Evan Spiliotopoulos


Evan Spiliotopoulos is a Greek-American screenwriter, film producer and film director.

Early life

Spiliotopoulos was born in Greece, and graduated from high school there. Soon after, he moved to the United States and attended the University of Delaware to get an undergraduate degree in film theory. He then attended American University for a master's degree in screenwriting. After moving to Los Angeles in 1995, his first job in the industry was in a television film Trial by Fire as an intern.

Career

In the 2000s, Spiliotopoulos wrote several animated projects for Walt Disney Pictures. He was attached to write a prequel of to the classic animated Snow White and [the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs film]. However, the project was finally cancelled when Pixar was acquired by The [Walt Disney Company] in 2006.
In April 2009, Spiliotopoulos was set to write the screenplay for the action film Wanted 2, a sequel to the 2008 film Wanted.
In June 2013, Universal acquired the remake rights to the Japanese 2007 anime film Vexille and set Spiliotopoulos to write the screenplay.
In July 2014, Spiliotopoulos was hired by 20th Century Fox to write the script for the 2014 novel Seven Wonders written by Ben Mezrich. Spiliotopoulos had already rewritten the script of the horror film Ouija, but his draft wasn't used in the film.
In 2014, Spiliotopoulos re-wrote the screenplay for the action-adventure fantasy film Hercules, originally written by Ryan J. Condal. Brett Ratner directed the film which released on July 25, 2014 by Paramount Pictures.
Spiliotopoulos wrote the screenplay of the action-adventure fantasy film The Huntsman: Winter's War, along with Craig Mazin, and rewritten by Frank Darabont. Cedric Nicolas-Troyan directed the film, which was released on April 22, 2016 by Universal Pictures.
Spiliotopoulos and Stephen Chbosky wrote Disney's live-action musical romantic fantasy film Beauty and the Beast, which was directed by Bill Condon, and starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens. The film was released on March 17, 2017.
Spiliotopoulos received a "story by" credit, with David Auburn, for the Charlie's Angels reboot film of 2019, which was written and directed by Elizabeth Banks.
In 2021, Spiliotopoulos' directorial debut, the horror film The Unholy was released.

Writing credits

Theatrical release
YearTitleDirectorNotes
2003The Jungle Book 2Steve TrenbirthAdditional Screenplay Material
2004Art HeistBryan Goeres
2005Pooh's Heffalump MovieFrank Nissen
2006Khan KluayKompin KemgumnirdEnglish-language version
2007Battle for TerraAristomenis Tsirbas
2014HerculesBrett Ratner
2016The Huntsman: Winter's WarCedric Nicolas-Troyan
2017Beauty and the BeastBill Condon
2018Charlie's AngelsElizabeth Banks
2021The UnholyHimselfAlso producer
2021Snake EyesRobert Schwentke
2023The Pope's ExorcistJulius Avery

Direct-to-video
YearTitleDirectorNotes
2002Bare WitnessKelley Cauthen
2004The Lion King 1½Bradley RaymondAdditional Screenplay Material
2004Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three MusketeersDonovan Cook
2005Tarzan IIBrian SmithAdditional Story Material
2005Pooh's Heffalump Halloween MovieElliot M. Bour
Saul Andrew Blinkoff
2007Cinderella III: A Twist in TimeFrank NissenAdditional Screenplay Material
2008The Little Mermaid: Ariel's BeginningPeggy Holmes
2008The Nutty ProfessorLogan McPherson
Paul Taylor
2009Tinker Bell and the Lost TreasureKlay Hall

Television
YearTitleDirectorNotes
1998LegionJon HessTV movie
1998The OutsiderDavid BishopTV movie
2014Mini Adventures of Winnie the PoohFrank NissenEpisode "Roo and Lumpy"