Lawrence Kasdan was incapable of co-writing the Star Wars: The Force Awakens film.
 Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan, co-writer of the original trilogy films The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi, rewrote an initial script by Michael Arndt
 Bird was reportedly "top choice" to helm the film, but his commitments to Tomorrowland forced him to withdraw

