Gerard Johnstone is a New Zealand screenwriter and director, best known for his work in both comedy and horror genres. He gained recognition for his role as the creator, writer, and director of the comedy sitcom The Jaquie Brown Diaries (2008), which was based on a satirical version of New Zealand television personality Jaquie Brown. This series was a significant success, cementing Johnstone’s reputation in New Zealand television.

Johnstone’s film career took off with his directorial debut in 2014 with the horror-comedy Housebound. The film premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival and was released in select theaters and VOD later that year, receiving praise for its unique blend of horror and comedy.

In 2016, Johnstone directed Terry Teo, a reboot of the 1985 New Zealand television series Terry and the Gunrunners. He was also in the running to direct Dark Universe for Warner Bros., though he ultimately contributed to polishing the script.

Johnstone’s major breakthrough came when he directed M3GAN (2023), a highly successful comedy-horror film about a life-like AI doll. The film was released to widespread critical acclaim and performed well at the box office, grossing over $30 million on its opening weekend. This success led to Johnstone returning to direct the sequel, M3GAN 2.0, scheduled for release in 2025.

In addition to his film work, Johnstone directed episodes of The New Legends of Monkey (2018), showcasing his versatility in different genres. He continues to be a prominent figure in New Zealand’s film and television industry, known for his ability to blend humor with horror seamlessly.

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