Star Wars - "Episode VII: The Force Awakens", spin-off movies & "Rebels"

[professorlight]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

Next 'Star Wars' film to be set 30 years after 'Return of the Jedi'



PORTLAND, Ore. — The highly anticipated next installment of the "Star Wars" franchise will be set 30 years after "Episode VI: Return of the Jedi," Walt Disney Co.'s chief executive officer Bob Iger said on Tuesday at the company's annual shareholders meeting.

Boo.

Disney purchased "Star Wars" production company LucasFilm for $4.05 billion in 2012 and announced it would release three new films in the popular sci-fi series. Fans have been avidly awaiting details of the next film, "Star Wars: Episode VII."

Popular "Star Wars" characters are pictured in "Episode VI: Return of the Jedi," from left, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, C-3PO, Luke Skywalker, and Han Solo.

"Return of the Jedi" was the third film in the first trilogy of "Star Wars" released between 1977 and 1983. The series is set in a galaxy far, far away, in the past.

Guys, I have wikipedia too! I'm a journalist!

Iger did not reveal any casting news, other than to confirm the return of the robot character R2D2. The official Star Wars website posted on Monday the new films would feature "a trio of new young leads along with some very familiar faces," and that filming would begin in May at London's famed Pinewood studios.

F*** you, disney. So hard.

The "Star Wars" franchise was created by director George Lucas and comprises six films that have grossed more than $4.4 billion at the worldwide box office since the first film was released in 1977.

Stop the goddamn presses, guys! Star wars was created by george lucas. AND it was successful.

Ohhhhhhh.

My snide is not to omahanime, but the robot who "wrote" this super expose on star wars. Do people really get paid for this? I mean, the title is the entire article; the only new information.

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Also, guys, if you're interested, I'll be running a star wars werewolf starting this thursday, so if any of you want in, or want more details you can click on my signature, or ask me.

 

[Leaf_Ranger]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

Carrie Fisher appeared on The Big Bang Theory weeks ago with James Earl Jones.

It has been a while when I read that (and in my country, as always, the series are behind the schedule from the US so it may take a few months before I see her appearence!)

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My snide is not to omahanime, but the robot who "wrote" this super expose on star wars. Do people really get paid for this? I mean, the title is the entire article; the only new information.

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Also, guys, if you're interested, I'll be running a star wars werewolf starting this thursday, so if any of you want in, or want more details you can click on my signature, or ask me.

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It's amazing how someone can make an entire article from a single line of information. That's why I prefer to just go to the wookienews from wookiepedia since the news there are just short announcements with links for those who want to read the whole thing... as this "article" points out, there's no need for that.

Werewolf?

 

[professorlight]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

Werewolf?

This, but good. And with star wars (old republic; though, I'm not adding anything to an already bloated post-yavin EU)

 

[Leaf_Ranger]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

Seems like a nice and fun game but I'm having exams coming up so I won't try it. Thanks for the invitation though.

Yeah, you do good in placing it in the Old Republic...no Skywalkers!!

 

[Leaf_Ranger]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

For those who might be interested in technical stuff:
Disney plans to release Star Wars Episode VII in IMAX

IMAX AND DISNEY EXPAND RELATIONSHIP WITH MULTI-PICTURE DEAL


IMAX Corporation and The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company, today announced an agreement to release several of Disney's upcoming films in IMAX(R) theatres under an extension of the companies' long-running relationship.


Under the agreement, IMAX will be part of Disney's release strategy for its most highly-anticipated live-action tentpole films, including Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier (April 2014), Maleficent (May 2014), Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (August 2014), and Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron (May 2015), Tomorrowland (May 2015) and Star Wars: Episode VII (December 2015).


"Disney has enjoyed a terrific ongoing collaboration with IMAX, and we are thrilled to extend this relationship with a collection of exciting, highly anticipated cinematic events that are perfect for the immersive IMAX format," said Alan Bergman, President, The Walt Disney Studios.


"For the last several years, Disney and IMAX have worked together to deliver extraordinary cinematic experiences to audiences around the world," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "The combination of the great product being created by Disney and the overwhelming enthusiasm of moviegoers to see films in IMAX theatres makes this agreement really exciting."


