Ruben Fleischer

Ruben Samuel Fleischer (; born October 31, 1974) is an American film director, film producer, television producer, music video director, and commercial director. He is best known as the director of Zombieland, his first feature film, and its sequel Zombieland: Double Tap (2019). He has also directed the films 30 Minutes or Less, Gangster Squad, Uncharted, and 2018's Venom featuring the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Prior to features, he directed television commercials for such brands as Cisco, Eurostar, ESPN, and Burger King, and music videos for artists such as M.I.A., Electric Six, DJ Format and Gold Chains.

Early life Fleischer was born and raised in Washington, D.C, the son of Karen Lee (née Samuel) and David Elliot Fleischer, who is a physician at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona and a professor of medicine. His brother, Lucas, works in new media. His father was born to a Jewish family, while his mother converted to Judaism. Fleischer was raised in Reform Judaism.

After graduating with a major in history from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, Fleischer moved to San Francisco, where he worked as a freelance HTML programmer, unsure what he wanted to do with his life.

Career Taking the advice of close friend Mike White (also a Wesleyan graduate), Fleischer worked as a PA in the writers' office of Dawson's Creek.

Fleischer directed Gangster Squad, a 2013 action thriller film, based on the special tactical group created by the LAPD to combat the Los Angeles crime family. He next directed Venom, a film about Marvel Comics character Eddie Brock, starring Tom Hardy; it was released on October 5, 2018.

In 2019, he directed Zombieland: Double Tap, reuniting the four original leads. In February 2020, he was hired to direct Uncharted, based on the video game series of the same name. In September 2022, he was hired to direct Now You See Me: Now You Don't. In March 2026, it was announced he would direct the action comedy Protecting Jared for Netflix, starring Jason Momoa and Andy Samberg.

Filmography Short film Year Title Director Producer 2001 The Girls Guitar Club 2005 Gumball 3000: 6 Days in May

Feature film

Year Title Director ExecutiveProducer 2009 Zombieland 2011 30 Minutes or Less 2013 Gangster Squad 2018 Venom The Mule 2019 Zombieland: Double Tap 2021 Venom: Let There Be Carnage 2022 Uncharted 2025 Now You See Me: Now You Don't TBA Protecting Jared

Producer Two Night Stand (2014) Unicorn Store (2017) Bad Trip (2021) Little Brother (2026)

Television Year Title Director Executiveproducer Notes 2003–2006 Jimmy Kimmel Live! 3 episodes 2006–2007 Rob & Big Also creator 2008 Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis 2 episodes 2009–2015 Fantasy Factory Also creator 2010 Funny or Die Presents 4 episodes 2015 Marry Me Episode "F Me" 2015–2021 Superstore Directed 7 episodes 2016 American Housewife Directed episode "Pilot" 2017 Santa Clarita Diet Directed 2 episodes 2017–2021 The Bold Type 2019–2020 Stumptown Directed 1 episode 2023 The Good Doctor 1 episode White House Plumbers Jury Duty 2024 St. Denis Medical Directed 2 episodes 2025 Motorheads

Music video Title Artist"Galang"M.I.A."Fix Up, Look Sharp"Dizzee Rascal"Stand Up Tall""Pro Nails"Kid Sister"I Came From SF"Gold Chains"Cali Nights""The Game""Nada""Dance Commander"Electric Six"Vicious Battle Raps"DJ Format"We Know Something You Don't""The Hit Song""Mocito"Pigeon Funk"Pies"Wiley"Dirty Girl"Bobby Light"Wash in the Rain"The Bees"Here She Comes Again"The Stands"I Believe in You"Amp Fiddler"Stadtkind"Ellen Allien"Time Bomb"The Dismemberment Plan"Just a Simple Plan"Piebald"French Jacuzzi Dub"Explosion Robinson"Come On to Me"Major Lazer featuring Sean Paul

Commercials Title Brand"Ladies Man"Boost Mobile"Geek""Shopaholic""Good Inside"McDonald's"After Party""Revision 43A"Cisco"Jack 245""Call Jimmy""Manager""Up Late with The King"Burger King"Handoff""Bounce""Circles"Eurostar"Quiet" ESPN"Mascots""The Drop"Courir"Nose"Cinnamon Toast Crunch"Infomercial"Borat soundtrack"Believe It or Not"G4"Asai Kenichi"Levi's"Hiroshi Fujiwara""Chara""Cops"Ribena"Down Home"KFC"Har Mar Superstar"Vladivar"A Way In"Vogue

Reception

Collaborations Like many directors, Fleischer has worked with certain actors on two or more of his films: