With a C.V. that includes the likes of Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, J.J. Abrams has amassed quite the reputation for his franchise work. However, it seems he’s grown a little tired of working on sequels and remakes, and is now looking to focus on original ideas.
“You know, I feel incredibly lucky to have gotten involved in things that I loved when I was a kid,” Abrams told People following the Golden Globes. “In fact, even Westworld, which we’re here for tonight, is one of them. But I don’t feel any desire to do that again. I feel like I’ve done enough of that that I’m more excited about working on things that are original ideas that perhaps one day someone else will have to reboot.”
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“You know, I do think that if you’re telling a story that is not moving anything forward, not introducing anything that’s relevant, that’s not creating a new mythology or an extension of it, then a complete remake of something feels like a mistake,” he continued. “But film is a fairly young medium and there are stories that have lasted for centuries. And it’s not uncommon, I think, for stories to be retold — whether it’s at campfire or on film, but I think you always have to be additive. You can’t just be remaking something just for the sake of remaking it.”
Are you excited about the prospect of Abrams branching out into more original material? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
Originally published January 15, 2017. Updated April 15, 2018.
