Leigh Whannell

Leigh Whannell, born on January 17, 1977, is a renowned Australian filmmaker and actor, and a longtime collaborator with director James Wan. He is celebrated for his writing contributions to films such as Saw (2004), Dead Silence (2007), Insidious (2010), and Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013). Whannell made his directorial debut with Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015), leading to further successful directorial efforts with Upgrade (2018) and The Invisible Man (2020). Whannell and Wan are also the creators of the Saw franchise, with Whannell providing writing and producing efforts. As an actor, he appeared as Adam Stanheight character in three installments of Saw.

Prior to his film career, Whannell was a reporter and film critic in various Australian television shows. His career in entertainment began with a role in The Matrix Reloaded and the video game Enter The Matrix. His notable works with Wan include bedtime ghost story Dead Silence and the terrifying journey into the dark world of Insidious and its sequel. As a script writer, Whannell contributed to the Saw franchise, further establishing his reputation in the horror genre. He has also written for Cooties, a film about an extreme virus outbreak in an isolated elementary school. Whannell later touched upon the realm of science fiction and body horror with his take on H.G. Welles' book The Invisible Man. The film was lauded by critics, earning over $145 million against a $7 million budget.