J.J. Abrams will direct the next Star Wars film for Disney, taking stewardship of one of Hollywood's most iconic and lucrative film franchises, an individual with knowledge of the production told TheWrap.
Ben Affleck was also in contention, another individual with knowledge of the talks told TheWrap.
Ever since Disney bought Lucasfilm last year and announced it would make new Star Wars films, fans, members of the media and industry executives have speculated about which director would take the job. Abrams' name always came up, but he told Entertainment Weekly in November that he wasn't going to take the job.
He did say Star Wars was the first movie that "blew my mind" in terms of special effects.
Lucasfilm Chief Kathleen Kennedy has been courting Abrams, one of the most successful directors and producers in Hollywood -- and a man beloved by fanboys. He runs one of the industry's top production companies, Bad Robot, and created or co-created television franchises like Lost, Fringe and Alias. He has also directed film spectacles Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek and Super 8.
The lure of the Jedi was too strong, and it will no doubt complicate his relationship with Paramount, where Bad Robot is a top supplier. Abrams has been feverishly working on Star Trek Into Darkness, his second Star Trek film since he rebooted the franchise in 2009. Into Darkness, still in post-production, opens May 18.
Though he has several producing jobs in front of him (Cloverfield 2, Mission: Impossible 5), Abrams had been uncommitted as a director. He will have to jump right into Star Wars, which Disney has slated for a 2015 release.
Little Miss Sunshine and Toy Story 3 screenwriter Michael Arndy is penning the script.
Reached by TheWrap, Lynne Hale, spokeswoman for Lucasfilm, declined to comment immediately. Neither CAA, which represents Abrams, nor Bad Robot immediately responded to requests for comment.
Abrams previously said about the possibility of more Star Wars films :
"Part of me? Thrilled. Part of me? Terrified. Most of me? Thrillified".
And when he asked about potentially helming Episode 7 :
"Star Wars is one of my favorite movies of all time. I almost feel that, in a weird way, the opportunity for whomever it is to direct that movie, it comes with the burden of being that kind of iconic movie and series. I was never a big Star Trek fan growing up, so for me, working on Star Trek didn't have any of that almost fatal sacrilege. So I am looking forward more then anyone to the next iterations of Star Wars, but I believe I will be going as a paying moviegoer".
Source.
I'm calling it : blue lens flares every time lightsabers touch !
Mind-blowing news, isn't it ? Especially here since many of SpoilerTV regular readers are huge Lost and/or Fringe fans (and I'm one of them). What do you think of JJ Abrams now involved in the other biggest science-fiction franchise of all time after taking on Star Trek ? Tell us all in the comments !
I guess his history with Star Trek is positive, but them talking about how they included Winona Kirk giving birth to 'appeal to women' has just turned me off him a lot.
ReplyDeleteJust... wow! :D
ReplyDeleteI'm a Star Wars geek and I approve this
ReplyDeleteSurprised by this considering his involvement with Trek, kind of sad it means he probably won't do a third Trek film but then exited by who might take over that franchise and to see what JJ will bring to the Star Wars films.
ReplyDeleteI loved Lost and Fringe (eventhough he didn't really make these shows to what they were and was more in the beginning process) but I somehow get an uneasy feeling about this JJ directing SW7..
ReplyDeleteOne might even say that I have a bad feeling about this (sorry I had to)
beat me to it lol just read this damn hot stuff !
ReplyDeleteWelp, there's goes another favorite down the drain.
ReplyDeleteIf true, I want to see John Noble as one of the main cast
ReplyDeleteIs it bad that this just got me interested in watching the Star Wars franchise?
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm 20... It was before my time!
Hey, I'm 24 and I love SW. And I have really bad feeling about it...
ReplyDeleteWrong answer.
ReplyDeleteYou should at least watch the first one some day,might be a little outdated but its worth watching!
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't even think about how the lens flares will affect lightsaber duels.
ReplyDeleteI can't freaking wait!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm nervous about any new Star Wars movies no matter who helms them. Jar Jar Binks about did me in.
ReplyDeleteWell since he was obviously with Star Trek turning It Into Star Wars It's for best he oes an actual Star Wars film while leaving door open for a director with real passion for Star Trek
ReplyDeleteI am nevous about a disney Star Wars.I just hope Abrams has respect for all of George Lucas' Star Wars.
His lost and Trek Partner Damon LIndeloff has made negative remarks about return of the jedi and prequels.
I kind of expected that reaction. :p I do plan on it... Just haven't had the time for it yet!
ReplyDeleteEnterprise v The Millennium Falcon.....hmmmm...
ReplyDeleteExcellent news.
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean we're getting the Hurley cut of Empire Strikes Back too?
ReplyDeleteSince I don't believe that a new film retroactively ruins everything before (Cause, you know, that's just dumb) I'm just very intrigued by this. It makes me hope that Abrams will cast people he has worked previously with, and he definitely has a good idea of what makes a good suspense/action story.
ReplyDeleteThat would be GREAT!
ReplyDeleteJJ Abrams is a HUGE fan of the originals, he understands where the prequels went wrong and what made the original films so fantastic.
ReplyDeleteSo happy about this! (and who knows what Bad Robot alumni will cameo or get a role!)
