Not everyone will want to be spoiled by the information that will be
coming out for Episode VII. There will be a warning if spoilers are present
in an article and will be identified by SPOILERS - Highlight to
read: There will then be text in a black font hiding the
words for those that do not wish to see them. To reveal the text, use your
mouse, left click and hold while wiping over the words to read.
Episode VII News
Monday
February 08, 2016
The
Force Awakens Crosses $2 Billion Worldwide
Entertainment Weekly
has an article about Disney reporting that as of Saturday, The Force
Awakens has officially made more than $2 billion worldwide, making
it only the third film in history to hit that number. The other
movies to have made more than $2 billion are Titanic ($2.19 billion)
and Avatar ($2.79 billion), unadjusted for inflation.
On Friday, Disney announced The Force Awakens had made $900 million
domestically, becoming the only film in history to hit that number.
“This is a historic moment for Star Wars, for Lucasfilm, and for
Disney, and all of us here are extremely gratified to be a part of
this journey with fans around the world who have made Star Wars: The
Force Awakens such an extraordinary success,” Disney chairman Alan
Horn said in a statement. “The film’s achievements are truly
astounding, and it’s our great honor to relaunch this cinematic
galaxy not only for all the devoted decades-long fans but for a new
generation who will keep the Star Wars legacy alive for many years
to come.”
The Force Awakens’ new global total is one more accomplishment it
can add to its long list of box office achievements. Since opening
in mid-December, The Force Awakens has set multiple records,
including the biggest domestic opening day of all time ($119.1
million), the biggest domestic ($247.9 million) and global ($528.9
million) opening weekend ever, and the fastest film to $1 billion
(12 days of global release).
The next adventure in a galaxy far, far away will hit theaters later
this year, as Rogue One is released on December 16, 2016. Episode
VIII will premiere on December 15, 2017.
Today I have posted the final script for Star Wars: The Force
Awakens. If you have not seen the movie yet, be sure to see it
before reading the script. Unless of course you do not mind being
spoiled before the film. I know you will enjoy reading and having
the actual script to dissect the character names, locations, and
dialog from the film. Be sure to visit the Scripts
section to view all of the scripts from the Star Wars saga! Also, be
sure to pick up your hardback copy of the book which is available
today!
It’s not exactly making the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs, but in
just 12 days, Star Wars: The Force Awakens made more than a
billion dollars and has currently broken just about every box
office record on the books both domestically and worldwide. Be
sure to see
a complete rundown of all the historic records that have been
obliterated by Star Wars: The Force Awakens!
Today's new video is the Star Wars: The Force Awakens Second
International Trailer. There is some stunning new footage so you
must see it! Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 7 more days! Enjoy!
Today's first new video is the Star Wars: The Force Awakens TV Spot
#5 entitled 'Finn.' Star Wars: The Force Awakens -- coming to
theaters December 18, 2015. Enjoy!
Today's first new video is the Star Wars: The Force Awakens TV Spot
#4 from the Cartoon Network. Star Wars: The Force Awakens -- coming
to theaters December 18, 2015. Enjoy!
Today's second new video is the Star Wars: The Force Awakens 60
Second TV Spot #3. Star Wars: The Force Awakens -- coming to
theaters December 18, 2015. Enjoy!
Today's second new video clip is the Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Promo Clip - On The Set (2015)! Take a look behind the scenes of The
Force Awakens and get an exclusive sneak peek on Friday, November
13th at 8:30 pm ET on the Disney Channel. Enjoy!
Today's first new video is the Star Wars: The Force Awakens TV Spot
#1 “Every Generation Has a Story." Saw it on TV as well last
night!! Star Wars: The Force Awakens -- coming to theaters
December 18, 2015. Get your tickets now! Enjoy!
Today's new video is the Star Wars Battlefront: Battle of Jakku
Teaser Trailer. Be among the first players to experience the
Battle of Jakku, the pivotal moment when the New Republic
confronted key Imperial holdouts on a remote desert planet. Taking
place in the aftermath of the Rebel victory in the Battle of Endor,
players will experience the events that created the massive,
battle-scarred landscape of Jakku shown in Star Wars: The Force
Awakens. Enjoy!
The Official Star Wars
Site provided character posters for Rey, Leia, Kylo Ren, Han
Solo, and Finn today, featuring powerful portraits and a striking
design motif. Rey holds her staff defiantly; Leia confidently peers
through a data screen; Kylo Ren’s lightsaber crackles; a grim Han
Solo holds his blaster at the ready; and Finn looks stoic with a blue-bladed
Jedi weapon.
Today's new video is the Official Star Wars: The Force
Awakens Trailer! That is all I am going to post today because
it needs to stand alone! Enough said! "Just let it in!"
Today's fourth new video is The Force Awakens Teaser Trailer
#3-Sneak Peek #4. Be sure to tune in to ESPN’s “Monday Night
Football” at halftime tonight to see the new Star
Wars: The Force Awakens trailer! Enjoy!
Today's third new video is The Force Awakens Teaser Trailer #3-Sneak
Peek #3. Be sure to tune in to ESPN’s “Monday Night Football”
at halftime tonight to see the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer! Enjoy!
Today's second new video is The Force Awakens Teaser Trailer
#3-Sneak Peek #2. Be sure to tune in to ESPN’s “Monday Night
Football” at halftime tonight to see the new Star
Wars: The Force Awakens trailer! Enjoy!
Today's first new video is The Force Awakens Teaser Trailer #3-Sneak
Peek #1. Be sure to tune in to ESPN’s “Monday Night Football”
at halftime tonight to see the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer! Enjoy!
Hallmark will debut their cool Star Wars: The
Force Awakens Kylo Ren and Captain Phasma Keepsake Ornaments
starting October 3rd! Be sure to pick them up on Hallmark's
Star Wars Keepsake Ornaments page.
If you are a fan of Star Wars sketches, concept designs, storyboards
and art, then the Official
Star Wars Site has announced the book for you!
