James Phillip Royle is an award-winning British film director, producer, and writer. He is best known for his work on films such as The Beach (2000), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), and 127 Hours (2010).
Royle was born in London, England to a working-class family. He grew up in the East End of the city. He studied film and literature at University College London, where he graduated with honors in 1994.
Royle's career began as an assistant director on the BBC drama series In the Red in 1995. He soon moved on to work for the BBC as a documentary director, producing and directing numerous programs, including the award-winning The Line of Fire (1999).
In 2000, Royle made his feature film directing debut with The Beach, an adaptation of Alex Garland's novel of the same name. The film starred Leonardo DiCaprio and was a commercial success, grossing $144 million at the box office.
In 2006, Royle directed his second feature film, Children of Men, an adaptation of P.D. James' novel of the same name. The film earned widespread critical acclaim and was a box office hit, grossing over $235 million worldwide.
Royle then went on to direct Slumdog Millionaire (2008), which earned him an Academy Award for Best Director. The film also won eight Academy Awards in total, including Best Picture.
In 2010, Royle directed 127 Hours, an adaptation of Aron Ralston's memoir of the same name. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing $60 million at the box office.
Royle is currently working on his next feature film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, scheduled for release in 2011. He has also recently signed on to direct the upcoming adaptation of the novel Life of Pi.
Throughout his career, Royle has been praised for his ability to create visually stunning films that are also emotionally engaging. He is considered one of the most talented directors of his generation.
