Sam Raimi: Difference between revisions

| image = Sam Raimi by(53896379405) Gage Skidmore 2(cropped).jpg

| caption = Raimi at the [[San Diego Comic-ConGalaxyCon]] Raleigh in July 20142024

| spouse = {{marriage|Gillian Greene<br>|1993|2024|reason=separated}}

'''Samuel M. Raimi'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/24709/sam-raimi-interview-oz-warcraft-spider-man-the-shadow |title=Sam Raimi interview: Oz, Warcraft, The Shadow, Spider-Man |last=Luke Savage |date=March 7, 2013 |website=Den of Geek |publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] |access-date=January 1, 2019 |quote=...IMDB. They’ve added a name to me, they’ve called me Samuel Marshall Raimi, and I never knew I had a middle name. I have a middle initial, 'M'.}}</ref> ({{IPAc-en|'|r|eɪ|m|i}} {{Respell|RAY|mee}}; born October 23, 1959)<ref name=TCM>{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/157188%7C201036/Sam-Raimi#overview|title=Sam Raimi: Director, Producer, Screenwriter|publisher=[[Turner Classic Movies]]|access-date=November 23, 2020|archive-date =October 30, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201030103716/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/157188%7C201036/Sam-Raimi/#overview|url-status=live|quote=Birth Place: Royal Oak, Michigan, USA. Born: October 23, 1959}}</ref><ref name=FilmRef /> is an American filmmakerfilm director, screenwriter and producer. He is best known for directing the first three films in the [[Evil Dead|''Evil Dead'' franchise]] (1981–present) and the [[Spider-Man in film#Sam Raimi's trilogy|''Spider-Man'' trilogy]] (2002–2007). He also directed the 1990 superhero filmmovie ''[[Darkman]]'' (1990), the 1995 revisionist western ''[[The Quick and the Dead (1995 film)|The Quick and the Dead]]'' (1995), the 1998 neo-noir crime- thriller ''[[A Simple Plan (film)|A Simple Plan]]'' (1998), the 2000 supernatural thriller film ''[[The Gift (2000 film)|The Gift]]'' (2000), the 2009 supernatural horror film ''[[Drag Me to Hell]]'' (2009), the 2013 [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] fantasy film ''[[Oz the Great and Powerful]]'' (2013), and the 2022 [[Marvel Cinematic UniverseStudios]] film ''[[Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness]]'' (2022).

Raimi was born in [[Royal Oak, Michigan]],<ref name=TCM /> to a [[Conservative Jewish]] family.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/the_ticket/item/sam_raimis_latest_horror_flick_draws_on_true_tale_jewish_exorcism_20120822|title=Sam Raimi's latest horror flick draws on 'true' tale, Jewish exorcism|magazine=[[The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles|Jewish Journal]]|first=Naomi|last=Pfefferman|date=August 22, 2012|access-date=March 14, 2013|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201123023313/https://jewishjournal.com/mobile_20111212/107462/sam-raimis-latest-horror-flick-draws-on-true-tale-jewish-exorcism/|url-status=live|quote=Raimi — who grew up in a Conservative Jewish home in Detroit....}}</ref> He is a son of merchants Celia Barbara (née Abrams) and Leonard Ronald Raimi.<ref name=FilmRef>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/52/Sam-Raimi.html|title=Sam Raimi Biography (1959-)|publisher=Filmreference.com|access-date=March 19, 2012}} Source notes Raimi born "in Royal Oak (some sources cite Franklin), MI."</ref> His ancestors were Jewish immigrants from Russia and Hungary.<ref name=JewishJournal-March2012>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=8479|date=April 25, 2002|title=Spider-Mensch: The Jewish roots of director Sam Raimi and 'Spider-Man'|first=Michael|last=Aushenker|magazine=[[The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles|Jewish Journal]]|access-date=March 19, 2012|archive-date=December 8, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208200305/http://www.jewishjournal.com/arts/article/spidermensch_20020426|url-status=dead|quote=He was raised by parents of Russian and Hungarian Jewish descent in a Conservative Jewish home that included older brother Ivan, now a screenwriter and physician; younger brother Ted, an actor, and older sister, Andrea.}}</ref> His younger brother [[Ted Raimi|Ted]] is an actor,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/23/Ted-Raimi.html|title=Ted Raimi Biography (1965-)|publisher=Filmreference.com|access-date=March 19, 2012}}</ref> and his older brother [[Ivan Raimi|Ivan]] is a screenwriter and physician.<ref name=JewishJournal-March2012 /> His older sister, Andrea Raimi Rubin, is a court reporter.<ref>{{cite news|title=Made In Michigan|first=Jackie|last= Headapohl|url=https://thejewishnews.com/2013/03/07/made-in-michigan/|newspaper=[[The Jewish News (Detroit)|The Jewish News]]|location=Detroit, Michigan|date=March 7, 2013|archive-date= November 1, 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191101205732/https://thejewishnews.com/2013/03/07/made-in-michigan/|url-status=live}}</ref> Another older brother, Sander, died at 15 in an accidental drowning in [[Israel]]; Raimi has said that the trauma knitted the remaining family closer together and "colored everything he's done for the rest of his life."<ref>{{cite news|title=Sam Raimi: Man behind the mask|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/sam-raimi-man-behind-the-mask-47495.html|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|location=UK |date=July 15, 2004|access-date=November 23, 2020|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170806021536/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/sam-raimi-man-behind-the-mask-47495.html|url-status=live|quote=Led by their father, who ran a furniture store, and mother, who owned a lingerie shop, the family became very close after Raimi's elder brother Sander drowned in a swimming pool at the age of 15. Raimi has said of that trauma: 'It colours everything you do for the rest of your life.'}}</ref> Raimi also mentioned that Sander first introduced him to ''[[Spider-Man]]'', igniting his love for comics.<ref name="rolling stone:0" />

