History Creator / JJAbrams

* ''Film/JoyRide'' (writer, producer) (2001)
* ''Series/{{Alias}}'' (2001-2006)

** ''Star Wars Episode VII: Film/TheForceAwakens'' (director, co-writer with Creator/LawrenceKasdan) (2013)
** ''Star Wars Episode VIII: Film/TheLastJedi'' (executive producer) (2015)
** ''Star Wars Episode IX: Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'' (director, co-writer with Creator/ChrisTerrio) (2019)

Jeffrey Jacob "J.J." Abrams (born June 27, 1966) is a producer, writer, and director with a kink for lens-flare.

He's known for his work on ''Series/{{Felicity}}'', ''Series/{{Alias}}'', ''Series/{{Lost}}'', ''Series/{{Fringe}}'', ''Film/{{Cloverfield}}'', ''Film/Armageddon1998'', ''Film/MissionImpossibleIII'', the ''Film/StarTrek2009'' film, its sequel ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' and ''Franchise/StarWars:'' ''Film/TheForceAwakens''. He has won several [[UsefulNotes/EmmyAward Emmys]] and [[UsefulNotes/GoldenGlobeAward Golden Globes]] during his roughly 20 year career in the industry.

Along with Creator/JossWhedon and Creator/ChristopherNolan, he is considered one of the most prolific modern "genre" TV/film creators since Creator/StevenSpielberg, including by Spielberg himself, who produced Abrams' tribute to 70s/80s Spielberg sci-fi movies, ''Film/Super8''.

He likes red balls and playing with the perception of time, as well as having a thing for {{Lens Flare}}s. He hates airplanes (both ''Series/{{Lost}}'' and ''Series/{{Fringe}}'' have had more than one airline-related disaster--and the other stuff on the list of credits also have had aviation-related incidents).

Contrary to popular belief, his involvement in ''Series/{{Lost}}'' was marginal; Abrams and eventually Creator/DamonLindelof were asked to help flesh out a concept for the show when Creator/{{ABC}} chairman Lloyd Braun rejected Jeffrey Lieber's treatment, but by the time the first season started to take off, Abrams had already left to direct ''Film/MissionImpossibleIII''. Lindelof, suddenly left alone with the {{Showrunner}} burden, considered quitting too, but was convinced by former co-writer Carlton Cuse to stay. Cuse then joined the show as a second showrunner. Abrams remained an executive producer, and later briefly returned to write the season 3 premiere together with Lindelof, but as [[WordOfGod he and others stated in numerous interviews]] Lindelof and Cuse ran the show entirely without him.

Has a similar "shepherding" role to most TV series he is involved in, including ''Series/{{Fringe}}'' and ''Series/PersonOfInterest'', with his most hands-on projects being his movies. He also developed the concept for the novel ''[[Literature/SDorst S]]'', which was written by Doug Dorst.

Has the notable distinction of being the only director (so far) tapped to helm ''both'' a ''Franchise/StarTrek'' and a ''Franchise/StarWars'' movie -- with his involvement in the former series happening because the latter series had, at that time, ended. As of 2019, he's gotten to direct two of each.

* ''Film/Armageddon1998'' (writer) (the first time he's credited ''as'' J.J. Abrams)

* ''Series/{{Lost}}'' (producer, writer, director) (2004–10)

* ''Series/{{Revolution}}'' (2012–14)

* ''Film/Overlord2018'' (producer)

[[folder:Works he has credit in]]

* ''The Pallbearer'' (1996)

* ''The Suburbans'' (1999)

* ''Film/MissionImpossibleFilmSeries''
** ''Film/MissionImpossibleIII'' (director) (2006)
** ''Film/MissionImpossibleGhostProtocol'' (producer) (2011)
** ''Film/MissionImpossibleRogueNation'' (producer) (2015)
** ''Film/MissionImpossibleFallout'' (producer) (2018)
** ''Film/MissionImpossibleDeadReckoningPartOne'' (producer) (2023)

* ''Six Degrees'' (2006-2007)

* ''Series/TheOfficeUS'' (2007)

* ''Cloverfield'' (creator, producer)
** ''Film/{{Cloverfield}}'' (producer) (2008)
** ''Film/TenCloverfieldLane'' (producer) (2016)
** ''Film/TheCloverfieldParadox'' (producer) (2018)
** Untitled fourth ''Cloverfield'' sequel (writer, producer)
* ''Franchise/StarTrek''

* ''Series/{{Undercovers}}'' (2010)
* ''Film/MorningGlory'' (producer) (2010)

* ''Series/PersonOfInterest'' (producer) (2011–16)
* ''Series/{{Alcatraz}}'' (executive producer) (2012)
* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' (guest voice, one episode) (2012)
* ''Series/{{Revolution}}'' (2012–14)
* ''[[Literature/SDorst S.]]'' (Conceived by Abrams, written by Doug Dorst) (2013)
* ''Franchise/StarWars''

