UPDATE: I can confirm Abrams’ film is called “Ghost Writer,” which does make quite a bit of sense when you take into account the plot details we’ve had so far.
UPDATE: Abrams’ “comeback” vehicle has officially started production in London. It’s actually happening. I suspect we’ll be looking at a 2026 release on this one.
Q. J.J. Abrams’ new movie seems to have gone dark. Any updates when it comes this one? Wasn’t it supposed to shoot last year? It wasn’t even mentioned at CinemaCon.
No, it was never supposed to shoot last year. Remember, Glen Powell only recent wrapped production on “Running Man.” The good news, things are clearly revving up when it comes to Abrams’ buzzy project. The still-untitled feature, set up at Warner Bros, is currently in prep mode, and gearing up for a shoot next month in London.
The cast includes Powell, Jenna Ortega, Emma Mackey and Samuel L. Jackson. No plot details have been revealed for this ultra secretive project which, contrary to rumors, does not deal with time travel.
The Hot Mic recently revealed that Abrams’ film might be an 80s throwback, and loosely inspired by “The Last Starfighter.” The story is said to tackle “an author of popular fantasy novels who reveals that the mythical world he’s known for creating is actually real, sending Powell’s character on a quest.”
A Production Weekly listing had Abrams’ film going by the name of “Acorns,” but when reached for comment, Abrams’ reps denied the title, and confirmed to me that the film is still untitled.
Suffice to say, it does look like Abrams is finally coming back to directing. He hasn’t helmed a film in over six years. He’s also had a few TV projects get canned. Abrams mostly produces now, if that. Recently, the UK’s Telegraph claimed that he was in “director’s jail.” He’s about to get bailed out.
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. He was even being dubbed “the next Spielberg.” Things haven’t worked out that way, and he’s now looking at making a comeback.
The short version: "Woman Unknown" was a compromise. The jury deadlocked over "Possible Love" and "NAZA," not able to com to terms, fell back on their #3, May el-Toukhy's film.