Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens: In Theaters NOW!! (NO OPEN SPOILERS, OTHERWISE BAN HAMMER)

[manigamer]

[h=1]‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Set Image: Andy Serkis Is Supreme Leader Snoke[/h]




Andy Serkis made a rare appearance in the flesh in Avengers: Age of Ultron, where he showed up briefly as the villainous Ulysses Klaue. Normally, the actor’s real face is hidden beneath layers of digital covering, when he’s portraying such characters as Gollum and/or Caesar the Ape by way of motion-capture performance. However, we can now confirm the actor put back on his customary mo-cap tight suit (with his face covered in dots to better capture his facial expressions) to play his character in the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Serkis, you may recall, was eventually revealed to be the narrator of the first Force Awakens trailer; what has remained a mystery since then, however, is the identity of his character – this growly-voiced fellow who had felt an “awakening” in both the Light Side and Dark Side of The Force. Details on who Serkis is playing remain firmly under lock and key, but at least now we know what to call him.

From The Web

The reveal occurred in a newly-published interview on Star Wars.com, where celebrated photographer Annie Leibovitz discussed her longtime history of shooting Star Wars-related photos. Her body of work includes an Empire Strikes Back cast photo she took for Rolling Stone back in 1980, as well as the Force Awakens cast and set photos that she shot for Vanity Fair – which then debuted the images on Star Wars Day 2015 (a.k.a. May 4th, 2015). It turns out Leibovitz also took a photo of Serkis in his mo-cap gear on the Force Awakens set, but it was previously left unpublished.
Well, no longer. You can check out that Serkis image below, but the more interesting reveal is no doubt the name of his Force Awakens character: Supreme Leader Snoke.

Now, who is Supreme Leader Snoke? Well, based on previous rumors (which point to Snoke being a villain), it seems there’s a chance that he’s a leader in The First Order, which is the name the remnants of the Galactic Empire are now operating under in Force Awakens, thirty years after the destruction of the second Death Star (and the deaths of Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader). Another possibly is that he is the master to Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), a.k.a. the masked dark side user with the cross-guard red lightsaber seen in the film’s trailers.
Then again, Snoke might well be both Ren’s master AND the First Order’s leader. As for what he and/or Ren are after in Force Awakens, well, wouldn’t everyone like to know…

Here’s the rundown of other new characters in Force Awakens whose names have been revealed so far:

• Rey (Daisy Ridley), a ship scavenger living on the desert planet of Jakku.
• Finn (John Boyega), a stormtrooper who ends up crossing paths with Rey.
• Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), an X-Wing pilot who’s on a mission for a “certain princess” when he meets Finn and, presumably, Rey.
• Lupita Nyong’o as Maz Kanata, a space pirate lord who, like Snoke, is a motion-capture creation.
• Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma, the chrome-armored officer who’s also rumored to be Finn’s boss.

That leaves Domhnall Gleeson (Ex Machina) as the last main Force Awakens cast member whose character has yet to be revealed – any theories on who he’s playing? How about Snoke: is he a Sith Lord or someone else with knowledge of the Force (especially the Dark Side)?


Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters December 18, 2015; Star Wars: Rogue Oneon December 16, 2016; and Star Wars: Episode VIII (subtitle TBD) on May 26th, 2017.
Source: Star Wars.com

 

[manigamer]

[h=1]‘Star Wars’ Rumor: Details on Rey’s Parentage Revealed?[/h]

[This post contains POSSIBLE SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Force Awakens]–​

Much of the excitement longtime Star Wars fans have for the upcoming The Force Awakens stems from the fact that this film sees franchise veterans Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher reprising their iconic roles of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia for the first time in over three decades. There’s a reason that instantly famous shot of Captain Solo and his trusted pal Chewbacca was used as the money shot for the film’s second teaser trailer.
But J.J. Abrams’ installment will also be setting the table for what’s to come in the years down the road. Hamill himself admitted that the new characters The Force Awakens is introducing will be the primary focus, and much of the marketing so far has placed Finn (John Boyega), Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), and Rey (Daisy Ridley) front and center. The lady of the group is the subject of the latest Star Wars rumor, which pertains to her parentage in the film.


One of the prevailing theories about The Force Awakens is that Rey – whose last name has not yet been revealed – is the daughter of Han and Leia. In the two trailers, there has been small amounts of circumstantial evidence that supports this, such as Rey displaying a “rough and tumble” scavenger persona and that she lives on the planet Jakku, where the heavily publicized air chase between the Millennium Falcon and the TIE fighters takes place. Based on that, it would certainly seem like she’s the offspring of the two Rebellion heroes.
But what if that belief was misguided? That’s the latest update from Making Star Wars (who, we should say, is one of the premiere outlets for The Force Awakens news). They were in contact with multiple anonymous sources close to the production (including one from the recent musical scoring sessions), and they all say the same thing. None of the new hero characters are Solos or Skywalkers. Perhaps the most telling quote is this one, which suggests the answers to the questions we’re all wondering about aren’t Abrams’ biggest concern:

“It would not knock me on my knees to learn she [Rey] is a Solo. VII does not answer that question. It just presents it.”
​

Abrams, of course, has a fickle history with trying to keep character names a secret from the moviegoing public. After so many people in the Star Trek Into Darkness camp vehemently denied that Benedict Cumberbatch was playing Khan… Benedict Cumberbatch played Khan. So one would be justified in raising an eyebrow and suspecting some misdirection in this case. However, Making Star Wars has been on point with their reports before, and with a handful of different people saying the same thing, it’s safe to assume there is some fire to this smoke.
An important bit of clarification in the one source’s quote is that The Force Awakens doesn’t answer the daughter question, meaning that it can be a plot thread explored in the sequels. As we all know, the original film from 1977 did not make any mention that Darth Vader was Luke’s father, so any family secrets could be explored in Episode VIII. Granted, seeing as Han and Rey will share at least some screen time together, it would be difficult to see how the characters may keep their (potential) relationship under wraps, but we’re not sure how the movie will play out, so anything is possible for now.

