Jason Keller (playwright)
Encyclopedia
Jason Keller is an American playwright and screenwriter.
Keller attended Ball State University
before receiving a writing scholarship to Regent's College
in London, England where he studied film and theater. He has had numerous plays produced in London, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and was the recipient of a New Harmony Writing Project Fellowship in 1995 for his play “Paris Moon” (along with screenwriter Angelo Pizzo
and Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Schenkkan
).
After moving to Los Angeles, Keller began his professional screenwriting career when New Line Cinema
reportedly paid him $1.4 million for his spec script “Sugar’s Sweet Science of Bruising.” Keller scripted the movie "Machine Gun Preacher
" which is directed by Marc Forster
and stars Gerard Butler
, Michelle Monaghan
, and Michael Shannon
. "Machine Gun Preacher" is based on the book by Sam Childers
entitled "Another Man's War" and is scheduled for release by Relativity Media
in September/2011. According to Variety and Deadline Hollywood, Keller is also developing "Go Like Hell" with Michael Mann attached to direct. "Go Like Hell" is based on the book by A.J. Baime about Formula One auto racing in the mid-60's. Most recently, Keller scripted Mirror Mirror
starring Julia Roberts with Tarsem Singh
directing. Mirror Mirror
represents the second collaboration between Keller and Tarsem since the movie Immortals (for which Keller wrote an uncredited production draft).
In June of 2011 it was announced that Keller would collaborate with director Matt Reeves
on the adaptation of the Justin Cronin novel "The Passage (2010 novel)
" for Fox 2000 with Ridley Scott
producing.
His father, Ron Keller, is a former professional baseball player for the Minnesota Twins
(’66, ‘68). His mother, Susan Keller, is an actress and spokesperson.
On May 27th, 2005 Keller married actress Kristin Dattilo (The Chris Isaak Show
, Dexter (TV series)
). His first child, Eve Valentine, was born on December 4, 2007. His second daughter, Quinn, was born on November 10th, 2010.
Keller attended Ball State University
Ball State University
Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...
before receiving a writing scholarship to Regent's College
Regent's College
Regent's College is located in Regent's Park, London, England. It is one of the two largest groups of buildings in the park, along with the London Zoo, and was built on the site of South Villa, one of the original eight Regent's Park villas....
in London, England where he studied film and theater. He has had numerous plays produced in London, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and was the recipient of a New Harmony Writing Project Fellowship in 1995 for his play “Paris Moon” (along with screenwriter Angelo Pizzo
Angelo Pizzo
Angelo Pizzo is an American screen writer and film producer, best known for Hoosiers and Rudy. Pizzo grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, the son of a Sicilian immigrant, and attended Indiana University where he received his bachelor degree in political science. He and his family lived in Ojai,...
and Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Schenkkan
Robert Schenkkan
Robert Frederic Schenkkan, Jr. is an American playwright, screenwriter, and actor, perhaps most recognizable as the character of Lieutenant Commander Dexter Remmick in Star Trek: The Next Generation...
).
After moving to Los Angeles, Keller began his professional screenwriting career when New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema, often simply referred to as New Line, is an American film studio. It was founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne as a film distributor, later becoming an independent film studio. It became a subsidiary of Time Warner in 1996 and was merged with larger sister studio Warner...
reportedly paid him $1.4 million for his spec script “Sugar’s Sweet Science of Bruising.” Keller scripted the movie "Machine Gun Preacher
Machine Gun Preacher
Machine Gun Preacher is a 2011 action biopic film about Sam Childers, a biking preacher-defender of Sudanese orphans. The movie was written by Jason Keller, directed by Marc Forster and stars Scottish actor Gerard Butler as Childers...
" which is directed by Marc Forster
Marc Forster
Marc Forster is a German-Swiss filmmaker and screenwriter. He is best known for directing the films Monster's Ball, Finding Neverland, Stranger than Fiction, The Kite Runner, and Quantum of Solace.- Life and career :...
and stars Gerard Butler
Gerard Butler
Gerard James Butler is a Scottish actor who has appeared on film, stage, and television. A trained lawyer, Butler turned to acting in the mid-1990s with small roles in productions such as the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies , which he followed with steady work on television, most notably in...
