Biography
John Gatins (born April 16, 1968) is an American screenwriter, director, and actor. For writing the drama film Flight (2012), he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Gatins made his directorial feature debut by filming his screenplay for Dreamer (2005). He also wrote or co-wrote Coach Carter (2005), Real Steel (2011), Kong: Skull Island, and Power Rangers (2017). As an actor, he has collaborated three times with Eddie Murphy on Norbit (2007), Meet Dave (2008), and A...
Known For
Complete Filmography

Little Wing
2024
Writer, Producer
For 13-year-old Kaitlyn, her world threatens to collapse when she learns that her parents want to get a divorce, especially because it threatens the l...

Lying and Stealing
2019
as Aton
Hoping to leave his criminal lifestyle behind him, a successful art thief teams up with a sexy con woman to pull off the ultimate heist and set himsel...

Frances Ferguson
2019
as Warden
Frances Ferguson is discontent. Like a lot of us, she does a bit of “acting out” and pays the price —an arrest, a trial, incarceration. And then a new...

The Power of the Present
2017
as Self - Screenwriter (2017)
Exploring the history of the 'Power Rangers' franchise, casting, special effects and music.

Power Rangers
2017
Screenplay
Five ordinary teens must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove — and the world — is on the verge of bein...

Kong: Skull Island
2017
Story
Explore the mysterious and dangerous home of the king of the apes as a team of explorers ventures deep inside the treacherous, primordial island.

7 Chinese Brothers
2015
as Dinsmore
Larry is an unqualified, unemployable, inebriated prankster who rides a tide of booze onto the glorious shores of an undiscriminating Quick-Lube. Tak...

Need for Speed
2014
as Air Force Pilot
The film revolves around a local street-racer who partners with a rich and arrogant business associate, only to find himself framed by his colleague a...

Need for Speed
2014
Producer, Story
The film revolves around a local street-racer who partners with a rich and arrogant business associate, only to find himself framed by his colleague a...

Flight
2012
Writer
Commercial airline pilot Whip Whitaker has a problem with drugs and alcohol, though so far he's managed to complete his flights safely. His luck runs ...

A Thousand Words
2012
as Valet
Jack McCall is a fast-talking literary agent, who can close any deal, any time, any way. He has set his sights on New Age guru Dr. Sinja for his own s...

Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred
2011
as Dishwasher
When Fred suspects that his new music teacher is a vampire, he and his friend Bertha set out to save the town from this garlic-hating fiend.

Real Steel
2011
as Kingpin
Charlie Kenton is a washed-up fighter who retired from the ring when robots took over the sport. After his robot is trashed, he reluctantly teams up w...

Real Steel
2011
Screenplay
Charlie Kenton is a washed-up fighter who retired from the ring when robots took over the sport. After his robot is trashed, he reluctantly teams up w...

FRED: The Movie
2010
as Car Wash Clerk #1
Fred Figglehorn is in love with Judy, who lives next door. But Kevin, the local bully, prevents Fred from seeing Judy until she moves out of town. So,...

Harmony and Me
2010
as Homeless Tom
Lyricist Harmony insists on wallowing in misery eons after being unceremoniously dumped by his girlfriend. While the members of Harmony's family are l...

Meet Dave
2008
as Air Traffic Controller
A crew of miniature aliens operate a spaceship that has a human form. While trying to save their planet, the aliens encounter a new problem, as their ...

Norbit
2007
as Attendant
A mild-mannered guy who is engaged to a monstrous woman meets the woman of his dreams, and schemes to find a way to be with her.

The Nines
2007
as John Gatins
A troubled actor, a television show runner, and an acclaimed videogame designer find their lives intertwining in mysterious and unsettling ways.

Dreamer: Inspired By a True Story
2005
Writer, Director
Ben Crane believes that a severely injured racehorse deserves another chance. He and his daughter Cale adopt the mare and save it from being sacrifice...

Coach Carter
2005
Screenplay
Based on a true story, in which Richmond High School head basketball coach Ken Carter made headlines in 1999 for benching his undefeated team due to p...

Big Fat Liar
2002
as Tow Truck Driver
After one of his class papers is stolen and turned into a movie, a young student and his best friend exact a hilarious, slapstick revenge on the Holly...

Hardball
2001
Screenplay
An aimless young man who is scalping tickets, gambling and drinking, agrees to coach a Little League team from the Cabrini Green housing project in Ch...

Summer Catch
2001
Writer, Co-Producer
Local boy Ryan Dunne, now a pitcher for Boston College, meets Tenley Parrish, the daughter of a wealthy couple who summer on the Cape. Ryan and Tenley...

Ready to Rumble
2000
Producer
Two slacker wrestling fans are devastated by the ousting of their favorite character by an unscrupulous promoter.

Another Day in Paradise
1998
as Phil
In the hope of a big score, two junkie couples team up to commit various drug robberies which go disastrously wrong, leading to dissent, violence, and...

Gods and Monsters
1998
as Kid Saylor (uncredited)
It's 1957, and James Whale's heyday as the director of "Frankenstein," "Bride of Frankenstein" and "The Invisible Man" is long behind him. Retired and...

Breakfast with Einstein
1998
as Cop #1
The outrageously wisecracking Cheech Marin unleashes the laughs as the voice of a smart-alecky dog named Einstein who's out to find himself a new fami...

Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings
1995
as Young Caspar Dixon
Thrill-seeking teenagers resurrect a demon from his grave and a bloody rampage for revenge begins.

Leprechaun 3
1995
as Scott
It was a normal night in Las Vegas, Nevada, all the lights were flashing brightly, until a man with one hand, one eye, and one leg walks into a pawn s...

Witchboard 2: The Devil's Doorway
1993
as Russel
A beautiful young woman starts receiving messages through a ouija board, claiming to be from the former occupant of her apartment. The former tenant c...
The Last Mrs. Parrish
N/A
Writer
A con artist targets a wealthy couple — the Parrishes — as her next victims. She infiltrates the pair by befriending the wife and seducing the husband...
Fight for '84
N/A
Writer
After a devastating 1980 plane crash claims America's Olympic boxing team, a determined coach takes on the monumental task of assembling and training ...