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{{Short description|Australian film director}}
{{unreferenced|date=January 2008}}
{{For|the Canadian politician|Greg McLean (politician)}}
{{Copyedit|date=August 2007}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox Person
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2012}}
| image = Replace this image male.svg <!-- Only freely-licensed images may be used to depict living people. See [[WP:NONFREE]]. -->
{{Infobox person
| image_size = 150px |
|name=Greg Mclean
| name = Greg McLean
| image = Greg McLean (cropped).jpg
||caption=
| caption =
|birth_date=
| birth_date = c. 1971
|birth_place=[[Australia]]
| birth_place = [[Australia]]
|death_date=
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} Death date then birth -->
|death_place=
| death_place =
|occupation = [[Film director]]<br>[[Film producer]]<br>[[Screenwriter]]
| occupation = Director, writer, actor, producer
|networth =
|spouse=
| spouse =
| website =
| birthname =
| othername =
| yearsactive = 2001–present
| domesticpartner =
}}
}}


'''Greg McLean''' is an Australian film director, producer and writer, principally of horror films. He rose to fame in 2005 with his debut feature film, ''[[Wolf Creek (film)|Wolf Creek]]'', creating the character [[Mick Taylor (fictional character)|Mick Taylor]] (played by [[John Jarratt]]). The sequel to his first feature, ''[[Wolf Creek 2]]'' was released February 2013. Mclean also wrote, directed and produced ''[[Rogue (2007 film)|Rogue]]'' (2007) and was executive producer of ''[[Red Hill (film)|Red Hill]]'' (2010) and ''[[Crawlspace (2012 film)|Crawlspace]]'' (2012). He is also the co-author of two novels about Mick Taylor; ''Wolf Creek: Origin'' (with Aaron Sterns) and ''Wolf Creek: Desolation Game'' (with Brett McBean) and the four-part comic book series ''Dark Axis: Secret Battles of WW2'' and the graphic novel ''Sebastian Hawks – Creature Hunter.'' In 2016, his film, ''[[The Darkness (2016 American film)|The Darkness]]'', was released, and a ''[[Wolf Creek (TV series)|Wolf Creek]]'' TV series was released on Australian streaming service [[Stan (company)|Stan]].
'''Greg McLean''' is an [[Australia]]n [[film director]], [[film producer|producer]] and [[writer]].


== Early life and education==
== Biography ==
After initially studying painting, Greg McLean attended the [[National Institute of Dramatic Art]] (NIDA), completing a graduate diploma in directing.<ref name=productionnotes>{{cite web | url = http://thecia.com.au/reviews/enwiki/w/images/wolf-creek-production-notes.rtf | title = ''Wolf Creek'' production notes | accessdate = 27 May 2009 | archive-date = 4 October 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091004035843/http://thecia.com.au/reviews/enwiki/w/images/wolf-creek-production-notes.rtf | url-status = dead }}</ref>


==Career==
His original ambition was to be an artist. He studied to become one for many years, but then had an epiphany that "films are basically the art of the 21st century".
In his early career he worked with theatre director [[Neil Armfield]], and with [[Baz Luhrmann]] and [[Catherine Martin (designer)|Catherine Martin]] at [[Opera Australia]].{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}


McLean's first short film, ''Plead'', won a Gold award from the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS). His short film ''ICQ'' screened at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival, winning "Best Director of a Short Film". Under his production company GMF (Greg McLean Film), McLean produced television commercials and similar work.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
His first full length film, in 2005, was Australian independent horror film ''[[Wolf Creek (film)|Wolf Creek]]''. The film was well received by both critics and audiences at the box office. Audiences praised the film's ability to be truly frightening, although some critics and audience disliked the film, apparently because of its gory content and subject matter - film critic [[Roger Ebert]], for example, gave the film 0 stars. The film, nevertheless, has something of a cult following.


Mclean's next film ''[[Rogue (2007 film)|Rogue]]'' is about a group of tourists in Australia's Northern Territory, including an American journalist played by [[Michael Vartan]], who become prey to a deadly salt-water crocodile. The film received an R rating in the US, unlike McLean's previous movie ''Wolf Creek'', which received an NC-17 rating until being edited to obtain an R rating.
McLean's first full-length film was the 2005 Australian independent horror film ''Wolf Creek''. Reviews were mixed, but it achieved a cult following.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} In the United States, it received an [[NC-17]] rating until being edited to obtain an [[Motion Picture Association of America film rating system|R rating]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}


Mclean's next film ''[[Rogue (2007 film)|Rogue]]'', in 2007, was about a deadly salt-water crocodile attacking an international group of tourists in Australia's Northern Territory.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060212151900/http://reallyscary.com/interviewmclean.asp Interview McLean at Really Scary]</ref> He was one of the candidates to direct ''[[Paranormal Activity 2]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2010/02/paranormal-activity-2-director-movie.html|title=Possible directors of 'Paranormal Activity 2': Several young genre maestros ... and Brian De Palma|author=Steven Zeitchik|work=Los Angeles Times|date=25 February 2010 }}</ref> McLean produced the Justin Dix thriller ''[[Crawlspace (2012 film)|Crawlspace]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/55058/first-image-found-justin-dixs-crawlspace|title=First Image Found in Justin Dix's Crawlspace|author=Steve Barton|date=9 July 2014 |publisher=Dread Central}}</ref>
''Rogue'' was released in Australia on [[November 8]], [[2007]], with other countries to follow.

