Like many kids born in the 60s and 70s, David Fincher was influenced by George Lucas' "Star Wars" films. Fincher, however, was affected a little more than the rest of us. Not long after seeing "The Empire Strikes Back," Fincher, then 18, went to work at Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic. He stayed for four years, gathering visual effects credits on "Return of the Jedi" and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom." Think about that for a second. By his early 20s, Fincher had worked on both a "Star Wars" film and an "Indy" movie, making him one of the few people to have sat on the epicenters of defining moments of his own generation. He's a lucky, lucky bastard.
In the mid-80s Fincher left ILM to shop his directing wares in the video and commercial worlds. Within five years he distinguished himself in both industries, helming videos for Aerosmith ("Janie's Got a Gun"), Billy Idol ("Cradle of Love"), Madonna ("Express Yourself," "Vogue"), and the Wallflowers ("6th Avenue Heartache") as well as commercials for corporate behemoths like Nike, Coke, Budweiser, and Levis.
Impressed by Fincher's work, 20th Century Fox in 1991 offered Fincher his first feature-length project—the third "Alien" film. At first it seemed to be a good match. The "Alien" franchise was a director's showcase, allowing Ridley Scott to bring his vision to the original film then following up with James Cameron's bombastic sequel. With "Alien3" Fincher could inject his own style into a well-established storyline.
Or so he thought.
"Alien3" was a bad move for Fincher. His talents are best suited for an original story rather than a sequel. Audiences were already introduced to, and intrigued by, Sigourney Weaver's Ripley, so Fincher's attempt to drop the same character into a completely foreign plot was unnerving. Frankly, the "Alien" franchise would have been better off if it had stopped after two films.
Fortunately, the box-office disappointment of "Alien3" didn't blacklist Fincher from Hollywood. In 1995 he returned with "Se7en," and this time his abilities came to fruition. This grisly, disturbing film has the allure of a train wreck—you shouldn't watch it, but it's impossible not to stare in horror and confusion. "Se7en" is, quite simply, one of the most riveting films ever made. Audiences agreed, vaulting "Se7en" past the $100-million mark and solidifying Fincher as an A-list director.
Fincher returned in 1997 with "The Game," a lighter feature than "Se7en" but one still steeped in themes of moral ambiguity. "The Game" also revealed Fincher's affinity toward twisty, unexpected endings—a hook he employed to impressive measure with 1999's "Fight Club." Starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, "Fight Club" was at first deemed a failure because of lackluster box office returns, but over the years its been embraced—deservedly so—as a cult classic that flips a cathartic middle finger at our love affair with consumerism.
Fincher has enjoyed significant critical acclaim, but this acclaim has yet to manifest itself through awards nominations. The director has never received notice from the Academy or the Golden Globes. Given his predilection for darker fare, Fincher's awards-based accolades might not appear until later in his career, when voting bodies are forced to recognize his extensive filmography.
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Director Filmography:
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| Panic Room |
2002 |
| Fight Club |
1999 |
| The Game |
1997 |
| Se7en |
1995 |
| Alien3 |
1992 |
| The Beat of the Live Drum |
1985 |
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Full IMDb Filmography
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Fincher Bails on M:I-3
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The third installment of "Mission: Impossible" now lies in the hands of "Narc" writer/director Joe Carnahan, reports Variety. Months ago, "Fight Club" helmer David Fincher was the "M:I-3" frontrunner, but Fincher is now overseeing the skater-pic "The Lords of Dogtown."
Posted: 02/26/03
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David Fincher Reincarnates Peter Proud
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David Fincher ("Panic Room") is negotiating to direct a remake of the 1975 film "The Reincarnation of Peter Proud," says Variety. The original centered on a college professor who experiences flashbacks to a past life that may have ended in murder.
Posted: 05/07/02
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David Fincher Assumes Control of Mission: Impossible III
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"Panic Room" helmer David Fincher is expected to direct "Mission: Impossible III," reports Variety. Fincher has yet to sign, but the article says his representatives are in final negotiations to take over the third installment of the "Mission" franchise. If he joins the project, "M:I3" promises to be a lot different than its predecessors given Fincher's unique directing style. Those unfamiliar with his work should see "Fight Club" and "Panic Room" for a taste of what's to come.
Much like the "Alien" films, the "Mission" series is a director's showcase. Brian DePalma ("Mission to Mars") and John Woo ("Face/Off") handled parts 1 and 2 respectively.
Posted: 04/17/02
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Review: Panic Room
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Panic Room (Grade: A-) — David Fincher, forced to make a small set consistently tense, thrives in his limited confines with impressive direction and sly camera work. Reviewed by Brian Orndorf.
Posted: 03/25/02
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