Will Gluck (born November 7, 1978) is an American filmmaker, songwriter, and composer. He is known for writing and directing the Peter Rabbit films and Anyone but You (2023).

Will Gluck
Gluck at the premiere of Annie in December 2014
Born (1978-11-07) November 7, 1978 (age 45)
EducationUnited Nations International School
Cornell University
Occupations
  • Director
  • producer
  • screenwriter
  • songwriter
  • composer
Notable workAnyone But You, Easy A, Friends with Benefits, The Michael J. Fox Show, Peter Rabbit
SpouseTrista Gladden
Children2

Life and career

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Gluck is the son of American academic and Japanologist Carol Gluck and architect Peter L. Gluck.[1] He began his career as a television writer, working on such shows as Grosse Pointe, Luis and Andy Richter Controls the Universe.[2] He co-created and produced the Fox series The Loop with Pam Brady. He then became a feature director and his first effort was the film Fired Up which was released on February 20, 2009. His next film was 2010's Easy A, starring Emma Stone, Thomas Haden Church, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci, Lisa Kudrow, and Penn Badgley among others, which he also rewrote and produced. It grossed $75 million worldwide and was nominated for a People's Choice Award, Golden Globe Award (for Stone), Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy (which it won), GLAAD award, A.C.E. award, among others.

His project Friends with Benefits was released on July 22, 2011 and stars Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. The ensemble cast includes Woody Harrelson, Jenna Elfman, Richard Jenkins, Patricia Clarkson, and Emma Stone.[3] The film went on to gross over $150 million worldwide [4] and was nominated for a People's Choice Award (for Mila Kunis) as well as a nomination for Best Comedy Film.

He directed the remake of Annie (2014), filmed in New York City. It starred Quvenzhané Wallis, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Rose Byrne, and Bobby Cannavale. It was produced by Gluck, Will Smith, James Lassiter, and Jay-Z. It grossed over $139 million worldwide.[5]

He co-created, directed, and produced Michael J. Fox's 2013-2014 return to TV. The Michael J. Fox Show launched to critical acclaim and a first week audience of 16 million people.[6] NBC officially canceled the show on May 10, 2014 after one season.

Gluck and his Olive Bridge Entertainment production company are based at Sony Pictures Entertainment encompassing Columbia Pictures and at wiip for television. Their past productions include Woke for Hulu, Encore! for Disney+, Chicago Party Aunt and Sneakerheads for Netflix, along with a slate of other development.

Gluck's following film, Peter Rabbit, was released on February 9, 2018.[7] It stars Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson, and the voices of James Corden, Margot Robbie, Daisy Ridley, Elizabeth Debicki, and Sia. It became his most successful film financially to date grossing over $351 million worldwide.[8]

After the success of Peter Rabbit, he co-wrote, directed, and produced its sequel Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway. It was scheduled to be released around the world in February 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was subsequently released around the world on June 11, 2021 and earned over $150 million at the box office. [9]

His latest film, Anyone but You, which he co-wrote, directed, and produced, was released on December 22, 2023. It stars Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp, GaTa, Dermot Mulroney, Hadley Robinson, Rachel Griffiths, Darren Barnet, Michelle Hurd, Bryan Brown, Charlee Fraser, and Joe Davidson.[10] It grossed over $240 million worldwide.[11]

Filmography

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Feature films

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Year Film
Director Writer Producer Notes
2009 Fired Up! Yes Yes [a] No
2010 Easy A Yes No Yes
2011 Friends with Benefits Yes Yes Yes
2014 About Last Night No No Yes
Annie Yes Yes Yes Also lyricist and composer
2018 Peter Rabbit Yes Yes Yes
2021 Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway Yes Yes Yes
2023 Anyone but You Yes Yes Yes

Television

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Awards

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Work Award Category Result
Easy A 16th Critics' Choice Awards Best Comedy Won
37th People's Choice Awards Favorite Comedy Nominated
2011 Teen Choice Awards Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Romantic Comedy Won
2011 The Comedy Awards Best Comedy Director Nominated
Best Comedy Film Nominated
Friends with Benefits 38th People's Choice Awards Favorite Comedy Nominated
The Michael J. Fox Show 2013 Critics' Choice Television Award Most Exciting New Series Won
Annie 72nd Golden Globe Awards Best Original Song - "Opportunity" Nominated (With Sia and Greg Kurstin),
Peter Rabbit 2018 Teen Choice Awards Choice Fantasy Movie Nominated
Anyone but You 49th People's Choice Awards Best Comedy Nominated
35th GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding Film - Wide Theatrical Release Nominated

Notes

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  1. ^ Credited as "Freedom Jones"

References

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  1. ^ "Gluck+". Pentagram. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  2. ^ Michael Fleming (June 3, 2009). "Cast penciled in for 'Easy A'". Variety. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  3. ^ "Friends with Benefits". comingsoon.net. CraveOnline. August 18, 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2010.
  4. ^ "Friends with Benefits". Box Office Pro. July 22, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  5. ^ "Annie". Box Office Pro. December 19, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  6. ^ Alan Sepinwall (September 25, 2013). "Review: Stars return for 'The Michael J. Fox Show' & Robin Williams in 'The Crazy Ones'". Uproxx. Uproxx Media Group. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  7. ^ Spencer Perry (December 22, 2015). "Sony Animation Dates The Emoji Movie, Delays Animated Spider-Man". comingsoon.net. CraveOnline. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  8. ^ "Peter Rabbit". Box Office Mojo. June 16, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  9. ^ "Peter Rabbit". Box Office Mojo. June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  10. ^ "Anyone But You". Box Office Mojo. December 22, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  11. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 7, 2024). "First Weekend Of 2024 Down 16%, As 'Wonka' Leads, 'Night Swim' Paddles To $12M+, 'Aquaman 2' Nears $100M – Saturday AM Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
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