‘Star Wars’: Producer Ram Bergman Tapped To Produce Next Two Movies, Rian Johnson Set To Direct
When Disney announced that there would be six new Star Wars movies coming out over the next six years, who would have thought they would move so quickly to execute their game plan. Well now speculation has been put to rest over who will produce and direct Episodes 8 and 9.
Israeli producer Roam Bergman, who is best known for the sci-fi movie Looper, has been tapped to produce Star Wars Episode 8 and will prepare for the 9th movie. It has also been announced that writer/director Rian Johnson will be joining Bergman for the two movies. Johnson is best known for his work on Looper, Brick, and The Brothers Bloom. Bergman and Johnson both collaborated on Brick and Looper.
Ram Bergman moved to Hollywood from Israel in 1991 but did not get his first big break until Brick in 2005. He was rewarded by being named to Variety magazine’s Top 10 Producers To Watch in 2008.
In addition to his movie chops, Johnson has also been hailed for his work in television. He directed three episodes of the hit series Breaking Bad, one of which, “Ozymandias,” series creator Vince Gilligan says “is the best episode we ever had or ever will have.” The episode recieved aclaim from the critics as well. Time Magazine called it the best TV episode overall in 2013. The Daily Beast‘s Andrew Romano called it “easily the most eventful in ‘Breaking Bad’ history.”
Rian Johnson will be taking over the franchise from famed director J.J. Abrams, who is directing the first new Star Wars episode since the franchise was sold to Disney by Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4 billion dollars. It is thought that the only studio capable of taking over the franchise from creator George Lucas was Disney, as they are known for their effects and the ability to produce blockbusters.
George Lucas announced immediately after the acquisition that Disney would be immediately getting to work on Star Wars Episode 7.
Are you excited about the announcement of Bergman and Johnson to the Star Wars family?
