History Creator / WilliamFriedkin

William Friedkin (August 29, 1935 – August 7, 2023) was an American film director, producer, and screenwriter associated with the UsefulNotes/NewHollywood movement, best known for his various {{thriller}} films.

Friedkin was hailed as an up-and-coming cinematic talent in the early 1970s, thanks to the critical and commercial success of ''Film/TheFrenchConnection'' (which earned him the UsefulNotes/AcademyAward for Best Director) and ''Film/TheExorcist'', but his ambitious film ''Film/{{Sorcerer}}'', doomed by its release alongside ''Franchise/StarWars'', essentially ruined his career and sent him into obscurity (though it is now being re-evaluated as a masterpiece by many critics). He continued making films, some hugely beloved and others hated, and while his last three films, ''Film/{{Bug|2006}}'', ''Film/KillerJoe'', and ''Film/TheCaineMutinyCourtMartial'', were seen as a return to form, he never regained his former fame or success.

Friedkin was hailed as an up-and-coming cinematic talent in the early 1970s, thanks to the critical and commercial success of ''Film/TheFrenchConnection'' (which earned him the UsefulNotes/AcademyAward for Best Director) and ''Film/TheExorcist'', but his ambitious film ''Film/{{Sorcerer}}'', doomed by its release alongside ''Franchise/StarWars'', essentially ruined his career and sent him into obscurity (though it is now being re-evaluated as a masterpiece by many critics). He continued making films, some hugely beloved and others hated, and while his last three films, ''Film/{{Bug|2006}}'', ''Film/KillerJoe'', and ''The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial'' were seen as a return to form, he never regained his former fame or success.

* ''[[Literature/TheCaineMutiny The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial]]'' (2023)

Friedkin was hailed as an up-and-coming cinematic talent in the early 1970s, thanks to the critical and commercial success of ''Film/TheFrenchConnection'' (which earned him the UsefulNotes/AcademyAward for Best Director) and ''Film/TheExorcist'', but his ambitious film ''Film/{{Sorcerer}}'', doomed by its release alongside ''Franchise/StarWars'', essentially ruined his career and sent him into obscurity (though it is now being re-evaluated as a masterpiece by many critics). He continued making films, some hugely beloved and others hated, and while his last two films, ''Film/{{Bug|2006}}'' and ''Film/KillerJoe'' were seen as a return to form, he never regained his former fame or success.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Enjoying the success of ''Film/TheExorcist'' in 1973, and inspired by the fantasy story printed on the back cover of ''[[Music/{{Genesis|Band}} Genesis Live]]'', Friedkin asked [[Music/{{Genesis|Band}} the band's]] then-frontman, Music/PeterGabriel, among other figures outside of the film industry, to come up with ideas the director could use to create new movies. Gabriel, seeing this as a golden opportunity and a chance to branch out from his Genesis duties, took a trip to see Friedkin and brainstorm. Members of the band, which was in the middle of writing and recording ''Music/TheLambLiesDownOnBroadway'' at the time, felt uncomfortable and resentful with the idea, disliked that Gabriel wasn't fully giving his attention or commitment to the band and the album, and saw it as a threat that their frontman might leave at any time. This attitude within the band, which later they [[OldShame would regret]], was part of the impetus for Gabriel leaving the band (Friedkin had as well felt guilty, as he only wanted ideas and did not want the band to break up due to him).

* ''Film/Rampage1987'' (1987)

Friedkin was hailed as an up-and-coming cinematic talent in the early 1970s, thanks to the critical and commercial success of ''Film/TheFrenchConnection'' (which earned him the UsefulNotes/AcademyAward for Best Director) and ''Film/TheExorcist'', but his ambitious film ''Film/{{Sorcerer}}'', doomed by its release alongside ''Franchise/StarWars'', essentially ruined his career and sent him into obscurity (though it is now being re-evaluated as a masterpiece by many critics). He continues making films, some hugely beloved and others hated, and while his last two films, ''Film/{{Bug|2006}}'' and ''Film/KillerJoe'' were seen as a return to form, he never regained his former fame or success.

Friedkin was hailed as an up-and-coming cinematic talent in the early 1970s, thanks to the critical and commercial success of ''Film/TheFrenchConnection'' (which earned him the UsefulNotes/AcademyAward for Best Director) and ''Film/TheExorcist'', but his ambitious film ''Film/{{Sorcerer}}'', doomed by its release alongside ''Franchise/StarWars'', essentially ruined his career and sent him into obscurity (though it is now being re-evaluated as a masterpiece by many critics). He continues making films, some hugely beloved and others hated, and while his last two films, ''Film/{{Bug}}'' and ''Film/KillerJoe'' were seen as a return to form, he never regained his former fame or success.

* ''Film/{{Bug}}'' (2006)

William Friedkin (August 29, 1935 - August 7, 2023) was an American film director, producer, and screenwriter associated with the UsefulNotes/NewHollywood movement, best known for his various {{thriller}} films.

->''"I consider myself just another member of the crew, the highest paid member of the crew."''

