Chris Weitz

Biography

Christopher John Weitz is an American filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter who is known for Antz, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, American Pie, About a Boy, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps and The Golden Compass. He is married to Mercedes Martinez since 2006 and has three children.

The younger brother of Paul Weitz.

Has worked on 9 projects where John Cho stars.

Before he was going to direct The Golden Compass (2007), he was invited by director Peter Jackson to visit the set of King Kong (2005) in order to gain insight into directing a big-budget film.

His father was a German Jewish immigrant, who left the country because of the Nazi regime. His maternal grandfather was a Czech Jewish immigrant, and his maternal grandmother, who was Mexican, had Mexican, and some Irish, ancestry.

Son of Susan Kohner.

His movie About a Boy (2002) is one of author Stephenie Meyer's favorite movies. She's the author of The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) which he is set to direct.

Got the directing job of The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) after Catherine Hardwicke backed out.

Originally offered Brad Pitt the lead in About a Boy (2002) but he turned it down. However, they later worked together on Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005).

In 2005 Weitz announced his departure from The Golden Compass (2007), citing the enormous technical challenges involved, and the fear of being denounced by both the book's fans and detractors. He was replaced by British director Anand Tucker. Ironically, Tucker left the project in 2006 over creative differences with New Line and Weitz returned to the director's chair, after receiving a letter from Philip Pullman asking him to reconsider.

Graduated from Cambridge University, where he was a classmate of Rachel Weisz.

Grandson of Paul Kohner and Lupita Tovar.

In 2007 he and his brother, Paul Weitz, met with Michael Moorcock the writer of the Elric of Melnibone books, to talk about a movie adaptation. Chris had been a fan of the books since childhood, and Moorcock trusted him with the project.

Lived by the sea when he was a kid. That's the reason why he didn't like the movie Jaws (1975).

Son of the late fashion designer and novelist John Weitz.

Started reading The Golden Compass (2007) while he was filming About a Boy (2002).

He graduated with a degree in English Literature from Trinity College, Cambridge.

His first movie experience was Midway (1976).

Saw Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) for the first time, when he was 7 years old.

Nephew of producer Pancho Kohner.

Has directed 1 actor to an Oscar nomination: Demián Bichir (Best Actor, A Better Life (2011).