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Zach Dean
Zach Dean
Zach Dean
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Zach Dean is an American screenwriter and film producer, best known for writing the films Deadfall, The Tomorrow War, Fast X, and The Gorge.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Dean is a Michigan native.[1] He was born in Traverse City and grew up near Interlochen attending Interlochen Arts Academy.[2] He earned a master's in writing from New York University Tisch School of the Arts in 2005.[3] Before selling his first script, he taught digital film production and screenwriting at Riverdale Country School in The Bronx.[1][4] He has also worked as a bartender, carpenter, and casino dealer.[1]

Career

[edit]

Dean's first produced screenplay was for the 2012 heist film Deadfall, directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky, and starring Eric Bana, Olivia Wilde, and Charlie Hunnam.[1] In 2005, Dean was on JetBlue Flight 292 from Burbank to New York when the passengers were informed that the plane's landing gear had malfunctioned. As the plane circled around for hours, Dean contemplated his mortality and vowed to write a screenplay about family, which would become the script for Kin (later renamed Deadfall).[1]

Dean wrote the 2017 sci-fi action thriller 24 Hours to Live, directed by Brian Smrz and starring Ethan Hawke.[5] He wrote the sci-fi action time travel thriller The Tomorrow War (originally titled Ghost Draft), which is directed by Chris McKay and stars Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J. K. Simmons, and Betty Gilpin.[6][7] Originally scheduled to be released by Paramount Pictures,[8] Amazon Studios acquired the rights to the film in a deal worth approximately $200 million, and release it on Prime Video on July 2, 2021.[9]

Several of his screenplays have made The Black List survey of Hollywood's most-liked unproduced scripts. Beast, about a reformed criminal with a violent past, made the list in 2013.[10] The World War II film Atlantic Wall, with Bradley Cooper attached to star and Gavin O'Connor to direct, made the list in 2015.[11] Voyagers, a biopic for Warner Bros. which tells the love story of Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan, was on the 2016 Black List.[12] The Gorge was on the 2020 Black List,[13] and was purchased in 2020 by Skydance.[8] In June 2024, Dean was revealed to have written the story treatment for Fast X: Part 2.[14] He was later announced to be taking over the screenwriting duties from Christina Hodson and Oren Uziel.[15] Other yet-to-be-produced screenplays include the sci-fi film Canary, which was purchased in 2018 by Imagine Entertainment to be directed by Ron Howard;[16] Methuselah, at Warner Bros., based on the character from the Old Testament;[17] and the action-thriller Layover.[4]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Writer Producer Director
2012 Deadfall Yes No Stefan Ruzowitzky
2017 24 Hours to Live Yes No Brian Smrz
2021 The Tomorrow War Yes No Chris McKay
2023 Fast X Story No Louis Leterrier
2025 The Gorge Yes Yes Scott Derrickson
Looking Through Water Yes No Roberto Sneider
2026 Day Drinker[18] Yes Yes Marc Webb

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Zach Dean

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Zach Dean is an American screenwriter and renowned for crafting high-concept action, , and thriller screenplays. His works include several that have grossed hundreds of millions at the , such as Fast X (2023). A native, Dean honed his storytelling skills at the Interlochen Arts Academy, attending from 1988 to 1992, where he focused on , including and short stories, and took film classes under faculty such as Jack Driscoll and Terry Caszatt. He later earned a in dramatic writing from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 2005. Following his MFA in 2005, Dean balanced his emerging career with high school teaching in during the mid-2000s. His feature debut came with the crime thriller Deadfall (2012), directed by and starring and . This was followed by the action film (2017), an English-language South African production directed by Brian Smrz and featuring . Dean's breakthrough arrived with (2021), a directed by and starring , which he wrote as an original and which became an hit. He subsequently penned the screenplay for (2023), the tenth installment in the franchise directed by , contributing to its global blockbuster status. During the lockdowns in 2020, Dean experienced a prolific period of isolation that fueled his creativity, leading him to complete three screenplays, including the romantic thriller (2025), directed by and starring and , which premiered on Apple TV+. Upcoming projects include Day Drinker, a thriller starring and , further establishing Dean's reputation for blending personal emotional depth with genre spectacle.

