The Force Awakens J.J. Abrams to Direct Star Wars Episode VII

[dude stannis]

Either way, Pegg is a guarantee to appear in the film now.

 

[Gianakin_]

Well, JJ has used him in 2 franchises, so I guess it's not out there.

 

[Herolee10]

So is it safe to say that we may get some casting news by the later half of this year since I would assume that they would need to start filming by next Summer (wow that seems far away already.lol) in order to make it for a May 2015 release.

And honestly, male or female lead, I just want a trilogy to make fans and audiences alike fall in love with this franchise all over again; make us feel as though we were reliving the same level of excitement when A New Hope first came out in the 70's.

 

[Gianakin_]

We should be getting stuff after summer, I assume.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Hhhm, I'm a bit mixed on this, I like JJ but his movies often leave me a little dissapointed. Star Trek was great, but it has problems, and M:I3 and Super 8 both fall apart in the 3rd act for me, they are good movies with poor 3rd acts, Trek has less problems and a good 3rd act though.

He has never really done anything to actually "wow" me though and this is my worry, he makes good movies, but they leave something to be desired and he isnt in the realm of film-makers like Spielberg, Cameron, Del Toro, Jackson, Nolan, Tarantino et al.

Personally, I would also put Joss Whedon, Bryan Singer, Sam Raimi and Matthew Vaughn above him as well, Abrams best movie is not as good as those directors best movies, and they are more consistent in my eyes as well. I wish him luck, but I am certainly far from over the moon with this news.

 

[titansupes]

Just realized...since he shot some IMAX for Into Darkness, anyone thinking there's a good chance he'd do the same for SW?

I really hope not. It may look great the the big (BIG) screen, but after 4 or so months, a movies life is lived on out TV screens. And I really don't want the aspect ratio changing on me constantly like The Dark Knight Trilogy blurays.

 

[Herolee10]

Personally, I would also put Joss Whedon, Bryan Singer, Sam Raimi and Matthew Vaughn above him as well, Abrams best movie is not as good as those directors best movies, and they are more consistent in my eyes as well. I wish him luck, but I am certainly far from over the moon with this news.

While I can agree that Vaughn would have been a good choice as well, I really would not be happy if the other three mentioned would have been picked to lead.

I do admit that Joss did a great job with the Avengers, but from a visual standpoint, I'm not really impressed with how he filmed his big ensemble picture and I got the sense that he could use more experience when it comes to staging some big action sequences; point being, I think Abrams is more capable of handling large scale and intense action sequences and making his film (when not overusing his solar flares) look really cinematic.

After the mess of SR, I don't think singer could make Star Wars any better, and with Raimi, if we go by his track with "Spider-Man" then we could expect some forced campy scenes and a horribly written female lead/set of characters.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

While I can agree that Vaughn would have been a good choice as well, I really would not be happy if the other three mentioned would have been picked to lead.

I do admit that Joss did a great job with the Avengers, but from a visual standpoint, I'm not really impressed with how he filmed his big ensemble picture and I got the sense that he could use more experience when it comes to staging some big action sequences; point being, I think Abrams is more capable of handling large scale and intense action sequences and making his film (when not overusing his solar flares) look really cinematic.

Disagree about Joss, I loved the action in Avengers, and have you seen Serenity? Another amazing Joss movie with amazing action sequences and he always brings real heart to the characters and their journey.

After the mess of SR, I don't think singer could make Star Wars any better, and with Raimi, if we go by his track with "Spider-Man" then we could expect some forced campy scenes and a horribly written female lead/set of characters.

X-Men 2, Spiderman 2 and The Usual Suspects are all better than any of Abrams movies. You could argue Spiderman, Evil Dead 1 and 2 are as well. Singer and Raimi both have better and more varied movies in their folder than Abrams does. I'm not saying these guys should have been picked, but I do think there are better directors out there than Abrams, hence me not getting too excited about him directing this.

 

[BatLobster]

Abrams as always seemed just on the cusp of greatness to me. He hasn't made a bad film, but he also hasn't quite made a GREAT film. Doesn't mean he doesn't have one in him though. If there was ever reason for any director to up their game, it would be being handed the keys to Star Wars. Kind of like how it seems Zack Snyder is really turning it up a notch for Man of Steel (knock wood).

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

3PO can still be done by Daniels, I think.

That's where Lucas' real role kicks in, I think. Making sure some of the regulars (Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew) still keep their jobs.

 

[terry78]

Disney wasn't going to stray too far from the beaten path with some avant garde type director. They want someone with SW knowledge, but who is also somewhat of a comfort zone, so no directors trying to turn SW into their own version of it, which has both its good and bad points. Abrams pretty much is today's Spielberg, and logically and financially he was the best choice.

 

[Doctor Jones]

It's gonna come down to the script. I agree Super 8 was lacking in its third act, but Arndt's screenplays are strong throughout.

 

[Lobo]

Not commented yet, but I am very happy with this choice. I cannot wait to start hearing some story details. I hope Kyle Katarn has a role, the more I read about his character the more I like him. Or perhaps come all the way to Cade Skywalker who'd make a great protagonist IMO. I LOVE not knowing what's coming. I'm very on board with this choice. this has me more excited than Justiec League or Avengers 2

As for Abrams alum in the cast, I'd like to see Keri Russell inolved

 

[Destructus86]

Hhhm, I'm a bit mixed on this, I like JJ but his movies often leave me a little dissapointed. Star Trek was great, but it has problems, and M:I3 and Super 8 both fall apart in the 3rd act for me, they are good movies with poor 3rd acts, Trek has less problems and a good 3rd act though.