* ''Film/Overlord2018'' (producer)

* ''Series/{{Westworld}}'' (producer) (2016–2022)
* ''Series/CastleRock'' (producer) (2018–19)
* ''Series/LovecraftCountry'' (as producer) (2020)
* Untitled ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueDark'' series (producer)
* ''Duster'' (producer)
* ''The Heavy'' (producer)

----
!!J.J. Abrams and his works frequently contain examples of:

* DoingItForTheArt: He is a supporter of keeping film/celluloid cameras in use in Hollywood, alongside Creator/ChristopherNolan and Creator/QuentinTarantino. The three of them, and a few other filmmakers, even formed a coalition to "bail out" Kodak to keep film stock in production.

* ''Film/MissionImpossible''

* ''Series/{{Felicity}}'' (executive producer, co-creator)

* ''Series/{{Alcatraz}}'' (executive producer)

* ''Series/WhatAboutBrian''

** ''Film/MissionImpossibleGhostProtocol'' (producer)
** ''Film/MissionImpossibleRogueNation'' (producer)

** ''Film/MissionImpossibleDeadReckoningPartOne'' (producer)
* ''Series/{{Lost}}'' (producer, writer, director)

** ''Film/StarTrekBeyond'' (Writer and Producer)

* ''Series/PersonOfInterest'' (producer)

* ''Taking Care of Business'' (writer)
* ''Regarding Henry'' (writer)
* ''Film/ForeverYoung'' (writer)
* ''The Pallbearer''
* ''Film/GoneFishin'' (writer)
* ''The Suburbans''

* ''Film/JoyRide'' (writer, producer)
* ''Series/{{Undercovers}}''

* ''Series/{{Alias}}''

** ''Film/MissionImpossibleIII'' (director)

** ''Film/MissionImpossibleFallout'' (producer)

* ''Six Degrees''
* ''Series/JimmyKimmelLive'' (guest director, one episode)
* ''Series/TheOfficeUS''
* ''Series/{{Fringe}}'' (executive producer and writer)

** ''Film/{{Cloverfield}}'' (producer)
** ''Film/TenCloverfieldLane'' (producer)
** ''Film/TheCloverfieldParadox'' (producer)

** ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' (director)

* ''Anatomy of Hope''
* ''Film/MorningGlory'' (producer)
* ''Film/{{Super 8}}'' (director, writer)
* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' (guest voice, one episode)
* ''Series/{{Revolution}}''
* ''[[Literature/SDorst S.]]'' (Conceived by Abrams, written by Doug Dorst)

** ''Star Wars Episode VII: Film/TheForceAwakens'' (director, co-writer with Creator/LawrenceKasdan)
** ''Star Wars Episode VIII: Film/TheLastJedi'' (executive producer)
** ''Star Wars Episode IX: Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'' (director, co-writer with Creator/ChrisTerrio)

* ''Series/CastleRock'' (producer)
* ''Series/LovecraftCountry'' (as producer)
* ''Series/{{Westworld}}'' (producer)

* ''Film/Armageddon1998'' (writer) (the first time he's credited ''as'' J.J. Abrams)
* ''Series/{{Felicity}}'' (executive producer, co-creator)

* ''Series/{{Fringe}}'' (executive producer and writer)

* ''Film/MissionImpossibleIII'' (director)

* ''Series/{{Lost}}'' (producer, writer, director)

* ''Series/{{Fringe}}'' (executive producer and writer)

* ''Anatomy of Hope''

* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' (guest voice, one episode)
* ''Film/GoneFishin'' (writer)

* ''Series/JimmyKimmelLive'' (guest director, one episode)
* ''Film/JoyRide'' (writer, producer)
* Untitled ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueDark'' series (producer)
* ''[[Literature/TheShining Overlook]]'' (producer)
* ''[[Literature/SDorst S.]]'' (Conceived by Abrams, written by Doug Dorst)
* ''Shelter''
* ''Six Degrees''
* ''ComicBook/SpiderManBloodline'' (co-writer, with son Henry Abrams)
* ''The Catch''
* ''Series/WhatAboutBrian''

* ''Anatomy of Hope''
* ''Film/Armageddon1998'' (writer) (the first time he's credited ''as'' J.J. Abrams)
* ''Series/CastleRock'' (producer)

* ''Duster'' (producer)
* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' (guest voice, one episode)
* ''Series/{{Felicity}}'' (executive producer, co-creator)
* ''Film/ForeverYoung'' (writer)

* ''Film/GoneFishin'' (writer)
* ''The Heavy'' (producer)
* ''Series/JimmyKimmelLive'' (guest director, one episode)
* ''Film/JoyRide'' (writer, producer)
* Untitled ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueDark'' series (producer)

* ''Series/{{Lost}}'' (producer, writer, director)
* ''Film/MissionImpossibleIII'' (director)
** ''Film/MissionImpossibleGhostProtocol'' (producer)
** ''Film/MissionImpossibleRogueNation'' (producer)
** ''Film/MissionImpossibleFallout'' (producer)
** ''Film/MissionImpossibleDeadReckoningPartOne'' (producer)
* ''Film/MorningGlory'' (producer)

* ''Film/Overlord2018'' (producer)
* ''Series/PersonOfInterest'' (producer)
* ''Regarding Henry'' (writer)
* ''Series/{{Revolution}}''

* ''Film/StarTrek2009'' (director)
** ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' (director)
** ''Film/StarTrekBeyond'' (Writer and Producer)
* ''Star Wars Episode VII: Film/TheForceAwakens'' (director, co-writer with Creator/LawrenceKasdan)
** ''Star Wars Episode VIII: Film/TheLastJedi'' (executive producer)
** ''Star Wars Episode IX: Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'' (director, co-writer with Creator/ChrisTerrio)
* ''Film/{{Super 8}}'' (director, writer)
* ''Taking Care of Business'' (writer)

* ''Series/TheOfficeUS''
* ''The Pallbearer''
* ''The Suburbans''
* ''Series/{{Undercovers}}''
* ''Series/{{Westworld}}'' (producer)

Has the notable distinction of being the only director (so far) tapped to helm ''both'' a ''Franchise/StarTrek'' and a ''Franchise/StarWars'' movie -- with his involvement in the former series being due to the fact that the latter series had, at that time, ended. As of 2019, he's gotten to direct two of each.

* SciFiWritersHave/NoSenseOfDistance: His forays into space opera have shown that he has little concern about the scale of interplanetary and and interstellar distances, preferring to decide his visuals via RuleOfCool.

Jeffrey Jacob "J.J." Abrams (born June 27, 1966) is a producer, writer, director, and well-established hack with a kink for lens-flare.

* SciFiWritersHave/NoSenseOfDistance: His forays into space opera have shown that he has little concern about the scale of interplanetary and and interstellar distances, preferring to decide his visuals via RuleOfCool.

* ProductionPosse: His films have Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci as writers and Creator/MichaelGiacchino as composer. When he can, he will always try to fit Greg Grunberg[[note]]whom he considers a "good luck charm"[[/note]] or Simon Pegg in either a cameo or supporting role.

Has a similar "shepherding" role to most TV series he is involved in, including ''Series/{{Fringe}}'' and ''Series/PersonOfInterest'', With his most hands-on projects being his movies. He also developed the concept for the novel ''[[Literature/SDorst S]]'', which was written by Doug Dorst.

* ''Series/{{Shelter}}''

* ''Star Wars Episode VII: Film/TheForceAwakens'' (director, co-writer with Lawrence Kasdan)

** ''Star Wars Episode IX: Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'' (director, co-writer with Chris Terrio)

He's known for his work on ''Series/{{Felicity}}'', ''Series/{{Alias}}'', ''Series/{{Lost}}'', ''Series/{{Fringe}}'', ''Film/{{Cloverfield}}'', ''Film/Armageddon1998'', ''Film/MissionImpossibleIII'', the ''Film/StarTrek2009'' film, its sequel ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' and ''Franchise/StarWars:'' ''Film/TheForceAwakens''. He has won several [[UsefulNotes/EmmyAwards Emmys]] and [[UsefulNotes/GoldenGlobeAwards Golden Globes]] during his roughly 20 year career in the industry.

Jeffrey Jacob Abrams (born June 27, 1966) is a producer, writer, director, and well-established hack with a kink for lens-flare.

He'sknown for his work on ''Series/{{Felicity}}'', ''Series/{{Alias}}'', ''Series/{{Lost}}'', ''Series/{{Fringe}}'', ''Film/{{Cloverfield}}'', ''Film/Armageddon1998'', ''Film/MissionImpossibleIII'', the ''Film/StarTrek2009'' film, its sequel ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' and ''Franchise/StarWars:'' ''Film/TheForceAwakens''. He has won several Emmys and Golden Globes during his roughly 20 year career in the industry.

Along with Creator/JossWhedon and Creator/ChristopherNolan, he is considered one of the most prolific modern "genre" TV/film creators since Creator/StevenSpielberg, including by Spielberg himself, who produced Abrams' tribute to 70s/80s Spielberg sci-fi, ''Film/Super8''.

