Disney to acquire Lucasfilm; Star Wars Episode 7 in 2015

[Ilias Nytrau]

I... I honestly don't know what to think of this.


The Walt Disney company announced today it has agreed to acquire Lucasfilm and is planning Star Wars Episode 7 for 2015! This is following such big purchases as Pixar and Marvel Entertainment. Here is the full press release:

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=96524&utm_campaign=facebookfan&utm_source=facebookfan&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=web_app


So... what do YOU think, my friends?

[Darth Turbogeek]

No more GREEDO SHOT FIRST and stupid edits. This is a GOOD thing!

And there is now a good change the original unadulterated movies come out. This is an even BETTER thing.

Plus Disney is run by Pixar these days, so I think the future looks good.

[CMJ]

As my brother messaged me when he told me the news (I don't agree necessarily, but I still laughed my ass off) --- "I don't even care if Romney gets elected now. Nothing could be worse than this."


:lol

[CMJ]

No more GREEDO SHOT FIRST and stupid edits. This is a GOOD thing!

And there is now a good change the original unadulterated movies come out. This is an even BETTER thing.

Plus Disney is run by Pixar these days, so I think the future looks good.

Or given the fact that an entity now owns SW that runs stuff into the ground even more than Lucas does, we're likely to get Jar Jar Binks animated films every few years.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Well Disney doesn't do that anymore really not with Pixar controlling it. I am not really surprised and am hopeful, especially if they give it to a talented filmmaker like J.J. Abrams, Peter Jackson, or Joss Whedon.

[CMJ]

No 20th Century Fox Fanfare.

[Jedieb]

They're already laying out a schedule for new Star Wars films. Episodes 7, 8, 9 and then new movies after that. Star Wars will become Bond basically.

I'm ambivalent about this. This is probably a good thing. The creative decisions that George made these last few years eventually pushed me away. By the time we got the Clone Wars cartoon movie I was done. But a brand new take may be exactly what Star Wars needs, for me at least.

[Reshmar]

I thought about it for the about 2 minutes then decided I like the Idea. I am hopeful for the future of the franchise.

[Glen Fiddich]

No 20th Century Fox Fanfare.

^ That's just gonna be weird. :(

I'm conflicted about this. I never bought into the whole rage at Lucas mentality (I don't have the energy for that), but it would be interesting to see what Star Wars becomes once someone else starts putting their mark on it: Clone Wars for example has benefited greatly from someone else's input on the story.

That said, I'm not sure that Disney is the right company for this. I can't help but think of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, where they took a trilogy that had a reasonably okay resolution and bolted on an unnecessary and unsatisfying extension.

And while yes, most things that Pixar touches turns to gold... but while they used to make beautiful self-contained stories, everything except Brave (which didn't really do it for me) recently has been a sequel: Toy Story 3, Cars 2, and Monsters University (or whatever it's going to be called). I'd perhaps be a little more confident about this if it was the Pixar of five years ago that we were talking out.

[Droo]

My problem with Lucas stems from the fact that he, in my opinion, pig-headedly insisted on almost complete control of the prequels and as a result infected them with his dreadful writing and uninspired direction. He is a story-teller of vision, there's no doubting that, but it's a shame there was no other fish at Lucasfilm big enough to politely, or aggressively, remind the man where his creative strengths lie. Yes, Star Wars is his baby, but that prequel trilogy could have been so much better with more able hands at the helm.

Consequently, I'm enthusiastic about this if only for the promise of future Star Wars movies, and this comes as a massive surprise given that in the past Lucas has given us no reason to ever expect any more. And, harking back to my original point about Lucas, I'm glad it is now out of his hands and can potentially be passed around any number of talented filmmakers who will all be scrabbling for a piece of such an enormous franchise. It could turn out to be awful, and Disney certainly wouldn't be my first choice, but at least there's light at the end of the tunnel in that in a few years we'll be going to the cinema to see not only a whole new Star Wars movie but also, in all likelihood, one that is completely fresh and independent of the original trilogy and its characters, and that's an exciting thought.

Edit: Actually, if they're referring to it as Episode 7 already, that probably makes my last point there null and void, which is a bit shit. I'd really rather have something akin to a Jedi Begins or Star Wars Royale, except with new characters, instead of a continuation of the same story. Although, I do wonder how that story could be continued (ignoring EU here, of course), since it's nicely wrapped up at the end of RotJ. Maybe it will be all shiny and new!

[Crusader]

Is it already the first of April?

Does Lucas know for sure that the world ends in 2 months and so he thought "Mehh whatever".


OK and now my honest opinion. As a guy that goes to Disneyland very often I see a huge win here: More merchandise and more rides Yeah.

Plus who are we kidding here we all knew that the day would come where Lucasfilm and the rights to Star Wars would be sold. ILM is not the pinacle of special effects anymore.

I am not really happy with the idea of Star Wars 7-9 to be honest if somebody said they will do a Reboot of the prequels first I would be really excited.

In recent years I have grown fond of a remake of SW. We all know it is inevitable so why not enjoy it for what it is more SW. You could argue that this website has been doing this for one and a half decade anyway.

[Crusader]

Well I do understand now why he did the SW DeTours contract out of the blue and why he decided not to expand the Lucas Ranch and instead starting to sell parts of the land.
Oh and does this mean that ILM and Lucas Arts go to Disney too? I hope they will fire Julio Torres first...

[CMJ]

There is gonna be an absolute feeding frenzy to direct the next SW movie. Every young director (as well as seasoned vets) is gonna wanna put their own stamp on it. Considering that Kathleen Kennedy is running LucasFilm, and Lucas is his friend, I think Spielberg has it if he wants it.

