Great Directors' Debut Films That Introduced Them To Hollywood

George Clooney -- Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

In 2001, Clooney made his directorial debut with Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, starring fellow prolific actor Sam Rockwell as game show host Chuck Barris, who also allegedly worked as a CIA assassin. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is an espionage biopic with elements of black comedy, making it an unexpected and intriguing debut for Clooney, who also fought for the leading role to go to Rockwell. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is a fascinating film for viewers who enjoy a mix of drama, thriller, and comedy. It's also a film that benefits from its talented director and ensemble cast.

Greta Gerwig -- Lady Bird

Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig's debut as a solo director after working with Joe Swanberg on the films Nights and Weekends, is a coming-of-age comedy-drama film set in the early 2000s Sacramento. It features Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf, earning Gerwig praise for her directing and screenwriting talent. In 2017, Lady Bird was released to critical acclaim, paving the way for Gerwig's later directorial successes, including the highly acclaimed Little Women and the smash hit Barbie. Lady Bird is a great example of Gerwig's directorial prowess, proving that she is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry.

Ron Howard -- Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto, directed by Ron Howard in 1977, is a comedic chase film produced economically, similar to a James Bond film. It follows a man who must steal a car to avoid losing his job. While Grand Theft Auto was not a box office success, it established Howard as a capable director. It also foreshadows Howard's career as a director of films in various genres, including racing drama, comedy, and thriller. In addition, Grand Tang has a noteworthy connection to Star Wars, as it was pitched to Universal as a combination of Goldfinger and Thunderball.

Clint Eastwood -- Play Misty for Me

In 1971, Clint Eastwood made his directorial debut with Play Misty for Me, a psychological thriller he also starred in alongside Jessica Walter. A gripping thriller with a killer performance by Eastwood, Play Misty for Me is a showcase for Eastwood's talents as an actor and director and proves that he is a master of suspense. In addition, the film features one of the most iconic scenes in cinematic history, foreshadowing Eastwood's stellar directing career.

Joel and Ethan Coen -- Blood Simple

The Coen brothers began their careers in the film industry by chance when Joel Coen worked as a PA on various industrial and music video shorts in the early 1980s. Together, they wrote, edited, and directed Blood Simple, a 1984 neo-noir film about a bartender entangled in a love affair and murder plot in Texas. Blood Simple is a film that displays the Coen brothers' unique sensibilities, including a middle-American setting, a high-octane meeting the mundane, and a wickedly dark sense of humor.

Martin Scorsese -- Who's That Knocking at My Door

Martin Scorsese's debut film, Who's That Knocking at My Door, is a fascinating exploration of themes he would revisit throughout his career as a director. Focusing on a Catholic hoodlum struggling to accept his girlfriend's traumatic past, the film incorporates pieces of Scorsese's Italian-American upbringing in New York, blending his ear for music cues, examinations of masculinity, and religious guilt. Who's That Knocking at My Door also features Harvey Keitel's debut as an actor, foreshadowing the two men's future collaborations on the acclaimed Mean Streets.

Christopher Nolan -- Following

Following, Christopher Nolan's 1998 debut film, was produced on a budget of just $6,000 and was filmed in just one week. The film has since become a cult classic, and Nolan has gone on to direct some of the most successful films of the 21st century, including The Dark Knight and Inception. Following is a testament to Nolan's talent as a director and screenwriter, as it is a visually stunning and intellectually challenging film. Nolan has established himself as a master of genre-bending films with a unique vision. In addition, Following also serves as the debut of actor and collaborator David Julyan, who went on to collaborate with Nolan on The Prestige and The Dark Knight.