Exclusive Update: Alfonso Cuaron Lining Up For STAR WARS Ep VIII? Simon Pegg Going STAR WARS On Us?

You all know by now that we have some great sources embedded in key franchises - one of which is the mighty STAR WARS universe. Well the same source that gave us the exclusive that the third STAR WARS trilogy is going to happen, in 3D, without Lucas directing, that it will focus on the Skywalker offspring, and that the trilogy will follow in the original trilogy's tone is back.

So what's cooking now? How about Alfonso Cuaron getting up close and personal? I mentioned Episode VIII, but it could be Episode IX as well (or both for that matter). I would LOVE to see a STARS WARS movie directed by Cuaron. So many people are going to have the light turned on as to how brilliant a director he is after they see GRAVITY this year.

Anyway, I won't further spoil the spy info - so read on and we'll discuss afterwards!

READ ON...

As far as I know Episode 7 was then, and is now, focusing on the Skywalker's offspring. As I told you before, I believe duel personalities develop, akin to Anakin and Obi Wan, and Luke and Vader in the first trilogies, which as far as I am aware, is the driving force behind the new trilogy. Things may change however, but I doubt it, this has been long in the making.

The focus is on the original trilogy in regards of reverence and tone. Remember I told you before that the tone was important, well I believe they are really taking that seriously. From everything I know, they're focusing on that directly. Remember everything has the ability to change drastically, as Star Wars right now apart from the twin trilogies is a huge blank canvas. However, the trilogies ongoing narrative will continue to focus on that particular branch, whereas the stand alone movies, will fill and expand the voids in between in multiple timelines, and have potential to then be franchised themselves in regards to the worlds they open up.

Yoda, Palpatine, Jabba, Boba, Plagueis etc.

I believe they are very clued into what fans would and wouldn't like, and considering Mr Ford himself may not be done with his character yet, I wouldn't start picketing Lucasfilm about young Han Solo movies being made just yet. Which I was led to believe couldn't be further from how they want to move forward creatively anyway.

Harrison Ford has been approached, he has not turned it down, and is from everything I hear, very interested in returning to the role of Han Solo again, but is not signed as was reported recently. Negotiating may be a better choice of words right now. Hope it shakes out.

Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher were also approached a long time ago, as was ford, and a few other key players. I would all but guarantee, they will be in Episode 7, and I would be confident that Ford will return too. If the universe aligns correctly.

J.J. Abrams name was brought up to me numerous times, but only in reference to re-brand and ground up respect for world building that the franchise was looking to take back then. Very sneaky. Interesting to see he was offered the most coveted and feared gig in cinema history. Ultimately he is the perfect choice to direct episode 7, and set up the franchise to steward through the first trilogy. The names I mentioned to you before, remember them (EDITOR'S NOTE: my source's director list can be found here). Alfonso Cuaron especially. Trust me.

J.J. Abrams mystery cube or whatever he is calling it today, is in full effect, Star Wars news is going to be very thin on the ground for the foreseeable future, but expect Simon Pegg to be involved in some capacity. Can't say why, but lets just say I have a strong feeling about that.

Star Wars fans, Kathleen and J.J have your interests at heart.

So, very interesting!! And what is Simon Pegg doing with STAR WARS? Ideas? Is he jumping with Abrams in some fashion? Clearly he is deep in STAR TREK but being the miracle worker that Scotty is, apparently Pegg is needed in the STAR WARS universe as well!

And Cuaron? Hopefully that happens. As of right now it is in the works, so fingers crossed! More exclusive STAR WARS, AVATAR and HOBBIT info when I get it!

GRAVITY Pulls In A Heavy Release Date: October 4

At last we have a release date for Alfonso Cuaron's GRAVITY and Warner Bros are letting the apples fall where they may (as you know, I love puns); the movie is going head to head with STAR WARS: EPISODE III - REVENGE OF THE SITH 3D, PARANOIA, SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR and THE DELIVERY MAN on October 4th.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
Sandra Bullock plays Dr. Ryan Stone, a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) in command of his last flight before retiring. But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone–tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth…and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.

Can't wait for the rumored 17 minute, single take, opening shot! I think Bullock will hit this one out of the park and Clooney in a supporting role will be very interesting as well. As you know suspended objects in Space (as in water) play VERY well in 3D - should be a spectacle!

via Collider

Scarlett Johansson Falls For Role In Alfonso Cuarón’s GRAVITY!

Not completely sold on this casting but they could do far worse I suppose. Scarlett Johansson apparently has verbally committed to taking the lead in Alfonso Cuarón’s GRAVITY, a contemporary survival thriller that follows a woman as she attempts to make her way back to earth after a satellite crash sets off a chain reaction of further crashes. Scarlett's role in IRON MAN 2 was half decent so we'll see.

Angelina Jolie was the first to be considered but she allegedly did not want to share screen time with a leading man. That leading man is Robert Downey Jr. who practically owns the screen anytime he is on it. So in steps Johansson and I think it is a brilliant move for her career wise.

You know Alfonso Cuarón from THE CHILDREN OF MEN and HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN. He has had 3 Oscar nominations and is easily ready to make the big leap to a space thriller.

The potential for this film is enormous. A full 60% of the movie will be CG (similar to AVATAR) and Cuarón is well known for his long, continuous shots. In fact the opening shot is said to be at least 20 minutes long! We know that long, fluid shots are PERFECT for stereoscopic 3D. Should be a project to anticipate without question!

Source: NYDailyNews

Robert Downey Jr. Drawn Towards Alfonso Cuaron's GRAVITY In S3D!

Jim here. Robert Downey Jr. is supposedly very interested in working with Alfonso Cuaron (CHILDREN OF MEN) in the sci-fi movie GRAVITY he wrote with his son Jonas.

From Deadline: Downey will play the leader of a team posted at a remote space station. While he and a female colleague are traveling outside the space station, the other team members are decimated by debris from an exploded satellite.

Downey will shoot the film in London this summer, finishing in time to re-team with director Guy Ritchie and Jude Law in the Sherlock Holmes sequel that will shoot early fall, also in London.

Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures will finance.

Sounds VERY interesting indeed. RDJ can choose from the cream of the crop these days and so I am fairly certain that this project will be a stand out. Cuaron certainly has directorial skills: His CHILDREN OF MEN was nominated for 3 Oscars and was a visually stunning movie. Clive Owen's best in my mind.