"Disney's and Marvel's larger-than-life characters and dynamic universes clearly resonate with our core audiences," said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President of IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. "We are delighted to build upon this longtime association and continue to collaborate to bring many of the most iconic and cutting-edge properties in the world to life in the most immersive way possible."

 

[Leaf_Ranger]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

Disney Chief Reveals 'Star Wars: VII' Casting Almost Complete, Says Film Is Already Shooting

Chairman Alan Horn acknowledged problems getting the script right for the anticipated sequel. Asked by THR if the screenplay was where it needed to be, he added: "It actually is now."
The new Star Wars -- episode 7 in the nine-picture franchise -- has already begun filming and most of the cast is now in place for the movie, Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn revealed April 2. “We have a lot of them [in place],” he said about the main actors, whose names have not been disclosed. “We’re just not completely done yet.”

Horn acknowledged there had been some problems getting the script right. “It’s all about the screenplay,” he said. “It has to be screenplay, screenplay, screenplay.” Asked if the screenplay was fully where it needed to be, he added: “It actually is now.” The script has been co-written by Lawrence Kasdan and J.J. Abrams, following an early draft by Michael Arndt.

The executive said the movie would be released in December 2015 and that the story would pick up “where 6 left off -- and where 6 left off is 35 years ago by the time this is released.”

Horn was interviewed by THR’s Stephen Galloway at Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television in Los Angeles, as part of the ongoing Hollywood Masters series. Others in the series have included Alfonso Cuaron, David O. Russell, Judd Apatow, John Singleton, Sherry Lansing and William Friedkin.

 

[omahanime]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

Chewbacca Will Be In 'Star Wars: Episode VII'



Laugh it up, fuzzball: According to The Hollywood Reporter, actor Peter Mayhew will reprise his role of Chewbacca in "Star Wars: Episode VII." Mayhew played the Wookiee in four "Star Wars" films: "Episode III," "Episode IV," "Episode V" and "Episode VI."

Mayhew, who turns 70 in May, has not been added to the official "Star Wars: Episode VII" cast, which still currently numbers just one: R2D2. It's expected, however, that original stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher will all appear in "Episode VII," along with newcomers such as Adam Driver (as the film's villain) and, perhaps, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o.

Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn revealed on April 2 that "Star Wars: Episode VII" was already filming, this despite no official casting announcements. "We have a lot of them [in place]," Horn said about the "Star Wars" cast. "We're just not completely done yet."

"Star Wars: Episode VII," which still doesn't even have an official title, is due out in theaters on Dec. 18, 2015. For more on Mayhew, head to THR.

 

[Leaf_Ranger]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

Chewbacca Will Be In 'Star Wars: Episode VII'



Laugh it up, fuzzball: According to The Hollywood Reporter, actor Peter Mayhew will reprise his role of Chewbacca in "Star Wars: Episode VII." Mayhew played the Wookiee in four "Star Wars" films: "Episode III," "Episode IV," "Episode V" and "Episode VI."

Mayhew, who turns 70 in May, has not been added to the official "Star Wars: Episode VII" cast, which still currently numbers just one: R2D2. It's expected, however, that original stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher will all appear in "Episode VII," along with newcomers such as Adam Driver (as the film's villain) and, perhaps, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o.

Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn revealed on April 2 that "Star Wars: Episode VII" was already filming, this despite no official casting announcements. "We have a lot of them [in place]," Horn said about the "Star Wars" cast. "We're just not completely done yet."

"Star Wars: Episode VII," which still doesn't even have an official title, is due out in theaters on Dec. 18, 2015. For more on Mayhew, head to THR.

Like I've said before, Chewbacca's presence in this film and due to it's time setting, it's the first retcon.
Taking in consideration the information about Maul's canceled game that was supposed to feature Darth Talon, I wonder if she'll be making an appearence in the movie. I think it's undeniable that she's somewhat sexy and so worth to be considered when wanting to bring male audience.

PS: I'm really doubting that it'll happen but I hope that they give Chewbacca more character development instead of just being the muscled and furry big "pet" because it seems there's more to Wookies than meets the eye, after all they've built those tree cities.

 

[omahanime]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

Like I've said before, Chewbacca's presence in this film and due to it's time setting, it's the first retcon.

