The January 6, 1991, draft of the screenplay for Pet Sematary II (1992) credits revisions to Goyer. He is not credited in the final film.
David S. Goyer is an American screenwriter, film director, novelist, producer, and comic book writer. He is best known for his work on the Blade film trilogy, The Dark Knight trilogy, and Man of Steel. He has also written for television shows such as Da Vinci’s Demons and Constantine.
Goyer was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Barbara and Thomas Goyer. He has a sister, Laura. His mother is of German-Jewish descent and his father is of French-Canadian ancestry. Goyer was raised in a secular household. He attended Hebrew school and had a Bar Mitzvah ceremony.
Goyer attended the University of Southern California and graduated from their School of Cinema-Television in 1988. He also attended the DePaul University Goodman School of Drama.
Goyer’s first professional screenwriting credit was for the film The Crow: Salvation (2000). He has since gone on to write or co-write a number of films, including The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Batman Begins (2005), Man of Steel (2013), and Blade: Trinity (2004).
Goyer has also written for television shows such as Smallville, FlashForward, and Constantine. He is currently a co-executive producer on the Starz show Da Vinci’s Demons.
Goyer has been married twice. His first wife was Marla Maples, with whom he has a daughter, Chloe. His second wife is Liz Friedlander, with whom he has two sons, Jack and Levi.
Goyer has a net worth of $20 million. His salary is not publicly known.
Goyer is 6 feet tall and has brown hair and blue eyes.
General Info
Full Name
David S. Goyer
Date Of Birth
December 22, 1965
Height
1.68 m
Profession
Screenwriter, Television producer, Film producer, Film director, Novelist, Television Director
Education
University of Southern California, Michigan State University
Nationality
American
Family
Spouse
Marina Black
Siblings
Jeff Goyer
Accomplishments
Nominations
Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form, Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form, Nebula Award for Best Script
Movies
Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, The Dark Knight, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight Rises, The Unborn, Blade: Trinity, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, Blade II, Dark City, Blade, The Invisible, The Forest, Jumper, Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Crow: City of Angels, Death Warr...
TV Shows
Da Vinci's Demons, Constantine, FlashForward, Blade: The Series, Sleepwalkers
[on exploring possibilities for developing a series based on a real historical figure] As soon as [Leonardo] Da Vinci was mentioned, I went online and saw that he's the most recognized figure in history other than Christ. So I said, 'Well, sounds like he's the guy we should do a show about', just in terms of pre-existing awareness.
2
People think of Leonardo Da Vinci as this sort of professorial bearded figure who painted 'The Last Supper' and the "Mona Lisa'. If you drill down a little further, you see he's a guy who invented some crazy inventions. But if you read his actual notebooks - at the least the pages still existing - you get a pretty good sense of his character, And there were a lot of contemporaries who were writing about him. He was a fascinating, mercurial character - a but of a braggart. He clearly had a chip on his shoulder because he felt he should've gotten more respect and credit for things he'd done. He clearly was a dilettante, a procrastinator, a practical joker. He had a sense of humor. He published a book of jokes during his lifetime. He was bisexual. He was arrested twice and put on trial. He came in contact with a lot of interesting people of the time, from Machiavelli to Borgia. He was also kind of a jerk, in the way a lot of geniuses are. He was selfish and he had feuds. He was a friend of Botticelli's, but was dismissive of his artwork. If we get there - but this would probably be in season four or five - he and Michelangelo hated each other. They got into fistfights. He was not this dry, kind of beard-stroking guy. He was this vibrant bigger-than-life character. You just think, 'My God, this guy had enough crazy things in his life to base ten shows on'.
3
I was immersed in comic books and hero figures when I was a kid. I like writing about characters that have really big responsibilities foisted on them
4
[on possible ideas for a Man of Steel (2013) sequel] I think that the challenge for us moving forward is how to depict Superman in a world like this. Could he solve hunger in the horn of Africa? What would he do with the Arab Spring, what would he do with Syria? Partly you could argue, how could he NOT intervene in Syria? But then, is it a hornet's nest if he intervenes? Does he have the wherewithal, or the knowledge, to intervene in things like this? It's easier for Batman, he exists in his own pocket of the world, he's not violating sovereign airspace everyday.
5
[on why no live action superhero movie of Wonder Woman has been made so far] I think Wonder Woman is a very difficult character to crack. More difficult than Superman, who is also more difficult than Batman. Also, a lot of people in Hollywood believe that it's hard to do a big action movie with a female lead. I happen to disagree with that. But that tends to be the prevailing wisdom. Hopefully, that'll change in the next few years. Who should play here (sic)? No idea.
6
(On Demonic Toys) Simple. Charlie Band said that if I wrote a film for Full Moon I could direct one. I wrote the film in 8 days based on a poster Charlie had previously designed, then decided I was insane to think I could've busted my ass on such a ridiculous directorial debut I think Charlie was going to give me 18 days to direct the thing. A sane move, I think.