Contrary to popular belief, his involvement in ''Series/{{Lost}}'' was marginal: He and eventually Damon Lindelof were asked to help flesh out a concept for the show when ABC chairman Lloyd Braun rejected Jeffrey Lieber's treatment, but by the time the first season started to take off, Abrams had already left to direct ''Film/MissionImpossibleIII''. Lindelof, suddenly left alone with the {{Showrunner}} burden, considered quitting too, but was convinced by former co-writer Carlton Cuse to stay. Cuse then joined the show as a second showrunner. Abrams remained an executive producer, and later briefly returned to write the season 3 premiere together with Lindelof, but as [[WordOfGod he and others stated in numerous interviews]] Lindelof and Cuse ran the show entirely without him.

Jeffrey Jacob Abrams (born June 27, 1966) is a producer, writer and director.

He'sknown for his work on ''Series/{{Felicity}}'', ''Series/{{Alias}}'', ''Series/{{Lost}}'', ''Series/{{Fringe}}'', ''Film/{{Cloverfield}}'', ''Film/{{Armageddon}}'', ''Film/MissionImpossibleIII'', the ''Film/StarTrek2009'' film, its sequel ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' and ''Franchise/StarWars:'' ''Film/TheForceAwakens''. He has won several Emmys and Golden Globes during his roughly 20 year career in the industry.

* ''Film/{{Armageddon}}'' (writer) (the first time he's credited ''as'' J.J. Abrams)

Jeffrey Jacob Abrams (born June 27, 1966) is a producer, writer, director and creator known for his work on ''Series/{{Felicity}}'', ''Series/{{Alias}}'', ''Series/{{Lost}}'', ''Series/{{Fringe}}'', ''Film/{{Cloverfield}}'', ''Film/{{Armageddon}}'', ''Film/MissionImpossibleIII'', the ''Film/StarTrek2009'' film, its sequel ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' and ''Franchise/StarWars:'' ''Film/TheForceAwakens''. He has won several Emmys and Golden Globes during his roughly 20 years in the industry.

Along with Creator/JossWhedon and Creator/ChristopherNolan, he is considered one of the most prolific modern "genre" TV/film creators since Creator/StevenSpielberg, including by Spielberg himself, who produced Abrams' tribute to 70s/80s Spielberg sci-fi, ''Film/{{Super 8}}''.

[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jj-abrams1_7690.jpg]]

* SciFiWritersHave/NoSenseOfDistance: His forays into space opera have shown that he has serious issues grasping the scale of interplanetary and interstellar distances. ''Film/StarTrek2009'', ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' and ''Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'' all contain egregious examples of this trope but ''Film/TheForceAwakens'' takes it UpToEleven.

* ''Series/{{Felicity}}'' (executive producer)

* ''Film/{{Armageddon}}'' (writer)

* ''Forever Young'' (writer)

* ActionGirl: Occurs quite frequently. Alias and Fringe both star iconic women in action roles, Sydney Bristow, Olivia Dunham, [[Film/TenCloverfieldlane Michelle]] and [[Film/TheForceAwakens Rey]] respectively.

** [[ParentalIssues Daddy Issues]]. Whether it's Alias with the lead's dad's FaceHeelRevolvingDoor, killing off [[Film/StarTrek2009 James T Kirk's]] biological dad to introduce an abusive stepfather to his backstory, to Rey and Finn's antagonistic parental surrogates in ''Franchise/StarWars:'' ''Film/TheForceAwakens''.
* CreatorThumbprint: His films and shows feature the name "Kelvin," in honor of his grandfather.

* KillAndReplace: Tends to happen at least once per show with regards to a prominent side character, notable in the second seasons of both Alias and Fringe.

* MagicRealism: ''Alias'', ''Felicity'', and ''Lost'' all have elements of this. ''Lost'' is probably the best example.
* SciFiWritersHave/NoSenseOfDistance: His forays into space opera have shown that he has serious issues grasping the scale of interplanetary and interstellar distances. ''Film/StarTrek2009'', ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' and ''Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'' all contain egregious examples of this trope but ''Film/TheForceAwakens'' takes it UpToEleven.

* TheReveal[=/=]TeasingCreator: His frequent use of JigsawPuzzlePlots in his works involves keeping one element of a project under wraps during marketing to keep audiences guessing. After ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' took this approach with [[spoiler:Khan]], a backlash started to emerge against it.

* JigsawPuzzlePlot: His "Mystery Box" concept is built around keeping secrets and raising questions so that an audience will keep guessing. After ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' took this approach with [[spoiler:Khan]], a backlash started to emerge against it. The problem is that according to critics, he always [[AntiClimax forgets to put something interesting, satisfying or impactful in said box]] or [[TheUnreveal anything at all]], essentially leading audiences like donkeys with a carrot on a stick. That is not counting the possibility of TheChrisCarterEffect happening.

* TheReveal[=/=]TeasingCreator: His frequent use of JigsawPuzzlePlots in his works involves keeping one element of a project under wraps during marketing to keep audiences guessing.