Now that the identity of the "Episode VII" director is out in the open, the most mysterious figure of the brave new world of "Star Wars" post-George Lucas may be Lawrence Kasdan, the man who wrote "Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi."

So far we know that Kasdan, along with Simon Kinberg, is working on "something" for the relaunch of the "Star Wars" cinematic universe. Over the course of several reports, that something has been revealed to be consulting on the "Episode VII" script alongside Kinberg, screenwriter Michael Arndt, and J.J. Abrams, in addition to working on his own mysterious standalone project.

When Kasdan recently spoke with the LA Times (via /Film) about his work with Lucasfilm, what he emphasized most all about this new crop of films is a "start fresh" approach.

Read more after the jump!

"I'm trying to start fresh," Kasdan said. "There are certain pleasures that we think the saga can bring to people that they've been missing, and we're hoping to bring them that, and at the same time, have them feel that it's all new."

While this is all--as always--very vague, it's beginning to sound like what many fans want to hear. Essentially, it sounds like Kasdan is saying, "Things haven't been great. We're trying something different that will hopefully bring us back to where we were, but it will be new at the same time." We're paraphrasing, of course, but the rest of what Kasdan said fits that bill.

"The ones I worked on were a long time ago, and they had a slightly different feeling than the ones that followed," he said. "The first three, 'Star Wars,' 'Empire' and 'Return of the Jedi' are all sort of more about people than the ones that followed."

So we're talking about more human dramas and less stiff readings from a couch in front of a green screen? We can only hope so.

What do you think Kasdan is saying about the future of "Star Wars"? Are you hopeful or is all lost? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!