Huge news: the new Star Wars film has found its writer. It'll be penned by Michael Arndt, the Oscar-winning screenwriter behind Little Miss Sunshine and Toy Story 3, Boing Boing reports.
So get ready for a potentially tear-jerking Star Wars: Episode VII, coming your way in 2015.
Disney bought Lucasfilm -- and hence the rights to the seminal sci-fi series -- from George Lucas a few days ago for $4bn. Lucas will stay on as creative consultant, and has begun story conferences with Arndt and producer Kathleen Kennedy, according to StarWars.com.
You can check out Lucas' musings on the matter in a couple of video interviews here.
According to rumours, Arndt wrote a 40-50 page treatment for the next Star Wars movie, and he nailed it. He'd reportedly been working on it since long before the merger last week.
To call Arndt a fan would be an understatement. He's lectured extensively on Star Wars and the art of storytelling, pinpointing exactly why the ending of Episode IV is so satisfying.
According to Vulture: "Arndt stated that if a writer could resolve the story's arcs (internal, external, philosophical) immediately after the Moment of Despair at the climax, he or she would deliver the Insanely Great Ending and put the audience in a euphoric state. The faster it could happen, the better. By [Arndt's] reckoning, George Lucas hit those three marks at the climax of Star Wars within a space of 22 seconds."
Arndt knows his space onions, so the chances of us having to endure another Jar Jar Binks are slim, to say the least.
There's no title beyond Star Wars: Episode VII, and there's no word on what the story is likely to involve. But this is happening, people. And it looks like the franchise could be restored to its former glory.
What do you hope for from the new Star Wars? Let me know in the comments below, or over on our Facebook page.
Image credit: Mondo
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JohnsonDion1 10 November, 2012 13:16
I am really excited about this and I know disney are not going to screw this up. I just hope it gets released on itunes so I can watch it everywhere on my iPhone!
Late8 10 November, 2012 16:00
1. What does this have to do with technology ? ?
2. Star Wars had its day decades ago. The last 3 films were poop, the next 3 will be.
anonymous 10 November, 2012 16:53
@Late8 yes that's just your stupid opinion!
Clivego 10 November, 2012 17:46
Late8 this is totally relevant here. Star Wars is so connected to the modern tech world.
I look forward to the sequel. Wil Hans Solo still be trying it on with Leia and going past the occasional kiss? How or will Anakin/Darth Vader come back from the dead? Luke and Leia now reunited as brother and sister but what do they do next? Will Yoda finally retire?
Late8 10 November, 2012 18:43
@anom and Clivego. Star Wars isn't that connected to the modern tech world in terms of sci fi, come on its long way down the list. I would say Star Trek, 2001 etc. are more relevant if you were going to go down that road seeing as most scientists and technology have been influenced and "predicted" by that franchise.
What has Wars predicted other than guys flying around with glowing swords. Corny language and lack of humanity replaced by "how cool can we get this to look so we can sell more toys."
The last 3 movies were pap for kids, Overhyped.
anonymous 11 November, 2012 01:19
i was really hoping that disney would take star wars back to the hypserspace wars and the times of the original sith. but oh well. maybe some day. and as for Late 8, i agree the last 3 films were pretty shag. but we can still give disney a chance atleast. if they wreck it then we can rip into it, till then go with the flow man