Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Greg Russo

Greg Russo is an screenwriter and best known for co-writing the for the 2021 action film , a of the popular franchise directed by . Russo graduated from in 2003 with a double major in English and film, where he was influenced by professors including Sarah Kozloff and Ken Robinson. After four years working at a headhunting firm in , he relocated to in 2007 and sold his first —a Hitchcock-style —for $22,000 that same year. Over the next decade, Russo honed his craft by writing more than a dozen scripts, pitching ideas, and selling specs to major studios such as , , , , and , though none reached production until . The Mortal Kombat film, co-written with Dave Callaham, balanced fidelity to the source material's lore and fatalities with accessible storytelling for new audiences, grossing over $84 million worldwide and breaking post-pandemic box office records upon its release. A lifelong gamer, Russo has specialized in video game adaptations, including scripts for Space Invaders (2019, later rewritten), Saints Row (2019), Resident Evil reboot (2017), F.E.A.R. (2021), Death Note 2 for Netflix (in development), and System Shock series for Binge (2022). He serves as a producer on the sequel Mortal Kombat 2 (2026), written by Jeremy Slater and again directed by McQuoid, which completed production in 2025 and features an expanded ensemble including Karl Urban as Johnny Cage. In addition, Russo penned the original thriller Seismic, acquired by Netflix in 2023 with production by Shawn Levy's 21 Laps.

Early life and education

Upbringing in Philadelphia

Greg Russo was raised in , a suburb in the greater . As the child of divorced parents, he found solace in local arcades after school, where he immersed himself in video games that would later influence his creative pursuits. These experiences introduced him to franchises like early on; one of his earliest memories involves convincing his mother to purchase the Sega Genesis version of the game during a trip to . Russo's interest in storytelling emerged during his high school years in Cherry Hill, sparked by a film course taught by Joe Truitt that turned him into an avid movie enthusiast. This exposure to cinema, combined with his passion for gaming—particularly mastering characters like in through arcade sessions—laid the groundwork for blending narrative depth with action-oriented media. He frequented arcades not just for entertainment but as a refuge, honing skills in games that emphasized emotional stakes, such as Scorpion's vengeful backstory. Following his graduation from in 2003, Russo took a position at a headhunting firm in , where he worked for four years until 2007, commuting to for what he later described as a "soulless" corporate role. This job provided financial stability in the Philadelphia region but ultimately fueled his desire to pivot toward creative endeavors, highlighting the contrast between his structured early adulthood and emerging artistic ambitions.

Vassar College and career transition

Russo attended , where he double-majored in English and , graduating in 2003. His studies included courses with professors Sarah Kozloff and Ken Robinson, fostering a deep interest in through the department's resources and theoretical frameworks. Unable to secure employment in the film industry upon graduation, Russo worked at the firm in for four years. He later described the role as lucrative yet soul-sucking, which highlighted his dissatisfaction and crystallized his passion for as a path. This realization prompted Russo to pursue on a self-taught basis, studying scripts from his favorite films to develop his craft. The decision to fully transition was influenced by his then-girlfriend Tricia Gonnella's acceptance into USC's graduate film program.

Career

Early screenwriting efforts

After graduating from , Greg Russo transitioned from a corporate job in to pursuing full-time, a shift prompted by his relocation to in 2007 alongside his then-girlfriend (now wife), Tricia Gonnella, who had been accepted into the Peter Stark Producing Program at the . This move marked the beginning of his dedicated efforts in the industry, where he began writing scripts daily as if it were a traditional job, drawing on his self-taught skills honed by studying professional screenplays. Russo's breakthrough as a newcomer came in 2010 when Relativity Media optioned his original spec script Down, a contained supernatural thriller about a man trapped in an elevator, described as blending elements of Buried and 1408. The deal, which netted him $22,000 after two rapid drafts completed in four weeks, represented his first professional validation in Hollywood, though the project ultimately remained unproduced. Prior to this, he had penned approximately a dozen scripts across various genres, including comedies, horrors, dramas, and fantasies, but these early works faced typical hurdles for an unrepresented writer, such as persistent rejections and the need to build connections through his wife's industry ties at Disney. Among his developmental projects during this period was , an action-thriller he co-wrote, which gained traction with representation but also stalled in , highlighting the steep challenges of navigating as a novice without prior credits. Russo later reflected on the emotional toll of these years, including self-doubt and the "exciting and miserable" stress of pitching specs, which underscored the persistence required to sustain his career amid unproduced efforts.

