Joe Johnston learned all about the craft of filmmaking from the father of Star Wars himself, George Lucas. Johnston worked as a concept artist and effects technician on the very first Star Wars film, A New Hope. He then went on to work with Lucas friend, Steven Spielberg, and the rest is history from there. The fact of the matter is that Star Wars is in Johnstons creative background, and what better choice than to promote someone who worked on the original trilogy who can add something special to that milieu? Johnston has the tech expertise and work history to take on a big budget sci fi pic as hes already helmed Jumanji and Captain America.