Peter Hyams

Last updated
Peter Hyams
Born (1943-07-26) July 26, 1943 (age 81)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s) Film director, screenwriter, cinematographer
Years active1971–present
Spouse
George-Ann Spota
​
(m. 1964)​
Children3, including John Hyams

Peter Hyams (born July 26, 1943) is an American film director, screenwriter and cinematographer known for directing 1977 conspiracy thriller film Capricorn One (which he also wrote), the 1981 science fiction-thriller Outland , the 1984 science fiction film 2010: The Year We Make Contact (a sequel to Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey ), the 1986 action/comedy Running Scared , the comic book adaptation Timecop , the action film Sudden Death (both starring Jean-Claude Van Damme), and the horror films The Relic and End of Days .

Contents

Biography

Early life

Hyams was born in New York City, New York, the son of Ruth Hurok and Barry Hyams, who was a theatrical producer and publicist on Broadway. His maternal grandfather was Sol Hurok, the Russian Jewish impresario. His stepfather was blacklisted conductor Arthur Lief. His sister is casting director Nessa Hyams. [1] His son John Hyams is also a film director.

Television

Hyams studied art and music at Hunter College and Syracuse University before working as a producer/anchorman for WHDH-TV. During 1966 while working for a CBS owned station in New York, he served three months as a news correspondent in Vietnam. He worked in Boston then in January 1968 he joined WBBM-TV in Chicago as an anchorman and reporter to replace Fahey Flynn. [2] A contemporary report described him as a "glamor type". [3]

During his time with CBS (where he worked from 1964 to 1970), he then began to shoot documentary films.

Screenwriter

Hyams moved to Los Angeles in 1970 where he sold his first screenplay, T.R. Baskin , to Paramount Pictures in 1971. Herbert Ross directed the film and Hyams produced. [1] [4] [5]

Directing

Hyams made his directorial debut with an ABC Movie of the Week for Aaron Spelling, Rolling Man (1972) starring Dennis Weaver. Hyams worked on it solely as director, with the script being written by the producers. [6]

Hyams followed it directing another TV movie which he also wrote, Goodnight, My Love (1972), about a private eye and a dwarf. The film was highly acclaimed. [7]

Hyams optioned a novel Going All the Way which he intended to adapt and direct but it was not made. [8]

The praise for Goodnight My Love meant Hyams was able to get finance for his debut feature as writer-director, Busting (1974), a buddy cop movie starring Elliott Gould and Robert Blake. He followed it with Our Time (1974), a romance with Pamela Sue Martin, which he directed only.

Hyams made Peeper (1975), for the producers of Busting with Michael Caine and Natalie Wood. It was a financial failure and Hyams' career was at a low ebb. He wrote the script Hanover Street which he could have sold outright but Hyams insisted on directing. He wrote the screenplay for the Charles Bronson thriller Telefon (1977), doing a draft for Richard Lester (who ended up not directing the film). It was rewritten extensively. [9]

Capricorn One

Hyams had written the script for Capricorn One (1977) a number of years earlier. It was a conspiracy thriller about a faked mission to Mars. Paul Lazarus managed to raise financing with Hyams as director and the film was his first hit.

This was followed by the less successful Hanover Street (1979) which starred Harrison Ford.

Hyams did a rewrite of Ted Leighton's screenplay for the Steve McQueen film The Hunter (1980) which he was to direct. However he dropped out after clashes with McQueen. [10]

He wanted to do a Western but was unable to get financing so he then wrote and directed the science fiction cult classic Outland (1981), which starred Sean Connery in a 'High Noon' scenario set on Io, one of Jupiter's moons.

Hyams directed the thriller The Star Chamber (1983), starring Michael Douglas, also rewriting the script.

MGM

For MGM Hyams produced, directed, and wrote the screenplay for 2010 (1984), collaborating closely with author Arthur C. Clarke ( 2010 ).

Hyams also co-authored with Clarke The Odyssey File: The Making of 2010, published 1985, a collection of their email correspondence which illustrates their fascination with the then pioneering medium, and its use for them to communicate on an almost daily basis while planning and producing the film.

Hyams directed an episode of Amazing Stories , "The Amazing Falsworth".

Hyams had a hit with a buddy cop film, Running Scared (1986) at MGM with Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal.

