Will Newton

Will Newton’s name might not ring a bell for everyone, but if you’ve caught a blockbuster in the past decade, odds are you’ve seen his work—probably without even realizing it. The guy’s practically woven into the background of some of the biggest movies out there. Take The Martian from 2015. That’s the one with Matt Damon turning potatoes into a gourmet meal on Mars (well, sort of). Will Newton was right there in the thick of it, holding things down behind the scenes and making sure the science looked at least halfway believable. Fast forward to Rogue One in 2016—arguably one of the best Star Wars spin-offs, if you ask most fans. Newton’s fingerprints are all over that gritty, desperate rebel vibe. He’s not the guy in the big shiny armor, but he’s part of the reason those battle scenes feel raw and the stakes feel real. And then, in 2019, there’s Aladdin. Yeah, the live-action one with Will Smith as the Genie. Newton jumps genres like it’s nothing, moving from outer space to intergalactic war right into the magical chaos of Agrabah’s streets. He’s one of those behind-the-scenes legends—never front and center, but always making the magic happen. Whether it’s Martian dust storms, Imperial blasters, or street-smart magic carpets, Newton’s got a knack for making movie worlds feel lived-in. You won’t see his face on the poster, but his work? It’s everywhere, if you know where to look.