Michael Frost Beckner is a prolific screenwriter and novelist renowned for his contributions to the espionage and military-thriller genres. His career launched in 1989 with the screenplay for "Sniper," which spawned a long-running franchise. He gained further acclaim with "Spy Game," an original screenplay directed by Tony Scott and starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt, now considered a classic in spy cinema. Beckner expanded into television with "The Agency," a CBS drama that notably predicted real-world terror events, including the 9/11 attacks. His recent work includes the "Spy Game" novel trilogy—"Muir's Gambit," "Bishop's Endgame," and "Aiken in Check"—released to coincide with the film's 20th anniversary.
Beckner's expertise in espionage storytelling stems from his deep understanding of tradecraft, earning praise from former CIA officers. After studying novel writing at the University of Southern California under T.C. Boyle, he began his Hollywood career as an assistant to Barry Levinson on films like "Good Morning, Vietnam" and "Rain Man." He set industry records with high-profile spec script sales, including "Texas Lead & Gold," "Cutthroat Island," and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." His collaborations span major directors, actors, and producers, alongside adaptations of works by authors like John le Carré and Tom Clancy.
Beyond espionage, Beckner has dedicated two decades to researching the Civil War, resulting in the meticulously detailed miniseries "A Nation Divided" (previously titled "To Appomattox" and "Battle Hymn"). His work has been guided by top historians, reflecting his commitment to historical accuracy. As a commentator, he has appeared on CNN, Fox News, and HBO, discussing intelligence and geopolitical themes. Currently, Beckner is developing new projects, including a "Spy Game" sequel with Ridley Scott and an international espionage series titled "Torus." He resides with his family in Nevada, continuing to shape narratives across film, television, and literature.