The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a 2013 romantic adventure comedy-drama film directed by, co-produced by and starring Ben Stiller. Gore Verbinski served as executive producer. This is the second film adaptation of James Thurber's 1939 short story of the same name. The 1947 version was produced by Samuel Goldwyn and directed by Norman Z. McLeod, with Danny Kaye playing the role of Walter Mitty. The film premiered at the New York Film Festival on October 5, 2013. It was theatrically released on December 25, 2013 in North America. The film received mixed reviews from critics.