Matt Lopez
Biography
Matt Lopez is an American screenwriter and television producer known for his work in film and television. Before establishing himself as a writer, he worked as an attorney and business-affairs executive in the entertainment industry. His writing career has included family adventures, fantasy films, science-fiction projects, and television dramas.
Early Life and Education
Lopez was born in Florida and pursued higher education before entering the entertainment business. He studied law at New York University, initially building a professional career in the legal and business side of the entertainment industry rather than immediately working as a screenwriter.
Early Professional Career
Before becoming a full-time writer and producer, Lopez worked as an attorney and business-affairs executive at DreamWorks. During this period, he was involved with major productions including Gladiator, American Beauty, and Saving Private Ryan. His experience in the film business provided him with an understanding of both the creative and commercial sides of filmmaking.
Lopez eventually transitioned from entertainment law and business affairs into screenwriting and producing, where he began developing original stories for major studios.
Breakthrough with Bedtime Stories
One of Lopez's first major screenwriting successes came with Bedtime Stories (2008), a fantasy comedy starring Adam Sandler, Keri Russell, Guy Pearce, and Russell Brand. Lopez developed the story and co-wrote the screenplay with Tim Herlihy. The film follows a hotel handyman whose bedtime stories unexpectedly begin coming true in real life.
The Disney production helped establish Lopez as a writer capable of creating family-oriented fantasy stories with broad comedic appeal.
Race to Witch Mountain
Lopez continued working in family entertainment with Race to Witch Mountain (2009). He developed the story and co-wrote the screenplay, alongside Mark Bomback. The film, directed by Andy Fickman and starring Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, and Alexander Ludwig, reimagined Disney's Witch Mountain franchise.
The story centers on a Las Vegas taxi driver who becomes involved with two extraterrestrial teenagers and helps them recover their spacecraft while government agents and an alien hunter pursue them.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
In 2010, Lopez worked on The Sorcerer's Apprentice, a fantasy adventure produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. The film starred Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel and was inspired by the famous sequence from Disney's Fantasia. Lopez received a screenplay credit for the project.
Television Career
Lopez later expanded his work into television. He created the mystery drama series Gone, which premiered in 2017. He served as a writer and executive producer on the series, which follows an investigator searching for missing people.
He subsequently worked on Promised Land, serving as both writer and executive producer. The series focused on a wealthy California family and the conflicts surrounding their business and personal lives.
