Crash And Burn - The JJ Abrams Story

Overview

This episode delves into the meteoric rise and catastrophic fall of J.J. Abrams, once hailed as the heir to Steven Spielberg and a master of franchise revival. From his early days as a young filmmaker to his pivotal roles in rebooting Star Trek and Star Wars, the episode explores how Abrams' reliance on spectacle, nostalgia, and rapid-fire stupidity ultimately led to his downfall, culminating in the disastrous reception of The Rise of Skywalker.

Notable Quotes

- Somehow Palpatine returned. – A critique of Abrams' simplistic and nonsensical storytelling in The Rise of Skywalker.

- He was Spielberg's heir apparent, only to become a modern-day Ed Wood. – On Abrams' dramatic fall from grace.

- You can only hide your shortcomings for so long before people finally figure out who and what you are. – A reflection on Abrams' career trajectory.

🎥 Early Aspirations and Spielberg Connection

- Abrams grew up immersed in the entertainment industry, making amateur films with childhood friend Matt Reeves.

- A chance opportunity to restore Steven Spielberg's old 8mm films led to a lifelong mentorship with the legendary director.

- His early career included writing for Taking Care of Business and Armageddon, though these projects were met with mixed success.

📺 TV Success and the Hand-Off Pattern

- Abrams co-created Alias (2001) and Lost (2004), both of which became cultural phenomena.

- However, his tendency to start ambitious projects and leave others to finish them became a recurring theme, foreshadowing issues in his later career.

🚀 Franchise Revivals: Star Trek and Star Wars

- Abrams revitalized Star Trek in 2009, shifting its focus from intellectual themes to action-packed spectacle. While commercially successful, critics noted its rapid-fire stupidity and lack of depth.

- Disney tapped Abrams to helm The Force Awakens (2015), which leaned heavily on nostalgia and simplistic storytelling. Despite its massive box office success, it set the stage for the divisive sequel trilogy.

⚡ The Last Jedi Fallout and Rise of Skywalker Disaster

- Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi (2017) polarized fans, leaving Abrams to unfix the damage with The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

- Abrams' attempt to please everyone resulted in a film criticized for its incoherent plot, over-reliance on nostalgia, and lack of creative risks.

- The infamous Somehow Palpatine returned line became emblematic of the film's shallow writing.

📉 The Fall and Reflection on Abrams' Legacy

- The failure of The Rise of Skywalker marked the end of Abrams' reign as Hollywood royalty, with his career stalling in the years that followed.

- The episode argues that Abrams' ambition to be the next Spielberg clashed with his limitations as a filmmaker, better suited for lightweight action and spectacle.

- A potential redemption may lie in his upcoming project, Ghost Writer, though his reputation remains tarnished.