Hollywood Reporter has word that Oscar nominated actress Felicity Jones (Amazing Spider-Man 2, Like Crazy, The Theory of Everything) is now in talks with Lucasfilm for the female lead in Gareth Edwards' untitled Star Wars film. Jones had been linked along with actresses Rooney Mara, Kate Mara and Orphan Black's Tatiana Maslany.
Rumors had suggested otherwise as it was said that Tatiana Maslany was the frontrunner, that seems to be untrue from this new trade report. The film she's working on that led to her dropping out of a play is actually a indie starring opposite Dane DeHaan.
They are also reporting that actors Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) and Edgar Ramirez (Zero Dark Thirty) in the mix for the male lead. There had been suggestions that male lead could be Han Solo and Paul was rumored for that part. This might mean that Edgar could be taking that Boba Fett, but nothing says that's indeed the role.
After Lucasfilm hiring Oscar Isaac in The Force Awakens, there is hope they'll be hiring more latino actors for lead roles.
Latino Review recently suggested that both Boba Fett and Solo would be featured in the film, could there be two male leads?
We should come to expect not to really trust the word of pop-up sites when it comes to Star Wars news. There have been a couple of interesting ones but likely very untrue rumors circling recently.
They include the very busy Michael Fassbender linked for the Boba Fett role (unlikely due to X-Men and Assassin's Creed productions) and Tatiana Maslany playing Sabine from Rebels.
Just a couple of days ago we speculated on the latter, but nothing actually is pointing to that being factual besides the timeline. It's funny that one site's speculation can be another's rumor.
Latino Review has an interesting bit of news concerning what aliens we might be seeing return for The Force Awakens. They've learned that J.J. Abrams had a couple of expensive Hutts created for the film, and there is talk they could end-up being redressed or altered to be included in the spin-offs.
Here's what the site has to say about the Hutts returning.
Well, I can forward that timeline for you today: there are Hutts in The Force Awakens, we know because those Hutts have been practically built. I know there is more than one Hutt, but unsure how many exactly are going to show up. The process of constructing these Hutts began over a year ago, so you can imagine how my ears perked up when it was rumored that the Star Wars spin-off film would be “sharing assets” with The Force Awakens, despite being in different time periods. Last time I speculated this would mostly be ships and interiors, but how hard can it be to re-dress a Hutt? Reaching out to a source, I was told: “I’m sure their existence could have factored in to them being included, or the expenditure was made because it was all coordinated.” In other words: if JJ wanted expensive Hutts, it might have been okay since they could be used down the line.
The site previously reported that to save money on the productions Lucasfilm would be repurposing sets and props across different films. This makes a lot of sense and could allow the studio to turnout more in-camera shots, which according to Oscar Isaac during his interview on The Daily Show is "mostly practical with limited green screen work".
The Hutt Fleet
In the case of the Hutts, they are just as important and influential as the Empire itself along with the Mandalorians. Considering they basically run the criminal underworld which includes bounty hunters, smugglers, pirates and assassins in their employment. Controlling entire systems, planets and commanding fleets of their own attack ships. There inclusion wouldn't be a spoiler in the least, considering they have been heavily involved in the Clone Wars and will likely have a role to play in Rebels as well.
We're not just talking about Jabba, as there are many different Hutts operating all over the galaxy not just on Tatooine. It's possible that we could see Jabba's replacement in The Force Awakens, since it's said we could be returning to desert planet which might be homestead of Daisy Ridley's Rey.
A lot of leaked concept art points to the return to Tatooine include Rey's home which is made out of a destroyed AT-AT imperial walker.
This isn't the first time we've heard the Hutts mentioned for new Star Wars films.
AICN reported that Lucas had been talking-up story ideas Jabba during the meetings for the spin-offs. Then again, they were also citing a Yoda spin-off becoming the first of the standalone films which at this point isn't the case.
Oh - and I've also heard tale of a JABBA story that Lucas has floated to some of his buddies.
