J.J. Abrams broke the Internet in half on Thursday (January 24) with the announcement that he's directing "Star Wars: Episode VII" for Walt Disney and Lucasfilm. The filmmaker already has two "Star Trek" films under his belt, and now he'll boldly go where no man has ever gone before: directing films set in both the "Trek" and "Wars" universes.
Whether or not you support the hiring of Abrams is irrelevant to our purposes right now. With the director in place, it's now time to start thinking about what Abrams' "Star Wars" will look like. Based on his history as a filmmaker and a television pioneer, here are five things we can expect to see in Abrams' first voyage to that galaxy far, far away:
Expect an incredible female lead. What do Keri Russell, Jennifer Garner and Evangeline Lilly all have in common? Each one of these strong, alluring actresses got their big breaks from Mr. Abrams. Among his many talents, Abrams has a keen eye for discovering rising stars, especially when it comes to his leading women. Whoever lands the heroine role in "Star Wars: Episode VII" is going to be someone to watch for years and years to come.
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Expect the score to get "Lost." Before you roast us, just know that nothing would make us happier than to see John Williams' return ... nothing, short of Michael Giacchino landing the job instead. The Oscar-winning "Up" composer is also a friend and frequent collaborator of Abrams', with mutual credits including "Star Trek," "Super 8" and "Lost." Giacchino is easily one of the most talented composers working today, and his reunion with Abrams on a "Star Wars" film is only as inevitable as it is welcome.
Expect [insert obligatory lens flare joke here]. The man loves his lens flares, and you're going to see them pop up in the new "Star Wars" movie. Love the technique or hate it, it's time to make your peace with it — lens flares in "Star Wars" is a thing that's going to happen.
Expect Greg Grunberg. The "Heroes" actor is a lifelong friend of Abrams, and has appeared in every single one of the filmmaker's projects, in a cameo capacity at the very least. The same will be true for the next "Star Wars" movie: there is a part for Grunberg, minor or major, no two ways about it.
Above all else, expect code-red levels of secrecy. The new "Star Wars" movie is going to be directed by the man who wouldn't show you the "Cloverfield" and "Super 8" monsters, the same man who won't admit that Benedict Cumberbatch's "Star Trek" bad guy is actually Khan. (Because, come on, he totally is.) Now, Abrams is on board one of the most massive movie franchises of all time. In other words, you thought he was secretive before? You haven't seen anything yet.
J.J. Abrams' 'Star Wars 7': What Will It Look Like? - Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV.com
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