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JJ Abrams' Bad Robot Scales Down
8 Apr
Summary
- Bad Robot is moving operations to New York after 20 years.
- Recent ambitious projects were canceled or stuck in development.
- The company is adjusting to changes in the entertainment industry.
J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot production company is significantly slimming down and relocating to New York after over 20 years based in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. This strategic shift comes after a challenging period marked by the cancellation or stagnation of several ambitious projects.
Projects like a "Justice League Dark" series, the "Shining" prequel "Overlook," and the crime drama "Duster" faced hurdles. "Duster" aired for one season, while "Batman: Caped Crusader" was moved from HBO Max to Amazon. The anticipated HBO series "Demimonde" was axed due to cost-cutting measures.
Bad Robot's film output has also been limited, with "The Rise of Skywalker" being a notable, albeit older, success. Upcoming projects include Anne Hathaway's "The End of Oak Street" and Glen Powell's "The Great Beyond."
The company's adjustments mirror industry-wide changes post-COVID and the 2023 strikes, which have led to reduced spending on large, long-term talent deals. The market now favors project-by-project agreements over lucrative multi-year pacts.
Abrams, described as a "tinkerer" who wishes to "go back to making stuff," and co-CEO Katie McGrath have been seeking to downsize for some time. This move away from a large-scale production hub signifies a return to a more focused creative process for Abrams.