The other interesting thing the sources revealed is that none of the “heroes” are a Skywalker or Solo. We could be reading too much into this, but that specific classification leaves the door open for one of the film’s villains to be related to a member of the old guard. Previous rumors (also from Making Star Wars) have indicated that Kylo Ren has some sort of sentimental connection with the Millennium Falcon, meaning he could very well be Han’s son. Time will tell of course, but for now we just have to go by the rumor mill.
All the speculation and unconfirmed reports about the film have certainly been frustrating for fans to endure, but hopefully some clarity is on the way. Disney is bringing Star Wars to San Diego Comic-Con next month, with a Hall H panel for The Force Awakens as part of their big plan. So perhaps we will learn some more official details from Abrams there, including who Rey’s parents are or aren’t.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens opens in theaters December 18, 2015; Star Wars: Rogue One on December 16, 2016; and Star Wars: Episode VIII on May 26, 2017.
Source: Making Star Wars

 

[manigamer]

[h=1]Star Wars 7: Adam Driver & Domhnall Gleeson Roles Revealed[/h]

When Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 and announced they would begin work on Star Wars: Episode VII, they weren’t just bringing back the saga and building off the beloved original trilogy that concluded in the early ’80s, they were bringing back its stars too.
We all know about the big three returning heroes, Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker – who all made surprise appearances during the Star Wars 7 panel presentation at San Diego Comic-Con moments ago. And we know of the new heroes as well, officially revealed at Star Wars Celebration earlier this year, but when it comes to the villains, it’s been a little more mysterious because that’s just how director J.J. Abrams operates.


But no longer will the secret be kept! Surprising absolutely no one, but putting smiles on the faces of 6100 attendees sitting in Hall H of the San Diego Convention Center – many of whom lined up yesterday to get in – Adam Driver was confirmed (officially and finally) to be playing The Force Awakens antagonist Kylo Ren. We know him as the black cloaked figure wielding the unique, old school crossguard red lightsaber from the trailers.
We already know Gwendoline Christie is playing the badass elite Stormtrooper, Captain Phasma (who has her own Twitter hashtag as of today), who may or may not be hunting new heroes Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega).

So excited to announce my very own #StarWarsEmoji! #Phasma pic.twitter.com/vpZwKiLxLa
— Gwendoline Christie (@lovegwendoline) July 11, 2015​

#StarWars took over #SDCC & now we're taking over @Twitter with custom #TheForceAwakens emojis! pic.twitter.com/rsnPVwJHmt
— Star Wars (@starwars) July 11, 2015​

The biggest reveal however was that of Domhnall Gleeson who’s playing General Hux, a character Gleeson jokes is quite evil. Of course, previous rumors had him playing young Luke in flashbacks, the son of Luke, a character playing both sides, etc., so this is our first official info on the character.

Here are your #starwars villains!!! pic.twitter.com/8IHyKXTySa
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) July 11, 2015​

After Gleeson said “”I am evil!” panels moderator Chris Hardwick asked “Is he really?” to which Gleeson responded: “He’s British, so yeah.” So, he could be playing coy, but the photo above definitely reveals an Imperial (now called The First Order) looking high-ranking official. Also interesting is in one thing Gleeson also revealed, when touching on the First Order base revealed in the second Star Wars: Episode 7 trailer (the most-watched trailer of the summer, by the way). He says it’s called the Starkiller Base, of course referring to the original last name of Luke Skywalker.
Bonus tidbit for the hardcore fans: Abrams said there’s no Darth Plagueis in the film.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens opens in theaters on December 18, 2015, followed by Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One on December 16, 2016, and Star Wars: Episode VIII on May 26th, 2017,Star Wars Anthology: Han Solo on May 25, 2018.

 

[manigamer]

[h=1]‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens': Simon Pegg Confirmed As Cast Member[/h]

Already, hot properties like The Hunger Games, Doctor Who, and The Walking Dead have shown their wares at San Diego Comic Con 2015, eliciting great excitement from their fans, but make no mistake – today’s main event was the Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
During the panel we learned a lot of new things about Episode VII, including details on Adam Driver and Domhnall Gleeson’s newly-confirmed roles and that the film’s next trailer won’t arrive until fall. There was no new film footage screened, but a video did offer a behind-the-scenes look at the production (available to watch here).


In that short video, fans got their first glimpse of Simon Pegg in costume and on set, finally confirming the actor’s involvement in The Force Awakens. The Star Trek actor and frequent J.J. Abrams collaborator has been rumored to have landed a role in Star Wars 7 for some time now, and in the end it really isn’t all too surprising given that Pegg is such an outspoken fan of the original series. From the costume Pegg is wearing in the BTS footage we now know that Pegg is playing an alien character – but unlike the alien Lupita Nyong’o brings to life through motion capture, Pegg’s alien is apparently achieved through more practical effects, as you can see from the image of him (from the Force Awakens set), below:

The video, like several set photos and features previously released, puts a strong emphasis on practical effects over digital, something that is sure to please fans who long for the models and matte paintings of the original trilogy. The images feature aliens of all shapes and sizes, some with full body prosthetics and some without, but two aliens from that line-up now look particularly interesting. The two hunched aliens featured in the center of the image below n particular. Based off the little we can see of Pegg’s costume and the shape and design of these two aliens, it’s possible Pegg could be playing an alien of the same race (or size).

Since Pegg’s head and face is obscured while he’s in full costume, there’s no way of knowing exactly when or where Abrams first reveals his role. Then again, countless lifeforms comprise the Star Wars universe, so maybe Pegg is playing neither of the large, scaly creatures above – but is sure is fun to speculate!
Who do you think Pegg could be playing in Star Wars: The Force Awakens? How large of a role are you expecting his character to have? Let us hear what you think in the comments below!
Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters on December 18, 2015, followed by Star Wars: Rogue One on December 16, 2016, Star Wars: Episode VIII on May 26th, 2017, and the Han Solo Anthology film on May 25th, 2018. Star Wars: Episode IX does not have an official release date yet.
Stay tuned to Screen Rant for more news from SDCC throughout the week!
Source: Lucasfilm

 

[Blastwave]

Did they show a new trailer at Comicon already?

