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J.J. Abrams Spills Secretive 'Super 8' Plot Details

'We don't want to be so silent or coy that people don't care,' he tells Los Angeles Times.
By Eric Ditzian


Kyle Chandler in "Super 8"
Photo: Paramount Pictures

Since last spring, J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg have successfully maintained an impressive level of secrecy around "Super 8." Even a teaser trailer that played in front of "Iron Man 2" last May didn't tell us much beyond the fact that the film involves the mysterious Area 51 facility and the escape of some kind of pissed-off creature.

But with the film's widely discussed Super Bowl commercial, the filmmakers have begun reluctantly pulling back the veil on the summer release. And for the first time, Abrams has talked publically about the late-'70s plot details and the film's creative genesis.

"This is a movie about overcoming loss and finding your way again and finding your own voice," he told the Los Angeles Times. "A boy who's lost his mother and the man who's lost his wife. There's this father who, because of the era, never really had to be the parent. He's a good man, he works hard, he's a deputy in the town, but he's never stepped up as father."

Set in Ohio in 1979, the movie follows six kids who are using a Super 8 camera to make a zombie flick. One night, they end up filming near a set of train tracks and capture a calamitous wreck — the same one first revealed in last year's teaser trailer — and the alien creature that emerges from the wreckage.

Revealing those details was as far as Abrams, who wrote and directed the film, was willing to go at this point. Ideally, he said, he would disclose next to nothing about "Super 8," which Paramount Pictures seems to be positioning as a 21st Century ode to Spielberg's "E.T."

"To me, all people need to know is that it's an adventure about a small town and it's funny, it's sweet, it's scary and there's a mystery: What is this thing that has escaped? What are the ramifications of its presence? And what is the effect on people?" Abrams explained. "But I know that's not enough. Look, I feel we need a little bit of a coming-out party because we are up against massive franchises and brands and most people don't know what 'Super 8' means. We're a complete anomaly in a summer of huge films ... and we don't want to be so silent or coy that people don't care or don't hear about it."

Abrams was, however, willing to talk about how the picture came together. "Super 8" originated from two separate ideas — one about a group of kids filming the world around them with a video camera and the other about an accident following the transfer of materials from Area 51. That combination, Abrams said, put Spielberg in the mind of "E.T.," which told a sci-fi story in tandem with a tale about the breakdown of a family unit following divorce. While Abrams is confident he's got a gem on his hands, he's begun speaking publically about "Super 8" because he doesn't want that gem to get lost in a summer filled with the likes of "Captain America: The First Avenger" and "Transformers: Dark of the Moon."

"We have such a challenge on this movie," Abrams said. "Yes, we've got Steven's name on it and my name on it — for what that's worth — but we've got no famous superhero, we've got no pre-existing franchise or sequel, it's not starring anyone you've heard of before. There's no book, there's no toy, there's no comic book. There's nothing. I don't have anything; I don't even have a board game, that's how bad it is. But I think we have a very good movie."

Check out everything we've got on "Super 8."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Ashley Tisdale On The Set Of ?High Stakes?

Here's 'High School Musical' star Ashley Tisdale on the set of her new movie, 'High Stakes.' Here's a description of it:
Sharpay and her pet dog, Boi, travel to New York City for a role in a Broadway hit, only to discover the part wasn't what she expected.
From the wardrobe, I'm guessing this is a campy-type of comedy that's meant to appeal to the Disney crowd (and I don't mean that in a snarky way). I'm tempted to see it just for the dog: what a cutie :)Photos by INF Continue reading

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Justin Bieber's Next Album To Capture Justin Timberlake's Magic

Songwriter Sean Garrett says former 'NSYNC star's success inspires Bieber's new project and also dishes on Beyoncé's album.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Justin Bieber
Photo: Getty Images

Justin Bieber may have declined the chance to join Justin Timberlake's label, but according to a songwriter in the know, the former 'NSYNC crooner is the inspiration for the teen sensation's upcoming album.

Songwriter Sean "The Pen "Garrett, who has been working with Bieber on the follow-up to the chart-ruling My World 2.0., spoke with Billboard about the direction for the teen superstar's forthcoming album, saying the project will feature more grown-up fare.

