Category: sequel trilogy

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Rumor: Has Episode VII’s female lead been cast?

Here’s a quick drive-by for the evening: Bleeding Cool says they’ve heard that Episode VII’s female lead has been cast, and she’ll be “the big news” regarding casting, “though folk might not realise it until after they see the film.” This is tacked on in their item about Jack Reynor, though, so take it as you will.

Whatever the case, as Making Star Wars points out, things do have to be motion fairly soon if they’re going to start shooting in May. It’s a good bet the whos are already picked or close to it: The only thing really in question is when they’re going to (or can) share the news with us.

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Rumor: Modelmakers at Pinewood under contract for 7 years, space booked for Indy 5?

The Millennium Falcon under construction (for ESB)

SEQUEL TRILOGY RUMORS: Take seriously at your own risk.And here’s another from Den of Geek this morning, which at the very least seems/feels slightly more probable than the last one. They report that there’s been a clampdown on the Pinewood prop shop, but that the modelmakers are working on a Millennium Falcon (as frequently reported and possibly proved) and lightsaber hilts. The modelmakers also supposedly have seven-year contracts covering the new trilogy and three spin-offs.

They’re also reporting that the planning office has a listing for an Indiana Jones 5, which wouldn’t be all that surprising giving Disney and Paramount’s announcement regarding the franchise in December.

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Rumors: Jack Reynor cast in Episode VII? And are they looking for a Princess Leia?

Jack Reynor

SEQUEL TRILOGY RUMORS: Take seriously at your own risk.At AICN, buried under Harry Knowles’ thoughts on last week’s concept art, he claims to have heard that Irish actor Jack Reynor has a role in Episode VII. Reynor will be seen in Transformers: Age of Extinction, but we’ll try not to hold that against him if this turns out to be true: Actors gotta eat.

Taking a weirder turn is Den of Geek‘s report that the role of Princess Leia may be open, which seems odd. Is Carrie Fisher really not returning, is it a red herring, or did someone mishear something along the line? I know which one gets my vote…

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Roundup: No more Expanded Universe toys from Hasbro, TNG’s Brent Spiner on Rebels?

Toy Fair. Jedi Temple Archives reports (a bit hyperbolically) that Lucasfilm has told Hasbro that the Expanded Universe is off limits, save for a few figures that were already in the pipeline.

I think this makes sense. We’ve never gotten all that much EU from Hasbro to begin with, and at this point any EU figure is going to be pounced on by fans as some sort of “proof” for Episode VII. They’re cutting back on prequel-era figures as well, to focus on the OT – with a heavy focus on Return of the Jedi as we approach the new films – and Rebels.

Rebels. Is Brent Spiner voicing a character? This tweet from Gallifrey One, a con held in Los Angeles this weekend, leads us to believe so… The actor, who played Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation, has worked with Rebels’ Greg Weisman before – they were on a Young Justice panel at the con. (He voiced The Joker on the show.) He was also one of several TNG actors who did voices on Weisman’s Gargoyles. And we’ve had Trek crossover before: George Takei voiced General Lok Durd on The Clone Wars.

Episode VII. Tom Hiddleston and Alex Pettyfer talk their Star Wars chances. (Both unlikely, if for very different reasons) while an Irish unknown, Daryl McCormack, talks about getting far on in the audition process.

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Did Lucasfilm just give us our first (fuzzy) look at Episode VII concept art?

An Episode VII production meeting?

Lucasfilm.com relaunched yesterday, and an eagle-eyed Justin LaSalata noticed that the lead photo on the production page – a meeting featuring Kathleen Kennedy and maybe (far right) John Knoll – shows what’s probably concept art for Episode VII that includes what looks like the Millennium Falcon, a mountainous location, an X-Wing pilot and maybe even an older Luke? (Or, maybe, ghost Obi-Wan on Dagobah in Return of the Jedi?) Look closer:

An Episode VII production meeting? (Close up.)

The Falcon appearing is pretty much a given at this point, but this is the first thing we have officially that even hints at it. Of course, it could all be for something else…

There’s also what looks like a few new – or at least better quality than we’ve seen – images of the Ghost on the Rebels page.

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Roundup: Is Billy Dee back for Episode VII?

Through yonder Lando breaks. Ali Arikan say Billy Dee Williams is indeed on board for Episode VII. (Detailing on his last report.) Meanwhile, Fans Share (via) says Williams has been “insinuating” that he’s doing work on Rebels as well. Though a lot of that seems awfully familiar, so it may just be regurgitated rumor-mongering.

Business. The Hollywood Reporter has some details of what’s going on with ILM in London as the company beefs up in preparation for more Star Wars and Marvel (among others) work. They’re also expanding in Vancouver.

Expanded Universe. The Star Wars Books Facebook page had a chat with author Joe Schreiber today on Maul: Lockdown. You can read it directly or through the recap at Suvudu.

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Rumor double down: Episode VII starts filming mid-May

J.J. Abrams said Episode VII would be shooting in May, we heard a report last week that May 18th was the first day and most of the returning folks are signed on, and now Drew McWeeny at HitFix is jumping on that train as well.

Reminder: We define ‘confirmed’ as and ONLY as word from Lucasfilm themselves, or a media outlet with Lucasfilm’s blessing (like last week’s parade of Rebels posters) but this one does seem to be a pretty safe bet if you’re into that sort of thing. I just hope this doesn’t mean we’re on the hook until May for cast announcements!

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Rumor: Episode VII filming begins May 19, “everyone’s back”

SEQUEL TRILOGY RUMORS: Take seriously at your own risk.

Today from Ali Arikan on Twitter: Episode VII will shoot May 19 to August 8, with moving into offices in late April. “Everyone’s back,” he says, and casting is complete “barring two leads.” (Does “everyone” extend beyond the expected Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford and Anthony Daniels? Billy Dee?)

We’ve heard several things from Arikan, some of which may still pan out, some of which haven’t, but he is respected among the veteran rumormongers regardless. Last month he said filming could start on April 22, which is close to his move-in date this time. As always, I recommend taking this with a grain of salt, but Abrams did say filming was likely to begin in May.

Original tweet below the cut. Continue reading “Rumor: Episode VII filming begins May 19, “everyone’s back””

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Gary Oldman “called” for a part in Episode VII

Add another name on the pile: Gary Oldman admits “they’ve called” him for Episode VII, though he seems rather ambivalent about it.

Given the high-profile franchises we’ve already seen him in – Nolan’s Batman and Harry Potter, not to mention this Robocop remake and the upcoming Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – he doesn’t seem a particularly inspired choice Still, he’s a fine actor, and who doesn’t love The Fifth Element? (via)