Louis Leterrier (French: [lwi lətɛʁje]; born 17 June 1973) is a French film and television director. Best known for his work in action films, he directed the first two Transporter films (2002–2005), The Incredible Hulk (2008), Clash of the Titans (2010), Now You See Me (2013), and the tenth and eleventh Fast & Furious installment, Fast X (2023), and Fast XI (2026). He also directed the streaming television series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019) and Lupin (2021).

Louis Leterrier
Leterrier at the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con
Born (1973-06-17) 17 June 1973 (age 51)
Paris, France
Alma materNew York University Tisch School of the Arts
Occupations
  • Film director
  • producer
Years active1997-present
SpouseBéatrice Leterrier (divorced)[1]
Children2
Parents
Relatives

Career

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In 1997, he assisted Jean-Pierre Jeunet on the set of Alien Resurrection. On returning to France, he worked with Luc Besson on the production of commercials for Club Internet and L'Oréal as well as on the film Joan of Arc. He also collaborated, as the second assistant director, with Alain Chabat on the production of Astérix & Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre (2002).

Later in 2002, Louis Leterrier directed The Transporter, an action movie starring Jason Statham. Although the US release lists him as artistic director and Corey Yuen as director, the opening credits of the European release grant him directorial credit and list Yuen as action director. Leterrier later entered the so-called "Besson stable" – a group of directors working on films produced by or associated with Luc Besson – alongside Chris Nahon and Pierre Morel. He directed Jet Li in Unleashed, his solo debut feature, a full-length martial arts film (2004). Luc Besson then entrusted him with directorial control of Transporter 2, set this time in Miami.[2]

In 2008, as part of a wave of French directors employed in Hollywood, he directed his first big-budget American film, The Incredible Hulk. His next project, a remake of the 1981 Clash of the Titans produced by Warner Bros., was released on 2 April 2010. Leterrier had mentioned that he would like to create a Clash of the Titans franchise, should the latest film prove to be successful.[3][4] However, in June 2010, Jonathan Liebesman was named as director of the sequel, leaving Leterrier's involvement in future films in doubt.[5]

Leterrier directed the spy comedy film Grimsby (2016), written by, and starring, Sacha Baron Cohen.[6] In March 2015, Deadline Hollywood reported that Leterrier was in talks to direct the shark thriller film In the Deep, for Sony Pictures Entertainment.[7] However, on 3 June 2015, TheWrap reported that Leterrier had exited the film due to creative differences and the reduction of the previously told budget.[8]

In 2019, Leterrier directed the first season of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance for Netflix, a prequel series to The Dark Crystal consisting of ten hour-long episodes.

In May 2022, Leterrier announced that he will be directing Fast X, the tenth installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, replacing series director Justin Lin, who retained producing and writing credits.[9] In April 2023, it was announced Leterrier would direct the eleventh film in the series.[10]

Filmography

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Feature films

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Director

Year Title Notes
2002 The Transporter
2005 Unleashed
Transporter 2
2008 The Incredible Hulk
2010 Clash of the Titans
2013 Now You See Me
2016 Grimsby
2022 The Takedown
2023 Fast X Replaced Justin Lin[11]
2025 11817
2026 Fast XI Pre-Production

Executive producer

Producer

Acting roles

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra Ouhécharlis
2010 Clash of the Titans Kraken Uncredited role

Television

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Year Title Director Executive
Producer
Notes
2017 Tycoon Yes Yes 9 episodes
2019 The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Yes Yes 10 episodes
2021 Lupin Yes No 3 episodes
TBA Dark Matter Yes Yes

Other credits

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Year Title Role
1992 The Son of the Mekong Trainee
1997 Alien Resurrection On-set production assistant
1998 Restons groupés Second assistant director
1999 The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc Production assistant
2002 Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra Second assistant director
The Idol
2016 Ares Co-producer

References

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  1. ^ Soghomonian, Talia (12 January 2011). "Louis Leterrier's Wife Béatrice to Direct WRECKING BALL; Eva Mendes to Star". Collider. Valnet Inc. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  2. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (23 March 2015). "Louis Letterier Transporter". BD. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  3. ^ "The Gods Should Fear Perseus' Plans for 'Clash' Trilogy". BloodyDisgusting. 29 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  4. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: 'Clash Of The Titans' Director Louis Leterrier Sees Franchise Potential, Hints At A Trilogy". MTV. Archived from the original on 24 January 2010.
  5. ^ "Liebesman Confirmed for Clash of the Titans 2". ComingSoon.net. 31 August 2010. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  6. ^ Kit, Borys (3 December 2013). "Louis Leterrier to Direct Sacha Baron Cohen in Spy Spoof 'Grimsby'". hollywoodreporter.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  7. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (23 March 2015). "Louis Letterier In Swim On Sony Shark Tale 'In The Deep'". Deadline. Archived from the original on 24 March 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  8. ^ Geier, Thom (3 June 2015). "Sony's Shark Movie 'In the Deep' Loses Director Louis Leterrier (Exclusive)". Thewrap.com. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  9. ^ Vary, Adam; Donnelly, Matt; Jackson, Angelique (2 May 2022). "Fast X: Louis Leterrier to Replace Justin Lin as Director". Variety. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  10. ^ Vlessing, Etan (19 April 2023). "Louis Leterrier to Direct 11th Fast and Furious Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  11. ^ Donnelly, Matt; Vary, Adam (2 May 2022). "'Fast X': Louis Leterrier to Replace Justin Lin as Director". Variety. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
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