J.J. Abrams To Direct <strong><em>Star Wars: Episode VII</em></strong>

Leslie Cheung almost 12 years ago

J.J. Abrams, director of Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek and its sequel Star Trek Into Darkness (released later this year) and Super 8, has been named director of Star Wars: Episode VII.

In the press release, George Lucas says:

"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 better hands."

While J.J. Abrams says:

"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 honour. I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid."

Lucasfilm also announced that in order to focus on the development of Episodes VII - IX, the studio has decided to postpone the original scheduled Episodes II and III in 3D.

Talking to CNBC, Disney CEO Bob Iger says:

"I can confirm to you today that in fact we are working on a few standalone films, Larry Kasdan and Simon Kinberg are both working on films derived from great Star Wars characters that are not part of the overall saga. We still plan to make Star Wars 7, 8, and 9 roughly over a six-year period of time, starting in 2015. But there are going to be a few other films released in that period, too."