Is anyone surprised? JJ Abrams rewrote Star Trek lore, why would he not rewrite Star Wars?

 

[professorlight]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

Besides, if they had to remove only one thing from that car wreck that is called "the yuhuzan vong", chewie's death was first in line.

Now remove the titular yuhuzhan vong.

 

[Leaf_Ranger]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

After the work is finished (if it'll ever be...) they could do a comparison table or at least a guide to the new universe. I'm a Star Wars fan but only limited to the movies and animated series and only recently have I found characters some games I've used to play (KOTOR II and Jedi Academy II) and other bits of info, so by the end I'll be confused.

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Besides, if they had to remove only one thing from that car wreck that is called "the yuhuzan vong", chewie's death was first in line.

Now remove the tittular yuhuzhan vong.

This is a question without any hint of criticism and I'm just interested in knowing your opinion: why don't you like the yuuzhang vong (is it the war, the species, the looks, the writing or everything)?

 

[professorlight]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

After the work is finished (if it'll ever be...) they could do a comparison table or at least a guide to the new universe. I'm a Star Wars fan but only limited to the movies and animated series and only recently have I found characters some games I've used to play (KOTOR II and Jedi Academy II) and other bits of info, so by the end I'll be confused.

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Besides, if they had to remove only one thing from that car wreck that is called "the yuhuzan vong", chewie's death was first in line.

Now remove the tittular yuhuzhan vong.

This is a question without any hint of criticism and I'm just interested in knowing your opinion: why don't you like the yuuzhang vong (is it the war, the species, the looks, the writing or everything)?

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The concept.

I think that that was the point where they should have either moved on with the whole period, or make mostly smaller arcs on how hard it is to stabilize the new republic; not bring some deus ex machina, completely and utterly alien enemy from somewhere else (who apparently was within their midst all along, and it's not a retcon) to destroy the galaxy and then pull another deus ex machina to defeat them; the whole thing represents the worst parts on an expanded universe.

Plus, I'm really really really grossed out and disgusted by their whole "biological technology" schtick.

 

[Leaf_Ranger]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

After the work is finished (if it'll ever be...) they could do a comparison table or at least a guide to the new universe. I'm a Star Wars fan but only limited to the movies and animated series and only recently have I found characters some games I've used to play (KOTOR II and Jedi Academy II) and other bits of info, so by the end I'll be confused.

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This is a question without any hint of criticism and I'm just interested in knowing your opinion: why don't you like the yuuzhang vong (is it the war, the species, the looks, the writing or everything)?

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The concept.

I think that that was the point where they should have either moved on with the whole period, or make mostly smaller arcs on how hard it is to stabilize the new republic; not bring some deus ex machina, completely and utterly alien enemy from somewhere else (who apparently was within their midst all along, and it's not a retcon) to destroy the galaxy and then pull another deus ex machina to defeat them; the whole thing represents the worst parts on an expanded universe.

Plus, I'm really really really grossed out and disgusted by their whole "biological technology" schtick.

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Just a few weeks ago I was reading info on Sidious and discovered that he knew of their existence and they were infiltrated but I've yet to read how they were defeated. Edit: "something wave"? Indeed some "deus ex machina" stunt". Yeah, I also would prefer to see the process of stabilizing the New Republic, perhaps with Jedi once again serving as diplomats and some intrigue that wasn't all part of some conquer plan by some amazing tactical genius, with all being the ending tip of a centuries plan.
While I haven't read that much into their technology, I like the concept of terraforming but their looks really disgust me too, body and armour...they just looks like hellish skeleton holding some melted flesh that decided to wear shell (oh yeah and with noses perhaps inspired by Morbius from Spiderman (I also really hated that guy). That's why I also hate Darth Krayt.
I knew Chewbacca died but couldn't remember that he was killed by them, so let's hope that his appearence means the abolition of that arc.

PS: I was looking for the Yuuzhang and found the Abominor. The Great Heep? WTH!?

PS2: I just saw a picture depicting their worldships and I immediately remembered Garbordor! It just seems like a pile of living trash.

