Gary Ross is an American screenwriter and director responsible for writing the scripts to some of your favorite childhood films, including Big, Dave, Lassie, and more. After a string of successes as a screenwriter throughout the 1990s, Ross became a director himself. His directing credits, though few, have practically all received critical acclaim. He first made Pleasantville in 1998, with cast members Tobey Maguire, William H. Macy, and Reese Witherspoon. In 2003, Ross re-teamed with Maguire and Macy for Seabiscuit, a film which was nominated for 2003s Best Picture. Ross biggest financial success, however, came in 2012 when he directed The Hunger Games. The film grossed nearly $700 million worldwide, and helped to launch the career of Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence. But after all that, it seems Gary Ross has decided to take on a smaller, independently-financed project. In 2016, well get to see Free State of Jones, a film about a Mississippi farmer who leads a ragtag rebellion against the Confederade army. The film stars Matthew McConaughey, who is still enjoying his career revival after some incredible turns in True Detective, Dallas Buyers Club, The Wolf of Wall Street, and more. Will Free State of Jones match up to Gary Ross other work? Well have to wait and see, but right now, things are looking promising.
Spencer is a Film Studies major at the Rhode Island College in Providence. He is a professional video editor, hopeful screenwriter, aspiring director, and prays that his ambitions aren't just starry-eyed daydreams. Follow him on twitter @NotSpencerSerra