By the sounds of things Gareth Edwards' film could very well be a combo of a lot of these ideas which could include bounty hunters, Han Solo and Boba Fett. We know that all them have a history together which could be explored in the spin-offs.
A couple of weeks ago it was confirmed by Gary Whitta (Walking Dead, Book of Eli) that he would be moving on from penning the script for Gareth Edwards' Star Wars spin-off to focus on Fox's adaptation of Mark Millar's Starlight.
Some sites were reporting that franchise writer-producer Simon Kinberg could be coming in to replace Whitta, but that doesn't seem to the be case.
The Hollywood Reporter says that Lucasfilm has hired About A Boy, A Better Life and Cinderella writer Chris Weitz to handle rewrites. It's unknown if the script will be getting page-one rewrites or just touch-ups since production is expected to be soon as casting is already underway. Weitz is an Oscar nominated writer thanks to About A Boy which should help fans feel better about his connections to Twilight.
Latino Review is also giving a bit more insight into the film's plot which had said to revolve around a group of bounty hunters hired to secure the Death Star plans for the Rebel Alliance.
They are also stating that the spin-off will be shooting on location in Mexico with the country possibly doubling for Geonosis, last seen in Attack of The Clones and where Jango Fett was killed by Mace Windu.
This connection to the Fetts might explain why they are hearing that both Han Solo and Boba Fett are going to be in this film.
We've been hearing for ages that these spin-offs would be focusing on one or the other, but having both as major characters would give more freedom to the other spin-offs. Along with exploring their history with each other which was teased in the two original sequels.
How they fit into the film is currently a mystery but it's possible they could have lead roles in this film. At the very least could be setting up their own movies in the future like Josh Trank's untitled sequel. since we know Solo has a criminal past as a smuggler
Concerning the film's casting lineup it's looking like the lead might be a female character. The studio is already reportedly looking at actresses such as Kate Mara, Rooney Mara, Tatiana Maslany and Felicity Jones.
It's possible this character could be already established in the universe, in my opinion it might end-up being linked to Boba Fett or the Rebel Alliance. Latino Review seemed to be taking guesses at what the role could be including characters from Clone Wars, but a couple obvious choices are being left-out and I'm not entirely sure about Lucasfilm setting a film around characters that obscure.
I wouldn't be entirely surprised if we saw Star Wars Rebels' Sabine turnout to be this female character the actresses are testing for. We've been hearing that Rebels which is now confirmed to be set in official canon is likely set during the time period when this spin-off is taking place. Allowing for the characters to interact with people like a young Han Solo or Boba Fett.
Sabine fits the timeline of this spin-off and is the right age for casting.
There has even been hints that characters from the show could be showing-up in this spin-offs or will end-up getting their own movies. Another rumor is that new characters setup in the spin-offs would start appearing in the main films. In the case of Gareth's film would likely be played by older actors if they crossover into Rian Johnson's Episode VIII.
Sabine could be sent into a group of bounty hunters posing as one of them but officially working for the Rebels who are likely bankrolling this daring heist. She could be placed into the group to make sure they don't hand over the plans over to criminals like the Hutts for even more cash or sellout to the Empire by sabotaging the mission.
There's been some talk that Boba's wife or daughter (likely changed to Jango's daughter to fit timeline) could be the character as well. Sabine is Mandorlian and it wouldn't be hard to imagine her actually being related to Jango, maybe being his legitimate daughter and revealed to be the sister of Boba. We know that family plays a big role with the original trilogy and it could become a theme here as well.
Having a film that explores the Mandorlian culture would be something we've never had with the films. Considering they are just as important as the jedi, sith and criminal underworld in the expanded universe.
It's possible we could see the Mandorlian Wars folded into the new films at some point. Since filmmakers are now allowed to pick bits from the games and books for the new films.
