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[Bobby Roberts]

According to The Wrap, JJ Abrams will be directing the next Star Wars movie.

This comes after JJ had already publicly denied he was going to do it.

I quickly said that because of my loyalty to 'Star Trek,' and also just being a fan, I wouldn't even want to be involved in the next version of those things. I declined any involvement very early on. I'd rather be in the audience not knowing what was coming, rather than being involved in the minutiae of making them.

Apparently Kathleen Kennedy had been pursuing him pretty strongly anyway, and Kathy gets what Kathy wants, I guess, because StarWars.com has officially confirmed that JJ Abrams is, in fact, directing Star Wars Episode VII.

"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."

While JJ and Bryan Burk are joining Simon Kinberg/Lawrence Kasdan as producers on the film, at least two of JJ's longtime collaborators are NOT going to be joining him on the project, as Roberto Orci tweeted that he and Alex Kurtzman will not be doing any Star Wars work.

The backup plan, should JJ have stuck to his guns, was Ben Affleck, according to the Wrap's article. Considering 2009's "Star Trek" was basically "Star Wars" in the first place, this might not be bad. Also, this pretty much guarantees Michael Giacchino is doing the score.

 

[LiK]

WAT

 

[Xenomiggs]

http://collider.com/j-j-abrams-star-wars/

It’s finally happened, folks. After weeks of shortlist stories, rumors, and denials, it appears that J.J. Abrams will be directing Star Wars: Episode VII. Per The Wrap, Lucasfilm Chief and Star Wars producer Kathleen Kennedy has been courting Abrams for a while, and Abrams himself “revealed” in December that he turned down the directing gig because he’d “rather be in the audience not knowing what was coming, rather than being involved in the minutiae of making the film.” So much for that. Apparently Ben Affleck was also in contention for the gig. We’ll update this story with more soon.

 

[sn00zer]

Bullcrap until an official announcement

 

[RatskyWatsky]

UGH NO he's a shit director noo

 

[Windu]

You crossed the streams! Run for your lives!

 

[cdyhybrid]

neowhoa.gif

 

[King of the Potato People]

I'm happy with that choice.

 

[catabarez]

Star Wars X Star Trek

 

[Yen]

Affleck would've been sooo good. Not too upset with Abrams, better than Favreau or Stanton.

 

[btkadams]

WOW.

 

[Aiii]

Both fine choices.

Hate on me all you want GAF. I love new Star Trek even though it differs from the originals and Affleck's proven to be a great director.

 

[Acheron]

The man now holds a monopoly on space opera.

 

[Zilch]

well... alright. meh.

 

[darthbob]

I refuse to believe this.

 

[stressboy]

I.. like this news!

 

[Veitsev]

He already made a great Star Wars movie. Lets see what he can do with the genuine goods.

 

[Screenboy]

But he denied it didn't he??

 

[Magnus]

The same man, who no one heard of circa Episode I, is directing current Trek and Star Wars. Amazing.

 

[Batman]

The only person that gets a pass for directing the movies is Lucas, every other director doesn't want to touch this because if the movie sucks they will forever known as the person who made Star Wars even worse. But this is a bad pick either way.

 

[scy]

dem lightsaber lens flares

 

[StuBurns]

I don't know if I believe it, but seems like a good choice.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Bullcrap until an official announcement

There was never an official announcement for Simon Kinberg & Lawrence Kasdan being hired as writer/producers, either. Lucasfilm hasn't shot it down yet, and the Wrap doesn't normally just puke shit up.

The fact Affleck was runner up is really interesting to me.

 

[Moaradin]

Star Trek 2009 was the best Star Wars movie since ESB.

 

[Salvor.Hardin]

Dude is officially king of the nerds.

I'm excited.

 

[Rentahamster]

This...is interesting indeed.

Affleck as the backup? Really?

 

[The Omega Man]

the vader pic guys, we need it badly here

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

I refuse to believe this.

I'm with you. I'll wait for something official.

 

[bndadm]

http://collider.com/j-j-abrams-star-wars/

Ugh. That means too much CGI and not a return of the excellent model work (probably).

This does not make sense to me at all. I hope I am proven wrong.

 

[ZeroGravity]

Terrible choice.

 

[pargonta]

i feel like it's all led to this...

Alias, Lost...
star trek super 8...

boooooooom.
hope it's true

-abrams fan.

 

[Freshmaker]

Well, at least the prequels won't be the worst in the series now.

 

[FairyD]

Even if it sucks, I'll still end up watching the movie.

 

[Brera]

I'm happy with this!

 

[Dennis]

The lens flares from all the lightsabers will be blinding.

dem lightsaber lens flares

Why did you do this to me?

 

[DoomGyver]

It can't be any worse than episodes 1-3, so how bad could it be?

pew pew pew shrewm shrewm clash clash shrewm NOOOOOOOOOO!

 

[Link]

Directing Star Trek and Star Wars?

...is that allowed?

 

[sappyday]

It'll at least be more ambitious than the prequels.

 

[LumpOfCole]

Trek AND Wars.


Quickly, someone photoshop the following:

"We can't repel lens flare of that magnitude"

"May the flare be with you. Always."

"That's no moon." (It's a lens flare)

 

[Himynameischris]

Cool maybe I'll actually like a star wars movie

 

[Good Job Bob]

 

[Horse Detective]

Hnnnnnng. I will let all of the lens flares flow through my body.

 

[Chuckl3s]

The twist is that Vader is still alive.

 

[Rentahamster]

http://collider.com/j-j-abrams-star-wars/

You are one minute old, which is an eternity in internet time.

 

[GrizzNKev]

shit

yes

 

[Enkidu]

I really liked Star Trek so I'm pretty happy with this.

 

[Funky Papa]

Apparently Ben Affleck was also in contention for the gig. We’ll update this story with more soon.

I really, really want to see this. It doesn't even have a main Episode, just a separate story in the SW Universe.

 

[HamPster PamPster]

Can a Star Driver movie be next?

 

[Eaten By A Grue]

I like this news. I do not think there is another director out there who I would want working on this.

 

[gutshot]

Has anyone made a lens flare joke yet?