J.J. Abrams and Bad Robot are set to produce an untitled sci-fi movie for Sony Pictures that will be directed by Chris Alender, multiple individuals familiar with the project have told TheWrap.
While plot details are being kept under wraps, the script features aliens and is reminiscent of “Cloverfield” in terms of both tone and budget.
Alender will make his directorial debut, having previously directed the well-received short film “Eye of the Storm.” He also operates his own company, Soapbox Films.
Justin Doble wrote the most recent draft of the script, which came with Alender’s sizzle reel, look-book and an action-heavy five-minute teaser scene to help executives visualize the project.
The top-secret genre film was previously set up at Paramount, where Bad Robot has struggled to get several lower-budget projects off the ground. When Abrams persuaded the studio to let it go, Sony’s Michael De Luca pounced and he’ll now oversee the project for the studio, which offered aggressive progress-to-production language in its deal.
The news was first reported by Deadline.