However, there is other information that speculates that if a spin-offs did include Fett it would sort of reboot the character slightly. Making a new mystery person behind the mask after killing the Jango clone then becoming the Boba Fett persona.
Prequel fans I'm sure would go nuts but honestly severing ties to the prequels is a good thing. Lucasfilm has already established Stormtroopers aren't clones anymore, so it's possible they could boot the clone Boba as well. Re-establishing a bit of mystery with the character which did make his character cooler not really knowing his origin.
The Hollywood Reporter is giving us our first casting news concerning Gareth Edwards' (Godzilla, Monsters) untitled Star Wars spin-off. Actresses Tatiana Maslany and Rooney Mara are testing for the unnamed female lead in the film.
The film is said to focus on a crack team of bounty hunters gathering intel and blueprints of the Death Star. This has been our first hint that lead could be a female character.
It's release date has been set for December 15th, 2016 and production is expected to start-up very soon as reflected by this casting news. The script was provided by Gary Whitta (Walking Dead, Book of Eli) and is said to be getting rewrites from Simon Kinberg (Fantastic Four, Rebels, X-Men Days of Future Past).
Tatiana is best known for her well received series Orphan Black where she plays multiple roles in the show which is reason for her direct praise. She also was in the running for the Sarah Connor role in Terminator: Genisys losing out to Games of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke .
Rooney Mara recently broke-out thanks to her Oscar nominated role in David Fincher's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
They also mention that Oscar nominee Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything, Like Crazy) is also on a wish-list but won't be testing as of yet.
Another bit of info that has come out is that Simon Kinberg and Lawrence Kasdan have indeed worked together on the script for Josh Trank's (Fantastic Four, Chronicle) other Star Wars spin-off movie.
Trank's film might actually turnout to be that Boba Fett film we've been hearing Kasdan had been writing. Then again, Gareth's film is said to focus on bounty hunters.
Just a couple of days ago it was confirmed that screenwriter Gary Whitta (Book of Eli, Walking Dead) would be leaving Gareth Edwards' untitled Star Wars spin-off. The writer would be moving-on to focus on adapting Mark Millar's comic Starlight for 20th Century Fox.
Another writer was expected to take his place since the film has a release date of December 16, 2016. As a new rumor coming from Slash Film suggests that Rebels writer-producer Simon Kinberg could be taking over where Whitta left-off.
/Film has learned, but was unable to confirm, that it will be Simon Kinberg. At Lucasfilm, Kinberg is a consultant on The Force Awakens, a writer and producer on Star Wars Rebels, and writer of at least one standalone movie. Whether or not that became this film or is another remains unclear. But Kinberg will be taking over duties for Whitta on this movie.
This shouldn't be too shocking to anyone who has been following the Lucasfilm development deals for future Star Wars projects. It was announced a while back by Lucasfilm that both Simon Kinberg (X-Men Days of Future Past, Fantastic Four) and Lawarence Kasdan (Raiders of The Lost Ark) would be handling the Star Wars spin-offs, taking-on duties of both writers and producers.
Kasdan was said to be penning the Boba Fett movie scrupt which has been in the works for at least four years. The bounty hunter's creator Joe Johnston confirmed he was pitching a Fett film to George Lucas back in 2011. Fett was mentioned along with Han Solo and Yoda as characters potentially getting spin-off installments.
Larry would later be called-up to rewrite The Force Awakens script with director J.J. Abrams. A huge promotion for him but sort of expected since Larry had penned but Empire Strikes Back and Return of The Jedi previously.
Simon is another story, helping spearhead the successful animated series Star Wars Rebels. Like The Cone Wars, is series that is canonical to the original trilogies and new films. A huge task for any writer or producer to keep in order.
He's also heavily involved with other major projects at 20th Century Fox and Sony. Partnering with Neill Blomkamp on his films Elysium and Chappie. He's also instrumental in the development of Fox's X-Men and Fantastic Four franchises as writer-producer.
