Steven Susco

In his second year as a student of USC’s Graduate Film Production program, Stephen
produced a short film that went on to win a Student Academy Award, and was hired by
New Line Cinema to write his first professional screenplay, an adaptation of Tony
Bourdain’s first novel (BONE IN THE THROAT).  In the twenty-five years since, Stephen
has written for a variety of acclaimed directors and producers, including Mike Nichols
(THE GRADUATE), Taylor Hackford (RAY), Quentin Tarantino (PULP FICTION), Philip
Noyce (DEAD CALM), McG (TERMINATOR: SALVATION), Gore Verbinski (PIRATES
OF THE CARIBBEAN), Michael Bay (TRANSFORMERS) and Marvel Comics.  
 
Stephen’s first produced feature film, THE GRUDGE, was produced by legendary
director Sam Raimi. Costing under $10M, it grossed almost $200 million worldwide in its
theatrical release and remains once of the most financially successful horror films of all
time.  
 
Four of Stephen’s films – THE GRUDGE 1 & 2, THE POSSESSION and TEXAS
CHAINSAW 3D – have placed #1 at the U.S. box office, and two others (RED, starring
Brian Cox, and HIGH SCHOOL, with Adrien Brody and Michael Chiklis) premiered at the
Sundance Film Festival.  His most recent film, BEYOND THE REACH, a thriller he
developed with Michael Douglas, premiered at the 2014 Toronto Film Festival.
 
Upcoming projects include HELLFEST, produced by Gale Ann Hurd (THE WALKING
DEAD, TERMINATOR, ALIENS), to be released in October of 2018; a TV adaptation of
a Stephen King novella for Gaumont; and a script developed with a decorated former
CIA officer (based on a true story) and the producer of SPOTLIGHT and JOHN WICK.

[Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.]