When J.J. Abrams was announced as the director to helm ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’, there was a huge amount of surprise from fans. It wasn’t because Abrams wasn’t a capable director, but because he was already in charge of the newly rebooted Star Trek franchise at Paramount, and also because he had publicly spoken out against taking the top job.
JJ Abrams on the set of 'Star Trek'
However, LucasFilm has confirmed the report, with Kathleen Kennedy adding, “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.”
Abrams himself also spoke up about the honor of being chosen, saying, “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.”
A still from the first Star Wars movie
However, none of these were going to be enough for fans – they wanted to see the man who created their beloved franchise speak up about who was going to replace him at the helm. And now, they have their wish. George Lucas has publicly endorsed J.J. Abrams, going so far as 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."
George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy discuss Star Wars future
