Fantastic Four

Background:

“A few people called me about the black thing and said, ‘This is major. You're a black director on Fantastic Four.’ But all I was thinking was, ‘I just don't want to screw up.' But then people were like, 'If you screw this up, we all got a problem,' and I said, 'oh, man, I got that on me now?'” Tim Story

African American film director and producer Tim Story is perhaps best known for directing the superhero movie “Fantastic Four” (2005), from which he picked up nominations at the Image Awards, Black Reel Awards and Black Movie Awards, and the installment “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” (2007). After directing two indie films in the late 1990s, the graduate of USC film school made his studio debut with “Barbershop” (2002), where he netted a Black Reel nomination for his directing job. He then directed the American remake of “Taxi” (2004) before enjoying his big break with “Fantastic Four.” More recently, Story produced the David E. Talbert comedy “First Sunday” (2008) and helmed the direct to video “Hurricane Season” (2010). He also executive produced the Fox series “Standoff” (2006-2007) and directed music videos for such artists as 'N Sync, R. Kelly, Tyrese, Jon B and India.Arie.

Timothy Kevin

Childhood and Family:

Timothy Kevin Story, who would later be famous as Tim Story, was born on March 13, 1970, in Los Angeles, California. He attended Westchester High School in Los Angeles with pianist Eric Reed and actresses Regina King and Nia Long. He became a student body president in his senior year of high school. After graduating, he studied film at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts and completed his degree in 1991. His twin sister, Tamyra, was a basketball star at USC.

Tim is married to Vicky Mara Story. They have two daughters.

Barbershop

Career:

Using an 8mm camera he inherited from his brother, Tim Story began making silent films when he was 12 years old. However, when he was in high school, he switched his interest to music. During this time, he rapped with Ice T's Rhyme Syndicate. He did not return to filmmaking until after graduating from high school and becoming a film major at USC.

In 1996, Story and his wife established an entertainment production company called The Story Company. The next year, he made his feature directorial debut with “One of Us Tripped” (1997), which he also produced, wrote and edited. The independent drama was the winner of the Black Filmmaker's Hall of Fame Feature Film Festival. Two years later, he directed, edited and contributed story to the independent film “The Firing Squad” (1999), which starred Kevin Mambo.

Meanwhile, Story also tried his hand at directing music videos. From 1998 to 1999, he directed the videos “I Do (Whatcha Say Boo)” and “Cool Relax” by Jon B., “Sweet Lady” and “Lately” by Tyrese, “R U Still Down For Me” by Jon B. and featuring 2Pac (1998), “Cheers 2 U” by Playa, “He Can't Love You” by Jagged Edge, “The Best Man I Can Be” by Ginuwine, “Take Your Time” by Pete Rock and “Tell Me It's Real” by K-Ci & JoJo. He also directed the band 'N Sync for the video of their hit single “I Drive Myself Crazy.” Story went on to direct a series of music videos in the early millennium, including Avant's “My First Love,” The LOX's “Ryde Or Die Chick” and “Wild Out,” Gerald Levert's “Mr. Too Damn Good,” Sonique's “It Feels So Good,” L.V.'s “How Long,” Before Dark's “Monica,” Beenie Man's “Love Me Now,” Jagged Edge's “Let's Get Married” (all 2000) and India.Arie's “Brown Skin” (2001).

In 2002, Story directed the comedy “Barbershop.” Starring Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, and Anthony Anderson and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on September 13, 2002, the film grossed $77,063,924 against its budget of $12 million. Story was nominated for a 2003 Black Reel in the category of Theatrical - Best Director for his effort.

Story returned to the director's chair two years later when he helmed Queen Latifah, Jimmy Fallon, Gisele Bündchen and Jennifer Esposito in the comedy “Taxi” (2004), which was a remake of the 1998 French film of the same name. The film received negative reviews from critics but was a financial success. Released by 20th Century Fox on October 6, 2004, the film opened at No. 4 at the box office. It went on to gross nearly $37 million in the domestic markets and an additional $32 million from foreign markets against its budget of $25 million.

In 2005, Story directed Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans, Julian McMahon, Laurie Holden and Kerry Washington in the superhero movie “Fantastic Four,” based on the comic of the same name by Marvel Comics. Released in the United States on July 8, 2005, the film performed well at the box office despite being negatively reviewed by critics. It opened at No. 1 at the box office with $56,061,504 in its opening weekend and went on to gross $154 million domestically at the time. For his work on the film, Story received a 2005 Black Movie nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Directing, a 2006 Image nomination for Outstanding Directing in a Feature Film/Television Movie and a 2006 Black Reel nomination for Best Director.

In 2006, Story branched out to the small screen with the dramatic series “Standoff,” which he executive produced with Craig Silverstein and Glen Mazzara. The show, starring Ron Livingston, Rosemarie DeWitt, Gina Torres, Michael Cudlitz, Raquel Alessi and José Pablo Cantillo, ran on Fox from September 5, 2006, to July 20, 2007. Story also directed the pilot episode. 2006 also saw Story executive produce a television film called “The 12th Man,” which was based on Paul Shirley's blog “My So-Called Career.”

In 2007, Story reprised his stint as director for the sequel “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.” Like its predecessor, the film was not well received by critics but did manage to receive numerous award nominations and earn a 2008 Golden Trailer for Best Teaser Poster and a 2008 Kid's Choice for Favorite Female Movie Star for Jessica Alba. At the box office, “Rise of the Silver Surfer” became the highest grossing movie at the U.S. box office in its opening weekend, but dropped significantly down during the second week. It grossed $289 million worldwide against its budget of $130 million.

In 2008, Story produced the comedy film “First Sunday” with Matt Alvarez, David McIlvain, star Ice Cube and director/writer David E. Talbert. A feature debut by Talbert, the movie received negative reviews from critics but opened at No. 2 at the U.S. box office.

Story next directed Forest Whitaker, Lil Wayne, Bow Wow, Taraji P. Henson, and Jackie Long in the dramatic film “Hurricane Season.” After the release was delayed several times, the film was released straight to video on February 9, 2010.

Awards:
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