CONFIRMED: Abrams Will Helm EPISODE VII
Speculate no more about whether or not he’s going to do it. Start speculating now about what he’ll do to it.
Lucasfilm and the Walt Disney Studios have officially confirmed that J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, penned by Toy Story 3 scribe Michael Arndt. Bad Robot will be on board as a co-production company under the Disney/Lucasfilm banner. Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg will be consulting on the project as well. At least with Kasdan on board, the production has a chance of resembling the original trilogy.
From the Lucasfilm press release:
“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.”
And from the Disney note:
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.
It’s interesting to note that Lucas figures Abrams as the “perfect choice” for this, given that Abrams has already made a Star Wars film and called it Star Trek. At least Lindelof, Orci & Kurtzman aren’t writing the script…
