JJ Abrams Talks SUPER 8

Fanboys and bloggers alike have been a buzz after watching the first live action aired footage from JJ Abrams Super 8 during Super Bowl XLV. The writer/ director of the project has been very quiet about the films plot and has not spoken to anyone about the specifics, other than people who have worked on the movie, since airing a small teaser last summer. In an interview with  Herocomplex the man in charge finally loosened his lips on the extraterrestrial based film that takes place in a small town. He is not too descriptive at first, but he lets some great details fly as the interview goes on.

“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,” Abrams said. “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,” Abrams said. “A boy who’s lost his mother and the man who’s 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.”

As he gives us a bit more info it’s nice to see that he intends for his film to have some heart. One of my favorite parts from 2008′s Cloverfield is that there was more to it than the giant monster. The fact that this guys is going through all of this peril to find his love was a nice touch for me. The loss of family is a heavy subject and the task of making it relevant in an alien movie will make or break the story of the film. To watch the thirty-two second TV spot you can notice many young actors in the film. How hard is it to work with a young cast?

“It was a little bit like being a parent where you kind of have to herd this group,” Abrams said. “They were all incredibly distinct and just amazing to work with. Two of the main kids had never been on the set of anything before. … I have to tell you after the first day or two I was horrified. It just took them 48 hours, though, to go from being complete neophytes to being on their way. It was incredible to watch, and as scary as it was for me I can’t imagine how scary it was for them.”

Abrams does seem to be full aware of the difficulty of releasing a film like this against this summers blockbusters on June 10, 2011, but he definitely has the passion for the project to win some movie goers over.

”We have such a challenge on this movie,” Abrams said. ”Yes, we’ve got Steven’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 think that he is selling himself a bit short. There are many people on the web excited that this is another JJ Abrams film. The man seems to have a good head on his shoulders and does make some good points on the marketing end. No toys or games can hurt, but we do live in a world where a film about social networking can be the front runner for best picture and I don’t own a Mark Zuckerberg toy. Knowing a little more of the meat of the plot has made me more interested today than yesterday. If Abrams ability to bring a little soul into Super 8 is anything like what he brought to Cloverfield, then I’m sold.

What do you think about the details? Post below.