Ruben Fleischer


Ruben Samuel Fleischer is an American film director, film producer, television producer, music video director, and commercial director who lives in Los Angeles. He is best known as the director of Zombieland, his first feature film, and its sequel . He has also directed the films 30 Minutes or Less, Gangster Squad, and 2018's Venom featuring the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Prior to features, Fleischer was a director of television commercials and music videos, working for such brands as Cisco, Eurostar, ESPN, and Burger King, as well as such artists as M.I.A., Electric Six, DJ Format, and Gold Chains.

Life and career

Ruben Fleischer was born and raised in Washington, D.C, the son of Karen Lee and David Elliot Fleischer, who is a physician at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona and Professor of Medicine. His brother, Lucas, works in new media. His father was born to a Jewish family, while his mother converted to Judaism. Fleischer was raised in Reform Judaism.
After graduating with a major in history from Wesleyan University, Fleischer moved to San Francisco, unsure of what he wanted to do with his life. He found himself working as a freelance HTML programmer in San Francisco. Taking the advice of close friend Mike White, Fleischer worked as a PA in the writers' office of Dawson's Creek. He eventually turned to directing and worked his way through the industry, tackling music videos and television commercials before landing his first feature film, Zombieland, in 2009. His second feature film, 30 Minutes or Less, opened in theaters on August 12, 2011.
Fleischer directed Gangster Squad, a 2013 action thriller film, based on the special tactical group created by the LAPD to combat the Los Angeles crime family.
Fleischer next directed Venom, a film about the Marvel Comics character Eddie Brock. It stars Tom Hardy in the title role, and was released on October 5, 2018.
In 2019, Fleischer directed , the sequel to his 2009 film Zombieland, reuniting all four original leads. In February 2020, Fleischer was hired to direct Uncharted, based on the video game series of the same name.

Filmography

Feature films

As Producer

Short films

Music videos

Fleischer has cast certain actors in more than one of his films:
ActorZombieland
30 Minutes or Less
Gangster Squad
Venom

Total
Abigail Breslin2
Jesse Eisenberg3
Woody Harrelson3
Bill Murray2
Michael Peña2
Emma Stone3