The Throwback

The idea of J.J. Abrams paying stylistic homage to cinema master Steven Spielberg-specifically the 70's and 80's period-for his next flick sounds interesting....

Vulture reports that the pic "will deal with everyday people whose personal relationships are tested when they are thrown up against extraordinarily fantastic - and possibly other-worldly - events."--a la “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “E.T.” and “The Sugarland Express.” An insider calls the project "an interpretation of some of Spielberg's earlier films, but done in a personal way."

Spielberg may serve as either executive producer or a mentor on the project. The pic's title and plot details are being kept top secret (Cloverfield anyone?), but Vulture's source calls the film "the anti-Avatar " in that Abrams wants to do a genre film in a "fiscally responsible" way.

So what does all this mean for the Star Trek Sequel which Abrams has not yet formally committed to directing?

TrekMovie points out: "For the Star Trek sequel to make its delivery date of June 29, 2012, production would have to start no later than the Summer of 2011. That still gives Abrams time to direct another film, especially if it is a lower budget film, and then return to directing Star Trek. However, if Abrams commits to another project that is going to bleed well into 2011, he will have no choice but to bring in a new director for the Star Trek sequel."

Abrams not calling action on Trek II is a concern only because I can't think of anyone else right now to fill that possible void--But I love the idea of Anti-tar--because it goes against the current trend in Hollywood. Abrams already proved he can buck conventional wisdom once last year year with Trek I have faith he can do it again--and he still might have time for Trek