7
[on his upcoming project, The Flash (2018)] "We're going to go into the 'Speed Force' and a lot of the cosmic aspects of the character from the more recent past, trust me, we're going to do a lot more than have the Flash run on water and create vortexes. I have a guy from M.I.T. helping me with all of this. We're going to be playing with relativity, Doppler effects and all kinds of things like that. Audiences will be amazed."
8
[on Batman Begins (2005)] "Chris was a real taskmaster about justifying everything in the real world, He kept saying, 'It's gotta be grounded. It's gotta be real'."
9
I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to pigeonhole people and there's nothing an actor loves more than to do something different.
10
We definitely set it up and kind of provided Warner Bros. a rough plan of what the next three movies would be. So it's not like we'll do one and then figure on the next. There is a road map of what the next three movies would be and who the various characters would be. [on Batman Begins (2005)]
Facts
#
Fact
1
One of the many screenwriters to submit a draft for the film Freddy vs. Jason (2003).
2
Had originally planned on becoming a homicide detective, but was inspired to take up screen writing, after hearing a lecture by Lawrence Kasdan.
3
His script for the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops became the largest grossing entertainment property ever.
4
Goyer's movies have grossed over three billion dollars worldwide.
5
He has very long sleeves of tattoos on both of his arms.
6
Has spoken about growing up as a victim of intense Anti-Semitic bullying.
7
Bought a car, with his first paycheck for Death Warrant (1990), that was stolen the same night he drove it home.
8
Began production of Blade: The Series (2006) TV pilot for the Spike network. Goyer is Executive Producing, and co-writing the pilot with Geoff Johns. The two previously co-wrote the "Justice Society of America" comic book. [November 2005]
9
Uses several different pseudonyms such as Cynthia Verlaine and Ricardo Festiva.
Created the character Abraham Whistler for the film trilogy based on the Blade comic book. Ironically, the character ended up making his first appearance before the film came out, in an an episode of Spider-Man (1994) in which Blade made a guest appearance. Whistler was voiced in that episode by Malcolm McDowell. Whistler subsequently was adopted into the continuity of the comic books.
15
The January 6, 1991, draft of the screenplay for Pet Sematary II (1992) credits revisions to Goyer. He is not credited in the final film.
TV Series creator - 18 episodes, 2013 - 2014 created by - 10 episodes, 2015 written by - 5 episodes, 2013 - 2014 story - 1 episode, 2013 teleplay - 1 episode, 2013
Constantine
TV Series developed by - 13 episodes, 2014 - 2015 written by - 1 episode, 2014 story by - 1 episode, 2014
The Dark Knight in the Playroom
2013
Video short story - uncredited
Man of Steel
2013
screenplay / story
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
2012
Video Game
The Dark Knight Rises
2012
story
DevilDolls
2012
Video
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
2011
screenplay / story
Call of Duty: Black Ops
2010
Video Game
Flashforward
TV Series creator - 22 episodes, 2009 - 2010 written by - 3 episodes, 2009 - 2010 teleplay - 2 episodes, 2009 story - 1 episode, 2009 television story - 1 episode, 2009
Demonic Toys: Personal Demons
2010
Video characters - uncredited
The Unborn
2009
written by
The Dark Knight
2008
story
Batman: Gotham Knight
2008
Video screenplay - segment "In Darkness Dwells", as David Goyer
Jumper
2008
screenplay
Blade: The Series
TV Series developer - 12 episodes, 2006 writer - 2 episodes, 2006
Threshold
2005
TV Series written by - 1 episode
Batman Begins
2005
Video Game based on the movie wrriten by
Batman Begins
2005
screenplay / story
Puppet Master vs Demonic Toys
2004
TV Movie characters - uncredited
Blade: Trinity
2004
written by
Blade II
2002
written by
Zig Zag
2002
screenplay - as David Goyer
FreakyLinks
2000
TV Series 1 episode
Blade
1998
written by
Nick Fury: Agent of Shield
1998
TV Movie written by - as David Goyer
Dark City
1998
screenplay
Perversions of Science
1997
TV Series screenplay - 1 episode
Enemy
1996
TV Movie written by
The Crow: City of Angels
1996
written by
The Puppet Masters
1994
screenplay
Dollman vs. Demonic Toys
1993
Video characters - uncredited
The Substitute
1993
TV Movie written by - as Cynthia Verlaine
Arcade
1993
Video screenplay
Demonic Toys
1992
Video screenplay
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
1991
written by
Death Warrant
1990
written by
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Miles
2017
producer filming
Assassination Nation
2017
producer pre-production
Tau
2017
producer post-production
Brooklyn Animal Control
TV Series executive producer / producer post-production
FBP: Federal Bureau of Physics
producer announced
Krypton
TV Movie executive producer pre-production
Snowblind
TV Series executive producer announced