If not, probably Brad Bird.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

They're already laying out a schedule for new Star Wars films. Episodes 7, 8, 9 and then new movies after that. Star Wars will become Bond basically.

I'm ambivalent about this. This is probably a good thing. The creative decisions that George made these last few years eventually pushed me away. By the time we got the Clone Wars cartoon movie I was done. But a brand new take may be exactly what Star Wars needs, for me at least.


I'm pretty much in agreement with you.

(and Jace, Brave was awesome. :colbert )



Well I do understand now why he did the SW DeTours contract out of the blue and why he decided not to expand the Lucas Ranch and instead starting to sell parts of the land.
Oh and does this mean that ILM and Lucas Arts go to Disney too? I hope they will fire Julio Torres first...

Disney got everything - ILM, Lucas Arts, everything. As far as I know.

[The Original BuffJedi]

OMGOSH!!!! I have not cried in years until today!!! First, I loved Everything Lucas did with his Star Wars movies(sans cutting to much Darth Maul) Revenge of the Sith is the greatest movie EVER! and TPM only needed more Maul, and it would have been all but perfect, still laugh at JAR JAR!! Hopefully Speilberg gets attached and keep Jackson far far away form it!! The LOTR was a complete bore fest and Kong just SUCKED!..all my opinions, dont agree, well(i say this nicely) i couldn't careless! cant wait for a Disney" Star Wars" resort and with all the toys JediEB(s) will have to buy yet a bigger house

Top 5 days of my life since ROTS

1. My son was born
2.Hopefully when the people of the U.S.A kicks Oblamo out the white house and the country
3.Bench pressing over 500lbs and running a sub 5 min mile the same day
4.Moving back to the Island
5 FREAKING TODAY!!!!!!!!!

[Dasquian Belargic]

Somebody on Twitter said it best for me:


Dream Scenario: Hire Joss Whedon to do Star Wars films, Nathan Fillion is the leading man, playing Han Solo's son.

(Basically, I can't see how this is anything but a good thing.)

[Lance Stormrider]

Lol wow this news automatically reminded me of this website hahaha...the torch has been passed

[The Original BuffJedi]

Dusting off my Acting resume' new demo real and going to get buffer(if that's possible) the Only thing I have left on my bucket list is being in a Star Wars film!!! Crap people, a new STAR WARS FILM!!!!!!!. Get the freak on your feet and CHEER!!!!!!! If your blaise' about this, IMO...., are you sure your a star wars FAN!!???!!!

[CMJ]

I consider myself a SW fan Buff. I defend the prequels all the freaking time.

I guess when you boil it down to it, SW is the story about a father and son. I am not sure you can go anywhere since ....one of them has been redeemed....and is dead.

[Dasquian Belargic]

There's still plenty of EU left to explore!

[CMJ]

A whole lot of extended universe is crap though? I liked the first Timothy Zahn series, and pretty much after that it was worthless.

[Dasquian Belargic]

It varies in quality, but Disney don't necessarily need to adapt existing novels. When I say EU, I mean the boarder EU... i.e. the Star Wars "universe" as a setting, in which you can tell a whole variety of different stories. As long as they don't try to make everything about Skywalkers and Solos, or link everything new into original trilogy somehow, I don't see why they can't create interesting stuff.

Personally I'm more excited about this than any other Star Wars related announcement in a long time. Previously, I would have been interested but ultimately resigned to the fact that Lucas couldn't come up with anything decent - but now, it feels like there will be more freedom... freedom to get away from resting on the laurels of the OT, referencing itself all the time, and instead to look to other fresh possibilities.

[The Original BuffJedi]

I guess when you boil it down to it, SW is the story about a father and son. I am not sure you can go anywhere since ....one of them has been redeemed....and is dead. Man, I disagree with you all the time but that... that, was beautiful! But so much more to grow off of, IMHO!! Just sooooo freaking giddy!! Course, I am one of those "if Lucas/anyone put Poopie dancing on film) and called it Star Wars, I'd watch it and CHEER!!! I am drained from excitement! Still Love the "holiday Special' and the late great Bea :(.

[Figrin D'an]

I have a to chuckle a bit, because I'm actually far more interested in the potential for the talent at ILM and Pixar to work together on certain projects.

New 'Star Wars' projects, sadly, barely registers any type of response from me. I'm very apathetic about the whole prospect. 10-12 years ago, that certainly would not have been the case.

On the negative side of this... Disney aggressively defends it's purported copyrights on everything. Remember, this is the company that pushed hard for the DMCA and ridiculous copyright extensions to prevent any of it's past work from passing into the public domain. Lucas, for all of his faults, was generally pretty good about letting people play in his little universe and allowing fan-generated content to thrive. Disney, on the other hand, goes after people who draw two half circles on someone's head and scream "Infringement!" to the courts.

[Dasquian Belargic]

An interesting point about copyrights, Fig. The fan film and replica props communities for Star Wars are huge. Would you think that they would be affected?

[Darth Turbogeek]

No more GREEDO SHOT FIRST and stupid edits. This is a GOOD thing!

And there is now a good change the original unadulterated movies come out. This is an even BETTER thing.

Plus Disney is run by Pixar these days, so I think the future looks good.

Or given the fact that an entity now owns SW that runs stuff into the ground even more than Lucas does, we're likely to get Jar Jar Binks animated films every few years.

Counterpoint - Pixar and Marvel, both owned by Disney. Doing more than just pretty well. Today's Disney is a far cry from the run this shit into the ground Disney of a few years ago, I actually feel pretty comfortable they know what they are doing.