Seeing Kinberg make the jump to writing the Star Wars spin-off films feels like it was already apart of his original deal with Lucasfilm. Considering that Simon was an established screenwriter before signing-on for his Star Wars deal.
As per usual the details surrounding the film from Godzilla director Gareth Edwards are varied and unconfirmed.
However, there was talk from reliable Slash Film that the movie could revolve around a group of bounty hunters who are tasked to secure the Death Star plans. These plans helped the rebels destroy it during the original film.
Could this end-up being out Boba Fett movie since he's the most notorious bounty hunter?
You might remember that LucasArts was planning on release a video game with the working title Star Wars 1313 (demo footage above). It seemingly would focus on the underworld of the Star Wars universe which included thieves and bounty hunters.
After it's eventually cancelation along with a Darth Maul game, it was revealed 1313 was in fact a Boba Fett game with players being placed in the role of the legendary bounty-hunting Mandalorian. Concept art revealed that he would be working with a team of fellow bounty hunters in the game.
While it's possible the Lucasfilm/Disney merger could have killed many of the games LucasArts had in development. They could have also given it the axe because of this Boba Fett movie was in the works and the wanted to fold the game into the film's development. Again, this first spin-off is said to focus on a team bounty hunters and would be set around the time Boba was still alive.
In my opinion, this very likely could be the Boba Fett centric film we've been hearing about for years.
We've been quite curious what Lucasfilm has been planning with these Star Wars spin-offs. They've hired both Godzilla's Gareth Edwards and Fantastic Four's Josh Trank to direct two of these unnamed films. While we've heard rumblings that they could be solo films focusing on Han Solo, Obi Wan Kenobi and Boba Fett.
SlashFilm has got their hands on possible story details concerning Gareth Edward's Star Wars spin-off. Considering all the leaks going on over at Lucasfilm it wouldn't be shocking if this was solid info. Apparently, the film will be set before the events of A New Hope (Episode IV), and will involve a heist to steal the Death Star plans. Something that was greatly teased in the original film. The group of people put together to pull-off this heist, just happen to be bounty hunters and not rebels.
It should be noted that this is the same world that Boba Fett inhabits, and he'll very much be active during these events. We've heard for a while now that indeed one of these spin-offs would focus on the mysterious bounty hunter, who had his secret past ruined by Attack of The Clones. LatinoReview has said that his origin would be greatly altered in spin-offs. Basically, forget that whole clone thing it's going to be fixed by Lucasfilm.
The cancelled Star Wars game 1313, was also going to explore Fett's origins and the teaser for the game opens with a heist. The talk is the project along with others in development were cancelled, so that those characters and stories could be saved for Disney owned content. Lots of speculation pointed to a future Boba Fett film being the main reason for the game's demise.
A Boba Fett movie has been in the works for some time. It was only in the last year or so that it's been rumored Larry Kasdan (Empire Strikes Back, Force Awakens) penned a Boba Fett script. Joe Johnston (Captain America, Jurassic Park 3) Fett's creator was pitching movie ideas to Lucasfilm back in 2011. We know that Kasdan and Simon Kinberg were originally hired by the studio to oversee it's spin-offs, but obviously Larry helped out with Force Awakens. It's quite possible screenwriter Garry Whitta could be developing a script based on an original outline from Kasdan.
Could this mean Gareth Edward's Star Wars film will focus on Boba Fett? SOURCE: SLASHFILM
Aussie cinematographer Greig Fraser (Zero Dark Thirty, Let Me In, Snow White And The Huntsman, The Gambler, Killing Them Softly, Foxcatcher) confirms to HitFix that he'll be joining the crew of a Star Wars spin-off. The untitled film will be directed by Godzilla's Gareth Edwards. There are some rumblings this could be Boba Fett or Han Solo movie.
“I’m doing a [frick]ing Star Wars movie, which is like – I don’t know about you but Star Wars is like my first film love, do you know what I mean?… Gareth is doing a standalone film. Of course I do know some specifics, but it’s obviously something I’ve signed my kidneys away for.”
