Wednesday, November 11
Only days ago, director J.J. Abrams said that he "will not be directing" Mission: Impossible IV, though he is still teaming with Tom Cruise in producing the movie. Now, Abrams has also pulled the plug on helming an adaptation of Stephen King's "magnum opus" novel series, The Dark Tower, about a gunslinging knight on a quest for the nexus of the universe.
Abrams had planned to develop the picture with fellow Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof after the two purchased the rights from King for $19. Abrams told MTV News:
The Dark Tower thing is tricky. It's such an important piece of writing. The truth is that Damon and I are not looking at that right now.
Beyond hinting at The Dark Tower being a difficult property to adapt, which is an understatement, Abrams did not give a specific reason for the decision. It's likely that he will simply be too busy working on the sequel to his highly successful revamp of the Star Trek franchise — and the seven other movies he is said to have in development — to work on such a massive undertaking.
Posted 11/11/2009 by BrentJS
Related: Tom Cruise | J.J. Abrams | Mission: Impossible 4 | Damon Lindelof
Tuesday, October 27
Looks like J.J. Abrams won't return to direct Mission: Impossible 4, which is currently being scripted. "I'm producing with Tom [Cruise]," Abrams told MTV. "My guess is, given other things, that I will not be directing the movie."
Ironically, the entire M:I 4 project came together out of Cruise's desire to reunite with Abrams.
Tom asked if I'd be interested in working with him again. I didn't have a sense of what the story would be, but very quickly this idea came to mind, and Tom reacted to it in a way that got me excited, and then we got [Alias writers] André [Nemec] and Josh [Appelbaum] to come onboard, and they began developing the idea with us.
I don't want to give anything away yet, but I will say that it's a story that will feel consistent with the world that has been created. It's not a reboot kind of thing.
So what are the "other things" that would make Abrams unavailable to direct M:I 4? Besides Star Trek 2, Abrams wouldn't mind working on a Superman movie. Abrams wrote an infamous Superman script back in 2002, when fanboy-hater Brett Ratner was set to direct, but his script was never used and the Superman Returns debacle was made instead. Abrams told MTV that returning to Superman would "be a blast."
Writing that script was a long process. It was a very passionate character for me. As a kid growing up it meant a lot to me. It would be wonderful and fun to see that brought back. I don't know what Warners is thinking or what their plan is. It would be a blast.
No one has talked to me about it. Obviously I'm sure Warner Brothers has a plan for what they want to do.
So far, Warners' "plan" has been to have "no current plans" to make a Superman movie.
Posted 10/27/2009 by Ryan
Related: Tom Cruise | J.J. Abrams | Superman Returns | Mission: Impossible 4 | Josh Appelbaum | Andre Nemec
Sunday, October 11
There hasn't been much news about the fourth installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, but the production is inching along. It was announced in June that Mission: Impossible IV was moving forward, with both J.J. Abrams and Tom Cruise attached. However, it was not made clear whether both men were only producing or if they would also be returning to direct and star, respectively. In August, it was announced that Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec were hired to write the screenplay, based on Abrams' idea.
Now, Abrams has revealed that Mission: Impossible IV may feature characters and actors from the original TV series.
How cool would that be? I just got a call that Peter Graves is in great shape, which would be a very bizarre bend in the space-time continuum, for obvious reasons. I almost feel like you could make him serious again and bring him back. Whether it's [Leonard] Nimoy, who I have an incredible affinity for, or Graves or anyone, we'll see. I actually tried to get Martin Landau in Mission 3, in a very small little moment just for fun, and was told that he had no interest in doing it.
Of those mentioned, Nimoy is the most likely of the group to agree to appear in M:I IV because of his relationship with Abrams: He recently reprised the role of Spock in the Abrams-directed Star Trek relaunch, and he played the pivotal role of William Bell in Abrams' TV series, Fringe.
Abrams admitted to having a lot of irons in the fire, but said he is "hard at work on Star Trek 2 and Mission: Impossible IV." In addition to Fringe and a new, unnamed TV show pilot, Abrams is producing Morning Glory, starring Harrison Ford and Rachel McAdams, due out in 2010.
Posted 10/11/2009 by BrentJS
Related: Leonard Nimoy | J.J. Abrams | Martin Landau | Peter Graves | Mission: Impossible 4
Monday, August 10
Plans for a fourth film in the Mission: Impossible franchise are picking up steam. It was only a few weeks ago that it was announced that J.J. Abrams will be joining Tom Cruise in making Mission: Impossible IV. Abrams directed Mission: Impossible III, but it's unclear at this point whether he will also be directing M:I IV or whether he's only producing.
Now, there is news that M:I IV is one step closer to being actualized as Cruise and Abrams have hired Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec to write the screenplay for the film based on an Abrams idea. While they are relative unknowns in motion picture circles, Applebaum and Nemec were co-executive producers on the Abrams-created TV series Alias for four seasons. Abrams told Variety:
I’ve been looking forward to working with Josh and Andre again for years. Their sense of balance between character and action is wonderful, which I know is hugely important to Tom (Cruise) as well. We’re off to an exciting start, so, as usual, fingers crossed.
Cruise is actively involved in the production process of M:I IV, but there's no word whether he will star in the film as Ethan Hunt, his character from the first three films.
Next Showing: Mission: Impossible IV is currently slated for a 2012 release
Posted 8/10/2009 by BrentJS
Related: Tom Cruise | J.J. Abrams | Mission: Impossible 4
Thursday, June 11
Both Tom Cruise and Mission: Impossible III director J. J. Abrams will return for the fourth entry in the series. At this point, though, Abrams is only signed to produce. He told TV Guide:
I am incredibly honored that Tom has invited me back as a producer on Mission: Impossible 4. Tom and I have come up with a really cool idea we are pursuing.
Abrams may still sign on to direct M:I 4 or he may choose to direct the sequel to his summer hit, Star Trek.
Posted 6/11/2009 by Ryan
Related: Tom Cruise | J.J. Abrams | Mission: Impossible III | Star Trek | Mission: Impossible 4