Biography

James C. Clayton is an award-winning Canadian director, producer, actor, and founder of Play x Play Studios. With more than two decades in the film industry, he has established himself as a filmmaker who consistently develops, finances, packages, produces, directs, and stars in commercially driven feature films, with a focus on elevated action thrillers and genre entertainment.

James recently produced, directed, and stars in the action thriller Briefcase, 8, alongside Mena Suvari, Jeffrey Donovan, and Cam Gigandet, which is scheduled for a theatrical release in September 2026. He also directed the upcoming action thriller Runaway, starring Josh Duhamel, James Franco, Summer H. Howell, Paula Patton, and Adam Beach, slated for release in Fall 2027.

His feature directorial debut, Bullet Proof (2022), which he also produced and starred in opposite Vinnie Jones, was released theatrically and on demand by Lionsgate and IndustryWorks Studios throughout North America before expanding worldwide. He followed with Get Fast, the sequel to Bullet Proof, released internationally by Well Go USA Entertainment. James also serves as Executive Producer on the crime thriller Slant, starring Stephen Dorff.

As an actor, James has appeared in numerous film and television productions including Fringe, Minority Report, Supernatural, Timeless, The 100, and Firebug, and made his feature film debut in K-19: The Widowmaker, starring Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson. His feature acting credits also include Candiland, opposite Chelah Horsdal and Gary Busey, and Residue, alongside Matt Frewer, Taylor Hickson, William B. Davis, Costas Mandylor, and Elysia Rotaru.

Known for combining grounded characters with large-scale cinematic action, James continues to build an international slate of commercially focused feature films that bridge studio-level entertainment with independent filmmaking, working with acclaimed talent both in front of and behind the camera.
- IMDb mini biography by: Play by Play Entertainment