Michael Arndt to Write STAR WARS: EPISODE 7

Word has it that Oscar-winning screenwriter Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine) will be among the writers on Disney/Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: Episode VII. Arndt reportedly has a 40-50 page treatment already prepared and is likely to be one of the writers on board before the picture starts shooting some time in 2014. It sounds like his preparation includes all three films in the trilogy, which was alluded to in a recent press conference by Disney CEO Bob Iger. Rumors have run rampant since the news that Disney would be purchasing Lucasfilm to the tune of $4 billion and would be releasing a Star Wars sequel trilogy starting in 2015. It’s been speculated that Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass) may be lined up to direct the film, but Arndt’s treatment is expected to cross the desks of Brad Bird, J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg. Hit the jump for much more.

Vulture reports that Arndt has a leg up on the competition for the Star Wars: Episode VII writing job. Earning an Oscar nomination for his work on Toy Story 3 and recently joining Pixar’s brain trust, Arndt also happens to be a Star Wars expert of sorts. The article also reports that Arndt often lectures on the art of storytelling at writers’ retreats and makes special mention of the creative satisfaction of the original Star Wars films. Arndt was reported as saying:

“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…George Lucas hit those three marks at the climax of Star Wars within a space of 22 seconds.”

It remains to be seen whether Arndt will move ahead with the entire script or if he will be included in an ensemble. He’s certainly got a lot of high-profile films coming up, including Joseph Kosinski’s Oblivion, Francis Lawrence’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Pete Docter’s Untitled Pixar Film That Takes You Inside the Mind. Regardless of Arndt’s involvement with the picture, it looks like the studio is interested in bringing the original cast back on border, including older versions of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher). In a related story, someone who’s not interested in directing the picture is Zack Snyder (Sucker Punch). In his own words (via Hero Complex):

“I don’t think I’d be interested in [directing it],” Snyder said during a recent interview. “I’m a huge ‘Star Wars’ fanatic. I just think doing [episodes] seven, eight and nine is just a slippery slope. It’s a whole other mythological experiment I’m excited to see, but it’s a lot of effort.”

Arndt may be the first piece of the puzzle as the search continues for the creative team of Star Wars: Episode VII both in front of and behind the camera. Check out our previous coverage below:

Nope

Brad Bird. I’d kill to see that. Also, Andrew Stanton.
Drewski

“In a related story, someone who’s not interested in directing the picture is Zack Snyder (Sucker Punch).”

And the world breathed a sigh of relief. Now we can only pray that the likes of Bay, McG and Ratner never come anywhere near this property.
- ScaredForMovies
  
  I’m not saying Snyder’s right for Star Wars but the over-exaggeration of how bad he is, is hilarious. Dawn of the Dead, 300, Watchmen, A kid flick, & Sucker Punch. You don’t blame him for trying with the kid flick, so Sucker Punch was his one truly bad movie. The other 3 weren’t terrible by any means and Superman actually looks like it might be pretty damn good.
- Tarek
  
  Add wiseman to the pack.
Gerd

Seriously Snyder , nobody is even thinking about letting you direct Star Wars
- cloud720
  
  He was asked a question and he answered it, I don’t see the problem.
  - GunsOfNavarone
    
    I see a problem with you not seeing the problem.
Xavier_Storma

KEEP JJ ABRAMS as far away as possible from this franchise!!!

He ruined MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, he wrecked STAR TREK beyond being salvageable.

KEEP HIM OUT!
- The Exploiter
  
  HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
  
  good one
  - GunsOfNavarone
    
    Comedy gold! xD
  - Clark
    
    This is Gold !
- MRNATEATHON
  
  And I thought my jokes were bad.
jk

Michael Arndt seems like an interesting choice. At least he understands story. Now if he can nail character…
Reggie

So the movie does’nt begin shooting until 2014 hmmmmm so much for a 2015 release date then. I suppose that’s good news no need to rush this let’s just try to get it as right as possible this time around.
- RorshachLives!
  
