A detailed rundown of every bit of J.J. Abrams’ Super 8 trailer

Alright, so J.J. Abrams has done it once again, and sent us internet film journalists into a frenzy gathering details over his latest mysterious project known as SUPER 8. At first it was a CLOVERFIELD sequel, then it wasn’t, and now we have a FULL account of what exactly the trailer contains, which will be running before IRON MAN 2 this weekend.

Obviously there are spoilers ahoy, so if you really don’t want uh, a trailer ruined for you I guess, you should turn back now and not read this very long description that comes courtesy of Slashfilm.

Ready?

Last chance.

OK THEN!

The trailer lasts about one minute and a half.

It begins with the Green MPAA screen, followed by the Paramount Pictures logo. No Bad Robot at the header.

A train rushes by the screen. We notice that it has lots of cargo. Text comes on the screen: “In 1979, The U.S. Air Force Closed A Section of AREA 51.”

We see the railroad crossing light blinking and ringing as the camera pans up we see some sort of light moving in the background. What is it? A UFO?

More Text: “All The Materials Were To Be Transported To A Secure Facility In Ohio.” No, it appears to be the headlights of a yellow 1970’s truck, which skids in a 180 degree motion, and suddenly pulls onto the tracks.

Point of view of the truck heading into the light. Black screen and white text: “From Producer Steve Spielberg”

We see the truck explode as it hits the train. Then… the cargo train is heading towards the car explosion – BAM. It is wrecked, thrown from the tracks like a wild snake.

The flaming metal body flipping towards the camera. Cars flying through the air. It is INTENSE.

Another black screen and the text: “And Director JJ Abrams”

The camera really slowly moves in on the wrecked pieces of the train, most of which is now just scrap metal. At least one car remains intact.

Black screen, white test: “Next Summer” We see some sparks. Black screen, white text: “It Arrives” We pull up on one of the train cars with a US Airforce logo.

The wheel on the door begins to spin out of control as we pull in closer. The wall of the door begins to bend like some huge force is punching it from the inside. Cut to one second of a close up of an 8mm camera lens.

Cut to black. White text: “Super 8″ The credits at the end were pretty bare.

Paramount Pictures Presents, An Amblin Entertainment/Bad Robot Production “Super 8″ PRoduced By Steve Spielberg JJ Abrams Bryan Burk Written and Directed by JJ Abrams

Hmm, wasn’t PARANORMAL ACTIVITY’s Oren Peli planning some kind of “found footage” project about Area 51? It would appear J.J. is beating him to the punch, and I think the biggest surprise is that he’s actually writing and directing this movie himself, when previously we didn’t even have a hint this project even existed. Remember, he didn’t even direct CLOVERFIELD and is supposed to be busy with MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 4 and STAR TREK 2.

In any case, I’m obviously curious to see this in person, as I feel text just doesn’t do it justice. At least it has a title this time, so I don’t have to call it like 2-4-11 for the next six months.

UPDATE: A few more details from THR. 

The budget is around $50M for the project, it is NOT a hand-held project, has nothing to do with CLOVERFIELD. Abrams shot the trailer independently of the actual film about a month ago and it was pieced together by his Bad Robot team. Abrams and his camp are pulling a big fat “no comment” about specific plot details, which isn’t that much of a surprise.