Kasdan Returns! Joins Kinsberg In Writing STAR WARS Sequels

Of course Lawrence Kasdan has STAR WARS in his blood, having written THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK as well as RETURN OF THE JEDI (and another little movie called RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK) - so who wouldn't be thrilled with his inclusion in the new STAR WARS braintrust? Good call guys. Throw in Simon Kinberg's X-Men history and you have a potent team.

Both have reportedly sign on to pen at least one installment of the upcoming sequel trilogy for Lucasfilm / Disney, with Michael Arndt writing Episode VII. Kasdan and Kinberg will both be producing as well.

More when we get it!!

Source: THR

Lucas And Kennedy Talk Their History Together And How George Made Her The Offer To Run Lucasfilm

Some interesting history presented here in the third video clip from the five part series involving George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy.

Check it out:



For all of our STAR WARS coverage, click here.

Does STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Have It's Writer? Spielberg To Review Treatment??

Things are developing fast to get STAR WARS: EPISODE VII fully written and in the hands of would-be directors. Apparently Disney and Lucasfilm have found a writer they have confidence in to at least be involved in fleshing out the full storyline, if not the main writing contributor. Using George Lucas' existing material of course.

And that writer is Oscar winner Michael Arndt (TOY STORY 3, OBLIVION, THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE,  LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE) a so-called STAR WARS expert. Further, Arndt's 40-50 page treatment that he has supposedly already churned out will be read by none other than Steven Spielberg (on our list already), Brad Bird (an interesting potential choice) and J.J. Abrams (I really have to say I hate this idea).

All this speculation comes from Vulture and it's all the more powerful as they do collaborate our exclusives that are already out there, namely Spielberg's interest and that the studios want the top line cast from the original STAR WARS to return. FirstShowing seems to back up Arndt as the guy too.


Hit the jump to read what Vulture's source had to say:



"Sources also tell Vulture that the studio’s brass want to bring back the three central characters of the original Star Wars: a much older Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo. No deals are in place with any of the original actors, though our source did say it had high ambitions to sign up Mark Hamill, and EW recently reported that Harrison Ford was open to the idea of returning."

Exactly what we reported last week.


Personally I think this might be the guy to take the existing material from Lucasfilm and George himself and flesh out Episodes VII and perhaps onward. He seems to have the chops (Oscar winner for LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE and nominated for TOY STORY 3), the connections (Pixar, owned by Disney) and the passion (an expert on the STAR WARS dogma). I guess the real question is why would Arndt NOT be a good candidate?

And please, no Abrams on this thing. In fact, it doesn't even make sense that Vulture's source lists him. He's already entrenched in STAR TREK - a competing universe to STAR WARS - and it always has been. It's treacherous to talk about him even in my mind.

CLICK HERE for ALL of our STAR WARS coverage and watch this space for more exclusive info!

...AND if you are in the Brad Bird camp (#GiveItToBradBird) - you'll get a kick out of this video:

More Spotlight On The Potential Director Of STAR WARS: EPISODE VII: Matthew Vaughn !!

Well it seems that Matthew Vaughn MAY be the director of choice for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII for a couple of reasons:

1. You heard it hear first that MarketSaw's own proven STAR WARS source included Vaughn as a definite possibility for the coveted role right here.

2. My friend Steve Weintraub over at Collider now has a source that now says that Vaughn is in talks with Lucasfilm / Disney for the directorship and that is why he has dropped out of the X-MEN sequel. The timing of the fact that Vaughn dropped out and that he is being considered for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII was speculated in the comments section of the various sites that picked up our news - it definitely makes sense and lends credibility to substantiate this.

Hit the jump for more...








But to be clear, I HAVE NOT heard who will be definitely offered the role of director for STAR WATS: EPISODE VII. Vaughn remains a hot candidate, but you have the list from my source and all remain viable at this time for one or more of the sequels.

More when I get it!! Exciting times indeed... Follow all of our STAR WARS action right here!

EXCLUSIVE: More Secret Details Revealed From My Original STAR WARS Source! SKYWALKER Returns Again!!

Ok guys, by now you know of my history with this particular source and the stellar information that has been given us about STAR WARS way back in 2009. We remain in touch to which I am deeply grateful. Again this source has spoken up about what we can now expect from the Disney / Lucasfilm tandem in the coming years, and it is all very, VERY exciting.

