John August Dressed to The Nines

What with the shoddy way show business treats its writers, it's conceivable that John August's name will mean nothing to you.

Would it help to point out that this talented, openly gay man wrote Go, Charlie's Angels, Corpse Bride, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

Perhaps now that he's stepping into the director's chair, August will get the household-name status he deserves.

His filmmaking debut, The Nines, stars Ryan Reynolds, Hope Davis, Melissa McCarthy (Gilmore Girls), and Elle Fanning, and deals with the intersecting lives of a troubled actor, a TV-show runner, and a video-game designer.

Produced by gay moguls Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen (American Beauty) - who previously collaborated with August on Big Fish - The Nines will have its world premiere at this month's Sundance Film Festival.