Early life and education

Upbringing in Michigan

Zach Dean was born in , and raised in the nearby community of Interlochen, where he grew up on Green Lake immersed in a vibrant environment. As the son of two faculty members at the Interlochen Arts Academy—his father, Scott Dean, who taught history, and his mother, Lina Dean, who instructed in with a focus on —Dean was exposed to creative pursuits from an early age. This familial connection to the institution fostered a deep-rooted appreciation for , as he frequently attended literary readings and events on campus during his childhood, often as young as eight or ten years old. Dean's early years were marked by participation in Interlochen's summer camps, where he began exploring artistic expression amid the natural surroundings of northern Michigan. These experiences, combined with local inspirations like the serene lakeside setting and the academy's emphasis on interdisciplinary arts, sparked his initial hobbies in narrative crafts, including a fondness for heroic films and stories that provided emotional comfort during formative moments. By his teenage years, enrolling as a full-time student at Interlochen Arts Academy from 1988 to 1992, Dean delved into poetry and short story writing, taking film classes under instructor Terry Caszatt and receiving mentorship from notable figures such as Nick Bozanic, Mike Delp, Jack Driscoll, and Debra Allbery. It was during his time at the academy that Dean first began processing personal emotional experiences—such as feelings of isolation and the thrill of creative discovery—through writing, laying the groundwork for themes of and that would later define his screenwriting. Graduating in 1992, these Michigan-rooted influences provided a foundational sense of narrative drive, particularly inspired by Driscoll's evocative short stories that he encountered as a child. This period culminated in his pursuit of formal higher education at .

Academic pursuits and early influences

Dean grew up near , where his early exposure to the arts community laid the groundwork for his creative interests. Dean's formal academic pursuits began at the Interlochen Arts Camp during summers from 1982 to 1987 and continued at the Interlochen Arts Academy from 1988 to 1992, where he graduated as a member of the class of 1992. There, with his parents serving as faculty members—his father Scott in history and his mother in visual arts—he immersed himself in , focusing primarily on and short stories. He was introduced to through Terry Caszatt’s class, which involved writing and shooting short films, marking his initial foray into script development. Key mentors during this period included Nick Bozanic, Terry Caszatt, Mike Delp, Jack Driscoll, and Debra Allbery, whose guidance helped him refine his craft; Dean was particularly inspired by Jack Driscoll’s short stories, declaring, “That’s what I want to do.” These experiences, conducted through the creative writing division without a formalized department, taught him to process life through writing, fostering a foundational artistic growth that emphasized storytelling as a means of personal exploration. Building on this foundation, Dean pursued advanced training at ’s Tisch School of the Arts, earning a in Dramatic Writing in 2005. The program’s curriculum, which encompasses , playwriting, and television writing, allowed him to develop more structured narrative skills through coursework focused on dramatic forms. During his studies, Dean continued experimenting with unproduced scripts and short-form works, honing the screenwriting techniques that would later define his professional output. These academic pursuits at NYU connected directly to his Interlochen roots by expanding his early influences into a broader artistic framework, where mentors and rigorous writing exercises reinforced his commitment to emotionally resonant stories.

Professional career

Initial forays into writing and teaching

Following his completion of a in dramatic writing from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 2005, Zach Dean began his professional career as a high school teacher of film and writing at in . In this role during the mid-2000s, Dean balanced classroom responsibilities with his aspirations as a , often working on scripts in his spare time while supporting himself through the steady income of teaching. A pivotal moment in Dean's early writing journey occurred in September 2005, when he experienced a harrowing in-flight emergency aboard en route from Burbank to New York. The flight's malfunctioned, forcing the plane to circle for over two hours before a safe at ; during this ordeal, Dean, one of 139 passengers, reflected deeply on themes of family and mortality, vowing to channel these insights into his . This incident directly inspired his first major script, Kin, a thriller about a brother and sister on the run after a botched in rural , emphasizing bonds of love and loyalty; Dean completed the draft in 2009 at age 35, marking a breakthrough in generating industry attention for his work. Prior to Kin, Dean's writing efforts were largely unproduced and low-profile, consisting primarily of rewrites and initial drafts developed alongside his teaching duties, as he navigated the challenges of breaking into without formal industry connections. These early projects reflected his persistent but modest forays into the craft, honed through self-directed practice rather than high-profile contests or productions.

