You might think that after Mission Impossible and Star Trek, filmmaker J.J Abrams was done restarting franchises. Well you would be right and that was the opinion of Mr Abrams’ good lady wife when Steven Spielberg asked her is her husband would take on Star Wars. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Steven Spielberg has revealed how he was able to convince J.J to direct The Force Awakens.

“I brought J.J.’s name up. I thought J.J. would be the best person to direct Episode 7 and I called J.J. and said ‘Would you do it if it was offered to you?’ He said, ‘I would but my wife won’t let me ’cause she doesn’t want me to restart any more franchises.’ But I went to Kathy and asked if I could get J.J. to say yes to this would you consider it? Kathy said ‘Are you kidding? Of course I would. But why would J.J. do Star Wars; he’s already done Mission Impossible and Star Trek.’ So I take Katie Abrams and J.J. to dinner that night to Giorgio with my wife, Kate, and right in front of Katie Abrams I popped the question. I said to Katie, ‘I think there’s a chance that J.J. could direct Star Wars. What do you think of that?’ And Katie turned to J.J. and said, ‘That would be amazing. Really?’ And I went outside the restaurant, picked up my phone, called Kathy and said, “When can we meet with J.J.?” And that’s how the whole thing began.”

Following his return to directing with Bridge of Spies, Steven Spielberg can finally tick Disney off his Hollywood Studio Bingo Sheet as he finally directed a movie for the House of Mouse with this summers BFG. At 70 years old you could forgive the legendary director if he wanted to slow down, but he has Ready Player One, The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara and Indiana Jones 5 all on the way.

The BFG is released in cinemas on July 22.