William Friedkin (1935-2023) was an American film director, producer, and screenwriter associated with the UsefulNotes/NewHollywood movement, best known for his various {{thriller}} films.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Enjoying the succcess of ''Film/TheExorcist'' in 1973, and inspired by the fantasy story printed on the back cover of ''[[Music/{{Genesis|Band}} Genesis Live]]'', Friedkin asked [[Music/{{Genesis|Band}} the band's]] then-frontman, Music/PeterGabriel, among other figures outside of the film industry, to come up with ideas the director could use to create new movies. Gabriel, seeing this as a golden opportunity and a chance to branch out from his Genesis duties, took a trip to see Friedkin and brainstorm. Members of the band, which was in the middle of writing and recording ''Music/TheLambLiesDownOnBroadway'' at the time, felt uncomfortable and resentful with the idea, disliked that Gabriel wasn't fully giving his attention or commitment to the band and the album, and saw it as a threat that their frontman might leave at any time. This attitude within the band, which later they [[OldShame would regret]], was part of the impetus for Gabriel leaving the band (Friedkin had as well felt guilty, as he only wanted ideas and did not want the band to break up due to him).

William Friedkin (born August 29, 1935) is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter associated with the UsefulNotes/NewHollywood movement, best known for his various {{thriller}} films.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Enjoying the succcess of ''Film/TheExorcist'' in 1973, and inspired by the fantasy story printed on the back cover of ''[[Music/{{Genesis}} Genesis Live]]'', Friedkin asked [[Music/{{Genesis}} the band's]] then-frontman, Music/PeterGabriel, among other figures outside of the film industry, to come up with ideas the director could use to create new movies. Gabriel, seeing this as a golden opportunity and a chance to branch out from his Genesis duties, took a trip to see Friedkin and brainstorm. Members of the band, which was in the middle of writing and recording ''Music/TheLambLiesDownOnBroadway'' at the time, felt uncomfortable and resentful with the idea, disliked that Gabriel wasn't fully giving his attention or commitment to the band and the album, and saw it as a threat that their frontman might leave at any time. This attitude within the band, which later they [[OldShame would regret]], was part of the impetus for Gabriel leaving the band (Friedkin had as well felt guilty, as he only wanted ideas and did not want the band to break up due to him).

Friedkin was hailed as an up-and-coming cinematic talent in the early 1970s, thanks to the critical and commercial success of ''Film/TheFrenchConnection'' (which earned him the UsefulNotes/AcademyAward for Best Director) and ''Film/TheExorcist'', but his ambitious film ''Film/{{Sorcerer}}'', doomed by its release alongside ''Franchise/StarWars'', essentially ruined his career and sent him into obscurity (though it is now being re-evaluated as a masterpiece by many critics). He continues making films, some hugely beloved and others hated, and while his last two films, Bug and Killer Joe were seen as a return to form, he never regained his former fame or success.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Enjoying the succcess of ''Film/TheExorcist'' in 1973, and inspired by the fantasy story printed on the back cover of ''[[Music/{{Genesis}} Genesis Live]]'', Friedkin asked [[Music/{{Genesis}} the band's]] then-frontman, Music/PeterGabriel, among other figures outside of the film industry, to come up with ideas the director could use to create new movies. Gabriel, seeing this as a golden opportunity and a chance to branch out from his Genesis duties, took a trip to see Friedkin and brainstorm. Members of the band, which was in the middle of writing and recording ''Music/TheLambLiesDownOnBroadway'' at the time, felt uncomfortable and resentful with the idea, disliked that Gabriel wasn't fully giving his attention or commitment to the band and the album, and saw it as a threat that their frontman might leave at any time. This attitude within the band, which later they [[OldShame would regret]], was part of the impetus for Gabriel leaving the band (Friedkin had as well felt guilty, as he only wanted ideas and did not want the band to break up due to him).

Friedkin was hailed as an up-and-coming cinematic talent in the early 1970s, thanks to the critical and commercial success of ''Film/TheFrenchConnection'' (which earned him the UsefulNotes/AcademyAward for Best Director) and ''Film/TheExorcist'', but his ambitious film ''Film/{{Sorcerer}}'', doomed by its release alongside ''Franchise/StarWars'', essentially ruined his career and sent him into obscurity (though it is now being re-evaluated as a masterpiece by many critics). He continues making films, some hugely beloved and others hated, but has never regained his former fame or success.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Enjoying the succcess of ''Movie/TheExorcist'' in 1973, and inspired by the fantasy story printed on the back cover of ''[[Music/{{Genesis}} Genesis Live]]'', Friedkin asked [[Music/{{Genesis}} the band's]] then-frontman, Music/PeterGabriel, among other figures outside of the film industry, to come up with ideas the director could use to create new movies. Gabriel, seeing this as a golden opportunity and a chance to branch out from his Genesis duties, took a trip to see Friedkin and brainstorm. Members of the band, which was in the middle of writing and recording ''Music/TheLambLiesDownOnBroadway'' at the time, felt uncomfortable and resentful with the idea, disliked that Gabriel wasn't fully giving his attention or commitment to the band and the album, and saw it as a threat that their frontman might leave at any time. This attitude within the band, which later they [[OldShame would regret]], was part of the impetus for Gabriel leaving the band (Friedkin had as well felt guilty, as he only wanted ideas and did not want the band to break up due to him).