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{{short description|American filmmaker}}
'''Dean Devlin''' (born [[August 27]], [[1962]]) is an American former actor and current [[screenwriter]] and [[Film producer|producer]]. Devlin was born in [[New York City]] to Don Devlin and Pilar Seurat, both actors. He is [[Jew]]ish on his father's side and [[Filipino]] on his mother's.[http://showbizandstyle.inq7.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article.php?article_id=22700] He is also an alumni of [[University of Southern California|USC]]. <ref>Paulsen, Mike. 2006. A bit about me. (Includes information about how [http://www.nwoutpost.com/ New Wave Outpost] creator Paulsen was a dormmate of Devlin's at USC.) http://www.nwoutpost.com/about.html (accessed October 9, 2006).</ref> He married actress Lisa Brenner after the two met while working on ''[[The Patriot (2000 film)|The Patriot]]''.


{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
As an actor, Devlin appeared on numerous television shows throughout the [[1980s]]. He also appeared in films including ''[[My Bodyguard]]'', ''[[The Wild Life (film)|The Wild Life]]'', ''[[Real Genius]]'' and ''[[Martians Go Home (film)|Martians Go Home]]''. Due to his youthful appearance, Devlin often played teenage characters despite being in his 20s. Eventually, he began to concentrate on writing scripts. His first produced [[screenplay]] was for ''[[Universal Soldier (1992 film)|Universal Soldier]]'' which was a worldwide hit.
{{Infobox person
| image = Dean Devlin by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption = Devlin at the 2023 [[WonderCon]]
| name = Dean Devlin
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1962|8|27}}
| birth_place = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| years_active = 1980–present
| alma_mater = [[University of Southern California]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Screenwriter|producer|director|actor}}
| children = 2
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Lisa Brenner]]|2003}}
| parents = [[Pilar Seurat]]
}}


'''Dean Devlin''' (born August 27, 1962) is an American screenwriter, producer, director, and actor of film and television. He is best known for his collaborations with director [[Roland Emmerich]], and for his work on the [[The Librarian (franchise)|''Librarian'']] and [[Leverage (American TV series)|''Leverage'']] television franchises. He is a co-founder of the production companies [[Centropolis Entertainment]] and [[Electric Entertainment]].
He reached prominence as a writer/producer working alongside director [[Roland Emmerich]], with whom he teamed with after appearing in Emmerich's film ''[[Moon 44]]''. Together they co-wrote and produced ''[[Stargate (film)|Stargate]]'' which became the first movie to have a web site, in which Devlin served as [[webmaster]]. The team then produced ''[[Independence Day (film)|Independence Day]]'', ''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla]]'', and ''The Patriot''.


==Early life==
Devlin has since formed his own [[production company]] Electric Entertainment, which has produced ''[[Cellular (movie)|Cellular]]'' and ''[[Who Killed the Electric Car?]]''. Devlin is currently pursuing an interest in making two sequels to ''[[Stargate (film)|Stargate]]'' with MGM [http://gateworld.net/news/2006/07/devlin_optimistic_about_stargate.shtml], and is set to make his directorial debut with ''Ghosting'', a paranormal thriller due for release in [[2008]].[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/comments/?entryid=325514]
Devlin was born in [[New York City]], the son of actress [[Pilar Seurat]] and Don Devlin, a writer, actor, and producer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/74/Dean-Devlin.html |title=Dean Devlin Biography (1962–) |publisher=Filmreference.com |access-date=2017-01-11}}</ref> His father was [[Jew]]ish and his mother was [[Filipino people|Filipino]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://showbizandstyle.inq7.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article.php?article_id=22700 |title=Fil-Am producer Dean Devlin soars with 'Flyboys' |date=September 24, 2006 |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=March 10, 2007}}</ref> He attended the [[University of Southern California]].


==Career==
He is also stupid.


==External links==
===Film===
[[File:10.5.17DeanDevlinByLuigiNovi2.jpg|right|thumb|Devlin at the 2017 [[New York Comic Con]]]]
*{{imdb name|id=0002041|name=Dean Devlin}}
Devlin appeared as an actor on numerous television shows throughout the 1980s. He also appeared in films including ''[[My Bodyguard]]'', ''[[The Wild Life (film)|The Wild Life]]'', ''[[Real Genius]]'' and ''[[Martians Go Home (film)|Martians Go Home]]''. Due to his youthful appearance, Devlin often played teenage characters despite being in his 20s.


