Directing

J.J. Abrams

Jeffrey Jacob Abrams (born June 27, 1966) is an American filmmaker and composer. He is best known for his works in the genres of action, drama, and science fiction. Abrams wrote and produced films such as Regarding Henry (1991), Forever Young (1992), Armageddon (1998), Cloverfield (2008), Star Trek (2009), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Abrams' films have grossed over $4 billion worldwide, making him the tenth-highest-grossing film director of all time. Abrams has created numerous television series, including Felicity (co-creator, 1998–2002), Alias(creator, 2001–2006), Lost (co-creator, 2004–2010), and Fringe (co-creator, 2008–2013). He won two Emmy Awards for Lost – Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series. His directorial film work includes Mission: Impossible III (2006), Star Trek (2009), Super 8(2011), and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). He also directed, co-produced, and co-wrote The Force Awakens, the seventh episode of the Star Wars Skywalker Saga and the first film of the sequel trilogy. The film is his highest-grossing, the fifth-highest-grossing film of all time not adjusted for inflation, as well as the most expensive film ever made. He returned to Star Wars by executive producing The Last Jedi (2017) and directing and co-writing The Rise of Skywalker (2019).