He began work on his third film ''[[Crimewave]]'' (1985), which he co-wrote with the then -unknown [[Coen brothers]], shortly after.<ref>{{cite book |year=2002 |last=Campbell |first=Bruce |title=If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor |publisher=L.A. Weekly Books | isbn=978-0-312-29145-7 |author-link=Bruce Campbell |page=161}}</ref> Intended as a live-action comic book, the film was unsuccessful, partly due to unwanted studio intervention. Raimi then returned to the horror genre with the seminal ''[[Evil Dead II]]'' (which added [[slapstick]] humor to the over the top horror, showcasing his love of the [[Three Stooges]]). With his brother [[Ivan Raimi]] (and crediting himself as Celia Abrams), Sam Raimi also wrote ''[[Easy Wheels]]'' (1989), which parodied the [[Outlaw biker film]] genre. A long-time comic book buff, he then attempted to adapt "[[The Shadow]]" into a movie, but was unable to secure the rights, so he created his own super-hero, ''[[Darkman]]'' (1990). The film was his first [[Major film studio|major studio picture]], and was commercially successful, spawning two sequels. Through it he was still able to secure funding for ''Evil Dead III'', which was retitled ''[[Army of Darkness]]'' and largely steered away from horror towards [[Fantasy film|fantasy]] and [[Comedy film|comedy]] elements. ''Army of Darkness'', the final movie in the ''Evil Dead'' trilogy, commercially underperformed, yet on video became a cult classic.

Raimi achieved great critical and commercial success with the [[blockbuster motion picture|blockbuster]] ''[[Spider-Man (2002 film)|Spider-Man]]'' (2002), which was adapted from the comic book series [[Spider-Man|of the same name]]. The movie grossed over US$800 million worldwide, spawning two sequels: ''[[Spider-Man 2]]'' and ''[[Spider-Man 3]]'', both directed by Raimi and each grossing approximately $800 million. After the completion of the third ''Spider-Man'' film, he planned on producing two more sequels (although [[Sony Pictures]] planned three sequels) but could not find a satisfactory script.<ref name="rolling stone">{{cite news |last1=Finke |first1=Nikki |last2=Fleming |first2=Mike |author-link1=Nikki Finke |url=https://www.deadline.com/2010/01/urgent-spider-man-4-scrapped-as-is-raimi-and-cast-out-franchise-reboot-planned/ |title='Spider-Man 4' Scrapped; Sam Rami & Tobey Maguire & Cast Out; Franchise Reboot for 2012 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 11, 2010 |access-date=November 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804174841/http://www.deadline.com/2010/01/urgent-spider-man-4-scrapped-as-is-raimi-and-cast-out-franchise-reboot-planned/ |archive-date=August 4, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2022, reflecting on ''Spider-Man 3'', Raimi told ''[[Rolling Stone]]'': "It was a very painful experience for me. I wanted to make a Spider-Man movie to redeem myself for that. [The aborted] ''Spider-Man 4'' — that was really what that was about. I wanted to go out on a high note. I didn't want to just make another one that pretty much worked. I had a really high standard in my mind. And I didn't think I could get that script to the level that I was hoping for by that start date."<ref name=":0">{{cite magazine |last=Hiatt |first=Brian |date=30 April 2022 |title=From 'Spider-Man' to 'Doctor Strange': How Sam Raimi Conquered the Superhero Multiverse (Again) |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-features/sam-raimi-multiverse-of-madness-doctor-strange-interview-spider-man-1344342/ |access-date=1 May 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> He, along with [[Marc Webb]], were both brought on as creative consultants for [[Marvel Studios|Marvel Studios']] ''[[Spider-Man: No Way Home]]'', directed by [[Jon Watts]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fuge |first1=Jonathan |title=Spider-Man: No Way Home Brought in Past Directors Sam Raimi & Marc Webb as Consultants |url=https://movieweb.com/spider-man-no-way-home-sam-raimi-marc-webb/ |website=MovieWb |date=November 26, 2021 |access-date=July 11, 2022}}</ref>

According to ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', Raimi had expressed an interest in directing a film version of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', the prequel to the ''[[The Lord of the Rings|Lord of the Rings]]'' trilogy.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20035161,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070419132133/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20035161,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 19, 2007|title='Hobbit' Forming?|first=Adam |last=Markovitz | magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=April 18, 2007}}</ref> In 2008, [[Guillermo del Toro]] was selected as the director, with [[Peter Jackson]] as the executive producer. Raimi may direct ''By Any Means Necessary'', the next film based on the "Jack Ryan" CIA character created by [[Tom Clancy]] for [[Paramount Pictures]]. Disney also approached him to direct ''[[W.I.T.C.H.]]: The Movie'', based on the popular comic.

