My movie week with Mike Shaw

The biggest news of the week is undoubtedly the revelation that JJ Abrams will be directing the new Star Wars film.

After reinvigorating Star Trek, the man behind Lost, Cloverfield and Super 8 is now doing the same for Star Wars.

I’m impressed it has taken this long for the news to come out. Despite protestations to the contrary, it seems obvious Abrams, Disney and Lucasfilm have known who will direct since before the original announcement that there will be more films. Of course, there have been rumours, but seeing as how Jeffrey Jacob Abrams’ name is connected to almost every big project, there was no reason to lend more credence to the Star Wars rumour than there was the Bond rumour.

But now, Disney and Lucasfilm have made the announcement, and it seems bizarre it could have been anyone else.

As Hollywood’s current golden boy, it’s easy to dislike Abrams, but there’s no denying he’s the right person for the job.

The film needs a big name with a proven track record, but one who retains the independent streak that will keep the new films from slipping into a homogenous Lucas-esque quagmire. And that’s Abrams.

He also managed the impressive trick of rebooting Star Trek, while keeping it familiar, making it new and entertaining as well as winning over new fans and keeping the fanbase fanboys happy – five things he also needs to achieve with Star Wars Episode VII.

Keeping the fans happy is a big issue, but he managed it with Star Trek despite not even being that keen on the original series. Star Wars, however, is a different story; Abrams has said on many occasionshow much he loves the films. If he showed that much respect to Captain Kirk and co, imagine how much care he is going to give to the Skywalkers.

It’s been reported extensively George Lucas is still going to have a hand in the new films, and that may be worrying to some, but another thing Abrams is brilliant at, is making a film his own, even when under instruction from others. Just look at Super 8; Spielberg produced and had a big hand in the story, and with the kids-on-an-adventure plot, broken family subplot, and magical naïvety running throughout, it felt like it could have been one of The Beard’s films. But then, the modern-sheen, smart script, big scary monster and landslide of lens-flares, it was clearly a JJ Abrams project. Ultimately, it was an Abrams film, shot through a Spielbergian filter – and that’s what we need from Star Wars; an Abrams film, but looking through the eyes of a younger George Lucas. Using his own skills to interpret what worked in the original trilogy could (should?) lead to Episode VII being something truly special.

Abrams said: “To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with (executive producer) Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honour. I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than when I was as a kid.”

I’m not an Abrams superfan or anything, but I think he is the best choice and the prospect of a new Star Wars film is now far more exciting than it was this time last week. And remember, Episode VII will boast a script from Little Miss Sunshine and Toy Story 3 writer Michael Arndt – a guy who is such a fan of the franchise he gives lectures about the script of the 1977 original, citing it as the pinnacle of storytelling.

So what happens next? No idea. With Abrams in charge, the project will be bound up in more layers of secrecy than ever before, but it’s going to fascinating. Next stop, casting...

On the doorstep

Star Wars bosses have reportedly identified a disused Kent quarry at Greenhithe overlooking Bluewater for the new film’s battle scenes.

It is believed to be the site where more than 20,000 homes will be built over the next 20 years Developers Land Securities have invested more than £100 million in developing the site.

But according to the Kent Film Office, no one from Lucasfilm or Disney has been in contact regarding the possibility of filming there.

A spokesman said: “We’d love it to be true but unfortunately we have had absolutely nothing from the producers of the film.”

The plans would be a boost to north Kent’s Hollywood connections.

Plans are already under way to bring big screen glamour to the county, with as film giant Paramount announcing last year it is creating 27,000 jobs - with one of the world’s biggest theme parks.

The £2 billion project is set to transform in the Swanscombe peninsula, between Gravesend and Dartford.