John Noble has been rumored to be taking a part in Episode VII, But he knows about as much about it as we do, he tells fans at the Grand Slam Sci-Fi Show. “I’d like them too,” he says, but there’s no truth to it
(via)
Roundup: John Williams speaks hopefully about sequel trilogy
Music. John Williams is perhaps one of the biggest question marks for the sequel trilogy, but at a recent concert he made some optimistic remarks, according a reader at the John Williams Fan Network. “I need to make sure I’m still ready to go in a few years for what I hope would be continued work with George,” he said on February 9. (via)
Opinion. Wired’s Laura Hudson writes about Leia and Hollywood’s woman problem, adding another voice to those of hoping for a female lead for Episode VII. Meanwhile, Tricia Barr looks at the male-centric wishlists for the spin-off films.
Ric Olie, is that you? Showbiz 411 is taking the Han Solo rumors fairly optimistically, and that Fisher and Hamill are sure to return as well, but the films will be about their kids. To which 99% of the internet says: Well, duh.
Report: Harrison Ford will return as Han Solo for Episode VII?
El Mayimbe over at Latino Review is reporting that Harrison Ford will indeed be coming back to Star Wars for Episode VII.
Per usual, we’re not calling this a lock until Lucasfilm confirms it… And despite the track record of them announcing these things on Friday evenings, I’m not holding our breath for that to happen today! In fact, Entertainment Weekly’s Geoff Boucher tweeted:
Harrison Ford deal? My source says not yet.”It will not be for weeks and perhaps months.”
— Geoff Boucher (@geoffboucher) February 15, 2013
Still, Latino Review does have a good track record for these sorts of scoops, and it seems pretty likely, no?
Roundup: Star Wars authors consider future movies, Ewan down with a return to the desert
Ponders. Christian Blauvelt asks eight Star Wars authors (Drew Karpyshyn, Paul Kemp, Troy Denning, John Jackson Miller, James Luceno, Michael Reaves, Christie Golden and Aaron Allston) what they’d like to see in Episode VII and the other new films. Lots of love for the EU and female characters, naturally, which is more than I can say for most of the other wishlists that have been popping up daily.
Spin-offs. Ewan McGregor continues to voice his willingness to return as Obi-Wan. “I don’t know what he did in the desert,” he tells MTV. “We could make up some stuff.”
Superfans. Kevin Smith is (still) very excited. Though his casting for a young Han Solo is… the worst I’ve seen yet. Hopefully for the LULZ.
Calamari wishes and Carbonite dreams: Best #StarWars, #EpisodeVII and #SWEU tweets for Feb. 4-10
Last week, we learned that Star Wars solo films are a real thing that’s actually happening, although no one has confirmed who they’ll actually feature…. But naturally Han Solo was trending for a while because, well, the internet. (Suck it, Boba Fett!) All that and the usual below the cut.
Wired celebrates the new Star Wars with a look back
The return of Star Wars is Wired’s latest cover, and the stories went online today, starting with a feature on how the movies revolutionized special effects and 74 things every great Star Wars movie needs. They also take a look at how the Kessel Run turns Han into a time-traveler (…okay) and a column by Chris Hardwick.
There are also looks at the Battle of Hoth, LEGOs as ‘photo fan fiction’.
Shatner calls Abrams a ‘pig’ for taking Star Wars gig
You can always count on Crazy Fandom Grandpa William Shatner to fan the tired old Star Wars vs. Star Trek flames.
“He’s being a pig,” Shatner told Movie Fanatic. “He’s probably the most talented director of that ilk we have. But, he’s gone too far this time.”
Looks like Abrams is going to get a real tongue-lashing from the Captain next time they meet up… Maybe he should draft Shatner’s ‘nemesis’ Carrie Fisher for backup?
Kasdan wants his Star Wars spin-off to ‘start fresh’
In another interview from his appearance at the Paley Center on Thursday, Lawrence Kasdan told Hero Complex that he wants his film to be something new:
“I’m trying to start fresh,” he said. “There are certain pleasures that we think the saga can bring to people that they’ve been missing, and we’re hoping to bring them that, and at the same time, have them feel that it’s all new.”
It’s implied (by Hero Complex) that means ignoring the existing Expanded Universe, but it’s worth noting that some fans are also hoping these spin-offs don’t rehash things that the EU has already covered extensively – like Han’s backstory.
He also credits George Lucas with bringing him onto the project, his favorite Star Wars film, and the focus of the original trilogy.
Kasdan, Kinsberg talk Episode VII and spin-offs
IGN has the first interview with Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg since their involvement with Episode VII and the standalone films was formally annouced.
He wouldn’t answer when asked about who the films will feature, but Kasdan has plenty of praise for Michael Arndt and J.J. Abrams.
No news bombs were dropped, but it’s a nice interview with a bit of insight behind the curtain.
Roundup: Will Episode VII feature a Lord of the Rings transplant as the big bad?
Actors. An Australian DJ (?!?) is claiming that John Noble will be playing the villain in Episode VII. You probably know Noble as Fringe’s Walter Bishop, or from Lord of the Rings, where he played Denethor, perhaps Middle-Earth’s least stable father figure. Like Walter Bishop, I have my skeptic face on.
Abrams alumni Keri Russell would be down for Star Wars, because once again, who’s going to say they don’t want to be in Star Wars?
And finally, Ewan McGregor doesn’t know anything about the new movies, but it seems like he’s still game. He’ll be talking about his new film, Jack and the Giant Slayer, on Ellen this Friday.
The once and future directors. HuffPo’s Mike Ryan has a great article exploring the Star Wars directors thus far. And at the Star Wars Blog, Bonnie Burton has the relevant quotes from her past interviews with J.J. Abrams.
Solo, solo. Hollywood.com’s Christian Blauvelt talks about casting (and writing) a younger Han Solo with Scoundrels author Timothy Zahn. Since the conversation naturally turns to casting Thrawn, Zahn spoke a bit more about casting his characters back on January’s book tour for Scoundrels.
Video. J.J. Abrams talks about Star Wars, Star Trek and the mystery box in a TED Talk from 2007. (via)
Money matters. George Lucas has filed to cash out his Disney stock – the 37,076,679 shares that were half the purchase price for Lucasfilm. (Note: The move doesn’t mean he has to or even will sell immediately, just that he can.) In any case, it was announced early on that Lucas would donate the company’s purchase price to fund “educational issues.”
Lists. Empire has nine characters who deserve a spin-off. They’re all dudes, naturally, but step over to Alyssa Rosenberg’s blog for five women who should be in Episode VII.