Film director David R Ellis, who’s most notable work was “Snakes on a Plane” died in South Africa on Monday. He was 60 years old.
His manager, David Gardner, confirmed his death on Monday, saying Ellis' body was found in a hotel room in Johannesburg. Gardner declined to provide additional details. Though no cause of death has been released, there have been rumours that the director committed suicide.
Ellis is survived by his wife and three children.
Ellis was in the country to work on a film titled ‘Kite’, a live-action retelling of a famous Japanese anime in which a young girl becomes an assassin after the death of her parents. Samuel L Jackson, who worked with Ellis on ‘Snakes on a Plane’ was also linked to this project.
“So sad to hear of David R. Ellis passing!” Jackson tweeted on Monday.
“So talented, so kind, such a Good Friend. He'll be missed. Gone too soon! (sic)”
Ellis started his Hollywood career as a stuntman, before moving behind the scenes.
He worked on notable movies such as ‘Misery’, ‘Harry Potter and the Scorcerer’s Stone’ and ‘Waterworld’,but really made his name helming movies like ‘Final Destination 2’, ‘Cellular’ and his most popular film, ‘Snakes on a Plane’.