1. Joe Johnston is best known for directing effects-driven films, including Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, The Rocketeer, Jumanji, Jurassic Park III, The Wolfman, and Captain America: The First Avenger.
17 Facts About Joe Johnston
1. 2.
Joe Johnston was born Joseph Eggleston Joe Johnston II in Austin, Texas, and attended California State University, Long Beach, and Pasadena's Art Center College of Design, both for industrial design.
3.
Joe Johnston began his career as a concept artist and effects technician on the first Star Wars film, directed by George Lucas.
4.
Joe Johnston continued to work on many films as an effects expert.
5.
Joe Johnston was associate producer on fantasy film Willow, and production designer on two mid-1980s TV movies which featured the Ewoks seen in Return of the Jedi.
6.
In 1984, at 34, Joe Johnston went to George Lucas and stated his desire to leave Lucasfilm for a year.
7.
However, Lucas offered him to go to USC School of Cinematic Arts and study there for a year, complete with paid tuition and half-salary that would let Joe Johnston take any class he wanted.
8.
Joe Johnston left after a year, saying he "was asked not to return" because he "broke too many rules".
9.
Joe Johnston made his directorial debut in 1989 with hit comedy adventure Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, starring Rick Moranis.
10.
Joe Johnston followed it with comic-book adaptation The Rocketeer.
11.
Joe Johnston rebounded, directing the family hit Jumanji, starring Robin Williams.
12.
Joe Johnston was set to direct Hulk, but dropped out in July 1997.
13.
Joe Johnston then switched gears from effects-driven action films to the more personal October Sky, starring a teenage Jake Gyllenhaal as a 1950s West Virginia high school student who dreams of being a rocket scientist for NASA against his father's wishes.
14.
Joe Johnston then took a six-year directorial break before signing on at a month's notice to take over the 2010 remake of 1941 horror classic The Wolfman.
15.
In part thanks to his experience with the period superhero film The Rocketeer, Joe Johnston was selected to direct Marvel Studios superhero adaptation Captain America: The First Avenger.
16.
In 2014, Joe Johnston directed the thriller Not Safe for Work for Blumhouse Productions.
17.
On December 5,2019, it was reported that Joe Johnston was in negotiations with Walt Disney Pictures to direct Shrunk, a legacy sequel to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.