Anecdotes

His films lack post-credits scenes because he considers them a cheat if you can't end a film properly before the credits.

Was set to direct a Boba Fett standalone film for Star Wars in the vein of a spaghetti western, but he dropped out.

Has directed 6 different actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Angelina Jolie in Une vie volée (1999), Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix in Walk the Line (2005), Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro in Un parfait inconnu (2024). Both Jolie and Witherspoon won Oscars for their performances in his films.

Is an alumnus of the Film Division of Columbia University's School of the Arts.

His CalArts student film "Barn" was about a barn that was alive and swallowed a boy.

Has made two biographies into movies--Susanna Kaysen and Johnny Cash.

Went to Washingtonville High School, NY.

Has two sons with Cathy Konrad: James Jr. and Konrad Mangold.

Actively searching for a studio to finance his next film, 3h10 pour Yuma (2007), with Russell Crowe attached in the lead role. Aiming for an October start date. (juillet 2006)

He has directed two films that have been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Le Mans '66 (2019) and Un parfait inconnu (2024).