In the production notes to Super 8, director J.J. Abrams admits that he has always wanted to make a film in homage to the type of films he loves: stories of ordinary familiesin small-town communities whose quiet lives are interrupted byfantastical events.

“I wanted audiences to get all the action, humour, suspense and pyrotechnics of a summer popcorn movie, but there is also a real heart to Super 8 and, for me, that is really the most important part,” Abrams explains in the film’s production notes.

The two main characters in the film, Joe (Joel Courtney) and Alice (Elle Fanning), are both going through some emotional times. The two young teenagers have both experienced loss in their lives, and when they meet they feel the first stirrings of romance for each other.

They are backed up by an eclectic group of friends with whom they share a most remarkable adventure. And so Abrams embarked on a massive search for the right actors to portray these characters.

The final ensemble consisted of a mix of experienced teen actors and others who had never acted professionally before.

For the role of Alice, the only female in the group, Abrams cast Elle Fanning.

The younger sister of Dakota, Elle already has an impressiveCV to her name, which includes Babel, The Curious Case ofBenjamin Button and last year’s award-winning Somewhere. Abrams speaks very highly of the young actress.

“When Elle came in, my first thought is that she might be too young,” he recalls, “because she was 12 and had to play 14. I soon realised she’s infinitely more sophisticated than I am! She has incredible poise, yet fit in perfectly with this goofy group of boys.”

Fanning immediately fell in love with the complexity of Alice’s character. “She’s kind of a tough girl, a tomboy, and she’s had a hard life,” she explains. “Her mother is gone and her father is always drinking, so when the boys ask her to be part of their movie, she’s like ‘What the heck? I’ll do it.’ Then it turns into this whole incredible event for all of them.”

Playing Alice’s budding love interest and the character on which the film focuses is Joel Courtney who came to Super 8 with no experience behind him.“I knew J.J. was taking a real chance on me and I didn’t want to let him down. I wanted to do a good job for him, myself and for everybody working on the film,” Joel explains. As for the film itself, Joel was kept by the mountingtension of the story. “I love the mystery of it and it is a total adrenaline rush,” he says.

Riley Griffiths who plays Charles, the driven, perfectionist visionary of the group and the writer/director of the film they’re making is also making his debut in Super 8.

“I love my character because he’s so determined and serious about making movies,” says Griffiths.

Abrams notes: “Riley was amazing when he came in, but he had never been on a set before so he had a big challenge.” Griffiths obviously picked up quite a few hints about the art of film-making by spending his down time on set following Abrams around.

Completing the circle of friends are the impish and potential arsonist Cary, played by Ryan Lee, who so impressed with his audition that he was one of the first people to be cast; Zach Mills, another young actor with quite an impressive career so far, as the smart if a little obnoxious Preston and finally, Gabriel Basso, as the gullible Martin.

“I love that Super 8 is a story about kids who witness something they shouldn’t have seen,” says Basso. “They’ve got their hands in the forbidden cookie jar!”

The resultant ensemble has certainly succeeded in pulling off the charm and chemistry needed to create the group dynamic of close childhood friends.

Co-producer Bryan Burk says: “What is great about this group of kids is that they all have that rare ability to let go enough that it never feels like they’re performing. I think it’s also a real testament to J.J. because he not only found just the right kids, he knew how to work with them.”

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