Category: sequel trilogy

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Video: J.J. Abrams on The Force Awakens, Disney


J.J. Abrams was recently part of a Vanity Fair talk with producer Brian Grazer and Apple’s Jony Ive. In addition to telling the story of how he turned it down at first yet again, he also confirms that he has final cut on The Force Awakens – although Disney being Disney, the contract would allow otherwise.

He also praises the Disney folks, saying “I cannot say enough about how Bog Iger and Alan Horn have understood this thing that is now part of the Disney company. And they’re not trying to Disney-fy it, they’re not doing anything other than, I think, an incredibly smart thing, which is letting Kathleen Kennedy — who is a remarkable person and producer — run and lead Lucasfilm to a place where I think it wants to go. They let us make the movie we wanted to make.” (via)

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John Boyega: Racist backlash to first The Force Awakens appearance was “unnecessary”

TFA - John Boyega

John Boyega talks about getting cast in The Force Awakens, being on set, and the racist reaction to the first trailer with V Magazine:

“It was unnecessary,” he says of the negativity. “I’m in the movie, what are you going to do about it? You either enjoy it or you don’t. I’m not saying get used to the future, but what is already happening. People of color and women are increasingly being shown on-screen. For things to be whitewashed just doesn’t make sense.”

He says his career choices have been about sidestepping sterotypical roles for black actors. “All the films I’ve done have had a secret commentary on stereotypical mentalities,” he says. “It’s about getting people to drop a prejudiced state of mind and realize, ‘Oh shit we’re just watching normal people.’”

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Star Wars costume exhibit going to New York City

The Force Awakens costumes, BB-8 on display at Celebration Anaheim.
The Force Awakens costumes, BB-8 on display at Celebration Anaheim.

The Smithsonian’s Star Wars traveling exhibition is heading to New York next, StarWars.com has announced. Rebel, Jedi, Princess, Queen, Star Wars and the Power of Costume, which debuted in Seattle last year, will open at Discovery Times Square in November.

They’re also adding “select costumes” and a BB-8 from The Force Awakens. We’ve previously seen a number of costumes from the new film at Celebration Anaheim and D23 Expo.

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Rumor: Gugu Mbatha-Raw in talks for Episode VIII

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Collider tonight reports that Gugu Mbatha-Raw is joining the cast of Episode VIII. A previous rumor says that she was up for one of two roles alongside Gina Rodriguez and Tatiana Maslany.

Mbatha-Raw is best known for her lead roles in Belle and Beyond the Lights. Sci-fi fans may also remember her from a supporting role in Jupiter Ascending or even as Martha Jones’ sister Tish on Doctor Who.

Whether the second VII role is still in play – or ever was – is unknown. However, a report from earlier today has Maslany in negotiations for the Boston Marathon bombing drama Stronger, which will likely take her out of the running for for Star Wars. (Deja vu much?)

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The Force Awakens: Details on Rey’s staff, what will the film be rated?

reyJason at Making Star Wars discusses Rey’s staff. There are some spoilers in the piece, but since there is no way this is the case anyway, let’s put this out: It’s not Darth Plagueis’ staff. It was never going to be Darth Plagueis’ staff. I don’t know where this speculation originated, and I don’t really care, but save it for your fanfics.

→ Scott Mendelson at Forbes considers possible ratings for The Force Awakens.

→ At Yahoo, Domhnall Gleeson talks about how Harry Potter prepped him for Star Wars, and reveals that the ‘Starkiller Base’ slip up… Wasn’t actually a slip.

→ Looking ahead: Director Rian Johnson actually tweeted a photo of his Episode VIII script last night. (Just a cover page, spoilerphobes.) Here’s the story of how it happened.

→ Also, will Star Wars return to Skellig Michael for a third round of filming in 2016?

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Rumor: New Episode VIII role is TWO roles, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw may be up for it

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Da7e at Latino Review claims that the Episode VIII role that Tatiana Maslany and Gina Rodriguez were rumored for is actually two “substantial” roles that “share the same shortlist.” He also adds a new name: Gugu Mbatha-Raw of Beyond the Lights and Belle. She’s already paid a few space opera dues with a supporting role in Jupiter Ascending.

Olivia Cooke (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) was also up for the role (roles?) at the time of the initial report, but she’s reportedly in negotiations to play the female lead in Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One, which likely takes her out of the running for Star Wars.