by: S. Scott Stanikmas – Senior Staff Writer

J.J. Abrams has kept his name on everyone’s lips over the last few months. From the blockbuster Star Wars: The Force Awakens to the super-secret upcoming 10 Cloverfield Lane, the filmmaker has kept people buzzing. Now it’s about one of his projects that has been gestating a bit longer but seems every bit as compelling.

God Particle, which will be directed by Julius Onah, has been in the works since all the way back in 2012. But the countdown is on as Paramount has announced that the film will release on February 24, 2017.

The film currently has that date all to itself, but it has some stiff competition leading up to it. Films like Bad Boys 3, Maze Runner: The Death Cure, LEGO Batman and the Fifty Shades of Grey sequel all open up in the weeks prior to Abrams’ low-budget sci-fi fare.

But that could work in it’s favor. If fans are feeling “Blockbuster Fatigue” too early in the year a smaller, weirder film could swoop out of nowhere and steal a weekend.

The film has a very vague description. It’s been said to be about “a team of American astronauts on a space station who make a terrifying discovery that challenges all they know about the fabric of reality, even as they desperately fight for their survival.” (according to The Hollywood Reporter). Early drafts were said to have contained references to a accident with a Hadron Collider and the Earth disappearing leaving the space crew stranded.

No stars or production start dates have been mentioned, but with the theatrical release coming in just about a year I’d expect to hear some news about casting and filming to come rather quickly.

I’ve always gotten the heebie-jeebies with “trouble in outer space” films – it’s just like being in the water. So much is out of your control and can go so wrong. But I’m still highly intrigued by this and will gladly show up on day one to check it out.