While he’s currently working on the Star Trek sequel, J.J. Abrams has been persuaded to take on one of the biggest movie franchises of all time – Star Wars! HollywoodLife.com’s sister site Deadline.com says that the newly-announced Star Wars: Episode VII is now in J.J.’s hands, according to a statement released by Lucasfilms. Is it a good idea?

The Official Press Release

“It’s very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie,” said Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy. “J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture.”

George Lucas went on to say “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.”

“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 honor,” J.J. Abrams said. “I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid.”

J.J. Abrams Didn’t Want To Direct The New ‘Star Wars’ Film — At First!

When HollywoodLife.com talked to J.J. at the Veterans Day 2012: Celebrating Leadership and Service event, hosted at Universal Studios on Nov. 9, he said that he wasn’t going to work with the franchise. “Look, Star Wars is one of my favorite movies of all time,” he told us. “I frankly feel that – I almost feel that, in a weird way, the opportunity for whomever it is to direct that movie, it comes with the burden of being that kind of iconic movie and series. I was never a big Star Trek fan growing up, so for me, working on Star Trek didn’t have any of that, you know, almost fatal sacrilege, and so, I am looking forward more than anyone to the next iterations of Star Wars, but I believe I will be going as a paying moviegoer!”

It looks like George and Disney did a good job at persuading J.J. to change his mind!

Star Wars: Episode VII is expected in 2015, and was announced as part of The Walt Disney Co.’s $4.05 billion purchase of Lucasfilm in October.

So, HollywoodLifers, are you all excited that J.J. is directing the next Star Wars? Sound off below!

WATCH: JJ Abrams Directing ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’!

— Chris Rogers, Reporting by Russ Weakland

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