JJ Abrams is set to direct his first film in half a decade, and there are reportedly hints of The Last Starfighter about it.
Just yesterday we covered a story which revealed some fresh information on JJ Abrams mystery project for Warner Bros. The director has a first look deal with the studio but hasn’t directed a film since 2019’s Star Wars – The Rise Of Skywalker.
That final entry in the hallowed space opera saga didn’t go down too well with audiences but given the mess that the Disney-owned Lucasfilm has gotten itself into with that particular franchise, it’s hard to point the finger of blame at Abrams alone.
The news that broke yesterday revealed that Jenna Ortega would be joining Glen Powell in the secretive project. Those are two big stars who appeal to younger audiences – not an easy thing to do – and Warner Bros will be hoping that Abrams can apply a touch of his trademark magic to produce a blockbuster film that brings audiences into cinemas in droves. And – as is the Zaslav way at the studio – launch another profitable franchise.
The Warner Bros boss might see his wish come through too. World Of Reel has done a little digging and unearthed a few details regarding the project. These are unconfirmed, so don’t take them as a given but the outlet has a decent track record with these kinds of stories. Apparently, the project is ‘a fantasy film with some Last Starfighter vibes, according to a source who added that it doesn’t take place in space and that it’s decidedly a throwback of sorts.’
For those of you familiar with The Last Starfighter or indeed JJ Abrams, it all sounds on point. Abrams is a filmmaker who has found success in the past with ‘throwback’ vibes, whether it be 2011’s Super 8, bringing back Star Trek to the big screen or creating The Force Awakens, the resurrection of Star Wars which relied very heavily on the nostalgia factor.
Channeling The Last Starfighter also sounds right: Steven Spielberg, the director that Abrams once modelled himself on, was attached to remake of that particular film for a long time (as were several other filmmakers) although it seems that things are once again dormant on that front.
In that 1984 original, directed by Nick Castle, ‘High schooler Alex Rogan conquers the Starfighter video game, only to find out it was just a test, and is transported to another planet. He has been recruited to join a team of the best starfighters to defend their world from the attack.’
That idea, transplanted into the fantasy genre, could be lots of fun, not least because we’ve seen Abrams do science fiction plenty of times, but fantasy? That would be something new.
There is one interesting side note to all of this: the outlet also runs a quote from journalist Jeff Sneider, which reads: ‘that the script has drawn mixed reception from industry insiders who have read it – but hey, ya can’t please everyone.’
Abrams rise to the status of ‘super-producer’ happened largely because he was seen to be the arbiter of audience tastes a decade or two ago. A more divisive script could mean a number of things, perhaps something a little more creatively risky?
More as we hear it…