Besides, we know Pixar were the ones that took over Disney and are running the show now. The thought of Brad Bird doing Star Wars just made me pee my pants in excitement a little bit.

[Darth Turbogeek]

Mace Windu : Director of S.H.I.E.L.D

[Dasquian Belargic]

The thought of Brad Bird doing Star Wars just made me pee my pants in excitement a little bit.

Close the thread now. Mark is actually positive about this announcement, so you know it's good news :lol

[Darth Turbogeek]

Avenger 3 will be set on Tattooine, I just know it.


On Obama's watch: Osama Bin Laden dead. Star Wars out of George Lucas' control.
Wrap it up GOP, good luck in 2016

[The Original BuffJedi]

Avenger 3 will be set on Tattooine, I just know it. LMBO!!!!!:lol

[Dasquian Belargic]

^ Iron Man vs Darth Vader?



https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A6fcVCmCEAEdDxd.jpg

*cue John Williams theme*

[Darth Turbogeek]

Hulk Smash Puny Palpatine

[Rutabaga]

I just heard the news, so it's still sinking in. What a surprise...I swear I heard no speculation about this at all before it was announced today.

I still need to let it sink in somewhat. But it could really be a good thing. I just wonder how locked in to the EU the new movies will be.

What a weird day. o_O

[The Original BuffJedi]

Hulk Smash Puny Palpatine:lol

[Dasquian Belargic]

http://updates.io9.com/post/34667628718/5-possible-storylines-for-the-next-star-wars-movie

5 Possible Storylines for the Next Star Wars Movie, from io9.

[Crusader]

lol I am so excited I even posted this news on CC.net :D
http://www.coruscantcity.net/cgi-bin/board/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=009428

[Glen Fiddich]

Peter - ILM does special effects for JJ Abrams' Star Trek (including the sequel), as well as the Transformers movies, the Jurassic Park franchise, and some of the Marvel Studios movies (I think Iron Man is all ILM). They also animated Rango. They're still most definitely a big player in special effects, and if Disney *is* acquiring them as well, that's definitely a pretty big deal all on it's own. They'll potentially be able to keep Marvel and Star Wars projects "in the family", which is no doubt an extremely profitable option for them... and who knows, it might even allow them to get more bang for their buck in terms of CGI.

The EU / fandom question is pretty interesting. I fully expect that they'll toss the EU out of the window... it'll be interesting to see what effect that has (along with Disney's lawyers) on licensed works. Will the expanded universe novels keep going, or will there finally be an end, and a "complete" book collection for people to own? It'll also be interesting to see what impact this has on things like LucasArts and SWTOR: has Disney ever owned a video game company or had involvement in an MMO before? Will we end up with Marvel video games built to a LucasArts level of quality?

I think the biggest problem they're going to have is that most people from Star Wars are old or dead. None of the characters that audiences have been introduced to recently (prequel Jedi, clones, etc) will still be alive, and if they did manage to get Harrison, Carrie, and Mark back to play their respective characters, they'd be too old to be central to the story.

Characters is what Star Wars is about... it's a saga about families, both literal and metaphorical. To try and continue that story as "Episode 7" without there being a connection into the Skywalker bloodline would break from that. Sure, we'd get more live action content set in the Star Wars universe... but would it actually be a Star Wars film, or would it just be some knock-off sequel? If they really want to distance themselves from the OT they really need to stop calling it Episode 7: otherwise people are going to expect it to tie in, and will be disappointed when they're not there.

Also, cool as the idea of a Fillion/Whedon take on Star Wars would be... we've already seen that. If Disney wanted to make that happen, I think they'd be better off acquiring the rights to Firefly, rather than asking Nathan to play a character he's basically already played, and asking Joss to tell a story that he's already told.


(and Jace, Brave was awesome. :colbert )

It wasn't a bad film per se: it just wasn't up to the usual standard of Pixar movies, in my opinion. Pixar films are usually poignant and moving morality stories, but Brave was a pretty generic teenage girl angst story at it's core, with a sprinkling of faux Scotland fantasy that felt a little obligatory to me. Maybe it's because I'm male, not a parent, and was born in Scotland; I just think that Pixar has done a lot better in the past.

[CMJ]

[quote=CMJ;394054]

Counterpoint - Pixar and Marvel, both owned by Disney. Doing more than just pretty well. Today's Disney is a far cry from the run this shit into the ground Disney of a few years ago, I actually feel pretty comfortable they know what they are doing.

Besides, we know Pixar were the ones that took over Disney and are running the show now. The thought of Brad Bird doing Star Wars just made me pee my pants in excitement a little bit.

Pixar's last two films were seen as disappointments by many (most?). Not to mention Disney is still producing films like the new Tinkerbell flick.

[Taataani Meorrrei]

Not sure how I feel about this, but I guess more Star Wars is good, even if its a bit shitty

[Darth Turbogeek]

Robert Downey Jr as Han Solo.

C'MON YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO SEE THIS!

[Ilias Nytrau]

Oh, Mark.

Your hard-on for RDJ is beautiful. :love

I understand. I absolutely, completely and totally understand.

As for the other matter, I'm going to reserve the brunt of my judgement/praise for when there's more concrete information on the impending film and/or I actually see the resulting product.

[CMJ]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/560655_10151226866814828_146743617_n.jpg


Hopefully someone here gets the joke. :)

[Ryan Pode]

I have a bad feeling about this.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

My kids love the Tinkerbell movies, btw. They're decent.

