Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

[BJCool]

Hollywood is all about politics and paying your dues. Inception wouldn't have been made if Nolan hadn't made his Batman movies. Studios need to see financial success to trust a filmmaker with original material that is gonna cost a pretty penny. Directors make a few big budget studio flicks, the films do well, the studio heads are happy, they reward the filmmaker with a budget for original big budget material.

 

[SpyderDan]

Hollywood is all about politics and paying your dues. Inception wouldn't have been made if Nolan hadn't made his Batman movies. Studios need to see financial success to trust a filmmaker with original material that is gonna cost a pretty penny. Directors make a few big budget studio flicks, the films do well, the studio heads are happy, they reward the filmmaker with a budget for original big budget material.

So J.J. Abrams hasn't finished paying his dues? Because he's been involved in several high profile big-budgets film and tv projects that have been hits. It seems more like he isn't interested in doing something original.

 

[BJCool]

Can you blame him. Any director would kill to tackle material like Mission:Impossible, Star Trek, and Star Wars.

 

[SpyderDan]

Can you blame him. Any director would kill to tackle material like Mission:Impossible, Star Trek, and Star Wars.

Not if you had your own story you wanted to tell and certainly, it isn't fun when you have those fanbases breathing down your neck.

 

[BJCool]

Some projects come along once in a lifetime. I'm not the biggest fan of Abrams, in fact I don't really care one way or the other about him, but his career moves have been undeniably smart.

 

[SpyderDan]

Some projects come along once in a lifetime. I'm not the biggest fan of Abrams, in fact I don't really care one way or the other about him, but his career moves have been undeniably smart.

Unless Episode 7 flops.

 

[BJCool]

It's STAR freaking WARS. Financially, it'll be fine. As for critically, an Oscar winner is writing the script. Lucas is supposedly minimally involved. Abrams has proved he can deliver fun, space based popcorn movies filled with heart, humor, depth, and dazzling visuals. Let them cast the damn film before saying it's going to flop.

 

[SpyderDan]

It's STAR freaking WARS. Financially, it'll be fine. As for critically, an Oscar winner is writing the script. Lucas is supposedly minimally involved. Abrams has proved he can deliver fun, space based popcorn movies filled with heart, humor, depth, and dazzling visuals. Let them cast the damn film before saying it's going to flop.

I didn't guarrantee it would be a flop but you said it's a good career move for Abrams. Well, it's not a good career move if it is a disappointment the size of either of the prequels or Crystal Skull. The likelihood of that is very hard to say but I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility for it to be a collossal disappointment, especially considering the mindset of Star Wars fans.

 

[BJCool]

I didn't guarrantee it would be a flop but you said it's a good career move for Abrams. Well, it's not a good career move if it is a disappointment the size of either of the prequels or Crystal Skull. The likelihood of that is very hard to say but I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility for it to be a collossal disappointment, especially considering the mindset of Star Wars fans.

Of course, it could be a massive disappointment. Things can go wrong in various areas of the production pipeline. For now, it's a waiting game until 2015, or later if Abrams wants to push the release date back.

 

[BJCool]

From ComingSoon

John Williams Hopes to Return for More Star Wars

Everyone and anyone who has ever been associated with the "Star Wars" franchise is being cornered to ask their opinion about J.J. Abrams' upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII, mainly to find out their involvement. Eventually that would get around to composer John Williams, whose theme for the original Star Wars may be one of the most recognizable pieces of film music of the 20th Century.

Last week, a member of the John Williams Fan Network attended a concert by the Young Musician's Foundation Debut Orchestra conducted by Williams and this is what the composer said before playing the classic movie theme:

“We’re about to play Star Wars [audience interrupts with cheers] and each time we play it, I’m reminded of the first time we played it decades ago. Neither I, nor George, nor anyone else involved thought this would go far or in a few years there would be a sequel and I’d have to revisit the themes…and years later another trilogy. Now we’re hearing of a new set of movies coming in 2015, 2016…so I need to make sure I’m still ready to go in a few years for what I hope would be continued work with George…[more cheers].”

That's all good except that J.J. Abrams has worked almost exclusively with Michael Giacchino even on the Spielberg-influenced Super 8, so while it's nice that Williams wants to continue doing more "Star Wars" music, he seemingly isn't even aware that George Lucas is no longer involved in these. With that in mind, it's all going to come down to whether Lucasfilm mandates that Abrams uses Williams rather than his own guy.

Rumor from Showbiz 411

Star Wars Fans: Don’t Worry, All Three Originals Are Returning

I just got back and saw a story running wild about Harrison Ford playing Han Solo in the new “Star Wars” revival. No one seems sure about it. I was told some time ago that Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill would be reprising their roles in Episode &, Obviously this new movie won’t pick up where “Return of the Jedi” ended. It’s some time in the future. Han, Princess Leia (with a presumably better hairstyle), and Luke Skywalker will be a lot older. Their children will be the new main characters. RsD2 and C-3PO will be unchanged, I would guess. since they are not human. But suffice to say, the three main actors are definitely coming back. The bigger question is, which young actors will play their kids? Luckily Hayden Christensen is long since passed from this scenario. And you know, Carrie Fisher will be the funniest wisecracking princess in the Galaxy– holding a martini glass. Don’t forget, all three of the actors are still profit participants in “Star Wars.”

From E! Online

J.J. Abrams on His "Wildly Surreal" Star Wars 7 Ride

J.J. Abrams has a lot of work ahead of him.

If for some reason you haven't heard, it was announced earlier today that the mega-director will direct Star Wars 7.

"It really is an incredible thing," Abrams just told me on the red carpet at the Producers Guild of America Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Even more so, he said, "It's wildly surreal."

We can only imagine.

And, of course, we had to ask if the original cast (you know, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill) would be coming back.

"It's obviously way too early to talk specifics," he said. "But I'm excited to actually start it."

Needless to say, we're excited too.

Abrams was honored tonight with the Norman Lear Achievement Award, which was presented by his Alias star, Jennifer Garner. Sweet!

The Hollywood Reporter mentioned that J.J. might have some issues with a 2015 release date.

It's Official: JJ Abrams Closes Deal to Direct 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

The "Star Trek" filmmaker will work with writer Michael Arndt to develop the script.

JJ Abrams has officially signed on to direct the next installment of the Star Wars franchise.

Disney has closed a deal with the filmmaker to come aboard Episode VII of the sci-fi series, confirming reports from Thursday that the Star Trek and Mission Impossible III director was negotiating for the job.

Landing Abrams for the high-profile gig is a coup for Disney and Lucasfilm's new chief Kathleen Kennedy.

“It’s very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie,” said Kennedy. “J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture.”

Abrams said in November that he wasn't interested in taking over the venerable franchise from creator George Lucas. But sources tell THR that Kennedy contacted Abrams in early January and went to visit the filmmaker at the Santa Monica offices of his Bad Robot production company. Kennedy is said to have won over the filmmaker with her pitch. She will now develop the property with Abrams and writer Michael Arndt, who has been writing the script since October.

Episode VII is set for release in 2015, but sources say Abrams has not committed to that release date, meaning the date could be changed if the development process requires it.

Abrams has a lot on his plate. His Star Trek Into Darkness is set for release in May, and sources say he is committed to producing for Paramount the next installments of the Mission Impossible and Star Trek franchises, among others. He's also a prolific TV producer with several pilots in contention for the fall season.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

Carrie Fisher will return!!!!! From The Verge,

Carrie Fisher to return as Princess Leia in 'Star Wars: Episode VII'​

We've heard word that Harrison Ford will return as Han Solo in the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII, but that wouldn't be quite the same without his partner Princess Leia. There's good news, though — Carrie Fisher has revealed to Palm Beach Illustrated that she will indeed reprise the role of Luke Skywalker's sister. When asked what kind of role she envisaged the character playing in the new movie, Fisher said:

"Elderly. She's in an intergalactic old folks' home [laughs]. I just think she would be just like she was before, only slower and less inclined to be up for the big battle."

Star Wars: Episode VII will be directed by J.J. Abrams and is pegged for a 2015 release, though that's not a certainty. With Fisher's revelation the latest indication of an original cast reunion, we'll be watching for news of a possible return for Mark Hamill — last month he expressed interest in the project to Entertainment Tonight.

 

[SpyderDan]

Well her quote certainly makes you excited, doesn't it?

 

[BJCool]

Apparently not.....

From CBM

Carrie Fisher's Rep On Recent STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Comments: "She Was Joking"

Recent comments from Carrie Fisher seemed to suggest that she's locked down for a return as Princess Leia in the next Star Wars film, but a rep now says that she was merely joking and nothing is confirmed yet.

In a recent interview, Carrie Fisher - who played Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy - responded to a question asking if she'll be back for Disney's Episode VII with a simple "yes". Since then, many sites picked up on the story taking it as official confirmation that she'll be featured in the J.J. Abrams-directed epic. However, a rep for Fisher has told CNN that the actress was merely joking, and that she isn't signed up for a reprisal yet. "She was joking. Nothing has been announced." Guess we'll have to wait until a press release before we do have official confirmation on casting. But I think we can all agree that Fisher, Mark Hamill and/or Harrison Ford will be featured in Episode VII, right? Hamill recently stated that he and other original trilogy actors were discussing potential returns, but nothing was set in stone. Stay tuned to CBM for more news as we have it.

 

[SpyderDan]

Well that would explain the rather unenthusiastic tone of her comments.

But I also recently read an article somewhere with an extensive talk with George Lucas who said he had been negotiating with Hammil, Ford, and Fischer long before he even sold the rights to Disney. So who knows what to believe?

Edit: Here is that article.

http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/26437/lucas-original-trio-onboard-star-wars-7

 

[TylerDurden]

I may or may not have a connection with the writer, Michael Arndt, and let me just say, if everything goes on track, most people should be pretty happy...

BUT there are lots of things to consider with movies like this, such as studio pressure to be more this or that, opportunities to sell merchandise, price, and of course I'm still not quite sold on JJ Abrams. Lucas is only minimally involved at this point but did offer insight and some creative ideas. But let's just say that as of now things are looking good for the new trilogy :thumbs:

 

[SpyderDan]

I may or may not have a connection with the writer, Michael Arndt, and let me just say, if everything goes on track, most people should be pretty happy...

Haha dude, come on, really? Not to call you a liar but I don't know how much your post contributes to this thread without you exposing the true nature of your insider info.

 

[Cruiseshipfan]

There is a big rumor floating around that JJ Abrams has quit the project.

 

[SpyderDan]

There is a big rumor floating around that JJ Abrams has quit the project.

Lucasfilm came out and denied it, for what that's worth.

 

[Cruiseshipfan]

Lucasfilm came out and denied it, for what that's worth.

Yea I heard that. But we can never be too sure until JJ says it.

 

[jtsalien]

I'm not a huge fan of JJ being attached to the project. But it's really best if he sticks with it at this point.