James Wan

Was born to Chinese parents in Malaysia; moved to Australia at age 7. Met frequent collaborator Leigh Whannell while studying at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Although the first Saw film launched his career in 2004, he directed only the first one and has worked to distance himself from the franchise. Initially rejected by the Toronto International Film Festival, Insidious went on to become one of the most profitable films of 2011. Stepped outside his comfort zone of small, independent films when he agreed to direct the big-budget studio film Fast and Furious 7 (2014).