Star Wars Episode VII News: Week 21

Episode VII Has Already Begun Production?

     These past few weeks have revealed some important information regarding Episode VII. However, there seem to be fewer and fewer casting rumors going on now that the movie edges closer and closer to production. One thing was made clear, though: Benedict Cumberbatch is not going to be in Star Wars. According to RadioTimes, Cumberbatch made the announcement at Oz Comic-Con. Or should I say: Comic KHAN?!

     I try.

     Anyways, he said, "I would've liked a part in J.J.'s new Star Wars, but it won't happen, sadly." This, understandably, may have disappointed some fans, this shouldn't be taken as bad news. I mean, he still has the two sequels to Episode VII to be in Star Wars. But this also means we won't have a face to pull us out of the movie, solely by recognition of all of his other roles. It would still be awesome, but some of the magic is gone. At least, that's what Disney says. They probably know what they're doing.

     In other news, Harrison Ford had a Reddit AMA with fans and answered many movie questions, including Star Wars Questions. Here are some highlights:

Q: What would you rather fight: 100 chicken sized Jabba the Hutts or 1 Jabba the Hutt sized chicken? 

A: The latter. Please. 

Q: Who would win in a celebrity boxing match: Han Solo or Indiana Jones? 

A: The promoter would win. 

Q: I love you. 

A: I know.

     Recently a photo was taken in the desert of Abu Dhabi, showing a white tent, some ladders, and a large circular concrete slab. However, this is no ordinary slab. It looks...familiar, almost like the bottom of a foot for an AT-At Imperial Walker. If two plus two equals four, then Star Wars is filming in Abu Dhabi and has already begun production and Disney isn't telling us something so we are being lied to so nothing is real. However, upon closer inspection, the story that Episode VII is already filming has been completely CONFIRMED. Alan Horn, who is the chief executive of Disney, stated in an interview with Bloomberg,

     "We did some second unit work at Au Dhabi and other places because we have all of these locations that we have to film, and we have to give it that "Starwarsian" look.. but we haven't commenced the main part of principle photography yet."

     Now, this may sound like nothing, but this means that casting news is imminent, and principle photography is starting up in May, so the reveal for the stars is soon to come. And what better date to reveal that information that May the 4th? So, regardless of second unit work being done, the cast will be known soon. May the 4th be with us all.

Star Wars Episode VII News: Week 20

There Goes Jesse Plemons (And Perhaps Star Wars)

     With less than six weeks (give or take) until production begins on Episode VII, some production details have slowly been coaxed out of Lucasfilm. For example, pictures of some of the cameras that will film Episode VII, which are Panavision film cameras, have been released by one of the cameramen. Camera A is named "Death Star", and Camera B is the "Millennium Falcon". Another interesting tidbit was released by Peter Mayhew, the actor for Chewbacca, reported that he would cancel his appearance at Comicpalooza "due to filming". Comic Palooza takes place from May 23-26. This could suggest Peter Mayhew is reprising his role as Chewbacca and his earlier double knee surgery late last year hasn't discouraged him from the role.

     According to the site that, in August 2013, speculated that Episode VII could be released in December 2015, Episode VII will start production on May 14 in Morocco. Maybe as a return to Tatooine? Well, I for one am fed up with Tatooine. It has been in every single Star Wars movie to date (excluding The Empire Strikes Back, which, coincidentally, is regarded as the best Star Wars movie). It doesn't need more screen time. Give a new planet some time. Maybe bring back Yavin IV. Or Hoth. Hoth would be an awesome planet to film on, because of its iconic-ness (It hasn't been in a single Star Wars to date, excluding The Empire Strikes Back, which, coincidentally, is regarded as the best Star Wars movie.) Why not?

     In casting news, The Hollywood Reporter states that Jesse Plemons is out of the running for Episode VII. He has been cast in the film Black Mass (which sounds like some weird sacrilegious cult film), and it is set to film during May 2014, when Episode VII is filming. So, unless he has a clone, he can't be in both, which means no Breaking Bad/Star Wars fan fictions anytime soon. The team at Lucasfilm has yet to confirm a single person as a cast member, which is worrisome. There are ominous reports from Lucasfilm that might put into question as to whether or not Episode VII is in good hands. First was the fact that J.J. Abrams is directing it, and though he's a good director, he hasn't made any great films. But I guess that there's a first time for everything. Also, Michael Arndt was fired due to "creative differences" during pre-production. Michael Arndt has actually written some good stories, and there has to be some turmoil in the company for the script to be delayed. Also, though Lawrence Kasdan was the writer of The Empire Strikes Back, he had a lot of help from very talented writers. Now that he's paired up with J.J. Abrams, I don't know what they'll turn up. Also, Disney wants to milk their cash cow with spinoffs, in a way similar to Marvel's Cinematic Universe, which is slowly being bogged down in canon with every new film they make. Adding this to the fact that virtually nothing is coming from this company in the way of casting. Even the original stars aren't safe. Mark Hamill never really had an acting career after Return of the Jedi,  Carrie Fisher went a little crazy after the original films, and Harrison Ford, the only big name star of the bunch, is extremely unenthusiastic about returning. This is coupled with the fact that Lucasfilm wants to cast relative unknowns as actors. While this may seem like a good choice. Think about it. The reason well known actors are well known is because they are good. They've had experienced and have worked their way up the acting ladder. The last time a Star Wars movie used relative unknowns, we got Jake Lloyd and Hayden Christensen. Worst of all, George Lucas is still a creative consultant. George Lucas was also a creative consultant in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which "COINCIDENTALLY", was regarded as the worst movie of the Indiana Jones series ever. So all of these things are adding up and putting a very large question mark over the future of Star Wars. See you next time.