As with many of his projects, J.J. Abrams has been silent about his next film, SUPER 8 – until now. In conjunction with a new TV spot ran during the Super Bowl last night (check it out below if you missed it), LA Times ran a piece with the filmmaker finally dishing out some goods. Here are some key quotes that give a bit more insight on the picture.
“To me, all people need to know is that it’s an adventure about a small town and it’s funny, it’s sweet, it’s scary and there’s a mystery: What is this thing that has escaped? What are the ramifications of its presence? And what is the effect on people? But I know that’s not enough. Look, I feel we need a little bit of a coming-out party because we are up against massive franchises and brands and most people don’t know what SUPER 8 means. We’re a complete anomaly in a summer of huge films … and we don’t want to be so silent or coy that people don’t care or don’t hear about it.”
“As the process went along I realized I had the potential makings of my favorite sort of movie, which is the one that is the hardest genre to define. That because you could say – and be right – that it’s a science fiction movie; or you could say – and be right – that it’s a love story; or you could say – and be right – that it’s a comedy; or you could say – and be right – that it’s a special-effects spectacle. That sort of cocktail is for me what I love about movies… That was the beginnings of this movie coming together.”
“This is a movie about overcoming loss and finding your way again and finding your own voice. A boy whose lost his mother and the man whose lost his wife. There’s this father who, because of the era, never really had to be the parent. He’s a good man, he works hard, he’s a deputy in the town, but he’s never stepped up as father.”
“We have such a challenge on this movie. Yes we’ve got Steven [Spielberg]’s name on it and my name on it – for what that’s worth – but we’ve got no famous super-hero, we’ve got no pre-existing franchise or sequel, it’s not starring anyone you’ve heard of before. There’s no book, there’s no toy, there’s no comic book. There’s nothing. I don’t have anything; I don’t even have a board game, that’s how bad it is. But I think we have a very good movie.”
I don’t know about you guys, but all that talk made me pretty excited for the project. Sounds like all of the silence was worth the wait. SUPER 8 stars Elle Fanning, Amanda Michalka (below), Kyle Chandler, Ron Eldard and Noah Emmerich. It’s set to invade theaters on June 10th via Paramount Pictures.