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Post by redsfanman on Oct 29, 2013 10:34:44 GMT -5
The screenwriter quitting isn't a promising sign that they have a compelling and well written story prepared that has to be turned into a movie. More like a sign that they have no story and are working to figure out something because it'd make money.
Kinsm's original article/post mentions Timothy Zahn's 'Heir to the Empire' series - I read that when I was in high school (or middle school, maybe?) and it was (relatively) great. All three books made the New York Times best seller list. I'm surprised they don't just go with that plot, especially with the increasing uncertainty over what the movie will be about. Almost everyone who's read those books seems to like them (at least as much as any other Star Wars book - most other Star Wars books stink), and it's easy enough to change into a movie series (although not for much longer, once relevant actors and actresses start getting senile or dying of old age). Grand Admiral Thrawn is awesome and would be a very compelling bad guy (Benedict Cumberbatch [who already worked with JJ Abrams in Star Trek Into Darkness] or Jason Isaacs [Lucius Malfoy and the bad guy from The Patriot], if painted blue and given glowing red eyes, would probably be great in that role).
Regarding the question here: "will they all but have the Empire destroyed, or are they still fighting them under new management." - many of the books that take place after Return of the Jedi (all that I've read, although I stopped reading them 10+ years ago because most sucked) involve the New Republic fighting remnants of the Empire and I doubt they'll entirely throw out that concept. Throwing all the expanded universe cannon stuff in the garbage bin for a movie wouldn't go over well with die-hard fans - J.J. Abrams made a point to throw the new Star Trek series into a different timeline (well, parallel universe) to protect the Star Trek expanded universe stuff. Also it kinda ceases to be Star Wars without the war.
Also, in Return of the Jedi the climatic space battle - The Battle of Endor - features dozens of Imperial Star Destroyers, which the Rebels insist they're no match for ("We're no match for those Star Destroyers... well, we might just take a few of them with us!"). Only about three of them, including the Super Star Destroyer carrying their commander, Admiral Piett, are destroyed on screen in the battle while at least as many capital ships for the Rebels are destroyed, who already had a smaller and inferior fleet. The sudden disappearance of the whole Imperial fleet is a plot-hole that can only be explained by a retreat (uh oh, the Emperor, Darth Vader, and Admiral Piett ALL died, run away and regroup!), allowing remnants of the empire to last for another day, which is an obvious point to draw upon for a new movie. Assuming the Imperial soldiers all surrendered is like expecting the United States to surrender to North Korea or Iran after one of those countries killed Obama, Biden, Reed, and Boehner in an explosion.
Nerd? Yeah, totally. Scifi and baseball rock.
I'm worried that the new Star Wars movie will be bad. Really really bad. Even though I like J.J. Abrams and think he did a great job with Star Trek, I'm worried that there is little potential for a new Star Wars movie to be any good. With Timothy Zahn's books and Grand Admiral Thrawn they'd seem to have a formula for easy success, but they've chosen to ignore it in favor of total uncertainty.
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Post by redsfanman on Oct 30, 2013 12:54:28 GMT -5
I wouldn't be surprised if ~70 year old Ian McDiarmid returned as a clone of the Emperor for some continuity. At age ~70 he's still at a reasonable age to play the role he first accepted in 1983, he just needs less makeup to look like an old guy. Cloning wouldn't be an unlikely move for a franchise recently running the Clone Wars tv show.
I see after searching on Google that there are 'unconfirmed rumors' that McDiarmid will return, but who knows for sure what that means. And even if he does, Alec Guinness 'returned' but played only a very minor role in Star Wars V and VI (ghost who says a few lines), rather than returning as a main character. JJ Abrams brought Leonard Nemoy into the new Star Trek movies for more of a cameo role.
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Post by kinsm on Nov 7, 2013 21:50:37 GMT -5
Lucasfilm has announced the new date for the debut of the next Star Wars trilogy, and despite some script rewriting that is currently underway, the movie will not be pushed to later in 2016.
Fans can expect to revisit the galaxy far, far away on Dec. 18, 2015.
That will make it the first Star Wars film to open around the Christmas holiday. The previous films have all premiered in May.
