Luke Greenfield
- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Luke was born in Manhassett, New York and grew up in Westport,
Connecticut.
He's best known for creating films that are unpredictable and
surprising to audiences such as his film, "The Girl Next Door." His
films tend to have high-concept ideas that combine drama and comedy, or
comedy and suspense. Luke writes and directs with a major emphasis on
character and utilizes the power of music to help create emotional
moments.
He began making movies at the age of 10 when his uncle gave him an old
Super-8mm movie camera. As a kid, he was either making movies or
watching them. He was brought up on the films of Francis Coppola, Marty
Brest, John Hughes, Oliver Stone, Milos Forman and of course, Steven
Spielberg. At age 13, Luke's dream was to become a filmmaker.
Luke's mother was concerned about this dream. They didn't know anyone
or anything about the movie industry. So without Luke's knowing, his
mother wrote a passionate letter to Steven Spielberg, Luke's filmmaking
idol. In the letter she asked Spielberg if Luke had what it took and
included two of Luke's high school short films.
Miraculously, the letter reached Steven Spielberg, and not only did he
watch Luke's high school films, but he was so impressed, he wrote Luke
a 2-page handwritten letter.
Spielberg encouraged Luke to continue making films and gave Luke some
very telling advice about how to truly "reach" audiences. (Advice Luke
claims he still uses today.) At the end of the letter Spielberg wrote:
"Maybe someday our paths will cross - your raw beginnings are so
similar to my own that I know you'll make it." His letter was the
beginning of a story that would come full-circle years later.
Before Luke had graduated high school, he was accepted as an
undergraduate to the USC School of Cinema-Television. There he made
several student films including "Alive & Kicking," which won awards at
many film festivals and Luke signed with his first agent, Jeff Robinov
at ICM, at the age of 21. In 1994, Luke graduated from the USC Film
School.
In 1999, Luke co-wrote and directed the short film, "The Right Hook."
Adam Sandler and producers, Todd Garner and Greg Silverman, saw an
early cut of the short and gave Luke his first opportunity to direct a
studio feature called "The Animal" starring Rob Schneider. It was also
Luke's first experience to direct a film he didn't co-write or write
the screenplay himself.
Immediately after "The Animal," Luke went back to creating and
directing his own material with the edgy coming-of-age film, "The Girl
Next Door." The film was a breakout surprise for audiences and the
studios as well. It was a teen comedy that transformed into a character
journey combining comedy with realistic danger and poignant emotional
moments. The film struck a chord with audiences and demonstrated the
types of films Luke wanted to make. It also launched the careers of
such new faces as Emile Hirsch, Olivia Wilde, Timothy Olyphant, Paul
Dano, Chris Marquette and Elisha Cuthbert.
With the success of "The Girl Next Door," Luke's relationship with his
childhood idol, Steven Spielberg, came full-circle. Spielberg happened
to be a fan of "The Girl Next Door" and was surprised to discover Luke
was the same kid he had written to 16 years earlier encouraging him to
be a filmmaker. The two finally sat down together and discussed Luke's
ultimate passion projects he's always wanted to make. But Luke was
contractually under a first-look deal with 20th Century Fox and New
Regency. This prevented Luke from setting up any of his passion
projects with Spielberg and DreamWorks at the time.
In 2004, Luke created his film & TV production company, WideAwake,
Inc., which gave Luke his first foray into television. He directed the
critically acclaimed television pilot, "Aliens in America" for
NBC/Universal Studios and the CW Network.
At New Regency, Luke created a few of his passion projects, including
the comedy, "Role Models," which he produced for Universal Pictures.
Luke was then approached by producer Molly Smith to direct the film
adaptation of the best-selling novel, "Something Borrowed." It was a
bit out of his wheelhouse, but Luke was intrigued by the book and
wanted to work with Molly Smith. The film was released by Warner
Brothers in May 2011. The film became a cult hit and the studio is now
developing the sequel.
Luke went back to directing his own material with the action-comedy,
"Let's Be Cops," a film he developed from scratch which he co-wrote,
directed and produced at 20th Century Fox. Like he successfully did
with "The Girl Next Door," Luke cast newer faces such as Jake Johnson,
Damon Wayans Jr., Keegan-Michael Key (from "Key & Peele"), Nina Dobrev,
Rob Riggle and a pivotal role by Andy Garcia.
20th Century Fox released "Let's Be Cops" on August 13th, 2014. The film
was made for a total of $17 million and grossed over $137 million worldwide,
becoming one of the most profitable films for Fox in 2014.
In January 2015, Luke sold his passion project, "Destiny," to Steven Spielberg and
Amblin Partners. Luke has co-written the screenplay with Dana Stevens and will direct it.
He will produce with Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis. "Destiny" has been the one
film Luke has wanted to make since 1997.
Luke is currently attached to direct and produce the film, "The Holiday Club" at 20th Century
Fox with Chernin Entertainment, and the films, "Slingshot," "Pop," and "The Last Bachelor."
In television, Luke is currently creating series specifically for cable. He co-created and co-wrote "The Greener Grass," which he will direct and executive produce.
