Officially Official: Disney Confirms J.J. ABRAMS TO DIRECT STAR WARS: EPISODE VII

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The internet is a bad place. After speculation, rumor, and even flat-out denial by Abrams himself, it’s been officially revealed after news leaked earlier this week… J.J. ABRAMS WILL DIRECT STAR WARS: EPISODE VII. Walt Disney Studios sent out the official press release a short time ago, complete with quotes from all the involved players. Interestingly enough, the day the Abrams news flared up again this week, I had both of my girls decked out in STAR WARS t-shirts, a picture of which I shared on The Rock Father social nets. Details on this new ripple in The Force below…

“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.” I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid.”J.J. Abrams

“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.”George Lucas

“It’s very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie. 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.”Kathleen Kennedy

Abrams will direct from a screenplay by Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt. Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg are consulting on the new film. 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.

The child in me is VERY happy right now, though I will throw myself into the camp that feels a little weird that the director of the recent big-screen STAR TREK movies is now at the helm of the STAR WARS universe. It’s as if he won the sci-fi geek lottery, and will soon bridge the gap between the passionate legions of fans and foes.

The biggest thrill I think, will be the opportunity to take my girls to the movie theater to see a new STAR WARS film on the big-screen.

What do YOU think of the news?

For more STAR WARS goodness, check out previous tales from A Galaxy Far, Far Away right here on The Rock Father.

P.S.: I’m literally drinking coffee from a Luke Skywalker mug right now, and I have a BlasTech Industries DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol in my desk…
blaster