Guys, where there's smoke there's fire. I don't know why people are also so quick to debunk something as simple as a casting just because you don't have an official announcement or the papers haven't been signed.

Per today's Business Week major article on the Disney acquisition of LFL:

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/20 ... -star-wars



Is Lucas blowing smoke too? Give it a rest: Carrie, Harrison and Mark are back.

I was just going to post this too! You beat me to it.

What I found most interesting about that article is how the timing went down. Lucasfilm already had the ball rolling on Episode VII well before the acquisition, including hiring the writer and casting. It seems like Disney input has been minimal at this point.

Admittedly, that fact takes some of the bad taste away for this project feeling forced.

It also means I won't be surprised when they make Episodes X-XII in 2030.

I like the fact he already had sketches in mid summer. So that means his artist have been drawing and sketching for a about a year now.

Except in the Bloomberg piece Disney says in effect several times "we made it clear that LFL may have this stuff in the works, but WE get final say on EVERYTHING." Bad taste...still there.

Based on the incredible track record Disney has had with its acquisition of Pixar and Marvel, that instills confidence in me. I can't say the same for LFL over the last decade and a half.

Of all the people who post in this forum, you crush LFL more than almost everyone. I'd expect Disney assuming a veto power for quality control would be a good thing to you.

I get what you both are saying. I agree that Disney is managing its current properties well. And, so far, they've seemed to make good decisions with Episode 7. However, this is the first live action film without The Maker's final blessing. In turn, it's almost guaranteed that there will be some very un-Star-Wars-like moments within the film. To me, if the end product is largely entertaining, I don't think this dissonance will matter (to anyone who isn't an unreasonable purist).

Based on the interview, it sounds like the TV show is on super-deep freeze. Disney doesn't want to step on the 6 films. So, the LAS probbaly won't air until at least a decade from now (if at all).

Really though, Marvel Studios had a lot in the works when the Disney purchase happened, up to and including Avengers I believe. I'm curious to see what an all Disney-fied Marvel film looks like. That said, I guess in light of this newer stance that Lucas was already plotting out EPVII before he sold, I'm curious what the blend will produce. Disney seems to be stating at every turn how they want to let the creators create.

And that sounds great to me in regards to Star Wars, but it isn't like Star Wars (EP-ANY) was jammed full of subversive messages anyways. The heroes are called "Rebels", and that's about as counterculture as it gets. At what point during the OT or the PT do you think, "Whoa, obviously this isn't a Disney movie" to yourself? I'm just talking out of my ass, but I'm wondering what kind of negative effect could their involvement really produce? "Oh no, they made it look like a cartoon", well fuck you Sy Snoodles, GL did that in 1985 so where is the disconnect? I'm just curious, but I'm not too worried about their involvement.

Utter. Nonsense.

I will cop to being utterly disgusted with their handling of the home-video release of the OT, and can't back off that position, but I certainly haven't slagged LFL on principle. You're on the other hand seem convinced that Disney is somehow going to save SW, and apparently that it needs saving, while I've said all along (look it up) that I believe in Lucas' concept for the PT, despite him bobbling the execution; that it would be really nice if LFL could get back to actually making movies, and that I was baffled by people who celebrated Lucas not being involved in the new films.

I have said that nothing Disney has said or done since November has been about creative direction, and has been entirely focused on how awesome the purchase is for shareholders. That's...disheartening and combined with the comments about Disney dictating to LFL on story, raises specters of focus-group storytelling, and marketing running the show.

The confidence in the whole venture based on Marvel (which Disney is hands-off with) and Pixar (which Disney is joyfully turning into a second-rate sequel factory) just doesn't add up to me. Who knows, maybe it'll all be sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns and you can say " 'told you so" in two years - I want great SW, and I'll own up to that, happily, if it comes to pass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq7iRPtmjwI

A trailer like this both excites and worries me about JJ Abrams and Star Wars. There's a bunch of shots here that very well could be from a Star Wars movie.

JJ claims he initially didn't want to take on the project because he thought he would be retreading similar territory and after seeing trailers like this it's a very valid point.



The inference I made wasn't that Disney was "saving" Star Wars, it was that they have a better recent track record for handling major properties. I do think LFL had lost its way, primarily because Lucas is no longer motivated to deliver quality material. Desperation begets success and Lucas was no longer desperate. As a result, there's been a severe lack of quality control around LFL - everything from the polish on the prequels to the DVDs and the video games...it's all been absolute shit for over a decade. Debacle after debacle.

The lone exception here is Clone Wars and I would argue that Dave Filoni has been given incredible control over the execution. Lucas gets to do what he does best - ideate - and lets more hungry, more desperate people get to work.

