David Kirschner Productions maintains an eclectic slate of projects, focusing primarily on family and genre films. The company is currently in production on the film adaptation of the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning short story, Martian Child, written by sci-fi luminary David Gerrold.
The film stars John Cusack, who plays a science-fiction writer who adopts a boy claiming to be a Martian. The comedy-drama was written by Seth Bass and Jon Tolins, and will be directed by Menno Meyjes.
In addition to Martian Child, Kirschner and producing partner Corey Sienega are teaming up with Mike Medavoy to produce the biography of famed children's author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. The film, which will be directed by Chris Noonan, stars Oscar-winner Renee Zelwegger and was written by Tony Award-winner Richard Maltby.
Last year, Kirschner produced Seed Of Chucky, the fifth installment of the successful horror franchise, which opened in theaters in November. He also served as Executive Producer on the 5-hour sci-fi thriller miniseries, 5 Days Til Midnight, which aired on the Sci-Fi Channel.
In Fall 2003, New Line released the successful family film, Secondhand Lions, into theaters. The film, which stars Oscar winners Michael Caine and Robert Duvall, and Oscar nominee Haley Joel Osment, was written and directed by Tim McCanlies.
David Kirschner is a native of suburban Los Angeles, and began his career as an illustrator for Jim Henson's Muppet and Sesame Street characters. At 23, he wrote and illustrated a series of children's books entitled Rose Petal Place.
In 1986, Kirschner created and executive produced with Steven Spielberg the smash hit An American Tail, which became one of the most successful animated films in history. He also created the horror hit Child's Play, whose leading character, "Chucky", an animatronic doll, became a cult star and spawned a second successful franchise.
Kirschner's next production was the Disney hit comedy-thriller, Hocus Pocus, which was based on his short story and starred Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy.
Kirschner also created and produced the NBC's Emmy-nominated The Dreamer Of Oz, which starred John Ritter and was based on the life of The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz creator L. Frank Baum. He also produced the Emmy Award-winning The Halloween Tree, written and narrated by Ray Bradbury.
On the theatrical side, Kirschner executive produced the box-office smash The Flintstones, again in partnership with Spielberg. He also co-wrote and produced the Twentieth Century Fox/Turner live-action and animated fantasy The Pagemaster.
Kirschner produced the critically acclaimed animated feature Cats Don't Dance, released by Warner Brothers in the spring of 1997. The film won both the Golden Crown at Annecy and the prestigious Annie Award for Best Feature.
Currently in production at Universal is an animated adaptation of the classic Curious George books, for which Kirschner is teamed up with producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer.