In February 2013, McLean returned as co-writer (with Aaron Sterns), producer and director for [[Wolf Creek 2]], the sequel to [[Wolf Creek (film)|Wolf Creek]]. John Jarratt reprised his role as serial killer Mick Taylor, and co-starred with [[Ryan Corr]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ben |first=Kenber |date=17 October 2016 |title=Exclusive Interview with Greg McLean on ‘Wolf Creek 2’ |url=https://theultimaterabbit.com/2016/10/17/exclusive-interview-with-greg-mclean-on-wolf-creek-2/}}</ref>

After this success, McLean established the production company Emu Creek Pictures.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-11-03 |title=A rogue director enters a new world |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/684116/a-rogue-director-enters-a-new-world/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Bendigo Advertiser |language=en-AU}}</ref> He then wrote, directed, and produced the thrillers [[The Darkness (2016 American film)|The Darkness]], [[The Belko Experiment]], and [[Jungle (2017 film)|Jungle]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview with Greg McLean director of Jungle {{!}} Bunjil Place |url=https://www.bunjilplace.com.au/news/an-interview-greg-mclean-director-of-miff-feature-jungle |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=www.bunjilplace.com.au}}</ref> He then executive produced and directed episodes of the [[Wolf Creek (TV series)|Wolf Creek TV series]] as well as [[The Gloaming (TV series)|The Gloaming]], [[Bloom (TV series)|Bloom]], [[Jack Irish]], [[La Brea (TV series)|La Brea]], [[The Twelve (Australian TV series)|The Twelve]] and Scrublands. In 2024 he was series director for the Netflix series [[Territory (TV series)|Territory]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Screen |first=Vic |date=2022 |title=2022/23 Annual Report |url=https://vicscreen.vic.gov.au/images/uploads/1_VicScreen/About_Us/Documents/VicScreen_Annual_Report_2022-23.pdf}}</ref>

Recently, Greg joined fellow Australian director [[Patrick Hughes (filmmaker)|Patrick Hughes]], along with screenwriter James Beaufort, in establishing the production company Huge Film. The action/sci-fi feature War Machine (Executive Produced by McLean) is the first project from this new entity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Slatter |first=Sean |date=2022-01-12 |title=Patrick Hughes teams up with James Beaufort and Greg McLean for Huge Film |url=https://if.com.au/patrick-hughes-teams-up-with-james-beaufort-and-greg-mclean-for-huge-film/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=IF Magazine |language=en-AU}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
!width=65| Director
!width=65| Producer
!width=65| Writer
! Notes
|-
|2001
|''ICQ''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|Short film
|-
|2005
|''[[Wolf Creek (film)|Wolf Creek]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|-
|2007
|''[[Rogue (2007 film)|Rogue]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|-
|2013
|''[[Wolf Creek 2]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|-
|rowspan=2|2016
|''[[The Darkness (2016 American film)|The Darkness]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes|Executive}}
|{{yes}}
|
|-
|''[[The Belko Experiment]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|
|-
|2017
|''[[Jungle (2017 film)|Jungle]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|
|-
|2025
|''[[Wolf Creek: Legacy]]''
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|
|-
|}

'''Executive producer'''
* ''The Edge of Reality'' (2009) (Short film)
* ''[[Red Hill (film)|Red Hill]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Crawlspace (2012 film)|Crawlspace]]'' (2012)
* ''[[The Legend of Ben Hall]]'' (2016)
* ''[[Down Under (2016 film)|Down Under]]'' (2016)

'''Acting roles'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
|-
|2005
|''[[Wolf Creek (film)|Wolf Creek]]''
|Old Man's Body and Police Officer
|-
|2015
|''[[Tales of Halloween]]''
|Ray Bishop
|-
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
!width=65| Director
!width=65| Executive<br>Producer
!width=65| Writer
! Notes
|-
| 2016-17
| ''[[Wolf Creek (TV series)|Wolf Creek]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| 3 episodes
|-
| 2020
| ''[[The Gloaming (TV series)|The Gloaming]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 4 episodes<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pickard |first1=Michael |title=Doom and Gloam |url=https://dramaquarterly.com/doom-and-gloam/ |website=Drama Quarterly |accessdate=9 January 2020}}</ref>
|-
| 2021-23
| ''[[La Brea (TV series)|La Brea]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| 2 episodes
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|0572562}}

{{Greg McLean}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:McLean, Greg}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McLean, Greg}}
[[Category:Australian film directors]]
[[Category:Australian horror film directors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Australian film directors]]
[[Category:Australian film producers]]
[[Category:Horror film directors]]
[[Category:Australian screenwriters]]

Latest revision as of 17:01, 16 September 2024

For the Canadian politician, see Greg McLean (politician).

