Dave Green
Biography
Dave Green, also known as David Green, is an American film and music-video director. Born in 1983 in the United States, he began his career making music videos, short films and television projects before moving into feature filmmaking. He is best known for directing Earth to Echo (2014), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016), and Coyote vs. Acme (2026).
Early Career
Green initially worked in short-form filmmaking and music videos. One of his early projects was the animated comedy short Meltdown (2009), which he co-directed with David Cross. He subsequently directed projects including Pinkberry: The Movie, New Romance, Dial M for Murder, and the television short series Zombie Roadkill.
Before becoming a feature-film director, Green also worked in production and camera departments, including as a production assistant on films such as Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Spider-Man 3 (2007).
Feature-Film Career
Green made his feature directorial debut with Earth to Echo (2014), a science-fiction adventure about a group of young friends who encounter a mysterious alien robot. The film used a found-footage style and combined live-action performances with computer-generated imagery.
His second major feature was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016). The action-comedy sequel followed the four turtles as they confronted Shredder, Baxter Stockman and the alien warlord Krang. The film starred Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Stephen Amell, Tyler Perry and the principal Turtle performers.
Coyote vs. Acme
One of Green's most notable projects is Coyote vs. Acme, a live-action/animated hybrid comedy based on the Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote. The story follows Wile E. after repeated failures with Acme products lead him to hire a lawyer and sue the Acme Corporation.
Green was attached to direct the project in 2019. The film combines live-action characters with animation and stars Will Forte as Wile E. Coyote's lawyer and John Cena as the Acme Corporation's lawyer.
The production became notable after Warner Bros. Discovery announced in 2023 that the completed film would be shelved for a tax write-off. After subsequent efforts to find another distributor, Ketchup Entertainment acquired worldwide rights, with a worldwide theatrical release scheduled for August 28, 2026.
Directorial Style
Green's filmography demonstrates an interest in combining live-action filmmaking with visual effects, animation and fantastical elements. Earth to Echo experimented with found-footage techniques, while Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows relied heavily on CGI characters integrated into live-action environments. His work on Coyote vs. Acme further developed this combination through a hybrid format involving animated and human characters.
Filmography
- Meltdown (2009) – Co-director
- Zombie Roadkill (2010) – Director
- Pinkberry: The Movie (2010) – Director
- New Romance (2011) – Director
- Dial M for Murder (2011) – Director
- Earth to Echo (2014) – Director
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016) – Director
- Coyote vs. Acme (2026) – Director