[Jedi Master Carr]

[quote=CMJ;394054]

Counterpoint - Pixar and Marvel, both owned by Disney. Doing more than just pretty well. Today's Disney is a far cry from the run this shit into the ground Disney of a few years ago, I actually feel pretty comfortable they know what they are doing.

Besides, we know Pixar were the ones that took over Disney and are running the show now. The thought of Brad Bird doing Star Wars just made me pee my pants in excitement a little bit.

Pixar's last two films were seen as disappointments by many (most?). Not to mention Disney is still producing films like the new Tinkerbell flick.


I haven't seen Brave, but I had heard it is a very good movie and it did get pretty good reviews. At least Brave is original unlike Cars 2. Cars 2 is to me their only big mistake. I think if they treat Star Wars like the Marvel movies they will be in good shape.

[CMJ]

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRtreoZdSL-holtATw6kDyAsnOUlYXuI501LxMxYcx1LhufMyTl

[Darth Turbogeek]

Oh, Mark.

Your hard-on for RDJ is beautiful. :love

I understand. I absolutely, completely and totally understand.

Ah but wait, there's also the man crush on Tom Hiddleson, whom I think would be a truly wonderful Sith Lord.

And of course Scarlett Johnassen as Mara Jade. OMG. SOMEONE MAKE THIS HAPPEN!

That or Christina Hendricks.

I would sooooooo hump the screen if Christina Hendricks was in black skintight leather with a lightsabre. I have enough trouble not humping the TV when she's in Mad Men. Cause lets face it, if there's an ass that would look hotter in leather than Scarlett, it's Christina. Let alone the cleavage.

Excuse me, I need a seriously cold shower because Christina's boobs in leather is just too much for my tiny mind to handle.

[Yog]

Hopefully someone here gets the joke. :)
He gets my vote :lol


Seriously though, I think this is great news. GL as a creative consultant instead of directing and writing the script, it works for animated series Clone Wars, and see no reason it would not work for episode 7-9.

It is a good day for SW fans, because you know Disney will make the most out of the franchise. I look forward to see the next TV series, movies, Disneyworld rides etc.

On another note:
Star Wars 7 Plot Will Be "an Original Story," Says Lucasfilm Source (http://uk.eonline.com/news/358685/star-wars-7-plot-will-be-an-original-story-says-lucasfilm-source)

[Dasquian Belargic]

Got to say, I haven't been this excited about Star Wars in years!

[Crusader]

Celebration next year will be epic if they have Disney there!

[The Original BuffJedi]

http://updates.io9.com/post/34667628718/5-possible-storylines-for-the-next-star-wars-movie

5 Possible Storylines for the Next Star Wars Movie, from io9.Pish! why even guess..I'm going str8 to the source, SUPER SHADOW! he knows all ! ;)

[Park Kraken]

I'm a little suprised that no apparently thinks they'll base the movie(s) off the X-wing series. Although, to be honest that series would be better as an animated series, IMO.

Although, if they wanted to get the original actors back into action without too much makeup, they could just have Episodes 7, 8, and 9 all be about the New Jedi Order series.

[Wei Wu Wei]

Park,, I like that idea. :) I loved the X-Wing books--especially Wraith Squadron and Iron Fist.

I think Disney being in charge of Star Wars will do good things for it. I'd like to see a wider variety of television and movies concerning the Star Wars universe. But if they did reboot any of the old movies, they'd better stick to redoing Episodes 1, 2, and 3. I enjoyed the prequel trilogy, but they were received very poorly by a grand majority of people. All I know is, if Disney were to reboot the OT, they'd better be prepared for the torches and pitchforks as the angry mob storms the Disney Castle to unleash their fury.

[Reshmar]

In an interview Lucas did refer to his 7,8 and 9 script ideas and the EU books when he was talking about the future as a pool of inspiration for them to draw upon for future films. I do not want to see a recast or re-vamp of the original but I would kinda like the Eu to have bearing on any new stories. Maybe get a few EU writers in on the planning of this.

[Peter McCoy]

Disney need to get into talks with Capcom for a Marvel vs Star Wars video game. And while we're at it, how about a new Kingdom Hearts game with the two franchises merging with Mickey and Co.

[Morgan Evanar]

Wrap this up Lucasfailures.

Also this is good news and I'm glad they're doing something set in the SW universe. We all love plenty of things that aren't glued to the OT's characters.

[Darth Turbogeek]

hey could just have Episodes 7, 8, and 9 all be about the New Jedi Order series.

Oh Lawdy be, you just killed my enthusiasm. NJO is the worst crap :(


Maybe get a few EU writers in on the planning of this

I suspect the ONLY EU writer anyone wants seen near Esp 7 is Zahn.

[Ilias Nytrau]

I suspect the ONLY EU writer anyone wants seen near Esp 7 is Zahn.

I'm going to add Michael Stackpole and then agree with you.

Yup.

[Park Kraken]

Park,, I like that idea. :) I loved the X-Wing books--especially Wraith Squadron and Iron Fist.

They could go past the novels too if they run out of material, there's plenty of references about Rogue Squadron being involved in other campaigns from comic books and other material including the Thrawn triology, the hunting down of the remaining Grand Admirals, the Core Campaign, etc.

As for the movies, if they truly wanted to tie into something that relates to the original plot of Star Wars about Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, they could base the movies around Jacen Solo, his descent into Darth Caedus, and his eventual redemption, although Anakin Skywalker didn't have a sister that would hunt him down and kill him.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Episode 7 is going to be an original story, apparently.

http://uk.eonline.com/news/358685/star-wars-7-plot-will-be-an-original-story-says-lucasfilm-source

So we won't be seeing any characters from the EU, or at least not as we know them. And I'm okay with that.