Connecticut.
He's best known for creating films that are unpredictable and
surprising to audiences such as his film, "The Girl Next Door." His
films tend to have high-concept ideas that combine drama and comedy, or
comedy and suspense. Luke writes and directs with a major emphasis on
character and utilizes the power of music to help create emotional
moments.
He began making movies at the age of 10 when his uncle gave him an old
Super-8mm movie camera. As a kid, he was either making movies or
watching them. He was brought up on the films of Francis Coppola, Marty
Brest, John Hughes, Oliver Stone, Milos Forman and of course, Steven
Spielberg. At age 13, Luke's dream was to become a filmmaker.
Luke's mother was concerned about this dream. They didn't know anyone
or anything about the movie industry. So without Luke's knowing, his
mother wrote a passionate letter to Steven Spielberg, Luke's filmmaking
idol. In the letter she asked Spielberg if Luke had what it took and
included two of Luke's high school short films.
Miraculously, the letter reached Steven Spielberg, and not only did he
watch Luke's high school films, but he was so impressed, he wrote Luke
a 2-page handwritten letter.
Spielberg encouraged Luke to continue making films and gave Luke some
very telling advice about how to truly "reach" audiences. (Advice Luke
claims he still uses today.) At the end of the letter Spielberg wrote:
"Maybe someday our paths will cross - your raw beginnings are so
similar to my own that I know you'll make it." His letter was the
beginning of a story that would come full-circle years later.
Before Luke had graduated high school, he was accepted as an
undergraduate to the USC School of Cinema-Television. There he made
several student films including "Alive & Kicking," which won awards at
many film festivals and Luke signed with his first agent, Jeff Robinov
at ICM, at the age of 21. In 1994, Luke graduated from the USC Film
School.
In 1999, Luke co-wrote and directed the short film, "The Right Hook."
Adam Sandler and producers, Todd Garner and Greg Silverman, saw an
early cut of the short and gave Luke his first opportunity to direct a
studio feature called "The Animal" starring Rob Schneider. It was also
Luke's first experience to direct a film he didn't co-write or write
the screenplay himself.
Immediately after "The Animal," Luke went back to creating and
directing his own material with the edgy coming-of-age film, "The Girl
Next Door." The film was a breakout surprise for audiences and the
studios as well. It was a teen comedy that transformed into a character
journey combining comedy with realistic danger and poignant emotional
moments. The film struck a chord with audiences and demonstrated the
types of films Luke wanted to make. It also launched the careers of
such new faces as Emile Hirsch, Olivia Wilde, Timothy Olyphant, Paul
Dano, Chris Marquette and Elisha Cuthbert.
With the success of "The Girl Next Door," Luke's relationship with his
childhood idol, Steven Spielberg, came full-circle. Spielberg happened
to be a fan of "The Girl Next Door" and was surprised to discover Luke
was the same kid he had written to 16 years earlier encouraging him to
be a filmmaker. The two finally sat down together and discussed Luke's
ultimate passion projects he's always wanted to make. But Luke was
contractually under a first-look deal with 20th Century Fox and New
Regency. This prevented Luke from setting up any of his passion
projects with Spielberg and DreamWorks at the time.
In 2004, Luke created his film & TV production company, WideAwake,
Inc., which gave Luke his first foray into television. He directed the
critically acclaimed television pilot, "Aliens in America" for
NBC/Universal Studios and the CW Network.
At New Regency, Luke created a few of his passion projects, including
the comedy, "Role Models," which he produced for Universal Pictures.
Luke was then approached by producer Molly Smith to direct the film
adaptation of the best-selling novel, "Something Borrowed." It was a
bit out of his wheelhouse, but Luke was intrigued by the book and
wanted to work with Molly Smith. The film was released by Warner
Brothers in May 2011. The film became a cult hit and the studio is now
developing the sequel.
Luke went back to directing his own material with the action-comedy,
"Let's Be Cops," a film he developed from scratch which he co-wrote,
directed and produced at 20th Century Fox. Like he successfully did
with "The Girl Next Door," Luke cast newer faces such as Jake Johnson,
Damon Wayans Jr., Keegan-Michael Key (from "Key & Peele"), Nina Dobrev,
Rob Riggle and a pivotal role by Andy Garcia.
20th Century Fox released "Let's Be Cops" on August 13th, 2014. The film
was made for a total of $17 million and grossed over $137 million worldwide,
becoming one of the most profitable films for Fox in 2014.
In January 2015, Luke sold his passion project, "Destiny," to Steven Spielberg and
Amblin Partners. Luke has co-written the screenplay with Dana Stevens and will direct it.
He will produce with Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis. "Destiny" has been the one
film Luke has wanted to make since 1997.
Luke is currently attached to direct and produce the film, "The Holiday Club" at 20th Century
Fox with Chernin Entertainment, and the films, "Slingshot," "Pop," and "The Last Bachelor."
In television, Luke is currently creating series specifically for cable. He co-created and co-wrote "The Greener Grass," which he will direct and executive produce.