It's OFFICIAL: Disney & Lucasfilm Confirm J.J. Abrams for 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

Millions of voices cried out over the internet on Thursday afternoon, and not in the bad way that forced Obi Wan Kenobi to take a breather. TheWrap broke the news first and faster than light the reports spread over every inch of cyber space that J.J. Abrams had sealed the deal to direct Star Wars: Episode VII. 

Via StarWars.com, Lucasfilm and Disney have made it official and confirmed that the mastermind behind Lost, Fringe, Alias, Mission: Impossible III and the captain of the rebooted big screen Star Trek series, will indeed take the helm of first film in the planned trilogy sequel to Episode VI: Return of the Jedi targeted for 2015. 

"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 in a press release. "I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid."

George Lucas had this say about Abrams. "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."

Also confirmed as a consultant on the project is Lawrence Kasdan, the screenwriter of The Empire Strikes Back. Empire is not only easily the fans choice as the best film in the Star Wars series, but also widely considered one of the greatest sequels of all time. Also noted is Abrams' production company Bad Robot will produce the film along with Disney and Lucasfilm. So you can forget about seeing the signature 20th Century Fox logo before "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" appears on the screen.

While Abrams is at the helm of the film, keep in mind the screenplay is actually being written by Academy Award Winner Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3, Little Miss Sunshine) from George Lucas' outlines. Abrams' production company joining the mix solidifies the faith Disney has with him and his vision, and will allow the director that much more creative input into the film across all platforms.

I think we can safely assume this new creative team will have better ideas than to have Jar Jar Binks lead a squadron of covert Ewok mercenaries to the destroy the now in-shambles Galactic Empire's third Death Star.

Here is the press release posted on StarWars.com:

After a bevy of emails and phone calls, the formalities have been wrapped up, and at long last everyone can exhale and properly share the word with an excited Internet. Yes, 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.

SOURCE: StarWars.com

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