One legendary filmmaker recommended J.J. Abrams for The Force Awakens
It wasn’t creator George Lucas who recommended director J.J. Abrams for the intimidating task of making Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but another legendary filmmaker — Steven Spielberg.
Producer Kathleen Kennedy — who worked with Spielberg on E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Jurassic Park — approached Spielberg, hoping he could recommend a suitable talent to helm the project.
Spielberg told 60 Minutes that he only suggested one filmmaker to Kennedy.
“There’s only one director that really should undertake this daunting, epic task,” he said. “And that’s J.J. Abrams.”
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens next week on December 18.