"What we're trying to do with Justin is to segue him into young adulthood," Garrett said of the project, which is also slated to feature production from hitmaker Christopher "Tricky" Stewart. "The one great thing about Justin Bieber is the fact that his fans are going to grow with him. So we want all the fans that started out with him to still be intrigued and excited about him, but we want to also stretch out a little bit and make the fans that are 22-23 years old love Justin as well. When Justin Timberlake went from the last album of *N Sync to his first solo album -- I want to say [we're aiming for] that level. That's the bar for the type of song, that level of 'Cry Me a River,' big records."

Garrett, who has crafted records for stars like Chris Brown and Bieber's mentor Usher, also said he's hard at work on Beyoncé's next project. However, the songwriter didn't divulge too much information, only revealing that he's "been working with her extremely hard ... she's my favorite."

While Garrett said the plan for his next outing is to angle Bieber toward a swiftly maturing audience, Bieber himself has refused to categorize his music, insisting to MTV News in December that he's just focused on creating quality records.

"Whatever comes out of my mouth is just what you guys are going to hear," Bieber explained of his hits. "I don't know, it's not a specific type of music. Whatever music I write, I wouldn't say I'm pop or R&B or country or anything: I would just say it's just good music,"

What do you think Justin Bieber's new music is going to sound like? Let us know in the comments!

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Justin Bieber Spits 'Won't Stop' Rap Live For MTV

Pop star says he wrote rhymes, which appear on Sean Kingston's new mixtape, King of Kingz.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway


Justin Bieber
Photo: Brian Phares/MTV News

Justin Bieber might be a teen singer, but he also has some rapping game. Last week, his lyrical skills were featured on the track "Won't Stop" off Sean Kingston's new mixtape, King of Kingz. On it, Bieber blasts those who might not believe in his staying power.

When he stopped by Friday to chat with MTV News, the pop star revealed that he was the one who penned those inspirational words: "It was a while ago. I did it in the studio. I wrote it though, just letting you guys know," he shared. "Probably all you haters saying, 'He didn't write that.' I wrote it."

He then spit the bars back to reporter Sway Calloway, without missing a beat, live in the MTV newsroom. "Yeah they talk, yeah they talk/ They don't walk the walk I walk/ I won't stop 'til I drop, until then I reach the top/ I'mma walk to where I need to be, walk the path of destiny/ Definitely been neglected but God is always testing me" he rapped. "Rest in peace to all the men that died who were protecting me/ People in this world just want to let it be/ John Lennon made it different/ Don't just let it be, set it free."

This isn't the first time Bieber has displayed his rap skills. He frequently raps Ludacris' verses when performing "Baby" live, and he released a rap track last year under the moniker Shawty Mane. "I just do it for fun. I just mess around. It's something I like to do," he explained.

In November, he told us, "You know, Justin Bieber is not a rapper, and it would just be lame if I came out rapping.

"It's lame anyway because I'm a pop singer, but I thought it was funny. I just did it as a joke. It wasn't like anything serious."

Would you like to hear more of Justin Bieber rapping? Tell us in the comments!

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Fergie Defends Christina Aguilera's Anthem Botch Job

Fergie Defends Christina Aguilera's Anthem Botch Job

While it seems like the whole world is coming down on Christina Aguilera for messing up the words to "The Star Spangled Banner" at Sunday's Super Bowl, she's got a supporter in fellow-Big-Game-performer Fergie.

"You know what? It's such a huge venue, your nerves take a hold of you," the Black Eyed Peas star said on Dan Patrick's radio show. "I completely understand. She's one of the best singers of our time. Nobody can take that away from you... But you get nervous at these things. We're human."

Fergie said that she, too, had troubles with her performance in Arlington. "Some of my notes were pitchy to me," said the Half-Time Show singer. Still, she said, she loved every minute of it. "It was so exhilarating. The whole thing. it was so big. That's a once-in-a-lifetime thing."

As for Aguilera, the superstar apologized on Monday for flubbing the words to the National Anthem.

"I got so caught up in the moment of the song that I lost my place," Aguilera said in a statement. "I can only hope that everyone could feel my love for this country and that the true spirit of its anthem still came through."

Should Christina Aguilera be forgiven for her Super Bowl mishap? Chime in below!

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