Mike Gunther
Mike Gunther (born 1972) is an American film director and stuntman. He is known for being the second unit director on Transformers: The Last Knight (2017), Star Trek Beyond (2016) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016) in addition to Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014). At the end of 2011, he directed the feature film Setup starring Bruce Willis. He currently owns and operates 5150Action, an action movie production, film-making and stunt equipment rental facility. Gunther directed Rogue Warfare (2019), designed to be the first in a trilogy of films.
Career
After a career creating action sequences for films,[1] Gunther developed and sold a slate of MTV shows: Live Free or Die Hard: Inside the Action[2] (2007) Ghost Rider: Inside the Action (2007) Your Movie Show (2005–2006) and Underworld: Evolution – Inside the Action (2005) before directing the theatrical feature films Beatdown[3] (2010) starring Danny Trejo and Rudy Youngblood as well as the Bruce Willis and 50 Cent action vehicle Setup (2011).
In 2014, he started second unit directing for the major studio franchises Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016) Star Trek Beyond (2016) and Transformers: The Last Knight (2017).
In 2018, Gunther served as Second Unit Director on the Transformers spin-off Bumblebee for Paramount Studios[4] as well as becoming a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by invitation.[5]
In 2019 he is currently second unit director for Sony Pictures on Bad Boys 3[6] starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.
Filmography
As Director / Writer / Producer
- Setup (2011) (Director, Writer)
- A Violent Land (TBA) (Director, Writer, Producer)
Awards
- 2010 World Stunt Awards – Won, Taurus Award – Best Stunt Coordinator and/or 2nd Unit Director: Feature Film for Fast & Furious
- 2012 World Stunt Awards – Won, Taurus Award – Best High Work for Fast Five
- 2012 World Stunt Awards – Won, Taurus Award – Best Stunt Coordinator and/or 2nd Unit Director: Feature for Fast Five
- 2012 World Stunt Awards – Won, Taurus Award – Best Fight for Fast Five
- 2012 World Stunt Awards – Won, Taurus Award – Best Stunt Coordinator and/or 2nd Unit Director for Fast Five – Universal Pictures