# James Bobin

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British filmmaker

James Bobin Bobin in 2016 Occupations Film director, screenwriter, producer Years active 1998–present Spouse Francesca Beauman Children 3 Father David Bobin Family Joanna Bobin (sister)

**James Bobin** is a British filmmaker. He worked as a director and writer on *[Da Ali G Show](/source/Da_Ali_G_Show)* and helped create the characters of [Ali G](/source/Ali_G), [Borat](/source/Borat_Sagdiyev) and [Brüno](/source/Br%C3%BCno_Gehard). With [Bret McKenzie](/source/Bret_McKenzie) and [Jemaine Clement](/source/Jemaine_Clement), he co-created *[Flight of the Conchords](/source/Flight_of_the_Conchords_(TV_series))*. He directed the feature films *[The Muppets](/source/The_Muppets_(2011_film))* (2011), *[Muppets Most Wanted](/source/Muppets_Most_Wanted)* (2014), and *[Alice Through the Looking Glass](/source/Alice_Through_the_Looking_Glass_(2016_film))* (2016) from [Disney](/source/The_Walt_Disney_Company), and *[Dora and the Lost City of Gold](/source/Dora_and_the_Lost_City_of_Gold)* (2019) from [Paramount Pictures](/source/Paramount_Pictures) and [Nickelodeon Movies](/source/Nickelodeon_Movies).

## Career

Bobin worked as a director and writer on *[The 11 O'Clock Show](/source/The_11_O'Clock_Show)* and *[Da Ali G Show](/source/Da_Ali_G_Show)*, and helped create the characters of [Ali G](/source/Ali_G), [Borat](/source/Borat) and [Brüno](/source/Br%C3%BCno_Gehard).[1] In 2003 and 2004, he directed and co-wrote all of the 12 episodes of *[Ali G in da USAiii](/source/Ali_G_in_da_USAiii)* for [HBO](/source/HBO).

With [Bret McKenzie](/source/Bret_McKenzie) and [Jemaine Clement](/source/Jemaine_Clement), he co-created, wrote and directed *[Flight of the Conchords](/source/Flight_of_the_Conchords_(TV_series))*, also for HBO. Bobin had previously seen Clement and McKenzie perform and signed on to co-create the show.[2] In 2011, he signed a deal with HBO.[3]

His feature film directorial debut, *[The Muppets](/source/The_Muppets_(2011_film))*, a musical-comedy film written by [Jason Segel](/source/Jason_Segel) and [Nicholas Stoller](/source/Nicholas_Stoller), was released in 2011 and became a critical and commercial hit and won an Oscar for Best Original Song. The film earned him his second [BAFTA nomination](/source/BAFTA_Award_for_Outstanding_Debut_by_a_British_Writer%2C_Director_or_Producer) at the [66th British Academy Film Awards](/source/66th_British_Academy_Film_Awards). He wrote (with [Nicholas Stoller](/source/Nicholas_Stoller)) and directed a follow-up, *[Muppets Most Wanted](/source/Muppets_Most_Wanted)*, which was released in 2014.[4] Bobin next directed the sequel *[Alice Through the Looking Glass](/source/Alice_Through_the_Looking_Glass_(2016_film))* (2016). In February 2016, it was announced that he would direct a *[Jump Street](/source/Jump_Street_(franchise))–[Men in Black](/source/Men_in_Black_(film_series))* [crossover](/source/Crossover_(fiction)) film;[5] however, plans for the movie fell through.[6] In 2011, he signed a first-look deal with HBO.[7]

His most recent film, *[Dora and the Lost City of Gold](/source/Dora_and_the_Lost_City_of_Gold)*, is a live-action adaptation of TV series *[Dora the Explorer](/source/Dora_the_Explorer_(TV_series))* with [Isabela Moner](/source/Isabela_Moner) as the title character. The film was theatrically released in the United States on 9 August 2019, by [Paramount Pictures](/source/Paramount_Pictures). In 2020, it was announced that Bobin was in talks to direct a remake of *[Clue](/source/Clue_(film))*.[8] In October 2021, it was announced that Bobin would direct and executive produce an adaptation of *[Percy Jackson & the Olympians](/source/Percy_Jackson_%26_the_Olympians)* for [Disney+](/source/Disney%2B).[9]

## Awards and nominations

Bobin received his first BAFTA nomination ([British Academy of Film and Television Award](/source/British_Academy_of_Film_and_Television_Arts)) for Best Comedy Series in 2000 for his work on *The 11 O'Clock Show*. He also won an award from the [Royal Television Society](/source/Royal_Television_Society), as well as a Silver Rose from the Montreux Television Festival. He won a [Writers Guild of America Award](/source/Writers_Guild_of_America_Award) in 2007.

Bobin was nominated for Outstanding Writing and Directing Emmys for *Da Ali G Show* in 2003, and again in 2005. In 2008 and 2009, he was nominated for Outstanding Writing, Directing, and Original Music for *Flight of the Conchords*, and in 2009, also received an Outstanding Comedy Series nomination for his work as executive producer.

In 2011, Bobin's first feature film, *The Muppets*, won an Oscar for [Best Original Song](/source/Academy_Award_for_Best_Original_Song) for the song "[Man or Muppet](/source/Man_or_Muppet)" written by [Bret McKenzie](/source/Bret_McKenzie). Bobin himself was nominated for the [BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer](/source/BAFTA_Award_for_Outstanding_Debut_by_a_British_Writer%2C_Director_or_Producer).