He has never really done anything to actually "wow" me though and this is my worry, he makes good movies, but they leave something to be desired and he isnt in the realm of film-makers like Spielberg, Cameron, Del Toro, Jackson, Nolan, Tarantino et al.

Personally, I would also put Joss Whedon, Bryan Singer, Sam Raimi and Matthew Vaughn above him as well, Abrams best movie is not as good as those directors best movies, and they are more consistent in my eyes as well. I wish him luck, but I am certainly far from over the moon with this news.

Personally, I think Bryan Singer shouldn't even be considered in that list of "great" directors. Abrams has really impressed me. I think I've seen both Star Trek and Super 8 roughly a dozen times.

But it's all a matter of taste. I feel Abrams really is this generations Spielberg, as he is often called. But it all comes down to taste. Having someone who loves the lore of Star Wars really helps.

 

[Doctor Jones]

No you're right. He pigeon holed himself with that comment. At the same time, it was reported that he was very hesitated to say yes until Spielberg really vouched for him. So I'm sure talks became more serious by the new year. When confronted again about Star Wars more recently he had to go with the lie that he started last year. He couldn't elebrate on anything and if he was too vague, the press would jump on it.

But it is what it is and I don't really care. PR Agencies lie all the time. Now actors and directors do it too. And it's all due to the digital age and the more aggressive approach at getting news now.

Well how could one blame him for that then? If he wasn't approached and turned it down or not, he was really speaking his mind. I doubt Abrams expected Spielberg to vouch for him and to be heavily courted. These things are unpredictable, even for Abrams himself it may seem.

And Damon Lindelof's twitter comment.

 

[Doctor Jones]

When I first read the news last fall (and keep in mind, I read it on twitter during a hurricane ), I honestly thought it was an Onion headline. I had assumed Star Wars was done, never expected to see Disney pick it up, much less see a new trilogy.

I'm old enough that I've been around for all of them. I'm looking forward to taking my nephews to see this one.

This will be one of the times where we remembered where we were when we found out. I was at my college library, waiting on a call when my friend texted me about it. I thought he was ****ting me.

Yeah, this new trilogy will only further its longevity. I mean, not that it needed it, but I just love how each new generation of SW fans will find some way to be introduced to SW. For me it was the originals, but I grew up with the prequels, for the next it was the CW show, and now the next will be this trilogy. And many, many more to come it seems.

 

[Bim]

I have a feeling he will bring people from LOST into this like possibly Holloway and Fox. I was surprised he got the job.

I wouldnt mind at all if some of the losties make it into the movie, especially these two t:

The problem isn't that a female lead can't lead a franchise, the problem is that Hollywood is usually too chicken**** to let a female lead handle a franchise, which she obviously can.

Hell hath no fury than insulting a female Star Wars fan.

Do they even know who they're messing with? Cause i dont think so . For the record, i dont care if the lead is male or female as long as it's a great, compelling story. I just roll my eyes at some of the comments here who seem to be so anti-something without even knowing the story and how it would all come together . Open mindness is the key word right now imo. I know there will be complaining and unhappy people no matter what (it's Star Wars after all and everyone has their own idea about what's awesome and what isnt) but geesh, at least let's wait for some more info before we start ruling out what will work and what wont.

 

[atila9323]

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Abrams will either go down as the most loved fanboy director or the most hated. There is no inbetween.

 

[Bim]

Abrams will either go down as the most loved fanboy director or the most hated. There is no inbetween.

I say both. There's always someone who's gonna hate no matter what he does lol.

 

[Airwings]

I have a bad feeling about this

 

[The Caped Knight]

J.J. Abrams to Direct Star Wars Episode VII

Well this is an interesting turn of development. Abrams brought "Star Trek" back to the Big Screen in a big way and now he's taking it a step farther with "STAR WARS". Well here's hoping he's able to recapture and surpass the remarkable job he did with Trek and bring some new life into continuing the epic saga of the Skywalker family.

 

[CConn]

I really wish people could tell the difference between directors and writers. Having problems with Abrhams previous scripts will have absolutely no bearing on his Star Wars film if he's only directing.

 

[Darthphere]

I really wish people could tell the difference between directors and writers. Having problems with Abrhams previous scripts will have absolutely no bearing on his Star Wars film if he's only directing.

No CConn, no! WE MUST HATE EVERYTHING!


Wait, whats going on?

 

[CConn]

Personally, I think he'll do fine. As someone else has already noted, he's displayed a strong ability to develop compelling characters and - judging from Super 8 - has a really keen ability to pay tribute to classic styles of filmmaking. With a proper script, I'm entirely confident he'll be able to breath new life into Star Wars - while retaining the classic fantasy elements of the originals.

My only real concern would be how similar it'll be to his Star Trek movies. I definitely wouldn't want the two series to seem at all interchangeable. However, I'm pretty sure both he and Disney are smart enough to avoid that obvious pitfall.

And I love the idea of a teenage female lead. Having really great strong female characters used to be a real rarity, now it seems like we'll have a plethora of really positive and likeable role models for girls. If Disney can capture the same spirit they have imbibed into their recent Disney princesses, it should be great.