film Nominated
Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film Nominated
Academy Award for Best Animated Feature (With Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson, and Amy Pascal) Nominated

See also

  • Phil Lord and Christopher Miller's unrealized projects
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