The director, who took on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is was just announced as the director of the upcoming film in the franchise after Colin Trevorrowexited the production earlier this month. J.J. will also write the new movie.
“With The Force Awakens, J.J. delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for, and I am so excited that he is coming back to close out this trilogy,” Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said in a statement.
J.J. was considered a front-runner for the job when Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson turned down the opportunity to direct Episode IX.
The Force Awakens grossed 2.06 billion worldwide and is the third highest grossing film of all time.
Kate Beckinsale poses for a photo with writer/director Edgar Wright at a screening of his new movie Baby Driver at the London Hotel on Wednesday (May 31) in West Hollywood, Calif.
Keri Russell poses for a cute photo with her former Felicity co-star Scott Speedman while receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday afternoon (May 30) in Hollywood.
The 41-year-old actress was also joined by the show’s creator J.J. Abrams, who spoke at the ceremony.
“At first I thought, ‘Do they know something I don’t know? Does this mean it’s over for me?,’ Keri joked about receiving the star (via Variety). “Because when I think of stars on Hollywood Boulevard, I think of Judy Garland or someone really famous. I know I’m not 20, but is this the twilight of my career? It’s hugely iconic and part of me definitely feels like it’s been a mistake, but I’m going for it anyway.”
FYI: Keri is wearing a Johanna Ortiz shirt, Chloe slacks, a Celine bag, and Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.
20+ pictures inside of Keri Russell at the walk of fame ceremony… More Here! »
Zoe Saldana is opening up about her fear of heights.
The 38-year-old actress talked about it facing it for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 filming during her appearance on Good Morning America on Wednesday (May 3) in New York City.
“If you’re told to jump 30 feet and you have your wire and your wire has no tension and you’re free-falling…you’re thinking, ‘Something went wrong … it’s over,’” Zoe said. “You’re just supposed to look cool while you’re falling.”
Also pictured: Zoe steps out at a screening for the film with J.J. Abrams and Dave Bautista at The Whitby Hotel later that night.
Zoe Saldana on GMA 5/3/17
FYI: Zoe is wearing Sies Marjan on GMA and Alexander McQueen at the screening.
10+ pictures inside of Zoe Saldana out and about in NYC…More Here! »
FYI: Elisabeth is wearing Ted Baker. Samira is wearing a Carmen Marc Valvo dress and Jimmy Choo shoes. Alexis is wearing a Saloni dress, Jerome Rousseau shoes and Hayward clutch.
30+ pictures inside from the Hulu event…More Here! »
Star Wars: The Force Awakens director JJ Abrams shared an emotional moment with Megan Pormer, a spokesmodel and a cancer research advocate, while reminiscing about how he granted the dying wishes of terminally ill fans before the release date.
Megan Pormer, a breast and ovarian cancer advocate, asked the director why he granted the dying wish of his fans with terminal cancer and how much it meant to him.
“[Daniel Fleetwood] was one of a number of people who were tragically not going to live to see the release of the movie though it was very important to us that those who were reaching out to us, as much as we could, we couldn’t get everyone of course, got a chance to see the movie even though it was unfinished.,” JJ said on the red carpet at the 2017 Oscar Wilde Awards on Thursday (February 23). Visibly choked up, he added, “It was incredibly meaningful to all of us working on the movie that it meant so much, at a point when they were on their last weeks, and even days, that that’s what they cared about. ” The production company sent staffers from the editorial department to visit terminally ill fans in their homes and screened a rough cut of the film for them. He continued, “Some were children and some were adults and they got to watch the film and I spoke with almost all of them before and after they watched the movie. It was a good reminder and very humbling. Of course, I hated that these people passed away. It was meaningful to all of us that we could do something to help them. ”
When JJ walked away after the touching interview, Megan was seen wiping away her tears.
Megan works to bridge the gap between the entertainment industry and the medical world. She later said that she was moved by JJ‘s compassion and generosity. She added, “I was touched by the fact that he had helped those people with terminal illnesses. It warmed my heart that there are people in the world like him and that he is using his successful platform in Hollywood to help people that are in need.”
JJ Abrams Talks About Showing ‘Force Awakens’ to Terminally Ill Fans, Brings Cancer Advocate Megan Pormer to Tears
