In an interview with People during the ceremony of the Globes Golden 2017, the acclaimed screenwriter, director and producer, has stated that he is interested in "fresh" and new projects: "I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked on some things that I loved when I was younger. In fact, even the series 'Westworld' is one of them. But I already don't feel any desire to do it again. I feel as that already have made enough things so, now I'm more excited working on original ideas."
What's next of Abrams
J.J. Abrams also recently confessed that he regretted not having directed 'Star Wars: Episode VIII', the next installment of the blockbuster saga, which is directed by Rian Johnson. The filmmaker was particularly saddened by not being able to work more with some legends of the franchise like Mark Hamill. Even so will act of a producer in the tape and of course will intervene in any way in the next project.
Abrams will be especially busy with their upcoming projects, as the new drama of science-fiction 'Glare', which is being made with the same team of 'Westworld'. Also he has in his hands, the musical drama 'Roadies' or the short drama of Hulu '11.22.63' and 'Person of Interest' on CBS. In terms of film, he also has an outstanding track record with 'Mission Impossible 6', which will have its premiere in July 2018, or 'Star Trek 4', again with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto.
1 Nostalgia
Looking to the past is one of the exercises more present in the work of Abrams. It is not good to only observe and stay fascinated with the successes of yesterday, but adapt to the possibilities of the present, and try to connect the audience to your inner child. Many times, especially in recent years, he has been labeled as mere transmitter of essences classic, a renovator away from innovation, a photocopy without greater interest to repeat step by step triumphs of others. However, in each one of his films are an honest and sincere demonstration of love to the movies that marked his film education.
By putting the most obvious example, Abrams paid with 'Super 8', one of the most wonderful tributes to film and Super 8. Treated unfairly by all those who, curiously, expect a new 'E.T.' or 'The Goonies', the director composed a symphony of entertainment, with the best set of child actors seen in a long time. A love letter to the cinema he grew up with. An appreciation in movie mode. Nostalgia? Yeah, but does it matter?
2 Permanent Resurrection
In 2009, we can say that 'Star Trek' saga was precisely at its best. Course, still there were genuine fans who defended it as the definitive work of entertainment, but most of the public remembered her slightly or, simply, I had forgotten it. Before the doubt of if had someone with ability to resurrect it Enterprise, there emerged a name: J.J. Abrams.
Four years later, the director repeated triumph with 'Star Trek Into Darkness', even though the ending didn't leave everyone satisfied.
3 The Force Awakens
There are proposals that make a career. Can make a life. And the opportunity to direct 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens', is one of them. Without a doubt.
But you have to think about the consequences. Even for the creator of one of the essential works of entertainment ever, George Lucas, flunked his last trilogy, i.e., episodes I, II and III. But Abrams had the key to make everything work. Return to the essence and propose a journey in which everyone, those who know each and every one of the characters of the series and those who saw those titles for the first time, make an unforgettable trip. And boy did it work.
4 Mysterious Abrams
Bad Robot, the production company that J.J. Abrams founded in 1998, is one of the largest factories of blockbusters in recent years. To the last few installments of 'Star Trek', 'Star Wars' or 'Mission Impossible', franchise as the director was instructed to revitalize with a great third film. Although 'Lost' being the most famous, we cannot forget 'Alias' or 'Fringe', two shows which are good in their own right.
Because nobody better handled the expectations that Abrams and yours. Their marketing campaigns are always effective, managing to capture the interest of the viewer through a formula as simple as showing little and teasing lots.
The most significant example is found in 'Cloverfield', whose promotion campaign was a revolution viral which had as its main consequence a locker much more bulky than expected. A situation that has been repeated this year with the release of the sequel '10 Cloverfield Lane', another splendid tape of science fiction and intrigue relentless. Like the vast majority of proposals that arrive to us through Bad Robot, everything was a novelty, there was an overarching mystery and we loved it.
5 Giacchino
If we talk about common elements in all the work of J.J. Abrams, one of the most special and positive is the participation of Michael Giacchino as responsible for all the soundtracks for his films, with the exception of 'Star Wars'. After all, John Williams is John Williams. But, except that justified infidelity, the American composer has shown to understand perfectly the various proposals from the director, accompanying his images with some of the most stunning soundtracks of recent years. Because, going back to the most evident parallels between Abrams and Spielberg, Giacchino has become the authentic heir to Williams, an author able to mix entertainment and sensitivity in the most traditional manner possible.
The epic through the simplicity. Seems simple, right? No.
An innate ability to excite the Viewer, merge images, appear without stress, and stress sensitivity. A union that found its peak in 'Super 8', the best joint work to date of two artists who, looking in the mirror of two giants, continue to enjoy their friendship in a constant search for beauty.
6 Blue Steel
Ok, you can not write about the cinema of J.J. Abrams without mentioning his lens flares. In the words of the director: "I know that bummed with that. But there are times when I am working in a decision that I think: 'Oh, this would be cool with a lens flare. But I was teaching my wife an initial cut 'Star Trek: Into Darkness' and had a scene where she said literally something like: 'I can not see what is happening, I simply do not understand what it is'. And then I thought to myself: 'Yes, I may have gone overboard with this. Assume that you are an addict, this was my first step to rehab'.
After watching 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens', it seems like he has his addiction under control.
7 Making Difficult Things Easy
What do I mean when I say making the difficult easy? To trap the viewer without the slightest hint of boredom or a sneaking yawn, paying tribute to his influences and his own work, building a cinematic artifact that leads to the praise of the classics and, at the same time, be deeply contemporary.
To close, after analyzing Abrams, he still falls short of the legendary Spielberg, but... well... the student is dangerously close to the master. A great director.