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Kasdan had previously been working as a consultant on the film. He’d also been reported to be working on the later films in the trilogy (see "Kasdan and Kinberg for 'Star Wars'") 8 and 9, so it may be that this change will bring a more unified approach to the third trilogy.
Kasdan wrote Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and the Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire videogame, so has extensive experience with the property.
Casting, location scouting, production design, and costume design are underway, the announcement said, with many behind-the-camera positions filled.