Kylo Ren. Finn. Rey. Jakku. BB-8. How did this new
generation of memorable Star Wars characters, worlds, and
creatures come to life? A stunning new book, TheArt
of Star Wars:The Force Awakens, will tell
that story.
TheArt of Star Wars:The Force
Awakens, written by Phil Szostak,is a
portal that takes you from the earliest gathering of artists
and production designers at Lucasfilm headquarters in San Francisco
to the fever pitch of production at Pinewood Studios to the
conclusion of postproduction at Industrial Light & Magic.
Arriving in stores on December 18, the same day that Star Wars:
The Force Awakens hits theaters, it takes fans deep inside the
evolution of the film. Exclusive interviews with the entire
creative team also provide a detailed look at what it took to
bring director J. J. Abrams’ vision to life, while the unused
“blue sky” concept art offers glimpses into roads not traveled.
Bursting with hundreds of beautiful works of art that
include production paintings, concept sketches, storyboards,
blueprints, and matte paintings, The Art of Star Wars: The
Force Awakens will delight both Star Wars fans
and film enthusiasts for years to come.
Enjoy this special first look at the cover — featuring the
mysterious Kylo Ren in a painting by legendary Star Wars
concept artist Doug Chiang.
EA's Star Wars Site
has provided some information about the Battle of Jakku. As debris
from battles above shower the desert ground, the feeling of chaos is
intensifying. A Star Destroyer has just crash-landed and some of its
engines are still smoking. The battle has just begun…
This is the first visual glimpse of The Battle of Jakku, coming to
Star Wars Battlefront on December 1st, 2015, for all who pre-order,
and a week later for all other game holders. The Battle of Jakku was
the pivotal moment when the New Republic confronted key Imperial
holdouts on a remote desert planet.
Taking place in the aftermath of the Rebel victory in the Battle of
Endor, players will experience the events that created the massive,
battle-scarred landscape of Jakku shown in Star Wars: The Force
Awakens.
A Star Destroyer has crash landed, and from the belly of this
battle-scarred metal giant, a myriad of Imperial ground troops have
evacuated and engaged with Rebel troops, also strangers to this
desert planet.
Empire
Magazine is going to provide two The Force Awakens covers for
collectors. The Force Awakens issue will hit newsstands on Thursday,
August 27th and will feature their first look behind the scenes of
2015’s most important release.
Entertainment Weekly
has provided a great image of Kylo Ren on the cover of their latest
issue and inside we learn more about this character and see some new
images from the film. Be sure to see
the images and read
the entire article about the new bad guy in the upcoming Star
Wars film!
Today's first new video clip is the Mark Hamill Panel Highlights
from Star Wars Celebration Anaheim. Mark Hamill talks about
reprising Luke Skywalker’s dialogue from Return of the Jedi for
the new Star Wars trailer, how he was approached to work on The
Force Awakens, and shares stories from his time working on the
original films! Enjoy!
Star
Wars Battlefront Will Offer The Force Awakens’ Battle of Jakku
We begin Day 2 of Star Wars Celebration with a bang! /Film
has a story that excites me as an avid Battlefront gamer. "The
rumors about a link between EA’s game Star Wars Battlefront and
Star Wars The Force Awakens are true. At Celebration, it was
revealed that three weeks after the game’s November 17 release,
they’ll offer a free piece of downloadable content called the
Battle of Jakku, the desert planet in the latest Star Wars The Force
Awakens trailer. This will help explain how and why all those X-Wing
Fighters and Star Destroyers are abandoned on Jakku.
Scenes like that will be explained by this DLC.
The Battle of Jakku will be available on December 8, unless you
pre-order the game, then you can get it December 1.
Like most games these days, Battlefront is is broken down into
multiple modes, but primarily it’s an opportunity to create your
Star Wars battle fantasy. So, for example, when we think of speeder
bikes, you think of Endor in Return of the Jedi right? Well, in
Battlefront, you can play as Boba Fett, on a speeder bike, on Hoth
if you want. It’s totally customizable and fun like that.
But will your actions change scenes you see in The Force Awakens?
Probably not. What will be cool though is Battlefront is a game that
encourages exploration. In theory, that means you’ll be able to
uncover some secrets about the film, or at least learn more about
the world where Kira lives.
Another note, the shots above in the trailer look like the Imperial
shuttles have been there for years. So, while the Battle of Jakku
will be a prequel to The Force Awakens, it’s probably closer to
the events of Return of the Jedi rather than The Force Awakens.
Star Wars The Force Awakens opens December 18. Star Wars Battlefront
will be released on November 17 and be available for PlayStation 4
and XBox One.
Here’s the official info on the Battle of Jakku:
Fans who pre-order Star Wars Battlefront will be among the first
players to experience the Battle of Jakku, the pivotal moment when
the New Republic confronted key Imperial holdouts on a remote desert
planet on the Outer Rim. Taking place in the aftermath of the Rebel
victory in the Battle of Endor, players will experience the events
that created the massive, battle-scarred landscape of Jakku shown in
Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Players who pre-order Star Wars
Battlefront can fight the battle one-week early starting on December
1, 2015. All other players will get access to this free content on
December 8, 2015."
Also be sure to keep up with the latest on our Facebook
and Twitter
pages!
Not at Star Wars Celebration? Don't miss the
big Episode VII panel J.J. Abrams and Producer Kathleen Kennedy in
10 minutes. Live stream it now! Also be sure to keep up with the
latest on our Facebook
and Twitter
pages!
Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger stands next to the Millennium Falcon in
the latest Fortune magazine. Lucasfilm’s special effects division,
Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), worked with Fortune to create
both the cover and opening photograph in the story, an inside look
at the innovative technologies used across Disney’s diverse
businesses and brands. The collaboration started with our photo
shoot with CEO Iger earlier this month in New York. The photos were
then turned over to ILM to, well, work their magic. Not
surprisingly, the secretive division was mum about the exact process
for creating the realistic shot of Iger standing right on set,
casually leaning against a chunk of metal (the image seen in the
opening pages of the story).
