Category: sequel trilogy

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J.J. Abrams turned down Episode VII; Make your own (simulated) sequel

Empire MagazineIn Empire magazine’s cover story on Star Trek Into Darkness, J.J. Abrams admits that he turned down the chance to direct Episode VII.

There were the very early conversations and I quickly said that because of my loyalty to Star Trek, and also just being a fan, I wouldn’t even want to be involved in the next version of those things. I declined any involvement very early on. I’d rather be in the audience not knowing what was coming, rather than being involved in the minutiae of making them.

Thanks to ComicBook.com for the quote!

Abrams was one of the first director hopefuls that the internet championed, but he was quick to deny the possibility.

Elsewhere… Looking for some goofy Episode VII fun? Check Star Wars Sequel Debacle Simulator.

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Will Episode VII take Star Wars back to England?

A little tidbit came in to me today: It looks like there are some people being called to work on Episode VII early next year… In England, where shooting will start “in April.” (Which fits with what Kathleen Kennedy said last week.)

The original trilogy was primarily filmed at Elstree Studios , while The Phantom Menace (as well as many of the Harry Potter films) were filmed at Warner Bros.’ Leavesden Studios. Fox Studios in Sydney, Australia was the main filming location used for the last two prequels, although some pickup shots were done at Elstree.

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Inside the new Star Wars Insider with Pablo Hidalgo

I admit it – sometimes it’s hard not to be a snob about print. Yeah, I still love reading magazines, but when it comes to news? They’re slow. Still, looks like Star Wars fans owe Pablo Hidalgo and the Star Wars Insider crew a small debt for making sure that the sequel news actually got into the next possible issue, as Pablo reveals in his latest blog entry.

We were disappointed to find out that the Insider interview with George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy was transcribed from the videos (4 of the 5 of which we’ve already seen,) but Pablo does reveal that the Insider version has some content that “will never make it into the web series.” (The fifth video – and last, reportably – will go online the 31st.)

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Roundup: Ewan McGregor and Samuel L. Jackson would be happy to dispense spectral advice in Episode VII

The Episode VII frenzy has finally slowed down a bit as we wait for news of a director and confirmation of the Kasdan rumors – or maybe it’s just the upcoming holidays – but there are still a few things floating around.

Alumni. We already heard from him way back on D-Day, but Ewan McGregor reiterates that he’d be happy to come back “if they need me.” Samuel L. Jackson is up for it as well/ “I can come back as one-armed or a one-handed Jedi that’s still around that didn’t actually die,” he told E!

Directors. It was briefly speculated that The Prince of Egypt’s Brenda Chapman might be a dark horse in the director’s race, but the tail end of a recent profile in the Daily Record reveals that she’ll be returning the Dreamworks in the new year. Meanwhile… Peter Jackson?

Distribution. It was big news last week that Netflix and Disney had signed a pretty big agreement, but is Star Wars included? Well, distribution rights to the first six films remain with 20th Century Fox, but the Netflix deal doesn’t start until 2016 – so look for Episode VII to air on Disney’s current partner, Starz, first.

Box office. Here’s a little more kissing cousins competition for Episode VII – the Fantastic Four reboot.

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Lucas: “I don’t really have much to do” as Episode VII consultant

Access Hollywood tracked down George Lucas at the Governor’s Awards this weekend. They didn’t get much out of him, but overall? “I don’t really have much to do,” he said. (Snarkily?)

When asked about Steven Spielberg – who’s already taken himself out of the running for director – Lucas said “I’m pretty sure he’d never want to do that!”

Of course, the fourth video from the conversation with Kathleen Kennedy is due this week… So who knows?

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Report: Fincher, Favreau both want in on Episode VII

Buried at the end of a post on Hollywood types acting badly online, Deadline’s Mike Fleming Jr. writes that both Jon Favreau (Iron Man) and David Fincher (The Social Network) are both interested in directing Episode VII.

Favreau “panting after this job” is anything but a suprise – it’s right in his wheelhouse and he’s already expressed excitement about the sequels, and having voiced a character on The Clone Wars probably won’t hurt his chances.

Fincher is a bit of a wild card – I didn’t know that he worked at Industrial Light & Magic in his early days (or that he directed Alien 3 – ouch) but I do know that his Girl with the Dragon Tattoo failed to ignite what many thought would be a promising film franchise. Still, he’s a director with plenty of respectable films (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button , Se7en, Fight Club) and a pair of Oscar nominations under his belt.