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JJ Abrams’s rise through Hollywood has been meteoric. While his privilege as a white guy has definitely buoyed his career, he’s also a naturally gifted producer and director (we can debate mystery boxes and writing later) with an eye for casting. From Felicity to Alias, from Lost to two major space operas, the man has become Hollywood’s most notable voice in genre fiction. And now, he’s being courted for, as Variety reports, “the kind of super nova sized deal that would encompass films, television series, digital content, music, games, consumer products and theme park opportunities.” This includes a set number of guaranteed slots on a studio’s lineup of films, which previously has only been reserved for Abrams’s predecessor and mentor Steven Spielberg.

Variety reports that Abrams is rumored to be trying to aim for a half-a-billion-dollar deal, which is so much money that I can barely register it as a real number. The article also says:

“While his business is currently split between Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Television, Abrams’ team is seeking to consolidate under one company and earn a considerable payday in the process, the insiders said. Though Abrams, with his ever-present spectacles and curly mop of jet black hair, is one of the most recognizable figures in Hollywood, the scope of the deal is surprising in certain respects. Unlike Spielberg, James Cameron, or George Lucas, Abrams hasn’t created one of the entertainment industry’s Tiffany franchises, an “Avatar,” “Star Wars” or “Indiana Jones.” Instead, he’s been remarkably adept at re-fashioning venerable properties, such as “Star Trek,” for a new generation. Abrams and his emissaries kicked off a spree of meetings late last summer, according to three people familiar with the talks.”

First off, James Cameron is nowhere near Abrams’s league and I’d hardly call Avatar a big name franchise when most people can’t name three of the characters without googling them (I think one is named Sam?). But when Abrams is surpassing the two white men who arguably shaped modern Hollywood to the greatest extent — Spielberg and Lucas — then we’re really going where no man has gone before.

Abrams’s original works are impressive, but there’s no doubt that his biggest work has come from shows where he was involved as a producer/director and those tend to be his franchise pictures; original features such as Super 8 (which I loved, fight me) haven’t attracted nearly as much attention.

Variety says that it’s a race between Disney and Comcast/Universal to score the deal, though Warner Bros. are apparently also in the mix. Of those three studios, I’ll give Disney the edge, since they already saw Abrams bring home the big bucks with The Force Awakens. Plus, if Abrams wants to access digital content and theme parks, they are certainly the place to go for that. Are we going to get an Abrams World at Disneyland? Because count me down for the LOST ride.

Abrams could very well become literally the golden god of Hollywood, which means one thing: Abrams can literally re-shape the way we look at media as a producer and director. Abrams received an award from the Athena Film Festival for his work in including strong women behind and in front of the camera (he was the one who hired Vic Mahoney, a Black female director, as the second unit director for Episode IX), and was central to the decision to cast actors like John Boyega and Oscar Isaac in lead roles in The Force Awakens. Over the years, his ensembles have grown more and more representative of wider audiences, even if sometimes those portrayals fall a little flat. He’s never been one to include LGBT+ representation, but I’m hoping that will change (Poe Dameron is right there, after all).

As a producer, Abrams can continue to pursue projects that feature strong leads of color, female leads, and diverse ensembles. Check out his work with the Cloverfield universe and upcoming horror/sci-fi project Overlord. 10 Cloverfield Lane gave us one of the best Final Girls ever, The Cloverfield Paradox saw a hugely buzzy release despite being terrible because Abrams worked a great deal with Netflix to get the Gugu Mbatha-Raw and David Oyelowo fronted project a cool release, and Overlord features an integrated unit in WWII with a strong leading turn from Jovan Adepo as the lead. Of course, his Star Wars films saw the hero trio being led by a woman and two men of color, and his casting additions to Episode IX include the second Black actress in a major role in a Star Wars film.

There are legitimate complaints to Abrams’s writing. For example, using Finn as the bait-and-switch for Jedi!Rey was definitely not chill, and I’m livid about his decision to hire Lena Dunham for his upcoming Syrian refugee drama. However, I think that if he uses his power as a producer to also hire more writers and directors of color, as well as more female directors and writers, he could not only learn from his own past errors but nurture a diverse group of filmmakers to be the next Spielberg, Lucas, and even Abrams.

If you have a platform, you need to use it to enact meaningful positive change. Abrams has shown that not only is he willing to grow and change himself but that he’s willing to tell and uplift stories about characters who don’t operate at his privileged sweet spot.

