Jeff Katz

Jeff Katz is an American film producer and comic book author.[2]

For other people named Jeff Katz, see Jeffrey Katz.
Jeff Katz
NationalityAmerican
Occupationfilm producer, comic book author
Notable work
Booster Gold, Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash[1]

Early life

Katz is from Franklin, Michigan, Michigan.[3] As a teenager, Katz achieved some measure of local fame as the host of an AM radio show about professional wrestling on WDFN, which at the time was a sports talk radio station. Katz briefly attended Michigan State before dropping out.[3][4][2]

Career

Wrestling promotion

Katz began his career in entertainment at World Championship Wrestling.[2] He then moved over to National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and in 1999 at NWA's 51st Anniversary Show, Katz managed The Brotherhood during their loss of the NWA World Tag Team Titles to Team Extreme.[5][6]

During his later Hollywood career, he briefly returned to wrestling in early 2011, while venting frustrations via his Twitter page with the current wrestling product broadcast worldwide by companies such as WWE and TNA.[7] In May 2011, he began a fundraising drive via the crowdfunding website Kickstarter with a goal to raise $100,000 for an alternative wrestling venture.[8] By June 21, 2011, the goal was achieved through 187 pledges, and became the Wrestling Retribution Project.[9] A thirteen-week first season was taped from October 10 to 12, 2011, at the Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California. As of 2019 the Wrestling Revolution Project has not been released.[10]

Film producer

Katz first worked as an unpaid intern for New Line Cinema where he eventually became a film producer, producing Freddy vs. Jason at 24 years old, followed by Snakes on a Plane and Shoot 'Em Up.[2][4][11][3] While serving as producer of X-Men Origins: Wolverine at New Line, he thought Ryan Reynolds was the only actor suitable for the role of Deadpool and championed the idea. However, rights issues emerged with 20th Century Fox and their X-Men films, and the project did not move forward with that studio.[12] Katz subsequently moved to 20th Century Fox, and worked on productions such as Deadpool there.

Comics career

In 2005, Katz began writing for Image Comics.[2] He wrote Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash based on his experience with the Freddy vs. Jason film[13] for DC imprint WildStorm,[11] and then moved to DC Comics proper, on titles such as Booster Gold.[4][1]

Katz began his own comic book production company, American Original.[2]

Personal life

Katz lives in Los Angeles.[3]

References
  1. "Jeff Katz". DC. 4 March 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  2. "Jeff Katz Launches American Original - CBR". www.cbr.com. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  3. Ross, Matthew (10 September 2009). "Jeff Katz". Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  4. "The Business of Geek: Film, Comic Books, and Gaming - Jeff Katz". Iowa State Lectures Program. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  5. "NWA 51st Anniversary Show". Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments. September 25, 1999. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  6. "N.W.A World Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  7. Graser, Marc (15 July 2011). "Katz grapples with wrestling venture". Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  8. "WRP Kickstarter Page". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
  9. "Kickstarter: Update #1: Wrestling Revolution Is Funded!". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
  10. Meltzer, Dave (October 24, 2011). "October 24 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2011 Hall of Fame issue, GSP down, Bound for Glory and Bobby Roode, Hogan vs. Sting, giant issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, CA: 37. ISSN 1083-9593.
  11. Wilson, Staci Layne (25 March 2015). "Infernal – Exclusive Interview with Executive Producer Jeff Katz; AIP News!". Dread Central. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  12. Marshall, Rick (December 11, 2008). "Deadpool And Gambit: The Long Road To 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine'... And Beyond?". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 26, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  13. "Comic Related - 10 Questions with Jeff Katz". 10 February 2012. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
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