J.J. Abrams Signs with CAA (Exclusive)

The writer, director and producer had been without an agent since last summer

J.J. Abrams has signed with CAA, an individual with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap.

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Abrams has not been represented by an agency for more than a year after leaving WME last June. 

David Lonner, his former agent, has since represented Abrams as a manager, and attorney Alan Wertheimer also negotiates on Abrams’ behalf. 

Abrams is one of the most lucrative clients in all of Hollywood thanks to his work on cinematic blockbusters like “Star Trek” and “Super 8” and the creation of TV properties like “Lost” and “Fringe.” A writer, director and producer for both film and television, he brings a wealth of past and future projects to his new representatives.

Every top agency in town has pursued him over the past year, from UTA to ICM and on down the line. CAA's Richard Lovett has been making regular phone calls to Abrams office, and won out.

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Abrams is the Chairman and CEO of Bad Robot, a company he runs with Bryan Burk. Bad Robot’s latest TV series, “Revolution,” which Burk and Abrams are executive producing, premieres next week on NBC. 

Abrams is currently working on the "Star Trek" sequel, titled "Into Darkness," which is due for release next May. He has a longstanding relationship with Paramount, as well as Warner Bros. Television, where he recently re-upped. 

One big hurdle to the signing was the potential interplay between Abrams' assorted representatives given Lonner's history at WMA, but though Lonner will continue to work with Abrams, CAA will represent his business interests. Lonner is a former William Morris agent, and his departure before the agency's merger with Endeavor paved the way for Abrams' own departure from WME.

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So did the exit of another memeber of Abrams' core team, John Fogelman.

Fogelman left WME in March of 2011 and went on to start his own consulting firm, FactoryMade Ventures. 

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