Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy is the matinee interview on The Star Wars Show this week, where she talks about The Last Jedi, Solo, the story group and more.
Report: Colin Trevorrow’s ego torpedoed his shot at Star Wars
Vulture reports on why Colin Trevorrow left Episode IX – per “speculation from a ranking Hollywood movie insider with direct knowledge of the productions on both The Book of Henry and Jurassic World” – that the director’s ego might have gotten in the way. Basically – do not mess with Kathleen Kennedy.
“When the reviews for Book of Henry came out, there was immediately conjecture that Kathy was going to dump him because they weren’t thrilled with working with him anyway,” the executive continues. “He’s a difficult guy. He’s really, really, really confident. Let’s call it that.”
Previous reports claimed script issues were at the source of the split.
Kennedy: Lucas still offers an occasional Star Wars tidbit
George Lucas still occasionally – kind of – offers some minor input into Star Wars, Kathleen Kennedy tells Entertainment Weekly.
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Behind the scenes of Annie Leibovitz’s behind the scenes Last Jedi shoot
Because you can never have enough, I guess. Vanity Fair has a handful of pictures from Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy and her daughter, Meghan Marshall, during Annie Leibovitz’s Vanity Fair shoot.
Directors Lord and Miller exit Han Solo film (which is still shooting, btw)
I have rolled my eyes at a lot of the so-called “panic” over the Han Solo film, mainly because most of it didn’t actually seem to be about Han Solo. But directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller leaving due to “creative differences” before the film is even done shooting is concerning, because: Just now?
“It’s become clear that we had different creative visions on this film, and we’ve decided to part ways,” Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said in a statement. “A new director will be announced soon.” It’s apparently keeping the May 2018 release date, at least for the time being.
This is all very unusual, and I haven’t the slightest idea what to think. (Word is there’s still three more weeks of shooting.) The rumors and thinkpieces will be flying over the next few days. Be cautious! But for the moment, we’re all just going with “what?”
Update #1: Variety is reporting that the two clashed with Kennedy – who fired them – and co-writer/executive producer Lawrence Kasdan. The Hollywood Reporter has more details.
Update #2: Deadline says Ron Howard is a top choice to finish off the film. Kasdan himself is also reportedly a contender.
Adam Driver may be the only person not charmed by a John Boyega hug and other The Last Jedi tidbits
Vanity Fair is following up their blockbuster cover story and portfolio with a number of The Last Jedi sidebars today.
→ First up, how seriously Adam Driver takes his role as Kylo Ren. Includes priceless anecdotes from Mark Hamill and John Boyega.
→ Kathleen Kennedy and Rian Johnson dodge questions about the title.
→ Rey’s lightsaber is now officially Rey’s lightsaber, says Pablo Hidalgo. (Sorry, Anakin.) And what about Luke’s? (The green one.) Well…
→ What’s not in The Last Jedi? Romance. There’s “no one-to-one equivalent of the Han-to-Leia, burning, unrequited love.” Johnson says. “In our story, that’s not a centerpiece.” Good.
→ And finally, Kathleen Kenndy on Carrie Fisher, Episode IX, and other future films.
So many photos! The Vanity Fair spread is live
Vanity Fair’s full spread and story is up! You need to go check it out, but here’s a quick rundown what we’ve learned: Laura Dern is Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo of the Resistance, and Benicio Del Toro doesn’t get a name at all in the film – though they’re calling him DJ. (Seeeecretsss.) And yes, there are pictures of both. Kelly Marie Tran’s Rose Tico has a sister, Paige, a Resistance gunner, played by Veronica Ngo. And the planet filmed in Dubrovnik is indeed named Canto Bright. “I was thinking, O.K., let’s go ultra-glamour. Let’s create a playground, basically, for rich assholes,” director Rian Johnson said.
The article also includes some touching tributes to (and photos of) Carrie Fisher, so keep the tissues handy.
Writer David Kamp will be answering questions about the story on Reddit later today.
New alien reveal; Third spinoff news to hopefully come in the summer
There was nothing about any of the upcoming spin-off films at Celebration, but we did get this “behind the scenes” look at the Han Solo film with Warwick Davis and directors Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, who revealed a new alien.
Meanwhile, Kathleen Kennedy clarified the faux-issue about Han’s name for MTV’s Josh Horowitz. “It’s obviously his name,” she said. “It will always be his name.” She also hopes to announce the third spinoff film “this summer.”
And finally, here’s a rumor that a prequel-era character may appear in the Han film. (I am side-eyeing this one a bit, but stranger things have happened.)
Kathleen Kennedy: Carrie Fisher will not appear in Episode IX
Despite what Todd Fisher said last week, Carrie Fisher will not be in Episode IX, Kathleen Kennedy told Good Morning America.
Hayden Christensen returning to Celebration for Star Wars’ 40th Anniversary
Hayden Christensen will be returning to Celebration for the first time since 2002 as part of the 40th Anniversary panel, joining Mark Hamill, Ian McDiarmid, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy. “Many galactic-sized surprises” are still being promised, but this is a fairly big one. (And yes, he’s signing.)
In other Celebration news, there’s now more previews up for the Store, mostly t-shirts.