[Taataani Meorrrei]

I'd be ok with a total divorce from EU honestly, but I know we won't be so lucky

[Dasquian Belargic]

http://youtu.be/xUbH1SEsqiE

:D

[Jedieb]

There is gonna be an absolute feeding frenzy to direct the next SW movie. Every young director (as well as seasoned vets) is gonna wanna put their own stamp on it. Considering that Kathleen Kennedy is running LucasFilm, and Lucas is his friend, I think Spielberg has it if he wants it.

If not, probably Brad Bird.

Spielberg would be my choice as well. He's stated before that he's wanted to direct a Star Wars movie. He now has his chance. I could easily see him direct EP7 and then passing the rest of the trilogy off to other directors. I also think there's no other director that Lucas would love to helm his former baby. He could stay away from the set but still have a connection to it through Spielberg. Also, who else would have the clout to direct Star Wars and not feel beholden to Lucas?

Here's another thing to think about. I think we were all resigned to the "fact" that we'd all been to our LAST midnight showing, our last midnight madness. May 2015 we'll all get the chance to stand in line once again. That's awesome. MTFBWY.

[Jedieb]

Episode 7 is going to be an original story, apparently.

http://uk.eonline.com/news/358685/star-wars-7-plot-will-be-an-original-story-says-lucasfilm-source

So we won't be seeing any characters from the EU, or at least not as we know them. And I'm okay with that.

I gave up on the EU a few years ago, but I read practically EVERYTHING from the few EU stories of Bryan Daley to the end of the NJO order and I think a clean break is both practical and needed. Disney could cherry pick certain popular characters to throw EU fanatics a bone. They're much smaller in number than they realize. They don't make or break SW Box Office results.

One thing I would really like to see...

Mark Hamill = Alec Guiness

From previous Lucas statements about a possible 3rd trilogy, Lucas sometimes envisioned Luke passing off the baton to a new generation of Jedi. At one point Lucas saw Vader's story ending with Episode VI, but the Emperor surviving and Luke having to face and defeat him in the final trilogy. I think part of that might be in the treatments he's passed on to Disney. I think there's a role for an older Luke in Episode 7. I'd love to see Hamill go out like a boss in Episode 7, just like Obi-Wan did in ANH. I can dream.

[Glen Fiddich]

Would Hamill actually want to come back and do it, though?

I think that's the obstacle that's going to have more impact on the story than anything else. We'd all love to see Han, Luke, and Leia back in some form or other, but there's no guarantee that any of the actors would actually agree to be part of it.

[Ahnk Rashanagok]

What else is Mark Hamill doing these days?

Although getting Carrie Fisher back to the Carrie Fisher we remember might take a lot of work. Then again, given how much of the prequels was CGI, maybe they were just testing for the day when they could have Carrie Fisher just do the voice and have the character be completely CG.

[Droo]

If the prequels taught us anything at all, I hope it was less CGI > more CGI. Those films were saturated with an overabundance of CGI characters and scenery to the point where, for me at least, it all felt sterile and false. Also, as many actors have hinted at in the past, playing against green screens all the time is distracting and doesn't exactly bring out their best performances.

Nostalgia aside, I've no wish to see any of the original cast reprise their roles. I'd like to see a wholly original story with a wholly original cast. That said, if they were going to do it, I wouldn't mind seeing Mark Hamill playing Luke in the way Leonard Nimoy played Spock in the Star Trek reboot, except with new characters, not rebooted ones, of course.

Also, on Mark Hamill, he's actually built up for himself a strong reputation as an excellent voice actor, and a prolific one at that, which has kept him comfortably employed over the years.

[Dasquian Belargic]

On the topic of Hamill and Fisher...

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=35656


[...] a top-secret meeting that took place between George Lucas, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher. According to Hamill the idea of zipping on Luke Skywalker's flightsuit again, even in as ageing version of the Jedi, wasn't raised, but Lucas was already set on a new trilogy.

"Last August [George] asked Carrie and I to have lunch with him and we did. I thought he was going to talk about either his retirement or the Star Wars TV series that I’ve heard about - which I don’t think we were going to be involved in anyway, because that takes place between the prequels and the ones we were in and, if Luke were in them, he’d be anywhere from a toddler to a teenager so they’d get an age-appropriate actor — or the 3-D releases.

"So when he said, 'We decided we’re going to do Episodes VII, VIII, and IX,' I was just gobsmacked. 'What? Are you nuts?!'", remembers Hamill. "I guess he wanted us to know before everybody else knew. He said, 'Now you can't tell anybody!' Even now I’m nervous about saying anything. I just don’t know!"

According to Hamill, Lucas was "just talking about writers and the fact that he wouldn’t be directing" at that stage. With Kathleen Kennedy, Star Wars producer and the new Lucasfilm head at Disney, taking up the mantle, the suspicion is that a writer, and even director, are already locked and the story in place.

[Ilias Nytrau]

o_O

Right.

Anyway.

Yay, more activity in the franchise! :eee

There'll be fresh meat... er, new fans and stuff!

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Star Wars Vs Avatar II = the new controversy!

I'm happy about the sale and whatever they come up* with I'm going to watch it anyway, I just hope it's something I'll feel good about watching twice. :)




* Star Wars:Return of the Jar Jar is the exception

[Dasquian Belargic]

Timothy Zahn weighs in on the news and gives his thoughts on what he'd like to see in Episode VII-IX: http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/11/02/star-wars-sequels-timothy-zahn/

[Park Kraken]

Star Wars Vs Avatar II = the new controversy!

