Lawrence Kasdan to co-write the new Star Wars

with JJ Abrams.

J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan are taking over screenwriting duties on the newest “Star Wars” film from Oscar winner Michael Arndt, according to a statement issued today.

Abrams was tapped to direct “Star Wars: Episode VII” back in January; Kasdan, of course, has a long history with Lucasfilm, as a screenwriter on “Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi.”