David M. Evans
Encyclopedia
David Mickey Evans is a screenwriter
and film director
. His films tend to be based around children and focus on the challenges of childhood. Evans is also a huge baseball fan and co-wrote The Sandlot
.
for college. He attended Loyola Marymount University
and graduated with a film degree in 1984. He got his start writing action-thriller films, but found his niche in the 1990s with family oriented films that appealed to adults, children and critics alike.
He became one of the highest paid screenwriters during this time, selling both the screenplays to Radio Flyer
and The Sandlot
for over $1 million each. Radio Flyer was originally to be directed by Evans, but he was replaced by Richard Donner
due to his inexperience. Re-shoots followed after poor test screenings and the film budget jumped from $15 million to $30 million. The original script called for more fantasy sequences involving a worm man and zombies. These ideas were scrapped when Richard Donner replaced Evans. Radio Flyer opened to mostly mixed reviews from critics while The Sandlot received much more positive reviews and better box office results. The Sandlot
has remained a popular cult film. Evans co-wrote, directed and also was the narrator for the film, which still receives significant airtime on numerous television stations and in syndication.
Success for Evans became fleeting by the late 1990s, with films like First Kid
and Ed
bombing with critics and at the box office. Evans switched to more adult-oriented humor and material with After School Special
, but didn't fare much better. Since then, he has written and directed numerous made for TV and direct to DVD films, including The Sandlot 2
, the sequel to the popular film The Sandlot.
Evans currently lives in California, and has a son Griffin Reilly Evans who has been in a few of his films.
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
and film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
. His films tend to be based around children and focus on the challenges of childhood. Evans is also a huge baseball fan and co-wrote The Sandlot
The Sandlot
The Sandlot is a 1993 American comedy-drama sports film about a group of young baseball players during the summer of 1962. The film was filmed in Utah and directed by David M. Evans...
.
Life and career
Evans was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania in 1962. In 1980 he moved to Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
for college. He attended Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University is a comprehensive co-educational private Roman Catholic university in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions located in Los Angeles, California, United States...
and graduated with a film degree in 1984. He got his start writing action-thriller films, but found his niche in the 1990s with family oriented films that appealed to adults, children and critics alike.
He became one of the highest paid screenwriters during this time, selling both the screenplays to Radio Flyer
Radio Flyer (film)
Radio Flyer is a 1992 drama-fantasy film from Columbia Pictures. It is a Stonebridge Entertainment Production in association with Donner/Shuler-Donner Productions ....
and The Sandlot
The Sandlot
The Sandlot is a 1993 American comedy-drama sports film about a group of young baseball players during the summer of 1962. The film was filmed in Utah and directed by David M. Evans...
for over $1 million each. Radio Flyer was originally to be directed by Evans, but he was replaced by Richard Donner
Richard Donner
Richard Donner is an American film director, film producer, and comic book writer.The production company The Donners' Company is owned by Donner and his wife, producer Lauren Shuler Donner. After directing the horror film The Omen, Donner became famous for the hailed creation of the first modern...
due to his inexperience. Re-shoots followed after poor test screenings and the film budget jumped from $15 million to $30 million. The original script called for more fantasy sequences involving a worm man and zombies. These ideas were scrapped when Richard Donner replaced Evans. Radio Flyer opened to mostly mixed reviews from critics while The Sandlot received much more positive reviews and better box office results. The Sandlot
The Sandlot
The Sandlot is a 1993 American comedy-drama sports film about a group of young baseball players during the summer of 1962. The film was filmed in Utah and directed by David M. Evans...
has remained a popular cult film. Evans co-wrote, directed and also was the narrator for the film, which still receives significant airtime on numerous television stations and in syndication.
Success for Evans became fleeting by the late 1990s, with films like First Kid
First Kid
First Kid is a 1996 Disney comedy film directed by David Mickey Evans and stars Sinbad and Brock Pierce. It was mostly filmed in Richmond, Virginia.-Plot:...
and Ed
Ed (film)
Ed is a 1996 comedy film starring Matt LeBlanc. LeBlanc plays Jack "Deuce" Cooper, a talented baseball pitcher. Deuce also finds a friend in a talented ball-playing chimpanzee, who was originally his team's mascot.-Reception:...
bombing with critics and at the box office. Evans switched to more adult-oriented humor and material with After School Special
National Lampoon's Barely Legal
__FORCETOC__National Lampoon's Barely Legal is a 2003 comedy film about three male high school students who decide to make money by selling pornographic videos, in the hopes of gaining both women and standing among their peers...
, but didn't fare much better. Since then, he has written and directed numerous made for TV and direct to DVD films, including The Sandlot 2
The Sandlot 2
-Plot:The start of the movie flashes back to 1962 when Benny becomes the "Jet". The main part of the movie is set in 1972, 10 years after the events of The Sandlot. New kids have moved into the neighborhood of San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. They have started playing baseball in the sandlot....
, the sequel to the popular film The Sandlot.
Evans currently lives in California, and has a son Griffin Reilly Evans who has been in a few of his films.
Filmography
- Open HouseOpen House (1987 film)Open House is a 1987 slasher film written by David Mickey Evans, produced by Sandy Cobe, directed by Jag Mundhra and stars Joseph Bottoms and Adrienne Barbeau. It was released on home video by Prism Entertainment in 1988. There is currently no DVD release for this film. The film is owned by MGM and...
(1987) (Screenplay) - Terminal EntryTerminal EntryTerminal Entry is a 1986 science fiction film written by Mark Sobel, and directed by John Kincade.-Plot:The film room briefly where Lady Electric shares with Bob her measurements. After being chased down another corridor and into an elevator where they both fall to their deaths Bob snaps out of his...
(1986) (Screenplay) - Class of 1999Class of 1999Class of 1999 is a 1990 science fiction film directed by Mark L. Lester. It is the director's follow-up to his 1982 film Class of 1984.-Synopsis:...
(1990) (Writer - uncredited) - Radio FlyerRadio Flyer (film)Radio Flyer is a 1992 drama-fantasy film from Columbia Pictures. It is a Stonebridge Entertainment Production in association with Donner/Shuler-Donner Productions ....
(1992) (Writer, Executive Producer) - The SandlotThe SandlotThe Sandlot is a 1993 American comedy-drama sports film about a group of young baseball players during the summer of 1962. The film was filmed in Utah and directed by David M. Evans...
(1993) (Writer, Director, Narrator) - A Far Off PlaceA Far Off PlaceA Far Off Place is a Walt Disney Pictures and Amblin Entertainment film from 1993, starring Reese Witherspoon, Ethan Randall, Jack Thompson and Maximilian Schell. The filming locations were in Namibia and Zimbabwe...
(1993) (Writer - uncredited) (wrote narration) - Hocus Pocus (Writer - uncredited)
- Journey to the Center of the Earth (1993) (Co-Writer, Co-Executive Producer)
- Far from Home: The Adventures of Yellow DogFar from Home: The Adventures of Yellow DogFar from Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog is a 1994 adventure film starring Jesse Bradford and directed by Phillip Borsos. Its cumulative box office earnings were $10,435,021. The film currently has a B- at Box Office Mojo.- Plot :...
(1994) (Writer - uncredited) - EdEd (film)Ed is a 1996 comedy film starring Matt LeBlanc. LeBlanc plays Jack "Deuce" Cooper, a talented baseball pitcher. Deuce also finds a friend in a talented ball-playing chimpanzee, who was originally his team's mascot.-Reception:...
(1996) (Writer) - First KidFirst KidFirst Kid is a 1996 Disney comedy film directed by David Mickey Evans and stars Sinbad and Brock Pierce. It was mostly filmed in Richmond, Virginia.-Plot:...
(1996) (Director) - Beethoven's 3rdBeethoven's 3rdBeethoven's 3rd is the second sequel to the 1992 film, Beethoven. Additionally, this is the third installment in the Beethoven film series...
(2000) (Director, Uncredited Writer) - Beethoven's 4thBeethoven's 4thBeethoven's 4th is the third sequel to the 1992 film, Beethoven and is the fourth installment in the Beethoven film series. It was released on December 4, 2001.- Plot :...
(2001) (Director, Uncredited Writer, Actor: Hammett) - National Lampoon's Barely LegalNational Lampoon's Barely Legal__FORCETOC__National Lampoon's Barely Legal is a 2003 comedy film about three male high school students who decide to make money by selling pornographic videos, in the hopes of gaining both women and standing among their peers...
(2003) (Director, Associate Producer, Actor: Dave) - Wilder Days (2003) (Director)
- Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three MusketeersMickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three MusketeersMickey · Donald · Goofy: The Three Musketeers is a direct-to-video animated film adaptation of the novel The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, père. As the title suggests, it features Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy as the three musketeers...
(2004) (Writer) - The Sandlot 2The Sandlot 2-Plot:The start of the movie flashes back to 1962 when Benny becomes the "Jet". The main part of the movie is set in 1972, 10 years after the events of The Sandlot. New kids have moved into the neighborhood of San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. They have started playing baseball in the sandlot....
(2005) (Writer, Director, Narrator) - The Final SeasonThe Final SeasonThe Final Season is a 2007 baseball film starring Sean Astin, Rachael Leigh Cook, Tom Arnold, Powers Boothe, Brett Claywell, Michael Angarano, and Marshall Bell and directed by David Mickey Evans. Sports Action by ReelSports...
(2007) (Director) - Ace Ventura Jr.: Pet Detective (2009) (Director, Screenplay)
- Tranced (2010) (Director)
- Smitty (2010) (Director)
- Glastonbury: Isle of Light (2011) (Director)