Devlin gradually began writing scripts. His first produced screenplay was for ''[[Universal Soldier (1992 film)|Universal Soldier]]''. He reached prominence as a writer/producer working alongside director [[Roland Emmerich]], with whom he teamed after appearing in Emmerich's film ''[[Moon 44]]''. Together they cowrote and produced ''[[Stargate (film)|Stargate]],'' the first movie to have a web site.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-28695864_ITM|title=Godzilla guy has a love for the game|date=December 11, 2000 |publisher=Reed Business Information|access-date=April 26, 2009}}</ref> The team then produced ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]'' and ''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla]]''. They split following the 2000 Mel Gibson film ''[[The Patriot (2000 film)|The Patriot]]'', but re-teamed to film ''[[Independence Day: Resurgence]]'' in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3334813/single-scientific-reason-see-independence-day-2/|title=ID Forever: Emmerich is producing with Dean Devlin and Harald Kloser.|date=June 24, 2011|publisher=Collider.com|access-date=June 26, 2011}}</ref> Devlin has also produced ''[[Cellular (film)|Cellular]]'', ''[[Who Killed the Electric Car?]]'', and ''[[Flyboys (film)|Flyboys]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20061129005626/en/FLYBOYS-Squadron-Massive-Update|title=FLYBOYS Squadron Gets Massive New Update-Free Update, Great Reviews, and a Real Fighter Pilot Flight!|website=[[Business Wire]]|publisher=[[Berkshire Hathaway]]|date=November 29, 2006|access-date=February 21, 2017}}</ref>
== References ==

Devlin's directorial debut was the action sci-fi film ''[[Geostorm]]'' for [[Warner Bros.]]<ref name="mcnary1">{{cite news|last=McNary|first=Dave|title=Gerard Butler to Star in Sci-Fi Thriller 'Geostorm'|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/gerard-butler-to-star-in-sci-fi-thriller-geostorm-1201156176/|access-date=8 May 2014|newspaper=variety.com|date=11 April 2014}}</ref> The film was set for a March 2016 release,<ref>{{cite news|title=Warner Bros Slots 'Geostorm' For 2016|url=https://www.deadline.com/2014/05/warner-bros-slots-geostorm-for-2016/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507052355/http://www.deadline.com/2014/05/warner-bros-slots-geostorm-for-2016/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 7, 2014|access-date=8 May 2014|newspaper=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=2 May 2014}}</ref> later rescheduled for October 2017. It starred [[Gerard Butler]] as the lead<ref name="mcnary1"/> with [[Jim Sturgess]], [[Abbie Cornish]], [[Ed Harris]] and [[Andy García]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish in Talks to Join Gerard Butler in 'Geostorm'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jim-sturgess-abbie-cornish-talks-725810|publisher=hollywoodreporter.com}}</ref> The film made $221 million on a $120 million budget.<ref>[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=geostorm.htm Box Office Mojo: Geostorm]</ref> In March 2018, ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'' calculated the film lost Warner Bros. $71.6 million when factoring in all other expenses and revenues.<ref name="bomb">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/king-arthur-geostorm-monster-trucks-the-promise-the-great-wall-box-office-losses-1202354934/|title=What Were The Biggest Bombs At The 2017 B.O.? Deadline's Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament|first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=March 29, 2018|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref>

Devlin's second film as director was the 2018 thriller ''[[Bad Samaritan (film)|Bad Samaritan]]'', starring [[Robert Sheehan]] and [[David Tennant]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Patten|first1=Dominic|title=Dean Devlin Sets Next Directorial Effort As Electric Entertainment Picks Up 2 Projects|url=https://deadline.com/2013/09/dean-devlin-sets-next-directorial-effort-as-electric-entertainment-picks-up-two-projects-588397/|access-date=November 17, 2016|work=Deadline|date=September 16, 2013}}</ref>