Breakthrough with Mortal Kombat

In 2016, Greg Russo was hired by to write the screenplay for the reboot after persistently pitching his passion for the franchise to the studio, coinciding with James Wan's involvement as producer and Simon McQuoid's attachment as director. Russo inherited an existing draft from previous writers Oren Uziel and Dave Callaham, which he refined over several years, delivering a polished version by early 2019 while continuing revisions during production. Russo's script centers on a pre-tournament storyline, where Earthrealm's defenders are assembled to counter Outworld's invasion threat, emphasizing the gathering of champions marked by a dragon symbol. A key element is the introduction of original protagonist Cole Young, a mixed martial arts fighter whose arc explores themes of legacy and self-discovery as he uncovers his connection to the Mortal Kombat mythology and rallies unlikely allies like Sonya Blade and Jax Briggs. The narrative maintains strong fidelity to the video game's lore, incorporating authentic elements such as fatalities, realms, and character backstories while avoiding major deviations to honor fan expectations, with Russo describing his role as a "crossing guard" for the source material's integrity. The film premiered on April 23, 2021, amid the , grossing $84.4 million worldwide on a $ million , a solid performance given theatrical limitations and its simultaneous Max release. Critics delivered mixed reviews, praising the visceral action sequences and for their intensity and clarity, while critiquing the for formulaic pacing and underdeveloped character motivations beyond the fights. Russo envisioned the project as the first installment of a , with the second film focusing on the tournament itself and the third exploring its aftermath; however, 2, directed by McQuoid with a script by , on which Russo serves as producer, has been delayed to May 8, 2026.

Subsequent projects and directorial debut

Following the release of Mortal Kombat in 2021, Russo continued to expand his portfolio in genre adaptations, particularly within video games and horror properties. In 2018, he entered a development deal with to write a live-action of the survival horror video game , leveraging the studio's gaming expertise to bring the first-person shooter's paranormal narrative to the screen. Similarly, Russo was attached to pen the screenplay for a of the action-adventure video game series , with director on board; he drew inspiration from 1970s cult classics like and to blend gritty realism with the franchise's over-the-top humor and high-stakes gang warfare. Russo also took on the sequel to Netflix's 2017 Death Note film, promising a closer adherence to the original by and , which he described as one of the greatest stories ever written. Unlike the first , which faced criticism for deviating from the source material, Russo emphasized replicating the manga's intellectual depth and psychological tension while introducing unexpected elements to surprise fans. In a departure from adaptations, Russo sold an original sci-fi thriller titled Seismic to in 2023 for six figures, with 21 Laps producing; the story centers on a single mother navigating chaos to reunite with her missing son. Marking his transition to directing, Russo is set to make his directorial debut helming the live-action TV series adaptation of the seminal sci-fi System Shock for the Australian streaming service , where he will also write and executive produce. Announced in 2022, the project aims to capture the game's immersive narrative of isolation, gone rogue, and dystopian , drawing on Russo's experience with IPs to expand its lore for television. Russo's broader body of work underscores his specialization in geek-genre projects, including scripts for the mecha anime for , further highlighting his affinity for and intellectual properties.