Today, Disney's Bob Iger officially confirmed that Lucasfilm will be making "at least" three spin-off movies. We don't know exactly what they'll be, but Lawrence Kasdan (Episode VII, Empire Strikes Back, Return of The Jedi) has been linked for writing the Boba Fett movie. Other candidates include Jabba The Hutt, Yoda, Han Solo and a possible movie based on the new cartoon series Rebels.
Another tidbit was also mentioned by BadassDigest relaying the rumor that Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner is currently meeting with Bad Robot. Abrams' production company is working on the Star Wars films, so it's expected this could be connected to Episode VII. It's been revealed that casting hasn't completed, with actors such as Zac Efron and Lupita Nyong'o still in the mix.
Considering her red-locks it's hard not to think she'd make an excellent Mara Jade. Originally in the novels, she is the disciple of Darth Vader and marries Luke Skywalker. As Lucasfilm is scrapping legacy/expanded universe canon, it's possible they could insert her into the new trilogies. It wouldn't hurt to pair her up with Ben Skywalker, if they do indeed to focus on the children. That said, we really have no clue what characters will be used.
A Boba Fett movie has been talked about since 2011, it actually came from the lips of his co-creator Joe Johnston (Honey I Shrunk The Kids, Rocketeer, Jurassic Park 3, Captain America: The First Avenger). He confirmed his plans to make the spin-off and mentioned a treatment existed at the time, we recently heard that Fett's second co-creator Larry Kasdan (Episode VII, Empire Strikes Back, Return of The Jedi, Raiders of The Lost Ark) is being tasked to script the project (via JonSchnepp).
LatinoReview is adding a few new details to what we've already heard about the spin-off. First, that Joe Johnston is indeed wanted for the director's chair, being at the top of the studio's wish-list, something I've been hearing since Joe first talked about it during Captain America press tours in 2011. Of course, things change and considering that LR is giving it a possible release date of 2018, it would allow time for Joe to direct another feature first.
To counter-act the prequels, the Boba Fett spin-off movie planned for 2018 has an interesting twist pitched by Episode VII writer Lawrence Kasdan: the spin-off will start with a complete stranger killing Boba Fett and taking his armor, starting a Man-With-No-Name bounty hunter tale. So: someone kills the Boba Fett from the prequels and takes his armor and name. One this is for certain is that Kasdan didn’t like the prequel and wants no Bobba Fett Clone in the spin-off film. Sounds a lot like a Western and it sounds like it could restore a fan-favorite character that was totally a little boy with thousands of versions of his father running around. Or it could just be a lot of stupid rib-elbowing about this stranger doomed to fall into a Sarlaac pit in the most anti-climatic franchise exit ever. Lastly I was told by 3 sources, reps etc, etc…(so call who ever you want) that Captain American director Joe Johnston is on top of the list to direct the spin-off, which makes sort of sense since he began his career as a concept artist and effects technician on the first Star Wars film. REMEMBER NOW before you all go and say he’s directing the project, I never said he has the job, just that he’s on top of the list, lets get that perfectly clear.
It was reported by THR that Joe is in talks to direct alien invasion flick Extinction. A project that could begin shooting before a possible 2016-2017 production start for Boba Fett. Johnston recently directed the indie-thriller Not Safe For Work, which has yet to land a release date. There had been some hope that Johnston would actually take the reigns of the Star Wars franchise before Abrams was hired, along with returning to the Jurassic Park universe with Jurassic World. There is still some question who will end up directing Indiana Jones 5, as Steven Spielberg could decided to walk if it turns out to be a reboot. Having Joe involved with the new era Star Wars universe, could be a great way to keep the connections to the original trilogy.
