Bad Hat Harry Productions

Bad Hat Harry Productions. An American film and television production company founded in 1994 by director Bryan Singer. Named after a line from the film *Jaws*, the company is best known for producing major 20th Century Fox franchise films, particularly within the *X-Men* cinematic universe. It has also been involved in notable television projects, often in collaboration with major networks and studios.

History

The company was established by Bryan Singer following the success of his early film The Usual Suspects, which won Academy Awards for Kevin Spacey and Christopher McQuarrie. Its first major production was the 1995 thriller *Public Access*. The company's trajectory changed dramatically when Singer, alongside producer Tom DeSanto, developed the film adaptation of the Marvel Comics series *X-Men* for 20th Century Fox. The success of *X-Men* in 2000 established it as a significant player in Hollywood and launched a long-term partnership with the studio. Throughout the 2000s, it operated primarily from offices on the Fox lot in Century City, Los Angeles.

Filmography

The company's film output is dominated by superhero and science fiction genres, primarily for 20th Century Fox. Its major productions include the foundational *X-Men* trilogy—X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand—and several of its spin-offs, such as X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Days of Future Past. Other significant film projects include the Superman reboot Superman Returns, the Stephen King adaptation *Apt Pupil*, and the *Jack the Giant Slayer* fantasy film. It also produced the YouTube Premium original film The Thinning.

Television series

Its television division has produced a smaller but notable slate of series, often in the drama and science fiction genres. The most prominent is the long-running Fox series *House*, starring Hugh Laurie and developed by David Shore. Other series include the ABC drama *The Last Resort*, the Hulu series *The Gifted* set in the *X-Men* universe, and the Amazon Prime Video series *The Boys*, an adaptation of the Garth Ennis comic book, which it co-produces with Sony Pictures Television.

Collaborations

The company has maintained key creative and business partnerships throughout its history. Its most significant collaboration was with 20th Century Fox, producing numerous films for the studio over two decades. Longtime creative partners include producer Tom DeSanto and writer Christopher McQuarrie. For television, it has frequently worked with Universal Television and Sony Pictures Television. The production of *The Boys* involves collaboration with Eric Kripke, Evan Goldberg, and Seth Rogen's company Point Grey Pictures. It has also worked with actors such as Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and Hugh Jackman across multiple projects.

Reception and legacy

The company is critically and commercially recognized for helping to launch the modern era of superhero films with the successful *X-Men* franchise, influencing later series like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Its production of *House* earned Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards for Hugh Laurie. However, its legacy is intertwined with controversies surrounding its founder Bryan Singer, which have been the subject of media scrutiny. The company's later success with *The Boys* has been praised for its satirical take on the superhero genre, earning nominations from the Visual Effects Society and Critics' Choice Television Awards.

Category:American film production companies Category:American television production companies