# Greg Russo

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{{Short description|American screenwriter}}
{{Infobox writer
| image            =
| name             = Greg Russo
| imagesize        = 
| caption          = Picture of Russo
| birth_name       = 
| birth_date       = 1981
| birth_place      = [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia), Pennsylvania, U.S.
| education        = [Vassar College](/source/Vassar_College)
| occupation       = {{hlist|Screenwriter}}
| years_active     = 2010–present
}}

'''Greg Russo''' is an American screenwriter. He is best known for writing the 2021 film adaptation of [''Mortal Kombat''](/source/Mortal_Kombat_(2021_film)).

==Early life==
Russo attended [Vassar College](/source/Vassar_College) after graduating high school in [Cherry Hill](/source/Cherry_Hill%2C_New_Jersey). Russo couldn’t find work in the film industry when he graduated in 2001, so he spent the next four years working for a headhunting firm in New Jersey, an experience he called “lucrative but soul-sucking.” When his then-girlfriend (now spouse), Tricia Gonnella, was accepted into the graduate [Peter Stark Producing Program](/source/The_Peter_Stark_Producing_Program) at the [University of Southern California](/source/University_of_Southern_California) in 2007, they moved to Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hertz |first1=Larry |title=The Screenplay for Mortal Kombat? Yup. Greg Russo ’03 Wrote That! |url=https://www.vassar.edu/stories/2021/the-screenplay-for-mortal-kombat-yup-greg-russo-03-wrote-that.html |website=Vassar College |publisher=Vassar College |access-date=16 November 2023}}</ref>

== Career ==
Russo's first break came in 2010, when he optioned the contained thriller spec script ''Down'' to [Relativity Media](/source/Relativity_Media).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Jay A. Fernandez,Borys |last2=Fernandez |first2=Jay A. |last3=Kit |first3=Borys |date=2010-03-25 |title=Relativity Media options ‘Down’ screenplay |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/relativity-media-options-down-screenplay-22035/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

He followed up ''Down'' in October 2010 with the highly received action thriller spec ''I-95'' which placed #3 overall on the year end Hit List, a list of the best un-produced original screenplays in Hollywood hosted by [The Tracking Board](/source/The_Tracking_Board).<ref>{{Cite web |last=TBA |date=2010-12-09 |title=THE HIT LIST 2010 (FULL LIST) |url=https://www.tracking-board.com/the-hit-list-2010-full-list/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=The Tracking Board |language=en-US}}</ref> "I-95" was later changed to "Autobahn" and optioned by Inferno Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Daniel |date=2011-08-03 |title=Inferno Taking Ride on ‘Autobahn’ (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/inferno-taking-ride-autobahn-218784/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2011, Russo sold an original action-thriller pitch entitled ''Black Ice'' to [Alloy Entertainment](/source/Alloy_Entertainment).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fernandez |first=Jay A. |date=2011-03-29 |title=Screenwriter Greg Russo Sells Action Pitch ‘Black Ice’ to Alloy (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/screenwriter-greg-russo-sells-action-171530/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> He also worked on the [Paramount Pictures](/source/Paramount_Pictures) action film ''Heatseekers'' produced by [Michael Bay](/source/Michael_Bay).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fernandez |first=Jay A. |date=2011-03-29 |title=Screenwriter Greg Russo Sells Action Pitch ‘Black Ice’ to Alloy (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/screenwriter-greg-russo-sells-action-171530/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2012, Russo was hired to write the action film "High Speed" for [Act of Valor](/source/Act_of_Valor) director [Scott Waugh](/source/Scott_Waugh).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=2012-02-17 |title=After Navy SEAL Pic 'Act Of Valor,' Bandito Brothers Rev 'High Speed' Racing Pic |url=https://deadline.com/2012/02/after-navy-seal-pic-act-of-valor-bandito-brothers-rev-high-speed-racing-pic-232206/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2013, Russo was hired by [Relativity Media](/source/Relativity_Media) to adapt the sci-fi/action [Arcana](/source/Arcana_Studio) comic "Continuum" into a feature film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=2013-07-18 |title=Comic-Con: Relativity Acquires ‘Continuum;’ Greg Russo Scripting Time Travel Comic Book Adaptation |url=https://deadline.com/2013/07/comic-con-relativity-acquires-continuum-greg-russo-scripting-time-travel-comic-book-adaptation-543686/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> Later that year, [Universal Pictures](/source/Universal_Pictures) hired Russo to adapt its action/spy film ''It Takes a Thief'' based on the TV [series](/source/It_Takes_a_Thief_(1968_TV_series)) of the same name.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=2013-10-30 |title=Universal Turning 1970s Series ‘It Takes a Thief’ into Film (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/it-takes-a-thief-universal-1200778576/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

In the summer of 2014, Russo sold the original TV pilot "Chop Shop" to [20th Century Fox](/source/20th_Television) with [Chris Morgan](/source/Chris_Morgan_(filmmaker)) producing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2014-09-20 |title=Duo Of Writers Sell Assassin & Auto-Theft Dramas Produced By Chris Morgan To Fox |url=https://deadline.com/2014/09/chris-morgan-series-fox-patrick-aison-greg-russo-837143/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2015, [New Line Cinema](/source/New_Line_Cinema) hired Russo to pen disaster thriller "Category 6" a sequel to the film [''Into the Storm''](/source/Into_the_Storm_(2014_film))<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=2015-02-03 |title=New Line Sets Greg Russo To Script Hurricane Pic ‘Category 6’ |url=https://deadline.com/2015/02/category-6-greg-russo-hurricane-new-line-1201364889/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204071227/http://deadline.com/2015/02/category-6-greg-russo-hurricane-new-line-1201364889/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 4, 2015 |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

