With J.J. Abrams’s success and popularity has come great clout, and as a result, his production company, Bad Robot, has become Hollywood’s busiest development beehive. It seems like every day the trades announce another new project from Abrams and Co.; often it’s a trademark twisty sci-fi or action movie, but it could just as easily be something from any other genre: a disaster film, highbrow literary adaptation, frothy romantic comedy — it’s all covered. In order to keep up-to-date on all these deals and productions, we’ve created this Bad Robot Project Tracker, which lists every project on its slate, and which we’ll update as new movies and TV shows arise, and new developments occur in existing ones.
Roger Michel (Notting Hill) directs The Devil Wears Prada adaptrix Aline Brosh McKenna’s script, which pits soft-news morning-show anchor Diane Keaton against gruff Mike Wallace–type Harrison Ford (“I’m not saying the word ‘fluffy’”), with Rachel McAdams in the middle.
Status: In theaters November 12.
J.J. Abrams teams up with producer-muse Steven Spielberg for the most anticipated genre movie of next year. Details are under wraps, but rumor has it that it’s about three kids in the eighties who discover an alien in footage they shot with their Super 8 camera. Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning, Ron Eldard, and Noah Emmerich will star.
Status: Currently shooting in Weirton, West Virginia, doubling for seventies Rust Belt Ohio. Scheduled for summer 2011 release.
Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) and Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) were bandied about as potential directors, but the job of inheriting the franchise from Abrams ultimately went to Pixar MVP Brad Bird (Ratatouille, The Incredibles). It will be Bird’s live-action debut. Script by Alias vets Andre Nemec and Josh Applebaum from a story brainstorm by Abrams and producer-star Tom Cruise.
Status: Casting.
By his own estimation, this is Cloverfield–helmer Matt Reeves’s most likely follow-up to Let Me In.
Status: In development.
An as-yet-unveiled story idea cooked up by the team of 27 Dresses writer McKenna, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith and X-Men: Last Stand writer Kinberg. Whatever it is, Paramount bought it for $2 million.
Status: Scripting.
The return of Sensurround? Writers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis (both Lost and Felicity alums) plan to challenge Roland Emmerich’s disaster-movie reign.
Status: Scripting.
Pan-generational sex comedy from Jay Dyer, a Californication writer and Andy Richter Controls the Universe vet.
Status: Purchased script.
A purportedly realistic take on the heist movie for a post–Ocean’s Eleven world, from Field of Dreams writer-director Phil Alden Robinson. The film is based on an actual 2003 Antwerp diamond grab, which either netted an Italian gang $100 million in jewels or was the insurance scam of the century. Based on a Wired article by Joshua Davis.
Status: Optioned.
All talk, little action, it seems. Whatever work is being done, original Cloverfield writer Drew Goddard (a Lost and small-screen Buffy alum) is likely doing it. Details, of course, are nonexistent.
Status: In development.
An adaptation of a Marvel comic based on a 1976 American toy line that itself was based on a Japanese toy line.
Status: In development.
An adaptation of Colum McCann’s National Book Award–winning novel, a multicharacter New York drama set against the backdrop of Philip Petit’s World Trade Center trapeze act in 1974.
Status: In development.
Having completely upended more than 40 years of Trek canon in two hours, writers Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, and Damon Lindelof prepare the next voyage. Rumors of an appearance of a resurrected old Captain Kirk persist, at least at the Shatner household.
Status: In development.
A take on Penelope Green’s New York Times feature about wealthy real-estate baron parents who turn their apartment into a 24/7 scavenger hunt for their kids.
Status: Offers are out to writers.
An adaptation of Paul Guinan and Anina Bennett’s website turned coffee table book about a Victorian soldier-of-fortune automaton (the word robot wasn’t coined yet).
Status: In development.
Lost director Jack Bender is developing this thriller about two teens who emerge from a closet make-out session at a party to find the rest of the guests dead.
Status: In development.
A proposed network series about San Francisco’s famous home for troubled adults, written by Elizabeth Sarnoff (Lost, Deadwood).
Status: Pilot commitment at Fox.
A “crime-related” series created by Christopher Nolan’s equally secretive co-writer and sibling Jonathan, a.k.a. Jonah (who co-wrote The Dark Knight and The Prestige). Details are vague.
Status: Pilot commitment at CBS.
Lost odd couple Terry O’Quinn and Michael Emerson play former special-ops agents in a lighthearted drama.
Status: Out to networks.