Robert Iger, CEO and Chairman of The Walt Disney Co. (which acquired Lucasfilm last year), noted in a company’s earnings call this afternoon that the new debut “is also the date Avatar opened in 2009.” Naturally, the studio is hoping to follow that lead for a sci-fi winter tentpole. “This obviously is one of the most important movies we have in the next few years,” Iger said.
In a statement, Alan Horn, the Disney studio chief, responded to rumors that director (and now co-writer) J.J. Abrams was having worries about meeting the 2015 deadline. “We’re very excited to share the official 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII, where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture,” Horn said. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan, who co-wrote The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and Raiders of the Lost Ark for Lucasfilm, announced two weeks ago they were taking over primary script-writing duties from Oscar-winning writer Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine.) That development was clearly not an ideal one, and it triggered questions about whether the story would be ready in time.
Sets and costumes are already being designed for the film, which starts shooting at London’s Pinewood Studios in the spring.
In announcing the shift, Disney also changed the dates for another major film on its slate, the Brad Bird-directed George Clooney sci-fi saga Tomorrowland (being co-written and co-produced by EW’s own Jeff Jensen.) Tomorrowland was originally set for Dec. 12, 2014, but now moves to May 22, 2015 — the previous berth of the new Star Wars film.
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Post by kinsm on Jan 19, 2014 21:22:19 GMT -5
movies.yahoo.com/news/j-j--abrams-says--star-wars-episode-vii--script-done--confirms-jesse-plemons-talks-212350048.htmlJ.J. Abrams says the script for “Star Wars Episode VII” is complete, and confirms that he’s talked with “Breaking Bad” actor Jesse Plemons about a role. “We’re working really hard and we’ve got our script and we’re in deep prep,” Abrams told TheWrap. “Full steam ahead, y’know.” Abrams spoke Sunday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour, where he’s promoting his new NBC series, “Believe.” He confirmed that Plemons is among the actors he’s speaking with, and expressed surprise about the reports of his talks with the actor. “He is one of the actors that we’ve talked to, yeah,” Abrams said. “But, you know. It’s not often that I read about actors that I’m going to be meeting… that I get to read articles about actors who are going to come in. And so I get to see someone and say, ‘Oh, I read that I’m going to see you.’ … It’s usually agents talking to people about what’s happening. It’s a lot of noise.” (TheWrap reported earlier this month that Plemons was up for an “Episode VII” role, but the actor later downplayed the possibility as rumor.) He was also asked about whether he’d like to shoot the new films in IMAX, and said he plans to shoot “Episode VII” on film. “In the right situation I would,” like to shoot in IMAX, he said. “The problem with IMAX is it’s a very loud camera. It’s a very unreliable camera. Only so much film can be in the camera. You can’t really do intimate scenes with it. It’s slow. They break down often. Having said that, they’re working on digital versions of these and so there may be a version one day. But we’re going to be shooting this next movie on film.” TheWrap asked Abrams him about the craziest “Episode VII” rumors he’s heard. “There’ve been so many of them,” he said. “It’s amazing to see how many there are. … But it’s sweet because it shows that there’s an interest in this movie that we all obviously know is there. But it is an incredible thing to see how many crazy things get thrown out that people often then write commentaries about. How happy they are, how disappointed they are about something that is completely false. It’s a lot of noise, frankly.” Not to add to the rumors, but Abrams is working on “Believe” with “Gravity” director Alfonso Cuaron. We asked if Abrams plans to direct the next “Star Wars” trilogy entirely on his own, or if he might bring in another director — Cuaron, for example. He dodged the question as ably as the Millenium Falcon might swerve out of an asteroid’s path. “I’m just focusing on ‘Episode VII’ right now,” he said.
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Post by redsfanman on Jan 21, 2014 9:28:13 GMT -5
I'm growing a little more skeptical of the new movie, with the one writer (Michael Arndt) quitting a few months ago supposedly over disagreements about what the plot should be about, supposedly with one side wanting the story to be about Luke, Han, and Leia, and the other side wanting it to be about introducing a next generation of characters and phasing out the older ones. Is so much disagreement over a plot a sign of a strong plot that people have been waiting years to see? I'm not convinced...
Jesse Plemons is best known for Breaking Bad, and I remember him just having watched the show a few weeks ago. Personally I wonder if most other people remember him, as he played a relatively minor role. I wonder if some people will confuse Jesse Plemons with Aaron Paul's character Jesse Pinkman. Plemons' value resemblance to Mark Hamill makes his role (Luke's son!) pretty easy to predict.
