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Whoa - J.J. Abrams is Officially Directing New 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

by Alex Billington
January 24, 2013
Source: The Wrap

Star Wars. And Star Trek. Can one man really tackle both franchises? Apparently Lucasfilm thinks so. Word from The Wrap is that apparently it's official that J.J. Abrams is directing the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII. There aren't too many other details about the news besides that he is the director they've apparently lined up, and I'm guessing with this now leaked, we'll be hearing official confirmation and a lot more from Lucasfilm, George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy. Here's the other big detail: Ben Affleck was also in contention, but obviously didn't get the job. I almost can't believe he's actually directing this movie.

The Wrap's report only states that the news has come from "an individual with knowledge of the production told TheWrap." From what we've heard, this isn't a joke, this isn't an early leak or speculation, this is official. J.J. Abrams is directing the newest movie in the Star Wars series that continues after Return of the Jedi. From here, things will get very exciting, with endless discussions about whether or not he's right for the job, whether or not he can handle the two massive Star franchises and what will happen from here. For now, we know for sure that it's definitely J.J. But will there be lens flares? What do you make of this?

Filed under Hype, Movie News, Star Wars

From around the web:

the_situasian

Paramount HAS to be pissed. That's a ton of press coverage for Star Trek: Into Darkness they're about to lose.
- OfficialJab
  
  I'm just a simple internet commenter but... won't this draw significantly more attention to ST2? It'll be in the news that the same director will be in charge of both, and every reporter will be asking him about this. It'll be name-dropped constantly.
- capitandelespacio
  
  I have to say that this could be a BIG thing for Star Trek 2.
yesyes

sweet! Its gonna be AMAZING!
- capitandelespacio
  
  It's gonna be great.
HB

Get ready for some lightsaber lens flares
- moar lenz flaresz
  
  And force lightning lens flares and droid metal shine lens flares and Jawas eyes lens flares ect. ect. Also don't forget the characters are all going to be hectic,fast talking and always running and there's going to be a geek/nerd/fat kid with a crush on the princess. I'm I forgeting something? Oh yes...there's going to be a big tease through out the movie with a big emotional payoff at the end.
  - blargh
    
    Hmm, pretty sure that you've just described movies. "big tease... with emotional payoff at the end." The end does tend to be the place for that sort of thing.
    - Prad Bitt
      
      "What's in the box ?!!"
cinemabandit

R2D2 did have a cameo in Star Trek though.....
- OfficialJab
  
  That'll come in handy for the crossover. Now if you'll excuse me, I just gave myself a nosebleed.
Chazzy

I'll still take it with a grain of salt until is IS official. I mean, of course they're gonna say its an official thing when they "get the scoop" on something. That said.... EFF YES.
OfficialJab

YES YES
http://www.facebook.com/rob.viens Rob Viens

Star Wars: Now with more Lens Flare!!!! Seriously though, I think I need to go change my underwear. Nerdgasm!
jah p

This is awesome news!!Now Affleck can concentrate on directing the Justice League.
http://twitter.com/Everman Everman

Good lord. I could have sworn he announced he wasn't going to do it and that he was wrapped up in the Trek universe. Wow
- http://twitter.com/Everman Everman
  
  And I guess I forgot to add... HOT DAMN!!! Let's get the camp out started!!!
- The Truth
  
  It probably isn't a matter of what changed his mind as it was that he just couldn't say anything back in November for a number of reasons. The contract wasn't finalized, Disney's acquistion of Lucasfilm wasn't complete etc. In other words he knew he was going to do it back then he just couldn't say so
John

Probably just another rumor... like the Zack Snyder one. But if this turns out to be true... YES YES YES! Abrams is one of the few directors whose work is always exciting and entertaining. As I fan, I'm sure he would take Star Wars in a new direction while having the proper respect for what has come before.
- http://www.roamandthink.com/ PBGray
  
  He also has a key opportunity to help rebuild what the new world will look like. The Empire has fallen (as far as we know) and now there's a change in scenery. What planets will be spend our time on? What will the costumes look like? What will the technology look like? Exciting stuff IMHO!!!
  - Jericho
    
    he is also an avid fan of the books so he would know just how to present all of this without getting crucified...
    - http://www.roamandthink.com/ PBGray
      
      All great news. I can't wait to see this production unfold. Casting will be very interesting, I'm sure.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=700846469 Monal Valia

wait so does this mean no more John Williams scoring and instead we get Michael Giacchino scoring the SW Sequels??!!
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Christopher-Philip-Cinquegrano/100000932639147 Christopher Philip Cinquegrano
  
