Rian Johnson's 'STAR WARS' Films Get Dates; Tatiana Maslany Rumored Frontrunner For Spin-Off

Schmoes Know, who I've recently mended relations with found a decent Star Wars rumor concerning Gareth Edwards' Star Wars spin-off.

They heard via Total Geeks that Orphan Black actress Tatiana Maslany is now the frontrunner for the unnamed female lead role in the film. Being a rumor it's pending better confirmation but it's something to strongly consider.

In the article they also point-out an EW report that Tatiana recently dropped out of a play and was replaced by actress Amanda Seyfried, this could mean that she's indeed getting ready to prep for the role.

Other actresses reportedly in the running include Rooney Mara, Kate Mara and Felicity Jones. It's expected that a role like this could crossover to other spin-off installments so there's an big commitment needed from the lead.

I have to believe that she wants this role badly after letting the Sarah Connor role in the new Terminator film go to Emilia Clarke.

Another bit of Star Wars news comes from Disney which announced dates for Rian Johnson's (Looper, Brothers Bloom, Brick) Episode VIII and Episode IX. Johnson is expected to write both films but is only confirmed to direct Episode VIII.

I have to imagine that they'll eventually announce him for the second sequel but are waiting on a completed script.

Bob Iger confirmed (via The Wrap) the dates are set for 2017 and 2019. Something we knew was coming but hadn't been made official by the studio.

“As one of the few people allowed to visit the set during filming… and one of the fewer who’s seen most of the footage… I can assure the millions of ‘Star Wars’ fans who have spent the last decade hoping for a new movie this one will be worth the wait. And it’s only the beginning of a new era of exceptional ‘Star Wars’ storytelling; next year we’ll release our first standalone movie based on these characters, followed by ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’ in 2017, and we’ll finish this trilogy with ‘Episode IX’ in 2019,”

Rian is expected to continue the ground-work created by J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan for The Force Awakens in the next two films. It's assumed the two sequels will indeed follow the new characters rather than Luke, Leia and Han being the focus of it.

I'm totally in love with the fact Rian is going to be working within the Star Wars universe, if you get the chance check-out Looper which is currently on Netflix instant.



The spin-offs had previously been made official with Gareth Edwards' film coming December 16th, 2016 and Josh Trank's film coming December 2018, basically this does confirm previous reports that starting this year we'll be getting a new Star Wars film every year.

SOURCE: SCHMOES KNOW & THE WRAP 

Jessica Chastain Absolutely Wants A STAR WARS Role

We're starting to see the Star Wars universe open-up with many female roles being available for actresses, something that wasn't the case under George Lucas. I think we have to thank Lucasfilm head Kathy Kennedy and the filmmakers for making the effort to give women a fair shot in this new era of the series.

I've already pointed-out that both The Force Awakens and Gareth Edwards' untitled spin-off will have a strong female presence like we've never seen before with the films.

Daisy Ridley's character in Awakens is said to be a bit more of main character than most are expecting, since she's one of the only people I've seen in concept art wielding a lightsaber. There are even two big supporting roles being filled by Gwendoline Christie and Lupita Nyong'o.

In the casting of Gareth Edwards' film it's looking like the lead role might actually be a female character. Since we've been hearing about four actresses in the running for the part which include Tatiana Maslany, Rooney Mara, Felicity Jones and Kate Mara. Currently, no male actors have started creeped into the casting conversation for the project. This might be hinting to this film becoming the first female driven Star Wars movie.

This aspect might see even more high profiled actors and actresses signing-up to be apart of the universe since we're getting one Star Wars installment every year in December starting in 2015, there will be plenty of roles to go around.

The next installments include Episode VIII coming from Looper's Rian Johnson in December 2017 and then another untiled spin-off from Fantastic Four's Josh Trank likely in December 2018.

Well, someone at Digital Spy asked two-time Oscar nominated actress Jessica Chastain (Crimson Peak, Zero Dark Thirty, The Help, The Debt, Tree of Life) about Star Wars since her A Most Violent Year co-star Oscar Isaac is apart Force Awakens. The interviewer curious if she had aspirations for the franchise, here is what Chastain had to say.

