LFL Confirms: Michael Arndt To Write Ep. VII Screenplay
Posted By Eric on November 9, 2012
Shortly after word leaked out to sites like Deadline and Vulture, Lucasfilm has confirmed that Michael Arndt is writing the screenplay for Star Wars Episode VII. Arndt previously wrote the screenplays for Toy Story 3, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. He won a Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Little Miss Sunshine.
One thing that is becoming clear as Sequel Trilogy Rumor Season heats up is that, in this new online era, Lucasfilm will face a much more difficult time keeping things quiet than it did with the Prequel Trilogy. Tonight's announcement, which came as Vulture and other entertainment sites were posting anonymously-sourced reports confirming Arndt's involvement, may not be the last time that Lucasfilm has to rush to get ahead of the Internet's insatiable appetite for information and the wide network of sources willing to offer it.
While some fans may have qualms about a relatively novice writer penning the screenplay for the sequels, it's important to remember that The Empire Strikes Back was one of Lawrence Kasdan's first jobs as a writer. He later wrote the screenplay for Return of the Jedi as well.