The Downsizing of J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot
Variety • • entertainment
Key Points:
- J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot production company is downsizing and relocating from Los Angeles to New York after over 20 years, reflecting challenges faced by the company amid several stalled or cancelled projects.
- Recent ambitious projects like "Justice League Dark," "Overlook," and "Duster" struggled, with only "Duster" airing for one season, while other projects such as "Batman: Caped Crusader" and "Demimonde" were scrapped or sold off.
- Bad Robot’s film output has been underwhelming since Abrams’ 2019 "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," with the company focusing more recently on smaller projects and documentaries.
- The shift in Bad Robot’s strategy mirrors broader industry changes post-COVID and the 2023 strikes, where studios have moved away from lucrative long-term production deals to project-by-project arrangements for top talent.
- Insiders suggest Abrams and co-CEO Katie McGrath are seeking to downsize and refocus on creative work rather than managing a large production empire, with Abrams described as wanting to "go back to making stuff."
