Shawn Levy to Receive CinemaCon® Director of the Year Award: Marvel Debut and Blockbuster Projects Ahead

Photo Courtesy of CinemaCon / Guy Aroch. All Rights Reserved.

It was announced today that Filmmaker Shawn Levy will receive this year's CinemaCon® Director of the Year Award. The announcement was made by Mitch Neuhauser, Managing Director of CinemaCon.

Levy will be presented with this special honor at the Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony taking place on the evening of Thursday, April 11, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and hosted by official presenting sponsor The Coca-Cola Company. 

"Throughout his impressive career, Shawn Levy never fails to give audiences what they want - the most entertaining, enjoyable and crowd-pleasing films imaginable," noted Neuhauser. "As one of our most talented and leading filmmakers working today, we can't wait to see what he brings to our theaters this summer with the eagerly anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine. It's our honor to single Shawn out as our CinemaCon® Director of the Year."  

Shawn Levy makes his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut with the eagerly awaited return of the "merc with the mouth" in Deadpool & Wolverine, slated for an exclusive theatrical release nationwide on July 26, 2024. Serving as director, co-writer, and producer, Levy brings together a star-studded cast including Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, and Matthew Macfadyen.

The film is a collaborative effort with producers Kevin Feige, Ryan Reynolds, Levy, and Lauren Shuler Donner, along with executive producers Louis D'Esposito, Wendy Jacobson, Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, George Dewey, Simon Kinberg, and Jonathon Komack Martin. The screenplay, crafted by Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells, and Levy, promises an exciting cinematic experience.

Hailing from Montreal, Canada, Shawn Levy's journey began with a focus on performing arts at Yale University, followed by an MFA from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. In 2005, Levy founded 21 Laps Entertainment, a powerhouse in the industry, generating over $3.2 billion in global box office revenue. Recently recognized with DGA and PGA nominations for the Netflix series All The Light We Cannot See, Levy continues to make waves with upcoming projects, including a Star Wars film and an international heist comedy starring Ryan Reynolds.

21 Laps Entertainment has an extensive portfolio, featuring projects like Never Let Go with Halle Berry, The Perfect Couple with Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber, Alexander And The Terrible, No Good Very Bad Road Trip for Disney+, and the fifth season of Netflix's hit series, Stranger Things. Levy's directorial successes include the Night At The Museum franchise, Reel Steel, The Internship, Date Night, This Is Where I Leave You, Free Guy, and The Adam Project, showcasing his versatility and creative prowess in the world of film and television.

CinemaCon, the official convention of NATO, will be held April 8-11, 2024, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.