# Jim Uhls

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{{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](/source/Missouri), U.S.
| occupation  = [Screenwriter](/source/Screenwriter), [script doctor](/source/script_doctor)
| nationality = American
| education   = [Drake University](/source/Drake_University) (BFA) <br> [UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television](/source/UCLA_School_of_Theater%2C_Film_and_Television) (MFA)
| spouse      = [Yalda T. Uhls](/source/Yalda_T._Uhls)
| notableworks= ''[Fight Club](/source/Fight_Club_(film))'' (1999)
}}

'''James "Jim" Uhls''' (born March 25, 1957) is an American screenwriter, best known for writing the screenplay for the film ''[Fight Club](/source/Fight_Club_(film))'' (1999), directed by [David Fincher](/source/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](/source/Jumper_(2008_film))'' (2008) and the television film ''Semper Fi''.

== Early life and education ==
Uhls graduated from [Drake University](/source/Drake_University) in 1979 with a [Bachelor of Fine Arts](/source/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](/source/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](/source/UCLA_School_of_Theater%2C_Film_and_Television), where he earned a [Master of Fine Arts](/source/Master_of_Fine_Arts) (MFA) in its screenwriting program.

== Career ==

=== ''Fight Club'' ===
Uhls's breakthrough came when he was hired to adapt [Chuck Palahniuk](/source/Chuck_Palahniuk)'s novel ''[Fight Club](/source/Fight_Club_(novel))'' 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](/source/Medium_(website)) |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](/source/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](/source/Jumper_(2008_film))'' (2008), directed by [Doug Liman](/source/Doug_Liman) and starring [Hayden Christensen](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Yalda_T._Uhls), an author and researcher in child psychology and media at [UCLA](/source/University_of_California%2C_Los_Angeles).<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](/source/Fight_Club_(film))'' (1999)
* ''Semper Fi'' (2001) (Television pilot)
* ''The Scorned (film)'' (2005) (Television film)
* ''[Jumper](/source/Jumper_(2008_film))'' (2008) (Co-writer)

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|0880243}}

{{Authority control}}

{{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

{{US-screen-writer-stub}}

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