As for the cover shot, Yannick Dusseault, visual effects art
director for The Force Awakens, and his team gave Fortune six
options showing the Falcon in different ways. The resulting image
required the custom rendering of ILM’s computer generated Falcon.
According to ILM, the fabled ship was rendered in wireframe form (a
skeletal version) as well as a more layered “textured render,”
which were combined in Photoshop to create the final image. Be sure
to read
the entire article.
One year from today, we will be sitting in a theater (hopefully at
midnight) to see the first showing of Star Wars: Episode VII-The
Force Awakens! It feels like a really long time, but so did Rebels a
year ago and we are already through half of the first season. There
will be lots of great information coming out including more
trailers, so we have lots to look forward to! May the Force be with
us all as we wait patiently until December 18, 2015!
Today's second new video clip is of the EW Star Wars: The Force
Awakens character name reveal. According to JJ Abrams, the numbers
on the cards do have a significance. Okay all of you super puzzle
decoders... What is the code and what does it mean? Enjoy!
Today's new video clip will be a day long remembered as the Star
Wars: Episode VII-The Force Awakens Teaser Trailer is now available!
Nothing else matters! Watch it you must! It is your destiny! Enjoy!
The
Force Awakens Teaser Trailer In Select Theaters This Friday
JJ Abrams and the Official
Star Wars Site have let us know that the Star Wars Episode
VII: The Force Awakens Teaser Trailer will be available in select
theaters this Friday! JJ's not also lets us know that it will run
for 88 seconds.
The select theaters are as follows:
AZ PHOENIX HARKINS TEMPE MARKETPLACE
CA LOS ANGELES AMC CENTURY CITY
CA LOS ANGELES Indep EL CAPITAN
CA IRVINE REGAL SPECTRUM IRVINE 21
CA SAN FRANCISCO AMC METERON 16
CA SAN JOSE CINEMARK OAKRIDGE 20
CA SAN DIEGO REGAL MIRA MESA 18
CAN TORONTO CPX YOUNGE & DUNDAS
CAN VANCOUVER CPX RIVERPORT
CO DENVER AMC WESTMINSTER 24
DC WASH D.C AMC TYSONS CORNER 16
FL MIAMI CARMIKE PARISIAN 20
GA ATLANTA REGAL ATLANTIC STATION
IL CHICAGO REGAL CITY NORTH
MA BOSTON AMC BOSTON COMMONS 19
MI DETROIT CINEMARK SHOWCASE 20
MN MINNEAPOLIS AMC SOUTHDALE
MO KANSAS CITY AMC STUDIO 30
NY NEW YORK AMC LINCOLN SQUARE 12
NY NEW YORK REGAL UNION SQAURE
OH CLEVELAND CINEMARK CINEMARK 24
PA PHILADELPHIA REGAL WARRINGTON 22
TN NASHVILLE CARMIKE THOROUGHBRED 20
TN KNOXVILLE REGAL PINNACLE
TX DALLAS CINEMARK PLANO 20
TX HOSTON REGAL MARQ*E STADIUM 23
TX AUSTIN ALAMO ALAMO S LAMAR
UT SALT LAKE CITY CINEMARK CINEMARK 24 WJ
WA SEATTLE REGAL THORNTON PLACE 14
WI MILWAUKEE MARCUS BROOKFIELD 16
Good luck this Thanksgiving weekend at seeing the
trailer if you are in one of these areas.
The Official Star Wars
Site has announced that the title for the seventh Star Wars film
will be The Force Awakens! Don't wake up that Force! Enough said.
Tune into theaters on December 18th, 2015 to see how the title
relates.
Friday was the last day on set for the last of the Star Wars actors.
A letter was sent "To the Extraordinary Cast and Crew of
Episode VII:" and is shown below. I am guessing we will have a
teaser trailer for the Christmas Holiday!
Today's second new video clip poses the question: "Will Warwick
Davis Appear in Star Wars: Episode VII?" Warwick Davis, who
played Wicket the Ewok in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi,
as well as Weazel and Wald in Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom
Menace, presents a special video concerning his possible
appearance in J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode VII. Enjoy!
In recent days, new images from the Episode VII shoot in England
have arisen. Many of these images are now providing a close-up look
at the base, Millennium Falcon, and new X-wings. One thing that I
think has slipped through the cracks however is the new dish on the
Millennium Falcon!
In Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Lando is piloting the Falcon
on the Death Star 2 raid over Endor. As he is navigating his way
through the interior on his attack run toward the core, he clips a
beam and the dish is ripped off of the ship.
Fast forward to today, and I like many others I'm sure assumed
the same style of dish would be replaced and the Millennium Falcon
would rise again in Episode VII with all it's glory! Apparently this
isn't the case.
Below are some of the set images at different angles and I have
circled the area on the Millennium Falcon where the dish is located.
Notice that it is now a rectangular shape! It will have to grow on
me a little.
Where could this replacement have come from? Well, being the
Millennium Falcon is a Corellian ship, it is safe to say that parts
from other Corellian ships would be interchangeable. Notice in the
image of the Tantive IV from A New Hope below. It is the same dish!
What do you think? Be sure to let us know!
Today's first new video clip is with Episode VII actor Adam Driver.
In this interview with Vanity Fair, Adam has to avoid any specific
questions about Star Wars, but he does say that he is not ready to
become a Star Wars action figure. Enjoy!
Indie
Revolver has landed some pictures of what seems to be Episode
VII Stormtrooper Helmets. There are some really cool designs as you
can see below. I am hoping some official images will be released
since these are now out.
They have also provided some possible Han
Solo costume designs. Interesting stuff. One image looks a lot
like The Old Republic's Nico Okarr from the cinematic trailer. Han
is just missing the Cad Bane cowboy hat.
Today's first new video clip is a BBC interview with Mark Hamill
about his role in Episode VII. Mark Hamill, who has returned to the
role of Luke Skywalker after more than 30 years, has said it feels
like an "unexpected gift" to be back on a Star Wars set.
He said he was there to lend his support and grow a
"contractually-obligated beard".
