Star Wars: Episode IX - 9 Reasons JJ Abrams Is The Right Choice To Direct

3. Crowdpleasing Blockbusters Are His Speciality

Star Wars J J Abrams
Paramount

J.J. Abrams has directed five theatrically-released movies, all of which can be considered major tentpole blockbusters; Mission: Impossible 3, Star Trek, Super 8, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Every single one of these movies is positive on Metacritic, fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and made a significant amount of cash. His hot streak is as good as it gets, and this all speaks to the fact that his movies are always popular and enjoyable.

We're not saying all his movies are perfect - far from it - but he knows how to handle a blockbuster. In terms of pure entertainment value he might be the best director working today.

He made Star Trek cool, and brought plenty of non-Trekkies onboard. He saved the Mission: Impossible franchise after the abysmal second instalment, restoring credibility to a series many had written off. Super 8 was a fun monster movie with a huge heart and superb child performances. We feel comfortable saying that not one of his movies is bad.

Again, we're not saying he's perfect, and there are plenty of legitimate problems you can find in his movies. But for a director to make five critically-acclaimed, financially-successful blockbusters in a row is an impressive feat, and this proves that, at the very least, Episode IX will be an enjoyable ride.

Contributor
Contributor

Danny has been with WhatCulture for almost nine years, and is currently Doctor Who Editor and WhoCulture Channel Manager, overseeing all of WhatCulture's Whoniverse coverage. He has been writing and video editing for 10+ years, and first got a taste for content creation after making his own Doctor Who trailers and uploading them to YouTube (they're admittedly a bit rusty by today's standards). If you need someone to recite every Doctor Who episode in order or to tell you about the making of 1988's Remembrance of the Daleks, Danny is the person to ask.