I'm happy about the sale and whatever they come up* with I'm going to watch it anyway, I just hope it's something I'll feel good about watching twice. :)




* Star Wars:Return of the Jar Jar is the exception

I would totally watch it if it has Darth Vader tracking down and eliminating Jar-Jar for being a rebellious senator while a few hundred Mandalorians launch a raid on the Gungan cities....

[Dasquian Belargic]

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Skip to 3:06 for Mark Hamill (in 1983) spilling the beans on Episode VII, suggesting that there were plans for him to return in 2004 as Luke Skywalker (or some incarnation thereof) in the next Star Wars movie!

[Rutabaga]

Via Cracked:

http://www.cracked.com/quick-fixes/4-reasons-you-should-be-thrilled-disney-bought-star-wars/?wa_user1=1&wa_user2=Movies+%26+TV&wa_user3=quickfix&wa_user4=feature_module

They're right. After letting it all absorb, I'm on the bandwagon and have decided that this could turn into something truly wonderful.

PS: Return of the Jar-Jar is also not an option for me. ;)

[Mu Satach]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/560655_10151226866814828_146743617_n.jpg


Hopefully someone here gets the joke. :)

Leia - your tearing me apart. Oh Hai Mark.

;)

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Timothy Zahn weighs in on the news and gives his thoughts on what he'd like to see in Episode VII-IX: http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/11/02/star-wars-sequels-timothy-zahn/

I didn't know he lives in Oregon. :) *makes tentative plans to stalk*

[Droo]

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/59478

The plot thickens! :ohno

[Jedi Master Carr]

I think that article is more conjecture. Vaughn still has a deal to direct another movie at Fox and we don't know why he left X-Men.

[Crusader]

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/11/05/star-wars-sequel-harrison-ford-han-solo-exclusive/

So Harrison Ford would be intrested in another spin... He must be terribly broke or someone told him that Lucas does not write the dialog this time.

[Darth Turbogeek]

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/59478

The plot thickens! :ohno

AICN is the Fox News of movie news

Edit : The suggestion in the comments section of the Zahn interview for Hugo Weaving to play Thrawn is........ inspired.

[Droo]

AICN is the Fox News of movie news


Yes, it is, but now and then there are nuggets of truth to be found in some of the speculation thrown around there. Also, if you value your sanity, don't read the comments section. It is a cesspit of idiocy.

[Dasquian Belargic]

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/11/05/star-wars-sequel-harrison-ford-han-solo-exclusive/

So Harrison Ford would be intrested in another spin... He must be terribly broke or someone told him that Lucas does not write the dialog this time.

"Indeed, Ford won’t go to the next level of contract talks until there’s a script and director in place"

So we don't have either yet, it seems.

But apparently we should 'Give It To Brad Bird (http://youtu.be/3rBpliHAVOQ)'!

[Jedieb]

These next couple of years are going to be fun. Desperate searches for any nugget of information, set pics, script rumors...

[Crusader]

EBuOHM51YdI

[Yog]

Michael Arndt to Write Screenplay for Star Wars: Episode VII (http://www.starwars.com/news/michael-arndt-to-write-screenplay-for-star-wars-episode-vii.html)

IMDB (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1578335/)

[Captain Untouchable]

Apparently, the British tabloids are reporting that Disney wants to bring back Vader. (linky (http://www.slashfilm.com/star-wars-bits-guillermo-del-toro-weighs-in-on-star-wars-directing-job-will-darth-vader-rise-from-the-ashes/))

They want to do it for marketing reasons, but I actually think it could shape up into something awesome, because of one question that springs to mind: does the public know that Anakin Skywalker was Darth Vader?

Imagine it. The Alliance, victorious, tells the galaxy that the Emperor and Darth Vader were killed aboard the Death Star. However, in order to protect the legacy of their father, Luke and Leia stick with Obi Wan's "certain point of view", and the public at large never finds out that Anakin was Vader. Forty years roll by, the New Republic (or whatever) is in full swing... and then suddenly, whatever is left of the Empire announces that Vader - the most feared man in the galaxy - is back. They've got a force user in a big black suit... and while the audience knows it can't possibly be the real Vader, there's no way to disprove it: Luke burned the body, and they can't demand a DNA test without admitting that Vader was Anakin. If they do that, then suddenly the galaxy is reminded that the incorruptible Jedi aren't so incorruptible after all, and the heroes of the Rebellion lied to cover up the truth.

Then, we're left with the identity of this new Vader as an ongoing mystery. Are they a clone? Are they an imposter? Are they someone we've met before? Do they know that Vader was Anakin? Are they connected to Anakin in any way? A secret apprentice? A secret son?

We've got an award winning writer already, and if we get a decent director on board, I'm sure they could do something pretty awesome with Vader 2.0, if there's any truth to the claim.

[Crusader]

BTW does anyone know who gets the money for the SW license in Angry Birds SW and SW: Detours?

I guess Lucas tried to cash in big while he was still holding the license :)

Oh and who has the right to distribute the old SW Movies on Blu Ray now? Twentyth Century Fox or Disney? Does this mean that the Blu Ray Box from last year will be replaced by a Disney Box soon? I am kind of glad that I still have not bought this set.

What happens to the Real Life TV Show now? Are the made arrangements already set in stone or is Disney able to alter the plans?

[Jedi Master Carr]

I could see them bringing back Vader like that. Maybe the Sith uses his to bring fear on the New Republic. I guess they also could use Vader in a dream sequence or something.

[Captain Untouchable]

What happens to the Real Life TV Show now? Are the made arrangements already set in stone or is Disney able to alter the plans?

