Vulture caught up with Disney chairman Alan Horn last night and, naturally, asked him about Lucasfilm and Star Wars. He revealed how many people knew about Episode VII: “A very small group,” He dodged the Matthew Vaughn rumor, though he did say we should hear it “soon” and that the announcement has to come from Kathleen Kennedy.
“We take very seriously the obligation to make a very good movie,” he told Vulture. “Kathy is a very experienced producer; George Lucas is the godfather of that franchise and very, very involved on a consulting basis, so we feel very confident.”
I have a not at all irrational hatred for and dread of fan castings – that is, random fans picking actors to play their favorite characters. So, naturally I do not expect the pre-casting period for Episode VII to be a whole lot of fun in that respect.
But I have, for the most part, been able to shrug off most of the actors who’ve so far suggested or been asked if they’d like to be in the new movies. (Yes, even RPatz, that delightful little troll.) I mean, how many actors are actually going to say they don’t want to play a Jedi when asked point-blank?
I think Harrison Ford’s son is a really great idea, actually. Fans have always said that I would make a great Indiana Jones, a great Young Indiana Jones. We look very similar, we have the same type of bravado. The same character persona with the whole Edgar Frog thing. It is a good fit.”
Mark Hamill’s new movie, Sushi Girl, had its premiere last night, so of course Hamill’s being asked about Episode VII.
“I just know that nothing’s been decided, whether we’re in or out,” he said to Coming Soon. But don’t expect any a Carrie-style snarking: “Until I know more about what they have in mind, I think it’s better to let Lucasfilm make the announcements,” he told E!
Meanwhile, SFX asked him where he’d see an older Luke Skywalker:
I remember when we were making the first trilogy I thought… When I realized they were gonna make the princess my sister, I said, “You know where this is headed? It’s headed for Obi-Wan territory, where I’m in a desolate hovel, as an elderly recluse.” But I’ve heard other ideas, like you say – somebody who’s training Jedi.
“I never, ever dreamed that we would do any more movies. And so I really sort of let it go,” he said.
The Hollywood Reporter says their source tells them that Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg – while hired – “will be writing separate projects” that may not necessarily be Episode VIII and Episode IX – though they still may be signed on as producers for them.
“Their scripts could turn into official ‘Episodes’ in the main Skywalker storyline, or they could form the basis for spinoffs focusing on side characters,” THR writes.
Meanwhile, shuffling up into the spotlight is the news that Rick McCallum has retired from Lucasfilm. The big question seems to be where this leaves the live-action series, which McCallum has been the main ambassador for and which hasn’t been much mentioned since D-Day. Honestly, given what’s been said of it so far, it’s one project that I don’t really mind staying on the back burner for a while longer.
With further reports claiming that the deal with Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg is done – though nothing from StarWars.com yet, and I doubt we’ll see anything tomorrow – let’s take a blurry journey back to 1983…
Long answer: It’s on StarWars.com, and is reported by media outlets as such. The outlet will either source/link StarWars.com or have quotes from Lucasfilm people using their actual names.
For a recent example of an outlet actually breaking news with Lucasfilm’s blessing, let’s look at IGN’s original report of David Tennant in The Clone Wars. It has extensive quotes from Dave Filoni and a video clip – which was exclusive to them when the story broke. (StarWars.com later posted it as a preview of the episode.) So far, Lucasfilm hasn’t been doing this with Episode VII news – the Arndt item simply appeared on the site – perhaps because they know that everyone is going to write about it anyway. The Tennant news simply isn’t as big, and getting it onto a mainstream outlet gives it an extra boost that will reach casual fans (and people like Doctor Who fans) who aren’t regularly watching The Clone Wars. This is also probably why Del Rey gave Entertainment Weekly that Scoundrels exclusive EU fandom spent a day agonizing over back in March.
Obviously, an outlet reporting something from unnamed sources – as is the case with last night’s Kasdan/Kinberg stories from Deadline and THR – are not confirmed.
Other outlets writing about those stories does not confirm them, either. Words like ‘reports’ and ‘reportedly’ are basically just a journalistic way of saying ‘rumors.’ It might give them a little more weight – I tend to use the word ‘report’ if I think something is just a tad more plausible than things like, say, Vader rising from the dead. But in essence? They mean exactly the same thing: It’s not official yet, just things people or the media are saying. That doesn’t make them fact, no matter how many people run the story.
Because nothing is confirmed until Lucasfilm says it is. Lucasfilm and, now, Disney. Not Major Entertainment News Outlet #47 reporting off Major Entertainment News Outlet #86. And trust me, we are watching.
Deadline is reporting today that Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg have been approached by Disney to script Episode VIII and Episode IX.
The Hollywood Reporter has their own report, saying Kasdan and Kinberg will work as a pair on one of the films – and join Kathleen Kennedy as producers.
UPDATE: THR says Wednesday that the deal is done, but StarWars.com is staying mum.
Kasdan is a Lucasfilm veteran, responsible for the screenplays of Empire Strikes Back (sharing credit with Leigh Brackett,) Return of the Jedi and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Kinberg has some franchise experience as well – the 2009 Sherlock Holmes – though I’m not sure X-Men: The Last Stand and Jumper speak in his favor.
Kasdan returning would be a boon – but remember, it’s only a rumor. Lucasfilm has only confirmed that Michael Arndt will be handling the screenplay for Episode VII. (via)
Last week, we delved into Star Wars liquors, Lando raiding Han’s closet, Twilight prequels and a question is asked. Plus, your regular lineup of #EpisodeVII, the #SWEU, Star Wars life and snark.
Mark Hamill’s new movie, Sushi Girl, had its premiere last night, so of course Hamill’s being asked about Episode VII. 
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