sequel trilogy – Page 118

December 10, 2013December 10, 2013

Roundup: Lucasfilm will follow Marvel’s blueprint; Was Star Wars just a cover for Cumberbatch?

Merchandising! Disney CFO Jay Rasulo spoke at an investor conference today and spoke of Lucasfilm following in Marvel’s footprints for distribution across different platforms – though he did say that they’re willing to look outside their own networks for distribution. Nothing earth shattering here – he also said that there’ll be more Star Wars rides coming to the parks over time – but it confirms that there’s plenty more in the pipeline than just new films. And, yes, expect the full merchandising blitz for Episode VII. Whatever could the sequel trilogy equivalent of a Jar Jar lollipop be, I wonder?

Rumors. Were the rumors of Benedict Cumberbatch in Star Wars just a smokescreen? The Daily Superhero has a source that claims that the rumors were manufactured by Disney as a cover… Because they actually want him for a Marvel role, perhaps Doctor Strange. Sounds pretty plausible to me – and what’s easier to play on than the internet’s unending ability for uninspired fancastings?

December 9, 2013

Rumor: Jack O’Connell up for Episode VII role

Bleeding Cool reports today that Jack O’Connell is a “real contender” for a role in Episode VII – close enough that he’s met with J.J. Abrams and the “meeting went very well.” They’re not sure which role he’s up for, though.

O’Connell is new to me, but he’ll be in next year’s 300: Rise of an Empire and has built up quite a resume over in the U.K., including a stint on Skins.

December 1, 2013December 1, 2013

Rumors: More on Disneyland’s Star Wars hold, The Clone Wars, and spinoffs

Disney Parks. TheForce.net has a source that disagrees with the earlier MiceChat report that Disneyland’s Star Wars plans were put on hold due to budget concerns. While there is a hold, they say that it’s due to Episode VII. “They didn’t want to build attractions/a land without including the new movies,” the source says. “So since the teams don’t have a final script they can’t add anything from the new movies.”

Rumors. In their latest Q&A, Jedi News and Jedi Master SQL discusses The Clone Wars and spin-off films. For Clone Wars he echos the earlier reports out of Poland, but adds that they will be “non-sequential episodes.” The iOS app may no longer be in the picture, but there will be an “online digital distribution model” that will include far more than just TV episodes (“films, books, comics, and online web content.”) As for the first standalone, he doesn’t see how they can get it out for 2016, but we may hear about the director and producer as early as next week. He’s also still stuck on Benedict Cumberbatch.

No. This doesn’t seem to have much traction yet aside from some random folks on Twitter and Tumblr, but beware folks using Cédric Delsaux’s ‘The Falcon’s Hiding Place’ as being the Episode VII Falcon. The original image (third from the right on the second to last row of Delsaux’s official gallery) was taken in Dubai in 2009.

November 30, 2013November 30, 2013

Roundup: Today in Episode VII rumormongering…

Rumors. Jedi News continues their chat with Jedi Master SQL, this time addressing 3-D and the state of rumormongering.

Whatever. I’m not even sure where this originated, but apparently there are rumors that they may be ‘de-aging’ folks for Episode VII? Sounds more like something born out of speculation – and the early hopes for a Heir to the Empire adaption – than anything truly serious. I wouldn’t put use of digital de-aging techniques totally out of the equation (flashbacks/dreams/visions?) but I don’t put any stock in a whole movie full of it.

Big no. Yes, there are rumors, but no one has yet leaked pictures of the Episode VII Millennium Falcon. Like the one on our earlier post, the ‘leaked’ construction pictures are from The Empire Strikes Back. I mean, come on now. At least try, folks.