Breakthrough screenplays and Hollywood entry

Dean's breakthrough came with the sale of his screenplay Kin, later retitled Deadfall, which originated from a harrowing personal experience that prompted deep reflection on family bonds. In September 2005, while aboard , which suffered a malfunction and circled for over two hours before a safe at LAX, Dean, then a high school teacher and aspiring , contemplated his mortality and resolved to craft a story centered on loyalty amid . The script follows a brother and sister on the run after a botched heist in , forcing them to confront their fractured past during a perilous journey home for ; its rights were optioned by 2929 Productions, founded by and , leading to development with director . Released in 2012, Deadfall starred as the volatile brother Addison, as his sister Liza, and as a love interest entangled in their escape, premiering at the to mark Dean's entry into professional filmmaking. Building on this momentum, Dean co-wrote the 2017 action-thriller , adapting an original story by Ron Mita and Jim McClain into a high-concept blending sci-fi with moral redemption. The film centers on a assassin revived via experimental granting him exactly 24 hours of life, during which he races to atone for past sins by protecting a former target, incorporating visceral action sequences with introspective themes of regret and second chances. Directed by Brian Smrz in his feature debut, the collaboration involved Dean refining the premise for international appeal, produced by Thunder Road Pictures and Fundamental Films, and starring as the anti-hero Travis Conrad alongside Qing Xu and . Its unique fusion of time-limited stakes and ethical dilemmas distinguished it in the genre, securing a limited U.S. release and international distribution. Dean's ascent to major Hollywood projects culminated with in 2021, a acquired by that evolved into a blockbuster amid shifting industry dynamics. Penned as an original sci-fi epic about a biology teacher drafted into a against alien invaders via time displacement technology, the drew from Dean's interest in real-world anxieties like environmental collapse and familial duty, emphasizing high-stakes action and emotional father-daughter arcs. Amazon Studios purchased worldwide rights in a landmark $200 million deal after theaters closed due to the , bypassing traditional release for Prime Video; was cast as the protagonist James Forester in 2019, bringing star power that elevated the project's profile under director . This acquisition solidified Dean's reputation for crafting ambitious, effects-driven spectacles with human cores.

Recent collaborations and projects

During the in 2020, Dean experienced a period of intense creative productivity while isolated in , completing three original screenplays between spring and fall amid industry shutdowns. This burst of writing was deeply influenced by the emotional strains of , including separation from loved ones and reflections on human connection, which infused his work with themes of isolation and resilience. One of these, The Gorge, emerged as a high-concept sci-fi thriller metaphor for pandemic-era solitude, later acquired by Skydance and Apple Original Films, with directing and and starring; it premiered on Apple TV+ in February 2025. Building on the success of (2021), Dean joined the story team for (2023), the tenth installment in the franchise, collaborating with and to craft the narrative's core elements, including its high-stakes ensemble dynamics and pivotal twists that advanced the series' mythology. The film grossed over $700 million worldwide, marking Dean's entry into one of Hollywood's largest action franchises. In parallel, Dean's earlier projects continued advancing through development. His screenplay for Atlantic Wall, a World War II drama about a paratrooper stranded behind enemy lines on D-Day eve, has been in development at Imperative Entertainment since its 2014 acquisition, with Bradley Cooper attached to star and Gavin O'Connor set to direct; however, it has faced typical production delays with no updates since 2016. Similarly, Voyagers, Dean's Black List-honored biopic chronicling the cosmic love story of astronomer Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan, is progressing toward production at Warner Bros. under director Sebastián Lelio, with Andrew Garfield cast as Sagan, though no firm release date has been set as of 2025.

