The future of Star Wars: JJ Abrams

Hi, all!

JJ Abrams

Star Wars. One of the most lucrative and influential film series of all time. The fans are rabid, the rumors always generate buzz, and there has always been the mystery of "what's next?"

Late last year, George Lucas sold all of Lucasfilm to Disney for a crazy 4 BILLION dollars (what?!). Discussions for the purchase date back to 2011. Episode VII was announced at the same time that the purchase was approved and people pretty much went ballistic. Lucas said he wouldn't direct it which ignited a maelstrom of names being thrown around.

Yesterday, it was announced that JJ Abrams would direct. He's responsible for shows like Lost (!!), Fringe, and Alias. He has also directed movies like Star Trek and Super 8. I think he's a great director and has an excellent creative mind for the science fiction genre. He's well known for his lens flares, which appear in most of his movies. I'm excited to see what he does with the series. Nothing he has done seems very similar to the Star Wars style, so it'll be interesting to see if he adapts this style or takes it in a different direction.

George Lucas signing away
Lucasfilm to Disney.

We do know that Lucas will be involved as part of the creative team, but Abrams is the leader on the project. Sources also say that the plot won't be from any novels from the published Star Wars canon; it'll be an original plot line. The universe grows immensely in the novels so it'll be interesting to see where they take it.

Harrison Ford, Carrie Fischer, and
Mark Hamill

Adding more fuel to the fanboy fire are rumors that Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford will reprise their roles as Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo. If the announcement of Episode VII isn't enough to make you rejoice, maybe seeing the original Luke in jedi gear will get you excited. I know I'm ready.

Overall, the last month of Star Wars announcements has me ecstatic. I grew up wanting to be a jedi. The movies (yes, all six) are the type that you have to watch whenever you're flipping through the channels and they're on TV. I'm excited about JJ Abrams' take on the series. I know it'll be different, but I think he's made great decisions in the past. I'll be looking out for a lens flare in this one.

An Abrams lens flare in Super 8.

Let me know what you guys think of the purchase and if you're excited for Episode VII/JJ Abrams. =]