The details about killing-off the prequel clone, is yet to be confirmed by other sources but sounds interesting. Severing connections to the prequels is the right way to go with this spin-off, and it's a way to return the mysterious origin of the bounty hunter. This sort of sounds like the possible plot points of the cancelled Boba Fett video game, which had the title of 1313.
We've been hearing rumblings of a Boba Fett spin-off since 2011, coming straight from the mouth of his creator Joe Johnston. Joe had mentioned the project during press interviews for Captain America: The First Avenger. It seemed that Johnston was serious about the project as he had showed a outline or first draft to Lucas, trying to get the spin-off made back then. Since that statement Joe exited both the Captain America and Jurassic Park franchises. Nothing says that Joe will be directing this movie, but since he created and design the character it's expected he'll be heavily involved.
It was confirmed by Disney and Lucasfilm the studio was aiming to release spin-off films between the main episodic installments. Giving fans a Star Wars Universe film every year, what those would be wouldn't be entirely known. There had been rumblings and sources that pointed to Han Solo, Yoda and Fett prequels being serious contenders. The latter was taken more serious by myself, when 1313 (a sandbox prequel game centred around Boba Fett) was cancelled.
A trade also reported that Zack Snyder (Dawn of The Dead, 300, Watchmen, Man of Steel, Batman Vs Superman) had pitched a jedi-focused spin-off inspired by The Seven Samurai to Lucasfilm. Zack would double-up with Warner Bros. taking on Batman Vs Superman and possibly Justice League (if BVS isn't already that) in the future. I'd love it if they considered this one over a Solo or Yoda film, for the expected release date of second spin-off in 2018.
A new rumor coming from AMC could give the Boba Fett project new legs and become the first one to go into production. As an industry guest revealed that Larry Kasdan (Empire Strikes Back, Return of The Jedi, Raiders of The Lost Ark) is being tasked to write the film. Larry was recently hired along with Simon Kinberg to write Star Wars spin-offs and future episodes, but ultimately replaced Michael Arndt as the screenwriter on Episode VII.
The first spin-off is expected to be released sometime in 2016, so having a script in development at the moment would make sense and put the project on the right path to go into production likely in late 2014 or early 2015. The timeline of the project is unknown but a prequel is very likely. I'm sure that Larry is pretty much helping out Lucafilm outline their entire new features, since Kinberg is now busy at Fox with writing-producing Fantastic Four and X-Men: Apocalypse.
CNBC has word directly from Disney CEO Bob Iger that the company is looking towards a slew of Star Wars standalone films that will be released between 2015-2021. Episode VII director J.J. Abrams will be consulting the films as well. Iger also confirmed that Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg will be writing two separate movies. This is the first confirmation from Disney that these films are actually happening.
I can confirm to you today that in fact we are working on a few standalone films, Larry Kasdan and Simon Kinberg are both working on films derived from great Star Wars characters that are not part of the overall saga. We still plan to make Star Wars 7, 8, and 9 roughly over a six-year period of time, starting in 2015. But there are going to be a few other films released in that period, too.
Disney CEO Bob Iger tells @jboorstin$DIS is working on stand-alone films derived from Star Wars characters; films released betw. 2015-2021
— CNBC (@CNBC) February 5, 2013
A recent update pointed out that J.J. Abrams has asked for the purposed 2015 release date for Episode VII be non-committal. Likely, to allow him to oversee other projects like Mission: Impossible 5, Star Trek 3 and the round of Star Wars spin-offs. There wasn't a confirmation from Disney if the films would be focusing on Yoda, Jabba or Boba Fett. Joe Johnston's Boba Fett film has been in the works since 2011.
AICN is reporting that they're hearing that Disney/LucasFilm are hot to get production started on the first of many spin-off Star Wars films. They say that the first one will focus on Master Yoda. Details are scarce but it could involve him during his 800 years of training jedi or after the events of Episode III. I would be curious to find out if this is the same project that Zack Snyder was pitching to the studio which was going to be inspired by The Seven Samurai. Either way the studio wants Yoda to be the first spin-off.
