Toy Story 3 writer for Star Wars sequels

Oscar-winning screenwriter Michael Arndt has completed a lengthy treatment for the for 'Star Wars' sequels, according to reports.

Arndt, who is part of Pixar's 'brain trust' of creative minds, is likely to be among those who will be working on the screenplay to Disney's new sequels, announced last week.

[Related story: Hamill and Fisher knew about Star Wars sequels last year]

He's best known for his Academy Award-winning screenplay for hit comedy 'Little Miss Sunshine', and for penning the critically applauded 'Toy Story 3', while he also adapted the forthcoming 'Hunger Games' sequel 'Catching Fire' for the screen.

Meanwhile, he's behind the enticingly working-titled 'Untitled Pixar Movie That Takes You Inside the Mind', and sci-fi thriller 'Oblivion', starring Tom Cruise.

Arndt, a huge 'Star Wars' authority, would be key among among a team of writers who will pen the forthcoming three sequels, while directors Brad Bird, JJ Abrams and Steven Spielberg are said to be looking at Arndt's treatment, though no director is yet attached.

Since the announcement that George Lucas's Lucasfilm was being sold to Disney to the princely sum of $4 billion (£2.5 billion), the web has been awash with rumours over who may direct.

Though JJ Abrams may see the treatment, it's thought that his directing the 'Star Trek' series may clash, while, Zack Snyder, behind 'Watchmen' and 'Man of Steel', has said he wouldn't be interested in taking the helm.

The likes of Matthew Vaughn, director of 'Kick-Ass', 'Iron Man's Jon Favreau and Andrew Stanton, who directed 'Wall-E' and has worked on a host of Pixar properties, are popular fan choices.

Meanwhile, original stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford are all thought to be open to reprising their roles of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo in future films.