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Federico Javier Álvarez Mattos (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈfeð̞e]; born February 9, 1978) is a Uruguayan filmmaker.[1] He is best known for directing the films Evil Dead (2013), Don't Breathe (2016), and Alien: Romulus (2024).

Quick Facts Born, Occupations ...
Fede Álvarez
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Álvarez in 2013
Born
Federico Javier Álvarez Mattos

(1978-02-09) February 9, 1978 (age 46)
Montevideo, Uruguay
Occupations
  • Director
  • screenwriter
  • producer
Years active2001–present
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Early life

Álvarez was born in Montevideo, Uruguay.[citation needed]

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Career

In 2009, Álvarez released his short film Ataque de Pánico! on YouTube. Before premiering online, the film screened on October 31, 2009, at the Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre film festival.[2] A few weeks later, Álvarez made a deal with Ghost House Pictures to direct a $30–$40 million sci-fi film.[3] His first project with Ghost House ended up being the direction and co-writing of the Evil Dead remake.[4] After the release of Evil Dead, Álvarez stated that he had "had the temptation to do big franchises", but instead directed and co-wrote the relatively low budget horror film Don't Breathe (2016), which received positive reviews.[5] Álvarez later revealed that during this period he was approached by Marvel Studios to direct an unspecified movie; however, he declined, feeling he would have little creative control over it.[6] In 2017, Álvarez teamed up with Good Universe to set up their own production company, Bad Hombre.[7]

Álvarez directed The Girl in the Spider's Web, a reboot of the English-language The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, based on the novel of the same name. The film featured an entirely new cast compared to the 2011 film, and it was released on November 9, 2018.[8] In April 2019, Álvarez, alongside Doug Liman, directed reshoots for the 2021 film Chaos Walking, which added an additional $15 million to the film's budget.[9]

In 2021, Álvarez directed all nine episodes of Calls for Apple TV+, a primarily audio-based series with animated visual components. He also co-wrote and co-produced Don't Breathe 2, which was released on August 13, 2021, directed by Rodo Sayagues.[10][11][12] In 2024, he wrote and directed Alien: Romulus.[13] Later that year, he presented the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards.[14]

Unrealized projects

Álvarez was attached to direct a live-action adaptation of the video game Dante's Inferno for Universal Pictures in September 2013, however no further updates have been provided since the announcement.[15] In May 2016, Álvarez was attached to direct an adaptation of Monsterpocalypse for Warner Bros.[16] In October 2016, Álvarez was brought on to direct an adaptation of Incognito for Sony Pictures, based on a script by Daniel Casey.[17] Álvarez was considered to replace Ben Affleck as director for The Batman.[18]

On April 13, 2017, Álvarez was confirmed to direct and co-write a spin-off to Labyrinth with Nicole Perlman and Jay Basu.[19] However, in April 2020, Álvarez announced that he had stepped down as director.[20]

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Filmography

Short films

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Director Writer Producer Editor Notes
2001 Los Pocillos Yes No No Yes
2003 El Último Alevare Yes Yes No Yes
2005 El Cojonudo Yes Yes Yes Yes
2009 Ataque de pánico! Yes Yes Yes Yes Also visual effects supervisor & animator
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Feature films

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes
2013 Evil Dead Yes Yes No Also writer of the song "Baby, Little Baby"
2016 Don't Breathe Yes Yes Yes Also viola soloist in soundtrack
2018 The Girl in the Spider's Web Yes Yes No
2021 Don't Breathe 2 No Yes Yes
2022 Texas Chainsaw Massacre No Story Yes
2024 Alien: Romulus Yes Yes Executive
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Television

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Creator Director Writer Executive
Producer
Notes
2014 From Dusk till Dawn: The Series No Yes No No Episode: "La Conquista"
2021 Calls Yes Yes Yes Yes 9 episodes;
Writer (7 episodes)
Voice role as Jesus (1 episodes)
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Other credits

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes
2017 La peste Composer Short film
2020 My Heart Goes Boom! Thanks
2021 Chaos Walking Director of reshoots [9]
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References

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