STAR WARS: EPISODE VII (Writer Attached + Directors Speak)

• STAR WARS: EPISODE VII

Michael Arndt

Earlier this week it was reported that Michael Arndt had provided an extensive treatment for the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII. However now  we got word that Arndt has officially signed on and will be providing the full screenplay for the highly anticipated 2015 release.

Arndt, who also wrote Little Miss Sunshine (winning him an Academy Award) and the upcoming Oblivion and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, is a noted fan of George Lucas's seminal film series and has publicly lectured about their merits.

Still not confirmed, however, is the rumor that Arndt's treatment includes the characters of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo. That being said, recent news suggests that, if the rumor does pan out, it's very likely that Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford will return to their respective roles.

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas

In other news, two high profile directors were asked if they would direct the episode 5, here’s there response:

Zack Snyder

Steven Spielberg told Access Hollywood: "No! No! It’s not my genre. It’s my best friend George’s genre.” 

Quentin Tarantino told EW something similar: “I could so care less. Especially if Disney’s going to do it. I’m not interested in the Simon West version of Star Wars.”

Another high profile director who is hard at work and a certain legendary comic book hero, also shed his thoughts on the matter.

LA Times talked to Watchmen and Man of Steel director Zack Snyder about taking up the reigns and he said this: “I don’t think I’d be interested in directing it. I’m a huge ‘Star Wars’ fanatic. I just think doing [episodes] seven, eight and nine is just a slippery slope. It’s a whole other mythological experiment I’m excited to see, but it’s a lot of effort.”

Matthew Vaughn has been rumored to be potentially in the running to helm the film, and director Brad Bird is certainly been viewed as a fan favorite to take on the directorial duties for the film. Just who will be the director for the next Star Wars film remains a mystery but we sure we will find out pretty soon in the near future.

Star Wars: Episode VII will see a release in 2015. Check back for more details as they become available.