Portal Movie Gaining Steam, According to Abrams

JJ Abrams revealed that the Portal movie originally announced almost eight years ago is still on track.
JJ Abrams revealed that the Portal movie originally announced almost eight years ago is still on track. / Valve

JJ Abrams revealed that the Portal movie originally announced almost eight years ago is still on track.

Abrams confirmed the progress during a press day for the 4K Blu-ray release of Super 8. When asked about the long-awaited film, he explained that an official script was finally in the works. According to IGN, Abrams said that the movie was finally on track and moving forward as of this month.

"We actually do have a script that’s being written for the Portal movie now at [Warner Bros.]. We’re really excited about the take and the pitch, so it feels like that thing’s finally on the rails," he said.

Portal Movie Gaining Steam, According to Abrams

Abrams and Gabe Newell, founder of Valve, revealed their partnership in early February 2013. This reveal marks what very well could be the start of production in earnest.

Unfortunately, as major as this seems, the actual information surrounding the script is remarkably minor. No writers or directors have been named and none have come forward to claim credit. Regardless, Abrams said he was excited at the narrative possibilities. Portal, he explained, has a narrow story told through what could be seen as a limited experience—a single slice of a much larger unknown whole, so to speak.

"It’s got enormous potential for a lot of reasons, one of which is because of the limited narrative of the game, as ingeniously told as it is, the potential of it is so huge," he said, "It’s gonna be super fun."

Unlike titles such as Half-Life, which explores the circumstances and follows the consequences of humanity meddling in scientific affairs, Portal fans have only received glimpses into the cause and effect of the franchise over the years. A film has the potential to bridge that gap and even confirm some long-standing theories along the way.

That's only speculation, however. DBLTAP cannot confirm any rumors on the film's actual content at the time of writing. That said, though, it's nice to know the Portal movie is still alive.