Oscar-winning writer Dustin Lance Black (Milk) has just been hired to write Universal's new Earthquake movie, which will be produced by J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk under their Bad Robot banner.

Deadline reports that, while the studio also produced another film called Earthquake in 1974 starring Charlton Heston, the title and subject matter are where their similarities end. In other words, this should not be considered a remake. Meanwhile, New Line continues development on its own competing Earthquake picture, San Andreas 3D.Black is currently working on a number of projects, including Under the Banner of Heaven at Warner Bros. and Barefoot Bandit for Fox. He's also adapting the Dark Horse graphic novel 3 Story, which he intends to direct.