He praised the new generation of actors, including Daisy Ridley,
taking part in Star Wars: Episode VII, in his first TV interview
about the new film. Enjoy!
TMZ has scored
again with some leaked pictures, this time from the UK. This one
is more spoilerific than the last.
SPOILERS -
Highlight to read: The
latest images show more of the pig like creature now it in parts
and whole, also an X-wing under construction, and the famous
Millennium Falcon being constructed.
Not a surprise for me, but it is really great to see a couple
of "old friends" being confirmed. Be sure to see
these images before they are gone!
The Official Star
Wars Site has announced two more women being cast for Star
Wars Episode VII. Lupita Nyong'o who had long been rumored to be a
front runner joins the recently announced cast of Star Wars:
Episode VII. This year, her breakthrough performance in 12
Years a Slave earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting
Actress.
Gwendoline Christie, currently starring in the hit television
series Game of Thrones as Brienne of Tarth, has also been
cast in the production. She can next be seen in The Hunger
Games: Mockingjay - Part 2.
"I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline
joining the cast of Episode VII," says Lucasfilm president
Kathleen Kennedy. "It's thrilling to see this extraordinarily
talented ensemble taking shape."
TMZ has provided
some leaked pictures from the Abu Dhabi set of the now filming
Star Wars Episode VII. There are not any major spoilers, but I
will provide a spoiler alert for those that want to keep away from
knowing details of anything from the new movie. So here is our
first one for Episode VII.
SPOILERS -
Highlight to read: The images include a
large alien pig like creature manned by 5 actors. We know that
practical sets and creatures were going to be used to give Episode
VII that Original Trilogy feel. Also there is a lot from the set
which apears to be Tatooine. There also seems to be some sort of
compound with fencing. Perhaps to keep these pig like creature at
bay. There was an Aurebesh sign that reads "WARNING."
There are also moisture vaporators, the originally rumored market
place, what appears to be some sort of engine, and lots of extras
in there Tatooine costumes. The set has a feel of the first images
we saw from Tatooine in Episode I.
If you are into knowing all the details and be spoiled like me,
be sure to head over to see
these images before they are gone! Glad to have the Star Wars
machine rolling again.
Today on my 16th wedding anniversary, the filming for Star Wars
Episode VII has begun! The Bad Robot Twitter page and the Star Wars
Twitter page have provided the first images.
Today, the Official
Star Wars Site has announced the Star Wars: Episode VII cast.
The Star Wars team is thrilled to announce the cast of Star Wars:
Episode VII.
Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy
Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original
stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill,
Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.
Director J.J. Abrams says, "We are so excited to finally share
the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal
to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new
performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We
start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their
best to make the fans proud."
Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a
screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J.
Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, and John Williams returns as
the composer. The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.
April 29th, Pinewood Studios, UK -
Writer/Director/Producer J.J Abrams (top center right) at the cast
read-through of Star Wars Episode VII at Pinewood Studios with
(clockwise from right) Copyright and Photo Credit: David
James.
So you aren't sure who these people are? Let's break
down the cast so you can identify them better following the circle
clockwise above from the right.
Writer/Director/Producer J.J Abrams - Known for
Lost, Mission: Impossible III, Super 8, and the new Star Trek films
Harrison Ford - Han Solo
Daisy Ridley - Newcomer actress
Carrie Fisher - Princess Leia
Peter Mayhew - Chewbacca
Producer Bryan Burk - Known for Lost and the new
Star Trek films
Lucasfilm President and Producer Kathleen Kennedy
Domhnall Gleeson - Known for About Time, Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, and True Grit.
Anthony Daniels - C-3PO
Mark Hamill - Luke Skywalker
Andy Serkis - Best known for the role of "Gollum"
in Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
Oscar Isaac - Virtual unknown, his first major film
role was Joseph in the film The Nativity Story. He also had a small
role in All About the Benjamins and Guerrilla. He made an appearance
in the television series Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
John Boyega - Virtual unknown, the actor is known
for Attack the Block, Imperial Dreams, and My Murder.
Adam Driver - Thought to be the villain in Episode
VII, known for Inside Llewyn Davis, Frances Ha, and Lincoln.
Writer Lawrence Kasdan - Best known for Star Wars:
Episode V-The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Star
Wars: Episode VI-Return of the Jedi.
Not shown - Kenny Baker - R2-D2
Not shown - Max von Sydow - Best known for Jesus in
The Greatest Story Ever Told and Emperor Ming in Flash Gordon.
This is great news and I now hope that we will start
to see more frequent updates in the coming weeks.
If you are interested in auditioning for a part in Star Wars:
Episode VII, then now is your chance! Complete
the online application and submit your videos! Good luck!
The Official Star
Wars Site has made it official by announcing the release date
for Episode VII.
With pre-production in full-swing, a confirmed release date of
December 18, 2015, has been set for Lucasfilm's highly anticipated Star
Wars: Episode VII.
"We're very excited to share the official 2015 release date
for Star Wars: Episode VII, where it will not only anchor the
popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary
filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational
picture," said Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.
Star Wars: Episode VII will be directed by J.J. Abrams (Super
8, Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek) and is
being scripted by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan (Raiders of the
Lost Ark, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the
Jedi). Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and
Bryan Burk are producing, with Tommy Harper (Mission: Impossible
- Ghost Protocol, Jack Ryan, Star Trek Into
Darkness) and Jason McGatlin (Tintin, War of the
Worlds) serving as executive producers. John Williams is
returning to score Star Wars: Episode VII.
Shooting is scheduled to begin spring 2014 at Pinewood Studios.
It may not be May like we all hoped it would be, but I would
rather them take their time and get it right. At least now we know
and the rumors can cease. Let's hope this is the beginning for more
news to start flowing.
Our friends at Jedi
News have gotten a rumor that a non live-action teaser trailer
will be aired on April 4th, 2014, the release date of Marvel Studios
Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The teaser will be similar to
the recent Star Wars Rebels trailer in style and will be the first
official reveal of Episode VII's release date of November 11th,
2015.