 

[manigamer]

Did they show a new trailer at Comicon already?

maybe but i heard it was not due till later this year

 

[manigamer]

[h=1]‘Star Wars 7′: John Boyega Shares Chewbacca Team-Up Image[/h]

Star Wars returned to San Deigo Comic-Con this year in dramatic fashion. They share a new behind-the-scenes featurette, brought the whole cast up on stage (confirming more roles in process), and treated all those who attended their Hall H panel to an impromptu concert – complete with lightsabers! All in all, had it not been for Warner Bros. and Fox bringing footage from their various superhero projects, Star Wars could have easily won Comic-Con (and for some they still did).
Though with all the added excitement surrounding Star Wars: The Force Awakens, we still know very little about film. Keeping mum about upcoming projects is pretty typical of director J.J. Abrams, and it isn’t too surprising that Disney and Lucasfilm are also keen on keeping as much of The Force Awakens’ plot under wraps. Still, given what we’ve seen in trailers and from other marketing materials, there are some things that simply must happen in Episode VII.


Chief among what we expect to happen in Episode VII: a meeting between the saga’s new trio of heroes and the returning “big 3″ of the original trilogy. Bringing back the original trilogy’s stars is key to The Force Awakens having that ‘passing of the torch’ feel, and it’d be a real letdown to fans if there isn’t a moment or two within the film that really cements that.
The Comic-Con BTS footage clearly showed Daisy Ridley’s Rey and John Boyega’s Finn alongside Harrison Ford’s Han and Peter Mayhew’s Chewbacca – and aboard the Millenium Falcon no less! – so it seems safe to assume these characters will be around each other for more than a fleeting moment. And now we have further confirmation via Boyega’s Instagram where he shared an image of his character teaming up with Chewbacca. Check it out below:
https://instagram.com/p/5FhCg6MCq-/
This cropped image appears to come from a larger piece of promotional art, but being the huge Star Wars fan that he is, Boyega is obviously stoked at having a picture of himself and Chewbacca looking ready for action. And really, who wouldn’t be? Surely hundreds of us have imagined what it’d be like to go on an adventure with Chewie, but Boyega gets to actually live out that dream.

There’s still a lot of mystery surrounding how Luke, Leia, Han and Chewie factor into The Force Awakens, but it’s possible the full promotional image this cropped picture of Finn and Chewie comes from could hint further at their roles. For instance, could the full image feature the whole cast of heroes or just those we already know are working together? We’ve only seen a glimpse of Carrie Fisher’s Leia and nothing of Mark Hamill’s Luke, so their roles within Episode VII are unclear.
What do you make of this picture of Finn and Chewie teaming up? Who else do you think appears in the full image? Let us hear your wild theories in the comments below!
Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters on December 18, 2015, followed by Star Wars: Rogue One on December 16, 2016, Star Wars: Episode VIII on May 26, 2017, and the Han Solo Star Wars anthology film on May 25, 2018. Star Wars: Episode IX has not received an official release date.
Source: Instagram

 

[Dark Sith]

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens': Gwendoline Christie’s Captain Phasma Revealed

damn this looks bad ass to me .....cant wait to see it ..couple of questions .


1..the emperor is now dead or is he .....could he still be alive like he mentioned dark plagius the wise .

2.so who exactly are the sith now --any sith lords -----if so who ..and where do they picture in .

3.what happened to the imperials .........they fled and are now back .

 

[manigamer]

[h=1]‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Villain Belongs to the ‘Knights of Ren’[/h]

As the return of the Star Wars franchise approaches in Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, we now have a good idea of which characters the large cast of actors will be playing. Principle among the bad guys is Kylo Ren, a mysterious black-clad villain who will be played by Adam Driver (Girls).
Ren was introduced in the very first teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and the crossguard lightsaber that he wields was the subject of much interest and debate (specifically, around whether it’s a practical design or whether he’s just going to end up cutting his own hands off). Director J.J. Abrams is a fan of keeping secrets about his movie villains, but that doesn’t mean he’s not willing to drop hints.


In addition to a large gallery of new stills from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, EW has published an interview with Abrams and Star Wars screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan that focuses specifically on Kylo Ren and his background – without giving away too much. The lightsaber, Abrams explained, is “something that he built himself, and is as dangerous and as fierce and as ragged as the character.” As for his mask, it’s deliberately based on Darth Vader’s iconic visage.

“The movie explains the origins of the mask and where it’s from, but the design was meant to be a nod to the Vader mask. [Ren] is well aware of what’s come before, and that’s very much a part of the story of the film.”
​

Another key detail that Abrams was willing to part with is that Kylo Ren is not the name that the character was given at birth. The ‘Ren’ part is the equivalent of ‘Darth’ in Darth Vader: a title rather than a family name. “He is a character who came to the name Kylo Ren when he joined a group called the Knights of Ren,” Abrams teased, but he was unwilling to give more details on who the Knights of Ren actually are.

Thanks to a photo of Kylo Ren unmasked that emerged earlier this year, we know that the character is fairly young (Driver was 30 when Star Wars: The Force Awakens was being filmed) and that, unlike Darth Vader, he doesn’t need the mask to survive or hide any disfigurements – unless, of course, he becomes horribly injured during the film and dons the mask later on. Despite his red lightsaber, black robes and escort of Stormtroopers, Abrams said that Ren doesn’t see himself as the bad guy.

“As you see in the best of storytelling, and no doubt the best of Star Wars, these are tales in which an everyperson has to step up. And I think that what makes Ren so unique is that he isn’t as fully formed as when we meet a character such as Darth Vader. And I think that there are two sides to the Force. Both sides, arguably, would see themselves as the hero of their story, and I think that applies here… [Ren] is not your prototypical mustache-twirling bad guy. He is a little bit more complex than that, and it was a great joy to work with Adam Driver on this role, because he threw himself into it in a deep and remarkable way.”
​

Of course, this is nothing new; bad guys in movies rarely think of themselves as the bad guy, but that doesn’t stop them from doing bad things. However, Kasdan insisted that Kylo Ren is one-of-a-kind in the Star Wars universe.

