Jeffrey Clark Wadlow (born March 2, 1976) is an American filmmaker. He is best known for writing, producing and directing feature films, including Kick-Ass 2 (2013), Truth or Dare (2018), Fantasy Island (2020), and Imaginary (2024). In 2022, Wadlow was nominated for a DGA award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs.
Early life Wadlow was born in Arlington, Virginia, the son of Emily Couric, a state senator, and R. Clark Wadlow. He is the nephew of journalist Katie Couric. Wadlow attended Dartmouth College, graduating with a B.A. in history and film. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he attended the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television on a USC Associates Endowment Scholarship for academic achievement. Wadlow graduated from USC in 2001.
Career
Writing and directing
Film Wadlow's short film, tHE tOWeR oF BabBLe (2002), received more than two dozen awards, including: Best Short Film at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival, Best Short Film at the St. Louis International Film Festival, the George Méliès Cinematography Award at the Taos Talking Picture Festival, and a Student Award at USA Film Festival.Jeff Wadlow biography and filmography
In 2005, Wadlow came up with the idea for his theatrical directorial debut Cry Wolf with the money Wadlow won in the 2002 Chrysler Million Dollar Film Competition.
In 2008, Wadlow directed the film Never Back Down, starring Djimon Hounsou and Sean Faris. The movie won the MTV movie award for "Best Fight."
In 2013, Wadlow also wrote and directed Kick-Ass 2, the sequel to the 2010 black comedy superhero film Kick-Ass.
Wadlow wrote and directed True Memoirs of an International Assassin in 2016, starring Kevin James and Andy Garcia, which was among the first original feature films for Netflix.
Wadlow directed, executive produced and co-wrote the horror film, Truth or Dare, starring Lucy Hale and Tyler Posey, in 2018. The premise of the movie surrounds the popular party game, Truth or Dare, and the deadly results that ensue from a group of friends playing while on a spring break trip to Mexico.
In 2020, Wadlow directed, produced and co-wrote the film Fantasy Island, inspired by a 1970s television show with the same name. That same year, Wadlow wrote the story and co-wrote the screenplay for the action thriller Bloodshot, starring Vin Diesel and based on the 1990s comic book.
In 2022, Wadlow directed and executive produced The Curse of Bridge Hollow, a Halloween movie streaming on Netflix starring Marlon Wayans.
Wadlow's forthcoming horror film, Imaginary, which he directed, produced and co-wrote, was scheduled for release in 2024. The film grapples with the idea of a childhood imaginary friend, in this case a Teddy bear, turning evil. The film is Wadlow's third collaboration with Jason Blum and is financed by Blumhouse Productions and Lionsgate Films.
Television Wadlow was a writer and executive producer for the television series, Bates Motel, starring Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga, and also for the final season of the series, The Strain. He wrote two pilots picked up by CBS, The Odds in 2010 and Hail Mary in 2011, on which he was also an executive producer.
In 2017, Wadlow directed and executive produced YouTube Premium series, Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television, starring Ryan Hansen and Samira Wiley.
In 2021, Wadlow directed and executive produced the re-boot of the classic 1990's television show, Are You Afraid of the Dark? for Paramount/Nickelodeon. Wadlow was nominated for a DGA award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Commercials and Documentary for his work on the series.
Acting In 2001, Wadlow played a small role in Pearl Harbor and a professor on an episode of the sci-fi television series Roswell. The following year, Wadlow performed in the short, tHE tOWeR oF BabBLe (2002), which he also co-wrote and directed. In 2007, Wadlow played Billy in the independent romantic comedy, I'm Through with White Girls (2007), starring Anthony Montgomery.
The Adrenaline Film Project Wadlow founded The Adrenaline Film Project in 2004 during the Virginia Film Festival. An annual event, the project involves teams of amateur filmmakers (aged high school and college) writing, casting, directing, and editing short films in a 72 hour time frame under the mentorship of Wadlow and other industry leaders. Each film, with a duration or five minutes or less, is screened at the end of the competition to be judged for the three cash awards: audience, mentor and jury prizes.
Filmography Short films Year Title Director Writer Notes2002 The Tower of Babble George Méliès Cinematography Award NYIIFV Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Film SLIFF Award for Best Dramatic Short USA Film Festival, Student Award Nominated – Deauville Film Festival – Best Short Film Manual Labor Also editor, Wine Country Film Festival – Best Short Film (Domestic) 2004 Catching Kringle Jury Award for Best Short Film – Animated
Feature films Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes 2005 Cry Wolf 2007 Prey 2008 Never Back Down 2013 Kick-Ass 2 2014 Non-Stop 2016 True Memoirs of an International Assassin 2018 Truth or Dare 2020 Fantasy Island Bloodshot 2022 The Curse of Bridge Hollow 2024 Imaginary 2026 The Devil's Mouth
Television Year Title Director Writer ExecutiveProducer Notes 2010 The Odds 2011 Hail Mary 2013 Bates Motel Consulting producer, 6 episodes Writer, episodes "Ocean View" and "What's Wrong with Norman" 2015 Agent X Episode: "Long Walk Home" 2017 The Strain 10 episodes Writer, episode "Belly of the Beast" 2019 Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television 8 episodes 2021 Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows 4 episodes
Acting roles Year Title Role Notes 2001 Pearl Harbor Next Guy In Line #1 Roswell Professor Episode: "Baby, It's You" 2002 The Tower of Babble Derek 2007 I'm Through with White Girls Billy
Other credits Year Title Notes 1996 The Pallbearer Office production assistant (as Jeffrey Clark Wadlow) 1999 The Big Kahuna Set production assistant (as Jeffrey C. Wadlow)
References
External links