{{short description|American screenwriter}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}} {{Infobox writer | name = Jim Uhls | image = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|3|25}} | birth_place = Missouri, U.S. | occupation = Screenwriter, script doctor | nationality = American | education = Drake University (BFA) <br> UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (MFA) | spouse = Yalda T. Uhls | notableworks= ''Fight Club'' (1999) }}
'''James "Jim" Uhls''' (born March 25, 1957) is an American screenwriter, best known for writing the screenplay for the film ''Fight Club'' (1999), directed by David Fincher.<ref>{{cite news|title=Screenwriter JIM UHLS on Writing FIGHT CLUB |url=https://www.amfm-magazine.tv/screenwriter-jim-uhls-on-writing-fight-club/ |work=AMFM Magazine.tv |date=17 March 2021}}</ref> His other major credits include the science fiction film ''Jumper'' (2008) and the television film ''Semper Fi''.
== Early life and education == Uhls graduated from Drake University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in theatre.<ref>{{cite news | author=Staff | url=https://news.drake.edu/2016/06/24/in-memory-of-doc-endless-possibilities/ | title=In memory of 'Doc,' endless possibilities | work=news.drake.edu | publisher=Drake University | date=June 24, 2016 | accessdate=September 5, 2019 }}</ref> Following his undergraduate studies, he attended the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in its screenwriting program.
== Career ==
=== ''Fight Club'' === Uhls's breakthrough came when he was hired to adapt Chuck Palahniuk's novel ''Fight Club'' for the screen. The adaptation process was extensive; Uhls worked closely with Fincher for over a year to translate the novel's complex, non-linear narrative and internal monologue into a workable script. One of the most significant changes from the novel was the introduction of a new, more cinematic ending, a decision made with the blessing of Palahniuk.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Magazine |first1=Storius |title=Fight Club Turns 20: Interview with the Film's Screenwriter Jim Uhls |url=https://storiusmag.com/fight-club-turns-20-interview-with-the-films-screenwriter-jim-uhls-708179751b0a |work=Medium |date=4 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Upon its release, ''Fight Club'' was met with a polarized critical reception but has since become a widely acclaimed cult classic.<ref>{{cite web |title= In Defense of ‘Fight Club’ |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/in-defense-of-fight-club/ |work=Vice |date= October 15, 2019 |accessdate=September 3, 2025}}</ref>
=== Later work === Following the success of ''Fight Club'', Uhls co-wrote the screenplay for the science fiction action film ''Jumper'' (2008), directed by Doug Liman and starring Hayden Christensen.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dargis |first1=Manohla |title=Time-Space Continuum? No Big Deal. And the Swag... |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/movies/14jump.html |work=The New York Times |date=14 February 2008}}</ref> Uhls also developed, wrote, and executive produced ''Semper Fi'', a drama series for Fox.<ref>{{cite web |title=Semper Fi |url=https://amblin.com/tv/semper-fi/ |work=Amblin |accessdate=September 5, 2025}}</ref>
Uhls has also been attached to several high-profile projects, including an adaptation of the pulp novel series ''The Destroyer'' for director Shane Black and Sony Pictures.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shane Black to Direct ‘The Destroyer’ for Sony |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/shane-black-direct-destroyer-sony-726801/ |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 21, 2014 |accessdate=September 3, 2025}}</ref>
=== Teaching === In addition to his screenwriting work, Uhls frequently serves as a guest lecturer and instructor. He has taught at his alma mater, UCLA, as well as for the Austin Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web |title= First Round of 2013 Panelists!|url=https://austinfilmfestival.com/blog/news/first-round-of-2013-panelists/ |work=Austin Film Festival |accessdate=September 3, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= UCLA TFT students excel at writing science fact |url=https://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/ucla-tft-students-excel-as-not-just-writers-but-science-writers|work=UCLA Newsroom |date= November 1, 2018 |accessdate=September 3, 2025}}</ref>
== Personal life == Uhls is married to Dr. Yalda T. Uhls, an author and researcher in child psychology and media at UCLA.<ref>{{cite web |title=FIGHT CLUB, THE LEVIATHAN Teaser & More with Screenwriter Jim Uhls |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2c-lw_KxGk |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=YouTube | date=February 22, 2016 |publisher=Antidote |quote=He is married to Yalda Tehranian.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Yalda T. Uhls • UCLA Department of Psychology |url=https://www.psych.ucla.edu/faculty-page/yaldat/ |work=UCLA Department of Psychology |accessdate=September 3, 2025}}</ref>
== Filmography == '''Film''' * ''Fight Club'' (1999) * ''Semper Fi'' (2001) (Television pilot) * ''The Scorned (film)'' (2005) (Television film) * ''Jumper'' (2008) (Co-writer)
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name|0880243}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Uhls, Jim}} Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:American male screenwriters Category:Drake University alumni Category:UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television alumni Category:Writers from Missouri
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