  Why would it be rushed? If they start production January or February 2014 and wrap by late June, that would give them about ten months in post-production… more than enough time to meet a late May 2015 release date if they use real sets and locations, aliens created with prosthetics and animatronics, and a minimum of CGI effects, I think so anyway!
Clark

Anyone knows what 22 secs are those ?
- Clark
  
  Not being sarcastic, I’d love to know.
- Petron
  
  the two moons at the end
- Clark
  
  Thank you Goobity, he especifically refers to A New Hope, and yeah that was awesome, when Han Solo returned I was like, this is The Guy, I’m still pretty convinced Ford invented Cool, also awesome shot of the Millenium Falcon in that scene.
NO SPIELBERG!!!

No Spielberg. That sentimental douchebag has directed a watchable film since the 80s. Tin Tin sucked uber hard.
- Sean
  
  Since the 80′s? I may be going out on a stretch, but I would guess that most people believe he’s put out at least one watchable film since the 80s.
  - NO SPIELBERG!!!
    
    Then you’re a sentimental fool too. The whole thing will be the camera pushing into the jedi’s faces while string music plays in the background. American’s appreciates Spielberg’s tomfoolery but around the world he’s hated as the gross hack he is.
  - jack
    
    Saving Private Ryan was most certainly watchable, as was catch me if you can to name two…..but you’re right that he shouldn’t do this…he shouldn’t even be allowed on set….too close to lucas, this could turn into Indiana Jones and Shia Labeouf swings with monkeys under his watch
- Clark
  
  Agreed, he, as lucas, has lost passion, there was a hint of it in Tintin, but in my humble opinion (as all opinions should be) the last time he played with his toys and pushed the boundaries and made me and people I know feel excited was The Lost World. You can tell he’s stickin to what he has already done, there are similar shots in Lincoln to those in Shindler’s and I remembered Private Ryan a LOT during War Horse, they could’ve feel different even for war movies, but no, it’s a shame this two got bored and comfortable in their comfort zone.
- MRNATEATHON
  
  Since the 80′s? Yeah I suppose Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, A.I., Minority Report, and Munich were all pretty unwatchable. I mean seriously, what a hack.
The Exploiter

I’ll die a happy man if Abrams directs.
Walt G

Arndt/Bird is an amazing proposal. I would be excited for anything these two did, a Star Wars film by them is just incredibly enticing.
To be honest, though I like Michael Vaunghs films, I really, really don’t want him anywhere near Star Wars. Nor JJ.
- Sam
  
  Yes! Agree completely.
Strong Enough

J.J. resurrected Star Trek and made it cool again. I loved the film and I don’t even like Star Trek. But having to direct Star Trek AND Star Wars is too much. You’re style will start to blend between the too films. We wouldn’t be able to tell which one is different if it wasn’t for the uniforms or lightsabers

I either go with Andrew Stanton or Brad Bird.
NO CHRIS NOLAN!!!

Ever since Nolan admitted to being a pederast, I don’t think he’s the appropriate choice for Star Wars any longer.
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James

If he was already doing “The Avengers”, I’d really like to see was Whedon does with Star Wars. The man can write a screenplay like no bodies business, can handle characters and action with great fluidity and created the greatest TV show of all time with “Buffy” (irrelevant, but still…). I love Spielberg, but he’s too sentimental for the job. Del Toro would be my 2nd choice.
James

If he wasn’t already doing \"The Avengers 2\", I\’d really like to see was Whedon does with Star Wars. The man can write a screenplay like no bodies business, can handle characters and action with great fluidity and created the greatest TV show of all time with \"Buffy\" (irrelevant, but still…). I love Spielberg, but he\’s too sentimental for the job. Del Toro would be my 2nd choice.
James

Sorry about the repeat.
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JIM

VILE, EVIL PIECE OF SHIT THIEVES!!! YOU WILL PAY FOR STEALING MY WORK IN THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT!!!
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STAR WARS Sequel News: Michael Arndt May Pen STAR WARS: EPISODE 7; Brad Bird, J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg to Read His Treatment; Zack Snyder Out

by Dave Trumbore Posted: November 8th, 2012 at 1:54 pm

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