J.J. Abrams Will Direct STAR WARS: EPISODE VII [UPDATED]

Director J.J. Abrams was rumored for some time as being courted to direct "Star Wars: Episode VII" but Abrams himself initially turned down the offer made by producer Kathleen Kennedy. Now, it seems that the "Star Trek" director has decided to jump on board of another Star-titled franchise. J.J. Abrams is currently finishing up "Star Trek Into Darkness" and has no other projects to which he may be attached to direct, so the "Star Wars" sequel should fit in his schedule. The seventh episode will be written by Michael Arndt ("Little Miss Sunshine"). Also, it is rumored that Lawrence Kasdan, who also wrote the script for "The Empire Strikes Back", will collaborate with Simon Kinberg ("Sherlock Holmes") on screenplays for future sequels and/or spinoff movies from the "Star Wars" franchise.

UPDATE: Disney has officially announced that J.J. Abrams will direct, and produce, "Star Wars: Episode VII". Also, George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy both stated that they are very impressed with Abrams' career and consider him the perfect choice to helm the franchise. The official press release below also mentions that Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg will be consulting on the "Episode VII" project. Here is the official press release:

"J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay.

“It’s very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie,” said Kennedy. “J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture.”

George Lucas went on to say “I’ve consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller. He’s an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn’t be in better hands.”

“To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor,” J.J. Abrams said. “I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid.”

J.J., his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, and Bad Robot are on board to produce along with Kathleen Kennedy under the Disney | Lucasfilm banner.

Also consulting on the project are Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg. Kasdan has a long history with Lucasfilm, as screenwriter on The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi. Kinberg was writer on Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Abrams and his production company Bad Robot have a proven track record of blockbuster movies that feature complex action, heartfelt drama, iconic heroes and fantastic production values with such credits as Star Trek, Super 8, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, and this year’s Star Trek Into Darkness. Abrams has worked with Lucasfilm’s preeminent postproduction facilities, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, on all of the feature films he has directed, beginning with Mission: Impossible III. He also created or co-created such acclaimed television series as Felicity, Alias, Lost and Fringe."

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Friday, January 25, 2013

J.J. Abrams Will Direct STAR WARS: EPISODE VII [UPDATED]

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