Filmography and upcoming works

Completed feature films

Greg Russo's sole completed and released credit as of 2025 is the 2021 reboot , for which he co-wrote the screenplay with Dave Callaham from a story by Russo and Oren Uziel. The film follows , a down-on-his-luck MMA fighter portrayed by , who discovers a mystical dragon mark on his body that signals his selection as a champion in the ancient interdimensional tournament known as . Hunted by the cryomancer assassin Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim), Cole connects with Special Forces officer (Jessica McNamee) and her ally Jax Briggs (), leading him to the temple of the thunder god (Tadanobu Asano). There, Cole trains alongside other marked fighters—including the monk (), the farmer (), and the special forces ()—to defend Earthrealm against the invading forces of Outworld, ruled by the sorcerer (Chin Han), who seeks total conquest after nine consecutive tournament victories. The narrative weaves in flashbacks to the origins of key rivalries, such as the ancient feud between Sub-Zero's Lin Kuei clan and Scorpion's Shirai Ryu, culminating in brutal, lore-driven battles that emphasize the fighters' unique abilities and "fatalities." Directed by Simon McQuoid in his feature debut, Mortal Kombat was produced on a budget of $55 million by New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster, and Broken Road Productions. Released theatrically and on HBO Max in the United States on April 23, 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the film opened to $23.3 million domestically in its first weekend, ultimately grossing $42.3 million in North America and $42.1 million internationally for a worldwide total of $84.4 million—making it profitable despite limited theatrical runs in some markets. Critically, it garnered mixed reviews, praised for its visceral action choreography and fidelity to the source material's over-the-top violence but critiqued for thin character development and expository dialogue; it holds a 55% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes (average 5.7/10 from 300 reviews) and a Metacritic score of 44/100 based on 43 critics. The film received recognition primarily for its technical elements, earning four wins and nine nominations at the 2021 , including victories for Best Sound, Best Production Design, Best , and Best Editing. While it did not secure major genre awards like the , its fight sequences and were highlighted as standout achievements in Russo's of the franchise.

Television and other projects

Russo's television work centers on his adaptation of the classic video game into a live-action series for the Australian streaming service . Announced in January 2022, the project marks Russo's directorial debut, with him attached to write, direct, and executive produce the sci-fi horror mini-series. As of November 2025, no episodes have been produced or aired, though the series draws on the game's narrative of a confronting an gone rogue aboard a dystopian . Russo also penned the original thriller Seismic, acquired by in 2023 with production by Shawn Levy's 21 Laps. As of November 2025, the project remains in development without a confirmed director or production start. Beyond this, Russo has contributed to non-feature formats through unproduced pilots and collaborative efforts in game-to-screen transitions, but no completed anthologies, shorts, or episodic credits have materialized in his portfolio to date.

In-development adaptations

Russo continues to be involved in the Mortal Kombat film franchise as a producer, overseeing the planned trilogy that he originally conceived when co-writing the 2021 reboot. Mortal Kombat 2, scripted by Jeremy Slater and directed by Simon McQuoid, completed production in 2025 and is scheduled for theatrical release on May 8, 2026, following a delay from its initial October 2025 date. It features an expanded ensemble including Karl Urban as Johnny Cage. In October 2025, Warner Bros. announced Mortal Kombat 3 as the trilogy's concluding chapter, with Slater returning to write the screenplay under Russo's production oversight to maintain narrative continuity across the films. The film adaptation remains in active development at Fenix 5 Films and Occupant Entertainment, with Russo attached as screenwriter since its 2019 announcement. Directed by , the project draws inspiration from cult classics like and , focusing on a gritty, gang-rivalry narrative centered in the fictional city of Stilwater. As of late 2025, no casting has been confirmed, and production timeline details are pending, though the script phase continues without reported delays. Russo's adaptation of the video game F.E.A.R. is being developed through a 2018 partnership with Warner Bros.-owned , where he serves as . The project aims to capture the game's core elements of psychological terror, hauntings by the entity Wade, and action in a live-action format, emphasizing brutal and horrifying sequences. Despite the initial deal positioning it as Russo's debut project for , updates as of 2025 indicate it remains in early development without a confirmed or start. Russo wrote the screenplay for a reboot of the Resident Evil franchise in 2017, with James Wan attached as producer. The project envisioned a horror-focused adaptation inspired by Resident Evil 7, but as of 2025, it remains unproduced and separate from the 2021 Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City film. In 2018, Russo was hired to write Death Note 2, a sequel to Netflix's 2017 film, expanding on the supernatural thriller elements. As of November 2025, the project is still in development without further production announcements. Although Russo was initially hired in 2019 by New Line Cinema to write the Space Invaders film adaptation of the classic Taito arcade game, the project underwent a change in August 2025 when screenwriters Ben Zazove and Evan Turner were commissioned for a new screenplay. Russo's earlier script envisioned an action-oriented story involving alien invasions and human resistance, produced by Akiva Goldsman through Weed Road Pictures, but his direct involvement has concluded amid the reboot. The film is advancing at New Line without further attachments announced for Russo. No major new adaptation announcements involving Russo emerged in 2024 or 2025, though his pattern of tackling intellectual properties persists across these ongoing efforts.