“I’ve written four Star Wars movies now, and there’s never been a character quite like the one that Adam plays. I think you’re going to see something that’s brand new to the saga… He’s full of emotion. No matter how we express ourselves in the world, whether we hide it and act very calm or whether we’re very out there and demonstrative, everybody’s roiling with emotion. And you want your characters to be that way, too. Then they have to deal with their emotions as best they can, with what they are.”
​

Since Kylo Ren has changed his name, it’s possible that one or both of his parents have previously been seen in Star Wars movies. Star Wars: The Force Awakens takes place about 30 years after Return of the Jedi, and sees the fallen Empire coalesce as a new military force called The First Order. Where do the Knights of Ren fit in with The First Order? We may have to wait until December to find out.
Share your own theories on Kylo Ren, his origins, and who his parents might be in the comments below.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in U.S. theaters on December 18, 2015, followed by Star Wars: Rogue One on December 16th, 2016, Star Wars: Episode VIII on May 26th, 2017, and the Han Solo Anthology film on May 25th, 2018. Star Wars: Episode IX does not have an official release date yet.
Source: EW

 

[manigamer]

[h=1]‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens': Who IS Luke Skywalker?[/h]

It’s common knowledge now that J.J. Abrams was reluctant to helm the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and even turned the gig down when he was initially asked by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. After working in the Star Trek franchise for two films, Abrams wanted to turn his attention to an original movie, but was eventually convinced to direct the seventh episode in the beloved space saga, instead.
So what exactly made Abrams change his mind? Apparently, all it took was four little words. In the EW cover story on The Force Awakens, Kennedy shared an anecdote from when she was discussing the project with the director. Abrams was convinced to sign on after he was simply asked the question, “Who is Luke Skywalker?”


For any Star Wars fan, particularly one in position to actually tell that story, that inquiry is an intriguing one to consider. After watching Luke evolve from Tatooine farm boy to a confident Jedi Knight over the course of three films, moviegoers may feel like they have a good idea of who the character is, but the wording of Kennedy’s question suggests that something else is afoot by the time we get to The Force Awakens.
Even though we sit four months out from its theatrical premiere (at the time of this writing), the main plot for Episode VII remains heavily under-wraps. The footage shown in the teaser trailers provides clues to supplement the constant barrage of rumors, but all we’ve seen are out of context shots and we have no official synopsis; and Luke’s whereabouts (and his state of wellbeing) are among the film’s most talked about mysteries at this point. No official marketing materials have shown Mark Hamill as his iconic character. The closest fans have gotten to date is a short glimpse of the actor, sporting an Obi-Wan like beard, discussing the series’ return to practical filmmaking in the behind-the-scenes reel that was shown at San Diego Comic-Con 2015.
Rey, Finn, and BB-8 from ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

Hamill himself admitted months ago that The Force Awakens is going to be more about the new characters like Finn (John Boyega), Rey (Daisy Ridley), and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), but the old veterans are going to have a significant part to play as well. We’ve learned that somehow Princess Leia is in possession of Luke’s old lightsaber from The Empire Strikes Back and Han Solo is going to be one of the main characters. So Abrams clearly isn’t bringing the classics back for a brief trip down nostalgia road. That brings us back to the question: who is Luke Skywalker?
The EW feature is brief in its mentions of Luke, but Kennedy offered up a possible clue for fans to consider. Discussing how the original trilogy informed the development of the sequels, she said “We’re looking, obviously, for aspiration, for characters who are conflicted between good and evil, dark and light.” That the quote is positioned right after a breakdown of how Luke had changed throughout the original trilogy perhaps isn’t a coincidence. After all, that describes the very nature of his character arc, particularly in Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
If Abrams and his co-writer Lawrence Kasdan were to have Luke turn evil or repeat the same beats from the first three films, it could come off as detrimental or severely undermine what we saw in the previous films. However, there could be a way to touch on these aspects and hint at the dangers in a way that’s refreshing. Arguably, Luke went through the most emotionally during the classic trilogy, having to confront (and indirectly cause the death of) his own father to ensure the safety of the galaxy. It’s easy to see how he could have developed a fractured psyche in the 30 years since Jedi, and that sets him up in a very interesting manner for Force Awakens.
Fan Art by ‘MessyPandas’

There have been so many rumors about Luke that it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. The prevailing belief is that he is in some kind of isolation, either out of his fear of his inability to control his powers or to protect an ancient Sith tomb from being opened. Either way, there seems to be some truth to this, as a shot in the second trailer showed a cloaked figure (believed by many to be Luke) resting his hand affectionately on R2-D2 as if the little droid is the only friend he has left. This clip was accompanied by voice over of Luke saying, “I have it“ in reference to the Force.
The Episode VII subtitle indicates that Force users have been dormant for some time, and the reasoning for the awakening is currently unknown. One possibility is that it’s caused by the emergence of the Knights of Ren, a group that Adam Driver’s Kylo is a member of. It’s been speculated that he is on a quest to collect artifacts to open the same tomb Luke is supposedly guarding. Luke’s original lightsaber (which allegedly sets the plot in motion) is said to be one of those artifacts, so it’s plausible that once Leia acquires it, Luke is enticed to go to the tomb’s location and keep an eye on it. But why?

Luke has been a witness to the power of the Force, both the good side and the bad. And as awe-inspiring as the magic of Yoda is, the deadly abilities of the Emperor are equally as horrifying. Knowing this all too well, maybe Luke would prefer that the Force stay “asleep” so to speak to prevent the Dark Side from corrupting someone else. One of the rumors about Kylo is that he has a personal connection to Han Solo, which in theory would make him near and dear to Luke’s heart as well. The EW story dealt a lot with Kylo’s back story and even hypothesized he was the “inverse of Luke.” Abrams has said that Kylo is not as fully-formed as a character like Darth Vader was when we first meet him, suggesting that there’s still some molding to be done.
So, taking into account everything we’ve heard about The Force Awakens, that could be the answer to Kennedy’s question. Perhaps Luke Skywalker is a powerful, grizzly Jedi Master who has seen a lot in his time and knows that this power can be too great of a burden to bear. Instead of passing on what he has learned, Luke has instead become deranged and paranoid, fearful that should he teach someone, they could suffer the same fate as his father. That would be an interesting concept to explore in a Star Wars film and set up a solid arc for multiple characters. Time will tell, but with Kennedy discussing at length themes of choosing good or evil, it’s a distinct possibility.


Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters on December 18, 2015, followed by Star Wars: Rogue One on December 16, 2016, Star Wars: Episode VIII on May 26, 2017, and the Han Solo Star Wars anthology film on May 25, 2018. Star Wars: Episode IX has not received an official release date.
Source: EW

 

[manigamer]

[h=1]‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens': J.J. Abrams Explains Simon Pegg’s Involvement[/h]

When Star Wars: The Force Awakens was first announced and rumors were spreading about which actors would lend their talents to the project, one of the names that frequently popped up was Simon Pegg. The fan-favorite Brit has collaborated with director J.J. Abrams several times before (with recurring roles in the Mission: Impossible and Star Trek franchises), so the speculation made sense. However, for a while it seemed like that’s all it was – speculation.
The Force Awakens behind-the-scenes sizzle reel shown at San Diego Comic-Con 2015 finally confirmed that Pegg has a role in the upcoming film, where he’ll be playing some kind of costumed creature. However, according to Abrams, Pegg’s involvement in Episode VII went well beyond a glorified cameo.


Speaking with EW, Abrams revealed that his friend was a very valuable collaborator on set, aiding in the development of the story and lending a supporting (but constructively critical) hand in ironing out all the details:

“He was a sounding board. He would drop by the set because he wanted to, and when he could, he would help… We could talk about things, and he was a perfect combination of incredibly smart screenwriter, fan of the series, critical fan of the series, and friend of mine – but not just blindly supportive. He was an honest, critical friend. And he wasn’t so close to it that he became immune to things. He would come in with fresh eyes and very smart ideas. He’s one of a handful of people along the way that has been really priceless.”
​

It’s worth pointing out that Pegg isn’t simply a fan getting to live out his wildest fantasies. As Abrams indicated, Pegg’s a talented screenwriter in his own right, having co-written the three installments of Edgar Wright’s acclaimed Cornetto trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End) and handled the rewrite of 2016’s Star Trek Beyond with Doug Jung. He’s shown he has the ability to knock out an entertaining script throughout his career and he has a lot of experience working on major tentpole fare similar to Star Wars, so it’s safe to say he’s knowledgeable about what makes genre films like this work.

Pegg is also very passionate about the Star Wars saga, saying that he “burns for Star Wars“ in the behind-the-scenes reel. If Pegg was heavily involved in the creative process, it’s another encouraging sign for longtime fans hoping The Force Awakens harkens back to the magic of the best Star Wars movies to date. As the actor has humorously illustrated, he’s not really a fan of the prequel film trilogy, meaning whatever input he had was provided with the intention of ensuring Force Awakens jives with the tone and feel of the beloved originals.
Based on what we’ve seen so far, it looks like Abrams and Pegg’s collaboration was a healthy and productive one. The overall reaction to the two Force Awakens trailers can accurately be described as enthusiastic, and those previews have only hinted at what’s to come this December. Everyone from Abrams to Harrison Ford seems extremely pleased with the results, so Pegg’s contributions may’ve helped to get the film’s story just right.


Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters on December 18th, 2015, followed by Star Wars: Rogue One on December 16th, 2016, Star Wars: Episode VIII on May 26th, 2017, and the Han Solo Star Wars Anthology film on May 25th, 2018. Star Wars: Episode IX is expected to reach theaters in 2019, followed by the third Star Wars Anthology film in 2020.
Source: EW

 

[manigamer]

[h=1]‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens': BB-8 Connection Revealed[/h]

[Warning: This post contains potential SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Force Awakens]–​

Lucasfilm has done an admirable job keeping the secrets of J.J. Abrams’ hotly anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakensunder lock and key, but sooner or later, the mystery box was going to have to burst open. Thanks to coverage from EW this week, fans have started to learn more about the returning characters, villain Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), and plenty of other interesting tidbits.
Clues about the narrative are also starting to come out in official Star Wars: The Force Awakens merchandise, even though nothing was supposed to be available until “Force Friday” on September 4, 2015. A MicroMachines play set sold a month early gave fans plenty to speculate over, and now the upcoming action figure line has its own set of revelations.


Making Star Wars has a series of images from Facebook user “The Ultimate Toy Collector,” who has gotten their hands on the complete first wave of Force Awakens 6″ “Black Series” figures, which includes characters like Finn (John Boyega), Kylo Ren, and Chewbacca. Those eager to learn more about the plot will take a great interest in the packaging for the Rey (Daisy Ridley) and BB-8 combo pack, which gives some back story for the little droid.
On the back of the box, it says that BB-8 is the “spherical, loyal Astromech Droid of Resistance pilot Poe Dameron.” That may come as a surprise to some, since BB-8 has almost exclusively been seen following Rey around as if she is the robot’s rightful owner. Until now, nothing in marketing had even hinted at BB-8 having a larger connection to the galactic conflict. And like so many of the official details we’ve learned so far, it sheds a lot of light on previously released rumors.
A while back, an alleged description of the Force Awakens opening sequence came out, in which a Jakku villager named Nakka stumbles across Luke’s old lightsaber (which apparently holds the key to opening a Sith tomb) and accidentally starts a fire in his home. After a village elder contacts the Resistance for aid, Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) arrives only to find out he’s been followed by the First Order. Poe hides the lightsaber in BB-8 while Kylo Ren and his stormtrooper squad land in the village to search for it. The evildoers eventually set the village ablaze when they are unable to locate the lightsaber.

