Filmmaker J.J. Abrams achieved peak Geekdom when he directed both the Star Trek reboot and the Star Wars sequels. The filmmaker was known for his shows Lost and Fringe, as well as for helming the action film Mission Impossible III. The director has also dabbled in multiple other franchises, including writing a Superman script in the early 2000s.
Abrams has confessed that he was a geek in his childhood and that while other kids would indulge in sports, he would film explosions and examine how electronic parts worked. He mentioned that he had sent a letter to makeup and prosthetics legend Dick Smith, who sent him back a prop tongue from The Exorcist.
J.J. Abrams Received A Crazy Prop From The Exorcist’s Makeup Artist
J.J. Abrams reportedly had extensive access to the industry as his father was a TV producer. The filmmaker mentioned in an interview with The Guardian that his father initially forbade him from entering the industry despite working in it as he felt that he would be paying for Abrams his whole life.
The filmmaker revealed that he was not a sporty kid and spent his childhood learning how to make films and working with the camera. He mentioned that while other kids his age were playing, he would film explosions and work on prosthetics for his films.
J.J. Abrams also mentioned that he would constantly be in correspondence with noted industry legends such as makeup artist Dick Smith, who won the Academy Award for Amadeus and had provided his skills for The Exorcist. Abrams reportedly received a prop from Smith from the acclaimed horror film as a gift. He said to The Guardian,
Dick Smith sent me a little cardboard box with a tongue inside. It was one of the fake tongue extensions from The Exorcist, with a note saying, ‘Just stick a dab of peanut butter on the end and put it on. ‘I was like, ‘Holy s*it!’
The filmmaker reportedly also sent a finger-puppet contraption to Steven Spielberg after watching Jaws. While the legendary director did not respond to him then, they would go on to collaborate on the film Super 8.
J.J. Abrams Was Not A Huge Fan Of Star Trek When He Directed The Reboot
J.J. Abrams is one of the few directors who has been at the forefront of multiple culturally significant franchises. The filmmaker started out as a screenwriter and showrunner and became known for his shows Fringe, Alias, and Lost before he was tapped by Tom Cruise to helm Mission Impossible III.
However, Abrams’ most high-profile project came with the 2009 reboot of Star Trek. After the ending of shows such as The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and more, Abrams was tapped to revive interest in the franchise with a reboot of the film. However, the director admitted that he was not the biggest fan of the franchise when he started out.
Star Trek always felt like a silly, campy thing. I remember appreciating it, but feeling like I didn’t get it. I felt it didn’t give me a way in. There was a captain, there was this first officer, they were talking a lot about adventures and not having them as much as I would’ve liked. Maybe I wasn’t smart enough, maybe I wasn’t old enough. But The Twilight Zone I was obsessed with. Loved it.
After helming two films in the franchise, J.J. Abrams would go on to restart the Skywalker saga with the sequel trilogy of Star Wars films.
Star Trek (2009) is available to stream on Paramount+.
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