Star Wars with occasional sarcasm
Last night, The Hollywood Reporter claimed that Maisie Richardson-Sellers, a young Oxford-educated actress, is “in line to nab an undisclosed and possibly major role” in Episode VII.
THR believes that role may be the one described (according to them in January) as a descendent of Obi-wan Kenobi, a report that was met with some skepticism.
Richardson-Sellers recently starred in the play They Will Be Red at the Burton Taylor Studio Theatre.
Tatooine again? The Hollywood Reporter is now claiming a source has told them that “an extensive re-creation of Tatooine” is in the cards for “a Morocco-like environment.”
Given the political situation in Tunisia and the various rumors of other desert locations, there could be some truth to this… Or it’s all just a little old-fashioned misdirection. In any case: Rumor.
As we all guessed after that tweet two weeks ago, The Hollywood Reporter is now saying that Peter Mayhew will return as Chewbacca in Episode VII.
Mayhew last donned the Chewbacca suit in Revenge of the Sith, and many speculated he’d be returning after he recovered from knee surgery last year.
The Hollywood Reporter makes this a much stronger report, but we only consider information confirmed if it’s openly from Lucasfilm/Disney or appears on StarWars.com.
Rumor: Dominic Monaghan to play a Jedi? Well, we already know he wants in on Episode VII, and we certainly wouldn’t rule out a possible cameo, but who the hell knows?
Rumor: Episode VII already filming in Cairo? And they’re going to Abu Dhabi as well, Jedi News has heard from a “solid source.” Okay? I’m starting to run out of salt here.
Episode VII is still searching for actors? Granted, this is second hand, but according to a friend of Brien Bell (aka James T. Skywalker) they’re auditioning for leads today at CalArts. Right down to the wire…
No Jesse Plemons for Episode VII? The actor is in talks for the Whitey Bulger biopic Black Mass with Johnny Depp, says The Hollywood Reporter. Black Mass, like Episode VII, is slated to begin filming in May.
Plemons’ name first came up for Star Wars in January; he was even confirmed as a possible contender (well, someone “we’ve talked to”) by J.J. Abrams not long after. Plemons, along with another actor THR mentions as probably being out, Matthew James Thomas, were reportedly in the mix last month.
Report: Episode VII shooting plates in Iceland? Not as in “the dishes are done, man,” but as in backgrounds. They may return to shoot with actors and such, but doesn’t seem like it’s a sure thing just yet.
After a period of silence, Jedi News’ Jedi Master SQL has returned. Today he says that “a select number of executives” and ” leading movie industry writers and publications” have been to the set – something that we’ve already seen some evidence of. As for the meeting themselves:
The majority of the media and vendor meetings have been with JJ Abrams and or Kathleen Kennedy themselves – emphasising what looks like finally some big announcements are imminent with vendors and the mainstream media prepped by those at the very top. It is same to assume that both JJ and Kathleen would have given interviews at these meetings which will be used by these publications in upcoming issues.
Also on set? “A number of actors and actresses whom we assume are cast, and or at least in late stages of negotiation.” And thus, “costume fittings and training are starting.”
These are all very good signs that announcements are imminent. Could This is Madness actually be leading up to something even bigger than a mere popularity contest? Stay tuned…
Latino Review is reporting that Lupita Nyong’o, fresh off an Oscar win for 12 Years a Slave, is “extremely close to signing” on to Episode VII. (And, honestly, when folks were first teasing the Judi Dench rumor as someone on the awards circuit, my first thought was ‘Lupita!’)
The part “doesn’t seem to be tied into the family lines” from the previous films and may be a Sith. We had heard in previous rumors that one of the female roles might be for a villain.
There’s no doubt that Nyong’o is talented, and she’d be a lucky addition to any cast. But, per usual, it’s only a rumor.
UPDATE: I had just barely posted this when The Hollywood Reporter came out backing it (more or less.) This rumor just got a lot more legit…