References

  1. [1]
    Greg Russo: On Writing a Film Based on a Video Game
    Apr 16, 2021 · Greg Russo has worked as a professional screenwriter for more than a decade. His first produced feature “Mortal Kombat” based on the ...
  2. [2]
    The Screenplay for Mortal Kombat? Yup. Greg Russo '03 Wrote That!
    May 6, 2021 · Mortal Kombat was an overnight success, but Greg Russo's success as a screenwriter took a little longer—and he says that journey began at Vassar ...
  3. [3]
    Mortal Kombat II Confirms Positive Fan Reaction After Testing - CBR
    Oct 12, 2025 · Mortal Kombat II producer Greg Russo promises a massive reaction to early test screenings of the hotly-anticipated sequel.
  4. [4]
    Netflix Buys 'Seismic' Script From 'Mortal Kombat' Writer Greg Russo
    Feb 13, 2023 · The thriller from the Mortal Kombat co-writer follows a single mother who fights to reunite with her missing son amid chaos.
  5. [5]
    'Mortal Kombat' screenwriter reveals one iconic character almost got ...
    Apr 23, 2021 · Greg Russo. INVERSE: What is your earliest memory of Mortal Kombat? GREG RUSSO: My first memory is when I was a kid in Target with my mom ...
  6. [6]
    https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/exclusive-gits-q-a-screenwriter-greg-russo-bc9b7f582be2
  7. [7]
    Exclusive Go Into The Story Q&A: Screenwriter Greg Russo
    Apr 6, 2010 · I earned a degree in film studies at Vassar, but really it was a life-long fascination. I remember when I was a kid, I used to carry around a ...Missing: major | Show results with:major
  8. [8]
    GITS Q&A: Screenwriter Greg Russo (“Down,” “Autobahn”)
    Mar 16, 2012 · Russo has original thriller project “Down” at Relativity, hoping to go into production next year, and action/thriller project “Autobahn” he ...
  9. [9]
    Mortal Kombat Movie Writer Greg Russo Talks Sequels, Cole Young ...
    May 2, 2021 · Mortal Kombat Movie Writer Greg Russo Talks Sequels, Cole Young, and Authenticity · Videos by ComicBook.com · On Getting Involved · On Other ...Missing: hired | Show results with:hired
  10. [10]
    'Mortal Kombat' Reboot Taps Director Simon McQuoid - Variety
    Nov 18, 2016 · Simon McQuoid, best known for directing commercials, is in talks to helm the “Mortal Kombat” reboot for New Line.
  11. [11]
    Mortal Kombat: Why The Movie Reboot Has Taken So Long To ...
    Feb 15, 2020 · Simon McQuoid was hired to direct Mortal Kombat in 2016 and the writer, Greg Russo, didn't confirm that a script was finished until early 2019.
  12. [12]
    Mortal Kombat Writer Greg Russo Reveals Storyline for Trilogy Plans
    Apr 25, 2021 · There are apparently plans for a Mortal Kombat trilogy according to writer Greg Russo, and he shared how the team approached their first entry ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  13. [13]
    How a 'Mortal Kombat' Fanboy Ended Up Writing the New Movie's ...
    Apr 19, 2021 · Russo wrote the final draft of the movie's script and has spent the last five years helping shepherd the project from a bunch of words on the page into the ...
  14. [14]
    Mortal Kombat (2021) - Box Office Mojo
    All Releases · Domestic · Europe, Middle East, and Africa · Latin America · Asia Pacific. Area, Release Date, Opening, Gross. Russia/CIS, Apr 8, 2021, – ...
  15. [15]
    Mortal Kombat (2021) | Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 55% (300) Largely for fans of the source material but far from fatal(ity) flawed, Mortal Kombat revives the franchise in appropriately violent fashion. Read Critics ...300 Reviews · Video · Cast and Crew
  16. [16]
    Mortal Kombat (2021 film) - Wikipedia
    Directed by Simon McQuoid from a screenplay by Greg Russo and Dave Callaham, it stars Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Tadanobu Asano, Mehcad Brooks, ...Plot · Production · Release · Reception
  17. [17]
    Mortal Kombat II Gets New Release Date - CBR