He followed it with The Presidio (1988), another buddy action film, starring Sean Connery and Mark Harmon. In between he executive produced the 1980s cult kids movie The Monster Squad (1987).

Less popular was Narrow Margin (1990), a remake of the 1952 film, and the comedy Stay Tuned (1992).

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Hyams had a big hit with the Jean-Claude Van Damme film Timecop (1994). The director and actor subsequently reteamed on Sudden Death (1995) which did less well.

Hyams did a horror monster movie called The Relic (1997) which received mixed reviews and grossed $48 million at the box office.

The blockbuster End of Days (1999) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger is the highest-grossing film in Hyams' career, grossing over $200 million at the worldwide box-office but was met with negative critical reception.

Hyams followed with The Musketeer (2001), a new version of the novel by Alexandre Dumas, which was a minor box office success.

However, his next film, A Sound of Thunder (2005), a science-fiction movie, had serious difficulties during its production (including the bankruptcy of the original production company during post-production), performed particularly badly at the box office worldwide and was poorly received by critics.

He directed an episode of the series Threshold (2005).

In 2007, it was reported that he would direct the remake of his own Capricorn One ; [11] [12] instead he directed the remake of the 1956 film noir Beyond a Reasonable Doubt [13] starring Michael Douglas, which was released in 2009, was a box office flop, and panned by critics.

Reunion with Van Damme

Hyams also contributed the cinematography to his son John's effort, Universal Soldier: Regeneration , the third official Universal Soldier sequel starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren.

Hyams directed the thriller Enemies Closer which began filming in late 2012. It marked his fourth (third directorial) collaboration with Jean-Claude Van Damme.

O.J.: Made in America

Hyams was interviewed by Ezra Edelman in the latter's documentary O.J.: Made in America , which touched on Hyams' former friendship with O. J. Simpson, whom he had directed in Capricorn One. In his interview, Hyams revealed his initial belief that Simpson was innocent of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, but began to have doubts following the revelation of DNA evidence that suggested otherwise. Hyams said he felt particularly betrayed when Simpson continued to insist that he was innocent when Hyams' friend also began to voice his doubts about Simpson's innocence. Following Simpson's acquittal, Hyams stated that he found the African-American celebration of the acquittal to be particularly offensive and hurtful, and later severed his ties with Simpson.[ citation needed ]

Personal life

On December 19, 1964, Hyams married George-Ann Spota, with whom he has three sons. [14] His first son, Chris Hyams, is the CEO of the job search website Indeed. His second son, John Hyams, is also a film director; Peter performed cinematography duties on John's film Universal Soldier: Regeneration . His third son, Nick Hyams, works as a battle rap promoter and host under the name Lush One. [15]

Trademark

Hyams is known for being his own cinematographer on the movies he has directed since 1984.

As a reference to his wife's family, there is a minor character named Spota in many of his films, including those which he only wrote (such as 1980's The Hunter ); the exceptions being A Sound of Thunder (although there was a market called "Spota's"), End of Days (although there was a bar called "Spota's"), Narrow Margin, Running Scared, 2010, Hanover Street and Peeper. [16] In Hanover Street, Harrison Ford pilots a B-25 bomber named Gorgeous George-Ann.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleDirectorWriterProducerDoP
1971 T.R. Baskin YesYes
1974 Busting YesYes
Our Time Yes
1975 Peeper Yes
1977 Capricorn One YesYes
Telefon Yes
1979 Hanover Street YesYes
1980 The Hunter Yes
1981 Outland YesYes
1983 The Star Chamber YesYes
1984 2010: The Year We Make Contact YesYesYesYes
1986 Running Scared YesYes
1988 The Presidio YesYes
1990 Narrow Margin YesYesYes
1992 Stay Tuned YesYes
1994 Timecop YesYes
1995 Sudden Death YesYes
1997 The Relic YesYes
1999 End of Days YesYes
2001 The Musketeer YesYes
2005 A Sound of Thunder YesYes
2009 Beyond a Reasonable Doubt YesYesYes
Universal Soldier: Regeneration Yes
2013 Enemies Closer YesYes

Ref.: [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46]

Executive producer

Television

TV movies

YearTitleDirectorWriter
1972 Rolling Man Yes
Goodnight, My Love YesYes

TV series

YearTitleEpisode
1985 Amazing Stories "The Amazing Falsworth"
2005 Threshold "Trees Made of Glass: Part 2"

Narrator

YearTitleEpisode
2020Airlines of the World"American Airlines"

Related Research Articles

<i>Outland</i> (film) 1981 film by Peter Hyams

Outland is a 1981 science fiction thriller film written and directed by Peter Hyams and starring Sean Connery, Peter Boyle and Frances Sternhagen.

