Rumor: J.J. Abrams in Talks to Direct ‘Back to the Future' Homage — Timothee Chalamet in Lead Role

UPDATE: Chalamet’s reps reached out to deny that he’s part of the film.

EARLIER: Remember, over the weekend, when we discussed J.J. Abrams’ absence from directing? Was he in director’s jail for his failed attempt at reviving Star Wars for Disney?

A recent report, from a sketchy source, claimed that Abrams had finally set up a new film, over at Warner Bros, which he would be directing. The project, being described as an “homage” to Back to the Future and “about a young man who travels through time,” was eyeing Timothee Chalamet and Elle Fanning to star.

Soon after, I contacted Warner Bros to confirm the story. They denied it, telling me “no Back to the Future remake was in the works.” I should have followed up … Maybe they fooled me with this one. Abrams isn’t directing a “remake” of the popular ‘80s franchise. It’s an “homage.”

Daniel Richtman is seemingly confirming that such a project does, in fact, EXIST. Abrams is attached to direct it. Chalamet is mentioned. I’ve, again, contacted Warners for comment on the story. No answer, so far.

Abrams hasn’t directed a film in over four years. He’s had a few TV projects get canned. He mostly produces now, if that. Recently, the UK’s Telegraph claimed that he was in “director’s jail.” That’s surely a possibility.

Abrams is the creator of acclaimed shows such as “Felicity,” “Alias” and “Lost.” Then he “graduated” into film and directed “Mission: Impossible 3,” “Star Trek,” and “Super 8,” among others. The sky was the limit for Abrams, with many people dubbing him “the next Spielberg.”

The downward phase of his career occurred when Abrams was tasked to oversee Disney’s last ‘Star Wars’ trilogy, and he even directed two of the films (“The Force Awakens” and “Rise of Skywalker”). The end result was a catastrophe, and Abrams ended up being accused by Star Wars fans of dragging their beloved franchise into the gutter.

He hasn’t been seen since.