David R. Ellis, the director of the action-thriller "Snakes on a Plane", has died at the age of 60 while working on his latest project "Kite (2015)". Ellis died in Johannesburg, South Africa while filming his latest live-action movie based on the Japanese anime about a young girl trained to be an assassin after the death of her parents. A manager for Ellis confirmed the news of his death, but other information pertaining to his passing was not yet available.

Samuel L. Jackson, star of "Snakes on a Plane", tweeted his thoughts upon learning the sad news. "So sad to hear of David R. Ellis' passing! So talented, so kind, such a good friend. He'll be missed. Gone too soon!" he wrote.

Ellis began his Hollywood career as a child actor in Disney films. After a successful stint as a junior professional surfer, Ellis worked as a stuntman in the films "Smokey and the Bandit II", "Scarface", "Rocky III" and "Lethal Weapon". He became a second unit director on such movies as "Clear and Present Danger", "Waterworld", "The Perfect Storm", "Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone" and "The Matrix Reloaded" before finally becoming a director on "Final Destination 2".

He went on to make "Cellular" and "Homeward Bound 2: Lost in San Francisco" before directing Jackson in "Snakes on a Plane". Before his death, he worked on the 2011 3D horror action flick "Shark Night 3D" and in the upcoming 2013 releases "R.I.P.D." and "47 Ronin".