JJ Abrams taking over script for Star Wars Episode VII, still hoping for production to start in 2014

Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3) has had the responsibility of bringing the Star Wars to life in the next film series as the screenwriter for Star Wars Episode VII.

Now director JJ Abrams will be taking over with the current Star Wars consultant Lawrence Kasdan to refine the script and get the film into production in Spring 2014.

From the press release on StarWars.com:

Lawrence Kasdan and director J.J. Abrams have assumed screenwriting duties for the film. Kasdan, who has been serving as a consultant on the film, is a veteran of several classic Lucasfilm productions, writing the screenplay for Raiders of the Lost Ark and serving as co-screenwriter for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Acclaimed director and screenwriter Abrams’ credits include Super 8, Mission: Impossible III, Fringe, and Lost.

“I am very excited about the story we have in place and thrilled to have Larry and J.J. working on the script,” states Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “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.”

Shooting is scheduled to begin Spring 2014 at Pinewood Studios for an expected 2015 release.