Mark L. Lester

Director, writer and producer Mark L. Lester has created high-action films throughout his career, including some of the world's biggest box office draws. His directorial expertise has garnered praise for such films as Arnold Schwarzenegger's box-office mega-hit Commando (1985), Stephen King's supernatural thriller Firestarter (1984) with Drew Barrymore and Martin Sheen, Dans les griffes du dragon rouge (1991) starring Dolph Lundgren and the late Brandon Lee in his first major role, and two frighteningly prophetic films about the state of society: Class 1984 (1982) with Michael J. Fox in his first film role and the sequel, Class of 1999 (1990). In addition to receiving international critical acclaim, Lester's films are box-office hits. "Commando" was an international success story, grossing over $120 million which Variety named one of the 50 best action films in the history of Cinema, and "Class of 1984" was a #1 US box-office draw and became the top-grossing film in many major markets around the world.

Lester's career as a director was launched when his first feature project, the highly acclaimed Twilight of the Mayas (1971), won top honors at the Venice Film Festival. His breakout film was the disco-era story Les Challengers (1979), starring Linda Blair. He also directed the smash comedy Armed and Dangerous (1986), starring John Candy and Meg Ryan. Included in his earlier credits are such non-stop action films as La bombe humaine (1973), Ça cogne et ça rigole chez les routiers (1974), Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw (1976) and Les risque-tout (1977). Having amassed credits on more than 17 films, Lester founded and became President of American World Pictures in 1993, devoting himself to producing and distributing films in the same genres he helped to popularize.

Since the company's formation, Lester has created an impressive body of work. He has produced and directed Ptérodactyles (2004), the highest-rated Sci-Fi Channel feature film; thrillers Groupie (2010), White Rush (2003) and Piège sur Internet (2003); the action-packed Betrayal (2003); the thriller Sacrifice (2000) with Michael Madsen; the action-thrillers Blowback (2000) and Tueur en cavale (1999); the military thrillers L'honneur d'un soldat (1999) and Guilty as Charged (2000); the suspense thrillers L'enfant du mal (1997), Double Take (1997) and The Ex (1996); Public Enemies (1996), with Theresa Russell and James Marsden; Désigné pour tuer (1995) starring Scott Glenn and Andrew McCarthy; and the acclaimed action thriller Extreme Justice (1993). In addition, Lester has produced many other successful films, including Jabberwock: la légende du dragon (2011), Sinbad et le Minotaure (2011), La belle et la bête (2010), Yeti (2008), Roanoke: The Lost Colony (2007) and Jour de colère (2006) starring Christopher Lambert.

For more than 20 years, Mark L. Lester has overseen the development and distribution of over 100 films at American World Pictures. He founded Titan Global Entertainment in 2012 to continue producing and directing quality features for many years to come.