Dean Israelite

Dean Israelite (born September 20, 1984) is a South African filmmaker, best known for directing the found footage film Project Almanac, the 2017 reboot of Power Rangers, and the 2019 reboot of Are You Afraid of the Dark.

Early life Israelite was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, and studied Dramatic Art at the University of the Witwatersrand. He is of Jewish background.

Career Israelite started his career with writing and directing several short films, including Acholiland. Michael Bay produced the film, which was released on January 30, 2015 by Paramount Pictures, grossing more than $32 million with a budget of $12 million. Israelite directed Lionsgate's Power Rangers film (2017), based on the screenplay by John Gatins, with a story by Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Michelle Mulroney and Kieran Mulroney, which was released on March 24, 2017 by Lionsgate Films, grossing $142.3 million against a production budget of $100 million. It was a box office failure, losing the studio an estimated $74 million, when factoring in all revenues and expenses.

Future and cancelled projects In February 2014, Israelite was among the directors who were being eyed by the Marvel Studios to direct the superhero film Doctor Strange, but later in June 2014 Scott Derrickson was confirmed as director.

In June 2014, Israelite was set to direct the remake of the 1983 film WarGames for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, based on the script by Arash Amel.

In October 2017, Israelite was set to direct Unexplained Phenomenon, a sci-fi thriller for Amblin Entertainment and The Picture Company. He also pitched to Amblin a supernatural thriller entitled Minotaur.

In February 2020, he joined the action thriller Rogue to direct for STXfilms, Tencent, and David S. Goyer.

In January 2024, he became attached to direct the Kevin Hart produced-thriller Can You Hear Me? for The Hideaway Entertainment.

Filmography Short film Year Title Director Writer 2006 Magician 2007 The Department of Nothing 2009 Acholiland

Feature film Project Almanac (2015) Power Rangers (2017) Little Wing (2024)

Television Year Title Director Executive producer Notes 2008 Die Jugendcops - Kommissariat 105 im Einsatz 2019–2022 Are You Afraid of the Dark? Directed 7 episodes 2020–2021 The Astronauts Directed 5 episodes