Renny Harlin
Viewed, 3039x, Last Updated 2006-08-30
Finnish director Renny Harlin did not come from an artistically inclined family (his parents were in the medical profession), but Harlin himself had determined his future before he was 12, via extensive use of a home movie camera. Harlin was a twenty-ish film school graduate when he set up his own production company; while he was fairly successful marketing documentaries and commercial shorts, young Harlin could not get anyone in Finland to bankroll him for a feature. He moved to the presumably greener pastures of Hollywood, where he finally realized his goal with the 1986 feature Born American.

Harlan's direction of 1990's Die Hard 2 seemed to bode well for steady work in action films; unfortunately, his next effort (released the same month as Die Hard 2) was the ill-fated Andrew Dice Clay vehicle The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990). The collapse of this enterprise resulted in reams of magazine copy about the "once-promising" and "washed-up" Harlin. But in 1993, he responded with the successful Cliffhanger, which managed the remarkable feat of being an actor's picture (the star was Sylvester Stallone) and a director's picture all in one. Renny Harlin was married to actress Geena Davis, whom he directed in the 1995 swashbuckler Cutthroat Island. Though the couple would re-team the following year for Harlin's The Long Kiss Goodnight, they separated in 1997 and divorce soon followed. In 1999 Harlin took the action to the ocean with Long Kiss co-star Samuel L. Jackson in Deep Blue Sea, following in 2001 with the Sylvester Stallone adreno-racer Driven.

Next up, Harlin was called in to rescue the production of the prequel Exorcist: The Beginning after countless problems including a completed film from director Paul Schrader that was virtually scrapped by an unsatisfied studio. Harlin followed this up with the thriller Mindhunters.

Filmography: A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, Brodie's Law, Die Hard 2 - Die Harder, Exorcist - The Beginning, Mindhunters, The Cleaner, The Covenant,

Latest Renny Harlin News, Opinion & Discussion:

John Cena Interview, 12 Rounds
From the director of Die Hard 2 and the producer of Speed comes 12 Rounds, starring WWE Champion John Cena! John Cena stars as New Orleans Police...

Renny Harlin Brings Us Brodie's Law
From the mind of Renny Harlin, director of DIE HARD 2 and LONG KISS GOODNIGHT, comes a $35million action spectacular in the style of current blockbu... The Covenant on DVD Jan 2nd 2007
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release the action-packed, supernatural thriller The Covenant on DVD and Blu-Ray.  Directed by Renny Har... Watch The First 3 Minutes of The Convenant
SONY just sent us word that the first 3minutes of The Convenant has gone live on their website.  Privilege and beauty abound at Spencer Acade... Watch The Convenant Movie Trailer
Sony just sent us the trailer for "The Convenant". Honestly there has been 0 buzz for this movie and the trailer is the first I have seen of it. T... New Supernatural Movie : The Covenant
A new supernatural thriller is on the rise, The Covenant. It has been given the green light and is heading quickly into production. Renny Harlin (The ... Renny Harlin directing The Covenant !
According to Production Weekly, Renny Harlin will direct "The Covenant". The movie is based on TV's "Crossing Jordan" writer Aron Coleite and "Vio... Paul Schraders Exorcist Coming to Theatres
Paul Schraders version of "The Exorcist:The Beginning" will be released into theaters after all...Well we've been awaiting word as to whether or not P... Paul Schrader Talks Exorcist Making
Our friends at BloodyNews dropped us a line to let us know they spent some time talking to Paul Schrader about his upcoming Exorcist prequel and his t... Paul Schraders Excorcist Trailer
Thanks to a reader by the name of Justin we have the trailer for Paul Schraders Excorcist. Ever wondered what a movie would be like with a different d... Paul Schraders Exorcist - The first review
As we all know, Paul Schrader made entertainment headlines by being fired from "Exorcist: Dominion", a prequel to "The Exorcist", after the film was c... Exorcist: The Beginning - watch a clip of Schraders Version
As we all know, Paul Schrader made entertainment headlines by being fired from "Exorcist: Dominion", a prequel to "The Exorcist", after the film ... Mindhunters movie and Gallery added
Today we added the movie "Mindhunters", together with some pictures and the poster to our database. The film was orginally scheduled for release in Ap... Full Moon Fever
Set in the not too distant future a group of blue-collar workers who shuttle to the moon to repair the first lunar base, only to find it deserted... Exorcist - The Beginning review by DeadHope (Spoilers)
First let me say that review comes in two flavors, General and the Spoiler Edition. The spoiler edition is clearly marked and can be passed over if yo... Paramount is playing a Killer's Game
Paramount has picked up the movie rights to The Killer's Game from Intermedia. The story centers on an assassin who decides to go out in a blaze ... Renny Harlin to direct The Northman
Variety has made the following report regarding Renny Harlin directing a Viking inspired film. Sounds good as long we get a good action filck. It... Exorcist Beginnings: Director Speaks
Renny Harlin, who directed a second version of the upcoming prequel film Exorcist: The Beginning, told SCI FI Wire that he didn't set out to make a mo... Exorcist Beginnings Overview by Goon
Since Exorcist was made it has spawned millions of nightmares.. Now its time to get to the root of those fears with the prequel to the movie. Renny Ha...