Here is what my source has told me, some segments and some word for word, from his email I just received:

"Disney now has the power to make STAR WARS films, and everything else in the Lucasfilm archives. The movies I told you about are indeed the primary focus. Luke Skywalker is a primary focus, as are many of the original trilogy cast. Disney also realised that George Lucas and STAR WARS are one and the same, so George will certainly have a voice on any angle taken, in fact I believe it's one of many stipulations. However he will no longer have creative control, and as I said before George was already looking at other creative talents to bring his canon to life back before Disney and Lucasfilm really started negotiating (or at least to the best of my knowledge)..."

Hit the jump for more...

 

"Way back when I told you about the new movie trilogy planned, I never explained to you that they were being rewritten from previously secret drafts from way back during the making of the original trilogy. The main problem was the age of the cast, and the tone of the story. Now I do believe that Walt Disney intend on playing to the cultural significance of that original trilogy. You will see a tone more in line with the original trilogy, and specifically featuring that cast, if everything shakes out as intended. Which it will, I promise you.

You can expect to hear more news on the live action TV show in the near future, as the scripts already written will be absorbed in some way into a TV format. The nature of the show and the technical requirements needed to meet a TV budget and schedule are pretty ambitious. Basically they are 45 minute long feature films. With concepts that are very ambitious and the fact that it focuses on characters that are not known and are completely different to what people may have in mind about a STARWARS TV show. This was the problem at the time, and I am pretty sure this is still a problem. At least on the live action front. I am told that soon there will be some kind of material released relating to shot footage and tests on that concept. So look out for that.

A NEW DAWN.

I don't believe the empire was completely destroyed by the end of Return of the Jedi.

Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, C3PO and R2D2 are I am assured to feature prominently in the new trilogy, as was always the idea. Apparently some have already been approached. Quite a while back too to my understanding. Hamill is a certainty.

There are two trilogies planned, all following an original overview by Lucas, which was always planned as a multi generational saga. Movies 10 - 12 are from my understanding
about the offspring of the Skywalkers, set many years later with the surviving cast playing much older versions of themselves and featuring a female protagonist named Skywalker. This is something
that I understand is being discussed as the latest trilogy may end up being an amalgamation of the two using themes and ideas from both, but still keeping the general story, also allowing for continuity of cast.

The movies from what I understand will adopt the Harry Potter model, and will be aggressively brought to the forefront of popular entertainment once again with consistent installments. This is just for starters though, especially for those who hold the original trilogy in high regard, they should be happy. You can expect lovingly restored prints of the original trilogy to surface in the near future. That's a no brainer. I along with the rest of the world want those movies in their original glory. Disney are all over that, believe me.

From my understanding the movies that follow will be far more in line with the original trilogy in regards to tone and method, and from the few names I have heard being banded around I am very excited, as they are all choices that I think people will get behind.

- Steven Speilberg, who may actually get to direct his episode of STARWARS after all.

- Neil Blomkamp, District 9, Elysium.

- Alfonso Cuarón, Children of Men, Gravity (which is a masterpiece by the way) When I was told this name, I said that's the guy.

- Matthew Vaughn. Kick Ass, First Class.

- Darren Arnofsky, The Fountain, Noah. (very popular candidate) and has been for a while.

- Joss Whedon. Serenity, The Avengers. That could work as Joss is currently overseeing Marvels next onslaught under the Disney Banner, but don't hold your breath for a directing gig for many years down the line. He may well have his part to play though ;-)

So very exciting times ahead if you are a STARWARS fan, and especially if you are an original trilogy fan.

Watch this space."

WOW. VERY interesting!! HUGE opportunities for the franchise and look at the names being considered at the top of Lucasfilm!

You can count of this information as being 100% accurate as of NOW. Of course things can change over time, but the main thrust remains - just look at the info given to us 3 years ago - it all still happened: Next trilogy in 3D in development and Lucas not directing.

So you can discount those rumors of a complete detachment from the original trilogy with the sequels 7, 8 and 9... and even 10, 11 and 12 with the second generation of Skywalkers! Stay with the best source for STAR WARS information on the interwebs today: MarketSaw!!

More the second I get it!

MarketSaw Exclusive Confirmed: STAR WARS 7, 8 And 9 Tabled. 3D Announcement Coming... DISNEY HAS BOUGHT LUCASFILM!!

Just as we said all along. STAR WARS 7, 8 and 9 are definitely coming starting in 2015 and then every 2 or 3 years. Not only that - and mark my words - they will be 3D movies too. We also said that Lucas would NOT be directing them. Boy, did we get some flack for passing along that story to the masses (almost as much as when we broke the exclusive that Peter Jackson's legal issues with new Line have been settled, he will be directing not just 1, but 3 Hobbit movies and that they will be shot in native 3D), but in the end we were right on both stories.

