D.J. Caruso

D.J. Caruso, born as Daniel John Caruso Jr., is a prominent American film director, producer, and screenwriter. His body of work spans across a range of genres including thriller, action, horror, and drama; with notable films like Disturbia, Standing Up, Taking Lives, I Am Number Four, and XXX: Return of Xander Cage. Apart from his cinema journey, he has directed multiple episodes of renowned television series such as The Shield, Over There, Smallville, and Dark Angel. His career began under the tutelage of director John Badham, later making his feature film directorial debut with The Salton Sea. His breakout came with Disturbia, a film directed at the behest of Steven Spielberg which grossed over $117 million. He subsequently collaborated with Spielberg and actor Shia LaBeouf on Eagle Eye. Despite mixed reviews, the film did well at the box office. Caruso adapted the YA novel I Am Number Four and directed the family film Standing Up, fulfilling a long-time passion project. Plans to direct film adaptations of comic Preacher and Selling Time didn't come to fruition, but he returned to the director's helm with films like XXX: Return of Xander Cage and Redeeming Love. He has also directed music videos and been a guest judge on the Fox reality television show On the Lot.