Michael Lander is a renowned writer/director who has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry. Born in California, he grew up surrounded by the world of cinema, working in his parents' video store where he had access to thousands of films that sparked his passion for storytelling.
Throughout his career, Lander has demonstrated his versatility by selling several television shows to prominent networks such as FX, USA, and National Geographic, with high-profile producing teams attached. His current projects have brought together an impressive team of collaborators, including Endemol Shine for his gritty immersive series Cat Heads, which delves into the lives of women who ran the underworld in San Francisco during the gold rush.
Furthermore, Lander has partnered with Jay Duplass to create the half-hour dramedy Cannibal Lounge, with Duplass set to direct the pilot and serve as executive producer. Previously, Lander was commissioned to develop a one-hour drama for the National Geographic channel, produced by Fox 21 and Peter Safran, showcasing his ability to craft complex and thought-provoking characters.
Michael's directorial debut, Peacock, was a critically acclaimed film that premiered with a Black List script co-written by Lander and produced by Barry Mendel, featuring an all-star cast including Cillian Murphy, Elliot Page, and Susan Sarandon.
In addition, Lander and his writing partner, Ryan Roy, caught the attention of Warner Bros and Leonardo DiCaprio's production company, Appian Way, for their feature film Kite, a high-octane thriller that explores the prison industrial complex. His earlier work, Solid Waste, a short film that earned him an award, was developed into a feature-length script and landed him a coveted spot in the prestigious Fox Searchlight young-director incubator.
