Zak Penn
Zak Penn
Zak Penn’s career began as a screenwriter when he sold his first script, LAST ACTION HERO, at the age of twenty-three. Since then, Penn has become known for his work on numerous films based on Marvel comics, including X-MEN 2 and X-MEN: THE LAST STAND, ELEKTRA, THE INCREDIBLE HULK and THE AVENGERS. He has also dabbled in other genres, writing scripts for disparate films such as P.C.U., BEHIND ENEMY LINES and SUSPECT ZERO.
Penn’s shift into independent cinema began when he collaborated with his idol, Werner Herzog, on the script for RESCUE DAWN. Penn directed and co-starred with Herzog in INCIDENT AT LOCH NESS, his award-winning “hoax” documentary about the legendary director’s attempts to make a film about the equally legendary monster. THE GRAND, Penn’s second completely improvised film, was his third film with Herzog, and featured an eclectic cast including Woody Harrelson, David Cross, Ray Romano, Cheryl Hines, Dennis Farina and Gabe Kaplan.
In addition, Penn co-wrote the original story for ANTZ and produced the animated film OSMOSIS JONES. He has also acted in a number of independent films, including STAR MAPS and CHUCK & BUCK. His first foray into television was the critically acclaimed original series ALPHAS starring David Strathairn. Penn directed the documentary ATARI: GAME OVER for Xbox Entertainment Studios.
More recently, Penn adapted the New York Times bestselling novel READY PLAYER ONE for Warner Bros. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film was released in 2018. Penn also co-wrote the script for the action comedy FREE GUY, starring Ryan Reynolds and Jodie Comer. The film is directed by Shawn Levy and was released in August of 2021.
Check out our: "Quick Q&A with Zak Penn"
“Quick Q&A” with Zak Penn
“Quick Q&A” with Zak Penn
Q&A Sandwich: Two soft questions on the outside with something more substantial in the middle.
Do you have a go-to snack you typically keep at arm’s reach while you’re writing?
I try not to eat while writing, unless I'm in a writer's room in which case I eat all the wrong shit that you shouldn't eat. I sometimes indulge in a protein shake.
Change and concern are on the minds of a lot of storytellers. You’ve had a 30+ year career as a storyteller and in that time our industry has experienced a lot of evolution, positive and otherwise. As you approach the next 30 years of your career, are there evolutions that you anticipate with a sense of enthusiasm, as opposed to concern?
The ability of quickly advancing technology allowing to take ideas from written-visual with minimal effort. The general, pervasive and seemingly insatiable human desire to hear a good story well told.
Do you have any favorite experiences where you got to see an audience react firsthand to something you’ve written in a way that felt particularly rewarding for you?
Many. The advance screening of PCU at Comicon. Opening night of X-Men 3 at Mann's. The Premiere of Ready Player One at SXSW has to be the best, for a variety of reasons.