Just when we’d all kind of forgotten about this whole Star Wars third trilogy thing, LucasFilm go ahead and announce that, hey, they’ve found their director and, hey, it’s J.J. Abrams, the guy who’s just finished working on his second Star Trek movie. Positively bewildering, really, especially when you remember that it was Abrams who said this not long ago:
“I declined any involvement very early on. I’d rather be in the audience not knowing what was coming, rather than being involved in the minutiae of making them.”
And according to a bunch of reports, LucasFilm were also seriously considering Ben Affleck as a potential man for the job. How… bizarre?
It’s welcomed news, of course, mainly because this “Who will direct Star Wars?” thing has felt like the longest and most speculative of cinematic guessing games, and one that became almost embarrassingly fickle at times. Nearly every director in Hollywood capable of doning a baseball cap and saying things out of their mouth was rumoured to be taking on the gig as Star Wars: Episode VII’s director: that included big names like Brad Bird and Steven Spielberg, and people you’d never heard of before like, um, that Colin Trevorrow guy.
Abrams’ name is sure to get the internet all fired up in a flurry of mixed opinions, given that this is the man who created Lost. And although Abrams’ cinematic endeavors have actually been pretty good by all accounts, he’s often been labelled a hack on a number of occassions, ’cause that’s what happens when you create Lost. So what does this announcement mean for the future of the Star Wars franchise? Here’s 10 things to expect from J.J. Abrams. May the force be with him!
8 Actresses Who Tricked You Into Thinking You Saw Them Nude
11 Irresistible Movie Moments That Wore Out Your Pause Button
100 Things Wrong With The Dark Knight Rises [Video]
10 Scenes You Won't Believe You Missed in 2012
10 Most Infuriating Movie Cliffhangers
10 Major Plot Holes You Probably Missed
10 Happy Movie Endings That Probably Had Horrific Consequences
12 Ruthless Movie Villains Who Were Defeated By Complete Fools
Want to write about the stuff you're passionate about and have your work read by an audience of over 10 million a month? Click here to become a contributor.
8 Comments
Still can’t believe they’re making three more. One, two and three were horrible.
I’m hoping that Mr Abrams will direct a third Trek film after Episode 7 to finish off a consistent trilogy and whilst he is doing that Mr Bird comes in for Episode 8…
Like it or not, the new trilogy is happening and there nothing we can do about it – i’m fine with this though. Come on people – least Mr Lucas isn’t directing. Every cloud and all that…
Not sure why Affleck would be considered “bizarre” as he has clearly proven himself to be a top director or maybe what you mean is that it’s not the type of film you could see him directing in which case I could see your point. Although remember we are talking about a franchise where Return of the Jedi was offered to both David Cronenberg and David Lynch.
I agree. In fact, potentially hiring Ben Affleck reminds me of hiring Irvin Kershner for The Empire Strike Back: he’s a director who doesn’t necessarily make blockbusters, but knows how to shoot, pace, and assemble a film that delivers with its story and spectacle.
Abrams is still a good fit (if this breaking news is ever confirmed, that is). Above all, he knows how to make audiences fall in love with his characters. I’d love to see the performances he could get out of the original Star Wars cast – especially Harrison Ford.
I like J.J. Abrams but I really don’t like the idea of him making Star Wars. I would absolutely love Alfonso Cuaran or Guillermo Del Toro to make one but I doubt that will ever happen
Good article save your statement that Brad Bird did a great job with MI:IV – it’s just not a great film and is significantly inferior to MI:III, directed by, oh yes, who was it again? J.J. Abrams!
lets hope he build sets and not use cg for every shot.
Why are all these bias articles referring to the storytelling in LOST? After the first season (which most people believe to have been excellent) J.J. had pretty much nothing to do with the writing.