Hugo Weaving has gotten a bunch of attention in casting rumors. And Benedict Cumberbatch seems to be taking over everything, how could he be left out of a big sci-fi franchise?
I still wonder if they'll include Mara Jade, Talon Karrde, and how much any Imperial commander will resemble Grand Admiral Thrawn, despite their insistence of creating an 'original story' and not relying on any outside material.
I'll be frustrated if Disney and JJ Abrams' refusal to involve and incorporate Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy results in a bad movie when the foundation of a good story, good plot, and good movie is already there, if they'd just accept it. Any licensing fee or anything that Timothy Zahn may demand should be offset by the financial benefits of producing a good movie.
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Post by kinsm on Mar 18, 2014 18:59:59 GMT -5
www.theverge.com/2014/3/18/5522682/star-wars-episode-vii-will-take-place-30-years-after-return-of-the-jediA new Star Wars film is getting closer by the day, and Lucasfilm and Disney have just announced some new information on the status of the production. Episode VII — co-written and directed by J.J. Abrams — is set to begin shooting this May at Pinewood Studios in London. For the first time, however, the team is giving an indication of what fans can expect to see when the film hits theaters in 2015. According to today's release, it will take place 30 years after Return of the Jedi, which capped off the original Star Wars trilogy, and "will star a trio of new young leads along with some very familiar faces."
The latter reference is no doubt a nod to what has been rumored for months: that Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill could return to the franchise to reprise their roles as Han Solo, Leia Organa, and Luke Skywalker. Jedi came out in 1983, just over 30 years ago, which would bring the ages of the older actors and their characters right into alignment. As for that new trio of leads, casting rumors have been running rampant, with Adam Driver (Girls) recently named as a likely candidate to play the villain. None of the casting information has been confirmed just yet, but with May the 4th — unofficially known as "Star Wars day" — and San Diego Comic-Con coming up, we wouldn't be surprised to see some very big announcements made before the end of summer.
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Post by psuhistory on Mar 18, 2014 21:59:33 GMT -5
As our story opens, Luke has just been hired to geek womp rats at a bar in Mos Eisley, years after his expulsion from the Jedi Academy for selling death sticks to cadets. Camera closes on his ravaged features: the years have not been kind...
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Post by redsfanman on Apr 29, 2014 13:16:46 GMT -5
www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/04/29/308046483/the-force-is-with-them-star-wars-episode-vii-cast-revealedThe Force Is With Them: Star Wars Episode VII Cast Revealed by Krishnadev Calamur April 29, 2014 1:24 PM ET Announced, the cast is: The Star Wars movie franchise has announced the cast for the upcoming Episode VII movie. Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson and Max von Sydow will join the cast of the new movie. The three stars of the original films – Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill – will reprise their roles as Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker, respectively. Also back are Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Kenny Baker as R2-D2 and Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca. "We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud," director J.J. Abrams said in Tuesday's statement from Disney and Lucasfilms. Variety notes that Girls' star Driver will likely play the villain. Here's more from Variety: "While descriptions of characters were left out of the release, sources tell Variety Driver will play the main villain who is meant to have a Darth Vader look to him, Isaac's character will have a Han Solo look to him and Boyega would be a Jedi. "It's unclear about Ridley who would play but sources have always said the children of Solo and Princess Leia would play a part in the film and that Ridley could possibly play their daughter." The movie, set to be released Dec. 18, 2015, is set 30 years after 1983's Return of the Jedi. No word on who's playing Jar Jar Binks. ------------------------------------- www.mtv.com/news/1817457/star-wars-episode-vii-cast-official/The mystery box for J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: Episode VII” is finally open, and we know who we will see in a galaxy far, far away in December, 2015. The first photo of the cast appeared on StarWars.com. The “Star Wars: Episode VII” cast includes John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow. They join original cast members Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker.“We are so excited to finally share the cast of ‘Star Wars: Episode VII.’ It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again,” Abrams said in statement. “We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud.” Star Wars Episode 7 Cast The announcement comes hours after a story linking Oscar Isaac to the “Episode VII” went online. That story also mentioned Driver and Boyega, who had been in contention for months before the official announcement. The casting of Daisy Ridley is main inconsistency with the earlier reports. The “Mr. Selfridge” actress hadn’t appeared in previous casting stories. Missing from the photo is Maisie Richardson-Sellers, the Oxford-trained actress, who was named as a contender, possibly for the role one of Obi-wan Kenobi’s descendants. “Star Wars: Episode VII” opens in theaters on December 18, 2015. ------------- There are a bunch of articles about this announcement, of course. What stands out to me? No mention of Billy Dee Williams, best known as Lando Calrissian. And there's a big movie that didn't cast Benedict Cumberbatch, wow. No Jesse Plemons of Breaking Bad either. Andy Serkis, best known for playing Gollum, made the cut.
