Sam Hargrave has established himself as a filmmaker of note, known for deftly incorporating a blend of unique, intuitive, and character driven action into both his work in film and television.
Hargrave made his feature directorial debut with the edge-of-your-seat thriller, EXTRACTION, produced by the Russo Brothers, and written by Joe Russo. Netflix released the film globally in April 2020, and it ranks as one of the top 10 most watched movies, ever, for the streamer. Star ring Chris Hemsworth, it followed a fearless black-market mercenary with nothing left to lose whose skills are solicited to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned interna tional crime lord only to find his compassion for the son get in the way of the mission.
On June 16, 2023, EXTRACTION 2, the sequel to Netflix's worldwide blockbuster action hit, premiered with Hargrave back at the helm as director, and now producer, reuniting with AGBO and Hemsworth, who returns as black ops mercenary, Tyler Rake, on a deadly mission to rescue the battered family of a ruthless Georgian gangster from the prison where they are being held. EXTRACTION 2 immediately became the #1 Movie on Netflix in 90 countries upon its debut, with its predecessor, EXTRACTION, rising back to the top of the list at #2. They held the #1 and #2 positions for two weeks in a row.
Upcoming, Hargrave is set to direct Idris Elba in the Warner Bros. high-octane action film, STAY FROSTY, that he will also produce with Dark Horse Entertainment. Elba will star as a man who miraculously survives an assassin's bullet to the head and has to figure out who wants him dead, and why, as he makes his way back home in time to spend Christmas with his son. Hargrave will also direct the pilot episode, and executive produce, the upcoming Apple TV+ original drama series, THE LAST FRONTIER, starring Jason Clarke. Created by Jon Bokenkamp and Richard D’Ovidio, THE LAST FRONTIER.
Prior to directing EXTRACTION, Hargrave directed second unit on the record-breaking box office hits AVENGERS: ENDGAME and AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR. Hargrave also served as stunt coordinator and second unit director on David Leitch’s Cold War spy thriller, ATOMIC BLONDE, starring Charlize Theron, which received numerous awards for its visceral action.
Hargrave’s background as an award-winning stuntman, stunt coordinator, second unit director, and actor has deeply informed his filmmaking. A five-time winner of the Taurus World Stunt Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award winner, Hargrave has served as stunt coordinator on AVENGERS: ENDGAME, AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, WOLF WARRIOR 2, SUICIDE SQUAD, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1 & 2, among others."
On this episode Jess and Jenn dive into Sam's journey as a stuntman and his evolution into directing and how it has informed his choices as a filmmaker.
- Sam's origin story and his love for Lone Ranger, Zorro and Roy Rodgers.
- Expanding his love into Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee films.
- How He Grew Up Making Films with His Family
- Casting Process for Extraction
- Casting Kids
- The Current State of the Industry - Generational Crisis/Trauma
- Grounding Force of Having Children
- Balance & Finding Your Identity
- Self-Worth & Finding the Best Version of Yourself
- Sam's Dream Collaboration
- Sam's Future Aspirations
- Sam's Drink of Choice
Resources:
‘Extraction 2’ Director Sam Hargrave Had to Redesign His 21-Minute Oner From Scratch
Sam Hargrave IMDB
Sam's Instagram
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