November 29, 2013December 2, 2013

Rumors: Spy hints at Episode VII actors, planets

Jedi News’ Jedi Master SQL has emerged yet again for a lengthy Q&A about Episode VII. There’s a fair amount of speculation on his part, but here are the bullet points:

Lucasfilm is sitting on “a stack of news that could be released at any moment that they please.”
On returning actors, he’s “only seen evidence for one of [the Big 3] having signed,” and it “would not surprise me if they did not all come back for Episode VII but maybe came back at varying points in the new trilogy.” Last time we heard from him he said Harrison Ford’s deal was nearly in place.
He says “the Expanded Universe won’t be disappearing anytime soon,” Dark Horse is likely to keep the comic license and “you can expect to see their logo on a lot of very different Star Wars products than just comics.”
He hints “The Old Republic has added a planet that has long been mentioned but never seen on film,” and that has something to do with Episode VII. (UPDATE: Lightsaber Rattling thinks this may be Corellia, which will be familiar to EU fans but has never been seen on screen.)
As for new actors, he says an “exceptional level of work going into finding the right cast for the new films.” Names he’s recently heard attached to roles are Emmanuelle Chriqui, Alexis Dziena, and American Horror Story’s Taissa Farmiga.

He also chatted about the next Celebration, saying that it may be the launchpad for the real Episode VII blitz.

So that’s a few things to chew on… but as always, just rumors!

November 27, 2013November 30, 2013

Rumors: Millennium Falcon ready to land at Pinewood?

Rumor. The Millennium Falcon is always a safe bet, so naturally there have been some scattered reports that it’s in construction for Episode VII. And Wednesday Scum and Villainy reported that a full-scale set has been built off-site and is ready to move into Pinewood. Making Star Wars is rightly skeptical, but with countless Star Wars films in the future – not to mention possible theme park attractions – it may just be a wise investment.

Gaming. Also a rumor: Kotaku thinks there’s “an open-world Star Wars title,” in the works at EA Canada.

Box office. The Warcraft movie has moved out of the range of Episode VII to March 2016. Is Warcraft even still a thing?

November 25, 2013

Episode VII: Abrams says new release date is a “huge improvement”

Interviews. The December release date is “an infinitely better situation” and a “huge improvement” J.J. Abrams tells MTV’s Josh Horowitz. When asked if the Artoo casting means C-3P0: “They have different agents.” He also talked about London and Kasdan with Total Film.

Casting. The Hollywood Reporter spun something out about big movies that are casting at the moment. They mention the ‘Rachel’ and ‘Thomas’ roles, but also “a 40-something military man a la Matt Damon in Elysium.” Comparing the role to Damon is new, but we heard about the part way back in the original June casting breakdown.

Video. Fan-created trailer The Apprentice.

November 24, 2013November 25, 2013

Roundup: The Clone Wars rumors, fake Episode VII script

Rumors. A Polish fan site (in English from Star Wars Underworld) reported that details of The Clone Wars bonus content release were revealed at a Warsaw event. In short: The show’s ten remaining episodes, subtitled ‘The Lost Missions,’ will air on Disney XD early next year. Trailers were shown – head to Underworld for the details, but it’s worth noting that Pablo says that 10 seems to be to low a number… But note there’s nothing on StarWars.com, so whatever went on, it’s not yet 100% official. (UPDATE: Pablo also says he recognizes “pieces from upcoming episodes.”)

Fakes. There’s a very fake script rattling around. (No, not the audition pages.) It seems to be this one (via,) which is indeed pretty laughable.

Episode VII. J.J. Abrams says that Lawrence Kasdan “has made him raise his game.”

November 21, 2013November 22, 2013

Roundup: Michigan student cast in Episode VII? Nope!

Open calls. UPDATE: “On Nov. 21, The Collegian reported false information in an article about a student cast in “Star Wars: Episode VII.” As far as The Collegian’s editors and reporters know, the part has not yet been cast. We apologize for this error. ”

Charming.

Meanwhile, the London call this weekend has a new venue – Twickenham Stadium, while Dublin will be holding theirs at the Croke Park Stadium. The U.S. call Friday is in Austin.

Gaming. Electronic Arts has a ten-year Lucasfilm deal, and they won’t be producing direct tie-ins the new films, Variety reports.

Mystery. A Star Wars character will appear in the LEGO movie.