* It's hard to believe the Creator/RobertRodriguez from ''Film/{{Desperado}}'', ''Film/FromDuskTillDawn'', ''Film/SinCity'' and ''Film/PlanetTerror'' is the same Robert Rodriguez from ''Film/SpyKids'', ''Shorts'', and ''Film/TheAdventuresOfSharkboyAndLavagirl''.
* Creator/AndrewDavis, known for his action films such as ''Film/UnderSiege'' and ''Film/TheFugitive'' as well as lesser-known action films like Ahnold's ''Film/CollateralDamage'', directed the family film ''Film/{{Holes}}'' that was Creator/ShiaLaBeouf's feature film debut, and was based on a childrens' book.
* Creator/TimBurton is well-known as a director of movies which cross the horror genre over with another, such as the macabre musicals ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas'' and ''WesternAnimation/CorpseBride'' or the comedy ''Film/{{Beetlejuice}}''. So when compared to his usual body of work, these four films ''really'' stand out.
** ''Film/PlanetOfTheApes2001'' is a conventional science fiction action film, a remake no less, with almost none of his SignatureStyle.
** ''Film/BigFish'', which avoids Creator/JohnnyDepp, has only two moments which involve the supernatural [[spoiler:both of which turn out to be made up]] and is otherwise a generally bright and cheery film.
** ''Film/BigEyes'' is a biographical drama with no supernatural elements. It uses uncharacteristically bright colors, in contrast to Burton's more darker and gloomy colors in his previous films. Plus, the film also doesn't feature any of his [[ProductionPosse usual actors]].
** And then there's the live-action ''Film/Dumbo2019'' remake.
* Paris Barclay - best known for directing episodes of TV dramas such as ''Series/InTreatment'', ''Series/SonsOfAnarchy'', and ''Series/NYPDBlue'' - directed the Wayans Brothers comedy film ''Film/DontBeAMenaceToSouthCentralWhileDrinkingYourJuiceInTheHood''.
* Creator/StanleyKramer was a director best known for dramas regarding social issues (''Film/InheritTheWind'', ''On the Beach'', etc.) ''Film/ItsAMadMadMadMadWorld?'' Not so much.
* Creator/DavidLynch, known for directing surreal and nightmarish films, made ''Film/TheStraightStory'': the simple and heartwarming story of an old man, who takes a cross-country trip on a lawnmower to visit his brother. Up until that point, his most straight-forward film was about ''Film/TheElephantMan''!
* Creator/WesCraven joked that he went from "violence" to "violins" when he directed Creator/MerylStreep to an Oscar nomination in ''Film/MusicOfTheHeart''.
* Creator/YoshiyukiTomino is an odd case. Fans who love his darker and more serious works like ''[[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam Zeta Gundam]]'' and ''Anime/SpaceRunawayIdeon'' (which earned him the nickname "Kill 'Em All Tomino") are often shocked or put off by his lighter fare like ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ Gundam ZZ]]'' and ''Anime/{{Xabungle}}''. In this case, Tomino tends to let his current mood affect his writing, and his darker works were done during periods of CreatorBreakdown while his lighter shows come during periods where he's doing better. Ever since 1999's ''Anime/TurnAGundam'' he seems to have gotten completely over his darker side and acknowledges his flaws, culminating in an AlternateContinuity movie version of ''Zeta'' with a happier ending.
* Hideaki Anno. ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''. ''Anime/CuteyHoney''.
* Creator/JayRoach, director of the Film/AustinPowers movies and ''Film/MeetTheParents'' also directed the TV movie ''Recount'', a political drama about the events of the United States presidential election in 2000.
* Creator/ZackSnyder, director of ultra-violent thrillers such as ''Film/{{Watchmen}}'', ''Film/ThreeHundred'', and ''Film/SuckerPunch'' directed the family film ''WesternAnimation/LegendOfTheGuardiansTheOwlsOfGaHoole''.
* Creator/GeorgeMiller, director of ''Film/MadMax1'', later directed family movies about [[Film/BabePigInTheCity cute pigs]] and [[WesternAnimation/HappyFeet penguins]], before [[Film/MadMaxFuryRoad returning to action 30 years later in spectacular style]].
** And in between the original ''Mad Max'' trilogy and family movies, he directed the somber medical drama ''Lorenzo’s Oil'', based on the true story of two parents trying to FindTheCure for their son’s rare terminal illness.
* Creator/EdwardZwick, best known for historical war epics and the like (including ''Film/{{Glory}}'', ''Film/TheLastSamurai'', and ''Film/BloodDiamond'') made his directorial debut with the romantic comedy ''Film/AboutLastNight'', and took a break from the Oscar bait with his latest film ''Love and Other Drugs'', a sex comedy about a Viagra salesman.
** And prior to his epic film work, he was well known for producing television dramedies, most notably ''Series/{{thirtysomething}}'' and ''Series/MySoCalledLife''.
* Creator/SergioLeone is probably best known for his spaghetti Westerns, several of which involved actors being cast against type. His last film was ''Film/OnceUponATimeInAmerica'', a story about gangsters.
** When Creator/SergioLeone finished ''Film/TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly'', he originally wanted to direct against type by making ''Once Upon a Time in America'', but gave into popular demand and made ''Film/OnceUponATimeInTheWest'', which was the start of a new trilogy that would end with ''Once Upon a Time in America''.
** Apparently, Creator/SergioLeone--known for having something of a hard-on for America, or at least American history--had also planned to make a film about the siege of Leningrad during World War II. Sadly, he died before it got very far.
* Creator/SamPeckinpah's reputation for making hyperviolent films was established with such movies as ''Film/TheWildBunch'' and ''Film/StrawDogs1971''. However, he also made ''Film/TheBalladOfCableHogue'' and ''Film/JuniorBonner'', two non-violent character studies about people trying to adjust to life in the changing world of the NewOldWest.
* Creator/RolandEmmerich, best known for large-scale disaster movies such as ''Film/TwoThousandTwelve'', ''Film/IndependenceDay'', and ''Film/TheDayAfterTomorrow'', tackled ''Film/{{Anonymous|2011}}'', a historical mystery-thriller addressing the age-old question: "who wrote the plays attributed to Creator/WilliamShakespeare"?
** He also directed ''Film/ThePatriot2000'', a war epic that's quite infamous for its historical innacuracy; nevertheless, it's his most critically acclaimed film.
** ''Film/{{Stonewall|2015}}'' is a historical drama focused on [[UsefulNotes/PrideParade the eponymous riots for gay rights]].
* Creator/TheCoenBrothers did a rewrite of the screenplay for ''Film/IntolerableCruelty'', and it was originally set to be directed by either Creator/RonHoward or Creator/JonathanDemme before the studio offered the Coens the option to direct it. They were initially reluctant because they didn't think it fit their sensibilities, which confused the studio since ''they wrote it.''
** The Coens are also known for making BlackComedy films. ''Film/NoCountryForOldMen'', however, is not a comedic film at all.
* Creator/KennethBranagh, best known for directing adaptations of Shakespeare, directed ''Film/{{Thor}}'', a big budget special effects laden movie based on a comic book character, though it might not be such a stretch when you see how much [[WorldOfHam ham]] was required for ''Thor'', and how both Brannagh and Creator/AnthonyHopkins likened the work to Shakespeare.
** He also directed ''Film/Cinderella2015'', a big budget special effects laden movie based on [[WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}} a Disney classic]].
* Creator/AlfredHitchcock, known to film history for directing suspense thrillers and crime dramas, often with explicit violence, took some time in 1941 to direct a ScrewballComedy called ''Film/MrAndMrsSmith1941'' starring Creator/CaroleLombard.
* Creator/JohnLandis mainly directed comedies like ''Film/AnimalHouse'', ''Film/TheBluesBrothers'', and ''Film/ThreeAmigos'' but he has also directed the critically acclaimed horror films ''Film/AnAmericanWerewolfInLondon'' and ''Film/TwilightZoneTheMovie''.
* Creator/ZuckerAbrahamsAndZucker are best known as masters of RapidFireComedy as seen in ''Film/{{Airplane}}'' and ''Film/TheNakedGun''.
** David Zucker produced the suspense film ''Film/PhoneBooth''
** Jim Abrahams directed the made-for-TV drama film ''...First Do No Harm''
** Jerry Zucker directed ''Film/Ghost1990'' and ''Film/FirstKnight''.
* Not directing, but rather ''producing'': Creator/MelBrooks was a primary producer for both Creator/DavidLynch's ''Film/TheElephantMan'' and Creator/DavidCronenberg's ''Film/TheFly1986''. In order to keep anyone from thinking that either of these movies was a comedy, he insisted that he be completely uncredited.
* David R. Ellis the man behind such thrillers as ''Film/SnakesOnAPlane'', ''Film/FinalDestination2'', ''Film/TheFinalDestination'', and ''Film/{{Cellular}}'' began his career directing the family film ''Film/{{Homeward Bound|TheIncredibleJourney}} II: Lost in San Francisco.''
* David Gordon Green was well known for making critically acclaimed, dramatic indie films like ''George Washington'', ''All the Real Girls'', ''Undertow'', and ''Snow Angels''. Then, as his father put it, he went "from the Arthouse to the Outhouse" by making raunchy comedies like ''Film/PineappleExpress'', ''Film/YourHighness'', and ''Film/TheSitter'', and a major creative voice on shows like ''Series/EastboundAndDown'' and ''WesternAnimation/GoodVibes''. As of late, he's gone ''back'' to drama with movies like ''Joe'', ''Prince Avalanche'', and ''Stronger''...followed by a foray into horror with ''Film/Halloween2018'', and having a hand in making ''Series/VicePrincipals''. It's gotten to the point where it can argued that he doesn't ''have'' a type.