Regarding what Disney has said or done about Star Wars, the only voice you have to reference is the CEO. Who does the CEO speak for again? The shareholders. When's the last time you heard Bob Iger comment on Phase 2 of the Marvel Universe or Pixar's next big sequel? You'll usually hear those things from Kevin Feige and John Lasseter. It's not Bob Iger's job to comment on the creative direction of Star Wars, it's Kathleen Kennedy's. Right now you're not hearing anything about creative direction because there's been absolutely nothing for them to talk about aside from making director/writer announcements.

Show me a comment where Iger or anyone from Disney has stated that they will "dictate" story to LFL. It doesn't exist. There's nothing to suggest Disney won't leave the creative forces at LFL to produce great work. The closest comment I've seen regarding Disney influencing Star Wars product in any way was a comment about Disney having a quality control check. Not unreasonable considering they own the property. It's good business sense. And like I said before, based on the shit LFL was putting out I'd be happier if the next "Force Unleashed" doesn't see the light of day.

Regarding Lucas and his "vision" for Star Wars; he wrote the treatments for the Sequel Trilogy and will be on hand to do what he does best: provide guidance and creative inspiration to filmmakers wanting to play in his universe. This isn't the end for Lucas and Star Wars. It's probably where he's most useful given this stage in his career.

I would be shocked - I mean shocked - if that happens. Especially if its over where the film is being shot.

It wouldnt just make Disney look bad, it would make Abrams look like a huge tool.

del Toro : Jackson
Abrams : Lucas
?


(I'm just kidding, I don't see Lucas EVER again consenting to work under a studio, especially at this point in his life...as if Disney would even want him back, with all their PR about "new blood".)

Lucasfilm quick to deny the rumour:

Per IGN:

"There is no truth to the rumor," a Lucasfilm rep told us. "JJ is having a great time working on the script and is looking forward to going into production next year."

http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/07/22/w ... pisode-vii

http://latino-review.com/2013/07/24/exc ... isode-vii/

Latino Review says Gosling and Efron up for SW7 roles.

Also echoes LFL denial that Abrams is leaving.

Interesting.
Now just wait for the geek chorus of "if either of them are in this I WON'T SEE IT!! WAAAAAAA!!!!"

I'm a big Ryan Gosling fan and I actually thought Efron would've been ideal for the Spider-man reboot but I'm not sure I'm all for the casting of established stars. Did George do it in the prequels? Sure, but they were mostly in supporting roles. Ewan, Hayden and Natalie certainly weren't marquee names at the time (still aren't really).

That said, although I didn't enjoy the last Star Trek movie, I can't deny Abrams' talent for casting. I have faith that he'll ultimately make the right decisions.

Yahoo Movie News Puts Words in Kathleen Kennedy's Mouth
http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/star-wars-7- ... 49024.html



She didn't say the new movies will have "less CGI." She said they plan to use everything they have in their "toolbox" to make these movies. Dontcha just love reporters...

Dunno how legit this is, but it mentions some things I don't think we've heard before, including that shooting is to begin this Summer, although we've heard early 2014 for a while now. And it states that Filming will begin with battle scenes being shot in a quarry overlooking the sprawling Bluewater complex not far from London, UK. Filming will also take place in various locations in Los Angeles and New Mexico.

http://www.featurefilmcasting.com/2013/ ... ature.html

But it still ain't official until it's official...

Ep.VII Filming to start August 2013??

"Further to this we understand that the film has been in pre-production at Pinewood Studios for three and a half months in advance of an August 2013 shooting date. We hear they have block booked the studios for 10 years and that construction of offices and facilities on-site is underway. Also storage space is being located in the local area."

Disney D23 Expo SW Announcement

The Lucasfilm panel will be held at 1030 Pacific on Saturday where I'm told we will get confirmation that Mark, Carrie and Harrison are on board for Episode VII.

Cool! I'd prefer some real news instead of all this sneakin' around...

I'll be there.

Pablo Hidalgo is doing a Star Wars 101 panel that same day as well. I guess this is going to be Disney's big coming out party with Star Wars. I'm definitely looking forward to this weekend but man is this going to be weird (for me at least).

This could just be misdirection, but if true, I guess I'm done giving a rat's ass about D23 before I even started: Iger says Disney/LFL "speechless" re: Ep.VII @ D23

Lucasfilm has been working on the movie for over a goddamn year but there's somehow nothing to say?

They've just started casting a month ago. Aside from confirming Hamill, Carrie, Ford and the droids (which would be big news, although expected), I don't know what else they could say about the film. Wether people like it or not, it's just too soon.

