Louis Leterrier Biography (2)

Louis Leterrier was immersed in cinema from an early age; his father is a filmmaker, and his mother is a costume designer. Even so, Mr. Leterrier first wanted to become a drummer. Later, he decided to pursue movies after all, and made a few short films.

At 18, after garnering some work experience in publicity, he went abroad to study film at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. At Tisch, he learned about different avenues in the movie business, and became the assistant to a professor.

He subsequently met director Jean-Pierre Jenuet, who was looking for French-speaking assistants to work on the production of Alien Resurrection, and brought Mr. Leterrier aboard.

Back in France, Mr. Leterrier became Luc Besson's assistant on the shoot of the director's The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc. He again assisted the director on ads and commercials for L'Oreal and Club Internet, among others. His last assistant job was on Alain Chabat's French blockbuster Asterix et Obelix: Mission Cleopatre.

In 2002, Mr. Leterrier made his debut as film director, on the action movie The Transporter. The film starred Jason Statham and Shu Qui.

He is currently directing The Transporter 2, again starring Jason Statham. That film, as with its predecessor and Unleashed, is written and produced by Luc Besson; and produced by Steven Chasman.

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