===Television===
Devlin produced ''[[The Triangle (miniseries)|The Triangle]]'' [[miniseries]], ''[[Leverage (American TV series)|Leverage]]'' (of which he has directed twelve [[List of Leverage episodes|episodes]]), [[The Librarian (franchise)|''The Librarian'' franchise]], and ''[[The Outpost (TV series)|The Outpost]]''. He also co-created ''[[The Visitor (TV series)|The Visitor]]'' series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/FOX+SETTLES+LAWSUIT+OVER+%60THE+VISITOR'.-a083879189|title=FOX SETTLES LAWSUIT OVER 'THE VISITOR'|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Daily News]]|publisher=[[Digital First Media]]|date=September 19, 1997|access-date=February 20, 2017|via=[[TheFreeDictionary.com]]|archive-date=May 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501093124/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/FOX+SETTLES+LAWSUIT+OVER+%60THE+VISITOR%27.-a083879189|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2019 Devlin began working with the Philippine media conglomerate [[ABS-CBN]] to produce a new series called [[Almost Paradise (TV series)|''Almost Paradise'']] (originally titled ''Off Tropic.'')<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://business.inquirer.net/279772/abs-cbn-begins-hollywood-gamble-with-crime-series|title=ABS-CBN begins Hollywood gamble with crime series|last=Camus|first=Miguel R.|website=business.inquirer.net|date=September 26, 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-26}}</ref> The series premiered in the United States on May 30, 2020, on [[WGN America]], and premiered on [[Kapamilya Channel]] in 2021.<ref name="ABS-CBN">{{cite web |title='Together as One in 2021': Here are ABS-CBN's upcoming shows, offerings |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/12/21/20/together-as-one-in-2021-here-are-abs-cbns-upcoming-shows-offerings |website=[[ABS-CBN News]] |date=December 21, 2020 |access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref> It was filmed entirely in the [[Philippines]] and the majority of the cast members are Filipino, aside from the lead—played by [[Christian Kane]], whom Devlin also worked with on the television shows ''Leverage'' and [[The Librarians (2014 TV series)|''The Librarians'']].<ref name="tvinsider">{{cite news |last1=Jacobs |first1=Meredity |title=Christian Kane Is Trying to Avoid Stress in 'Almost Paradise' |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/849890/christian-kane-almost-paradise-wgn-america-preview/ |access-date=8 June 2020 |work=TVInsider.com |date=19 January 2020}}</ref>

Delvin produced ''[[The Ark (TV series)|The Ark]]'' TV series for [[Syfy]], which aired starting in February 2023.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Dean Devlin explains why 'The Ark' isn't 'woke' sci-fi: 'There's an attempt to politicize everything now' |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dean-devlin-the-ark-woke-sci-fi-independence-day-194347120.html |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.yahoo.com |date=February 2, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Video games===
Devlin was an advisor to the video game company [[ZeniMax Media]] from 1999 to 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zenimax.com/profile9.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010211201113/http://www.zenimax.com/profile9.html |archive-date=February 11, 2001 |title=ZeniMax Media &#124; profile – business advisory board |date=September 23, 2001 |access-date=January 23, 2013}}</ref> Additionally Devlin was involved in video game projects [[The 10th Planet]]<ref name="Writers">{{cite web|first=Conor|last=McNicholas|url=https://archive.org/details/PCZone031Oct1995/page/n17/mode/2up|title=The Bizarre Tenth Planet|magazine=[[PC Zone]]|page=18|date=October 1995|accessdate=May 27, 2022}}</ref> and [[Godzilla Online]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.godzillaonline.com/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19990117010407/http://www.godzillaonline.com:80/|title=Godzilla Online|website=godzillaonline.com|archivedate=January 17, 1999|accessdate=May 27, 2022}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Devlin is married to actress [[Lisa Brenner]].{{Citation needed |date=January 2025}}