Though this still has to be classified as rumor for now, it’s becoming more and more likely this is how the new Star Wars movie will start. Much of what we’ve seen in the teaser trailers and still images play in line with the prior reports, including a rather telling shot of Kylo Ren using the Force on someone as things burn in the background. In a nice bit of homage to the original film, it seems as if BB-8 will be the droid the First Order is looking for, keeping a valuable MacGuffin safe from the villains. Things could still turn out differently, of course, but we’re starting to get into the realm of too many coincidences.
Still, there’s a handful of additional questions posed by this knowledge. Since BB-8 belongs to Poe Dameron, what exactly are the circumstances that lead the droid to Rey? One of the new pictures showed Rey purchasing BB-8 from some sort of scavenger, but her motivation for that transaction remains unknown. Does she recognize BB-8 as a familiar friend or is it just by chance (a la Luke and R2-D2) that their paths cross? Those answers are for another day, but perhaps the upcoming third trailer will peel back the curtain.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters on December 18th, 2015, followed by Star Wars: Rogue One on December 16th, 2016, Star Wars: Episode VIII on May 26th, 2017, and the Han Solo Star Wars Anthology film on May 25th, 2018. Star Wars: Episode IX is expected to reach theaters in 2019, followed by the third Star Wars Anthology film in 2020.
Source: Making Star Wars

 

[manigamer]

[h=1]Drew Struzan: ‘Force Awakens’ May Be The Best ‘Star Wars’ Yet[/h]

After more than 30 years, fans hoping to see what became of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) following the Battle of Endor are pretty close to getting their answers. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is already among the most-anticipated films to hit theaters in recent years, and as the marketing machine ramps up ahead of the film’s release in December 2015, excitement is only growing.
Thus far, fans have been encouraged by news that director J.J. Abrams’ film will prominently feature both fan-favorite characters and practical effects in an effort to capture the spirit of the first three Star Wars films. Now today brings another bit of new hope to the franchise’s latest installment.


Movie Weekly recently caught up with Drew Struzan, who has famously provided poster art for each Star Wars film dating back to the 1997 rerelease of the original trilogy. He recently returned to the franchise to create a special The Force Awakens poster for Disney’s D23 Expo and has now shared his thoughts on Abrams’ film. Here’s what he had to say:

“I’ve never worked with J.J before and so we started working on it and he showed me like half the movie and it was just… a wonderful film and I know it’s going to be grand. I got to read the script and subsequently I’ve seen half of it and I can tell you and the fans this, Honest to God, it is far and away probably going to be the best Star Wars you’ve ever seen. … Well, it’s beautifully made and it’s a wonderful story. … To me, [the new poster] represents the film. The spirit of the film, the new characters, the battle again to find the truth, to grow up, to find the purpose in life. It’s all those things that Star Wars had to be and is still. And I hope to represent that again to a new generation.”
​

Little by little, details on new characters like the villainous Kylo Ren has begun to leak out, as has the film’s apparent focus on exactly who Luke has become by the time the story kicks in. Still, while most of the information that has been released thus far appears to be in line with what most fans would hope to see in a sequel to Return of the Jedi, it’s a bold claim for Struzan to declare The Force Awakens “the best” film in the series. After all, he said himself that he has yet to see a complete cut of the film, and as the artist designing the poster, he wasn’t involved in the day-to-day production of The Force Awakens.
In any case, his description of the theme – and, presumably, the ascent of characters like Finn (John Boyega) and Rey (Daisy Ridley) as central figures in the ongoing galactic saga – nicely mirrors the heart of A New Hope. Whether the massive Star Wars fanbase embraces it as superior to either that film or The Empire Strikes Back (both of which are in contention for the most beloved film in the series) is another matter entirely. If nothing else, Struzan’s words certainly make us that much more excited to decide for ourselves.


Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens hits theaters on December 18, 2015, followed by Star Wars: Rogue One on December 16, 2016, Star Wars: Episode VIII on May 26, 2017, and the Han Solo Star Wars film on May 25, 2018. Star Wars: Episode IX is expected to reach theaters in 2019, followed by the third Star Wars standalone film in 2020.
Source: Movie Weekly

 

[manigamer]

[h=1]Star Wars: The Force Awakens: New Image of Kylo Ren Wielding Lightsaber[/h]

Check out the new image of Kylo Ren (via Empire):

 

[manigamer]

[h=1]Star Wars 7: Kylo Ren & The First Order Explained[/h]

Co-writer/director J.J. Abrams’ upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens takes place some thirty years after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi; the film will also introduce a new generation of heroes and villains to serve as the anchors for Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm’s third Star Wars movie trilogy. Among the antagonists in the movie are the agents of The First Order (a.k.a. “the new Galactic Empire”) as well as the mysterious dark force user Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver (This Is Where I Leave You, Girls).
Kylo Ren belongs to an organization known as (appropriately) the Knights of Ren, and Abrams has now confirmed that Kylo is not, in fact, a Sith Lord a la Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine (among others) before him. However, Kylo Ren and his kind have modeled themselves after the Sith Order – hence Ren’s mask is modeled after Vader’s iconic visage – while the Galactic Empire’s legacy casts a similarly long shadow on The First Order, according to Abrams.


Abrams offered the following insight on Kylo Ren in The Force Awakens, when interviewed by Empire:

“Kylo Ren is not a Sith. He works under Supreme Leader Snoke, who is a powerful figure on the Dark Side of the Force.”
​

Snoke, you may recall, is the motion-capture character being portrayed by master mo-cap performer Andy Serkis in The Force Awakens, and his growly voice was heard in the first Force Awakens trailer. It has long been rumored that the Force Awakens narrative – as written by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan (The Empire Strikes Back) – boasts a subplot where various servants of the Dark Side of the Force are seeking a means to restore the Order of the Sith to its former glory. It’s plausible, however, that Ren is actually carrying out a mission to gain power for a new order that was established by Snoke
Andy Serkis as the pre-CGI Supreme Leader Snoke in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Kylo Ren and Supreme Leader Snoke are in allegiance with The First Order in The Force Awakens, as evidenced by official screenshots from the film showing Ren flanked by stormtroopers. It makes sense for The First Order – which rose in the aftermath of Palpatine and Vader’s defeat in Return of the Jedi – to align itself with Dark Force users like the Galactic Empire before it, based on how Abrams describes the organization and the way it views Palpatine’s original Empire:

“That all came out of conversations about what would have happened if the Nazis all went to Argentina but then started working together again? What could be born of that? Could The First Order exist as a group that actually admired The Empire? Could the work of The Empire be seen as unfulfilled? And could Vader be a martyr? Could there be a need to see through what didn’t get done?”
​

Now-defunct Star Wars Expanded Universe novels and comic books from the past have also explored stories about not just Imperial forces attempting to resurrect the Galactic Empire (literally, when it was revealed that Palpatine had created clones of himself during the Star Wars: Dark Empire saga), but also new leaders emerging in the aftermath of the Empire’s fall. It makes sense for the new official Star Wars canon to carry over certain elements of those stories, while also drawing inspiration from events that happened in the real-world, post-WWII (much as Episodes IV-VI took their own thematic/aesthetic cues from the second World War), like Abrams says is the case with Force Awakens.

