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David Kirschner Productions manages a diverse range of projects, with a focus on family and genre films. Currently underway is the film adaptation of the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning short story Martian Child, penned by sci-fi legend David Gerrold (known for Star Trek's "The Trouble with Tribbles"). The film stars John Cusack (High Fidelity, Identity) and is directed by Menno Meyjes, acclaimed for 2004's Max and an Oscar-nominated screenwriter for The Color Purple and The Siege. This comedy-drama explores the quirky challenges of a science-fiction writer (Cusack) who adopts a boy claiming to be a Martian. The screenplay was written by Seth Bass and Jon Tolins (Broadway's "Twilight of the Golds").
Later this summer, Kirschner and producing partner Corey Sienega will collaborate with Mike Medavoy to produce a biopic about celebrated children's author and illustrator Beatrix Potter (The Tale of Peter Rabbit). Starring Oscar winner Renée Zellweger (Bridget Jones, Chicago), this magical romantic drama was written by Tony Award winner Richard Maltby (Miss Saigon, Ain't Misbehavin') and will be directed by Chris Noonan (Babe).
Last year, Kirschner produced Seed of Chucky, the fifth installment of the popular horror franchise, which premiered in theaters in November. He also served as Executive Producer on the five-hour sci-fi thriller miniseries 5 Days Til Midnight, which aired June 7-10 on the Sci-Fi Channel and starred Oscar winner Timothy Hutton (Ordinary People, Falcon and the Snowman).
In Fall 2003, New Line released the successful family film Secondhand Lions in theaters. Starring Oscar winners Michael Caine and Robert Duvall alongside Oscar nominee Haley Joel Osment, the film was written and directed by Tim McCanlies (Iron Giant) and is currently being developed into a Broadway musical. Martian Child marks Kirschner's second collaboration with New Line.
In 2002, Kirschner produced Lionsgate's critically acclaimed thriller Frailty. Directed by Bill Paxton, who also starred alongside Matthew McConaughey, the film received the National Board of Review's Excellence in Filmmaking award that year.
A native of suburban Los Angeles, Kirschner began his career illustrating Jim Henson's Muppet and Sesame Street characters. At 23, he created and illustrated the children's book series Rose Petal Place, which expanded into 16 books, two television specials, and over 1,100 licensed products.
In 1986, Kirschner created and executive produced An American Tail with Steven Spielberg. The film became one of the most successful animated features in history, spawning a sequel, An American Tail 2: Fievel Goes West, a Saturday morning animated series, and direct-to-video sequels American Tail 3, 4, and 5. Kirschner's second feature was the horror hit Child's Play, introducing the animatronic doll "Chucky," which he created. The character gained cult status and led to sequels Child's Play II, Child's Play III, and the 1998 box-office success Bride of Chucky, starring Jennifer Tilly. Seed of Chucky, the horror-comedy fifth installment in the franchise, was released in theaters last November.
Kirschner’s next production, Disney's hit comedy-thriller Hocus Pocus, was based on his short story and starred Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy.
He also created and produced NBC's Emmy-nominated The Dreamer of Oz, starring John Ritter, a television event about L. Frank Baum, creator of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Kirschner produced the Emmy-winning The Halloween Tree, written and narrated by Ray Bradbury. Later, he served as Executive Producer of Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict, which earned two Emmy nominations over its five-year run, entered second-run syndication, and currently airs on the Sci-Fi Channel.
On the theatrical front, Kirschner executive produced the box-office hit The Flintstones, again collaborating with Spielberg. He co-wrote and produced Twentieth Century Fox/Turner's live-action and animated fantasy The Pagemaster, based on a book he co-authored that was named the American Library Association's "Children’s Book of the Year."
Kirschner also produced the critically acclaimed animated feature Cats Don't Dance, released by Warner Bros. in spring 1997. The film won the Golden Crown at Annecy and the Annie Award for Best Feature, surpassing Disney's Hercules and Warner Bros.' Space Jam. In summer 2000, Twentieth Century Fox released Titan A.E., a space adventure loosely inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.
Currently in production at Universal is an animated adaptation of the classic Curious George books, with Kirschner collaborating with producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer. The film stars Will Ferrell.
