James Wan is @esquire.australia's September digital cover star. The Asian-Australian director has quietly charted a path from Hollywood outsider to one of the most successful filmmakers in history. Don’t believe us? Check the numbers. Only five horror franchises have earned more than a billion (USD) dollars at the box office, and Wan created two of them. He is also part of an elite group of directors with two films that have earned over a billion dollars at the worldwide box office – 'Furious 7' and 'Aquaman'. On the 20th anniversary of his ground-breaking 'Saw' franchise, Esquire spoke with the legendary director, as well as a bevy of his high-profile collaborators, including Nicole Kidman. “He is a cinephile,” Kidman told writer Richard Cooke. “He understands suspense and comedy and he is very aware of what’s going on in the world. James is a very, very kind and warm man and I was always drawn to that.” Hit the link in bio for the full shoot and interview. James wears shirt by @dior and watch by @iwcwatches. Editor-in-Chief @yeayea.nah Words @rgcookewrites Creative direction @grantpearce.inc Photography @johnrussophoto Styling @audreybrianne Grooming @barbaraguillaume Stylist Assistant Tyree Robinson Production @kenwaller