  How bout Hans-Zimmer!
  - Thexn
    
    BWWWOOOOOOOOMMMMMM! BWWWOOOOOOOMMMMMM!
    - capitandelespacio
      
      Yes.
- http://www.facebook.com/trevor.laframboise Trevor Laframboise
  
  as long as its not danny elfman...
THEBATMAN

whoa!!!!!
Isildur_of_Numenor

Finally there is a director attached to the project. The tension started to build up to alarming levels. As for the choice, it would be interesting to see how JJ will handle it, being that he is also at the helm of Star Trek. Oh, and I hope this is not a rumor, this shit is not good for my health. Ok, I'm exaggerating a bit but I don't care.
- Scopedog
  
  I hear you on that. Hopefully it's true, or it could be like the Zack Snyder rumor....we'll have to wait on that. But don't let the suspense ruin your health, man! It isn't worth it!
  - Isildur_of_Numenor
    
    I'm on top of it, just tired of rumors. This sounds like the real deal, from here on out it should be some interesting couple of years until its release.
http://www.facebook.com/Tyban Tyler Bannock

Oh boy. More Lens Flares.
- OfficialJab
  
  It's funny how that's by far the most common criticism of his work, and I'd bet most people wouldn't have even noticed them (or even known what they were) without the few people who did, and popularized it. Also, they're awesome.
  - Prad Bitt
    
    No.
    - capitandelespacio
      
      Yes they are.
      - Prad Bitt
        
        No.
      - capitandelespacio
        
        you are cute.
      - Prad Bitt
        
        No.
  - Thexn
    
    No.
  - castingcouch
    
    You can't be serious. They stand out like dog's balls.
    - David Banner
      
      You only see dogs balls if you are looking for them
Tester

I am a little surprised by this announcement. My only concern is how is going to be able to manage for both franchises ? Does this mean that he now gives up directing subsequent ST movies ?
- OfficialJab
  
  Doubtful. If that was an issue they probably wouldn't have hired him for SW in the first place.
Paul K.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I really hate his style. The Star Trek movie was absolute garbage in terms of characters/character development and plot. Ugh
- OfficialJab
  
  Really? I found it to be extremely character-oriented, to the point where the plot was totally backseated for the sake of the characters and how they changed over a short time.
  - Scopedog
    
    I liked his take on Trek, but....well, not everyone did. It certainly had a helluva lot of character development, though, and was an exciting film. As for this...well, great for J.J.! He's more of a SW fan, so this has got to be a dream come true.
  - Paul K.
    
    I didn't say it had no character development. I said the character development was garbage.
    - OfficialJab
      
      Extremely subjective, I'd say... but this move was destined to ruin many people's day. Just about as many people as it excited, probably.
      - Paul K.
        
        Indeed, it's only my opinion
- capitandelespacio
  
  Is ok if I read the first line of your comment with the Episode III Darth Vader's "NO" voice?
cinemabandit

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tCYHWIi-_ig/SwQdvnxP2sI/AAAAAAAADKQ/B_vv3SB0U64/s1600/pseudoblog_r2d2startrek600.jpg
- David Banner
  
  You know, I looked for RS one or two times. Do you have the timestamp/timecode when he passes the screen?
capitandelespacio

Lightsabers with lens flares!
- Wafffles
  
  lmao
- http://twitter.com/AkiraMoney Akira Money ♕
  
  ...will look awesome!
- http://www.roamandthink.com/ PBGray
  
  I want that. Bad.
- Thexn
  
  Can't hit your opponent due to lack of skill? Now you can blind them just buy turning your weapon on! (Oh, and the audience too.)
  - capitandelespacio
    
    It's gonna be great.
    - Thexn
      
      Bring your sunglasses so you can see the movie!
zspang

Guillermo del Toro should be doing this, imho.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7YGEVuJ4mM Carpola
  
  Del Toro is better than Star Wars.
OfficialJab

The only disappointment that I'm feeling from this is that I'd like a director who prizes practical effects over almost anything else. Most directors, like JJ, will say that they love real sets/makeup/miniature shots, but wimp out when it gets too big or complicated. He's got Disney's checkbook behind him now, so I hope they go full on with the real, physical filmmaking. READ THIS JJ ABRAMS
- Scopedog
  
  "READ THIS JJ ABRAMS" Now you damned well know that he's not going to do that! .But in all seriousness, he just may go more practical. We'll see.
- John
  
  I agree to a point. But there are some things that just can't be done practically. Fortunately visual effects (if done properly) can depict things that could never be physically built. I actually think that Abrams' has proved he can handle this. Star Trek looked great and seemed to have a good blend of practical and digital effects work. Same with M:I:III and Super 8.
capitandelespacio

