Star Wars Episode VII News: Week 39

J.J. Abrams is Terrified

     Here it is. 2015. As far as Hollywood is concerned, the most important year of the last two decades. So many big name movies are coming out this year, many smaller films are moving their releases to 2016 as to not conflict with these juggernauts. Big titles like Jurassic World, Avengers: Age of Ultron, MI5, Tommorowland, American Sniper, Fifty Shades of Grey, Ant Man, Spectre, Mad Max: Fury Road, Independence Day 2,  and of course, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Basically, it's the year of sequels. But the two most anticipated films of the year are definitely Avengers and Star Wars. Avengers comes out May 1, while TFA comes out December 18, so it will generate more buzz in 2016. The rumors leading up to the commencement of 2015 concerning The Force Awakens have been rampant, Oscar Isaac, who plays Poe Dameron in the upcoming film, thinks they couldn't be further from the truth.

     In an interview with Yahoo! Movies, he said, I don’t think these little leaks necessarily ruined watching the trailer...And also, the [theories] that get that formulated based on these things — they couldn’t be more far off-base.” Is he saying this sincerely? Or just to distract from an actual leak that may have occurred? He won't elaborate. But he did say one thing concerning the secrecy surrounding production, “They’re incredibly protective, because nowadays, with however many hundreds of blogs and this and that, people are just ravenous for content.”

     Well said.

     In casting news--wait, casting news? I thought casting news ended in May, when production started. But, apparently there's been a breakthrough. According to Twitch, a trio of Indonesian actors who starred in The Raid and The Raid 2 will be landing a role in the film. The roles are unknown and Twitch does not name their sources. However, if this rumor is true, they will most likely have the role of stunt doubles, keeping with the practical over digital effects method The Force Awakens is using.

     Finally, as 2015 begins, and with 345 days left until the release of SWTFA, it seems like J.J. Abrams is under increasing amounts of stress.

     In an interview with MTV, Abrams, when asked about expectations for the film (and reminded that it was the most anticipated film of the year), he said, "It is, without question, an intense and terrifying prospect, and you haven't made it any easier talking about it just now, but the opportunity, I think, is greater than the fear, greater than the risk. I’m more excited about the work that everyone has done in the movie and the incredible cast."

     Abrams is no doubt feeling the heat, both from corporate higher ups and fans alike. He knows that if his film does not deliver, he will be known as the man who singlehandedly ruined the Star Wars franchise beyond repair. It must be a tremendous burden. but, at least according to interviews, he is confident in the skill of the cast and the crew, along with every member of the production team. But he failed to mention one person involved: himself.