Jon Spaihts () (born February 4, 1970) is an American screenwriter and author. He is best known for co-writing Denis Villeneuve's Dune (2021) and its sequels Part Two (2024) and the upcoming Part Three (2026), all films based on the novel series of the same name by Frank Herbert. He also wrote the screenplays for the films Prometheus (2012), Passengers (2016) and Doctor Strange (2016). For his work on Dune, Spaihts was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Early life and education Spaihts was born in New York City, the son of Jean, a computer programmer, and Jim Spaihts, an electronics engineer.. Spaihts is an alumnus of Princeton University.
Career His science fiction romance Passengers was included on the 2007 Black List of unproduced high-value screenplays.Leonard F (ed.). 2007. 2007 Black List , s.v. "Passengers by Jon Spaihts". 5. Cf. Halbfinger DM. 2007. "Tomorrow’s Oscar Hopefuls Today". The New York Times (December 8, 2007). At the request of Keanu Reeves and Stephen Hamel, Relativity Media co-founder Lynwood Spinkspersonal knowledge had hired Spaihts to write the film after Reeves originally becamepersonal knowledge attached to Spaihts's abandoned science fiction script Shadow 19.Fleming M. 2009. "Alien prequel takes off". Variety (July 30, 2009). After Reeves agreed to produce with Hamel and star in Passengers,Sciretta P. 2007. "The Hottest Unproduced Screenplays of 2007" . Slashfilm (December 9, 2007). Spaihts was commissioned by Scott Free to write the next installments in the Alien saga, two prequel films to be directed by Ridley Scott, which eventually turned into the more autonomous story Prometheus, ultimately revised by Damon Lindelof.Aspin, M. 2012. "Read The Original Alien-Style Prometheus Script". . What Culture (November 13, 2012). For New Regency Spaihts also wrote the screenplay to the alien invasion thriller The Darkest Hour, based on a story by Leslie Bohem and M. T. Ahern.Siegel T. 2010. "Hirsch signs on for The Darkest Hour". Variety (April 10, 2010).
Spaihts has worked on a film version of St. George and the Dragon for Sony Pictures, and originated a Disney film project called Children of Mars. In 2012 he entered a two-picture deal at Jerry Bruckheimer Films to adapt Ashley Wood's graphic novel World War Robot. and write a space adventure film based on his own original pitch..
He co-wrote the script for Marvel Studios' 2016 live action Doctor Strange film. Spaihts also co-wrote the reboot of The Mummy franchise for Universal, directed by Alex Kurtzman.; .
In 2013, Spaihts began work on the story for the Black Hole remake by Walt Disney Studios. The rights to his early science fiction screenplay had originally been sold to the Weinstein Company, with Keanu Reeves and Reese Witherspoon set to star, and Game of Thrones director Brian Kirk at the helm.. The project was later made into the 2016 film Passengers by Sony Pictures, produced by Original Film and Company Films, directed by Morten Tyldum, and starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt..
In 2018, it was revealed that Spaihts would be co-writing Legendary Pictures's feature film adaptation of the science fiction novel Dune, alongside Eric Roth and director Denis Villeneuve. For his work on Dune, Spaihts was nominated alongside Roth and Villeneuve for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Personal life He has written several books for The Princeton Review.E.g. Spaihts J. 1997. Student advantage guide to the best graduate programs: humanities and social sciences. New York: Random House (The Princeton Review Series). ; cf. also WorldCat entries of Spaihts's publications below. Spaihts lives and works in Venice, California,Cf. Spaihts's profile on Facebook. and is married to actress Johanna Watts.Cf. Watts' profile on Facebook; see also . He is also a photographer.
Filmography Year Title Writer Executiveproducer Director Notes 2011 The Darkest Hour Chris Gorak 2012 Prometheus Ridley Scott 2016 Doctor Strange Scott Derrickson Passengers Morten Tyldum Also voiced "Autodoc" 2017 The Mummy Alex Kurtzman 2021 Dune Denis Villeneuve Nominated — Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay 2024 Dune: Part Two The Crow Rupert Sanders 2026 Dune: Part Three Denis Villeneuve Post-production
Additional literary material A Minecraft Movie (2025)
References
External links
Jon Spaihts's portfolio at photo.net