ReplyDeleteIt's so nuts because he just recently denied the possibility, saying he couldn't because of his commitment to Star Trek and because he felt Star Wars might be too personal!
ReplyDeleteBut I think he could do it justice!
Really, because I think Bad Robot has some of the BEST female leads and guest casts! If anyone respects women in the modern age, it's Bad Robot. (and personally I think Morison's acting in that boirth scene is right up there with Sydney Bristow, Alternate Olivia, and Claire Littleton!
ReplyDeleteMe either!!!!!!!!! I can feel a bit better that he will pick interesting cast and make the story emotional.
ReplyDeleteMe too, since heard news about new movie.
ReplyDeleteFrom ew.com: The chances of John Noble having a role as a sage old Jedi master (or a villainous Imperial officer, or as the voice of a Hutt crim kingpin) just increased approximately 75%..That's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteEEK! Been awhile since we had good news like this! Gee,i wonder who he will bring on board?
ReplyDeleteI don't know, but I could go for just about anyone!
ReplyDeleteI know it is an unpopular opinion around here, but I am not a fan of JJ Abrams or Bad Robot, so I'm not too psyched about him trying to do anything with Star Wars. Star Wars is pure and archetypal two things that Abrams has never shown great facility with IMO. It will be hard to be worse than Phantom Menace, but I said that about Prometheus being worse than Aliens 3 and I was wrong then, so you never know.
ReplyDeleteHere's to hoping it all works out. I hope there are ewoks.
LOL
ReplyDeleteThere's no such thing as worse than "Hold me like you did by the lake on Naboo."
ReplyDeleteI hope there are Ewoks too! -But twice out of three times they have been referenced (Lost, Revolution) the characters Hugo and Aaron frown upon them, but Marshall Flankman (Alias) could speak Ewok, so I guess that's a plus!
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of thinking that the reason he denied directing to begin with is that they didn't meet Mr. Abram's and Burke's terms and conditions...because that's the only thing that makes sense as to why they would change there minds now...
ReplyDeleteI believe I read Lucas handed over his franchise with certain plans (outlines) in mind for the next 3 films...So I don't think anyone who directs, or writes can go too far from that vision...
LOL! I'm going with the Enterprise since it can go under water now...
ReplyDeleteThat was a great picture and expressed my feelings perfectly. I hope JJ will get it right, because it´s a huge task. I wish him all the best.
ReplyDeleteThis is great news.
ReplyDeleteHaha I think the "I hate sand, it's course and it get's everywhere, unlike here, where everything is soft, and smooth" line might have already surpassed that.
ReplyDeleteI loved the ewoks.
ReplyDeleteWell this confirms my theory.... Star Wars Episode 7 is secretly the next Lost movie!
ReplyDeleteLost > Star Wars
Why did that need to come out a few hours after I went to sleep! :(
ReplyDeleteI had so much Ewok stuff when I was little! - And I use watch Caravan of Courage/Ewok Adventures more than any child should! :D
ReplyDeleteUm, they were AWESOME. I had a Wicket. Battle for Endor was my fav. I was Cindel's age and had blond hair like her and maybe identified a bit too much (!). It was definitely a toss up which annoyed my older sister more Neverending Story rewatches or Ewok Adventure rewatches.
ReplyDeletesure, if you can guarantee me a well paid job over there. :D
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm pretty stocked that it may be him. Even years before he was my dream director IF there ever would be new Star Wars movies.
Me too! JJ just got his show 'Believe' ordered to pilot,he had had a very good week.One movie and 2 dramas,what a roll hes on!
ReplyDeleteYAY! -Ewok friends for life!
ReplyDeleteIt's disturbing you know the line so well.
ReplyDeleteStar Wars reboot! An alternate universe created when some random Sith lord chases one of the Solo kids into the past. Then it's a world where Leia is left with Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru on Tatooine! Prince Luke and Hana Solo. Guys, come on, it'll be awesome!
ReplyDeleteI had read George Lucas had outlines for episode 7-9 but so far there Is no Indication they are using It.When they hired the writer there was no Indication he was working off Lucas' outline.Its possable Lucas had terms Disney had to agree to bfore he sold Lucasfilm to them.That's probally why Clone wars hasn't been cancled yet.And he Is suspose to be consulant on new trilogy.But Disney doesn't have to listen to him Inless for some reason that Is part of deal.
ReplyDeleteBEFFs!
ReplyDeleteI only knew the "I hate sand...it get's everywhere" bit, I had to look up the rest. :)
ReplyDeletehaha I remember that, so funny!
ReplyDeleteThere is no one better than JJ to do this movie, it wil break all the records so far.
ReplyDeleteI can wait for it. May the force be wtih him (JJ).
I had heard Matthew Vaughn about two months ago. Not sure what to believe.
ReplyDeleteMay the Force be with him.
ReplyDeleteLOL! - To each their own! :)
ReplyDeleteHmmm....not sure that SW and JJ Abrams is the right match for me. I like a lot of JJ´s TV series, but this is Star Wars (by Disney). I´ll probebly watch anyway and hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteWell,your here now that's all that matters! Pretty exciting i'd say! :)
ReplyDeleteMight want to think about moving, this way you'll catch all the news as it happens,ha! ;)