Hey, some actual sorta kinda casting news! Entertainment Tonight spoke to Mark Hamill who revealed that he was approached — by George Lucas himself — about appearing in Episode VII. And he indicates that he wasn’t the only one who may be coming back:
“He did say that if we didn’t want to do it, they wouldn’t cast another actor in our parts – they would write us out… we’re in the stage where they want us to go in and meet with Michael Arndt, who is the writer, and Kathleen Kennedy, who is going to run Lucasfilm. Both have had meetings set that were postponed — on their end, not mine. They’re more busy than I am.”
Still, he stresses that no contracts have been signed — which perhaps blows a hole in the Harrison Ford rumor — and that he hopes everyone is on board (Billy Dee Williams and Anthony Daniels included), “rather than just one.” He also weighs in on what he’d like to see in the sequels, as well as the standalone movies. Worth checking out the whole interview.
Awesome. Don’t like that word, it’s being overused, but here it just fits. Awesome. :)
I’m with Aaron. I just kind of squealed out loud, and now people are looking at me funny. :)
yay!!!
Yeah, this is one of those moments where awes0me does fit
I think this gives us a frame for how far down the road they plan on kicking the can. I know a lot can be done with makeup and CGI, but I think if they’re looking at the original cast reprising their roles, it’s reasonable to guess VII won’t take place immediately after ROTJ. I suppose blue ghosts make it possible for it to take place generations later, but this news makes me think we’re looking more in the range of 30 years or so later. Thoughts?
To be honest, it has always seemed like the most logical option would be to set the movie after the last novel to feature the Big 3 (Crucible), so +40 years or so.
First, Disney doesn’t have to mess up the EU, it can just leave it be. It can acknowledge the EU or ignore it, but it’s not bound by future stories (except Legacy, which could probably be overridden).
Second, +40 years is about the age where the actors are now. There wouldn’t be much need for extensive age-defying makeup or recasting characters.
Third, it’s the perfect age for the Big 3 to hand the lightsabers to the next generation, so to speak. They can play the mentoring role but won’t be expected to star in the combat scenes.
I’d be absolutely shocked if they set the movie in any other era.
Indeed! Awesome! It really warms my heart that they’ve been asked to reprise their roles – and that they were guaranteed no one else gets it. Somehow it gives me so much goodwill now for the ST! There probably comes a time for casting the big 3 anew and tell their life-story on screen – but it’s not now. Now is the time to let them tie the bond to the new generation.