Someone on twitter quickly suggested Andy Serkis if they go with a motion capture/CGI mix for Yoda. Serkis has been the biggest name in the motion capture performance playing Gollum in LOTR/Hobbit films, Caesar in Rise/Dawn of The Planet of The Apes along with Captain Haddock in the Tintin films. An excellent choice but they could also look to use a more puppet/CGI rig that could see Frank Oz return as well.
They also briefly mention that a Jabba film is also in the works. That could follow the criminal world of the Huts and very well could be combined with Joe Johnston's Boba Fett. Joe had been mentioning in interviews back in 2011 he was pitching a Boba Fett movie to Lucas.
Writers Lawrence Kasdan (Empire Strikes Back, Return of The Jedi, Raiders of The Lost Ark) and Simon Kinberg (X-Men Days of Future Past) were hired to write unnamed off-shoots, so it's possible they're already working on treatments/outlines. LucasFilm is said to be looking at Marvel Studios for inspiration releasing solo adventures then a giant even film (an Episode installment) every 2-3 years.
According to a new EW (via GeekTyrant) interview with LucasFilm head Kathleen Kennedy they indeed plan on using the Marvel Studios/Avengers model for Star Wars. HeatVision had previously stated the studio was looking to Avengers as way to expand the franchise releasing offshoot films. Episode VII will be a continuation of the Skywalker/Solo stories and it will be completely original. Kennedy states Disney wants to release "two to three films" a year. These other films very well could focus on characters from the expanded universe.
I assume LucasFilm would move forward with Boba Fett and Obi Wan movies. The former had been developed by Captain America director Joe Johnston. The expanded universe of the games, novels and comics could be mined as well. Characters such as Darth Vader's secret apprentice Starkiller from Force Unleashed could make for an excellent film. Unleashed would have a solid reason to bring back Vader , Boba and Yoda. LucasFilm is currently working on the third installment in the game franchise. The Old Republic and Mandalorian Wars are prime for some adaptations as well. The comics are also rich in mythology and I'd be shocked if they didn't eventually introduce Cade Skywalker. Fans upset that the Thrawn Trilogy wouldn't be used in the new trilogy could see the villain show up in these spin-offs. 1313 might also factor into these films but it's still unknown the direction that story will go.
It's been very exciting the last couple of days trying to play catch up with all the rumors, reports and speculation concerning the two new Star Wars trilogies. I've put together a rundown of a few I missed and added my thoughts as well. Granted these are mostly from anonymous sources not connected with the production, so don't take the statements as the gospel. Either way, they are an interesting read and give some hope that these films won't be the giant letdown the prequels ended being.
SKYWALKERS INVOLVED WITH BOTH TRILOGIES?: We won't be just getting Episodes VII, VIII and IX. The plan is to move right into Episodes X, XI and XII after the end of the first new trilogy. A biographer who could be working on old information tells TheWrap that the new trilogy will involve Luke in his 30's or 40's. Not to mention the Skywalkers will be heavily involved with all six films (of course).
The next in the series, he said, involve Luke Skywalker in his 30s and 40s, but Lucas was unlikely to turn to Mark Hamill, who played Luke in the original but whose performance left the director dissatisfied. “They will need an older Luke Skywalker,” Pollock said.
MarketSaw's source claims that the original characters will be featured in the new trilogy along with the second trilogy having a female Skywalker as the protagonist. There is speculation that it's possible these two ideas could be combined in the trilogy if the studio wants to introduce this new heroine earlier. We've heard confirmation that the books won't be direct influence but nobody has mentioned the characters in them won't end up being used. Oddly enough, this person claims Mark Hamill is returning. Already things are starting to conflict with other statements.