Now I have been staying away from all the rumors, but this one
seems very likely to me. A non live-action teaser is not unheard of
in the Star Wars Universe. If you will remember back to the first
Empire Strikes Back Teaser Trailer where there where images and
artist sketches used to form the trailer. The only thing I am not as
confident on in this announcement is the release date. It has
already been announced that the next Celebration will be in April of
2015 to coincide with the release of Episode VII. Now I know
anything can happen, but Disney and Lucasfilm would have to make a
change to what they have been saying up to this point. I guess we
will see before long!
Our good friends at Jedi
News have a rumor that says Ian McDiarmid who played Emperor and
Senator Palpatine will be making a return appearance in Episode VII.
How you ask? Well, if a new Sith wannabe is trying to learn the ways
of the Dark Side, we could see Palpatine giving lessons via a Sith
Holocron. You know they did cut Darth Maul in half and he returned
in The Clone Wars! All we saw in Return of the Jedi was the Emperor
falling. We know he can jump great distances. It is not out of the
realm of possibility. These guys do their homework, so I give the
rumor some weight. Let's see what Lucasfilm says.
Steven Greenstreet made an interesting post over at Reddit
that states:
So I was working one day here in NYC on a popular HBO show.
And the main set designer (older low key gentleman) struck up a
conversation with me. He noticed my Star Wars tattoo and changed
the subject to Episode VII. He said one of his best friends was
currently working on the script (with a few other writers).
"But I don't want to spoil anything for you," he said.
I am going to go ahead and throw in a Spoiler Alert here just
in case it turns out to be true.
SPOILERS -
Highlight to read:
"Um, uh... F*** it. Tell me everything
you know."
"Well he's only told me 2 things actually: 1) The story
revolves around Han and Leia's kids. 2) Darth Vader is back."
I was confused by that last one. "But, wait, we saw him die
and his body get burned."
"You saw a suit get burned."
"No, then we saw force-spirit Anakin appear at the end of
Jedi."
"All I'm going to say is: Darth Vader is back. Who's actually
IN THE SUIT is the big deal."
So, there you have it. Take it with a grain of salt. This guy
might have been trolling me. But he seemed sincere.
What do you think about Darth Vader coming back? Too much? Does it
even make sense?
So that was interesting. I had not thought of that as a
possibility, but it does make sense. Someone pretending to be
someone else isn't new to the Star Wars Universe. Just look at Jodo
Kast as he went around pretending to be Boba Fett and creating fear.
I think it could be totally possible and would be something Disney
could capitalize on. I would actually like to see where this line of
thinking might go. I will keep you updated if it pans out.
Bleeding Cool
has provided a leaked casting call for Star Wars Episode VII and
Brendon Connelly writes, "We've verified that these are lead
characters." TheForce.net
contacted Lucasfilm and spoke with Miles Perkins who has confirmed
the listing stating: "Yes, it is correct."
Here is the casting call from the leaked document:
Late-teen female, independent, good sense of humour, fit.
Young twenty-something male, witty and smart, fit but not
traditionally good looking.
A late twentysomething male, fit, handsome and confident.
Seventy-something male, with strong opinions and tough
demeanour. Also doesn't need to be particularly fit.
A second young female, also late teens, tough, smart and fit.
Forty something male, fit, military type.
Thirtysomething male, intellectual. Apparently doesn’t need
to be fit.
Casting for Episode VII is now underway and we will soon start
finding out who will be playing these characters. Stay tuned!
BuzzFeed
interviewed Costume Designer Michael Kaplan who worked on the latest
Star Trek and when asked what was next, he replied:
"Well, I’ve just learned I’ll be working on the new Star
Wars movie, again with J.J. Everything just got formalized [last
week], I haven’t even had the chance to talk to anyone about it
all other than to be told ‘welcome aboard.’ It’s a little too
soon to know exactly what’s in store but I’m excited,
absolutely, to get to work on another prestigious sci-fi series.”
Collider.com has
an article with producer Bryan Burk as he talked briefly about Star
Wars, which he is also producing alongside Abrams and Kennedy. With
Disney pushing hard for a 2015 release for Star Wars: Episode VII,
production on the film needs to get underway sooner rather than
later.
Burk stated: "We’re progressing on a schedule to hopefully
begin next year, or the beginning of next year, and the location is
still kind of floating around in the air all depending on script and
a whole bunch of other issues. As I just said, everything is kind of
a free-flowing thing, and when we feel like the story level on this
script and everything is really coming together and schedules are
all working and pieces line up, we prowl ahead, and Star Wars will
be no different." Be sure to read
the entire article.
J.J. Abrams was asked at the Star Trek: Into Darkness press
conference in Berlin if composer Michael Giacchino would be
directing the music for Episode VII. J.J. stated that while he
thinks Michael's work is brilliant in the new Star Trek movies and
other TV Shows they have collaborated on, it would be John Williams
that would helm the music score for Episode VII. This is the closest
thing to an official confirmation we have received about the master
music maker returning to our beloved galaxy far, far away! Great
news!
Today's video clip is an interview with Kathleen Kennedy at
CinemaCon where she is asked about how she got J.J. Abrams to accept
the directors role, if Episode VII will be in 3D, Spin-off Films and
more. Enjoy!
Hometownstations.com
has an article about Kathleen Kennedy being named the 2013 Pioneer
of the Year at the CinemaCon convention. At the convention she
stated "We're working on getting a script." "We're
working with (director) J.J. (Abrams) every week. We're having a
great time and I think we're going to come up with something really
wonderful." Be sure to read
the entire article.
IGN has reported
that at the CinemaCon event in Las Vegas today, Disney and Lucasfilm
revealed that beginning in 2015 with Star Wars: Episode VII, a new
film set in the galaxy created by George Lucas will be released each
summer
J.J. Abrams' Episode VII will come first in the summer of 2015 and
will be followed every summer after with another new Star Wars
movie, alternating between the standalone films we've heard about
and the new trilogy that begins with Episode VII.
