J.J. Abrams' mystery film The Great Beyond, starring Glen Powell, Jenna Ortega, Emma Mackey, and Samuel L. Jackson, has confirmed plot details about a fantasy author discovering his created world is real. With production wrapped and post-production underway, the leads are busy with other high-profile projects.
Following the recent title confirmation of J.J. Abrams' long-awaited directorial project—previously Ghostwriter—as The Great Beyond (reported via World of Reel and WGA), new details have emerged on the storyline. The mystery-fantasy film centers on an author of popular fantasy novels who reveals that the mythical world he created is real, launching the lead character (Glen Powell) on a quest. Further plot specifics remain under Abrams' signature mystery-box wraps.
As previously covered, the film was announced in 2024, filmed in locations including Scotland and Rhode Island (wrapping August 2025), and features cinematographer James Friend. It marks Abrams' return to directing since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
The ensemble cast continues to heat up: Jenna Ortega, fresh off wrapping Wednesday season 2 (which premiered last August), has upcoming roles in The Gallerist with Natalie Portman, Taika Waititi's Klara and the Sun adaptation, and a potential Single White Female remake.
Glen Powell recently starred as Ben Richards in Edgar Wright's The Running Man remake (November 2025), a deadly reality show thriller, and next tackles dark comedy How to Make a Killing as Becket Redfellow battling relatives for a fortune.
No release date is set yet as post-production progresses under Bad Robot and Warner Bros.