Recasting the characters is going to have to happen if the plan is spread out the first trilogy over 6-9 years. A female Skywalker could mean seeing Leia transform from Princess to Jedi Knight within the new installments. Along with Luke building a new Jedi temple and training a new crop of Jedi (including Leia?). Hopefully, by the end of the first trilogy seeing Luke's transition into the darkside. In the book canon Luke only has one child Ben Skywalker, it's possible they could create a new batch of Skywalkers to suit the films. While they don't take the Skywalker name Leia and Han's children are Skywalkers/Jedi. Jaina Solo being the more popular of the bunch not to mention that her twin brother Jacen ends up becoming Darth Caedus. The only other female character they could be talking about is fan favorite Mara Jade Skywalker (the wife of Luke). Her transition from darkside to light would be a great change of pace not to mention the added bonus of the character being able to go toe-to-toe with the boys.
SPIN-OFF FILMS POSSIBLE:HeatVision has heard from sources that Star Wars will be setup Avengers-style besides the planned trilogies we'll see offshoot films focusing on individual characters. I'm sure this gives wiggle room for that Boba Fett film that Joe Johnston (Captain America, Rocketeer) was putting together. Perhaps, we could see new characters or established characters (including ones from the books/games) getting their own movies. Seeing a film set in the Star Wars universe every year rather than two to three which had been said of the trilogy. I'm sure fans of the Force Unleashed, Old Republic and the mysterious 1313 will be waiting to hear if the characters will be involved with any of these offshoots.
1952 REALLY EPISODE VII:AICN started putting together a theory that the huge Disney sci-fi film titled 1952 is really the new Star Wars trilogy. The secret project has Pixar guru Brad Bird (Incredibles, Ghost Protocol) attached to direct with Damon Lindelof (World War Z, Prometheus, Lost, Star Trek Into Darkness) working on the script. My thought, the title was hinting to Episodes VII, VIII and IX. For example if you play with the numbers of 1952 you get (5+2="7"+1="8")"9". However, FirstShowing has word from a source (distractor?) that the project is an original concept.
Brad Bird has been the gem of Pixar directing some of their better films and earning an Oscar for . He made the jump into live-action films directing Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol. He's a director Disney can trust along with being able to balance character and action which is very important to Star Wars fans unhappy with the underwhelming prequels. The recent directors-list is filled with landmines and while some are interesting choices Bird seems a solid choice.
Lindelof has attached himself to two rather large science fiction franchises with Star Trek Into Darkness and Prometheus/Paradise (Alien franchise). Disney could have had Damon write an outline only for another writer to complete it. Disney is able to hire very creative people for their franchises as we've seen previously. They were recently able to wrangle David Fincher to remake 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. Marvel/Disney hired Joss Whedon to make the Avengers which led Marvel handing over the creative keys for the entire film universe. Whedon will now have input on all the films until he exits Marvel. It wouldn't be hard to imagine Disney looking to Damon to be their Whedon/Lucas for the new era of Star Wars.
It's obvious from the recent chat with George Lucas and new LucasFilm head Kathleen Kennedy. That Disney will be making films beyond Episode VII, Episode VIII and Episode IX. Could this mean that we'll be getting Star Wars films outside of those installments?
Back in 2011 director Joe Johnston (while promoting Captain America) talked to ScreenRant about his Boba Fett film. Johnston is the man who originally created the look for Boba Fett and has been trying to make a film. Apparently, Joe had enough material for this film to pitch it to Lucas. Factor-in his connections to Disney (via Cap, Rocketeer and Honey I Shrunk The Kids) and Star Wars (art director and designer on the films) it makes him a strong candidate to make more films. Considering there are talk that the live-action TV series (focusing on bounty hunters) and video game Star Wars 1313 possibly featuring Boba. It might be enough to spark interest from fans for a movie. Disney very well could end up mining the Star Wars universe for all it's worth. Similar to how Marvel makes multiple films connected in the same comic book universe. However, these films might not be set during the same time periods or follow the same characters.
“You know if he wants to see it, I would show it to him. I’m trying to get George to make a feature based on Boba Fett.”