In November 2016, it was announced that Russo would be penning an adaptation of the 1992 video game [''Mortal Kombat''](/source/Mortal_Kombat_(1992_video_game)) for [New Line Cinema](/source/New_Line_Cinema), directed by [Simon McQuoid](/source/Simon_McQuoid) and produced by [James Wan](/source/James_Wan).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=2016-11-19|title=‘Mortal Kombat’ Reboot Finds Director in Simon McQuoid (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/mortal-kombat-reboot-director-simon-mcquoid-james-wan-1201921068/|access-date=2022-01-27|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> The film was released on April 23, 2021. It opened at #1 at the U.S. domestic box office and grossed $83.7 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rubin|first=Rebecca|date=2021-03-30|title=‘Mortal Kombat’ Release Date Pushed Back|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/mortal-kombat-release-date-delay-1234941072/|access-date=2022-01-27|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mortal Kombat|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0293429/|access-date=2022-01-27|website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref>

In May 2017, Russo was initially attached as writer for ''[Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City](/source/Resident_Evil%3A_Welcome_to_Raccoon_City)'', but confirmed in November 2018 that he was no longer involved with the project.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Busch|first=Anita|date=2017-05-22|title=‘Resident Evil’ Franchise Reboot: James Wan On Board To Produce From Greg Russo Script|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/resident-evil-movie-reboot-james-wan-produce-greg-russo-script-1202100081/|access-date=2022-01-27|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Fisher|first=Jacob|date=2018-11-19|title=Greg Russo Talks ‘Resident Evil’ Reboot (Exclusive Interview Part Two)|url=https://discussingfilm.net/2018/11/19/greg-russo-talks-resident-evil-reboot-exclusive-interview-part-two/|access-date=2022-01-27|website=DiscussingFilm|language=en-US}}</ref> In was also revealed that Russo was hired by [Sony Pictures](/source/Sony_Pictures) to adapt the anime ''[Robotech](/source/Robotech)'' into a feature film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Busch |first=Anita |date=2017-05-22 |title=‘Resident Evil’ Franchise Reboot: James Wan On Board To Produce From Greg Russo Script |url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/resident-evil-movie-reboot-james-wan-produce-greg-russo-script-1202100081/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

In May 2018, Russo was hired to write an adaptation of the 2005 video game [''F.E.A.R.''](/source/F.E.A.R._(video_game))<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-05-13|title=Survival horror F.E.A.R. is getting a movie adaptation|url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2018/05/survival-horror-f-e-a-r-is-being-adapted-as-a-movie/|access-date=2022-01-27|website=Flickering Myth|language=en-US}}</ref> Also in 2018, Russo was hired by [New Line Cinema](/source/New_Line_Cinema) to pen an adaptation of the [DC Comics](/source/DC_Comics) title ''Highwaymen''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-30 |title=F. Gary Gray to Direct Saints Row Movie |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1063571-saints-row-movie-greg-russo |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=ComingSoon.net}}</ref>

In August 2018, it was announced that Russo would be penning the sequel to the 2017 American adaptation of [''Death Note''](/source/Death_Note_(2017_film)) for [Netflix](/source/Netflix). Russo also affirmed that the film would be more faithful to the source material.<ref>{{Cite web|title=THR: Sequel to Netflix's Death Note Film in the Works|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-08-22/thr-sequel-to-netflix-death-note-film-in-the-works/.135780|access-date=2022-01-27|website=Anime News Network|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-20|title=Death Note 2 Writer Says Netflix Sequel Will Draw From Source Material|url=https://screenrant.com/death-note-2-movie-adaptation-more-faithful-manga/|access-date=2022-01-27|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US}}</ref>

In April 2019, Russo became attached to write an adaptation of the ''[Saints Row](/source/Saints_Row)'' franchise, with [F. Gary Gray](/source/F._Gary_Gray) set to direct.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=2019-04-30|title=F. Gary Gray Developing To Direct Movie Based On Video Game Franchise ‘Saints Row’ For Fenix, Koch, Occupant|url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/saints-row-f-gary-gray-straight-outta-compton-directing-videogame-movie-adaptation-1202604753/|access-date=2022-01-27|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref> Later in July, Russo was attached to write an adaptation of ''[Space Invaders](/source/Space_Invaders)'' for [New Line Cinema](/source/New_Line_Cinema).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=2019-07-12|title=‘Space Invaders’ On New Line Launchpad; ‘Mortal Kombat’s Greg Russo To Script Alien-Invasion Pic|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/space-invaders-movie-new-line-taito-arcade-game-new-line-greg-russo-mortal-kombat-1202645635/|access-date=2022-01-27|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref>

In January 2022, it was announced that Russo would direct, write and executive produce a television adaptation of ''[System Shock](/source/System_Shock)'' for the streaming service [Binge](/source/Binge_(streaming_service)). The series will mark Russo's [directorial debut](/source/Directorial_Debut).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rosario|first=Alexandra Del|date=2022-01-27|title=‘Mortal Kombat’ Scribe Greg Russo To Adapt ‘System Shock’ For Binge Live-Action Series|url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/mortal-kombat-greg-russo-adapt-system-shock-live-action-series-binge-1234920405/|access-date=2022-01-27|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2023, Russo preemptively sold an original sci-fi thriller pitch titled ''Seismic'' to Netflix with [21 Laps](/source/21_Laps) producing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2023-02-13 |title=Netflix Picks Up ‘Seismic’ From ‘Mortal Kombat’s Greg Russo; Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps Producing |url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/netflix-seismic-mortal-kombat-greg-russo-1235257706/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|3859643}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Russo, Greg}}
Category:American male screenwriters
Category:American television directors
Category:Living people
Category:1981 births
Category:21st-century American male writers

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Greg Russo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Russo) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Russo?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.