–POTENTIAL SPOILER for Star Wars: The Force Awakens ahead!–​

The First Order assembles in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

It’s been speculated that Kylo Ren is the new official Star War canon’s version of Jacen Solo, Han and Leia Organa Solo’s son from the defunct Star Wars EU. Jacen, as it were, was a Jedi who became a Sith (Darth Caedus) after he had visions of different futures – ones where both his uncle, Luke, and his own daughter (Allana) suffer dark fates – that could be avoided by him embracing the Dark Side. There is a real chance that Kylo is Han and Leia’s son, as his real last name remains unknown; a Darth Caedus-inspired character arc would also align with Kasdan’s description of Kylo Ren as the sort of complicated villain who has never been seen in a live-action Star Wars movie before.
Even if that’s not true, though, it sounds as though Supreme Leader Snoke will very much be the Darth Sidious/Palpatine to Kylo Ren’s Darth Vader in The Force Awakens. Meanwhile, The First Order member General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) seems a likely candidate to serve a role similar to the one Grand Moff Tarkin occupied in the original Galactic Empire. As for the chrome-armored stormtrooper leader Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie), well, just who she is and exactly where she ranks in the First Order is yet another The Force Awakens riddle that remains to be answered…


Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters on December 18th, 2015, followed by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on December 16th, 2016, Star Wars: Episode VIII on May 26th, 2017, and the Han Solo Star Wars Anthology film on May 25th, 2018. Star Wars: Episode IX is expected to reach theaters in 2019, followed by the third Star Wars Anthology film in 2020.
Source: Empire

 

[manigamer]

Star Wars 7 Early Box Office Predictions & New Images Released

Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm have started ushering in a new era of Star Wars entertainment, with new canon novels, comic books, and Disney XD’s animated series Star Wars Rebels. The linchpin of the Star Wars renaissance will be director J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the continuation of the main Star Wars live-action movie saga that is expected to set multiple box office records when it reaches theaters near the end of 2015.
Universal Pictures’ Jurassic World just barely set a global box office opening record in June 2015, with a $524.4 million take from theaters around the world. Disney Chairman/CEO Bob Iger hasn’t released an official prediction for The Force Awakens‘ prospective box office debut at this time; however, a number of box office prognosticators currently anticipate that Abrams’ Star Wars film could take in as much as $615 million when it bows in theaters around the globe.


The $615 million mark – which comes from Deadline – comes from predictions that Force Awakens could take in $300 million domestically during its opening frame, with an additional $315 million from non-U.S. markets. That is quite a prediction, seeing as Jurassic World took in $208.8 domestically when it opened in theaters; however, there are a few reasons to believe that Abrams’ film could take in close to an additional $1oo million more than the aforementioned Jurassic Park franchise installment did, when it launched into theaters:

• As revealed by THR this week, The Force Awakens will be shown on every IMAX screen in North America and several IMAX screens outside the continent, too, throughout the first four weeks of its theatrical run (recalling the deal IMAX made for The Hobbit trilogy). IMAX Entertainment CEO Greg Foster has explained the logic behind the move as follows: “Star Wars: Episode VII is the ultimate crossover movie – it crosses over to everyone.”
• Competition for The Force Awakens will be quite light during its opening frame, with the Amy Poehler and Tina Fey comedy Sisters as the only additional wide release that same weekend. In addition, the R-Rated Sisters will be aimed more directly at the adult moviegoing audience, whereas Force Awakens has comparatively universal appeal (in terms of age demographics).
• Reactions to Force Awakens trailer footage and marking material have, thus far, been about as close to universally optimistic and positive as you can get for this type of tentpole fare. Currently, the second Force Awakens teaser trailer has gotten 59.6 million views on the official Star Wars Youtube channel alone, further illustrating the sheer amount of interest in the film.

BB-8 from Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Abrams and his fellow Force Awakens producers – including Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy – seem to have done an excellent job of putting together a new Star Wars movie that balances its needs to be marketable, with its own creative ambitions. Specifically, you have new players like the droid BB-8: a character who will no doubt sell many toys, but at the same time serves as a reflection of Abrams’ commitment to blending practical elements with more contemporary digital-era filmmaking tools (CGI, partially shooting in IMAX, etc.). The technicians behind BB-8 have spoken to Star Wars.com about the process of creating the droid practically, with concept designer Christian Alzmann offering the following insight on the matter:

“J.J. wanted something rolling on a sphere, so I tried a lot of different designs developing that idea. He would give direction on the kinds of shapes to use, and that led to a personality for the droid. Of course, the original sketch had very pleasing, round shapes, so you kind of figured it wasn’t going to be a very serious or angry character. Ultimately, BB-8 developed out of a back-and-forth process with J.J. where he gave feedback on each iteration of the design.”
​

You can check out Empire‘s BB-8 themed magazine cover below:

Force Awakens likewise boasts a cast of beloved veterans from Star Wars movies past (Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford) along with several promising up and comers, headed by Daisy Ridley (Silent Witness), John Boyega (Attack the Block), and Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis, Ex Machina). Those actors might not have much box office muscle yet, but as evidenced by the Force Awakens box office predictions, it’s pretty clear the film isn’t hurting from that; if anything, their involvement lends the movie more artistic cred (read: the cast prioritizes talented young actors over recognizable faces).
On that note – Empire has also released new photos showing Abrams and Boyega filming scenes for The Force Awakens set on the desert planet of Jakku (which has been glimpsed throughout the film’s trailer footage released to date). Have a look at those, below:

