Ever since Disney bought Lucasfilms, and the Star Wars franchise in the process, announcing that there would be an episodes 7, 8 and 9 of the long running saga, the main question has been, who will direct?
Abrams name has been one of the front runners, either is fans hoping for a decent director or in leaked information, but is not suprise, and of great relief that he will be at the helm.
Also confirmed is that the production (or leadership duties as the starwars.com website calls it) will be Kathleen Kennedy and the screen play will be done by Michael Arndt, who is also a life long Star Wars fan.
Good news all round really? In a word yes, Abrams has the ability to turn things around, and is a brilliant director. The transformation he has done with Star Trek is nothing short of amazing, he taken the pure essence of the franchise, turned it full circle on it's head and allowed it to live a new life BUT he has kept it pure to the original. Also he took the flagging franchise of Mission:Impossible and produced possibly the best film of the series.
I think largely fan concerns that Disney would turn the series into a money spinning load on nonsense has been largely laid to rest, and quite possible the series will be given a new lease of life after the prequel trilogy tried to kill it.
