Skip to content

Disney Confirms J.J. Abrams’ Role as Director in 2015 Star Wars Film

January 26, 2013

By Paul Thomson :: 12:49 AM

J.J. Abrams Star WarsDisney has confirmed the leak that got out yesterday – J.J. Abrams will indeed direct the next Star Wars film, due to hit screens in 2015. The company issued the following statement:

Yes, 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.

Abrams will head up “Episode VII,” the next installment in the sci-fi franchise. Also, interestingly enough, this is where Star Wars and Star Trek will closely align – for the first time ever.  He had directed the 2009 Star Trek movie, and will also direct its upcoming sequel. He had made remarks last fall that he wasn’t interested in taking on the Star Wars movie, but something has obviosuly changed his mind.

Bob Iger, CEO at Disney, has made Star Wars a priority for the company. In a message to company investors, he said the he is planning to release a new Star Wars movie every two years.