How will we determine spoilers and the information that belongs
to which movie? I guess that is a great problem to have! All I can
say is let the games begin!
Cosmic
Book News has another cool Star Wars rumor. Their source states
that a spinoff movie is coming:
Set between Star Wars Episode III and Episode IV
Said to feature Ewan McGregor reprising the role of Obi-Wan
Kenobi in his exile on Tatooine
The villain? Darth Maul hunting down his nemesis with a
possible plot point involving a 5-year-old Luke Skywalker
somehow tied into the story possibly as bait for Obi-Wan
This would be cool to see, but nothing is set in stone until we
get an official announcement. So, again we will keep this a rumor
for now until we have more information.
Cosmic
Book News has a cool Star Wars Episode VII rumor. Their source
states that:
Star Wars Episode VII will be set 30 years after Episode VI:
Return of the Jedi
It will indeed feature the Skywalker/Solo children coming to
the peak of their powers
The Jedi Order has been rebuilt with Luke Skywalker as Grand
Master
A disciple of Emperor Palpatine aims to rebuild the Sith
Armies of the Old Republic and destroy the Jedi where the
Skywalker children will be thrust into battle and face their
inner demons of their Skywalker lineage.
This all sounds very plausible to me and I expected the story to
take place about 30 years out. So we will keep this a rumor for now
until we have more information.
Today's first video clip is the Star Wars Episode 7: Movie Stars On
J.J. Abrams' Sequel from TotalFilm. Joss Whedon, Ewan McGregor, Mila
Kunis, Mark Strong and more talk JJ Abrams' sequel. Enjoy!
Businessweek
has an article with George Lucas where he says that Mark Hamill,
Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford are pretty much a lock for Star
Wars Episode VII.
Asked whether members of the original Star Wars cast will appear in
Episode VII and if he called them before the deal closed to keep
them informed, Lucas says, “We had already signed Mark and Carrie
and Harrison—or we were pretty much in final stages of
negotiation. So I called them to say, ‘Look, this is what’s
going on.’” He pauses. “Maybe I’m not supposed to say that.
I think they want to announce that with some big whoop-de-do, but we
were negotiating with them.” Then he adds: “I won’t say
whether the negotiations were successful or not."
Entertainment
Tonight spoke with Mark Hamill about his new movie Sushi Girl as
it hits DVD and Blu-ray this week, and while talking about the
project, the Star Wars legend was more than happy to provide
ETonline with an update on his involvement with the in-development
Star Wars VII – and what he thinks of those planned spinoff
movies…
First off, will he appear in Star Wars VII? "They're talking
to us," he reveals. "George [Lucas] wanted to know whether
we'd be interested. He did say that if we didn't want to do it, they
wouldn't cast another actor in our parts – they would write us
out. … I can tell you right away that we haven't signed any
contracts. We're in the stage where they want us to go in and meet
with Michael Arndt, who is the writer, and Kathleen Kennedy, who is
going to run Lucasfilm. Both have had meetings set that were
postponed -- on their end, not mine. They're more busy than I
am." Be sure to read
the entire article.
Today's video clip is at the Grand Slam Sci-Fi Show in Los Angeles
where Carmelle Marshall asked John Noble about the rumor he'll
appear in the next Star Wars film. This is his response. Enjoy!
IGN has an article
with a rumor about the return of Harrison Ford in Episode VII.
Latino Review broke the news via an appearance by the site's El
Mayimbe on Fox News Latino, where he said, “It’s official.
Harrison Ford will reprise his role as Han Solo in the upcoming Star
Wars movies.” While not infallible, Latino Review has broken many
big film stories that were indeed confirmed down the line and El
Mayimbe stated, “I found that out yesterday. I did my due
diligence, like I do with everything. Triple checked. Legitimate
sources."
For now, Lucasfilm has not officially announced anything
regarding the subject of Star Wars casting, but El Mayimbe went on
to say, “His deal is done. It’s just a formality. They haven’t
really announced it yet.” He noted he didn’t know the exact
extent of Ford’s role in the new films, but that, “It’s
significant.”
This feels like the J. J. Abrams announcement, so I would not be
surprised to see an official announcement in the coming days if not
this evening. Be sure to read
the entire article.
Movieweb.com
has an article with an unsubstantiated rumor from an Australian
radio host that Fringe star John Noble will play the villain. Here's
what the host Jo of Melbourne radio show FM had to say.
"(I have) it on very good authority that Aussie actor John
Noble will be appearing as the villain."
They were even willing to offer a wager as to the validity of the
news. While the news may seem to come out of left field, John Noble
is no stranger to big-budget franchises. He played Denethor in Peter
Jackson's The Lord of The Rings: The Return of The King. Of course,
he already has a relationship with director J.J. Abrams from his
work on Fringe, the Fox series which the filmmaker created alongside
Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. Nothing has been confirmed by Disney
or LucasFilm yet, so stay tuned.
EW.com e-mailed us the
following information about the Star Wars standalone movies.
Star Wars fans, admit it: you like scoundrels. And you're about
to get more of them in your life. The Walt Disney Co. unveiled plans
to make a number of spin-off movies set a long time ago in a galaxy
far, far away - in addition to the post-Return of the Jedi trilogy
that had already been announced Entertainment Weekly has learned
details on two of the spin-off projects: A young Han Solo saga,
focusing on the wisecracking smuggler's origin story, and a bounty
hunter adventure with Boba Fett at the center of a rogue's gallery
of galactic scum. Be sure to read
the entire story!
The Star Wars cinematic galaxy is about to experience a Big Bang.
Lucasfilm is officially announcing new spinoff films that will
expand the mythos and depths of the Star Wars universe in previously
unexplored ways.
One of the standalone films will be written by Lawrence Kasdan,
screenwriter of The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark,
and co-writer of Return of the Jedi while the other will be penned
by Simon Kinberg, writer of Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
The movies will be separate from the upcoming Episodes VII, VIII,
and IX, on which Kasdan and Kinberg are also consulting, and are
expected to be released sometime after Episode VII. Each standalone
film will focus on a specific character, and two spinoff films are
currently confirmed.