    Oct 21, 2025 · According to Deadline, Warner Bros. and New Line have moved Mortal Kombat II up a week, with the sequel now set to hit theaters on May 8, 2026, ...
  18. [18]
    Machinima Inks Development Deal with 'Mortal Kombat ...
    May 11, 2018 · Machinima has inked a development deal with Greg Russo, the screenwriter behind two forthcoming video game projects.Missing: Saints Row Death Note Seismic Shock
  19. [19]
    F. Gary Gray To Helm Movie Based On Video Game Franchise ...
    Apr 30, 2019 · F. Gary Gray is developing to direct a film based on the hit action video game Saints Row. Greg Russo, who's scripting the Mortal Kombat reboot at Warner Bros, ...
  20. [20]
    Saints Row Movie Will Be Influenced by The Warriors ... - Collider
    Apr 13, 2021 · Greg Russo, co-writer of the recent Mortal Kombat adaptation, is writing the screenplay for the Saints Row movie, and during my MK Zoom ...
  21. [21]
    Death Note 2 Writer Says Netflix Sequel Will Draw From Source ...
    Apr 20, 2021 · Greg Russo, the writer for the upcoming Death Note 2, says that the sequel will draw more from the source material than the original film ...
  22. [22]
    'Mortal Kombat' Scribe Greg Russo To Adapt 'System Shock' For Binge
    Jan 27, 2022 · Greg Russo will bring his knowledge of adapting video games for screen to Binge, which has tapped the Mortal Kombat scribe to write and direct its upcoming ...
  23. [23]
    System Shock Live-Action TV Series Finds Its Director - IGN
    Jan 27, 2022 · Greg Russo, one of the writers behind last year's Mortal Kombat movie reboot, is officially on board to write and direct the upcoming System Shock TV series.Missing: projects Death Seismic Netflix
  24. [24]
    'Space Invaders': 'Mortal Kombat' Scribe Greg Russo To ... - Deadline
    Jul 12, 2019 · New Line has hired Greg Russo to write the script, this after he wrote the reboot of Mortal Kombat for the studio that prompted a production start in South ...
  25. [25]
    Mortal Kombat (2021) - IMDb
    Rating 6.1/10 (200,888) Budget. $55,000,000 (estimated) ; Gross US & Canada. $42,326,031 ; Opening weekend US & Canada. $23,302,503; Apr 25, 2021 ; Gross worldwide. $84,426,031.Mortal Kombat · Official Trailer · Full cast & crew · Parents guide
  26. [26]
    Mortal Kombat (2021) - Plot - IMDb
    MMA fighter Cole Young seeks out Earth's greatest champions in order to stand against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe. MMA ...
  27. [27]
    Mortal Kombat (2021) - Box Office and Financial Information
    **Summary of Mortal Kombat (2021) from https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Mortal-Kombat-%282021%29:**
  28. [28]
    Mortal Kombat Reviews - Metacritic
    Rating 44% (43) Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 43 Critic Reviews ; User Score Generally Favorable Based on 1,141 User Ratings ; My Score. Drag or tap to give a rating Saved.
  29. [29]
    Awards - Mortal Kombat (2021) - IMDb
    Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards (8). 4 wins & 9 nominations. Australian Screen Sound Guild · Duncan Campbell. 2021 Winner ASSG ...
  30. [30]
    'Mortal Kombat 3' in the Works With Jeremy Slater Writing Screenplay
    Oct 11, 2025 · The screenplay was penned by Greg Russo and Dave Callaham, from a story by Russo and Oren Uziel. Richard Brener, Dave Neustadter, Victoria ...
  31. [31]
    "Saints Row" Getting Film Adaptation, F. Gary Gray Set to Direct
    May 1, 2019 · Greg Russo will write the screenplay for the adaptation. Russo is also scripting movie reboots of “Mortal Kombat” and “Resident Evil.” We ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline<|separator|>
  32. [32]
    A 'Space Invaders' movie is happening and it just got new ...
    Aug 10, 2025 · Deadline reports that Ben Zazove and Evan Turner have been commissioned to write the screenplay for an upcoming adaptation of Space Invaders, a ...Missing: film | Show results with:film