Destin Daniel Cretton

Biography

Destin Daniel Cretton is an American filmmaker known for his ability to blend intimate, character-driven drama with massive spectacle. He first gained critical acclaim for the indie drama "Short Term 12" (2013), which launched the careers of Brie Larson, LaKeith Stanfield, and Rami Malek. He broke into the blockbuster mainstream directing Marvel Studios' "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" (2021). Following its success, he became a key architect of the MCU's future. In 2026, Cretton is at the helm of one of the biggest films of the year: "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" (July 2026). The film releases just one week after Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, creating a historic "barbenheimer-style" box office battle. In addition to Spider-Man, Cretton is the co-creator and executive producer of the Marvel Spotlight series "Wonder Man", which premiered in January 2026. Beyond superheroes, he has been tapped to write and direct the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of "Naruto" for Lionsgate, a project personally endorsed by original manga creator Masashi Kishimoto.