On September 23, 2009, he became the producer for the British [[supernatural]] [[Thriller film|thriller]] ''Refuge'', which is directed by Corin Hardy and published by [[Mandate Pictures]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/33704/mandata-signs-sam-raimi-oversee-refuge|title=Mandate Signs Sam Raimi to Oversee Refuge|date=May 13, 2012 }}</ref> He will produce the remake of the Danish thriller ''[[The Substitute (2007 film)|The Substitute]]'', which will be directed by Scott Derrickson under his new label Spooky Pictures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/17566|title=Raimi shall LauncheLaunches Spooky Pictures with 'The Substitute'|date=October 2, 2009 }}</ref> Raimi produced with his company [[Ghost House Pictures]] the British thriller flick ''Burst 3D'', directed by [[Neil Marshall]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20735|title=Neil Marshall Throwing the Gore Onscreen With 'Burst 3D'|date=June 29, 2010 }}</ref>

On February 5, 2020, it was announced that Raimi was in talks with [[Marvel Studios]] to direct ''[[Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/doctor-strange-2-sam-raimi-1203475309/ |title=Sam Raimi in Talks to Direct 'Doctor Strange 2' (EXCLUSIVE) |last1=B. Vary |first1=Adam |last2=Kroll |first2=Justin |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=February 5, 2020 |access-date=February 5, 2020}}</ref> and Raimi confirmed his involvement in April 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/sam-raimi-doctor-strange/|title=Sam Raimi Confirms He's Directing 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'|last=Evangelista|first=Chris|work=[[/Film]]|date=April 15, 2020|access-date=April 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415211918/https://www.slashfilm.com/sam-raimi-doctor-strange/|archive-date=April 15, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> This marksmarked Raimi's return to the superhero film genre after more than 15 years following ''Spider-Man 3'' in 2007 and his first feature film directorial effort since 2013's ''Oz the Great and Powerful.''<ref>{{cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Gregory |date=September 30, 2021 |title=Sam Raimi Gets Candid on Why He'd Make 'Doctor Strange 2' After "Awful" Reaction to 'Spider-Man 3' |url=https://collider.com/doctor-strange-2-director-sam-raimi-comments-spider-man-3/ |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |access-date=November 3, 2021}}</ref>

In addition to film, Raimi has worked in television, producing such series as ''[[Hercules: The Legendary Journeys]]'' and its [[spin-off (media)|spin-off]] ''[[Xena: Warrior Princess]]'', both featuring his younger brother [[Ted Raimi]] and long-time friend [[Bruce Campbell]], ''[[American Gothic (1995 TV series)|American Gothic]]'', ''[[Cleopatra 2525]]'', ''[[M.A.N.T.I.S.]]'', ''[[13: Fear Is Real]]'', ''[[Young Hercules]]'', and ''[[Jack of All Trades (TV series)|Jack of All Trades]]''. In 2008, Raimi executive produced a syndicated TV series called ''[[Legend of the Seeker]]'', based on [[Terry Goodkind]]'s best-selling ''[[The Sword of Truth]]'' fantasy series. He also executive produced the [[Starz (TV channel)|Starz]] original television series ''[[Spartacus: Blood and Sand]]'' and, ''[[Spartacus: Gods of the Arena]]'',<ref>{{cite web |title = "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" cast and crew |url = http://www.starz.com/originals/spartacus/cast | access-date = January 30, 2010}}</ref> ''[[Spartacus: Vengeance]]'' and ''[[Spartacus: War of the Damned]]''. He directed the [[Television pilot|pilot]] episode of ''[[Ash vs Evil Dead]]'' for Starz.<ref>{{cite web |title = Sam Raimi Directing "Ash vs Evil Dead" Pilot|url = https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3332996/sam-raimi-directing-ash-vs-evil-dead-pilot/| access-date = January 30, 2010}}</ref>

Since 1993, Raimi has been married to Gillian Greene, daughter of Canadian actor [[Lorne Greene]]. They have five children; their three eldest, daughter Emma Rose and sons Lorne and Henry, appeared as extras in ''Drag Me to Hell'' and during the final battle in ''Spider-Man 3''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Movies/story?id=7696412&page=1|title=Sam Raimi Returns to Horror Film Roots With 'Drag Me to Hell'|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|language=en|access-date=February 6, 2020}}</ref> Lorne also contributed as one of many second unit directors on ''Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness''.

| Also 2ndsecond unit director

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| ''[[Evil Dead 2II]]''

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[[Category:ActionAmerican action film directors]]

[[Category:HorrorAmerican horror film directors]]

[[Category:Jewish American film directorspeople]]