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Title
! Director
! Producer
! Writer
! Notes
|-
| 1992
| ''[[Universal Soldier (1992 film)|Universal Soldier]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{yes}}
| Co-writer with [[Richard Rothstein (screenwriter)|Richard Rothstein]] & Christopher Leitch
|-
| 1994
| ''[[Stargate (film)|Stargate]]''
| {{No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| Co-writer with [[Roland Emmerich]]
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]''
| {{No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| Co-writer with Roland Emmerich
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla]]''
| {{No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| Co-writer with Roland Emmerich; co-wrote story with Emmerich, [[Terry Rossio]] & [[Ted Elliott (screenwriter)|Ted Elliott]]
|-
| 2000
| ''[[The Patriot (2000 film)|The Patriot]]''
| {{No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Eight Legged Freaks]]''
| {{No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Cellular (film)|Cellular]]''
| {{No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2006
| ''[[Who Killed the Electric Car?]]''
| {{no}}
| {{yes|Executive}}
| {{no}}
| Documentary
|-
| ''[[Flyboys (film)|Flyboys]]''
| {{No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2011
| ''Shakespeare High''
| {{no}}
| {{yes|Executive}}
| {{no}}
| Documentary
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Transit (2013 film)|Transit]]''
| {{no}}
| {{yes|Executive}}
| {{no}}
|
|-
| 2015
| ''[[The Wannabe]]''
| {{no}}
| {{yes|Executive}}
| {{no}}
|
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Independence Day: Resurgence]]''
| {{No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| Co-writer with Roland Emmerich, [[Nicolas Wright]], [[James A. Woods]] & [[James Vanderbilt]]
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Geostorm]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| Directorial debut<br>Co-writer with Paul Guyot
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Bad Samaritan (film)|Bad Samaritan]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
|}

=== Television ===
The numbers in directing and writing credits refer to the number of episodes.

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Year
! rowspan="2" scope="col"| Title
! colspan="4" scope="col" | Functioned as
! rowspan="2" scope="col"| Network
! rowspan="2" scope="col" class="unsortable"| Notes
|-
! Creator
! Director
! Writer
! Executive<br>producer
|-
|1997–98
!scope=row|''[[The Visitor (TV series)|The Visitor]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}} (3)
|{{yes}}
|[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]
|
|-
|1998–2000
!scope=row|''[[Godzilla: The Series]]''
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|[[Fox Kids]]
|
|-
|2004
!scope=row|''[[The Librarian: Quest for the Spear]]''
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|[[TNT (American TV network)|TNT]]
|Television film
|-
|2005
!scope=row|''[[The Triangle (miniseries)|The Triangle]]''
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes|Story}}
|{{yes}}
|[[Syfy|Sci-Fi Channel]]
|Miniseries
|-
|2006
!scope=row|''Talk to Me''
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|rowspan="5"|TNT
|Unaired pilot
|-
|2006
!scope=row|''[[The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines]]''
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|Television film
|-
|2008
!scope=row|''Blank Slate''
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|Television film
|-
|2008
!scope=row|''[[The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice]]''
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|Television film
|-
|2008–12
!scope=row|''[[Leverage (American TV series)|Leverage]]''
|{{no}}
|{{yes}} (16)
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|
|-
|2011
!scope=row|''Brain Trust''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|[[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]]
|Unaired pilot
|-
|2014–18
!scope=row|''[[The Librarians (2014 TV series)|The Librarians]]''
|{{no}}
|{{yes}} (6)
|{{yes}} (1)
|{{yes}}
|TNT
|
|-
|2018–21
!scope=row|''[[The Outpost (TV series)|The Outpost]]''
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|[[The CW]]
|
|-
|2020–present
!scope=row|''[[Almost Paradise (TV series)|Almost Paradise]]''
|{{no}}
|{{yes}} (1)
|{{yes}} (2)
|{{yes}}
|[[NewsNation|WGN America]] season 1, [[Amazon Freevee]] season 2
|
|-
|2021–present
!scope=row|''[[Leverage: Redemption]]''
|{{no}}
|{{yes}} (4)
|{{yes}} (1)
|{{yes}}
|[[Amazon Freevee]]
|
|-
|2023
!scope=row|''[[The Ark (TV series)|The Ark]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}} (1)
|{{yes}} (1)
|{{yes}}
|Syfy
|<ref name=":0" />
|}

===Acting roles===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1984
| ''[[The Wild Life (1984 film)|The Wild Life]]''
| Liquor Store Clerk
|-
| ''[[City Limits (1985 film)|City Limits]]''
| Ernie
|-
| 1985
| ''[[Real Genius]]''
| Milton
|-
| 1989
| ''[[Martians Go Home (film)|Martians Go Home]]''
| Joe Fledermaus
|-
| 1990
| ''[[Moon 44]]''
| Tyler
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Total Exposure (film)|Total Exposure]]''
| Adult Bookstore Manager
|-
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{| class=wikitable
|-
! scope="col" colspan="6"| [[Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films]]
|-
! scope="col" style="width:1em;"| Year
! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Nominated work
! scope="col" style="width:22em;"| Category
! scope="col" style="width:7em;"| Result
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]''
| [[Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films|Best Writer]]
| {{Nom}}
|-
| 1998
| {{n/a}}
| [[Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films|George Pal Memorial Award]]
| {{Won}}
|-
! scope="col" colspan="6"| [[Golden Raspberry Awards]]
|-
| [[17th Golden Raspberry Awards|1996]]
| ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]''
| [[17th Golden Raspberry Awards|Worst Written Film Grossing Over $100 Million]]
| {{Nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[19th Golden Raspberry Awards|1998]]
| rowspan="2"| ''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla]]''
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture|Worst Picture]]
| {{Nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay|Worst Screenplay]]
| {{Nom}}
|-
| [[37th Golden Raspberry Awards|2016]]
| ''[[Independence Day: Resurgence]]''
| {{Nom}}
|-
! scope="col" colspan="6"| [[Hugo Award]]s
|-
| 1994
| ''[[Stargate (film)|Stargate]]''
| rowspan="2"| [[Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation|Best Dramatic Presentation]]
| {{Nom}}
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]''
| {{Nom}}
|-
! scope="col" colspan="6"| Online Film & Television Association
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]''
| Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Picture
| {{Nom}}
|-
! scope="col" colspan="6"| Sci-Fi Universe Magazine
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]''
| Best Writing for a Genre Motion Picture
| {{Won}}
|-
! scope="col" colspan="6"| [[Stinkers Bad Movie Awards]]
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla]]''
| [[Stinkers Bad Movie Awards|Worst Screenplay for a Film Grossing More than<br/> $100 Million Using Hollywood Math]]
| {{Won}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{IMDb name|2041}}
*Snider, John C. (December 2, 2008). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110612123424/http://www.scifidimensions.com/main/2008/12/02/podcast-20-dean-devlin/ "Podcast #20 – Dean Devlin"]. SciFiDimensions.
{{Dean Devlin}}
{{The George Pal Memorial Award}}


{{Authority control}}
<references/>


[[Category:1962 births|Devlin, Dean]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Devlin, Dean}}
[[Category:American screenwriters|Devlin, Dean]]
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:American film producers|Devlin, Dean]]
[[Category:20th-century American screenwriters]]
[[Category:Filipino Americans|Devlin, Dean]]
[[Category:21st-century American screenwriters]]
[[Category:Filipino American writers|Devlin, Dean]]
[[Category:Film producers from New York (state)]]
[[Category:American businesspeople|Devlin, Dean]]
[[Category:American male actors of Filipino descent]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers|Devlin, Dean]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:Living people|Devlin, Dean]]
[[Category:American male screenwriters]]
[[Category:Happy Days actors|Devlin, Dean]]
[[Category:American people of Jewish descent]]
[[Category:People from New York City|Devlin, Dean]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:University of Southern California alumni|Devlin, Dean]]
[[Category:Male actors from New York City]]
[[Category:University of Southern California alumni]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from New York (state)]]
[[Category:American film directors of Filipino descent]]
[[Category:American television directors]]
[[Category:American film production company founders]]
[[Category:American television producers]]
[[Category:American television writers]]
[[Category:Skydance Media people]]

Latest revision as of 22:26, 7 January 2025

Dean Devlin
Devlin at the 2023 WonderCon
Born (1962-08-27) August 27, 1962 (age 62)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Southern California
Occupations
  • Screenwriter
  • producer
  • director
  • actor
Years active1980–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2003)​
Children2
ParentPilar Seurat

Dean Devlin (born August 27, 1962) is an American screenwriter, producer, director, and actor of film and television. He is best known for his collaborations with director Roland Emmerich, and for his work on the Librarian and Leverage television franchises. He is a co-founder of the production companies Centropolis Entertainment and Electric Entertainment.

Early life

[edit]

Devlin was born in New York City, the son of actress Pilar Seurat and Don Devlin, a writer, actor, and producer.[1] His father was Jewish and his mother was Filipino.[2] He attended the University of Southern California.

Career

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Devlin at the 2017 New York Comic Con

Devlin appeared as an actor on numerous television shows throughout the 1980s. He also appeared in films including My Bodyguard, The Wild Life, Real Genius and Martians Go Home. Due to his youthful appearance, Devlin often played teenage characters despite being in his 20s.

Devlin gradually began writing scripts. His first produced screenplay was for Universal Soldier. He reached prominence as a writer/producer working alongside director Roland Emmerich, with whom he teamed after appearing in Emmerich's film Moon 44. Together they cowrote and produced Stargate, the first movie to have a web site.[3] The team then produced Independence Day and Godzilla. They split following the 2000 Mel Gibson film The Patriot, but re-teamed to film Independence Day: Resurgence in 2016.[4] Devlin has also produced Cellular, Who Killed the Electric Car?, and Flyboys.[5]

Devlin's directorial debut was the action sci-fi film Geostorm for Warner Bros.[6] The film was set for a March 2016 release,[7] later rescheduled for October 2017. It starred Gerard Butler as the lead[6] with Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish, Ed Harris and Andy García.[8] The film made $221 million on a $120 million budget.[9] In March 2018, Deadline Hollywood calculated the film lost Warner Bros. $71.6 million when factoring in all other expenses and revenues.[10]

Devlin's second film as director was the 2018 thriller Bad Samaritan, starring Robert Sheehan and David Tennant.[11]

Television

[edit]

Devlin produced The Triangle miniseries, Leverage (of which he has directed twelve episodes), The Librarian franchise, and The Outpost. He also co-created The Visitor series.[12]

In 2019 Devlin began working with the Philippine media conglomerate ABS-CBN to produce a new series called Almost Paradise (originally titled Off Tropic.)[13] The series premiered in the United States on May 30, 2020, on WGN America, and premiered on Kapamilya Channel in 2021.[14] It was filmed entirely in the Philippines and the majority of the cast members are Filipino, aside from the lead—played by Christian Kane, whom Devlin also worked with on the television shows Leverage and The Librarians.[15]

Delvin produced The Ark TV series for Syfy, which aired starting in February 2023.[16]

Video games

[edit]

Devlin was an advisor to the video game company ZeniMax Media from 1999 to 2004.[17] Additionally Devlin was involved in video game projects The 10th Planet[18] and Godzilla Online.[19]

Personal life

[edit]

Devlin is married to actress Lisa Brenner.[citation needed]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Director Producer Writer Notes
1992 Universal Soldier No No Yes Co-writer with Richard Rothstein & Christopher Leitch
1994 Stargate No Yes Yes Co-writer with Roland Emmerich
1996 Independence Day No Yes Yes Co-writer with Roland Emmerich
1998 Godzilla No Yes Yes Co-writer with Roland Emmerich; co-wrote story with Emmerich, Terry Rossio & Ted Elliott
2000 The Patriot No Yes No
2002 Eight Legged Freaks No Yes No
2004 Cellular No Yes No
2006 Who Killed the Electric Car? No Executive No Documentary
Flyboys No Yes No
2011 Shakespeare High No Executive No Documentary
2013 Transit No Executive No
2015 The Wannabe No Executive No
2016 Independence Day: Resurgence No Yes Yes Co-writer with Roland Emmerich, Nicolas Wright, James A. Woods & James Vanderbilt
2017 Geostorm Yes Yes Yes Directorial debut
Co-writer with Paul Guyot
2018 Bad Samaritan Yes Yes No

Television

[edit]

The numbers in directing and writing credits refer to the number of episodes.

Year Title Functioned as Network Notes
Creator Director Writer Executive
producer
1997–98 The Visitor Yes No Yes (3) Yes Fox
1998–2000 Godzilla: The Series No No No Yes Fox Kids
2004 The Librarian: Quest for the Spear No No No Yes TNT Television film
2005 The Triangle No No Story Yes Sci-Fi Channel Miniseries
2006 Talk to Me No No No Yes TNT Unaired pilot
2006 The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines No No No Yes Television film
2008 Blank Slate No No No Yes Television film
2008 The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice No No No Yes Television film
2008–12 Leverage No Yes (16) No Yes
2011 Brain Trust Yes Yes No Yes TBS Unaired pilot
2014–18 The Librarians No Yes (6) Yes (1) Yes TNT
2018–21 The Outpost No No No Yes The CW
2020–present Almost Paradise No Yes (1) Yes (2) Yes WGN America season 1, Amazon Freevee season 2
2021–present Leverage: Redemption No Yes (4) Yes (1) Yes Amazon Freevee
2023 The Ark Yes Yes (1) Yes (1) Yes Syfy [16]

Acting roles

[edit]
Year Title Role
1984 The Wild Life Liquor Store Clerk
City Limits Ernie
1985 Real Genius Milton
1989 Martians Go Home Joe Fledermaus
1990 Moon 44 Tyler
1991 Total Exposure Adult Bookstore Manager

Awards and nominations

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Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films
Year Nominated work Category Result
1996 Independence Day Best Writer Nominated
1998 — George Pal Memorial Award Won
Golden Raspberry Awards
1996 Independence Day Worst Written Film Grossing Over $100 Million Nominated
1998 Godzilla Worst Picture Nominated
Worst Screenplay Nominated
2016 Independence Day: Resurgence Nominated
Hugo Awards
1994 Stargate Best Dramatic Presentation Nominated
1996 Independence Day Nominated
Online Film & Television Association
1996 Independence Day Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Picture Nominated
Sci-Fi Universe Magazine
1996 Independence Day Best Writing for a Genre Motion Picture Won
Stinkers Bad Movie Awards
1998 Godzilla Worst Screenplay for a Film Grossing More than
$100 Million Using Hollywood Math 		Won

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Dean Devlin Biography (1962–)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  2. ^ "Fil-Am producer Dean Devlin soars with 'Flyboys'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 24, 2006. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  3. ^ "Godzilla guy has a love for the game". Reed Business Information. December 11, 2000. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
  4. ^ "ID Forever: Emmerich is producing with Dean Devlin and Harald Kloser". Collider.com. June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  5. ^ "FLYBOYS Squadron Gets Massive New Update-Free Update, Great Reviews, and a Real Fighter Pilot Flight!". Business Wire. Berkshire Hathaway. November 29, 2006. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  6. ^ a b McNary, Dave (April 11, 2014). "Gerard Butler to Star in Sci-Fi Thriller 'Geostorm'". variety.com. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  7. ^ "Warner Bros Slots 'Geostorm' For 2016". Deadline Hollywood. May 2, 2014. Archived from the original on May 7, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  8. ^ "Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish in Talks to Join Gerard Butler in 'Geostorm'". hollywoodreporter.com.
  9. ^ Box Office Mojo: Geostorm
  10. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 29, 2018). "What Were The Biggest Bombs At The 2017 B.O.? Deadline's Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  11. ^ Patten, Dominic (September 16, 2013). "Dean Devlin Sets Next Directorial Effort As Electric Entertainment Picks Up 2 Projects". Deadline. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  12. ^ "FOX SETTLES LAWSUIT OVER 'THE VISITOR'". Los Angeles Daily News. Digital First Media. September 19, 1997. Archived from the original on May 1, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2017 – via TheFreeDictionary.com.
  13. ^ Camus, Miguel R. (September 26, 2019). "ABS-CBN begins Hollywood gamble with crime series". business.inquirer.net. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  14. ^ "'Together as One in 2021': Here are ABS-CBN's upcoming shows, offerings". ABS-CBN News. December 21, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  15. ^ Jacobs, Meredity (January 19, 2020). "Christian Kane Is Trying to Avoid Stress in 'Almost Paradise'". TVInsider.com. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  16. ^ a b "Dean Devlin explains why 'The Ark' isn't 'woke' sci-fi: 'There's an attempt to politicize everything now'". www.yahoo.com. February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  17. ^ "ZeniMax Media | profile – business advisory board". September 23, 2001. Archived from the original on February 11, 2001. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  18. ^ McNicholas, Conor (October 1995). "The Bizarre Tenth Planet". PC Zone. p. 18. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  19. ^ "Godzilla Online". godzillaonline.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
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