J.J. Abrams' upcoming fantasy movie, previously known as Ghostwriter, has been officially titled 'The Great Beyond' according to the WGA Directory. The project stars Glen Powell, Jenna Ortega, Emma Mackey, and Samuel L. Jackson, and is currently in post-production. No release date has been announced yet.
J.J. Abrams, renowned for directing films like Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Trek, is behind his first directorial effort since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. The Great Beyond, a star-studded fantasy project written and directed by Abrams, was first announced in May 2024 under the working title Ghostwriter. It falls under the adventure, action, and dramatic genres, with cinematographer James Friend, known for All Quiet on the Western Front and Ballad of a Small Player, on board.
Casting began in August 2024 with Glen Powell, star of Twisters and The Running Man, and Jenna Ortega, from Wednesday and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, attached to lead roles. Emma Mackey, recognized from Sex Education and Barbie, joined in November 2024, followed by Samuel L. Jackson, famed for The Avengers and Pulp Fiction, in April 2025. Production, handled by Abrams' Bad Robot company and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, filmed in Edinburgh and Glasgow in June 2025 before moving to Cranston and Providence, Rhode Island, in August, wrapping on August 25, 2025.
Details remain scarce, aligning with Abrams' signature mystery-box style. Rumors suggest the story follows a fantasy author who discovers his created mythical world is real, possibly set in the 1980s with retro-futuristic and sci-fi elements. This could appeal to fans awaiting projects like the next Cloverfield installment or filling the void after Stranger Things concludes on Netflix. As the film enters post-production, anticipation builds for more reveals from this A-list ensemble.