Greg McLean
Bornc. 1971
Australia
Occupation(s)Director, writer, actor, producer
Years active2001–present

Greg McLean is an Australian film director, producer and writer, principally of horror films. He rose to fame in 2005 with his debut feature film, Wolf Creek, creating the character Mick Taylor (played by John Jarratt). The sequel to his first feature, Wolf Creek 2 was released February 2013. Mclean also wrote, directed and produced Rogue (2007) and was executive producer of Red Hill (2010) and Crawlspace (2012). He is also the co-author of two novels about Mick Taylor; Wolf Creek: Origin (with Aaron Sterns) and Wolf Creek: Desolation Game (with Brett McBean) and the four-part comic book series Dark Axis: Secret Battles of WW2 and the graphic novel Sebastian Hawks – Creature Hunter. In 2016, his film, The Darkness, was released, and a Wolf Creek TV series was released on Australian streaming service Stan.

Early life and education

[edit]

After initially studying painting, Greg McLean attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), completing a graduate diploma in directing.[1]

Career

[edit]

In his early career he worked with theatre director Neil Armfield, and with Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin at Opera Australia.[citation needed]

McLean's first short film, Plead, won a Gold award from the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS). His short film ICQ screened at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival, winning "Best Director of a Short Film". Under his production company GMF (Greg McLean Film), McLean produced television commercials and similar work.[citation needed]

McLean's first full-length film was the 2005 Australian independent horror film Wolf Creek. Reviews were mixed, but it achieved a cult following.[citation needed] In the United States, it received an NC-17 rating until being edited to obtain an R rating.[citation needed]

Mclean's next film Rogue, in 2007, was about a deadly salt-water crocodile attacking an international group of tourists in Australia's Northern Territory.[2] He was one of the candidates to direct Paranormal Activity 2.[3] McLean produced the Justin Dix thriller Crawlspace.[4]

In February 2013, McLean returned as co-writer (with Aaron Sterns), producer and director for Wolf Creek 2, the sequel to Wolf Creek. John Jarratt reprised his role as serial killer Mick Taylor, and co-starred with Ryan Corr.[5]

After this success, McLean established the production company Emu Creek Pictures.[6] He then wrote, directed, and produced the thrillers The Darkness, The Belko Experiment, and Jungle.[7] He then executive produced and directed episodes of the Wolf Creek TV series as well as The Gloaming, Bloom, Jack Irish, La Brea, The Twelve and Scrublands. In 2024 he was series director for the Netflix series Territory.[8]

Recently, Greg joined fellow Australian director Patrick Hughes, along with screenwriter James Beaufort, in establishing the production company Huge Film. The action/sci-fi feature War Machine (Executive Produced by McLean) is the first project from this new entity.[9]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Director Producer Writer Notes
2001 ICQ Yes Yes Yes Short film
2005 Wolf Creek Yes Yes Yes
2007 Rogue Yes Yes Yes
2013 Wolf Creek 2 Yes Yes Yes
2016 The Darkness Yes Executive Yes
The Belko Experiment Yes No No
2017 Jungle Yes Yes No
2025 Wolf Creek: Legacy No Yes No

Executive producer

Acting roles

Year Title Role
2005 Wolf Creek Old Man's Body and Police Officer
2015 Tales of Halloween Ray Bishop

Television

[edit]
Year Title Director Executive
Producer 		Writer Notes
2016-17 Wolf Creek Yes Yes Yes 3 episodes
2020 The Gloaming Yes No No 4 episodes[10]
2021-23 La Brea Yes No No 2 episodes

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Wolf Creek production notes". Archived from the original on 4 October 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2009.
  2. ^ Interview McLean at Really Scary
  3. ^ Steven Zeitchik (25 February 2010). "Possible directors of 'Paranormal Activity 2': Several young genre maestros ... and Brian De Palma". Los Angeles Times.
  4. ^ Steve Barton (9 July 2014). "First Image Found in Justin Dix's Crawlspace". Dread Central.
  5. ^ Ben, Kenber (17 October 2016). "Exclusive Interview with Greg McLean on 'Wolf Creek 2'".
  6. ^ "A rogue director enters a new world". Bendigo Advertiser. 3 November 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Interview with Greg McLean director of Jungle | Bunjil Place". www.bunjilplace.com.au. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  8. ^ Screen, Vic (2022). "2022/23 Annual Report" (PDF).
  9. ^ Slatter, Sean (12 January 2022). "Patrick Hughes teams up with James Beaufort and Greg McLean for Huge Film". IF Magazine. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  10. ^ Pickard, Michael. "Doom and Gloam". Drama Quarterly. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
[edit]
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