Richard Wenk

Richard Wenk (born May 6, 1956) is an American film screenwriter and director best known for his work on The Equalizer film series (2014–2023).

Wenk was born in 1956 in Metuchen, New Jersey. He graduated from Metuchen High School in 1974, and from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts in 1979.

Wenk worked as an assistant to director John Huston on the 1982 film Annie. In 1984, he was recruited by New World Pictures producer Donald P. Borchers to write and direct the black comedy film Vamp (1986). Borchers had been impressed by Wenk's NYU thesis film, a musical vampire comedy short titled Dracula Bites the Big Apple. In 1994, he directed the comedy film Attack of the 5 Ft. 2 In. Women. In 1998, he wrote and directed the film Just the Ticket. In 2002, he directed the slasher film Wishcraft. In 2006, he wrote the script for Richard Donner's last film 16 Blocks. In 2011, he wrote the action film The Mechanic. By 2012, he wrote Simon West's ensemble action film The Expendables 2. In October 2012, he was hired to write the script for the Masters of the Universe reboot.

In 2014, he signed on to write the action film The Equalizer and its two sequels.[ 11] [ 12] In 2016, he wrote the action films Countdown, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, and The Magnificent Seven.[ 13] [ 14] [ 15] In 2017, he was hired to write the script and story for Renegades.[ 16] In 2018, Wenk was hired to write the reboot of Universal Soldier.[ 17] [ 18] In 2021, he wrote the action thriller film The Protégé. In 2023, he wrote the action film Fast Charlie.[ 19] In 2024, he wrote the superhero film Kraven the Hunter and the upcoming cop action film Lethal Finale.[ 20] [ 21]

In 2014, for his work on The Equalizer, he was nominated at the 46th NAACP Image Awards for "Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture".[ 28] In 2025, for his work on Kraven the Hunter, he was nominated at the 45th Golden Raspberry Awards for "Worst Screenplay".[ 29]