Mike Werb

Biography

Mike Werb is an accomplished American screenwriter and producer, known for crafting high-concept action, fantasy, and comedy films, as well as working extensively in television. A native of Los Angeles, he is a graduate of Stanford University and the UCLA Film School. He is a prominent collaborative partner of writer Michael Colleary.

Career Highlights in Film

Werb's career is marked by several hugely successful and culturally significant feature films:

The Mask (1994): He wrote the screenplay for this blockbuster comedy based on the Dark Horse Comics series, which was instrumental in launching the career of Jim Carrey.

Face/Off (1997): Co-written with Michael Colleary, this complex, futuristic action film directed by John Woo became a critical and commercial hit starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage. The script earned the duo a Saturn Award for Best Writing in 1998. The initial idea for the story was inspired by a friend's experience with facial reconstruction surgery.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001): Werb, Colleary, and Sara B. Cooper share the story credit for the film adaptation of the popular video game, starring Angelina Jolie.

His other film credits include writing for the horror sequel Food of the Gods 2 (1989), the story for the animated film Curious George (2006), and the screenplay for Firehouse Dog (2007).

Television Work

Werb has successfully transitioned his skills to the small screen as a writer and producer for various TV dramas and sci-fi series:

Unnatural History (2010): He is the creator and executive producer of this live-action adventure series for the Cartoon Network.

Extant (2014–2015): He served as a consulting producer and writer on this science fiction drama starring Halle Berry.

Salvation (2017–2018): Werb was also a consulting producer and writer for this series focused on preventing an asteroid impact.

His adaptability and ability to pen compelling scripts across a wide range of genres have cemented his status as a key creative force in Hollywood.