Michael Arndt is Out, J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan are In as Screenwriters for Star Wars: Episode VII

Posted on October 28, 2013

There are changes afoot in the Star Wars writing universe. Screenwriter Michael Arndt is apparently departing the team making Star Wars: Episode VII (although he's already written the script). J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan are taking over the writing duties. Kasdan wrote what is arguably the best film in the series so far: The Empire Strikes Back. Kasdan also wrote Body Heat, The Accidental Tourist and Return of the Jedi.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy was upbeat in a statement announcing the change: "I am very excited about the story we have in place and thrilled to have Larry and J.J. working on the script. There are very few people who fundamentally understand the way a Star Wars story works like Larry, and it is nothing short of incredible to have him even more deeply involved in its return to the big screen. J.J. of course is an incredible storyteller in his own right. Michael Arndt has done a terrific job bringing us to this point and we have an amazing filmmaking and design team in place already prepping for production."

It sounds like J.J. Abrams, who is directing the next film, wasn't too fond of the script, gave Kasdan a call and they're fixing it. No one has really explained what is going on, but that's our best guess. Kasdan was already working on some prequel films, one which will follow the adventures of a young Han Solo and another that will follow bounty hunter Bobba Fett.