J.J. Abrams: A Career Overview
J.J. Abrams, known for his work in significant franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek, has had a remarkable career in the entertainment industry. Despite being around since the '90s, Abrams didn't make his directorial debut until 2006 with Mission: Impossible III. His most well-received movie as a director came with 2009's Star Trek. Additionally, he has produced several entries in the Star Trek, Cloverfield, and Mission: Impossible franchises. In 2001, Abrams founded his production company, Bad Robot, which has been behind notable TV shows like Felicity, Alias, Lost, and Fringe, and has also produced titles like 11.22.63, Westworld, Castle Rock, and Lovecraft Country. Warner Bros. signed a deal with Abrams and Bad Robot for $250 million in 2019, the same year his most recent franchise film, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, released. Unfortunately, both events would end up negatively affecting his career.
JJ Abrams on the set of Star Wars The Force Awakens
Despite his previous achievements, Abrams' career took a blow due to his struggles with Star Wars and DC. After directing the first entry in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, he faced challenges with subsequent movies, and his deal with Warner Bros. for DC projects did not yield the expected results. These struggles have raised questions about his capability to lead major franchises, and his future linked to DC Studios is now under more doubt after James Gunn took over overseeing DC projects for WB.
Joel Courtney, Ryan Lee, and Riley Griffiths in Super 8 (2011)
Abrams' Struggles with Star Wars & DC
Abrams' struggles with Star Wars and DC began with the challenges he faced during the production of the Star Wars sequel trilogy. The reception of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the final installment, was not as positive as expected, leading to doubts about his capability to lead major franchises. Additionally, his deal with Warner Bros. for DC projects, including a Superman movie with a Black lead, Justice League Dark, and a Constantine sequel, did not yield the expected results. WB's frustration with the lack of progress on these projects has further cast doubt on Abrams' future with DC Studios.
The Blueprint for Future Success: Super 8
Amidst his struggles with big franchises like Star Wars and DC, J.J. Abrams' 2011 sci-fi movie, Super 8, stands out as a potential blueprint for his future success. The $260 million hit, written and directed by Abrams, captured the essence of original sci-fi adventure concepts. The movie followed a group of teens from a West Virginia town who find themselves in the middle of an alien invasion while shooting their own Super 8 movie. With its exciting and heartwarming tale, Super 8 showcased Abrams' capability to create original and compelling stories outside of big franchises. Co-produced by Steven Spielberg, the movie had an Amblin-esque feel and served as a reminder that Abrams could excel in developing more original sci-fi adventure concepts. Super 8 should be seen as a blueprint for the filmmaker in approaching new projects, especially outside of big franchises.