, Michelle Monaghan
Michelle Monaghan
Michelle Lynn Monaghan is an American actress known for her roles in Mission: Impossible III, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Gone Baby Gone, Made of Honor, The Heartbreak Kid, Eagle Eye, and Source Code.-Early life:...
, and Michael Shannon
Michael Shannon (actor)
Michael Corbett Shannon is an American stage, film, and television actor. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Revolutionary Road...
. "Machine Gun Preacher" is based on the book by Sam Childers
Sam Childers
Sam Childers is a former gang biker who now dedicates his life and resources to rescue children in the war zone of South Sudan. Childers and his wife Lynn founded and operate Angels of East Africa, the Children's Village Orphanage in Nimule, Sudan, where they currently have more than 300 children...
entitled "Another Man's War" and is scheduled for release by Relativity Media
Relativity Media
Relativity Media is an American independent motion picture production and investment company based in West Hollywood, California.- Company :...
in September/2011. According to Variety and Deadline Hollywood, Keller is also developing "Go Like Hell" with Michael Mann attached to direct. "Go Like Hell" is based on the book by A.J. Baime about Formula One auto racing in the mid-60's. Most recently, Keller scripted Mirror Mirror
Mirror Mirror (film)
Mirror Mirror is an upcoming comedy fantasy film based on ‘’Snow White’’ by the Brothers Grimm. It is directed by Tarsem Singh and stars Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer, and Sean Bean. The film, which had previously been known as Untitled Snow White Project, was officially titled Mirror...
starring Julia Roberts with Tarsem Singh
Tarsem Singh
Tarsem Dhandwar Singh , known professionally as Tarsem, is an Indian director who has worked on films, music videos, and commercials.- Life and career :...
directing. Mirror Mirror
Mirror Mirror (film)
Mirror Mirror is an upcoming comedy fantasy film based on ‘’Snow White’’ by the Brothers Grimm. It is directed by Tarsem Singh and stars Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer, and Sean Bean. The film, which had previously been known as Untitled Snow White Project, was officially titled Mirror...
represents the second collaboration between Keller and Tarsem since the movie Immortals (for which Keller wrote an uncredited production draft).
In June of 2011 it was announced that Keller would collaborate with director Matt Reeves
Matt Reeves
Matthew George "Matt" Reeves is an American film writer, director and producer.-Early life:Reeves was born in Rockville Centre, New York, and raised in Los Angeles, California. He began making movies at eight years old, directing friends with a wind-up camera. Reeves met and became friends with J.J...
on the adaptation of the Justin Cronin novel "The Passage (2010 novel)
The Passage (2010 novel)
The Passage is a novel by Justin Cronin, published in 2010 by Ballantine Books a division of Random House, Inc., New York. The Passage debuted at #3 on the New York Times hardcover fiction best seller list, and remained on the list 7 additional weeks...
" for Fox 2000 with Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott
Sir Ridley Scott is an English film director and producer. His most famous films include The Duellists , Alien , Blade Runner , Legend , Thelma & Louise , G. I...
producing.
His father, Ron Keller, is a former professional baseball player for the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
(’66, ‘68). His mother, Susan Keller, is an actress and spokesperson.
On May 27th, 2005 Keller married actress Kristin Dattilo (The Chris Isaak Show
The Chris Isaak Show
The Chris Isaak Show is a television sitcom which follows a fictionalized version of the life of American rock musician Chris Isaak. The show portrays Isaak and his band members as everyday people with everyday problems...
, Dexter (TV series)
Dexter (TV series)
Dexter is an American television drama series, which debuted on Showtime on October 1, 2006. The sixth season premiered on October 2, 2011. The series centers on Dexter Morgan , a bloodstain pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department who moonlights as a serial killer...
). His first child, Eve Valentine, was born on December 4, 2007. His second daughter, Quinn, was born on November 10th, 2010.