–​

Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters on December 18th, 2015, followed by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on December 16th, 2016, Star Wars: Episode VIII on May 26th, 2017, and the Han Solo Star Wars Anthology film on May 25th, 2018. Star Wars: Episode IX is expected to reach theaters in 2019, followed by the third Star Wars Anthology film in 2020.
Source: Deadline, THR, Star Wars.com, Empire

 

[manigamer]

[h=1]Star Wars: The Force Awakens Force Friday Poster Revealed[/h]

 

[manigamer]

[h=1]Star Wars 7: Max von Sydow Character Details Revealed?[/h]

J.J. Abrams’ infamous mystery box has been in full force in the months leading up to the theatrical premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. As far as official bits of information go, we’ve learned what Lucasfilm wants us to know, when they want us to know. That extends to the full names of key characters, some of which have yet to be revealed yet.
Force Awakens cast member Max von Sydow, however, is playing a character whose name remains firmly under-wraps (and has yet to appear in any trailer footage). There’ve been various rumors about the character’s identity in the past – and now, we can add even more to the pile.


Making Star Wars is reporting that von Sydow is portraying a character named Lor San Tekka, an elder in a village on the desert planet Jakku. Though his role in the film is brief, Tekka appears to be a very important individual in the galaxy far, far away. He apparently has vital information about where the missing Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is. Furthermore, MSW reports that Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) travels to Jakku to meet Tekka and uncover this mystery.
For what it’s worth, this does play in line with what we’ve heard before. A rumored opening sequence from months ago saw Tekka (then referred to as “The Vicar”) contact the Resistance after a Jakku villager named Nakka discovered a lightsaber that had fallen from the sky. Then, at the 2015 Star Wars Celebration, Isaac revealed that Dameron is sent on a mission “by a certain princess” as the film begins. From that, it would seem that Dameron (along with his droid BB-8) are sent to Jakku to not only retrieve the lightsaber, but gain valuable intel on the whereabouts of Leia’s (Carrie Fisher) long-lost brother.
Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron from Star Wars: The Force Awakens

For some time now, Jedi Master (Luke) Skywalker has been rumored to be AWOL when Force Awakens begins, either out of fear for controlling his own power or to protect an ancient Sith tomb from being opened. Everyone has their own theories on what’s become of Skywalker, but regardless of what drove him away, all signs are pointing towards him being separated from other characters by the time Abrams’ film picks up.
Another longtime rumor Luke has a smaller role in Force Awakens, setting him up for a larger role in Rian Johnson’s Episode VIII. As disappointing as this possibility may be for longtime fans, Hamill had cautioned that Force Awakens focus more on the younger characters anyway – and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) still looks to be a main player in the narrative. Seeing Hamill back as Luke is exciting, but it will be better if Abrams fits the character organically into the story (instead of forcing too much on him for nostalgia’s sake).
In the meantime, Tekka (if that really is his name) may have strong ties to our heroes, but the nature of that relationship is unclear. There are still some books in the “Journey to The Force Awakens” series that need to be published, so perhaps one of those will better flesh out his backstory.



Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens hits theaters on December 18th, 2015, followed by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on December 16th, 2016, Star Wars: Episode VIII on May 26th, 2017, and the Han Solo Star Wars Anthology film on May 25th, 2018. Star Wars: Episode IX is expected to reach theaters in 2019, followed by the third Star Wars Anthology film in 2020.
Source: Making Star Wars

 

[manigamer]

[h=1]Star Wars 7: J.J. Abrams Has Final Cut of the Film[/h]


There is an undeniable air of optimism surrounding J.J. Abrams’ upcoming Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. The return of practical effects and the crews’ respect for the franchise, not to mention an incredible marketing push, have done plenty to quell any unease about a new entry in the series. As the final months before its release tick by, the growing anticipation for the film is nearing critical mass.
With the excitement of The Force Awakens‘ impending release, it’s easy to forget the rumored troubles from early in the film’s production. At the time, there were rumblings that most of the creators behind the film were at odds with Disney CEO Robert Iger regarding the film’s release date. News of Harrison Ford’s injury on the set only fueled speculation that Episode VII would inevitably be delayed.


We now know that isn’t the case and regardless of any disagreements about the release date, Abrams is happy with his current relationship with Disney. The Star Wars director joined Apple designer Jony Ive in a talk moderated by Brian Grazer for Vanity Fair (Via Indiewire) and discussed his working relationship with the Mouse House.

Abrams confirmed that he does have the final cut of the film, but noted that there’s a clause in his contract that would allow Disney to ultimately take control of the project. That clause is not at all unexpected, given the amount of money Disney has put into the film and the Star Wars acquisition. However, he maintains that “they let us make the movie we wanted to make,” and goes so far as to call Iger an “incredible collaborator,” who “mandates nothing” on the project.

“I cannot say enough about how [Robert] Iger and Alan Horn have understood this thing that is now part of the Disney company. And they’re not trying to Disney-fy it. They’re not doing anything other than, I think, an incredibly smart thing, which is letting Kathleen Kennedy — who is a remarkable person and producer — run and lead Lucasfilm to a place where I think it wants to go.”
​

As with any high-profile project, there’s fear the studio won’t trust its creators and will step in to alter the course of the project. Time and again, studio meddling has led to disastrous changes to a film (though there are examples of the opposite, as well). Thankfully, at least according to Abrams, that is not the case for Star Wars. Putting faith in the obviously talented team behind the upcoming film is a smart move by Disney and should only further increase the sense of optimism surrounding The Force Awakens.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens hits theaters on December 18th, 2015, followed by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on December 16th, 2016, Star Wars: Episode VIII on May 26th, 2017, and the Han Solo Star Wars Anthology film on May 25th, 2018. Star Wars: Episode IX is expected to reach theaters in 2019, followed by the third Star Wars Anthology film in 2020.
Source: Vanity Fair (via Indiewire)

 

[RAJNI]

Greatest director of all time, directing what will be hailed as: the greatest movie of all time

If JJ is involved in your movie, it’s gold, pure, and simple