“Star Trek” Director J.J. Abrams To Direct First Movie In New “Star Wars” Trilogy

The internet/sci-fi world went ablaze this afternoon after multiple news sources reported that acclaimed sci-fi director J.J. Abrams accepted the role of director for the first movie in the new “Star Wars” trilogy due out in 2015.

We’re awaiting an official announcement from Disney and will update this post with their announcement once we receive it.

“Star Wars: Episode 7” will be the first movie in a new trilogy set for release sometime in 2015. The film will be the first film to be released under the Disney name. The announcement of the new trilogy was made by Bob Iger and George Lucas when Disney confirmed the acquisition of Lucasfilm, George Lucas’ production company, last November.

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Abrams in past interviews has said multiple times that he was not interested in directing the new “Star Wars” films, so that got us wondering. Why has he changed his mind? The pay? The sheer honor? The Force?

Sound off in the comments.

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UPDATE – 1/25/13 @ 10:47 PM PST – Disney has officially confirmed J.J. Abrams as the director of “Star Wars: Episode 7.” Here’s the full official statement:

J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay.

“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 betterhands.”

“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.

Also consulting on the project are Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg.  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.

Abrams and his production company Bad Robot have a proven track record of blockbuster movies that feature complex action, heartfelt drama, iconic heroes and fantastic production values with such credits as Star Trek, Super 8, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, and this year’s Star Trek Into Darkness. Abrams has worked with Lucasfilm’s preeminent postproduction facilities, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, on all of the feature films he has directed, beginning with Mission: Impossible III. He also created or co-created such acclaimed television series as Felicity, Alias, Lost and Fringe.

UPDATE 10/24 – Disney has released information that confirms that Michael Ardnt (writer for “Toy Story 3”) will no longer be writing the for “Star Wars: Episode 7.” Although information on why Ardnt will no longer be writing wasn’t released, fans can rejoice in that director J.J. Abrams and seasoned LucasFilm writer Lawrence Kasdan (“The Empire Strikes Back”, “Raiders of the Lost Ark”) will be taking over as writers.

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What do you think about having Star Trek director J.J. Abrams as director for the next Star Wars film? Do you think he’ll get it right? Do you think having 3 more films even makes sense? Tell us in the comments!