D. J. Caruso - Directing Career

Directing Career

His first feature film as a director was The Salton Sea which starred Val Kilmer. It was released in 2002. The film was a stylish noir thriller that has garnered a cult status.

In 2004, Caruso directed Taking Lives with Angelina Jolie, Ethan Hawke and Kiefer Sutherland. The film was released in theaters on March 16, 2004 but did not gross as much at box office as expected, only grossing $65,470,529. The film was later released on DVD the same year and was number one on the charts for three straight weeks.

Two for the Money was Caruso's next film which was considered "a well done sport thriller, but with too many details". The film was released on October 7, 2005 and was a moderate success, grossing $30,526,509 worldwide with a modest budget of $18 million. It was later released on DVD on January 17, 2006.

In 2007, Caruso was asked by Steven Spielberg to direct Disturbia. The movie was Caruso's first big hit grossing over $117 million, with only a $20 million budget. It starred Shia LaBeouf, Sarah Roemer, David Morse, Aaron Yoo, and Carrie-Anne Moss. It was released April 13, 2007 in theaters and on DVD August 7.

Eagle Eye was Caruso's second collaboration with Shia LaBeouf. It also starred Michelle Monaghan, Billy Bob Thornton, Rosario Dawson and was released in theaters September 26, 2008. It was produced by Steven Spielberg. Critic reactions were mixed but, on its opening weekend the movie grossed $29.1 million dollars in 3,510 theaters in the United States and Canada. It has grossed $201 million worldwide with a movie budget of $80 million.

He directed 2011's I Am Number Four, based on a book by Pittacus Lore. The film grossed $151 million worldwide.

In 2012 he wrote and directed his first family film, "Standing Up" that was made for 4 million dollars and will be released in 2013. It is based on Brock Coles novel The Goats. Caruso began adapting the novel 11 years ago with then partner Ken Aguado, who also produced the film.

Caruso is currently working on a film entitled "Invertigo" for Sony Pictures that will shoot in May of 2013. It was officially announced that he will be directing the film adaptation of Preacher.