RUMOR: Larry Kasdan Writing Joe Johnston's BOBA FETT Spin-Off?

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.

SOURCE: AMC

Disney Wants To Release Two-Three STAR WARS Films A Year

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.

TO BE CONSIDERED: Robert Rodriguez For STAR WARS Universe

We've seen Disney take risks having Joss Whedon helming the Avengers with Serenity (a box office bomb) being his only feature film. It led to Marvel/Disney hiring James Gunn to write/direct their sci-fi epic Guardians of The Galaxy. Gunn who is best known for directing shockingly graphic violent movies came out of left field as well. Would it be possible to see Disney take another big chance with a director on one of these Star Wars offshoots? If so, my vote has to go to Robert Rodriquez.



Robert has been one of the more prolific directors of his generation. His first film El Marchi was made with only a budget of $7,000 and was released in 1993. He's since gone on to make eighteen other features . These projects have been a mix of kids films and action spectacles. Robert's directing slate doesn't seem to be filled up at this point. Since he completed Machete Kills and is currentling shooting Sin City 2 it's possible he could be up for another new venture very soon. Fire and Ice is his next feature based on the epic fantasy animated film which will shoot after Sin City 2 is done. There is speculation that Machete Kills Again/Machete In Space will be other possible projects for him. If Sin City 2: A Dame To Kill For is successful expect to see development on Sin City 3 go forward as well.

BOUNTY HUNTERS & SMUGGLERS: So we're pretty much in the dark when it comes to the characters used in Star Wars 1313. The video game features a bounty hunter navigating the planet Coruscant's subterranean level 1313 underworld as they try to uncover the truth surrounding a criminal conspiracy. Rumors have pointed a young Boba Fett is a strong possibility but nothing has been confirmed. If it turns out Boba is the main character than I expect this will end up thrown into Joe Johnston's Boba Fett film. The world of smugglers and space pirates could be another avenue within the universe.

This seedy world seems perfect for Rodriguez and he's been dying to make a science fiction film.  Roriguez had been attached to direct a Barbarella remake and a live-action Jetsons film. Predators was his baby as he played producer on the Predator reboot calling the creative shots. Nerverackers was going to be his homage to Blade Runner but the film has been struck in development hell. Robert is taking his exploitation action hero Machete into space with Machete Kills Again: In Space and is using Star Wars as reference. The director like others responded to the Star Wars news via EW which was positive. Lucas apparently introduced Robert to digital cameras and has been using them ever since.

"What an amazing world and legacy George Lucas has created — and it needs to continue in capable hands. I do think Disney is the best studio for the job and the fact that they brought in Kathleen Kennedy? I can’t imagine a better scenario. And 2015 can’t get here fast enough."