Joshua R. Olson is an American screenwriter and podcaster, known for writing the 2005 film A History of Violence.

Olson wrote and directed the low budget horror film Infested in 2002.^[1] He wrote the screenplay for the 2005 film A History of Violence.^[2][3]. He was nominated for the British Academy Award,^[4] the Writer's Guild Award^[4] and the Academy Award.^[5] In 2006, Olson collaborated with Harlan Ellison on an adaptation of the author's short story "The Discarded" for ABC's series Masters of Science Fiction.^[3][6] He worked on Peter Jackson's film based on the Halo video game series, but the project was later cancelled.^[7]

Olson wrote the first draft of the movie Jack Reacher, for Paramount Pictures.^[8][9] Ultimately, the movie was written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie ^[10][11]

Olson wrote two seasons of the audio drama, Bronzeville, which is produced by and stars Laurence Fishburne and Larenz Tate.^[2] He is one of the hosts of the film interview podcast, "The Movies That Made Me", along with director Joe Dante.^[12]

Olson co-hosts with Dave Anthony The West Wing Thing, a podcast rewatching and discussing episodes of The West Wing and its impact on politics.^[13] In 2020, Olson started Rainy Day Podcasts with Mick Jagger, Steve Bing, and Victoria Pearman. The company has a "first look deal" with Warner Brothers, and will produce original narrative podcasts.^[2]