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Post by redsfanman on Apr 29, 2014 13:43:15 GMT -5
Then again, regarding Billy Dee Williams, was Alec Guinness listed as a main cast member in Star Wars V and VI? He appeared. Was Leonard Nemoy listed as a main cast member in advance of Star Trek 2009 (also directed by JJ Abrams)? I'm not sure (I mean, I wasn't even born yet when Star Wars V and VI were released), but my impression is that they appeared in the movies without being listed as part of the main cast. Maybe Billy Dee Williams will do the same. Or maybe they will leave Lando out of the first movie, and reintroduce him in the second... after all, he wasn't in Star Wars IV.
I wonder if the new additions to the Star Wars franchise can establish their own careers after this, like Harrison Ford, or be permanently type-cast with their acting careers effectively over, like Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill. Will this movie franchise be the beginning or end of the career for the new names? Tough call.
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Post by quantumfootball on Apr 29, 2014 22:15:22 GMT -5
Isn't Billy Dee Williams dead? I would think that would make a big problem with having him in the movie.
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Post by kinsm on Apr 29, 2014 22:17:10 GMT -5
Isn't Billy Dee Williams dead? I would think that would make a big problem with having him in the movie. no
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Post by kinsm on Apr 29, 2014 22:21:05 GMT -5
In fact I just saw him on Modern Family...
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Post by redsfanman on Apr 30, 2014 9:10:08 GMT -5
Isn't Billy Dee Williams dead? I would think that would make a big problem with having him in the movie. He left Dancing With the Stars early with some minor injury, but that's not quite the same as being dead. His dreams of becoming a dancer might be smashed though.
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Post by kinsm on Jun 21, 2014 7:45:58 GMT -5
www.yahoo.com/movies/looper-director-rian-johnson-to-direct-star-wars-89382761352.htmlTalk about being thrown for a loop. On Friday, word leaked that director Rian Johnson would take the helm as the writer and director of Star Wars: Episode VIII. Johnson takes the reins from J.J. Abrams, who is already at work on Episode VII, which will continue the story of George Lucas’s saga picking up three decades after the events of Return of the Jedi. Johnson made his debut with the high-school noir indie Brick, which won a Special Jury Prize at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. He’s best known for 2012’s time-travel thriller Looper starring Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as different versions of the same futuristic assassin. Johnson has also won an DGA Award for his work directing TV’s Breaking Bad. Original reports claimed Johnson would be writing and directing both Episode VIII and the trilogy’s concluding chapter of Episode VI, but later reporting said Johnson would only be contributing to the story of the ninth chapter. Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Studios have not yet released an official statement on the news. For his part, Johnson tweeted only a short clip from the 1983 true-life astronaut drama The Right Stuff where Alan Shepard (played by Scott Glenn) says a short prayer as he is closed in the capsule of the first Mercury mission. Shepard says, “Dear Lord, please don’t let me f—- up.” There has not been a release date set for Episode VIII, but with Episode VII scheduled for Dec. 2015 and the first Star Wars stand-alone film from director Gareth Evans (Godzilla) set for the next year, Dec. 2017 seems likely.
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Post by kinsm on Jul 15, 2014 23:44:35 GMT -5
Star Wars Schedule:
Fall 2014: Rebels (animated - the years between Episode III and IV) 2015: Episode VII 2016: Boba Fett spinoff 2017: Episode VIII 2018: Solo spinoff 2019: Episode IX 2020: Red Five spinoff
Boba Fett is being directed by Gareth Edwards and written by Lawrence Kasdan.
Solo is being directed by Josh Trank and written by Gary Whitta.
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