Yes, they never sent me the script. I would have absolutely been in Star Wars, I would have loved to be in Star Wars, I know they're going to make more so.. [points to herself].. Listen, I'm an actor because I love film I love going to the movies I love comedies and so many different kinds of films, sci-fi, drama, horror films I love them all. And I'd love to do anything it just has to be a good role. You know like I don't want to just stand there and hold a spoon, I really want to do something fun and I would absolutely would love it. 

I personally think the more Oscar caliber talent the better when it comes to Star Wars and we know that Chastain is a workhorse actress and wouldn't shy away from a huge workload these projects demand.

She's been dying to get a meatier role in comic book film genre, but had to turn down Marvel because of lacklustre roles in Iron Man 3 and Ant-Man. Although, she would make a badass Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel we at least know wants to be apart of Star Wars.

SOURCE: DIGITAL SPY

LOOPER Director Rian Johnson To Write/Direct STAR WARS EPISODES VIII And XI

Lucasfilm is putting together some of the best filmmakers for their new film universe. A new report from Deadline gives the best directing news to date. They say that Brick and Looper director Rian Johnson will take the Episodic reigns of Star Wars, for Episode VIII and Episode XI (some are claiming his is only doing the script treatment). This is confirming that Abrams won't be directing the next two installments, and his future within the Star Wars franchise is unknown.

We've been hearing for months that Lucasfilm has been meeting with directors to round out both the spin-offs and main trilogy. The Star Wars machine is now in full gear (taking cues from Marvel Studios) and needs to move forward. I believe J.J. was never going to direct the entire trilogy and his pre-production/script problems may have cemented that fate. They need the new generation like Rian Johnson, Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Monsters) and Josh Trank (Chronicle, Fantastic Four) to keep the franchise fresh and inventive.

Rian Johnson is dedicated filmmaker and has the vision/originality to push the boundaries of the franchise. Rather than just paying homage to what has come before, I expect Johnson will add greatly to the existing universe. Fans should rejoice that we finally have an indie director back directing Star Wars, if this doesn't shut-up film nerds I don't know what will.



SOURCE: DEADLINE

Five Directors Who Should Make Disney's STAR WARS Trilogy

It was reported today that Disney is making a whole new Star Wars trilogy. The first installment Star Wars: Episode VII is set to be released sometime in 2015. The studio has yet to name a director and it's expected that person would need to sign-on for the trilogy. Some dream names have been Edgar Wright, Guillermo del Toro, Matthew Vaughn, David Fincher, Sam Mendes, Danny Boyle, Christopher Nolan, Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg. How realistic are those choices? Not likely considering Disney would need a director to create an entire trilogy for them. They might be very unreachable because of the high demand and their other commitments to studio/original projects. However, I have a few ideas for who should be considered since Disney will be looking for a visionary to tackle a trilogy.

RIAN JOHNSON: Johnson's Looper has been a whirlwind of slick science fiction. While the prostectics used to make Joseph Gordon-Levitt look like Bruce Willis were less than convincing, the rest of the low budget film was fantastic. He could really dig deep for character development which Lucas' prequel trilogy was completely lacking. If we want a return to iconic anti-hero Star Wars characters like Solo or Lando, Rian would be the man to create them. He currently doesn't have an official project lined up but I'm sure he has a few original ideas he's mulling over. Disney would be smart to snatch him up before he's offered other franchises.

DUNCAN JONES: I'm sure his name will be thrown around the Disney offices currently. Duncan had been wanted for The Wolverine and Man of Steel but ultimately turned down the projects. His name is buzzing around Twitter and film blogs as film geeks' dream director. I can't say I feel different but he's  been trying to get his film Mute off the ground which could be a sticking point to him signing on. For him to direct a franchise project means they'd have to pay for original films to be made.

