UK & World News
- 26 January 2013, 19:38
Star Wars Episode VII: New Director Revealed
Star Trek director JJ Abrams is to direct the latest Star Wars film, Episode VII, which begins production in the coming months.
Announcing the news, Star Wars creator George Lucas said: "I've consistently been impressed with JJ as a filmmaker and a storyteller. He's an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn't be in better hands."
The film will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy through Disney Lucasfilm, after the Walt Disney Company brokered a deal to acquire Lucasfilm Ltd in October 2012.
"It's very exciting to have JJ aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie," said Kennedy.
"JJ is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of the Star Wars franchise.
"He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture."
Through his production company, Bad Robot, 46-year-old Abrams previously directed blockbusters Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek (2009) and Super 8. He also directed and wrote the two-part pilot for Lost.
"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 honour," said Abrams.
"I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid," he added.
Fans of the Star Trek and Star Wars films had earlier taken to Twitter to give their reaction to rumours Abrams would have a hand in directing films from both franchises.
@leenewtonsays J.J. Abrams taking on Star Wars!! Lets hope he doesn't put crappy effects, bad writing and horrible actors in it... wait.
@TeamCoco JJ Abrams directing #StarWars is acceptable, IF it's an alternate timeline where Jar-Jar is incinerated 30 seconds into Phantom Menace.
@DeathStarPR Now that J.J. Abrams is directing Star Wars, people will finally learn why Stormtroopers always miss: too much lens flare.
@dorothysnarker Putting the Star Trek guy in charge of Star Wars means the lines for his autograph at conventions will extend beyond a galaxy far far away.
The film is targeted for release in 2015 and is expected to be followed by Star Wars Episodes VIII and IX.
Update:
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what do you think?
field_pete
Well I'm looking forward to them.
jimmyjedi1979
My son will be 5 and just about ready for the first installment of the new saga. For him it will be magic and that's what its about. Not just us faithful fans that wanna experience the feeling of episodes 4,5 and 6 again. Its Not gonna happen cus we are all grown up now, but our kids are gonna love the modern take on the greatest franchise the world has ever known! The force is strong with this one. Can't wait!
Nat_j2b
My son loves the original star wars. Abrams made Super8 and Cloverfield...shockingly bad films. And don't even get me started on how awful Lost was :/
jimmyjedi1979
Ok- so who should make them then?
Lorgar Aurelian
Can't agree Nat. I thought Super 8 and Cloverfield were brilliant! I guess it was more the shaky camera that bothers so many people. Jimmy, we don't often agree but we do on this - 4, 5 and 6 scarred me for life. Terrible films and that Jar Jar Binks...
Lorgar Aurelian
Correcton - 1,2 and 3. The order of filming still confuses me!
jimmyjedi1979
It doesn't take much to confuse you does it. I thought cloverfield was pants. Not seen super 8. Lost was good, but became tedious by the 2nd series. To be honest star wars speaks for itself. This new director will have the ultimate weapons in the galaxy to make this film. And i actually liked 1, 2 and 3. Not sure why everyone hated jar jar messa thought he was good and the kids liked him. Watching the young boy who played anakin in episode one was very uncomfortable. He was on par with that kid who played Phil Mitchells son ben in eastenders.
Lorgar Aurelian
I never was good at maths. Yep young Anakin was rubbish, older Anakin not much better. But explain why you didn't rate Cloverfield? A lot of this Blair Witch style camera work seems to bother people.
Baker101
JJ Abrams is an amazing director. Not just in film, but in TV too. He co-created Lost, which went on to become one of the best TV shows ever. He created Fringe, which was very underrated and has just ended after 5 seasons. I'm very much looking forward to his new show Revolution. He successfully robooted the Star Trek franchise and the films he's made (Cloverfield, Super 8) were brilliantly done. He's always been a huge fan of Star Wars. Lost was littered with references to it, and the other co-creator (Damon Lindelof) was wearing a Star Wars shirt when he first met JJ to discuss Lost. If there is one director who I trust future Star Wars films to, it's JJ Abrams.
executecodered
Excellent choice, if he can improve this in the same way he improved Star Trek then we should be in for a treat.
Vladtheinhaler .
So you think he improved it, then ? Hardly.
Robert Hare
Rick berman held the star trek franchise together for many years after gene Roddenberrys death and he did a fantastic job. Star trek isn't and never will be the same without bermans input.
executecodered
Absolutely, never liked anything Trek related before the 2009 re-boot.
Lorgar Aurelian
As a life long Trek fan my jury is still out on the re-boot. I'll see how the 2nd film gets on. Didn't really like the total disregard of everything that the previous films and 5 spin-off series had put down. Vulcan was never destroyed, end of!
Robert Hare
Return of the Jedi was a great film with the story completely wrapped up. We don't want or need another star wars film it would completely ruin it. Please please. Please don't make it!!!!!!!""
jimmyjedi1979
Just don't watch the new one. Problem solved.
Londliveengland 66
I'm looking forward to it, just wonder what the story line, actors etc will be. With darth vador dead who will be the villain and do people think that Luke, Han solo and Leah will star in it?
Scrooge McVanston
Perhaps he will spin an alternate timeline erasing the jar jar trilogy!
Adrian Wagstaff
I haven't watched a single Star Wars film. Oh! I remember, everyone said I had to go and see one in Cyprus in 1979. That was the first Star Wars film. I didn't want to go and see it. I bought a microscope from a Greek shop and an electronic kit to make an electric motor. I wanted to stay at home and play with those. Everyone said I had to go and watch Star Wars, National Lampoon's Animal House and James Bond films. I didn't want to go to the cinema and I still don't.
Adrian Wagstaff
They also forced me to go and watch Grease when I wanted to stay at home and play with my build your own electric motor kit and microscope! To be perfectly honest, I hated every minute I sat watching Grease. It was a 1950s film with 1950s cars and 1950s dresses and clothes. Why would I want to watch that?
jimmyjedi1979
A pint of whatever you've had please!
shaun spencer
i guess youll be waiting for them to come out on dvd then adrian.lol
Lorgar Aurelian
I don't think i've ever met someone who hasn't seen Star Wars.
field_pete
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
jimmyjedi1979
I heard it will be set 500 years after return of the jedi. Possible characters like yoda, anakin, qui gon jin, mace windu, plo ko-on, obi wan, could play the parts of the ghost type characters. Could even get Mark hamal doing his bit as Luke skywalker in his spirit form. r2d2 and c3po could still be in it. Maybe chewy? The ideas are endless. I wonder who will play the sith lord and his apprentice? What will the galaxy be like 500 years after the fall of the galactic empire? So many questions, so much speculation, i just can't wait. And remember, the force will be with you, always x
Londliveengland 66
So many questions, I would love to see the old cast in the new movie, bring back darth vader, the greatest movie baddie of all time
Londliveengland 66
Oh and Warwick Davis must be in it too
Nat_j2b
9:18am on 26/1/2013
Oh great,another of my childhood films ruined then!