andPOP » J.J. Abrams

J.J. Abrams Working On Earthquake Movie

Eva Lam — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:02:37 +0000

J.J. Abrams will literally shake things up on the big screen with a new disaster movie.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the “Lost” mastermind has teamed up with original “Omen” screenwriter David Seltzer to work on an earthquake movie for Universal Pictures.

Abrams is producing the project with his Bad Robot partners Bryan Burk and Sherryl Clark. As of now, Abrams is attached only to produce the movie, for which plot details are being kept tightly under wraps.

However, Universal did reveal that it will be a character-driven drama in much the same vein as Abrams’ previous project “Cloverfield,” a monster movie in which the action was seen from the perspective of a personal relationship.

As well, the movie will not be a remake of the 1974 Universal movie “Earthquake,” which starred such big names as Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner.

Abrams is currently finishing up his highly anticipated “Star Trek” reboot, which is due out May 2009.

Joshua Jackson To Star In New JJ Abrams Series

Eva Lam — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 13:47:19 +0000

Canadian Joshua Jackson has been cast as the lead in “Lost” creator J.J. Abrams’ highly anticipated new series “The Fringe.”

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Vancouver-born Jackson, best known as Pacey from “Dawson’s Creek,” will play a high-school dropout with an IQ of 190 in the sci-fi series.

His character, Peter Bishop, teams up with his estranged, institutionalized scientist father (Australian actor John Noble) and an FBI agent (Australian actress Anna Torv) to investigate the spread of paranormal events.

The Warner Bros. TV-produced series is currently shooting in Toronto, with the two-hour pilot reportedly costing $10 million U.S.

Jackson, 29, appeared in the “Mighty Ducks” movies as a teen, and later starred in “Dawson’s Creek” from 1998 and 2003.

Other movies he has appeared in include “Cruel Intentions,” “Bobby” and last year’s “Battle in Seattle.”

He will next hit the big screen in the horror film “Shutter,” opening in March.

Cloverfield Clobbers Competition

andPOP Staff — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:36:59 +0000

J.J Abrams has another hit on his hands.

Cloverfield, produced by Abrams, was a monster success (pun intended) at the weekend box-office pulling in $46 million.

The modern day monster flick about a creature attacking Manhattan hoped to follow in the giant footsteps of genre predecessors like King Kong and Godzilla. And it did just that.

The opening marks a January record, E Online reports.

The indie-like movie cost $30 million and built a whole bunch of hype before its release, including theatres promising to play a teaser for Abrams’ next venture, the new Star Trek movie.

Coming in second with a respectable $27.3 million was Katherine Heigl’s headlining debut, 21 Dresses.

The Bucket List, Juno, and First Sunday rounded out the top 5.

J.J. Abrams’s TV Pilot Shooting In Toronto

Eva Lam — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 16:57:42 +0000

J.J. Abrams must be one of the busiest people in Hollywood – and now he’s got another project on his plate, this time in Toronto.

The man behind hit shows like “Alias” and “Lost” is co-executive producing “The Fringe,” a TV pilot being shot in the city later this month for the Fox Network.

The series would follow a research scientist, his estranged son and an FBI agent who are forced to deal with the spread of paranormal events.

The only cast member known so far is British actress Charlotte Rampling (“Great Expectations,” “Swimming Pool”).

Shooting is expected to wrap up at the end of March.

“So much of the story is relatable people in extraordinary situations,” Abrams told Variety in October. “The show is definitely a nod to ‘Altered States’ and ‘Scanners’ and that whole Michael Crichton/Robin Cook world of medicine and science.

“It does the stuff my favorite TV shows and movies do, which is to combine genres that shouldn’t fit together,” Abrams said. “It’s definitely meant to scare the hell out of you, but it’s also meant to make you laugh.

“It pushes all the buttons of things we loved from our childhood.”

Abrams currently has his hands full directing the new Star Trek movie, which chronicles the beginnings of the Enterprise crew.

He also produced “Cloverfield,” which is set to hit theatres this Friday in the U.S.