Lucasfilm announces screenwriters for Star Wars Episode VII

Lawrence Kasdan and J.J. Abrams have taken on the screenwriting duties for Star Wars Episode VII, Lucasfilm has announced.

"There are very few people who fundamentally understand the way a Star Wars story works like Larry, and it is nothing short of incredible to have him even more deeply involved in its return to the big screen. J.J. of course is an incredible storyteller in his own right," Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said.

Kasdan, who has been serving as a consultant on the film, wrote the screenplay for "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and co-wrote "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." Abrams is also directing the next installment of the Star Wars saga.

Filming will begin in Spring 2014 and will be released in 2015.