I haven't seen anything official yet, but a live action show is the sort of thing that Disney would pounce on. They've already got Marvel working on the SHIELD series; having a Star Wars show to air on ABC as well would be a massive ratings boost for them.

As far as I know, they never got part the writing scripts stage. Who knows, maybe the Disney acquisition was the reason that the show hasn't happened yet: I'm guessing a deal like this was being talked about behind the scenes for quite a while.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Angry Birds Star Wars is very fun! :D

They use the Force and have lightsabers too. >_>

[Crusader]

I consider the Angry Birds and Detours deal as Lucas saying: "Screw this if the big sell out starts at the end of the year I will start it myself and if people do not like it they will blame it on Disney"

[Crusader]

wvJEyrPsaYQ

[Dasquian Belargic]

http://comicbook.com/blog/2013/01/05/star-wars-episode-7-top-five-predictions-for-2013/

Five Predictions for 2013!

[Jedi Master Carr]

we have a director and it is JJ Abrams
http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/174633-breaking-jj-abrams-to-direct-star-wars-episode-vii

I am very excited. He is a great director and a fan. Now on to casting decisions.

[Captain Untouchable]

we have a director and it is JJ Abrams
http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/174633-breaking-jj-abrams-to-direct-star-wars-episode-vii

I am very excited. He is a great director and a fan. Now on to casting decisions.

I'm mildly disappointed by this.

Don't get me wrong: JJ Abrams is a fantastic director. I love what he has done with Star Trek, and it's great that he is a fan. However, I recently read an interview where Abrams was talking about not wanting to direct Star Wars, which makes me wonder just what Disney had to do / offer in order to get him to change his mind.

Also, while his science fiction track record is pretty solid, Star Wars has always felt more fantasy than science fiction to me. I personally enjoyed the prequels, but I'm worried that an Abrams-directed Star Wars movie will be tilted more towards space battles, action sequences, and sex appeal, rather than the kind of all-ages fairytale adventure that the original movies were. The man who made Star Trek, Alias, Lost, Fringe, Cloverfield, and a bunch of Mission Impossible movies does not strike me as the best choice for this.

Between Disney and Abrams... I feel like I'm being a humbug over this, but I'm really not hyped at all. :(

[Droo]

I'm thrilled. This will mark the first time in decades we have a capable film-maker helming a Star Wars movie.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

darn it I was coming here to break the news!! :shakefist

I think it's a good choice, and a safe choice. He's got a proven track record with science fictiony films.

My preference was "just about anyone but Lucas" so I'm satisfied. ;)

[Crusader]

Good news! I am not uber excited but I prefer this choice over an unknown directer that only made some good commercials before or a guy who got the oscar for best foreign film.

[Jedi Master Carr]

One interesting thing in the article is Vaughn was pushing for Chole Moetz for the lead. So does that mean we will have a female character as the main? I would be cool with that and very different from the other 6 films.

[Rutabaga]

I make no secret of being a JJ Abrams fan, so I was pleasantly surprised by the news.

[Zereth Lancer]

Dammit. I was so hoping that Uwe Boll would get to direct this one. /disappointed.

[Droo]

Confirmed. For realsies! :eee

http://starwars.com/news/star-wars-is-being-kick-started-with-dynamite-jj-abrams-to-direct-star-wars-episode-vii.html

[Figrin D'an]

I was somewhat mixed when I first heard the JJ Abrams rumor. I mentioned it to my wife, whose immediate follow up comment was, "Well, think of it this way. They could have picked Michael Bay."

This made me feel much better about the choice.

[Jedieb]

Intial Reactions:
1. "YES!!!"
2. "YES, LENS FLARES!!!!"

I think Abrams is a fantastic choice. A young director, still in his prime, and like many of us, a fan who grew up loving these films. I really like what he's done with Star Trek and I think he can bring that kind of energy to Star Wars.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I hope he throws some lens flare in there just to make the people who hate him cry.

I loooove JJTrek. :love

[Rutabaga]

I hope he throws some lens flare in there just to make the people who hate him cry.

I loooove JJTrek. :love

I second that emotion. :lol

[DocMilo]

I haven't read through the whole thread so I don't know if this came up, but, does Disney acquiring Star Wars mean that Princess Leia is now going to be the newest Disney Princess?

[Jedi Master Carr]

Hey Doc it is great to see you on here again. About that I wouldn't be surprised if Disney pushes it that way. I am sure you will see it at their theme parks if nothing else,

[DocMilo]

Disney on Ice sets the battle of Hoth to dance! :)

I don't know if I'm the only one who thinks so, but I would love to see Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and the Last Command made into movies....

[Rutabaga]

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[Dasquian Belargic]

Disney on Ice sets the battle of Hoth to dance! :)

I don't know if I'm the only one who thinks so, but I would love to see Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and the Last Command made into movies....

I think that trilogy has been mentioned a lot by people trying to come up with existing post-OT story-lines that would make for interesting movies, so you're definitely not alone :)

[Jedi Master Carr]

EW is reporting that two of the spin off films will be about Boba Fett and Han Solo.
http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/02/06/star-wars-spin-offs-young-han-solo-movie-boba-fett/

Boba Fett is a no brainer and it could be cool if it is dark and deals with the underworld, bringing in Jabba and other bounty hunters like Bossk and IG-88. I suppose Darth Vader could show up in a Fett movie. I am not sold on a young Han Solo film. My only problem is casting who would step into the shoes of Han Solo?

