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.
The blogside: Why Episode VII needs Skywalkers
Why Episode VII needs Skywalkers. Nanci at Tosche Station on why the new trilogy needs at least one of the leads to be a child (or children) of Luke or Leia.
Confirmed: Episode VII to be released in IMAX
A press release from Disney and the IMAX Corporation today confirms that Episode VII is among the upcoming Disney films that will be released in IMAX.
However, it’s worth noting that director J.J. Abrams said earlier this year that he’s not particularly fond of shooting with the IMAX camera.
The other films are Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Maleficent, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Tomorrowland.
Confirmed: Episode VII takes place 30 years after Return of the Jedi, begins shooting in May
There wasn’t a ton of Star Wars news out of the Disney earnings call today, but Bob Iger did confirm that not only they start filming in May, but that Episode VII will start about 30 years after Return of the Jedi. It will feature “a trio of new leads” and “several familiar faces.” For now, R2-D2 remains the only confirmed cast member.
And here it is from StarWars.com.
Hasbro design director has been to the Episode VII set
Hasbro design director has been to the Episode VII set. Steve Evans made a few tweets from Pinewood, met J.J. Abrams, Kathleen Kennedy and Lawrence Kasdan, plus “someone in the bathroom” we’ll “know soon enough”
Rumor: Lupita Nyong’o close to signing on for Episode VII?
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…
Rumor: Downton Abbey, Attack the Block actors among 5 up for an Episode VII lead
Variety today reports that Ed Speleers (Downton Abbey, Eragon) John Boyega (Attack the Block,) and theater actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher are in contention for a lead role in Episode VII. The earlier rumored Jesse Plemons was sort of confirmed to be up for something by J.J. Abrams. UPDATE: Apparently Abrams visited the Downton set last year. As a fan, or on a scouting mission?
Sources also indicate the reason for the delay has to do whether execs and creatives want someone of a different ethnicity from the previous Caucasian leads. Abrams has said on numerous occasions that he wants to have a diversified cast, which is why actors like David Oyewolo and Michael B. Jordan tested early on.
…Yay? Of course fans have already jumped on this character being a possible (biracial? adopted?) Skywalker, which would probably warrant more discussion than an unrelated apprentice.
While it’s nice to have some names, it’s hard to really get excited about any of these folks yet. (Particularly Speleers, the only one I’ve actually seen act, because… Eragon. I said back then that he looked like “the unnatural offspring of Hayden Christenson and Mark Hamill.” Not exactly the ‘I called it’ that I’m hoping for.) I admit I’m hoping that Episode VII will have a female lead – and it’s been a while since we’ve heard anything on that front from the trades. Sigh.
Report: Adam Driver is “top choice” for Episode VII villain
Variety is reporting that Girls’ Adam Driver is “close to signing on” to play Episode VII’s villian. He’s their “top choice to play the main villain.” Driver’s name first came up for Episode VII from the Hollywood Reporter earlier this year, along with Michael Fassbender and Hugo Weaving. Today, they also have a source saying Driver is nearing a deal.
Driver has never been someone I’d expect to come up, which is a good thing. And, nothing against Fassbender and Weaving, but he’s a fairly fresh face who’s not attached to any other genre franchises. If this turns out to be the case – and as trades, both Variety and the Hollywood Reporter are as trustworthy as you can expect when it comes to rumors – I think this may be a good sign for the rest of the non-alumni casting.
It’s still a rumor, however, until Lucasfilm says so!
UPDATE #1: Lena Dunham, the executive producer/writer/star of Girls, who would almost certainly have to know if scheduling issues were a factor as Variety claims, tweeted…
We're VERY proud of Adam Driver re: Star Wars. He's about to rip a hole in da force. Is that a thing? I guess I should see those movies?
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) February 26, 2014
Of course, she ‘retracted’ a few minutes later, but there you go:
I confirm nothing bc I know nothing bc I'm on a plane with my dad! I just like Adam more than almost anyone, and JJ Abrams a whole lot too.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) February 26, 2014
UPDATE #2: Entertainment Weekly also has “sources close to the actor” who say “he is indeed close to being confirmed” for a Star Wars role.
Rumors: Episode VII is “about twins,” two more Indy sequels?
MarketSaw is far from the top tier in rumormongering, but we haven’t heard much else lately… For the most part, this is all well-worn ground and things we’ve seen in multiple rumors before. Even what’s not direct regurgitation here is still pretty familiar:
Ultimately it’s about twins, and which will take a path towards darkness and which will follow in their fathers footsteps, or at least that is what it used to be, that may come later as I think changes are being undertaken to bring the original cast into the forefront of the story leading to ramifications that lead up to the next generation of Skywalkers.”
As for casting. they’re saying that in addition to all-but-certain returnees (Hamill, Fisher, Ford, Daniels) and not-that surprising alumni (Billy Dee Williams, Warwick “Davies,” erm Davis?) they’re repeating the Ian McDiarmid rumor from August. They’re also claiming that the much-rumored Benedict Cumberbatch and Gary Oldman were up for the same part… But they are “both involved.”
And it apparently took two Indiana Jones movies to get Ford on Episode VII now.
These are, again, pretty sketchy even for random rumors, so don’t take anything too much to heart.
Rumor: Has Episode VII’s female lead been cast?
Here’s a quick drive-by for the evening: Bleeding Cool says they’ve heard that Episode VII’s female lead has been cast, and she’ll be “the big news” regarding casting, “though folk might not realise it until after they see the film.” This is tacked on in their item about Jack Reynor, though, so take it as you will.
Whatever the case, as Making Star Wars points out, things do have to be motion fairly soon if they’re going to start shooting in May. It’s a good bet the whos are already picked or close to it: The only thing really in question is when they’re going to (or can) share the news with us.