Paramount Pictures Unhappy With J.J. Abrams Returning To Star Wars

As you may know already, J.J. Abrams is back to directing Star Wars: Episode IX after the departure of Colin Trevorrow. Well it sounds like rival studio Paramount Pictures is unhappy with the move as it means Abrams is unable to direct any movies for them in the foreseeable future until Episode IX is finished in late 2019.

As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos is upset that Abrams will not be available for the next few years.

The studio had hoped Abrams would direct a few more movies for them since they have seen a slump over the last couple of years.

Paramount Pictures has partnered with Abrams since 2006 and he has directed a lot of movies for them over the years. This includes Mission Impossible 3, Super 8, Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness.

He's produced several other films for Paramount too including the Cloverfield films and Star Trek Beyond. However, the problem is that he has not directed for Paramount since 2013 thanks to Disney/Lucasfilm.

Abrams was unable to direct Star Trek Beyond thanks to him getting poached to direct Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Now he has been poached again and cannot direct another Star Trek movie. Star Wars: Episode IX will be Abrams' main priority now.

Unlike Disney/Warner Bros, Paramount Pictures does not own any comic book characters or franchises as popular as Star Wars.

Their biggest franchise so far is the Transformers series, although the negative reception has made audience members shy away from it. In either case, Abrams won't be able to direct a hit for Paramount until post 2019

Wanna read more on this? Check these out: The First Social Media Reactions Are In For Star Wars: The Last Jedi And They're Positive (more); Daisy Ridley Cried (With Joy) About J.J. Abrams Coming Back For Star Wars: Episode IX (more); Kathleen Kennedy Would Like Taika Waititi To Direct A Star Wars Movie (more); New Star Wars Trilogy Won't Be Based On KOTOR (more).

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