At least a hint of where the story is going? Who will be in it and what about a piece of production art?
I mean, for the Prequels, we got this:






In ten months, they won't even throw us a freakin' bone? That's effing deplorable.

Remember, Star Wars is under new management now. Give Lucas credit where credit is due: no one could tease a movie like Lucasfilm under George's stewardship and the dearth of info we've seen thus far is proof positive.

I picked up my badge for Saturday yesterday afternoon and didn't even get a hint of Star Wars or Lucasfilm's presence there. Lots of Marvel and Mickey but that's about it.

I remember that Episode 1 image like it was yesterday. It made its way into ROTJ for the SE's:

http://images.wikia.com/starwars/images/5/57/Coruscant_air_bus1.png

Even before that, I recall reading rumours that the Falcon would make an appearance and there was some kind of concept art paired with that in a magazine (maybe Insider?)

Before the web spoiled everything, Insider had all the exclusive goods! The lead-up to the prequels was as emotional and exciting as the movies themselves. Give us a tease Big D.

This isn't the news you're looking for...

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/08/10/star-wars-d23/

“Look forward to Episode 7 in the summer of 2015. It’s going to be great. It’ll be great.”

But at least summer 2015 is now confirmed. Other than that...

To that, all I can say is "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"

I reckon I was thrown for a bit of a loop.

I really don't know what Disney is waiting for, this was the company's chance to make a huge splash and they blew it.

I did catch Mary Franklin at the Darth Vader exhibit on the floor and picked up one of the Black Series figures from a vendor but other than that the Star Wars/Lucasfilm presence here is minimal.

I'm surprised they skipped Comic-Con. Celebration Europe and this were their chances to show something. I should think they have the cast close to being locked by now.

Here's the thing: people are dying for any bit of Star Wars here at D23. If they had just thrown some headshots of the Mark, Carrie and Harrison up on the screen and said, "They're back," it would have gone over huge. This whole silent treatment deal is just infuriating a primed fan base.

I asked Pablo when can we expect to hear some Episode VII news:

Yet other sources say that shooting begins this month.

http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/08/14/r ... pisode-vii

More Palpatine rumours for Episode VII.

Palpating ghost is plausible. That was my first thought as well, that he could be manipulating things from beyond the grave.

How do you create a greater threat than Palpatine? He and Vader really can't be topped.

The only other direction to go would be a personal struggle. Luke, his kids or whoever. I think the latter is less likely because it limits the canvas and the scope of the conflict.

If Sidious can return as a ghost, it would go against the "requirement" of selflessness to become one. Fortunately this whole deal is just a rumour.

Agree, although the whole "Force ghost" plot thread was totally eliminated from the final cut of ROTS.

I still don't think the Sith should have Force ghosts, but maybe Sidious ports his consciousness into some Sith temple ala Jor-El in Man of Steel?

OR maybe Sidious appears in another "dark side cave-like" sequence?

The EU talks about Yoda encountering Sidious in the Dagobah cave:

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Dark_Side_Cave

The ghost thing never really was explained, despite George's intentions. And the theory is compounded by the Hayden ghost in Jedi. Young Anakin didn't go out selflessly.

And what was the blue shit that came out of the Death Star shaft when Palpatine died?

Yoda's upcoming arc in The Clone Wars may shed some light on this all. Form the CEII:

Where do we hear that is the requirement and only way?
Palpatine did say the Sith knew how to prevent death and other "unnatural abilities" Maybe their "force ghosts" are red instead of Blue.

And using Young Hayden as ghost makes it possible to use him again in sequels, wouldn't it?

Some are suggesting his ghost will be summoned via a Sith Holocron.

I really think any mention or reoccurrence of Palpatine in the sequel trilogy diminishes the nature of evil in the Star Wars films. It's basically saying that Sidious is the source of all evil in these films when clearly Lucas has a very different point of view.

Evil isn't a single person or some mystical energy field, it's our own actions and the way we lie to ourselves about our actions and that's something that's timeless and transcendent. If the filmmakers of the next trilogy feel the need to rely on a crutch as obvious as the villain from the last six films in order to propel the story for the next three then they've already failed in my eyes.

Anakin did go out selflessly. And his Force appearance is represented by his young, undisfigured self.



Not in the movies (the scene was cut), but from Lucas.



Yes, and it would make much more sense.

These 9 films are about the Skywalker family. I think the inclusion of Sidious is more along the lines of a consistent plot device than a comment on Evil. Sidious was the main antagonist in lives of Anakin and Luke. It only makes sense to have Palpatine have some sort of negative influence over the next generation of Skywalker's.