James Wan Biography

Fast Facts

• Was born to Chinese parents in Malaysia; moved to Australia at age 7
• Met frequent collaborator Leigh Whannell while studying at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
• Although the first Saw film launched his career in 2004, he directed only the first one and has worked to distance himself from the franchise
• Initially rejected by the Toronto International Film Festival, Insidious went on to become one of the most profitable films of 2011
• Stepped outside his comfort zone of small, independent films when he agreed to direct the big-budget studio film Fast and Furious 7 (2014)