In a call to investors, Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt
Disney Company, revealed that while the original focus was on the
highly-anticipated sequel trilogy, the idea of spinoff films was
bandied about early and the additional films are now becoming a
reality. "We are in development of a few standalone
films," he said, "that are not part of the Star Wars
saga...there are now creative entities working on developing scripts
for what would be those standalone films."
It is finally official! The Official
Star Wars Site has finally announced that J.J. Abrams, the
Director of the re-imagined and highly successful Star Trek series
will in fact helm the new Star Wars: Episode VII.
"It's very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge
as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie," said
Kennedy. "J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond
having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive
understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star
Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an
unforgettable motion picture."
George Lucas went on to say "I've consistently been
impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller." He's an
ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy
couldn't be in better hands."
"To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars
saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of
people, is an absolute honor," J.J. Abrams said. "I may be
even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid."
News has hit just about every news source since yesterday afternoon
about J. J. Abrams being courted to direct Star Wars: Episode VII. I
say not so fast. He was on the list in the beginning to be a
frontrunner for the job. Then he declined publicly about taking the
job due to his efforts toward the Star Trek franchise. Now he is
back in again?
Not that I don't think he would be great for the job, would do
well, and he is a huge Star Wars fan, but will he remove himself
from directing future Star Trek movies? My thinking is that there
would be some overlap between schedules if he were to direct both
Star Wars and Star Trek movies. If nothing else, I would be
concerned about sheer burnout? Remember, this is all another big
rumor until we hear from Lucasfilm and or Disney.
Vulture has a
great article about Zack Snyder who is developing a new Star Wars
film outside of the Sequel Trilogy. You may remember he was asked in
November if he was interested in doing Episode VII in which he
replied that he wasn't. It may now be coming to light that he is
instead slated for a separate Star Wars film outside of Sequel
Trilogy.
He is in fact developing a Star Wars project for Lucasfilm
that is set within the series’ galaxy, though parallel to the next
trilogy. It will be an as-yet-untitled Jedi epic loosely based on
Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 classic Seven Samurai, with the ronin
and katana being replaced by the Force-wielding knights
and their iconic lightsabers. This stand-alone film is set sometime
post–Episode VI events. Be sure to read
the entire article!
Today's new video clip is the fifth part of the interview with
George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy. George and Kathleen discuss
transitioning into the Future. Enjoy!
Today's second new video clip is of Ewan McGregor talking about the
possibility of reprising his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the upcoming
Star Wars sequels. Enjoy!
Today's first new video clip is the fourth part of the interview
with George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy. George Lucas and Kathleen
Kennedy explore what makes the appeal of Star Wars universal. Enjoy!
Access
Hollywood has an article where they caught up with George Lucas
and asked him some questions. When asked about Episode VII, George
answered: “[If the filmmakers ask],‘Who’s this guy?’ I can
tell them,” he told Access at the event in Los Angeles. “I mean,
they have a hundred encyclopedias and things, but I actually know a
lot. I can say, ‘This is this and this is that.’”
But answering questions about the
more remote characters of his beloved galaxy may be where George’s
involvement ends. “Basically I’m not — I don’t really have
much to do,” he said. Be sure to read
the entire article.
Vulture has an
article featuring Disney Chief Alan Horn. Rumors have been flying
lately that X-Men: First Class director Matthew Vaughn will
helm Episode VII, and Horn demurred from confirming the buzz,
though he set the timetable for an announcement on that front:
"I would say you'll know soon. And it's got to come from Kathy
Kennedy — we don't have the company yet!" Still, Horn said
that fans should rest assured that Disney has the franchise's best
interests at heart. "We take very seriously the obligation to
make a very good movie. Kathy is a very experienced producer; George
Lucas is the godfather of that franchise and very, very involved on
a consulting basis, so we feel very confident."
He also motioned that very few people were aware of the Episode
VII announcement before it happened. Be sure to read
the entire article.
SFX
has an article with Mark Hamill discussing Episode VII.
SFX: Have you seen the films that new Star
Wars screenwriter Michael Arndt has written – Toy Story 3
and Little Miss Sunshine?
Mark Hamill: Yeah. He’s a very talented guy, very clever.
If you had your choice, where would you like to see Luke
in the new films – married with kids, teaching young Jedi?
Well, it’s an interesting question. I remember when we were
making the first trilogy I thought… When I realized they were
gonna make the princess my sister, I said, “You know where this is
headed? It’s headed for Obi-Wan territory, where I’m in a
desolate hovel, as an elderly recluse.” But I’ve heard other
ideas, like you say – somebody who’s training Jedi. I guess in
the books he does have an offspring, but…
They’re supposedly diverging from the books.
They are? Okay… Because I had a beginning, a middle
and an end. And when I finished, I never, ever dreamed that we would
do any more movies. And so I really sort of let it go. You have to
really physically let it go and accept that there are new prequels
and novels and comic books and games. It got to the point where I
could actually look at product and not even relate to the fact that
I was once tangentially connected to all of that. It was that long
ago. [Laughs.]
Lawrence
Kasdan, Simon Kinberg And The Star Wars Saga
Last week, reports emerged that The Empire Strikes Back’s Lawrence
Kasdan and Sherlock Holmes’ Simon Kinberg would be writing and
producing Episode VIII and Episode IX. The Hollywood
Reporter has an article stating that while Kasdan and Kinberg
indeed have been hired to work on the Star Wars franchise, they will
be writing separate projects (hence the reason why they also would
receive producer credits), not necessarily Episode VIII and Episode
IX.
Their scripts could turn into official “Episodes” in the main
Skywalker storyline, or they could form the basis for spinoffs
focusing on side characters. Disney CEO Robert Iger said the goal is
to release a Star Wars movie “every two to three years,”
and some could focus on other pieces of the expansive mythos
(similar to Marvel’s Avengers universe).
Today's first new video clip is the third part of the interview with
George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy. George and Kathleen discuss how
they met, passing the Lucasfilm baton, and more. Enjoy!