<i>Timecop</i> 1994 film by Peter Hyams

Timecop is a 1994 American science fiction action film directed by Peter Hyams and co-written by Mike Richardson and Mark Verheiden. Richardson also served as executive producer. The film is based on Timecop, a story created by Richardson, written by Verheiden, and drawn by Ron Randall, which appeared in the anthology comic Dark Horse Comics, published by Dark Horse Comics. It is the first installment in the Timecop franchise.

<i>Hanover Street</i> (film) 1979 film by Peter Hyams

Hanover Street is a 1979 American-British war and romantic film, written and directed by Peter Hyams, and starring Harrison Ford, Lesley-Anne Down and Christopher Plummer.

<i>Running Scared</i> (1986 film) 1986 film by Peter Hyams

Running Scared is a 1986 American action comedy film directed by Peter Hyams, written by Gary Devore and Jimmy Huston, and starring Gregory Hines, Billy Crystal, with Steven Bauer, Jimmy Smits and Dan Hedaya in supporting roles. Hines and Crystal play Chicago police officers who, after nearly being killed on the job, decide to retire and open a bar in Key West, Florida, only to get caught up in making one last arrest before they go.

<i>The Presidio</i> (film) 1988 film by Peter Hyams

The Presidio is a 1988 American crime film directed by Peter Hyams and starring Sean Connery and Mark Harmon. Hyams also handled the cinematography and the score was composed by Bruce Broughton.

<i>Sudden Death</i> (1995 film) 1995 American film

Sudden Death is a 1995 American action-thriller film directed by Peter Hyams and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Powers Boothe, Raymond J. Barry, and Dorian Harewood. The film pits a lone fire marshal against extortionists who hold unsuspecting NHL players and fans for ransom during game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals, and set payment milestones to coincide with the game's progress. It was Hyams' second directorial collaboration with Van Damme, after Timecop (1994) and before Enemies Closer (2013).

<i>Blood Diamond</i> 2006 American political thriller film by Edward Zwick

Blood Diamond is a 2006 American political war thriller film directed and co-produced by Edward Zwick and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, and Djimon Hounsou. The title refers to blood diamonds, which are diamonds mined in war zones and sold to finance conflicts, and thereby profit warlords and diamond companies around the world.

<i>The Star Chamber</i> 1983 film by Peter Hyams

The Star Chamber is a 1983 American crime thriller film starring Michael Douglas, Hal Holbrook,1 Yaphet Kotto, Sharon Gless, James B. Sikking, and Joe Regalbuto. The film was written by Roderick Taylor and Peter Hyams and directed by Hyams. Its title is taken from the name of the Star Chamber, a 15th−17th-century English court.

Ocean's is a series of heist films. Beginning with the 1960 Rat Pack film Ocean's 11, the series has seen mixed to favorable critical reception and substantial commercial success. After the 1960 film, a trilogy was released from 2001 to 2007, often cited as defining its genre and leading to a proliferation and commercialization of heist films throughout the world. The most commercially successful was the first film, Ocean's Eleven (2001). It established the ensemble cast of George Clooney as Danny Ocean, Matt Damon as Linus Caldwell, and Brad Pitt as Rusty Ryan. A long list of supporting cast members maintain the trilogy. The first sequel, Ocean's Twelve, was released in 2004, with the final film, Ocean's Thirteen, following in 2007. An all-female spin-off titled Ocean's 8 was released in 2018.

<i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid</i> (film series) Family comedy film series

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a series of family comedy films based on the book series of the same name by Jeff Kinney. It consists of four live action films and three animated films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Killer Films</span> American independent film production company

Killer Films is a New York City-based independent film production company founded in 1995 by film producers Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler. The company has produced many acclaimed independent films over the past two decades including Far From Heaven, Boys Don't Cry, One Hour Photo, Kids, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Happiness, Velvet Goldmine, Safe, I Shot Andy Warhol, Swoon, I'm Not There, Kill Your Darlings, Still Alice and Carol. Killer Films also executive produced Todd Haynes' five episode HBO miniseries Mildred Pierce, which went on to win five Emmys, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

<i>Enemies Closer</i> 2013 United States"`UNIQ--ref-00000003-QINU`" film

Enemies Closer is a 2013 American action thriller film directed by Peter Hyams and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Tom Everett Scott, Orlando Jones and Linzey Cocker. In it, a former Navy SEAL is marked for death by the mourning brother of a comrade he left behind, only to have to team up with him when they both become targets of a deranged crime lord.

Taylor John Smith is an American actor. He is known for his role as John Keene in the series Sharp Objects. Notable films in which he has appeared are Wolves (2016), You Get Me (2017), Hunter Killer (2018), The Outpost (2020), Shadow in the Cloud (2020), and Where the Crawdads Sing (2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angel Studios</span> American media company

Angel Studios, Inc. is an American independent media company and film distribution studio based in Provo, Utah. It operates the over-the-top video on-demand service Angel Studios. The streaming service is available worldwide and can be accessed via web browsers or via application software installed on smartphones, tablet computers, and smart TVs.

References

  1. 1 2 Ford, Luke. "Director Peter Hyams" . Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  2. ↑ CBS PICKS 2 TO SUCCEED FAHEY FLYNN Chicago Tribune 27 Jan 1968: s_a8.
  3. ↑ News Plays Big Role on Television Wolters, Larry. Chicago Tribune 19 May 1968: f10.
  4. ↑ "Interview with Peter Hyams | Interviews | Roger Ebert".
  5. ↑ MOVIE CALL SHEET: Role for Candice Bergen Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 29 Dec 1970: i8.
  6. ↑ SCRIPTS AT ISSUE: TV Producers, Writers Fighting Beigel, Jerry. Los Angeles Times 20 Jan 1972: g18.
  7. ↑ "Directors Special: Peter Hyams Film by Film", Empire Magazine accessed 30 July 2014
  8. ↑ Pssst -- Here Come the Superspies: The Superspies By A. H. WEILER. New York Times 16 Jan 1972: D9.
  9. ↑ "An Interview with Peter Hyams (Part 1 of 2)".
  10. ↑ FILM CLIPS: Student Success a Wrap for Disney SCHREGER, CHARLES. Los Angeles Times 12 May 1979: b5.
  11. ↑ Peter Hyams To Remake Capricorn One. Posted by Sean on February 9, 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
  12. ↑ page at the Wayback Machine (archived January 1, 1996) of Capricorn Two?. Posted by Clint Morris on February 9, 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
  13. ↑ Beyond a Reasonable Doubt at the Internet Movie Database. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
  14. ↑ Peter Hyams biography at the Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 16 July 2008.
  15. ↑ "Nick Hyams". IMDb .
  16. ↑ "Platinum Celebs". Archived from the original on 2006-05-14. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
  17. ↑ "Peter Hyams Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo . Internet Movie Database . Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  18. ↑ "Hanover Street". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  19. ↑ "Hanover Street". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  20. ↑ "Outland". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  21. ↑ "Outland". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  22. ↑ "The Star Chamber". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  23. ↑ "The Star Chamber". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  24. ↑ "2010". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  25. ↑ "2010". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  26. ↑ "Running Scared". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  27. ↑ "Running Scared". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  28. ↑ "The Presidio". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  29. ↑ "Stay Tuned". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  30. ↑ "Narrow Margin". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  31. ↑ "Stay Tuned". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  32. ↑ "Stay Tuned". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  33. ↑ "Timecop". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  34. ↑ "Timecop". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  35. ↑ "The Musketeer". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  36. ↑ "Top Grossing Movies of 2001". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  37. ↑ "Sudden Death". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  38. ↑ "The Relic". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  39. ↑ "Top Grossing Movies of 1997". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  40. ↑ "End of Days". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  41. ↑ "Top Grossing Movies of 1999". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  42. ↑ "A Sound of Thunder". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  43. ↑ "Top Grossing Movies of 2005". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  44. ↑ "Peter Hyams Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo . Internet Movie Database . Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  45. ↑ "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  46. ↑ "Enemies Closer". The Numbers . Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.