Our family loves games of all sorts. Video games, card games, board games, active games. If you can play it, we probably will give it a try. So we were pretty excited when we recently had the chance to have a family game night with games from Hasbro. They sent some of their new toys based on Angry Birds, an app that the entire family at one point or another has spent hours flinging birds at gravity-defying structures. The extra-cool part is that these Angry Bird toys are based on the Star Wars franchise, something we all love.

Bubbles loves anything that comes in the mail but was especially intrigued by a box sealed with a cool Angry Birds Star Wars sticker. “What is it Mama? What is it Mama?” she kept asking as we opened it. Before I even had all the flaps open she stuck her little hand in and pulled out what may be the coolest foam ball I’ve ever seen. It was a Chewbacca Angry Birds™ Star Wars™ Foam Flyer and seriously – so cute. She claimed it for herself and ran off to “show Daddy, show Daddy!”

Star Wars: Episode VII Gets A Director

So, I was pretty excited when I heard that Disney was going to be releasing the newest installment of the Star Wars franchise. I love Disney, I love Star Wars, so the movie was likely to be pretty spectacular. However, I’m even more excited now. It has been officially confirmed that J.J. Abrams is going to direct Star Wars: Episode VII. J.J. Abrams is the brilliant mind that brought us the television series Lost which may have been one of the best in history (just sayin’).

J. J. Abrams to Direct Star Wars: Episode VII

J.J. Abrams – Image Courtesy of imdb.com

J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay.

“It’s very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie,” said Kennedy. “J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture.”

George Lucas went on to say “I’ve consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller. He’s an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn’t be in better hands.”

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

J.J., his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, and Bad Robot are on board to produce along with Kathleen Kennedy under the Disney | Lucasfilm banner.

Also consulting on the project are Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg. Kasdan has a long history with Lucasfilm, as screenwriter on The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi. Kinberg was writer on Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Abrams and his production company Bad Robot have a proven track record of blockbuster movies that feature complex action, heartfelt drama, iconic heroes and fantastic production values with such credits as Star Trek, Super 8, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, and this year’s Star Trek Into Darkness. Abrams has worked with Lucasfilm’s preeminent postproduction facilities, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, on all of the feature films he has directed, beginning with Mission: Impossible III. He also created or co-created such acclaimed television series as Felicity, Alias, Lost and Fringe.

Views From the Ville

Family Game Night with Angry Birds Star Wars Games from Hasbro

The Force Is Strong With This One: J.J. Abrams to Direct Star Wars: Episode VII

Star Wars: Episode VII Gets A Director

Will you be seeing Star Wars: Episode VII opening weekend?