Drew Walkup is a multi-talented American filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter, renowned for his critically acclaimed work in the film industry. His debut feature film, Endangered, premiered at the prestigious Cinequest Film Festival and boasts a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Walkup's extensive experience in creative direction includes working on high-profile projects such as Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Born in Santa Cruz, California, to parents of European and mixed descent, Walkup developed a passion for storytelling at a young age. He attended Harbor High School before pursuing a brief stint at Sonoma State University, focusing on theater arts. Walkup later completed his studies at the University of Southern California, earning a degree from the School of Cinematic Arts. During his time at USC, his short film iDate premiered at the Southern California Business Film Festival, earning two awards, including the festival's top honor: Best Film.
Walkup's professional journey began in 2009, when he worked as a production assistant on the set of Breaking Bad. His exceptional skills quickly caught the attention of the staff, and he was promoted to editor, collaborating with renowned producer John Shiban and Emmy-winning editor Lynne Willingham on the series' "Minisodes."
In 2010, Walkup relocated to Rome, equipped with a camera, microphone, and basic Italian language skills. His goal was to produce a short film that showcased his love for the culture and his experience in the country. By the end of his stay, he had become fluent in Italian and had completed a short film.
In 2014, Walkup was appointed Vice President of Programming at The Walt Disney Company, overseeing branded entertainment campaigns and digital programming strategy across Disney divisions. He successfully led the digital campaign for Guardians of the Galaxy, which received widespread acclaim. Walkup's subsequent work on Star Wars: The Force Awakens was also met with critical success.
In 2016, Walkup founded REBL HQ, a digital entertainment studio dedicated to giving a voice to the voiceless. He directed and produced branded entertainment series for prominent brands such as Disney and Universal, as well as government projects for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force. Additionally, Walkup set multiple Guinness World Records, including the world's Largest Guitar Amplifier, which he shares with the band American Authors.
In 2018, Walkup refocused REBL HQ on feature films, with Endangered serving as a proof-of-concept to demonstrate his ability to deliver high-quality films at a lower budget. The film received widespread acclaim, with Andrew Stover of Film Threat praising Walkup's direction, stating, "Deliciously twisted and well-acted, Drew Walkup's [Endangered] is an impressive directorial effort..."
As of 2023, Variety announced that Walkup is attached to direct the character-driven western Rift Canyon, penned by Paul Leo Dietz and produced by Sheldon Brigman.