Creative works

Feature films as writer

Dean's debut feature screenplay, Deadfall (2012), a crime thriller directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky, follows siblings on the run after a botched casino heist, marking his original screenplay credit. He co-wrote the action thriller 24 Hours to Live (2017), directed by Brian Smrz, alongside Ron Mita and Jim McClain, centering on an assassin granted a second chance at life. Dean's original screenplay for the science fiction action film The Tomorrow War (2021), directed by Chris McKay, depicts a soldier traveling to the future to combat an alien invasion threatening humanity. For Fast X (2023), the tenth installment in the Fast & Furious franchise directed by Louis Leterrier, Dean contributed to the story alongside Dan Mazeau and Justin Lin. His produced credits include the romantic action thriller The Gorge (2025), directed by Scott Derrickson, where Dean wrote the screenplay about two operatives guarding a mysterious canyon. Dean co-wrote the drama Looking Through Water (2025), directed by Roberto Sneider and based on books by Bob Rich, about a father attempting to reconnect with his estranged son through a competition in . Among Dean's unproduced screenplays, , a World War II drama about a stranded behind enemy lines before D-Day, was acquired by Imperative Entertainment in 2014 and remains in development as of 2025. Similarly, Voyagers, Dean's screenplay for a biopic chronicling the love story of astronomer Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan during the creation of the Voyager Golden Record, entered active development in 2023 with Andrew Garfield attached to star as Sagan and Sebastián Lelio directing, but is unproduced as of 2025.

Production credits and other contributions

Dean has expanded his involvement in filmmaking beyond screenwriting by taking on producing responsibilities. On the 2025 Apple TV+ sci-fi thriller The Gorge, directed by and starring and , Dean served as a in addition to writing the screenplay, contributing to development oversight and production coordination with . He holds a similar dual role on the upcoming Lionsgate thriller Day Drinker (2026), directed by and featuring , , and , where he manages key production elements alongside producers and Erica Lee. Before achieving success in Hollywood, Dean taught digital film production and screenwriting at in , New York, where he instructed high school students on narrative development and techniques while pursuing his own writing career. Dean has also made targeted contributions to major franchises outside of lead writing credits. For the 2023 action sequel , he co-wrote the story treatment with and , providing foundational narrative elements that advanced the saga's plot involving and his team.

References

  1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshweiss/2025/02/17/how-pandemic-isolation-inspired-zach-dean-to-write-scott-derricksons-genre-bending-thriller-the-gorge/
  2. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt5433140/
  3. https://www.interlochen.org/stories/screenwriter-zach-dean-inspiration-behind-the-gorge
  4. https://tisch.nyu.edu/dramatic-writing/events/zach-dean-q-a.html
  5. https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/24-frames/story/2010-03-24/an-in-flight-scare-leads-to-a-buzz-script-on-the-ground
  6. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1014026-zach-dean
  7. https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/movies/2025/02/12/the-gorge-from-michigan-screenwriter-zach-dean-coming-ts-romantic-thriller-the-gorge-hitting-appletv/78385843007/
  8. https://comicbook.com/movies/news/the-gorge-writer-zach-dean-interview-sequel-prequel/
  9. https://deadline.com/2023/08/fast-x-streaming-premiere-date-peacock-1235520746/
  10. https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/asked-the-gorge-screenwriter-zach-dean-updates-fast-11-the-tomorrow-war-2
  11. https://deadline.com/2016/11/bradley-cooper-gavin-oconnor-atlantic-wall-wwii-thriller-imperative-entertainment-zach-dean-1201860514/
  12. https://variety.com/2016/film/news/bradley-cooper-ww2-movie-drama-atlantic-wall-1201929254/
  13. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4953868/
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1667310/
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5442456/
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9777666/
  17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5433140/
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13654226/
  19. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23469812/
  20. https://deadline.com/2014/07/atlantic-wall-wwii-zach-dean-imperative-entertainment-805930/
  21. https://variety.com/2023/film/news/andrew-garfield-daisy-edgar-jones-carl-sagan-ann-druyan-sebastian-lelio-voyagers-filmnation-entertainment-cannes-1235604419/
  22. https://variety.com/2025/film/news/madelyn-cline-johnny-depp-day-drinker-1236300459/
  23. https://variety.com/2023/film/trailers/fast-x-trailer-vin-diesel-battles-jason-momoa-brie-larson-1235418840/
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