As a tease for the upcoming Blu-ray release, StarWars.com has posted a brief look at The Force Awakens table read, one of the behind-the-scenes features.
The footage debuted this morning on Good Morning America.
Rian Johnson posts picture from the Episode VIII set
“Hard to believe we’re wrapping up week four already, it’s just flying by,” Director Rian Johnson said as he shared an Episode VIII set picture on his Tumblr this morning. The pic features cinematographer Steve Yedlin and the Millennium Falcon cockpit.
Meanwhile, there are more detailed rumors on the Dubrovnik shooting – including someone’s stunt double, which is more than a little surprising.
UPDATE: Some (apparent) extras, possibly guards or part of a police force, have been spotted.
Today in VIII: A third filming location in Ireland?
The Derry Journal (via Jedi News) reports that Episode VIII has scouted and may be filming at County Donegal’s Malin Head in May. The area looks similar to Skellig Michael and Ceann Sibéal.
Meanwhile in Dubrovnik, detailing has been added to the Old City Centre, including a new “monumental gate or entrance.” Main Street was closed for rehearsals, with actual filming expected on Friday.
Today in VIII: There’s a boat!
Today’s new addition to the Dubrovnik shooting is… A boat! My first instinct is to link you to a Lonely Island song, sorry. (Spoiler free!)
There’s now a a walkthrough video of the dressed Dubrovnik street, as well as a few more details. And even more details. Plus, the ‘landspeeder’ was spotted again.
Today in The Force Awakens: Making-of documentary to premiere at South by Southwest
Secrets of ‘The Force Awakens’: A Cinematic Journey will be available to all when The Force Awakens Blu-ray drops in April, but folks attending the South by Southwest festival will have a chance to see it on March 14 at its official world premiere. The screening will also have a Q&A with Roger Guyett, Matthew Wood and co-producer Michelle Rejwan.
→ Speaking of the Blu-ray, here’s a supposed list of the deleted scenes.
→ The Force Awakens has scored a whole pile of nominations at the 2016 MTV Movie Awards. The 11 nods include movie of the year and ensemble cast, plus performance nods for Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Andy Serkis, and Lupita Nyong’o. Kylo Ren and Rey’s face-off is up for best fight. So we (well, some of us) actually have to watch the MTV Movie Awards, but The Rock is co-hosting so hopefully it won’t be all bad. It airs Sunday, April 10, and you can vote here.
→ In other award news, the Saturn Awards bumped John Boyega’s nomination from supporting to lead after fan outcry.
→ If you’ve been pulling your hair out about why Leia and Chewbacca didn’t hug in TFA, well, J.J. Abrams has explained/apologized, /Film reports. I hope you’re happy, you little monsters.
→ Weird Al tells Rolling Stone he’s not doing a third Star Wars song. Sorry.
Chewbacca will be part of the young Han Solo movie
Disney CEO Bob Iger today referred to Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s 2018 standalone as “an origin story about Han and Chewie,” our first official word that the Wookiee will be part of the film. Is this what Peter Mayhew’s script bonanza on Twitter been leading up to?
In the old Legends universe, the two met while Han was serving in the Imperial military and Chewbacca was a slave. Han’s refusal to kill the Wookiee led to their eventual partnership and Chewbacca’s life debt – elements that may or may not be incorporated into the film. (I’d bet on not, but stranger things have happened.) In the current canon, there’s nothing on record about Chewbacca’s life between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. – or Han’s before ANH, though he was in consideration for ROTS.
So, the next question: Young Lando?
Today in VIII: Location shooting bonanza in Croatia, Ireland
There’s been a ton of stuff out of Dubrovnik for Episode VIII over the past few days, including further dressing for the street scene and how they covered up the windows – at least some of it is practical, not green screen. (The street was even closed for rehearsal the other day, though apparently none of the actors are present yet.) There’s also the possibility of interiors at Rector’s Palace and a vehicle was spotted.
However, throwing a wrench in that rumor we heard earlier in the week, Daisy Ridley told the BBC’s Lizo Mzimba that she’s not going to be filming in Croatia.
Meanwhile, in Ireland, some details of what sort of scenes are to be filmed at Ceann Sibéal from The Movie Bit. Ridley and Mark Hamill are expected here, as the area is similar to Skellig Michael. Filming is expected for mid-May.
Marvel’s next miniseries: Han Solo, space racer
Marvel Comics has announced Han Solo, their fifth Star Wars miniseries, via Entertainment Weekly. Written by Marjorie Liu (Astonishing X-Men) with art by Mark Brooks (Amazing Spider- Man,) the plot involves the Rebellion and a starship race called the Dragon Void Run. Like the first miniseries, Princess Leia, it’s set between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. There’s plenty more detail at EW, including a chat with Liu and some interior art.
Han Solo #1 is due out after the current mini, Obi-Wan & Anakin, wraps up in May.
Daisy Ridley: “Obviously I wasn’t” Han Solo’s daughter
My apologies to those still clinging to the Rey Solo theories: I think Daisy Ridley just scuttled you, telling Entertainment Tonight that the parentage issue – or rather, the lack thereof – was the hardest secret to keep for The Force Awakens. Of course, knowing this fandom, the theories are just going to get even more elaborate… Here’s the video:
She also talked about the difference between J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson when it comes to secrecy, and yes, there’s stuff in this you can use, theorists. Have at it.
Rey Skywalker theorists, please be gracious. Your case may be pretty good, but nothing is set is stone just yet.
Catching up with Rogue One: Disney shareholders get a quick look
A /Film reader was a Disney’s shareholder meeting this morning and reports that there was a quick look at Rogue One show in a sizzle reel, along with some other upcoming Disney films. It “had a classic Star Wars” look and feel, he said. Head over to /Film for the (brief) details.
→ Some cast and crew gear spotted on eBay may reveal a logo from the film. It’ll look pretty familiar if you’ve been paying any attention at all to the era.
→ io9’s Rob Bricken on why Rogue One is just as important to the franchise as Episode VII.
→ There are a few trailers in play, Jordan Maison says on Twitter. “Sounds like they’re figuring out the “tone” they want to show first.”
→ Spoiler corner: Details on the new droid from Making Star Wars, who also pitches in some stuff on the footage from above.