Writer Michael Arndt has left the production of Star Wars: Episode VII and will no longer be writing the script.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan, who co-wrote Empire Strikes Back have taken over the writing duties for the film.
Abrams will also remain the director for the new Star Wars sequel.
In a news post on StarWars.com, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said, "I am very excited about the story we have in place and thrilled to have Larry and J.J. working on the script.
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," Kennedy continued.
The Lucasfilm president raved, "J.J. of course is an incredible storyteller in his own right. Michael Arndt has done a terrific job bringing us to this point and we have an amazing filmmaking and design team in place already prepping for production."
The news post also notes that production is going well for the film as location scouting, production design and more are already in progress. The movie is set to begin shooting in spring 2014 for a 2015 theatrical release date.
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