Category: sequel trilogy

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Rumor: Star Wars actors at D23 for Episode VII?

SEQUEL TRILOGY RUMORS: Take seriously at your own risk.In The Hollywood Reporter’s article on Star Wars at the D23 Expo, they have “insiders” claiming that “some Star Wars actors – presumably familiar faces – may appear at D23 to confirm their involvement in Episode VII. (via)

Disney announced yesterday that Star Wars would be featured at the Expo.

Of course, several of the rumored alumni will be appearing at Celebration Europe. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Anthony Daniels, plus Lucasfilm head honcho Kathleen Kennedy, will all be in Germany, so any confirmations or announcements may come out of that convention first. But, either way, it seems likely that D23 will see some Episode VII action as well.

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Roundup: Will Episode VII help diversify Star Wars?

The prequels didn't do too badly with background characters - will the sequels move diversity to the forefront?The blogside. It’s a hot button issue in many fandoms right now – just ask anyone hanging around Game of Thrones lately – and Bria at Tosche Station explains on why it’s important to have diversity in Star Wars.

Oh, Carrie! Carrie Fisher shares some ideas for Episode VII. They are very… Carrie.

Who wants in now? Star Wars alumni Warwick Davis, Samuel L. Jackson and Ray Park. Spinoffs for everyone?

Disney business. Bob Iger will remain at the helm of Disney through at least 2016. And with The Lone Ranger’s opening-weekend belly flop, Disney has plenty of reasons to be thankful for their recent acquisitions. One expert expects Disney to net about $733M for 2015’s Episode VII alone.

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Dominic Monaghan up for an Episode VII role?

Dominic Monaghan as Charlie on Lost

Will Star Wars be gaining an ex-hobbit for Episode VII? Bleeding Cool thinks they might be. They point to some potentially suspicious behavior from Dominic Monaghan at The Lone Ranger premiere, and note he could be a good fit for the thirtysomething intellectual role in last week’s casting call.

Naturally he’s a big Star Wars fan (who isn’t?) but Monaghan may have an in with the Bad Robot team from his days playing Charlie Pace, one of the original castaways on Lost. He’s also known for playing Merry in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings.

It’s only speculation, of course, but I can see where they’re coming from… Particularly if the role turns out to be a supporting one. Look, I generally hate this kind of thing, but the idea of Monaghan in Star Wars does not make me immediately say ‘nope,’ and that a rare thing.

As for other actors who’d like a go at Episode VII, Totalfilm has released a third edition of their video series.

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Rumor: Is May 29, 2015 Episode VII’s release date?

SEQUEL TRILOGY RUMORS: Take seriously at your own risk.The date was also part of an earlier rumor, but Cosmic Book News claims that a second source has collaborated the date.

A May 29 release does put a few weeks time between the release of Episode VII and The Avengers 2, which is currently set for May 1 that year. And other studios are certainly planning like that’s the case, although a May release date for a Star Wars movie is always a pretty safe assumption.

While we’re on the topic of The Avengers sequels, Marvel confirmed yesterday that Robert Downey Jr. will be back as Tony Stark for The Avengers 2 and 3, and they took a page from Lucasfilm’s book to do it.

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Rumors: Spinoff films will feature Solo, Fett, new cartoon to show genesis of the Rebellion

SPINOFF RUMORS: Take seriously at your own risk.JoBlo has a source who told them that the first two spin-offs will feature popular rumor subjects Han Solo and Boba Fett. No details on Boba, but the Han film “will focus on Han and Chewy’s [sic] relationship, potentially on how they met and became partners on the Millennium Falcon.”

Both movies have been rumored for a while now, though JoBlo also says that the idea for a Yoda film has been dropped due to LEGO’s The Yoda Chronicles.

A Boba Fett movie is, of course, inevitable, and either Daniel Logan or Temuera Morrison could return for the role, depending on where in the timeline the story falls. Casting a young Han Solo would be significantly more of a challenge… But no doubt there are plenty of actors willing to try.

Their source also claims that the Rebels cartoon will “focus on how the rebel alliance was formed,” which doesn’t give us too much of a hint of where it fits in the intertrilogy timeline. Sure, we saw the political roots of the Rebellion begin in the cut scenes of Revenge of the Sith, but parts of the Expanded Universe imply that the Rebellion we meet in A New Hope was formed by coalition of groups working against the Empire. Not that the EU material guarantees anything, but it’s an idea with plenty of story potential to be mined.

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Rumor: Episode VII to feature the ‘return’ of Darth Vader?

Revenge of the Sith (Vader)

We’ve heard this one before, but from the friend-of-a-Redditor-who-talked-to-a-guy hotline, here’s a report that Darth Vader – or at least his suit – will be back for Episode VII. And that there will be children of Han and Leia involved. Alrighty then.

It’s not an entirely awful idea, and would open up some interesting possibilities. (Like the whole issue of Luke, Leia, their parentage and the public knowledge/perception of it, which the EU left almost completely unexplored.) I can certainly see ‘who’s in the suit’ as J.J.’s Star Wars answer to Star Trek Into Darkness’ ‘who is Benedict Cumberbatch playing.’ I’m sure it would sell a hell of a lot of toys, too. But possibilities aside, I’m not going to stop being cynical now.

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It’s official: Episode VII casting has begun

Star Wars logoLucasfilm representatives have confirmed to to Big Shiny Robot and TheForce.Net that this morning’s casting breakdown posted by Bleeding Cool is for real, and that casting for Episode VII has indeed begun.

Here are the listings, and no, I’m not going to guess at who these characters may be, as I deeply doubt they’ll end up being anyone we recognize, from the EU or otherwise:

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.

I’m not going to apologize for doubting this one earlier: With all the crud we’ve been getting – and much more yet to come – someone has to!

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George Lucas has yet to speak to J.J. Abrams about Episode VII

At the Daytime Emmys the other day, George Lucas told Access Hollywood that he hasn’t spoken to J.J. Abrams about Episode VII yet.

I have not spoken to J.J. He’s been busy with Star Trek, and I’m sure that he’ll let me know when he’s got some questions. So, you know, that’s all going well. Kathy tells me it’s working out great.

He does seem mostly relieved about it, but I’m sure there will be some sort of discussion as production ramps up. (via)