Today's new video clip is Star Wars Episode VII as explained by TIME
Magazine. George Lucas recently announced further Star Wars
installments. Who will make them and what will they be about? TIME
explains. Enjoy!
According to a report from TheForce.net,
fellow Star Wars fan Curt writes:
"I was at Carrie Fishers book signing in Cherry Hill, NJ on
November 15, and the interview she did started with the question
'Are you really going to be in a new star wars movie?' and Carrie
answered quietly 'Yes....I thought it was already common knowledge.'
She did not elaborate, as she probably doesn't want to crow too
loudly at this point in the project development. But this is the
first confirmation from one of the main OT Cast. LFL has not said
the cast would return yet."
This report goes along with what has been stated previously about
Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford all being wiling to
return to a galaxy far, far away and having discussions with George
Lucas about the films. Now all we need is the true official
confirmation from Lucasfilm.
Entertainment
Weekly Reports On The Future Of Star Wars
EW.com has provided us
with highlights from Entertainment Weekly's November 23rd, 2012
issue (on newsstands nationwide Friday, November 16th) as they
report on The Future Of Star Wars.
Lucasfilm’s
co-chairman and soon-to-be president, Kathleen Kennedy, has told
employees she wants the company to produce two or three films a year
(it’s averaged fewer than four per decade), and first up is Star
Wars: Episode VII for 2015, which will pick up sometime after
Darth Vader gave his life to overthrow (figuratively and literally)
the Emperor and save Luke in 1983’s Episode VI— Return of the
Jedi. Yes, the plan is to return to the characters in the first
trilogy (1977–83). Whether the original actors will have
significant roles or merely be on hand to pass the baton to a new
generation of actors—something Lucasfilm tried with mixed success
with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and
Disney with TRON: Legacy—is unclear. But the reintroduction
of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo is a jolting concept
that will inspire a lot of goose bumps and at least a few groans.
George Nolfi, a Star Wars buff as well as the writer-director
of The Adjustment Bureau, says the horizon will need to be
bigger to handle the colossal project taking shape. “I can’t
imagine,” Nolfi says, “a larger event film for our generation
than a sequel to Return of the Jedi.”
Be sure read
more and pick up your copy that has a beautifully done Star Wars
cover to read the entire article on Friday!
Today's second new video clip is the second part of the interview
with George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy: Getting Started on the New
Star Wars Films. Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas discuss the next
steps in making new Star Wars movies, including selecting a director
and what Lucas' role will be. Enjoy!
The
Hollywood Reporter, Vulture,
and Deadline,
have reported that Academy Award-winning screenwriter Michael Arndt
will be an Episode VII screenwriter. Michael Arndt, the Pixar
favorite who was nominated for an Oscar for Toy Story 3, won
an Oscar for Little Miss Sunshine, and wrote The Hunger
Games: Catching Fire, which is currently shooting. Insiders
confirm that Arndt has written a 40- to 50-page treatment for the
film and is likely to be at least one of the writers when the
Disney/Lucasfilm project begins shooting in 2014.
Sources also say that the studio’s brass want to bring back the
three central characters of the original Star Wars: a much
older Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo. No deals are in
place with any of the original actors, though our source did say it
had high ambitions to sign up Mark Hamill, and EW recently
reported that Harrison Ford was open to the idea of returning.
EW.com has an article
about Harrison Ford and his interest in Sequel Trilogy. It has been
no secret through the years that Harrison Ford did not like the role
of Han Solo much as his career progressed after his run in the
Original Star Wars Trilogy. “As a character he was not so
interesting to me,” the frosty Ford explained in an ABC interview
in 2010. “I thought he should have died in the last one to give it
some bottom…George didn’t think there was any future in dead Han
toys.” He also has expressed a dislike for the way George Lucas
directed the films. So why would his name be mentioned at all in an
upcoming Star Wars series?
According to sources close to the recently announced Star Wars
sequel, “Harrison is open to the idea of doing the movie and
he’s upbeat about it, all three of them are,” said one highly
placed source, referring to Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher.
More than money, Ford might be drawn back by the upside of changes
at Lucasfilm where the respected Kathleen Kennedy is taking over as
company president, and with the Jedi franchise as a whole now that
Kennedy is in as executive producer and Lucas will take on a
consultant role, leaving the director’s chair for someone else.
Harrison Ford won’t go to the next level of contract talks
until there’s a script and director in place, but don’t be
surprised if his contract includes a mandatory death scene for the
sly old space smuggler. Be sure to read
the entire article.
Mark
Hamill And Carrie Fisher Knew About Episode VII
EW.com interviewed Mark
Hamill about the recent sale of Lucasfilm to Disney and the
announcement of Episodes VII-IX. When asked about the big new Mark
stated: "Oh my gosh, what a shock that was! I had no idea
that George was going to sell to Disney until I read it online like
everybody else. He did tell us last summer about wanting to go on
and do [Episodes] VII, VIII, and IX, and that [newly appointed
Lucasfilm president] Kathleen Kennedy would be doing them."
So when he said, “We decided we’re going to do Episodes VII,
VIII, and IX,” I was just gobsmacked.
“What? Are you nuts?!” [Laughs]
When asked if he received any details about the story or if he
would have a part in it Mark replied: "Well, no, he was just
talking about writers and the fact that he wouldn’t be directing.
I guess he wanted us to know before everybody else knew."
Be sure to read
the entire article!
Today George Lucas signed a deal with Disney that transfers all of
Lucasfilm, LucasArts, Skywalker Sound, and more to the Disney
Corporation. It was a logical choice for the retiring Lucas, but not
a sad day for Star Wars fans. In fact, it is the catalyst that will
bring us a plethora of new Star Wars material to include new Star
Wars movies, TV shows, games and more. Look for the long awaited
Star Wars Sequel Trilogy movies with Episodes VII, VIII, & IX
finally being made and released! Look for Episode VII to be released
in 2015! Here is George Lucas with the historic announcement in the
video below: