NBC greenlit this project from Alfonso Cuarón and J.J. Abrams, about a superpowered little girl who might save the world one day if nefarious forces don’t get their hands on her, and her protector two weeks ago. Here’s the first promo, which appears to be leaked, so just in case, watch it quick!

(via Screen Rant)

On Conan O’Brien last night J.J. Abrams was asked about the recent controversy over a moment of contrived near-nudity in Star Trek Into Darkness. And I actually respect Abrams’ response: he says that his intention was to do a quick joke in the midst of a bunch of action, but says “I don’t think I quite edited the scene in the right way,” and of those that felt the scene was exploitative “I can also see their point of view.” There are ways that the scene could have been directed or edited in a way that actually made it appear that Carol Marcus’ reaction to Kirk being a supercreep shamed or cowed him in, well, any way. If Abrams felt this scene was really the “balance” to a brief scene of Kirk post-coitus with two alien women, where his nudity before the opposite sex is a product of his sexual prowess, not something that he has just expressed a clear desire to avoid, I just wish he’d executed that better.

Abrams also shared a few seconds of Benedict Cumberbatch‘s character taking a shower, which was not included in the final cut of the movie. And since Cumberbatch is kind of a rising nerd property now (particularly among women), that clip is getting spread around quite widely, touted as the end to the argument. And I’d like to, just for a moment, talk about what this clip isn’t: it isn’t evidence that men and women’s bodies are treated equally in the movie.

In a recent interview Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy had some interesting things to say about secrecy and Star Wars mainly relating to how fans are an integral part of the franchise and “there are things you’re gonna want to make sure they get to know.” That would seem to be at odds with the modus operandi of director J.J. Abrams, which is basically not telling fans anything.

But Abrams isn’t in control now: Disney is. So will Episode VII be less hush-hush? Not so fast, says producer Bryan Burk.

This kind of thing needs to happen more often. I just have one tiny qualm with it, the fact that they used “where no man has gone” versus “no one.” I mean, come on, if you’re going to reference J.J. Abrams and use a Kindle, you’re not sticking that close to classic Trek.

(via Blastr)

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When Alfonso Cuarón and J.J. Abrams get together to work on a television show, you shouldn’t be surprised that it gets picked up. But, nevertheless, it’s pretty cool that Believe will be making its way to our screens, featuring, as it does, a prescient, telekinetic ten-year-old who picks out her own new guardian when her old ones can’t do the job anymore. And then it’s all just traveling around, doing good deeds while on the run from them. You know, them.

Tweeted by director Bryan Singer. What did you think I meant? (MTV)

Is it possible to look at this picture and not hear the opening chords of the Star Wars theme?

“I like being bought by Disney, because they never wanted to buy me before. I’m glad they are doing a new movie because they are sending a trainer to my house so I can get in really good shape. So I’m really eating a lot of sugar in advance, as you can see. By the time I really get down to it I will have eaten everything.” – Carrie Fisher speaking to and audience at the BMO Centre via the Calgary Herald.

A few months ago, Fisher seemingly spilled the beans about her involvement in the next Star Wars trilogy then her publicist spoke up to tell us she was only joking. But George Lucas went on record to say she’d basically been signed so we were extra confused. Disney CEO Bob Iger at least admitted there were “discussions.”

So how should we take this latest statement. Fisher is quite the comedian and obviously she was joking about being bought by Disney but them sending her a trainer seems logical if she’s expected to be physical in her role as Leia in J.J. Abrams’ film. An official announcement would be nice, Disney.

(via io9)

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J.J. Abrams is infamous for secrecy. Whether it was his hand in Lost, the biggest secret keeping show of all time, or perhaps most prominently now, the basic identity of Benedict Cumberbatch‘s villainous character in Star Trek Into Darkness, the director likes to keep his spoilers spoilery. The only other person in Hollywood who comes close might be Christopher Nolan.

But Abrams’ deal to make Star Wars VII isn’t just any old deal. He’s working for Disney now, and if there’s one thing they’re going to be watching very closely, its their historic revitalization of the Star Wars franchise. You should know what’s coming next: Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy talking about the need to embrace the fan culture that demands detail upon detail before the release of a movie.

Redditor dannynolan also posted pulp redesigns for The Great Gatsby, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Robinson Crusoe, and Tess of the d’Urbervilles, but this one of Pride and Prejudice is my favorite by a mile. Oh, Mr. Darcy! (via Flavorwire)