Ward Parry

Biography

Ward Parry is a British-American screenwriter who has quickly established himself as a go-to writer for high-stakes, character-driven action cinema. With a background in journalism—having worked on the first digital team for The Guardian—and advertising at Saatchi, Parry transitioned into filmmaking with a focus on tense, psychological narratives. In January 2026, his latest major project, the action-thriller "Shelter", was released in theaters. Directed by Ric Roman Waugh (Angel Has Fallen) and starring Jason Statham, the film features Parry's screenplay about a solitary man with a dangerous past protecting a witness. The film has been a box office draw in early 2026, solidifying Parry's reputation in the genre. Parry previously co-wrote the 2023 film "Retribution", a remake of the Spanish thriller El Desconocido, which starred Liam Neeson. His debut feature, the black-and-white biopic "Curtiz" (2018)—about the director of Casablanca, Michael Curtiz—won the Best Film award at the Montreal World Film Festival and was acquired by Netflix, showcasing his range beyond pure action. He is currently developing several high-profile projects, including an adaptation of the mystery-thriller "Black Box" for StudioCanal, a Formula 1 drama series for Amazon, and a biopic about Steve McQueen.