Biography
Dan Harris is a writer, director, and photographer known for a wide array of projects. As of June 2015, he is developing the outer space TV series 'Manifest Destiny' with Legendary Pictures, and 'The Family' alongside Sony Pictures, SYFY Network, and producer Neal Moritz. He is also set to direct his screenplays for the films 'Eternica' and 'Speech and Debate', the latter adapted from Pulitzer Prize nominee Stephen Karam’s acclaimed off-Broadway play, currently in pre-production with Sycamore Pictures. Recently, he co-wrote the upcoming film X-Men: Apocalypse, marking his third involvement in the X-Men franchise.
At 22, Dan co-wrote the blockbuster X2: X-Men United and recently revised X-Men: Days of Future Past, which earned $415 million and over $700 million worldwide, respectively. Alongside writing partner Michael Dougherty, he co-wrote the hit "Superman Returns," directed by Bryan Singer. Released by Warner Bros. on June 30, 2006, the film starred Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, James Marsden, Eva Marie Saint, Frank Langella, and Parker Posey, grossing $450 million globally.
Harris made his feature film writing and directing debut with "Imaginary Heroes," a heartfelt coming-of-age story starring Sigourney Weaver, Jeff Daniels, Emile Hirsch, and Michelle Williams. The film premiered as a Gala Presentation at the 29th Toronto Film Festival and received special recognition for excellence in filmmaking from the National Board of Review.
Named one of Variety’s top 10 screenwriters to watch, Dan also wrote 'Skullduggery Pleasant' for director David Dobkin and produced Michael Dougherty's 'Trick 'r Treat'. Additionally, Harris and Dougherty penned the screenplays for "Ender's Game" and the forthcoming films "Logan's Run," "Charlie Chan," and "Carpe Demon" for director Chris Columbus. Together, they completed the final drafts of 'Wanted' and 'Fantastic Four'. Harris, Dougherty, and Singer also collaborated on the Superman Returns prequel comic books for DC Comics.
Dan’s photography has appeared three times in the New York fashion and arts publication Visionaire (Magic, World, and Fairytale editions). In 2005, he was featured in Vanity Fair’s esteemed Hollywood Portfolio. While still in college, his short film "Urban Chaos Theory" won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Film at the NoDance Film Festival. The following winter, his short "The Killing of Candice Klein" received rave reviews at the Sundance Film Festival. After graduating from Columbia University, Harris was awarded the Louis B. Sudler Prize in the Arts for his screenplay "America’s Least Wanted," a unique honor in the film department.
Raised in Pennsylvania, Dan’s passion for filmmaking began when, at seventeen and working as a production assistant, he was accidentally struck by a tennis ball thrown by Woody Allen. Since then, he has aspired to be a filmmaker.
