And today’s hot rumor is… The Force Awakens’ Blu-ray release date, maybe. It’s April 26, 2016, according to Jedi News. Seems pretty likely, but man it’s weird that we’re already at the point where rumors are dealing with the home releases.
→ There’s a new Adam Driver interview at Esquire. This publicity tour is going to be interesting, that’s for sure.
The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams was on The Daily Show last night – technically to promote Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, which he produced – but he did tell a story from the Star Wars set. Turns out, Harrison Ford wasn’t the only one injured in the door incident… And Abrams has a pretty good Woody Allen impression to go with his Lawrence Kasdan. Who knew?
For today’s The Force Awakens leaks and rumors, we have a look at Ken Leung’s character – who may have a very blurry appearance in the SDCC behind-the-scenes video – at Star Wars 7 News. Making Star Wars has another shot of his costume, plus another actor we haven’t heard much about. And yet another new character. And for those looking for something more substantial, the happenings at Maz Kanata’s, a continuation from yesterday.
Despite a hefty amount of fan grumbling over the focus on ‘practical effects’ coming out of The Force Awakens publicity machine, I doubt anyone actually believes that the film isn’t going to have any CGI. (And, let’s face it, us hardcore fans aren’t the audience that they’re going for by saying that in the first place.) But if you’re wondering, and don’t mind spoilers, Making Star Wars has some (supposed) details about the completely CGI shots that are in the film, and where practical effects are are used.
→ Also on MSW, a few Rogue One details, and how they relate (or not) to The Force Awakens, via a bit of creative recycling.
For those going full spoiler, here’s a new wrinkle: TheForce.Net has a new summary of The Force Awakens, which seemingly claims to be from someone who’s read the novelization. (Seemingly.) It overlaps with some of what we’ve heard from the Making Star Wars camp, but there are some pretty key differences. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? I don’t know, and I’m not fully buying into anything, but there’s certainly a part of me side-eyeing this new entry into the game. (And, shocker, apparently it’s something that’s been floating around Reddit, always a sign of quality.)
It does reference some new thinking on the lightsaber we see in the second trailer that’s been kicking around lately… I think that bit may have some merit, but it’s neither here nor there at this point.
Some new concept art for The Force Awakens has surfaced, as has a LEGO list (though no more pictures) and some light has been (maybe) shed over what we learned from the last LEGO leaks…
Earlier today, From Bricks to Bothans posted a few leaked images of two upcoming LEGO sets from the film. One is an (officially) unrevealed X-wing that we saw at a certain filming location, and the second is the Millennium Falcon. Both include multiple mini-figures – and the Falcon one gives us a few new names. (Though it’s noteworthy that both Finn and Rey remain just ‘Finn’ and ‘Rey.’)
FBTB has since deleted the images, but since they’ve been widely distributed across the internet, I’m putting them up below the cut. Check them out, or not…
Guillermo del Toro would pitch Lucasfilm a Jabba the Hutt film in the style of The Godfather. I would have expected something a little more out-of-the-stock-fanboy-box from del Toro, but I’m sure he could knock it out of the park if it ever happens.
→ Daniel Craig says he doesn’t have a role in The Force Awakens, and also apparently takes the piss out of Simon Pegg, because why not?
→ In the wake of SDCC, Making Star Wars dropped a few new rumor/spoilers, as they are wont to do. First up, what happens directly after Return of the Jedi and more on Jakku; Some stuff on where Han is as The Force Awakens begins. And who is playing that new X-wing pilot we heard about last week?
For those of us who didn’t get to be in Hall H and treated to a live concert, the behind-the-scenes video was the highlight of The Force Awakens panel in San Diego. So, naturally, we obsess. Yesterday I looked at the panel itself, but today is all about screencaps. Or, you should probably watch the video again…
I do read spoilers, but I am trying to keep them out of this. Still, enter at your own risk…
I’m sure almost all you watched the video of the panel this weekend, but for those who didn’t, here are a few highlights. Nothing here about the behind-the-scenes video, though – that’s an entirely different post.
