From Metro:
The hottest producer/writer/director in Hollywood just knocked another one right out of the park with “Super 8,” which topped the weekend box office with $37 million in its debut. But what is it about J.J. Abrams’ projects that make them so irresistible? We consider the key traits...
Here are the traits:
Check out the entire discussion over at Metro.
From Digital Spy:
Actor Joel Courtney has revealed that his only goal was to star in a commercial before he landed the lead role in Super 8.
The 15-year-old went to Los Angeles to visit his brother, hoping to get an audition for a commercial, according to The Playlist. However, he ultimately ended up being cast in JJ Abrams's highly-secretive film.
"I'd had like, six acting classes before [being cast]," Courtney said, "I've only wanted to act for like, a year and a half, it's my brother who's wanted to act for a long time... I wanted to get an audition for a commercial and $100, that was my goal for the summer."
He continued: "And, uh, I got Super 8."
My school bought out two theaters in my hometown and threw me a big surprise midnight opening.
They dressed in orange (my favorite color) and made a gauntlet for me.
220 people showed up. We could have packed out at least 2 more theaters, but that's all the "Super 8" films that they had available at our small town theater!
And this is me with the staff of the Eastside Cinemas who hosted the event (thanks, Mike!).
Here's me with world-famous author N.D. Wilson. He's well known for the best selling kids book series "100 Cupboards" (soon to be a film series!) and has a new blockbuster book series coming out: "Ashtown Burials". Here's a little piece of trivia: N.D. Wilson graduated from the same school that I attend!
Here's everyone waiting until 11:45pm to get into the theater.
As you can tell, the line was out the door for the midnight showing.
My classmates got their choice of seats in theater #1.
Mrs. Mahaffy is a former teacher at my school, and she's a huge Kyle Chandler fan. I got an autograph from Kyle for her at the premiere.
Here's everyone in Theater #2 getting ready to see "Super 8".
Here I am with classmates, getting ready for the midnight opening.
Mike (manager of the theater) let me introduce "Super 8" to everyone there right before showing it.
Everyone who came got an autographed "Super 8" poster.
Finally, here's a picture of me with the President of Beloved Pictures, Caleb Applegate (and his wife, Shawna).
From the L.A. Times:
As 15-year-old Joel Courtney, who has the largest role of any teen in the film, came to understand it: "‘E.T.’ kind of brings a little bit of sci-fi to it. ‘Goonies’ brings that group of kids to it. And ‘Jaws’ and ‘Jurassic Park’ brings that terror to it."
From Hollywood Outbreak:
Any aspiring young actor would kill for a chance to star in a movie. For Joel Courtney, who is only 15 years old, his dream came true. He currently stars in Super 8, which will be the number one film at the box office this weekend. The film was directed J.J. Abrams and produced by iconic director Steven Spielberg. Not bad to work with two of the most creative people in Hollywood. Courtney told Hollywoodoutbreak.com that it was a blast to work with them both, and that he loves Spielberg’s classic movies and Abrams’ films as well.