[Barbara Nolan]

Have a thread about the spin off films :) http://www.sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=23127

[Droo]

Word is... Harrison Ford will return as Han Solo.

www.latino-review.com/2013/02/15/exclusive-harrison-ford-return-han-solo-star-wars-episode-vii/

[Dasquian Belargic]

I would not have predicted that in a million years!

[Dasquian Belargic]

http://screenrant.com/mark-hamill-star-wars-episode-7-cast-2015/

Mark Hamill is in talks to join the cast of Episode 7 :ohno

[Droo]

And now Carrie Fisher is onboard!

http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-wars/24716/confirmed-carrie-fisher-back-for-star-wars

[Dasquian Belargic]

Carrie Fisher, you surprise me!

[Darth Turbogeek]

So..... did Han sign first?

[Taataani Meorrrei]

ba-dum TSH

[Captain Untouchable]

Some celebrities were apparently asked if they would want to be in Star Wars.

Also, Joss Whedon owns eight lightsabers. :|

ERybvS9rhnA

[Dasquian Belargic]

New film coming *every* summer starting 2015 :eek

http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/176265-cinemacon-star-wars-movies-coming-every-summer-starting-in-2015

[Droo]

As much as I'd like to believe you can have both quality and quantity, I can't happily welcome this news. It looks like Disney are eager to make their money back.

[Captain Untouchable]

That's not all that impressive a claim, given that the trilogy and the stand alones will alternate. Cast overlap will be minimal; each trilogy instalment gets two years for filming and production. When you compare it to Marvel Studios releasing two movies a year, or The Hobbit releasing a trilogy at yearly intervals... they may be riding at the front of the parade, but they're still just jumping on a bandwagon. I don't see this as particularly surprising or impressive, tbh.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I will assume the movies will be entertaining at worst and great at best, and be optimistic about this. :D

[Dasquian Belargic]

I like the idea of alternating between a standalone story and an on-going story. There aren't many franchises that could pull off releasing a film with anywhere near that kind of frequency and maintain quality (I'm looking at you James Bond and Star Trek) so it'll be interesting to see whether the number of films being released has any bearing on the quality, or if the fact that the stand-alones will be strong on account of likely being made by a different creative team every time.

[Crusader]

Like Jace explained if it is orchestrated well it would not have to be a sell out and the fact that different directers and screenwriters get their shot at SW makes me kind of excited.

I said it before but my take on a SW Real Life TV show would have been a 10 episode season with each episode being a story of it's own directed by directers that are SW fans like Whedon, Kevin Smith and maybe even Tarantino.

[Droo]

7T0vs9gYydo

Looks like Han and Chewie will have an interesting relationship in the new film. :uhoh

[Lilaena De'Ville]

:D

That was great!

[Droo]

John Williams confirmed to be scoring Episode VII. Here's the word straight from the horses mouth, as it were:

kQ4jZr1w0AI

[Crusader]

Yes we can confirm that among other things after sitting in the Kathleen Kennedy panel this morning. I tell you guys she played that crowd like a violin.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Ep VII going to be filmed on actual film, instead of digital: http://nerdapproved.com/movies/episode-vii-will-be-filmed-with-actual-film-will-be-more-like-original-trilogy/

[Lilaena De'Ville]

http://mashable.com/2013/08/22/star-wars-episode-vii-film/


George Lucas made a point of turning Star Wars into a digital franchise. Episode II: Attack of the Clones was the first major movie to be shot on a digital camera, not film, and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith continued the trend. (Episode I: The Phantom Menace was a strange hybrid of forms, shot on film then quickly digitized and covered in CGI.)

But film buffs prefer the on-film look of the original trilogy movies. They were cheered Thursday when Dan Mindel (who shot both Star Trek movies for J.J. Abrams) revealed Thursday that he would be the Director of Photography on Abrams' still-untitled Star Wars Episode VII, and that he would be using 35mm film to do the job. (Kodak color negative 5129, to be precise.)


Mindel's revelation was prompted by a question from a Kodak representative at the American Society of Cinemetographers breakfast in Los Angeles. That's according to attendee Aaron Proctor, cinematographer, entrepreneur and founder of the Boba Fett Fan Club.


It's not necessarily the best news for Star Wars fans who were worried about J.J. Abrams being his signature lens flares to the saga. Mindel taught Abrams how to do lens flare during Mission Impossible 3. But they may still prefer a galaxy full of flares to the antiseptic look of the prequels.


In any case, this could be another sign that new Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy prefers an old-school style for what she calls "Ep 7," the movie that will follow Return of the Jedi in Star Wars' internal chronology.


"The conversation we're having all the time now about Episode VII is how much CGI," Kennedy told fans at the Star Wars Celebration convention in Germany last month. "We're looking at what the early Star Wars films did; they used real locations with special effects. So we're going to find some very cool locations, we're going to end up using every single tool in the toolbox."


Ain't It Cool News writer Harry Knowles adds rumors he's hearing from Lucasfilm's Industrial Light and Magic, that the the company is growing its model shop. Veteran Lucasfilm designer Iain McCaig also mentioned at Celebration, without comment, that he has been sketching lots of Rancors recently. (The Rancor was the stop-motion model defeated by Luke Skywalker in Jabba's Palace).

i love this news. :)

[Crusader]

It is actually quite impressive how much media love we already had so far. A set video and a bunch of set photos, casting information coming in every two weeks and my personal favorite: A confirmed Falcon and X-Wing set.

[Jedieb]

I don't go out of my way to watch anything Kevin Smith related, but this video of him talking about his EP7 set visit is awesome. I'm not ashamed to say I started tearing up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4-j4l7N7_M

But like a man, I cried like a man....

[Droo]

That was a wonderful story. :3: