Jason at Making Star Wars has put together what he’s heard about the state of the galaxy come The Force Awakens, and how both the First Order and the Resistance fit in. It does make a lot of sense given the breadcrumbs we’ve gotten so far.
Spoilerphobes beware: Is The Force Awakens’ Finn as in the dark on his true identity as we are?
Cinelinx has an interesting threefold rumor on John Boyega’s character Finn, and what exactly he may know about himself, his skills, and relationship with others within the First Order.
Rumor: Next The Force Awakens trailer to drop on or around October 16?
Furious Fanboys is reporting signs that the new trailer for The Force Awakens could be coming on or around October 16 – roughly two weeks away. Namely, that theaters are being told to “reserve” spots for Star Wars promotional items. (So we’ll likely see a full poster then as well.)
If so, signs point to the trailer being attached to Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies, which is being released that week by Walt Disney Pictures. Ridley Scott’s The Martian, which comes out later this week, has also been named as a contender for the trailer, but I have yet to see any compelling evidence for that claim. (And while it may be more suited as a genre match – I too would rather go see Matt Damon stranded on Mars than a Tom Hanks Cold War drama – it lacks the double punch of Disney/Spielberg ties.) And how moot is all of this, anyway? Never again the Meet Joe Black times!
In any case, the later timing does line up nicely with the previous report that tickets for the film will go on sale October 19th.
Rumor: Who is Max von Sydow in The Force Awakens?
Could this be Making Star Wars’ final reveal for The Force Awakens? Jason says he (finally) has the name of Max von Sydow’s character, and that’s that. He’s done. (For now.) There are a few more details in the story, but they’re all fairly low-level spoilers, all things considered.
Rumor: Will we be seeing Darth Vader in Rogue One? The sequel trilogy?
Making Star Wars has two pieces of Vader gossip today. One involves Rogue One and may be surprising. (Or not.) The other involves…
Run away, spoiler fraidy-cats.
Continue reading “Rumor: Will we be seeing Darth Vader in Rogue One? The sequel trilogy?”
Report: John Landis says original trilogy theatrical cuts are coming (and guess who told him?)
Per Empire magazine, producer/director John Landis said at a Q&A tonight that Disney will be (eventually) re-releasing theatrical cuts of the original trilogy. It’s an evergreen rumor that pops up regularly, but this variation has a little bit of oomph behind it – Landis apparently heard about it from George Lucas.
Now, whether it actually pans out this time will be another matter…
Rumor: Star Wars Weekends to be retired?
WDW News Today reports that Disney World’s Hollywood Studios may be retiring the popular Star Wars Weekends in 2016. The report does seem a tad premature, the additional permanent stuff (aka Star Wars Land) being several years off. And the Seasons of the Force event (which is also happening, in slightly different form, at Disneyland, is expected in “early 2016,” which doesn’t exactly scream Weekends rebranding.
Star Wars Weekends are currently on the schedule for summer 2016. However, we also expect construction to begin next year on the Star Wars expansion, and that I can certainly see throwing a wrench into the tradition.
However, another thing to consider – the sheer popularity of Star Wars right now. We’ve already seen record numbers for Celebration – is Hollywood Studios seeing higher numbers as well? Do they expect not to need Weekends to draw extra attendance after The Force Awakens?
Rumor: The Force Awakens to tease Rogue One… In the end credits?
I’ve resisted writing about this ‘rumor’ because it’s from a source I don’t trust much (at all,) but what the hell, it’s Saturday.
Schmoes Know claim that The Force Awakens end credits will contain “a small clip and teaser” for Rogue One. And to their credit, even they seem a bit doubtful.
Now, obviously, it’s not out of the question that The Force Awakens will carry a Rogue One teaser at all – hell, it’d be foolish if it didn’t. But in the end credits? That seems like a bad idea to me, period. You don’t want to distract the audience fresh off the first real Star Wars film in a decade – all those potential buyers of books and soundtracks and action figures – with a sideline movie that’s set on the other end of the timeline.
Do you give us a Rogue One teaser? Yes, of course. But you do it before the film, as is traditional.
The bantha in the room here is Marvel, who’ve undoubtedly made the credit scenes an expected thing. And I’m not against an end- or mid- credit scene for Star Wars at all – just that it needs to be relevant to both films in question. (Something regarding Episode VIII? Sure.) I find it probable that they may break tradition somehow, but a TFA/RO matchup simply doesn’t pass the smell test.
Roundup: Benicio del Toro says he’s “like the villain” in Episode VIII
→ A new image banner, has been spotted – it’s made up of two fairly familiar pieces, though: The First Order images we saw on Empire and the First Order assembled. (via)
→ An analyst estimates that The Force Awakens “could generate $5 billion in consumer merchandise sales in its first year of release,” per The Hollywood Reporter. In $150 increments, I expect.
→ Speaking of merchandise, there have been a handful of reviews of the Cover Girl line poping up. Today’s is from Tracy and Amanda at Making Star Wars, and another of a couple of the lipsticks from Love for Lacquer.
→ Five questions with John Boyega.
→ ComicBook.com has a preview of Shattered Empire #1
→ Spoiler(ish) corner: Indie Revolver has some luggabeast concept art.
Rumor: Tatiana Maslany, Gina Rodriguez up for a new Episode VIII role?
We heard she was up for the Rogue One role that eventually went to Felicity Jones, but Star Wars isn’t ready to give up on Orphan Black’s Tatiana Maslany, it seems. The Wrap reports that she’s on the shortlist for the new female lead in Rian Johnson’s Episode VIII, alongside Golden Globe winner Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin) and Me and Earl and the Dying Girl’s Olivia Cooke. They’ll supposedly be among the actresses who’ll chemistry read with John Boyega later this month.
Aside from the The Force Awakens stars expected to return (including Boyega and Daisy Ridley, who’s signed for at least three films) the only name we’ve heard connected with the second film is Benicio del Toro, who’s reportedly in talks to play a villain.