Universal Pictures is teaming up with J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot production company for a new disaster movie entitled Earthquake. Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk) has been hired to write the screenplay.

No specific story details were given, although this is not a remake of Universal's 1974 movie Earthquake, that starred Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner. J.J. Abrams will produce alongside his Bad Robot partner Bryan Burk. The project was first set up at the studio back in 2008, with The Omen writer David Seltzer penning the script.

J.J. Abrams will be competing with a similar project entitled San Andreas: 3D at New Line Cinema. We reported earlier this month that Lost producer Carlton Cuse is writing the screenplay, with Brad Peyton (Journey 2: The Mysterious Island) directing. Earthquake does not have a director attached at this time.