Star Wars with occasional sarcasm
The Rise of Skywalker clip that debuted in Fortnite yesterday is basically what leads up to the “Jedi Mind Trick” bit from the commercials. This version is a little dark but you get the idea.
Also in this post: Victoria Mahoney writes on how she nabbed the second-unit directing gig, new TV spots, some interesting interviews and one question with the Late Show folks. Read on!
Continue reading “A new Rise of Skywalker clip and other news”
Co-writer Chris Terrio is Rolling Stone‘s latest The Rise of Skywalker interview.
He talks about developing the films, how to go about writing Star Wars “for real” and more. He also talks about going beyond the movies, and not just the cartoons – Chuck Wendig’s Aftermath books get a shoutout.
Continue reading “Chris Terrio speaks on The Rise of Skywalker and other news”
What would it take to get John Boyega to return to Star Wars? Not streaming, he jokes to Variety: “You ain’t going to Disney Plus me!” But he says he would come back for a movie “as long as Daisy and Oscar are down for it.”
They are both less enthusiastic about the prospect: “[I’m] happy and feeling fulfilled that the task is complete,” Isaac says. “So I can’t imagine what it would be that would make me want to redo this thing or revisit it.” He’s also not very keen on taking Poe to Disney+.
Ridley says “I just don’t know if anything could top this one, honestly… it would have to be so extraordinary [to return], and I don’t know if that’s possible.”
Continue reading “Will we see Rey, Finn and Poe on screen after Rise of Skywalker? (And other news)”
Today was the film’s big press day, which meant that Kathleen Kennedy, Chris Terrio, Billy Dee Williams and the elusive Adam Driver all joined the folks we’ve been seeing over the past few days… Plus, quite possibly, the ghost of Carrie Fisher.
J.J. Abrams was on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he revealed that the first word spoken in the film is “At.” Colbert also ran some fan theories past the director.
And in an interview with Esquire, Abrams talks about the whole toxic fandom issue, not doing test screenings and of course… Baby Yoda.
Continue reading “J.J. Abrams reveals Rise of Skywalker’s first word and more of today’s news”
The first Star Wars land opened this week in California. Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland only has one ride running, but that didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s enthusiasm. (Though at least one review did mention it. More reviews: StarWars.com, EW, /Film, Polygon and Hypable.)
But maybe the neatest was seeing the reaction of some of the first fans allowed into the land:
Entertainment Tonight’s Ash “Porg Queen” Crossan managed to snag a few moments with Episode IX director J.J. Abrams at the 14th Annual Oscar Wilde Awards on Thursday. Naturally, he’s low on specifics, but they are his first comments since wrap, so have at it:
Transcription under the cut.
Continue reading “J.J. Abrams on Episode IX, Billy Dee Williams, and the art of the dodge”
J.J. Abrams’ Episode IX will begin filming on August 1 at London’s Pinewood Studios, StarWars.com has announced, confirming that Billy Dee Williams, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher (via unused The Force Awakens footage) will be returning.
Interestingly, the release calls IX “the final installment of the Skywalker saga.”
As expected, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Anthony Daniels, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd are also returning. They’re being joined by new (to Star Wars) faces, Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant.
A late addition to the release was Keri Russell, the only new-to-Star-Wars actor rumored for this round.
More details on the Fisher footage:
The role of Leia Organa will once again be played by Carrie Fisher, using previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. “We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” says Abrams. “Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.”
Composer John Williams and Director of Photography Dan Mindel are also returning.
Lando Calrissian is coming back – again. The Hollywood Reporter, backing up a Fantha Tracks report from last month, is now saying that Billy Dee Williams will reprise the role in Episode IX.
A younger version of Lando, played by Donald Glover, appeared in May’s Solo, but Billy Dee hasn’t been on screen since Return of the Jedi, though he did do some voice work as the character on Rebels.
IX is due to begin filming at the end of the month, so if this rumor does pan out, we’ll likely hear soon.
With Episode IX production gearing up, Fantha Tracks has a new rumor regarding a character who may make their first sequel trilogy appearance.
Continue reading “Rumor: A familiar face coming back for Episode IX?”