Let's hope that actually JJ doesn't care about the events of the prequels and he just makes like those awfull movies never existed.
- OfficialJab
  
  Didn't SLJ say that he wanted Mace Windu to return somehow? If that was the only tie-in I'd buy it no matter how they explained it.
  - capitandelespacio
    
    I will say just this: JJ you are our only hope.
Xerxexx

Okay...now this got interesting.
RidgeRacer4

1,000 Republic credits says I know who's scoring it:P
- http://www.facebook.com/gshauger Geoffrey Shauger
  
  Not john Williams which is going to immediately diminish the quality and authenticity of these movies
  - RidgeRacer4
    
    New generation of films and filmmakers needs a new generation of film music. Love Williams to death but like Lucas stepping down, we need new blood and again I got no problem with Michael.
    - John
      
      I agree completely. Williams' work on Star Wars will always be one of the great achievements of film music, and if it's not gonna be him then Giacchino is a solid replacement.
- Thexn
  
  Lemme guess, Michael Giacchino? The same guy who does every movie Abrams does? Ah well, the times they are a changin'.
  - RidgeRacer4
    
    He's a fantastic composer, probably the best since Jerry Goldsmith died, and he and Abrams' collaborations have been incredible and memorable. I got no problem with Michael (should it come to pass that is) lending his frenetic but soulful themes to the SW universe. Plus having interviewed him and talked at length about his work with Abrams I'm kind of biased:P
http://www.knightsofmarsroundtable.blogspot.com/ Sir Phobos

Ugh. I really don't like his Star Trek. But on the bright side, I've absolutely hated everything from Star Wars in the past 15 years, so it can't get any worse.
- conradthegreat
  
  Then why are you commenting or even reading this news?
  - http://www.knightsofmarsroundtable.blogspot.com/ Sir Phobos
    
    Because I have an interest in it? Or because I can? I don't have to like news to have an opinion about it.
    - 311
      
      Good one!!!
- Wafffles
  
  Look at it this way: he's going to be extremely mindful of avoiding the most obvious criticism for his new Star Wars movie, namely the inevitable complaint that it's too similar to his Star Trek movies. So, it stands to reason that he will go out of his way to differentiate the two as much as possible, in order to minimize that critique. So, if you don't like his style on Star Trek, perhaps that in fact suggests you will be quite pleased with his Star War movie? Lol
  - http://www.knightsofmarsroundtable.blogspot.com/ Sir Phobos
    
    Yea, I was just talking with someone about him needing to go out of his way to make it visually different than Trek. So, really, I can't even begin to guess what his Star Wars is going to be like. I'm fine with his aesthetics; I just hope it will make more sense than Star Trek.
    - Scopedog
      
      Hmmm....you've got a valid point. I'd say that he will have to go out of his way to make it different from TREK--they are separate universes, after all. But to be fair....right now, we don't have a clue.
      - Greedy
        
        Um...Trek is about science and Wars is about spirituality. Anyone who can't tell the difference isn't paying attention.
      - Scopedog
        
        You'd be surprised, actually. And I pretty much said that they are separate universes, so he'll have to differentiate (and pay attention to the look and feel of SW). If I didn't make that clear, well, that's my fault.
si1ver

If the biggest criticism of the new Start Wars is lens flare then this is gonna be awesome.
DAVIDPD

YEE-HAW!!!
Brandon Carey

I'm conflicted... not because this isn't great news - I think it's incredible news, actually - it's that this probably means the end of Abrams doing Trek. Well... if that's the case, at least he's moving on to another series that I love. I don't think they could've picked a better director to start off a new trilogy.
- http://www.facebook.com/gshauger Geoffrey Shauger
  
  Nolan, Fincher, Cameron....need I go on?
http://twitter.com/AkiraMoney Akira Money ♕

Fucking YES!!!!!
Nielsen700

Boring choice.
Chris

Hope he doesn't get the trilogy - his finales suck!
http://www.facebook.com/TheChosenPessimist Jon Odishaw

Apart from Joss Whedon this is the best thing that could have happened for Star wars.
Meester Smeeth

Yes. Yes! YES!! YYEESSS!!! Aaahhhhhhhhh.
http://www.facebook.com/ege.sonmez.180 Ege Sönmez

Whoa, just- WHOA.
http://twitter.com/CodyTho Cody Thomason

This is insane. He is going to be without a doubt one of the most legendary directors of all time simply because he directed both of these huge franchises.
- Greedy
  
  But he created niether. He's a work for hire director.
http://www.facebook.com/joshuaddisson Joshua Addisson Roach

http://themediaviking.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/r2drstartrek1.jpeg r2d2 already made an appearance in star trek 09
http://www.roamandthink.com/ PBGray

How can I make love to this story? Seriously. Any ideas?
- Kamish!
  