MarketSaw also had the story that the existing STAR WARS library would be converted as well.

$4 billion dollars later and Disney owns Lucasfilm, complete with STAR WARS 7, 8 and 9 in development already. Nice job! Add in Pixar and Marvel with Disney's already burgeoning resources and wow, what a modern media company!

Hit the jump for more...




From THR: Kathleen Kennedy, current co-chair of Lucasfilm, will become Lucasfilm's president, reporting to Walt Disney Studios chair Alan Horn as part of the stock and cash transaction. Disney is paying approximately half the price in cash and will issue 40 million shares of stock on Tuesday, the company said in a statement. Kennedy will serve as executive producer on new Star Wars feature films, with the franchise's creator and Lucasfilm founder George Lucas serving as creative consultant.

Says Lucas: "For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next. It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime. I’m confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come. Disney’s reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment, and consumer products."

Now I am truly excited for the future of the Star Wars universe. Imagine. I mean, Joss Whedon is under the Disney umbrella too! Throw him on STAR WARS 7, 8 and 9! Yeah!!!

That's all for now - I have to catch my breath! :-) 



Source: THR

Release Date Change: Star Wars Eps II & III Now Slated for Fall 2013

Tim here. In a surprise announcement out of Orlando, where the Star Wars Celebration VI event is taking place, Lucasfilm announced that Star Wars Episodes II Attack of the Clones in 3D and Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith in 3D will be released in theaters back to back in fall of 2013. The second and third prequel will be arriving September 20th and October 11th, respectively. No reason was given for the back to back release.

The dates were revealed in a very amusing manner: Via a video of The Emperor himself, Ian McDiarmid, saying the date, only for George Lucas – who it turned out was sitting beside him – to tell him to repeat what he said, “Faster and more intense.”

Earlier this year Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace in 3D was released in theaters. The original plan was to release the next 5 each year after that. Menace was released in February, and the push back to September for Clones may be to help the conversion, but as IGN reported earlier this weekend the footage shown at Celebration VI was impressive. You can read that full article here.

Some highlight impressions from IGN reporter Eric Goldman's experience (emphasis mine): "In the opening sequence of the Naboo cruiser arriving on Coruscant, the ship truly seemed to be coming out of the side of the screen. And there was a lot of cool 3D visuals in the footage we saw of Anakin and Obi-Wan’s speeder chase through Coruscant – especially when Anakin leapt from the speeder down towards Zam Wesell, and Anakin himself appeared to be a physically present figure, falling away from the viewer into the distance."

At the preview ILM’s Dennis Muren (Visual Effects on all six Star Wars films) and John Knoll (Visual Effects Supervisor on the Special Editions and the prequels) discussed the conversion process with the collected audience. They spoke about how meticulous and time-consuming it is— about a year-long in total for each film. As you all know it involves going through the entire film frame by frame to separate the elements and making sure the 3D looks correct while giving objects the proper amount of depth. In some cases, the shift in perspective in a scene has led to new digital work needing to be done. An example was shown from the end of Attack of the Clones... the scene where Palpatine and the politicians look down on the Clone Troopers and their ships. As the 3D caused a slightly different angle with blank spaces on the background which needed to be filled in. ILM had to use use the original matte paintings and backgrounds in order to fill that blank space in.

Since this whole process involves going back into a lot of the digital elements, Knoll admitted, “We might have archived things a bit differently if we knew we were coming back to it,” noting with Phantom Menace, they were dealing with elements from “13, 14 years ago. The backups only last so long. Sometimes the priorities on what you back up change over the time.” Knoll said the process had been easier on Attack of the Clones than Phantom Menace because, "The newer the film is, the easier it is to go into the archives and recover things." This makes a lot of sense.

During the closing ceremonies, the sizzle reel for Attack of the Clones 3D was shown again, along with a new addition – the first moments of the space battle over Coruscant that begin Revenge of the Sith, converted into 3D. IGN's Goldman says, "this tease of that scene from Sith – which was always visually stunning – was pretty spectacular, hinting that Sith, like Clones, has undergone a very impressive 3D conversion that is far superior to the one The Phantom Menace had."

I'm excited for the conversions of these movies. Although I wasn't a fan of the prequels, and have doubts the issues I have with them will be resolved from a 3D upgrade, I'm still interested. I'm most excited for the Original Trilogy to get the 3D treatment. However, I might add that the conversion on those could be more difficult because there are less digital elements.

The original IGN Article can be read here.