Abrams is currently hip-deep in preparation for this sequel, working on the screenplay with Toy Story 3 and Little Miss Sunshine scribe Michael Arndt. He's also in the midst of casting, and while the tight lid of secrecy hasn't popped off Episode VII, rumors have consistently linked Abrams' Star Trek Into Darkness bad guy Benedict Cumberbatch to a role, with Saoirse Ronan also listed among the contenders for a lead role.
And, of course, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford have all long been in talks to reprise their roles as Luke, Leia, and Han in the new film taking place after Return of the Jedi.
Speaking of the original trilogy, Entertainment Weekly recently asked Abrams which Star Wars movie most informs Episode VII. Abrams did not, as you might expect, simply answer The Empire Strikes Back, but instead said, “Impossible for me to say because it’s going to be an evolving thing. I would say we are working really hard to make a movie that feels as emotional and authentic and exciting as possible. Whatever your favorite Star Wars movie is and how to compare it is really sort of subjective."
Seemingly everyone has an opinion as to just what Star Wars: Episode VII ought to be, so EW asked if Abrams has taken any unsolicited advice to heart.
“It’s been nice see that how important it is and to be reminded how important it is to so many people," said Abrams. "We all know that [creator George Lucas'] dream has become almost a religion to some people. I remember reading a thing somewhere, someone wrote about just wanting [the new film] to feel real; to feel authentic. I remember I felt that way when I was 11 years old when I saw the first one. As much of a fairy tale as it was, it felt real. And to me, that is exactly right.”
Abrams reteams with his frequent cinematographer Dan Mindel on his Star Wars movie. The director of photography has shot three out of four of Abrams' theatrical endeavors, sitting out only Super 8. While George Lucas shot the last two installments of his space saga digitally, Abrams and Mindel are returning to film.
We'll see what Star Wars: Episode VII looks like when it hits theaters at some point in 2015, probably during the holiday season.
