One of the most influential creative teams in contemporary action cinema comes to Iceland – David Leitch will give a masterclass and attend screenings of Atomic Blonde and Bullet Train, alongside his wife, producer Kelly McCormick.
American director David Leitch and producer Kelly McCormick will be honored guests at the Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF), taking place from September 24 to October 4, 2026. Together, including through their production company 87North, they have played a major role in reshaping contemporary action cinema with inventive staging, ambitious stunt work, sharp humor, and strong character development.
Leitch will give a masterclass at the festival, discussing his career, from his early work as a stunt performer and stunt coordinator to directing some of the most popular action films of recent years. He will also attend special screenings of Atomic Blonde and Bullet Train, where he will discuss the making of the films with audiences.
From Stunt Work to Directing
David Leitch is currently one of Hollywood’s most influential action directors. A combination of spectacular action sequences, precise timing, dry humor, and inventive visual storytelling has become his defining creative signature.
Before moving into the director’s chair, Leitch spent more than two decades as one of the film industry’s most sought-after stunt performers and stunt coordinators. Among other credits, he served as Brad Pitt’s stunt double in Fight Club, Troy, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and worked on major productions including The Bourne Ultimatum, The Matrix Reloaded, and Ocean’s Eleven. This extensive experience has shaped his approach to directing, enabling him to stage action with unusual precision, clarity, and physical impact.
Leitch broke through as one of the creators of John Wick in 2014, although only Chad Stahelski was credited as the film’s director. John Wick marked a turning point in modern action cinema and had a far-reaching influence on how fights, movement, and stunt sequences were staged on screen.
Leitch subsequently directed, among others, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Bullet Train, and The Fall Guy. In his films, action is never merely spectacle, but rather a storytelling tool that reveals characters, emotions, and relationships.
Kelly McCormick – A Leading Force in Action Filmmaking
Kelly McCormick is one of the most influential producers working in contemporary action cinema and, in recent years, has played a major role in expanding the possibilities of the genre. She has produced films including Atomic Blonde, Nobody, Bullet Train, Violent Night, and The Fall Guy, and served as an executive producer on Deadpool 2 and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.
McCormick has attracted particular attention for combining large-scale filmmaking with a deep understanding of character and script development. She emphasizes that action should not exist merely as visual spectacle, but should be part of the emotional core of the story. As a producer, she has been involved in all major aspects of filmmaking, from script development, financing, and casting to executing complex production processes.
In 2019, McCormick and Leitch founded the production company 87North. The company specializes in ambitious action films that put practical stunt work, innovative design, and a strong creative vision at the forefront. With films such as Nobody, Bullet Train, Violent Night, and The Fall Guy, 87North has become one of the leading creative forces in contemporary action filmmaking.
A Creative Partnership That Has Shaped an Entire Genre
Leitch and McCormick’s partnership is built around a shared vision of the action film as a dynamic and constantly evolving cinematic form. It brings together Leitch’s experience in stunt work and visual storytelling with McCormick’s strengths in development, production, and project building. The result is filmmaking that combines scale and intimacy, technical precision and playfulness.
Their visit to RIFF offers Icelandic filmmakers, industry professionals, students, and film enthusiasts a unique opportunity to gain insight into the work behind some of the most memorable action films of recent years – from the initial concept and script development to casting, stunt work, filming, and the final staging of the action.
Further information about the masterclass, screening times, and ticket sales will be announced at a later date.
The 2026 Reykjavík International Film Festival takes place from 24 September to 4 October 2026.
