Category: sequel trilogy

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Episode IX: Costume rumors, Daisy Ridley sighting

→ Another fruitless few days of official Episode IX stuff (though Rey and Kylo are getting Galaxy of Adventures figures) but at least Making Star Wars has a something something, this time about costumes. And a brief on what role Billy Dee Williams’ Lando plays in the film. But, more importantly – what is he wearing? What will Rey really do with her hair? What… Threepio is wearing? And some more Black Park pictures.

→ But back to Rey, John Boyega did share a photo of Daisy Ridley the other day. Obviously, she’s not in costume, but it does point to her still being filming.

→ Richard E. Grant was on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night, and of course Episode IX came up.

→ And as an added bonus, Claudia Gary’s Bloodline, which is still really the only original novel to get fairly close to the new films, is on sale for $1.99 in Kindle today.

→ Meanwhile, Kiri Hart, who established the Lucasfilm Story Group, now has a new gig as as creative advisor for the Rideback TV Incubator, a program to help boost TV writers from diverse backgrounds. She’s still a consultant for Lucasfilm.

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Episode IX rumors: Concerning the Knights of Ren, and the movie’s MacGuffin

As we patiently (or not) await the Episode IX title, Making Star Wars has a nice set of rumors/possible plot details to briefly sate (or enrage) hungry fans. First up, we have a little something about the Knights of Ren, alongside a bit of speculation as to what it means. Then, and just as mysterious, what is the movie’s big MacGuffin? They don’t know, but there’s a bit here on how it (may) drive the plot.

Let’s all remember that the one big thing about rumors, though: It’s all a game of telephone, and sometimes guesses and assumptions made along the way get all mixed up in a tiny bit of truth. Remember, MSW had Knights rumors from last time that turned out to be nothing. As always, I recommend not taking these things too much to heart – at least until we have proof in the form of something official, anyway.

All we’re getting from official sources are firm silence and some minor teasing, so rumors have to do. For now.

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Another droid done: BB-8 wraps on Episode IX

Another important character has wrapped in Episode IX – BB-8, per puppeteer Brian Herring, who shared some behind-the-scenes pictures from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi for the occasion.

So who’s still working? John Boyega, for one.

https://twitter.com/JohnBoyega/status/1091669322974613505
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Anthony Daniels wraps on Episode IX (and other updates)

→ Anthony Daniels (and thus, Threepio) has wrapped filming on Episode IX. “…We’re so proud to have worked with such a lovely, talented cast & crew lead by J.J. & Kathy,” he tweeted this afternoon. “I’ll miss everyone but I’m glad to know that we’ve been making something exceptional together, to share with the waiting world.

→ We haven’t heard from many other cast members since John Boyega’s big hint, but we do know that Adam Driver was filming when the Oscar nominations were announced, per Spike Lee. (Here’s Driver himself on his nom.) He’s at Sundance now for The Report, where he’s perfecting his Star Wars dodges.

→ The other supporting nominee who happens to be in Star Wars, Richard E. Grant, has his own reaction in the NYT. He actually talks about IX – and his nomination – with Radio Times.

→ No matter how much wishful thinking is knocking around the internet, there won’t be anything from Episode IX at the Super Bowl. Like Solo last year, Disney’s likely contenders for a big game spot are all spring/summer releases. More at Deadline.

→ That said, I still expect that our next major drop will be the title.

→ And finally…

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Rumor roundup: IX filming and the ever-present trailer speculation

Making Star Wars has some details on Episode IX filming. Ducks! (Not a spoiler. Well, maybe a spoiler.)

Also, a reminder that while there’s (always) speculation, we have zero legitimate reasons to believe we’re going to get a look at Episode IX this month. That said, tomorrow is the one-year-out mark. I’d wager that our next bit of news will probably be the film’s title: The Force Awakens was announced in November 2016, and The Last Jedi in January 2017, so we’re in that range. Maybe J.J. will drop us another picture. But actual footage? Unless it’s something for Force for Change, don’t count on it it.

Yes, it’s hard to wait. But it’s also nice to have a December off from the madness. I dunno, maybe I’ve been blogging this stuff for too long. 

Now, for our other production-in-production, MSW also has some hints at familiar figures we might see in The Mandalorian.. Or if that doesn’t do it for you, how about supposed details on Nick Nolte’s character? He’s not what any of expected.

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Mark Hamill on Episode IX’s script security

While on set for the Knights Templar drama Knightfall, Mark Hamill discusses Episode IX security with Entertainment Weekly:

“They’re going to fly [the rewrites] over with somebody from the company,” Hamill said. “They’re going to come and give it to me and wait for me to read it before I give it back. So no pressure! You can’t even keep it overnight. But that’s the way it is now.”

He reveals that he has done about a week of filming for the next Star Wars, and will head back between his Knightfall schedule. He also has a “very high profile” non-Star Wars voiceover project coming up that hasn’t been announced yet.

Knightfall season 2 doesn’t have a premiere date yet, but Episode IX will be out December 20, 2019.

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Kevin Smith visits Episode IX set, says movie looks “fantastic”

Kevin Smith was on Good Morning America today and he discussed visiting J.J. Abrams and the set of Episode IX in London. Although he signed “so many nondisclosure agreements that if I said anything somebody would pop out with a lightsaber and cut my hand off,” he did manage to share a few things, namely that the movie looks great and he witnessed someone give “a career-best performance.”

Video, and a transcription of the most relevant bit, under the cut.

Continue reading “Kevin Smith visits Episode IX set, says movie looks “fantastic””

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Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams on Episode IX filming in Jordan

Although there have been numerous reports – and even social media posts from the likes of John Boyega (mostly via Instagram stories) and Oscar Isaac’s wife Elvira Lind – we finally have some comments from higher up the food chain. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and director J.J. Abrams both talked to Roya News about Jordan’s Wadi Rum:

“Wadi Rum is breathtakingly beautiful and the perfect location for our film,” says Abrams. “I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to shoot in Jordan. Between the warm welcome from the government and the dedication and hard work of the local film professionals, we couldn’t have had a better experience. We are enormously grateful.”

Producer Kathleen Kennedy said “I also want to thank the Royal Film Commission Jordan, and the Army, whose tremendous support has been invaluable, and helped make this shoot possible.”

Other than Boyega and Isaac (and maybe Anthony Daniels,) the cast has been mainly mum on who exactly is out in Jordan. There are fuzzy photos that may indicate at least one other cast member joined them, but they’re hardly conclusive.

There’s plenty of speculation on what Jordan means for the story – understandably, a return to Jakku is a common theory – but it’s interesting that Daniels’ tweet implies it may be standing in for more than one. Curious.