Lawrence Kasdan

Lawrence Edward Kasdan (born January 14, 1949) is an American screenwriter, director and producer.

He has been nominated for three Oscars: twice for Best Original Screenplay for The Big Chill and Grand Canyon and once for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Accidental Tourist. He is the father of directors Jake Kasdan and Jon Kasdan, and the father-in-law of musician Inara George.

George Lucas commissioned Kasdan to write the screenplay for Raiders of the Lost Ark. Lucas then hired Kasdan to complete the screenplay for his Star Wars sequel The Empire Strikes Back after the death of Leigh Brackett, who wrote the first draft.

Owing to his tremendous success in helping George Lucas shape the Star Wars films, J.J. Abrams hired him to co-write the screenplay for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Kasdan later write the screenplay for Solo, and he announced that he will no longer work on the Star Wars franchise.

He also wrote, produced and directed Mumford.