  First print it out, then roll up the paper into a tube/cylinder shape, then...
  - http://www.roamandthink.com/ PBGray
    
    Good show fine sir.
David Banner

And yet, nothing about this on starwars-dot-com......
Anna Martin

it should have been whedon. after abrams' fucking up of star trek canon, i have no faith in him doing starwars.
- http://www.facebook.com/gshauger Geoffrey Shauger
  
  Unfortunately fans, critics and the general public disagree with you which is why Star Trek was a box office and critical smash
  - Scopedog
    
    True....and besides, I thought it was Berman and Braga who f'd up Trek's canon...at least according to some fans.
- castingcouch
  
  Whedon, Abrams, Whedon, Abrams... There are other movie directors out there, you know.
Ricardo_PT

First, that title is so misleading, it's nothing official, come on.... Second, I hope it's not official:/
OHSHIT!!!!

OHHHHHHHHSHHHHHHHIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Christopher-Philip-Cinquegrano/100000932639147 Christopher Philip Cinquegrano

Well hes directing , its not like he's writing the script. I'm sure he'll have some freedoms but i'm glad hes just directing.
nubsy

More Lens flares and less Jar Jar? This is gettin' better all the time!
paranam

'Darth Abrams???' 'Yes, my Lord. 'Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssssssssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.'
Cody W

I still want my hard R slow mo jedi fights!!!!!!!!!!!
avi

yes yes yes yes yes!
Thexn

"I'd lightsaber duel you Darth Cryptic, but I can't see you through the flaring light of your weapon! Just a second, lemme force pull some sunglasses over here!"
Xerxexx

We have one capable screen writer in Michael Arndt and one capable director in Abrams...This is gearing up to be quite the exciting film.
castingcouch

There goes my interest in seeing this movie.
Steven

Although the story lines of the Star Wars are pretty basic, I hope he brings back the flavour of the original without the need to 'jazz' things up. It needs to have the same feel if its not a spin-off.
fasterpetey

please god no Samuel l Jackson. he'll lobby hard to get in
http://twitter.com/johnmadden78 John Madden

Hang on a second. I'm not saying it won't be J.J. (though I still think Matthew Vaughn would be excellent and is more likely) - since when did 'official' mean "The site that said Zack Snyder was making a Jedi samurai movie says so, even though there's been no word from Disney, Lucasfilm or Bad Robot"?
- Ricardo_PT
  
  This
Swanland

They had a chance to bring in a director who might breathe new life into Star Wars with a unique vision and style... and they blew it by choosing Abrams. He's a truly competent director, but his style is derivative of so many others rather than being something truly new. He's a safe choice, not a bold one. Sounds like typical Disney.
- Joe
  
  I am pretty sure the last thing fanboys would want is a "bold choice" for a director with a "unique vision and style." People have an idea of what the Star Wars universe looks like and they don't want it to be a director who will go out of his way to put make sure his style shows through.
GK

fan made minimalist poster...
Anality

Fuck yeah!!!! Luv JJ!!! Looking forward to some wicked Lightsaber fights.... Wonder who they are gonna cast as the Solo twins & Ben Skywalker?
Crusty Brown Ring

Ryan Gosling as Ben Skywalker JGL as Jacen Solo Benedict Cumberbatch as the main villain sith
- Ricardo_PT
  
  Awesome cast, expect for Benedict, he is not that great. I would rather have Fassbender as the main villain. Or even have Gosling as a sith and bring someone like James McAvoy to the Jedi side
mooreworthy

I just want sit in the theater with others in an imax and explod when "star wars" jumps out on the screen. One of the best moments to share with strangers.
- grimjob
  
  I love that moment. Everyone gets nearly pees themselves with anticipation of that.
  - mooreworthy
    
    Yes my friend.
    - grimjob
      
      Just realized I forgot to type *really excited and* before the pee comment. See what that damn intro does? Just re-living it gets me all scatterbrained.
Lautaro

Plastic and bullshit on mass production. That's what I think.
Ceazar

Blasphemy....
David Banner

So...if JJ can lie/change his mind.....who else will come forth? Well, this is still NOT OFFICIAL, but I guess it will be on Monday?
lando

"NO! THATS NOT TRUE! THATS IMPOSSIBLE!"
player2aj

http://nooooooooooooooo.com/ I sense a great disturbance in the Force.