Speaking with
The Hollywood Reporter, Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy reveals how she had gotten
Star Trek director J.J. Abrams to helm
Star Wars: Episode VII for Disney. Abrams originally denied that he would be involved with the film due to his commitment to
Star Trek, but after meeting with Kennedy, he clearly changed his mind.
"I learned firsthand how incredible and persuasive she is. The thing about any pre-existing franchise -- I'd sort of done that. But when I met with Kathy, it was suddenly very tantalizing," he tells THR. Kennedy then goes on to talk about her meetings with Abrams, saying that they and the writers met secretly for about three hours on December 19th, and she says that
"J.J. was just on the ceiling when I walked out the door." Among Abrams' concerns were his
"'very genuine concerns' about his obligations elsewhere and the impact on his wife and three kids, given the likelihood that the film would not be shot in Los Angeles. And then there was the unique nature of the franchise." "If there was any pause on J.J.'s part, it was the same pause everybody has -- including myself -- stepping into this. Which is, it's daunting."
However, she eventually won Abrams over when the deal for him to direct
Star Wars: Episode VII came to a close in January.
"We spent a lot of time talking about how meaningful Star Wars is and the depth of the mythology that George has created and how we carry that into the next chapter." Recently, it was reported that Abrams isn't committed to the previously announced 2015 release for the movie, but Kennedy says that
"Our goal is to move as quickly as we can, and we'll see what happens. The timetable we care about is getting the story." For THR's full interview with Kennedy, click the source link below.
Star Wars: Episode VII is currently being written by Michael Arndt (
Toy Story 3. Abrams' next film,
Star Trek Into Darkness, hits theaters May 17th.