* Creator/RalphBakshi is known for street-based dramas and comedies with over the top violence, sex, and nudity (''WesternAnimation/FritzTheCat'', ''WesternAnimation/HeavyTraffic'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Coonskin}}'', and ''WesternAnimation/HeyGoodLookin'') and fantasy films (''WesternAnimation/{{Wizards}}'', ''WesternAnimation/TheLordOfTheRings'', and ''WesternAnimation/FireAndIce''). But he also directed the realistically grounded drama ''WesternAnimation/AmericanPop'', which is more down to earth than his street films and fairly realistic in its portrayal of violence and mild in its sexuality.
* Creator/AngLee, a director best known for dramas and period pieces such as ''Film/EatDrinkManWoman'', directed the first ''Film/{{Hulk}}'' film. Unfortunately his style did not lend itself well to the unfamiliar genre, and the sequel "rebooted" it.
* Creator/FrancisFordCoppola is known for directing drama films like ''Film/TheGodfather'' series, ''Film/ApocalypseNow,'' and ''Film/BramStokersDracula'', he also directed the family comedy-drama ''Film/{{Jack|1996}}'' about a young boy played by Creator/RobinWilliams who psychically ages several decades at an accelerated rate.
* Creator/AlejandroJodorowsky, the director responsible for MindScrew films such as ''Film/ElTopo'' and ''Film/TheHolyMountain'' made a kid´s movie called ''Tusk'', which didn´t have any of the strange symbolism and violence of his other movies. [[CreatorBacklash He disowned the film.]]
* Francis Lawrence, the director from ''Film/{{Constantine}}'' and ''Film/IAmLegend'' also directed ''Film/WaterForElephants'', a romantic drama based on the book of the same name.
* Adult film director Paul Norman directed the horror film ''Film/IceCreamMan''.
* Tom Schulman, the Academy Award winning writer of ''Film/DeadPoetsSociety'', made his directorial debut with the BlackComedy ''Film/EightHeadsInADuffelBag''. Carpe diem, indeed.
* Peter Berg, an actor turned director best known for action films such as ''Film/{{Hancock}}'' and ''Film/{{Battleship}}'', made his directorial debut with the BlackComedy ''Film/VeryBadThings'' (of which its premise may be more familiar to audiences as the later film ''Film/TheHangover''). He's also gone against type as a producer, being one of the producers of the romantic comedy ''Film/LarsAndTheRealGirl''.
* Creator/GoreVerbinski, director of dark action flicks like ''Film/TheRing'', ''{{WesternAnimation/Rango}}'' and the first three ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'' films, also directed the slapstick comedy ''Film/MouseHunt''.
* Creator/GeorgeARomero, best known for his ''Dead'' zombie movies, has among his directorial credits the 1971 romantic comedy ''Film/TheresAlwaysVanilla''.
* Creator/MichaelBay, best known for his ''Film/TransformersFilmSeries'' films and ''Film/Armageddon1998'', went against type with the true crime action/comedy ''Film/PainAndGain''.
** ''Film/PearlHarbor'' was a serious attempt at a historical drama/romance that lacked most of the traits common in his action films.
* Creator/RidleyScott usually does grim action films. Twice in the 2000s he made comedies, ''Film/MatchstickMen'' (which still had some adventure content as it deals with con men) and ''Film/AGoodYear'' (a straight-up romantic comedy, mostly to [[SceneryPorn shoot near his French home]]).
** Scott was also one of the executive producers of ''Film/TheATeam''.
* Creator/JohnHuston, well known for FilmNoir classics such as ''Film/{{The Maltese Falcon|1941}}'', ''Film/KeyLargo'' and ''Film/TheAsphaltJungle'', also did the family musical ''{{Film/Annie|1982}}''.
* After a career of only directing comedies with, admittedly, little camera movement, Creator/KevinSmith went against type with a horror/action/thriller movie ''Film/RedState''. This movie was also [[PlayingAgainstType/FilmWriting atypical for him as a writer]].
* Creator/SidneyLumet, known for gritty New York dramas such as ''Film/TwelveAngryMen'', ''Film/{{Serpico}}'', ''Film/DogDayAfternoon'' and ''Film/{{Network}}'', also did the family musical ''Film/TheWiz''. ''Film/MurderOnTheOrientExpress1974'' took him out of New York entirely, instead being a European-set mystery film.
* Think Creator/SamRaimi and you think fantasy/horror/adventure movies -- ''Film/TheEvilDead1981'', ''Film/{{Darkman}}'', ''Film/SpiderMan1'' and so on. You probably don't think Westerns (''Film/TheQuickAndTheDead''), dramas about found money (''Film/ASimplePlan'') or romantic dramas (''For Love of the Game'').
* Creator/JeanPierreJeunet did this with ''{{Film/Amelie}}'', a lighthearted romantic comedy completely in contrast to his [[{{Film/Delicatessen}} darker]] and [[Film/TheCityOfLostChildren more]] [[Film/AlienResurrection violent]] films.
* Creator/DarrenAronofsky would be the last person you would suspect to make a big budget religious film like ''Film/{{Noah}}'', especially considering his other works like ''Film/BlackSwan'' and ''Film/RequiemForADream''.
** Though, to be fair, the end result is entirely recognizable as an Aronofsky film.
* Creator/{{Disney}} is the last company that you would expect to produce and air a remake of the 1971 classic ''Film/BriansSong''. Very serious adult-level tearjerker dramas are not what Disney is known for. There was no {{Disneyfication}}. The only thing Disneyesque they did was inject a political correctness that isn't exactly accurate to the period setting (but that's mostly limited to omitting the racist terms that were thrown around in the original and to elevating the role of female characters). They also made the characters DarkerAndEdgier and left out the humor of the original (specifically, James Caan originally played Brian as a snarky extrovert while in the remake, he is more of a {{Jerkass}}). And this was shown on [[Series/WaltDisneyPresents The Wonderful World of Disney]].
* Creator/RobMarshall is known for his musical films (''Film/{{Chicago}}'', ''Theatre/NineMusical'', ''Film/IntoTheWoods''), but also directed ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanOnStrangerTides''.
* Creator/TheRussoBrothers were known for directing television comedy episodes for shows like ''Series/{{Community}}'' and ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'', when they got the job to direct the big-budget {{Superhero}} ConspiracyThriller blockbuster, ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'', which is now regarded as a contender for the best movie entry of the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse. They managed to go above and beyond all expectations with ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'', ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', and ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', and followed those up with ''Film/Cherry2021'', an extremely grim drama about a ShellShockedVeteran addicted to heroin.
* Creator/CarolReed was known for his gritty dramatic works (the most famous being ''Film/TheThirdMan''), but he won his lone Oscar for 1968's ''Film/{{Oliver}}'' -- a musical. His next film, 1970's ''Flap'', also falls under this since it's a comedy.
* Creator/MartinScorsese has helmed films about [[Film/{{GoodFellas}} gangsters]], [[Film/TaxiDriver psychopaths]], and [[Film/TheKingOfComedy affable jerks]], as well as movies like ''Film/{{Hugo}}'', a children's film about the early days of cinema.
* Creator/SamMendes basically followed Creator/JamesMangold's footsteps. He also believes that doing a film of a different genre is the perfect way to challenge himself as a filmmaker. Because of this mindset, he went out of his way to make a modern-day suburban drama (''Film/AmericanBeauty''), a gangster film (''Film/RoadToPerdition''), two war films with drastically different styles and narratives (''Film/{{Jarhead}}''/''Film/NineteenSeventeen''), a period suburban drama (''Film/RevolutionaryRoad''), an indie comedy-drama (''Film/AwayWeGo'') and two big-budget franchise espionage films (''{{Film/Skyfall}}''/''{{Film/Spectre}}'').
* Creator/EliRoth, known for directing some [[Film/CabinFever infamously]] [[Film/{{Hostel}} violent]] [[Film/HostelPartII and]] [[Film/TheGreenInferno sadistic]] [[Film/KnockKnock cinematic]] [[Film/DeathWish2018 contributions]], directed a PG-rated family dark fantasy film that would fit nicely alongside '80s classics from [[Creator/AmblinEntertainment its production company]], and based on a YA novel to boot: ''Film/TheHouseWithAClockInItsWalls''.
* Creator/GuillermoDelToro, known for numerous dark fantasy and action films, also helmed ''Film/NightmareAlley2021'', a FilmNoir psychological crime thriller based on [[Literature/NightmareAlley a crime novel]] [[Film/NightmareAlley1947 that has been previously adapted to film to boot]]. Unusually for a del Toro film, it has no supernatural elements beyond staged carnival tricks and mentalism.
* Creator/ToddPhillips is mostly known for comedies such as ''Film/StarskyAndHutch'' and the ''Film/TheHangover''-trilogy. Few expected him to be behind ''Film/Joker2019'', a thriller-drama inspired by Creator/MartinScorsese-movies such as ''Film/TaxiDriver'', based on the [[ComicBook/{{Joker}} DC-Character of the same name]]. He even co-wrote the movie.
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