- Received only $9,000 to write and direct Donnie Darko (2001) with a budget of 4.5 million dollars.
- His father worked for NASA on the Mars Viking Lander program in the 70s, developing the camera that made the first pictures from the Mars surface.
- Is good friends with film director Kevin Smith. He was a judge for Smith's short film contest Movies Askew when the twelve finalists were screened in Hollywood in 2006.
- Originally wrote the screenplay for the movie Holes (2003) but after it was turned down, they had Louis Sachar do it instead. Kelly's script can be found on his website.
- 1997 Graduate of University of Southern California, where he studied Film.
- Wrote an unproduced script for Hal Lieberman and Jonathan Mostow's production company called "House at the End of the Street".
- Two of his favorite films are Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and The Road Warrior (1981). He has posters for them in his house.
- Born James Richard Kelly, son of Lane Kelly and Ennis Kelly. Grew up in Midlothian, Virginia.
- He was originally offered the chance to direct Valentine (2001), but turned the offer down.
- Writing Domino (2005) a True Romance-style action/crime film for Tony Scott. (May 2004)
- Casting is underway for The Box (2009) a high-concept, supernatural/thriller, that will begin filming in November. (July 2007)
- Currently producing 3 films ( Operation: Endgame (2010) - World's Greatest Dad (2009) - I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (2009) ) and finishing post-production on his third feature length film The Box (2009) (August 2008)
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