As I have said on days when JJ Abrams hasn’t disappointed me (which basically is every day I don’t think about Star Trek Into Darkness, the Dunham hiring, or the various other problematic moments of his career), “JJ Abrams never lets a bitch down.” So please, JJ, don’t let me down here. I’ve admired your work since middle school, and it would depress me if you used an immensely powerful position to keep the status quo going strong. Be the hero we need, JJ. You can do it.

(via Variety; image: Ken Ishii/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

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We’re already wondering what never-before-seen spot in Westeros we might visit in Game of Thrones last season, after EW‘s first look at the show’s final year. An all-new set wasn’t the only intriguing tidbit they shared, though, as our direwolf ears perked up reading “there are characters in the finale that I did not expect.” That raises a number of fascinating possibilities: one is that we could see a return we aren’t expecting. But who could be important enough to be in the finale even if they aren’t usually on the show? Minor ones who mean a lot to more important characters.

Daario Naharis

In the season six finale Daenerys commanded the sellsword to stay behind in Slaver’s Bay the Bay of Dragons to keep the peace in Meereen when she left for Westeros. Will he do that if learns his former lover is in danger after Cersei hired the Golden Company? How will he react if he hears stories about ice demons on the march? Or could he even show up to fight against the Mother of Dragons; a scorned lover’s revenge?

Hot Pie

What? Think it’s laughable he’ll be around for the finale? Uh, it would be crazy to think the ultimate survivor won’t still be standing at the end. Not only would Arya be sure to grab him from the King’s Road if the North flees south to escape the White Walkers, but you always need someone who knows what it takes to get the gravy right.

Red Priestesses of R’hllor

We 100% expect Melisandre to return, but not alone; expect some of her fellow devotees of the Lord of Light to travel to the Seven Kingdoms too. We saw one delivering sermons about Daenerys in Volantis, and another swore to serve her in Meereen. Now is the time for them to fight the darkness, so don’t be surprised if they come to Westeros with every other red priest and priestesses of R’hllor in tow.

Jaqen H’ghar

You know which group is really into death? The Faceless Men. Arya’s former mentor and world class assassin could be drawn to the living’s Great War with the icy dead, though which side he’d fight for might not be as obvious.

Ser Ilyn Payne

No one ever hears Ilyn Payne coming.

…You get it.

There’s one very obvious, very excellent reason to bring back this silent killer for the first time since season two (who was last referenced in season four): so Arya can take him off her list. That would be a tasty conclusion for the man who beheaded Ned Stark.

Illyrio Mopatis

The Magister of Pentos only appeared in season one (though Tyrion and Varys stayed at his home in season five), but his brief role was vitally important to the show. He arranged Daenerys’ marriage to Khal Drogo in the premiere. Why though? What was his endgame? Why did he ever help the orphaned Targaryens at all? This is one thread the show has left hanging, and it would be nice to see it come full circle with a payoff.

Quaithe

Remember Quaithe, the mysterious shadowbinder in Qarth who somehow knew way too much about Jorah Mormont? Hopefully the show does, because if she never shows up again, her presence will have proven pretty to be totally pointless. She’s more important in the novels, but we’re hopeful she has a reason to follow through on keeping Jorah loyal to Daenerys.

(Wight) Hodor

YEAH WE WENT THERE. You better be ready for wight Hodor, a giant, blue-eyed giant trying to murder Bran. He died north of the Wall in the clutches of other wights. Why wouldn’t the Night King have raised him up? Who wouldn’t want a large, super strong soldier who would also be psychologically devastating for his opponent?

This horribleness is happening. Oh, it’s happening. But don’t worry, we won’t leave you on such a terrible note.

Syrio Forel

Syyyyyyrrrriiiiooooooo Forrrreeeellllllllllll!!!!

Technically we never saw Arya’s water dancing instructor die, and the First Sword of Braavos was only facing Meryn ****ing Trant. Even without a sword we give Syrio a decent chance of escaping that. So where’s he been? It’s not like he could have gone after Arya, and she’s been missing ever since. There’s been no reason for him to have returned, at least not until the Night King invaded.

Because as we all know, there’s only one thing we say to the god of death.

Which one of these characters would you most love to see return? Who did we leave off that should have made it? Tell us in the comments below.

Images: HBO

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