Star Wars with occasional sarcasm
Well, Friday it is, though the actual location may not be clear. Episode VII has started shooting somewhere, per this photo that Bad Robot tweeted early this morning. Of course it’s already been analyzed. (That’s sand? I thought it was a light/texture thing.)
UPDATE: And now we have… A look at the outside of a Pinewood soundstage, from @starwars. Look sir, a logo!
Gulf News claims that filming for Episode VII will begin in Abu Dhabi tomorrow (on a Friday?) and last for two weeks. That’s contrary to previous reports that they would begin Tuesday… But The National claimed a three-week shoot, which does seem a very short period to deal with the many set pieces they say have been built.
Oscar Issac said later this month, and it seems that Carrie Fisher was still in Los Angeles as of Wednesday night. I sure hope Lucasfilm will let us know when first unit shooting has actually begun…
A few Episode VII tidbits floating around lately: Oscar Isaac said recently that he starts shooting at the end of May, while Andy Serkis has praised the cast and script:
“It’s a wonderful, wonderful cast, really beautiful director, great atmosphere… Star Wars was my childhood, so it’s fantastic,” he said.
The 50-year-old also said security around the script is “very tight”.
He added: “You can’t wander off with it.”
He also called Daisy Ridley “an amazing choice.” (via)
Meanwhile, at Elsetree, a familiar name has apparently stolen Simon Pegg’s parking space.
Unsuprisingly, Denis Lawson is still not coming back to play Wedge. Are you shocked? I’m shocked.
Rumor: Adam Driver playing a Solo? Honestly, I’ve heard this speculated so much since Driver’s name first came up (and particularly from EU fans unwilling to let go of Jacen and Jaina) that it’s pretty hard to take seriously, even as a ‘rumor.’
After giving us what may be our first look at an Episode VII set (and, maybe, an AT-AT foot,) Abu Dhabi’s The National is back with a further report on what’s apparently going on in the desert, as shooting is expected to begin on Tuesday, May 13:
Our sources also report that the sets are getting closer to completion, with a “whole world” having been built on an otherworldly salt lake at one location, a “shuttle-like” spacecraft, a large tower, a “big, centuries-old-looking market”, something the crew are reportedly referring to as the “alien house” and 10 to 15 “really fast buggies” powered by jet engines (landspeeders of Tatooine fame from the previous films, perhaps?)
All that, plus explosives, some members of the cast, and lots of security. Seems pretty extensive to be just one planet… (via) A site called 7 Days in Dubai has more details supporting that a crashed spaceship of some sort is involved. (via)
Oscar Isaac once dressed up as a gonk droid. The Episode VII actor is interviewed in tomorrow’s Sunday Times, but looks like the gonk reveal is about as much as we’re going to get out of him; He also defends the tradition of secrecy on films like this.
The new Entertainment Weekly has a feature on the Episode VII cast. It’s the issue with The Normal Heart on the cover and should be on newsstands and subscriber mailboxes shortly. Doesn’t look like they reveal anything we haven’t heard elsewhere, though that will largely depend on the context.
Five Expanded Universe things that may make it to the sequels. Contains Mara Jade.
Harrison Ford and Han Solo bury the lightsaber. In an essay for Entertainment Weekly, Anthony Breznican reflects on Harrison Ford, Han Solo, and Ford’s own previous disdain for the character.