Biography

Dan is the CEO and Head Wrangler of Rideback, the film and television company known for producing tentpole live-action and animated content for global audiences. Rideback is housed inside Rideback Ranch. This innovative, creative campus formed by Lin in LA's Historic Filipinotown district is also home to industry leading companies Warner Animation Group, David Ayer's Cedar Park Entertainment, premier animation studio Animal Logic, and Margot Robbie's LuckyChap Entertainment.

Since his company's formation in 2008, Lin has produced films that have grossed over $4 billion in worldwide box office. He most recently produced Disney's $1 Billion blockbuster "Aladdin," Stephen King's "It: The Second Chapter," and the acclaimed Netflix awards contender, "The Two Popes."

His past films include LEGO movie franchise films "The LEGO Movie," "The LEGO Batman Movie," "The LEGO Ninjago Movie," "The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part," Stephen King's "It," and Netflix's "Death Note."

Lin also previously produced the hit mystery thrillers "Sherlock Holmes" and "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," which starred Robert Downey Jr., and executive produced Fox's TV series "Lethal Weapon," based on the film franchise.

Prior to forming Lin Pictures, Lin served as Senior Vice President of Production for Warner Bros. Pictures. During his eight-year tenure at the studio from 1999 to 2007, he oversaw the development and production of such films as Martin Scorsese's Academy Award-winning drama "The Departed."

Lin serves on the Board of Directors for several non-profit organizations, including the Evolve Entertainment Fund, the Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children, and the I Dream of Fish Foundation. In June 2015, he was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Lin received his undergraduate degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1994 and his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1999.
- IMDb mini biography by: Rideback Official Site Bio

The "Rideback" Origin Story: The name of his production company, Rideback, was inspired by a term he heard while vacationing in rural Bigfork, Montana. It refers to a "cowboy word" for the practice of riders making sure no one is left behind when someone falls-reflecting his focus on filmmaker collaboration.

Lego Scepticism: When Lin first pitched the idea of a Lego film in 2008 at the company's headquarters in Denmark, the executives were initially unconvinced, telling him they "didn't feel they needed a movie". He even flew to Denmark to show the finished film to 1,000 Lego employees before its global release because he was so nervous about their approval.

Plastic Kissing Controversy: During the production of The Lego Movie, a point of contention with the Lego brand was a kissing scene. Lin found it hilarious that it was just "plastic kissing plastic" with no tongue, but the brand was initially cautious about the depiction.

Frugal Blockbuster Strategy: Lin has a reputation in Hollywood for being remarkably frugal with high-concept projects. For example, he produced the massive global hit The Lego Movie for roughly $60 million and the record-breaking horror film It for just $35 million.