UPDATED: STAR WARS VII: Is JJ Abrams Directing?

Thursday, January 24th, 2013 at 2:55 pm Category: Rumors, Star Wars, Top

It seems possible.

His name has been on every short list and every wish list since it was announced that there was going to be a seventh film in the Star Wars saga. Last month, news came out that Abrams had turned down the gig because he was too busy with Star Trek. If a report from The Wrap is true, then he must have changed his mind.

J.J. Abrams will direct the next “Star Wars” film for Disney, taking stewardship of one of Hollywood’s most iconic and lucrative film franchises, an individual with knowledge of the production told TheWrap.

There’s no reason to believe or disbelieve at this point. I’ve put in requests for confirmation or denial and have heard nothing back yet. If this is true and the news is broken, I’d expect official confirmation in a day or two, as had happened with Michael Arndt.

If it’s not true, well, then, we’re back where we started.

Abrams is not a displeasing choice to me. I loved the last Star Trek film, Super 8 was brilliant, and I’m one of the few people who loved LOST all the way through.

The more interesting news in the article, though, was that Ben Affleck was high up in the running to direct. If Abrams really is taking center stage for Episode VII, I’d love to see Affleck take up the middle, traditionally dark portion of the trilogy, with Episode VIII. He’s an excellent, taut director, and I have no doubt that he loves Star Wars as much as the rest of us.

As for this news, though: until it’s official, it’s still a rumour.

UPDATE: The Hollywood Reporter is confirming from their sources that Abrams is negotiating. That’s still nothing official. Plenty can go on in negotiations.

UPDATE 2: Variety is reporting it as fact. Between The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, it’s hard to argue with this. It’s looking like it’s a reality.