The First Omen
producer announced
The Sandman
producer - 2014 announced
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
2016
executive producer
The Birth of a Nation
2016
executive producer
The Forest
2016/I
producer
Da Vinci's Demons
2013-2015
TV Series executive producer - 19 episodes
Constantine
2014-2015
TV Series executive producer - 8 episodes
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
2011
executive producer
Flashforward
2009-2010
TV Series executive producer - 22 episodes
Ghost Rider
2007
executive producer
Blade: The Series
2006
TV Series executive producer - 12 episodes
Threshold
2005-2006
TV Series executive producer - 13 episodes
Blade: Trinity
2004
producer
Blade II
2002
executive producer
FreakyLinks
2000-2001
TV Series consulting producer - 12 episodes
Mission to Mars
2000
co-producer - as David Goyer
Sleepwalkers
1997-1998
TV Series executive producer - 9 episodes
Enemy
1996
TV Movie executive producer
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
1991
associate producer
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Da Vinci's Demons
2013
TV Series 2 episodes
Flashforward
2009
TV Series 2 episodes
The Unborn
2009
The Invisible
2007
Threshold
2005
TV Series 1 episode
Blade: Trinity
2004
Zig Zag
2002
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Test of Time
2015
Short special thanks
Flashforward
2010
TV Series special thanks - 1 episode
TMNT
2007
special thanks - as David Goyer
Batman: The Journey Begins
2005
Video documentary short special thanks - as David Goyer
Freddy vs. Jason
2003
thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Last Call with Carson Daly
2014
TV Series
Himself
DC Comics Night at Comic-Con 2014 Presenting Gotham, the Flash, Constantine and Arrow
2014
Video short
Himself - Exec. Producer (Constantine)
Creative Continuity
2014
TV Series
Himself
Buzz: AT&T Original Documentaries
2014
TV Series documentary
Himself
Strong Characters, Legendary Roles
2013
Video short
Himself
The Iconic Characters of 'Man of Steel'
2013
Video documentary short
Himself
Da Vinci's Demons: Genius in the Making
2013
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Ending the Knight
2012
Video documentary
Himself
Live from Studio Five
2009
TV Series
Himself
Up Close with Carrie Keagan
2009
TV Series
Himself
Writers on Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller
2009
Video documentary
Himself
Dark City: Memories of Shell Beach
2008
Video documentary
Himself
Bloodsucking Cinema
2007
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Turning Blade
2007
Video documentary
Himself
The Dialogue: An Interview with Screenwriter David Goyer
2006
Video
Himself
Batman: The Journey Begins
2005
Video documentary short
Himself - Co-Writer
Batman: The Tumbler
2005
Video documentary short
Himself - Co-Writer
Batman Begins: Path to Discovery
2005
Video documentary short
Himself - Co-Writer
Batman Begins: Reflections on Writing
2005
Video short
Himself
Cape and Cowl
2005
Video documentary short
Himself - Co-Writer
Genesis of the Bat
2005
Video documentary short
Himself - Co-Writer
Gotham City Rises
2005
Video documentary short
Himself (uncredited)
HBO First Look
2005
TV Series documentary
Himself
Nightstalkers, Daywalkers, and Familiars: Inside the World of 'Blade Trinity'
2005
Video documentary
Himself
Night Bites: Women and Their Vampires
2003
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The Blood Pact: The Making of 'Blade II'
2002
Video documentary
Himself (as David Goyer)
Warp
1999
TV Series
Himself
La magra
1998
Video documentary short
Himself (as David Goyer)
Origins of 'Blade': A Look at Dark Comics
1998
Video documentary short
Himself (as David Goyer)
The Blood Tide
1998
Video documentary short
Himself (as David Goyer)
Awards
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2008
Scream Award
Scream Awards
Best Scream-Play
The Dark Knight (2008)
2006
Saturn Award
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
Best Writing
Batman Begins (2005)
2006
Scream Award
Scream Awards
Best Scream-Play
Batman Begins (2005)
1999
Bram Stoker Award
Bram Stoker Awards
Screenplay
Dark City (1998)
1999
FCCA Award
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards
Best Screenplay - Original
Dark City (1998)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2010
Hugo
Hugo Awards
Best Dramatic Presentation - Short Form
Flashforward (2009)
2009
Gold Derby Award
Gold Derby Awards
Adapted Screenplay
The Dark Knight (2008)
2009
Hugo
Hugo Awards
Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form
The Dark Knight (2008)
2009
ICS Award
International Cinephile Society Awards
Best Adapted Screenplay
The Dark Knight (2008)
2009
WGA Award (Screen)
Writers Guild of America, USA
Best Adapted Screenplay
The Dark Knight (2008)
2007
Nebula Award
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Best Script
Batman Begins (2005)
2006
Hugo
Hugo Awards
Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form
Batman Begins (2005)
1999
Saturn Award
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA