Alfred Gough | |
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Born | Alfred Gough III August 22, 1967 Leonardtown, Maryland, U.S. |
Education | USC School of Cinematic Arts |
Occupation(s) | Screenwriter, producer |
Known for | Smallville Spider-Man 2 Wednesday |
Alfred Gough (born August 22, 1967) is an American screenwriter, producer, writer, director, showrunner and creator. He is best known as the developer of The WB/The CW's Superman-prequel television hit series Smallville . Alongside longtime writing/producing partner Miles Millar, Gough also co-created other television programs like AMC's 2015 wuxia-influenced dystopian television series Into the Badlands , MTV's 2016 epic fantasy television series The Shannara Chronicles (based on The Sword of Shannara Trilogy book trilogy by Terry Brooks) and Netflix's Wednesday , the Tim Burton helmed Addams Family spin-off. Among his many feature film credits he wrote or produced are Shanghai Noon , as well as its sequel, Shanghai Knights , Spider-Man 2 , The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor , Herbie: Fully Loaded , Hannah Montana: The Movie and Burton's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice .
Born in Leonardtown, Maryland, Al Gough graduated from St. Mary's Ryken High School (1985) and The Catholic University of America (1989). Gough attended The Peter Stark Producing Program at the University of Southern California where he teamed up with his writing partner Miles Millar.
Gough and Millar sold their first script while still studying at USC. "Mango", a buddy-cop story where a cop who was allergic to animals was paired with an orangutan, sold to New Line Cinema for $400,000. [1] The film was never made, but launched the duo's professional careers.
Alfred Gough and Miles Millar are prolific writers/producers. Their feature credits include the action-adventure The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor , the hit action-comedy Shanghai Noon , as well as its sequel Shanghai Knights , Spider-Man 2 directed by Sam Raimi, Herbie: Fully Loaded , Lethal Weapon 4 , and I Am Number Four . Along with Millar, Gough also produced Hannah Montana: The Movie , based on the smash hit Disney Channel teen sitcom series of the same name. [2] The feature marked the first film for the duo's Walt Disney Company-based independent production studio, Millar/Gough Ink.
Gough and Millar’s work also spans the world of television. Gough and Miles Milar created and served as executive producers/showrunners for the critically acclaimed and Superman-based action-adventure hit series Smallville , which aired from October 16, 2001 to May 13, 2011. Smallville is the longest-running comic book-based series of all time and was the top show in the history of the WB Television Network. Gough and Millar left the series in 2008, after seven seasons, breaking the news of their departure with an open letter posted to a Smallville fan site. [3]
In 2015, Gough and Millar both began production of The Shannara Chronicles , an epic fantasy television series Millar Gough Ink created and produced for MTV. It is an adaptation of The Sword of Shannara trilogy of fantasy novels by Terry Brooks. It follows three heroes as they protect an ancient tree to stop the escape of banished demons. The series was filmed in the Auckland Film Studios and on location elsewhere in New Zealand. The series starred Austin Butler, Ivana Baquero and Manu Bennett. Jon Favreau was one of the executive producers along with Dan Farrah. The pilot episode was directed by Jonathan Liebesman.
The first season of The Shannara Chronicles premiered on MTV in the United States on January 5, 2016, and consisted of 10 episodes. MTV originally greenlit a second season in April 2016; however, in May 2017, it was announced that the series would relocate to Spike (now Paramount Network). The second season premiered on October 11, 2017, and concluded November 22, 2017. On January 16, 2018, it was announced that the series had been cancelled after two seasons and that the producers were shopping the series to other networks. The series was later considered officially concluded but has since generated a cult following on Netflix.
In June 2015, Gough and Millar began production of Into the Badlands a series the company created for AMC Networks. The martial arts drama was set in a gun free post apocalyptic America where warring barons had personal armies of lethally trained fighters. The series was notable as one of the only hour long dramas in American television history to feature an Asian American (Daniel Wu) as its lead. The show was a ratings hit, but received a mix response from critics. Nick Frost joined the cast in season two and proved a very popular addition to the fans of the series. The show's mythology was very loosely based on the classic Chinese text, Journey to the West . Each episode featured intricate martial arts fights that were staged and directed by legendary Hong Kong fight choreographers Huen Chiu Ku (aka Master Dee Dee Ku) and Andy Cheng. The series starred Daniel Wu, Marton Csokas, Emily Beecham, Aramis Knight and Orla Brady. The first season was filmed in New Orleans, but subsequent seasons were shot in and around Dublin, Ireland. Into The Badlands ran for 32 episodes and was cancelled due to a regime change at AMC Networks.
In October 2020, Millar and Gough sold a series to Netflix based on the character of Wednesday Addams. The series was created by Millar and Gough, but Tim Burton teamed with the duo as an executive producer and directed the first four episodes. Wednesday [4] represents Burton's first foray into television and stars Jenna Ortega in the title role. The series also stars Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams, Luis Guzman as Gomez Addams as well as Gwendoline Christie as Larissa Weems. Since the show's premiere, it has become the most viewed English-language series on Netflix at 1.7 billion streaming hours. [5] [6] The show was a critical hit and was recognized with numerous awards. Millar and Gough were nominated for Golden Globe, BAFTA and Emmy awards. The show was nominated for 12 Emmys and won four. [7] It was awarded the Saturn Award for best Fantasy Series, Critics' Choice Super Award for Best Limited Series, Kid’s Choice Award for Favorite Family TV Show. Millar, Gough, Burton, and Ortega collaborated again on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice , set for release in September 2024. [8]
Gough and Millar created UPN's 1999 series The Strip starring Sean Patrick Flannery.
Gough and Millar signed a first-look deal with Sony Pictures in April 2024 to develop films through the Millar/Gough Ink banner. [6]
Millar/Gough Ink also produced ABC's 2011 action crime drama Charlie's Angels . It also produced the 2006 television pilot of Aquaman, which was based on the DC Comics character of the same name.
Al and Beth Corets formed Oddly Specific Productions in 2022 which co-produced the Tony Award winning Best Musical THE OUTSIDERS [9] as well as the Tony nominated musical SUFFS [10] and upcoming ROMEO & JULIET and GYPSY on Broadway.
Gough has been married to Beth Corets, an attorney, since September 1, 1996. They have three children. [11]
Writer
Producer
Year | Title | Writer | Executive Producer | Creator |
---|---|---|---|---|
1995–1997 | Bugs | Yes | No | No |
1997–1998 | Timecop | Yes | No | No |
1998 | Black Jaq | Yes | Co-executive | No |
1998–1999 | Martial Law | Yes | Co-executive | No |
1999–2000 | The Strip | Yes | Yes | Yes |
2001–2011 | Smallville | Yes | Yes | Developer |
2006 | Aquaman | No | Yes | Yes |
Smallville: Vengeance Chronicles | No | Yes | No | |
2011 | Charlie's Angels | Yes | Yes | Developer |
2015–2019 | Into the Badlands | Yes | Yes | Yes |
2016–2018 | The Shannara Chronicles | Yes | Yes | Yes |
2022–present | Wednesday | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Timothy Walter Burton is an American animator, film director, producer, writer, and illustrator. Known for pioneering Goth culture in the American film industry, Burton is famous for his gothic horror and fantasy films. He has received numerous accolades including an Emmy Award as well as nominations for two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award and three BAFTA Awards. He was honored with the Venice International Film Festival's Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in 2007 and was given the Order of the Arts and Letters by Culture Minister of France in 2010.
The Addams Family is a fictional family created by American cartoonist Charles Addams. They originally appeared in a series of 150 standalone single-panel comics, about half of which were originally published in The New Yorker between 1938 and their creator's death in 1988. They have since been adapted to other media, such as television, film, video games, comic books, a musical, and merchandise.
Shannara is a series of high fantasy novels written by Terry Brooks, beginning with The Sword of Shannara in 1977 and concluding with The Last Druid which was released in October 2020; there is also a prequel, First King of Shannara. The series blends magic and primitive technology and is set in the Four Lands, which are identified as Earth long after civilization was destroyed in a chemical and nuclear holocaust called the Great Wars. By the time of the prequel First King of Shannara, the world had reverted to a pre-industrial state and magic had re-emerged to supplement science.
Shanghai Knights is a 2003 American martial arts action comedy film. It is the sequel to Shanghai Noon, and the second installment of the Shanghai film series. Directed by David Dobkin and written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, it stars Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, Fann Wong, Donnie Yen and Aidan Gillen.
Miles Millar is an Australian-British screenwriter, showrunner, producer, creator, developer, and director.
Smallville is an American superhero television series developed by writer-producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, based on the DC Comics character Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The series was produced by Millar/Gough Ink, Tollin/Robbins Productions, DC Comics, and Warner Bros. Television. Initially broadcast by the WB, the show premiered on October 16, 2001. After its fifth season, the WB and UPN merged to form The CW, the series' later United States broadcaster until its tenth and final season ended on May 13, 2011.
The first season of Smallville, an American television series developed by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, began airing on October 16, 2001, on The WB television network. The series recounts the early adventures of Kryptonian Clark Kent as he adjusts to his developing superpowers in the fictional town of Smallville, Kansas, during the years before he becomes Superman. The first season comprises 21 episodes and concluded its initial airing on May 21, 2002. Regular cast members during season one include Tom Welling, Kristin Kreuk, Michael Rosenbaum, Eric Johnson, Sam Jones III, Allison Mack, Annette O'Toole, and John Schneider.
Aquaman is an American superhero unsold television pilot developed by Smallville creators Al Gough and Miles Millar for The WB Television Network, based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The pilot show was produced by both DC Comics and Warner Bros. Television Studios, with the exception of Tollin/Robbins Productions. Millar Gough Ink, who was also known from producing the Superman prequel hit series, Smallville, also produced the film. Gough and Millar wrote the pilot, which was directed by Greg Beeman. Justin Hartley starred as Arthur "A.C." Curry, a young man living in a beachside community in the Florida Keys who learns about his powers and destiny as the Prince of Atlantis.
Brad Turner is a Canadian film director, television director and photographer.
The Sword of Shannara Trilogy consists of the first three Shannara novels by Terry Brooks. Though not originally written as a trilogy, the novels were published as The Sword of Shannara Trilogy by Del Rey Books.
The pilot episode of the television series Smallville premiered on The WB on October 16, 2001. It was written by series developers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, and directed by David Nutter. The Smallville pilot introduces the characters of Clark Kent, an orphaned alien with superhuman abilities, and his friends and family who live in the fictional town of Smallville, Kansas. It follows Clark as he first learns of his alien origins, and attempts to stop a vengeful student from killing Smallville High School students. The episode introduces many themes that were designed to run either the course of the season or the entire series, such as the triangular relationships of the main characters.
James Marshall is a Canadian television producer and director, best known for his work on Smallville, Dead Like Me, The O.C. and Wednesday.
The seventh season of Smallville, an American television series, began airing on September 27, 2007. The series recounts the early adventures of Kryptonian Clark Kent as he adjusts to life in the fictional town of Smallville, Kansas, during the years before he becomes Superman. The seventh season comprises 20 episodes and concluded its initial airing on May 15, 2008, marking the second season to air on The CW television network. Regular cast members during season seven include Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, Kristin Kreuk, Allison Mack, Erica Durance, Aaron Ashmore, Laura Vandervoort, and John Glover. In addition to bringing in new regular cast members this season, the Smallville team brought in familiar faces from the Superman media history, old villains from the show's past, as well as new DC Comics characters Kara Zor-El and Dinah Lance.
Eretria is a fictional character from the Shannara series of fantasy novels by Terry Brooks and their television adaptation. In the latter, she is portrayed by Ivana Baquero. Described as "a delicate balance of strength and sensitivity", she is introduced as a cocky young woman from a clan of pillagers. Though she initially displays a callous facade, Eretria eventually reveals a compassionate side.
The following is a list of unproduced Tim Burton projects, in roughly chronological order. During a career that has spanned over 30 years, Tim Burton has worked on a number of projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction.
The Shannara Chronicles is an American fantasy drama television series created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. It is an adaptation of The Sword of Shannara trilogy of fantasy novels by Terry Brooks. It follows three heroes as they seek to protect an ancient tree to stop the escape of banished demons. The series was filmed in the Auckland Film Studios and on location elsewhere in New Zealand.
Jenna Marie Ortega is an American actress. She began her career as a child and received recognition for her role as a younger version of Jane in The CW comedy-drama series Jane the Virgin (2014–2019). She then won an Imagen Award for her leading role as Harley Diaz in the Disney Channel series Stuck in the Middle (2016–2018). She played Ellie Alves in the thriller series You (2019) and starred in the family film Yes Day (2021), both for Netflix.
Wednesday is an American gothic coming-of-age supernatural mystery television series based on the character Wednesday Addams by Charles Addams. Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, it stars Jenna Ortega as the titular character, with Gwendoline Christie, Riki Lindhome, Jamie McShane, Hunter Doohan, Percy Hynes White, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Georgie Farmer, Naomi J. Ogawa, Christina Ricci, and Moosa Mostafa appearing in supporting roles. Four out of the eight episodes of the first season were directed by Tim Burton, who also serves as executive producer. The first season revolves around Wednesday Addams, who attempts to solve a murder mystery at her new school.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a 2024 American gothic dark fantasy comedy horror film directed by Tim Burton from a screenplay by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. A sequel to Beetlejuice (1988) and the second film of the Beetlejuice franchise, the film stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara reprising their roles alongside new cast members Justin Theroux, Arthur Conti, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega and Willem Dafoe. Set more than three decades after the first film, it follows Lydia Deetz, now a mother, struggling to keep her family together in the wake of a loss as Betelgeuse returns to haunt her.
Millar/Gough Ink official website (archived at the Wayback Machine)