Rumor: Pheobe Waller-Bridge in talks for CGI role in Han standalone

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Variety reports that Pheobe Waller-Bridge, creator and star of the Amazon series Fleabag, is in talks for a “CGI-driven” role in the Han Solo standalone.

They describe her characters as “a significant part of the ensemble,” so something more in line with Alan Tudyk’s K-2SO in Rogue One than Lupita Nyong’o’s Maz Kanata in The Force Awakens.

The movie stars Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, Woody Harrelson and Emilia Clarke. It’s directed Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who recently noted that it had begun filming. It’s due out in 2018.

Josh Gad enlists Judi Dench in quest to pester Daisy Ridley on The Last Jedi

Josh Gad followed up with Daisy Ridley on his The Last Jedi “sneak attack.” With another sneak attack. But the real kicker here is the third video, which features Dame Judi Dench asking “What’s the deal with Reylo?” If only we knew, Dame Judi. (Okay, I kid: It’s a pretty typical ship, even if it does give some of us the willies.)

Remember that rumor that Dench would be playing Mon Mothma in The Force Awakens? And then remember how Genevieve O’Reilly actually showed up in a Rogue One trailer with none of us even hearing a hint of it beforehand? Gotta wonder if some major wire crossing happened in the rumor streams. Ahh, memories.

Also in The Last Jedi news…

→ In yesterday’s Disney earning call (which also gave us the Star Wars land dates) CEO Bob Iger admitted to seeing a cut of The Last Jedi. “It’s a great next chapter in the Skywalker family saga,” he said. (Of course.)

→ A pre-title reveal interview with Rian Johnson, and a post-reveal one with Mark Hamill.

Rumor: Rogue One Blu-ray out late March?

Per a listing for a Rogue One magazine spotted on Amazon, it seems that we could be seeing a March 28 release date for Rogue One on Blu-Ray.

This is about the same timeframe that as The Force Awakens‘ home release, so I don’t see any reason to be particularly doubtful. TFA also did a staggered release, with the digital copy coming a few days early.

The date also gives us a slight buffer before The Last Jedi promotion begins in earnest at Celebration in mid-April.

Han Solo standalone begins filming

With a tweet from co-director Chris Miller captioned “Han shot first,” we learn that the Han Solo standalone has begun shooting. The slate says ‘Red Cup,’ the film’s shooting title. (Solo… Get it?)

The movie stars Alden Ehrenreich as Han and Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, plus Emilia Clarke and Woody Harrelson in yet-unknown roles. Posts like these from directors are usually followed by a StarWars.com announcement which may reveal further info (like, perhaps, a new release date?) so we’ll keep any eye out.

Her Universe returns with new website

Her Universe’s new website is up, and it’s just one of the changes coming to the brand following their acquisition by Hot Topic. There are some new products, but new collections are coming “in the summer” – though Ashley Eckstein mentioned new stuff coming for Celebration in April. A cheaper shipping rate, more consistent sizing and even (in some cases) international shipping is coming. You can read Ashley’s letter or check out her Facebook Live video (or watch the Youtube version below) for more details.

Today in Rogue One: Oscar nods, Death Star knowledge drop

Rogue One nabbed two Oscar nominations today, for Visual Effects and Sound Mixing. Big Shiny Robot has a couple of statements from John Knoll and sound designer Chris Scarbosio. As for Star Wars alumni, Natalie Portman has received her third nomination, this time for lead in Jackie. She won the category for Black Swan in 2011.

Rogue One effects guy Todd Vaziri sheds some light on the Death Star’s trench run. Yes, this is mostly about A New Hope, but there are explanations (both practical and in-universe) for the equator dish schematic.

→ It’s Pablo Hidalgo on the movie’s Visual Guide! And again, this time on aliens!

→ And check out some high-res shots of Rogue One’s old-school user interfaces.