Leigh Whannell

Leigh Whannell (born January 17, 1977, in Melbourne, Victoria) is an Australian screen artist best known for writing sharp, high-concept genre films and helping redefine modern horror. A frequent collaborator of filmmaker James Wan, Whannell became a key voice behind a wave of audience-driven thrillers that blended suspense, character tension, and clever twists.

He co-created the Saw franchise with Wan, writing the original 2004 film and continuing to shape the series as a co-writer and producer across multiple entries. Whannell also appeared on screen in the early films as Adam Stanheight, a role that remains one of the franchise’s most recognizable performances.

Beyond Saw, Whannell wrote several Wan-directed hits, including Dead Silence and the first two Insidious films, while also acting as Specs in the Insidious universe. He later stepped behind the camera, making his feature directing debut with Insidious: Chapter 3 and expanding his filmmaking profile with the acclaimed sci-fi thriller Upgrade and his modern reimagining of The Invisible Man. His work continues with Wolf Man (2025).