It's Official JJ Abrams To Direct Star Wars Episode 7!

Enough with the rumours! It’s official JJ Abrams the man who re-ignited Star Trek franchise is now officially the man whose task is to re-ignite the biggest sci-fi film franchise ever Star Wars and direct Star Wars Episode 7!

The biggest trend on the social media Thursday night was the rumours and every corner of the universe reporting Abrams was heading to a galaxy far far away, late last night Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm confirmed the deal has been sealed. In a official press release (see below) which confirmed everything as well as the news thats JJ Abrams Bad Robot will produce with Kathleen Kennedy leading under Lucasfilm with Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3) writing the script.

George lucas himself made a comment on JJ Abrams appointment:

“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.”

What wasn’t clear if JJ Abrams will direct the trilogy like Lucas did with the prequels for now it seems Episode VII is his prime adjective for the time been though don’t rule out the chance he might or they’ll be successive new directors. Obviously not everyone may treat this news with open arms as some Trekkies are angry maybe a little puzzled about the whole affair as this Summer Star Trek Into Darkness coming Paramount want a 3rd Star Trek film and Mission Impossible 5. Paramount Chairman Rob Moore has come out to clarify Abrams will still be involved in those projects:

“J.J. will continue to develop projects for us including a new Mission: Impossible, and he is committed to produce another Star Trek.”

This comment notes that JJ Abrams may not direct Star Trek 3 only involved at production level however you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know Star Wars Episode 7 will be his biggest project to date so he’ll have less time to be involved in his regular projects. So if JJ Abrams is to keep all side happy expect Abrams to possibly work in the same way he did on Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol and probably help pick a worthy director. Star Wars Episode 7 is set for an 2015 release date.

Here’s The Press release:

.J. Abrams to Direct Star Wars: Episode VII

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.