‘No question’ about reprising role
Hamill states there was no question that he would reprise his role as Luke Skywalker for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He confirms Fisher will also reprising her role as Princess Leia.
I don’t know if I’m even allowed to tell people I’m in the new movie. What happened was we were at some event that George [Lucas] was at and he asked us through his people to have lunch with him. I said [to my wife, Mary Lou] ‘There’s something big going on,’ and Mary Lou said, ‘Maybe he’s going to do another trilogy.’ And I laughed out loud, because he had specifically told me he would never do another after the prequels…He said, ‘If you don’t wanna be in it we won’t recast, we’ll well write you out.’ I was in a state of shock and tried to keep a poker face. Carrie immediately went, ‘I’m in!’…If I had said no thousands [of fans] would have shown up at my house [like the villagers in Frankenstein.] Not with pitchforks, but lightsabers.
Tribeca Film interview
Lucas is asked about Star Wars trailers by Colbert at the Tribeca Film Festival.
I have seen the first one. I just saw what was on CBS but I’m going to try to look at it. I want to see it on the big screen.
About the film:
Well, you know, I hope it’s successful. I hope they do a great job. I’m excited…I have no idea what they’re doing.
In turn Lucas asks Colbert why he did not take over The Daily Show:
Trevor Noah is a very funny guy. I don’t want to be the guy to take over for Jon Stewart. I worked for Jon Stewart at that show and my memories will always be of him being the keenest, most intelligent . . . the clearest thinker I have ever worked with before and I just don’t want to. I would never get underneath his shadow. For me, someone who doesn’t know him as well . . . might have a better time on that show than I ever would.
Newcomers cast
From an open casting call that was held by Abrams, two new castmembers join the Star Wars: Episode VII project – Crystal Clarke and Pip Andersen. In their official press release, StarWars.com says:
Crystal Clarke is an American actress studying in Glasgow, UK, who has both stage and screen acting experience and is soon to be seen in her first feature,The Moon and the Sun (to be released in 2015). British actor Pip Andersen is a skilled practitioner of parkour, a discipline that involves propelling oneself through any given environment with incredible grace and agility.
No information has surfaced yet about the characters that these two actors will be portraying.
Plays young Princess Leia
Lourd is cast in the role of young Princess Leia in the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII. Though an unknown actress, J.J. Abrams chose to cast her based off her facial similarities to her mother, Carrie Fisher. The role is currently being referred to as a “cameo”.
Chicago wins Lucas Museum
Lucas selects Chicago to host the Lucas Cultural Arts Museum. The location of the museum is set to be between Soldier Field and McCormick Place with an opening sometime in 2018. The museum will house a collection that includes valuable Norman Rockwell paintings, examples of the special effects that Lucas pioneered at Industrial Light & Magic and memorabilia such as the Darth Vader costume.
I am humbled to be joining such an extraordinary museum community and to be creating the museum in a city that has a long tradition of embracing the arts and architecture. Choosing Chicago is the right decision for the museum, but a difficult decision for me personally because of my strong personal and professional roots in the Bay Area.
Episode VIII director
Johnson is in talks with Lucasfilm to write and direct Star Wars: Episode VIII. Contrary to reports that he will be directing the next two Star Wars films, Johnson will direct only Episode VIII. However, he is writing a treatment for Episode IX.
Breaks leg on Star Wars set
While filming Star Wars: Episode VII, Harrison Ford breaks his leg in an incident involving the Millenium Falcon’s door. He is airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where he undergoes surgery. His publicist, Ina Treciokas, stated
His surgery was successful and he will begin rehab shortly. He’s doing well and looks forward to returning to work.
The injury is not believed to set the movie back on its release date. Changes have been made to the filming schedule and various tweets by those involved with the production have stated that things continue on at a good pace.
Nyong’o & Christie join cast
Lupita Nyong’o & Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones) join the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, commented on the casting choice:
I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII. It’s thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape.
The roles the actresses will play have not yet been announced.
Filming begins
Disney and Lucasfilm announce that principal photography on Star Wars: Episode VII will commence May 2014, and will be based at London’s historic Pinewood Studios.
Star Wars: Episode VII cast announced
The cast for Star Wars: Episode VII is announced. Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the saga – Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film. Director J.J. Abrams says
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.
Interview
Macfarlane interviews Lucas at Industrial Light and Magic. They talk about how Lucas does not feel the need to be aggressively competitive in business and how often Lucas watches his own movies.
To be honest with you, I love all the movies I’ve made. I never grown tired of them. Thank goodness for that.
Release date confirmed
Disney & Lucasfilm confirm that a release date of December 18, 2015 has been set for Star Wars: Episode VII. Alan Horn, chairman of Walt Disney Studios:
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.
Kennedy becomes President
Lucas announces that long-time friend/colleague Kennedy will be taking over the reigns of Lucasfilm as president.
I’m excited to have the chance to work with such an extraordinary group of talented people. As George moves towards retirement I am honored that he trusts me with taking care of the beloved film franchises. I feel fortunate to have George there to advise me as we set out to make the next Star Wars films — it is nice to have Yoda by your side.
Disney acquires Lucasfilm
Walt Disney Company enters into an agreement to acquire Lucasfilm Ltd. from George Lucas.
For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next. It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime. I’m confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come. Disney’s strength gives Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment, and consumer products.
Along with this announcement, Disney reveals plans to continue the Star Wars franchise. At least three new films in the Star Wars saga have been confirmed as well as upcoming television shows and feature films.
Abrams, Kasdan for screenplay
Lawrence Kasdan and director J.J. Abrams are announced to be writing the screenplay for Star Wars: Episode VII. Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy, says
I am very excited about the story we have in place and thrilled to have Larry and J.J. working on the script. There are very few people who fundamentally understand the way a Star Wars story works like Larry, and it is nothing short of incredible to have him even more deeply involved in its return to the big screen. J.J. of course is an incredible storyteller in his own right. Michael Arndt has done a terrific job bringing us to this point and we have an amazing filmmaking and design team in place already prepping for production.
Scores Episode VII
Lucasfilm President, Kathleen Kennedy, announces that John Williams will be returning to score Star Wars: Episode VII.
Of course, I haven’t seen the script. The story is still unknown to me, the new story. But I can’t imagine that there will not be some references to the existing stories that we know that would necessitate, and make appropriate, the use of some of the earlier themes.
Will direct Episode VII
Kathleen Kennedy announces that Abrams will be direct Star Wars: Episode VII.
It’s very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie. J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture.
Abrams:
To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor. I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid.
Oscar nomination
0 CommentsClooney is nominated for Best Actor at the 84th Academy Awards for portraying Matt King in The Descendants.
George Lucas interview
Winfrey interviews George Lucas and talks about his creativity and how he comes up with all the names for his characters.
Everyone, goes how do you come up with the names? I have a little book and I just write names all day long. You just riff on that idea and you end up with a bunch of names. I have hundreds and hundreds, even thousands of names.