NEILL BLOMKAMP: Neill was once lined-up to direct a adaptation of Halo until the whole thing fell apart. Since then he's made two original science fiction films with District 9 and the upcoming Elysium starring Matt Damon. If anyone could create a new film universe for the Star Wars franchise it would be Neill. He would also bring back the worn/gritty look and dark tone of the original films. Blomkamp has worked inside the Hollywood machine previously and disliked it so I figure the only way to wrangle him is to give over creative control. Not sure how realistic that would be if Lucas is consulting on the films.

ALFONSO CUARON: While I consider him as the director to make the first good Harry Potter film. Alfonso is also known for some amazing science fiction with his film Children of Men. Which blew most away by it's bleak concept and excellent look/pacing. His next film Gravity is expected to blow audiences away and is highly anticipated. He might be the closet thing Disney has to landing someone as skilled as Christopher Nolan.

PETE TRAVIS: I've been Pete's biggest cheerleader lately, after the experience of seeing Dredd has really sunk-in. I think he has the ability to make a compelling science fiction action film (even with lackluster material to work from). Dredd seemed to be a film that was going to be a total disaster and turned out to be one of the most entertaining action films in a while for me. He's more of a popcorn director compared to the other names but would be able to make the films on the scale of the originals without breaking the bank. Pete was able to shoot some rather interesting action sequences (which some on this list are still learning how to put together). While I doubt he'll be considered I'll be rooting for him none-the-less.

Matt Reeves And Others Wanted To Direct DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

Now that director Rupert Wyatt has exited the Planet of The Apes franchise. Fox is now on the hunt for a new director to replace him with the 2014 release date looming. Deadline reports that Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Let Me In) is on the top of their list along with other candidates that include Guillermo del Toro (Pacific Rim, Hellboy), Rian Johnson (Looper, Brick), J Blakeson (Alice Creed), Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later), Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter) and Juan Antonio Bayona (The Impossible).

Reeves has left the Twilight Zone film which was setup at Warner Bros., so there's a good chance he'll sign on. Guillermo is also a solid choice as he's a genre nut and could really amp up the action aspect for the sequel. Johnson's jump into science fiction with Looper could make him a decent candidate. Only problem is that Rian usually only directs projects he writes himself. I assume if he signs on he'll be making script rewrites which would only be a benefit to the project.

New 'LOOPER' Poster Shows Off Time Machine

Teaser Trailer For 'LOOPER' Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt And Bruce Willis

First Teaser Poster For 'LOOPER' Starring Bruce Willis And Joseph Gordon-Levitt

FIRST LOOK: Joseph Gordon-Levitt In Looper

Rian Johnson's Looper Gets Release Date

Sony has picked up Rian Johnson's violent time-travelling action thriller Looper. They've slated to release it on September 28th 2012. Looper stars Bruce Willis, Joesph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, Piper Perabo, Jeff Daniels, Paul Dano and Garret Dillahunt. I'm expecting big things from Looper and it has the potential to be a science fiction action film on the level of the original Total Recall.

Paul Dano, Xu Qing, Jeff Daniels, Piper Perabo & Noah Segan Join Looper

Variety reports that a slew of actors have joined Rian Johnson's time traveling hitman thriller Looper. The science fiction film already has Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Inception), Bruce Willis and Emily Blunt cast as the leads. Now Paul Dano (There Will Be Blood), Xu Qing, Jeff Daniels (Squid & The Whale, Lookout), Piper Perabo (Coyote Ugly, Carriers) and Noah Segan (Brick, Brothers Bloom).

Emily Blunt Joins Looper

ProductionWeekly reports that Emily Blunt (Wolfman) has joined Rian Johnson's (Brick, Brothers Bloom) Looper. The time travel thriller already stars Joesph Gordon Levitt (Inception, 500 Days of Summer) and Bruce Willis.

Bruce Willis Joins JGL In Looper

Now I'm beyond excited for Rian Johnson's time-travel action thriller Looper. Deadline is confirming that Bruce Willis has been cast as the older version of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character who has to travel back in time. Loopers are hit men from the future who are sent back to the present to await victims who are transported through time to be executed. Once they are bumped off in the present, there is no trace of a crime in the future.