Year Award Category Work Result Ref. 2013 BAFTA Awards Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer The Muppets Nominated [10] 2020 Imagen Awards Best Director – Feature Film Dora and the Lost City of Gold Won [11] 2024 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directing – Children's Programs Percy Jackson and the Olympians (for "I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher") Nominated [12] 2025 Children's and Family Emmy Awards Outstanding Directing for a Single Camera Live Action Series Won[a] [13]

## Reality TV

Bobin appeared as himself in one episode of a British documentary series *Modern Times.*[14] He was one part of a household in search of a flatmate.

## Filmography

**Short film**

- *[Spyz](/source/Spyz)* (2003)

**Feature film**

- *[The Muppets](/source/The_Muppets_(2011_film))* (2011)

- *[Muppets Most Wanted](/source/Muppets_Most_Wanted)* (2014) (Also writer)

- *[Alice Through the Looking Glass](/source/Alice_Through_the_Looking_Glass_(2016_film))* (2016)

- *[Dora and the Lost City of Gold](/source/Dora_and_the_Lost_City_of_Gold)* (2019)

**Television**

Year Title Director Writer Producer 1998 The 11 O'Clock Show Yes Yes Associate 2000 (UK) 2003–2004 (US) Da Ali G Show Yes Yes No 2004 Comedy Lab Yes No Yes 2007–2009 Flight of the Conchords Yes Yes Executive 2011 Enlightened Yes No No 2021 The Mysterious Benedict Society Yes No Executive 2023–present Percy Jackson and the Olympians Yes No Executive

## Personal life

In 2005, Bobin married [Francesca Beauman](/source/Francesca_Beauman),[15] with whom he has three children. They live in [Bath, Somerset](/source/Bath%2C_Somerset).

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Tied with Alex Ranken for *A Real Bug's Life*

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Flight of the Conchords"](https://www.hbo.com/flight-of-the-conchords). HBO. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190123052338/https://www.hbo.com/flight-of-the-conchords) from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Marc Allan – Fasten Your Seat Belts for Flight of the Conchords"](http://marc-allan.com/633199505751718750.asp). *marc-allan.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071012100222/http://marc-allan.com/633199505751718750.asp) from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Weisman, Jon (8 September 2011). ["Bobin inks first-look deal with HBO"](https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/bobin-inks-first-look-deal-with-hbo-1118042373/). *Variety*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211205103219/https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/bobin-inks-first-look-deal-with-hbo-1118042373/) from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Brodesser-Akner, Claude (1 March 2012). ["New Muppets Movie Going Ahead, But Without Jason Segel As a Writer"](http://www.vulture.com/2012/03/new-muppet-movie-in-the-works-but-without-jason-segel.html). Vulture. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120302173400/http://www.vulture.com/2012/03/new-muppet-movie-in-the-works-but-without-jason-segel.html) from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["The 23 Jump Street Men in Black Crossover is Happening"](https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/663387-23-jump-street-men-in-black). *ComingSoon.net*. 4 March 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190126221200/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/663387-23-jump-street-men-in-black) from the original on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["'21 Jump Street' and 'Men in Black' Crossover is Dead"](https://www.slashfilm.com/21-jump-street-men-in-black-crossover-is-dead/). /Film. 12 January 2019. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190127034945/https://www.slashfilm.com/21-jump-street-men-in-black-crossover-is-dead/) from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Weisman, Jon (8 September 2011). ["Bobin inks first-look deal with HBO"](https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/bobin-inks-first-look-deal-with-hbo-1118042373/). *Variety*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211205103219/https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/bobin-inks-first-look-deal-with-hbo-1118042373/) from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Hipes, Patrick (10 February 2020). ["James Bobin in Talks To Direct 'Clue' Movie at 20th Century"](https://deadline.com/2020/02/james-bobin-clue-movie-ryan-reynolds-1202856873/). [Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200211172055/https://deadline.com/2020/02/james-bobin-clue-movie-ryan-reynolds-1202856873/) from the original on 11 February 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Back from LA and into the Deep! | Rick Riordan"](https://rickriordan.com/2021/10/back-from-la-and-into-the-deep/). *rickriordan.com*. 24 October 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220302041751/https://rickriordan.com/2021/10/back-from-la-and-into-the-deep/) from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Bafta Film Awards 2013: The winners"](https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-20955363). BBC. 10 February 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Lewis, Hilary (24 September 2020). ["Dora and the Lost City of Gold' Tops Imagen Awards"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/dora-and-the-lost-city-of-gold-tops-imagen-awards-4066780/). *The Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved 19 November 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Verhoeven, Beatrice (9 January 2024). ["*Succession* Leads Directors Guild TV Nominations"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/dga-awards-tv-documentary-nominations-nominees-list-1235782461/). *[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter)*. Retrieved 17 January 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Lewis, Hilary (15 March 2025). ["Children's and Family Emmy Awards: 'Percy Jackson,' 'Sesame Street' Universe, 'Orion and the Dark' Among Top Winners"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2025-childrens-and-family-emmy-awards-winners-list-1236164512/). *[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter)*. Retrieved 18 March 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Modern Times – 'flatmates'"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IB8KaJ2d64). *youtube.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200929054409/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IB8KaJ2d64) from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Slater_16-0)** Slater, Lydia (18 August 2007). ["How to be a Modern Woman"](https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/england/london-travel/how-to-be-a-modern-woman-jczs798bg2v). *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*. Retrieved 21 April 2025.

## External links

- [James Bobin](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0090386/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Biography on HBO.com](http://www.hbo.com/conchords/cast/james_bobin.html)

- [New York Times bio](https://web.archive.org/web/20080322235300/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/439095/James-Bobin)

v t e Films directed by James Bobin Ali G, Innit (1999) Ali G, Aiii (2000) Ali G: Bling Bling (2001) The Muppets (2011) Muppets Most Wanted (2014) Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016) Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Netherlands Korea Poland Israel Artists MusicBrainz Other IdRef Yale LUX

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