Best known for co-writing films such as The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Solo: A Star Wars Story, Lawrence Kasdan is an American screenwriter, director, and producer. The three-time Academy Awards nominee, Kasdan, after completing his graduation from the University of Michigan, wanted to pursue a career as an English Teacher. However, because he did not find any work as a teacher, he started working as an advertising copywriter. Although he did not like the work, he remained in the profession for five years, picking up awards along the way.

Kasdan was introduced in the film business in the mid-1970s when after being rejected 67 times, his script for The Bodyguard was sold to Warner Bros. He made his debut as a writer for a feature film with The Empire Strikes Back (1980). His other notable writing credits include Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Silverado (1985), Grand Canyon (1991), Mumford (1999), Dreamcatcher (2003), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). Apart from working as a writer, he has also directed many films. His notable directorial credits include Body Heat (1981), The Big Chill (1983), French Kiss (1995), and Darling Companion (2012). His 2018 release includes Solo: A Star Wars Story.