 

[Athena]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

I'm of two minds on the Yuuzhan Vong arc. On one hand, it felt rushed, parts were poorly written, and the ending was kind of... wat; on the other hand, the SW EU needed something big to happen. As good/bad some of the Bantam-era novels and storylines were, almost all of them were minor, resolved in a single book, three at most. There's only so many times you can have a mini splinter imperial holdout, or a crazy dark jedi, etc. and so forth. The YV arc was large and expansive; it wasn't afraid to destroy entire planets, kill off characters, and it made a real impact. This has continued on a more minor scale since then (Caedus, Abaloth), but they needed that big initial jolt, and as much as it's easy to nitpick parts of it here and there, overall I feel it was a good thing for the EU.

 

[professorlight]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

Was it good due to the yuzhan vong (or whatever you spell it) or due to the scale of the conflict? That's an important distinction; if the yuhhuan vong have merit themselves, as a race, as an addition to the SW universe, is not the same if you could just replace them with some other race or time period to get a big war.

For example, they could have expanded the mandalorian wars, or a resurgence of the true sith... they didn't really need to involve the movie characters in yet another devastating war.

And they're gross. I cannot stress that enough.

 

[Leaf_Ranger]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

I'm of two minds on the Yuuzhan Vong arc. On one hand, it felt rushed, parts were poorly written, and the ending was kind of... wat; on the other hand, the SW EU needed something big to happen. As good/bad some of the Bantam-era novels and storylines were, almost all of them were minor, resolved in a single book, three at most. There's only so many times you can have a mini splinter imperial holdout, or a crazy dark jedi, etc. and so forth. The YV arc was large and expansive; it wasn't afraid to destroy entire planets, kill off characters, and it made a real impact. This has continued on a more minor scale since then (Caedus, Abaloth), but they needed that big initial jolt, and as much as it's easy to nitpick parts of it here and there, overall I feel it was a good thing for the EU.

I agree with you that sometimes something big needs to happen, after all, after trying to guess what the new movies would be about...well, we've seen droids in the Clone Wars - lots of it - so a droid rebellion/uprising wasn't likely to happen, since it was also done (I guess) in comic-books, clones - done it, truth be told the Imperial Remnant can't last that long without getting to near extinction...But, I also must agree with professorlight, they could have choosen a species or group from the known galaxy but one that remained misterious or almost unknown, or even create a new species/group, preferably not connected to the Sith/Jedi/Force. For example, the Clone Wars animated series created a few new things and if I'm not mistaken, worlds included (having said this, I do realise that by the time the comics were made, the objective and liberty must have been different from nowadays).
Also, after seeing the YV and the Abominor, I can't stop feeling that visually they weren't the most things to be thought and took too many cues since it appeared to also happened recently (the new redesign for Darth Krayt in the cancelled Maul game).

 

[Leaf_Ranger]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

New piece of information about the "Rebels" series is that the composer from The Clone Wars animated series, Kevin Kiner, will return for that show.
While I have issues with the story and characters in the Clone Wars, the music was good and did create the right mood so at least I think I'll enjoy that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtxExG9QW8c

 

[Leaf_Ranger]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

And going the easy way, everything was swept under the rug.
If any (now "old") characters from the EU appear in the new movies, don't expect them to be as they were, since all will begin as a blank slate.

The Legendary Star Wars Expanded Universe Turns a New Page

For over 35 years, the Expanded Universe has enriched the Star Wars experience for fans seeking to continue the adventure beyond what is seen on the screen. When he created Star Wars, George Lucas built a universe that sparked the imagination, and inspired others to create. He opened up that universe to be a creative space for other people to tell their own tales. This became the Expanded Universe, or EU, of comics, novels, videogames, and more.

While Lucasfilm always strived to keep the stories created for the EU consistent with our film and television content as well as internally consistent, Lucas always made it clear that he was not beholden to the EU. He set the films he created as the canon. This includes the six Star Wars episodes, and the many hours of content he developed and produced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. These stories are the immovable objects of Star Wars history, the characters and events to which all other tales must align.

Now, with an exciting future filled with new cinematic installments of Star Wars, all aspects of Star Wars storytelling moving forward will be connected. Under Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy's direction, the company for the first time ever has formed a story group to oversee and coordinate all Star Wars creative development.

"We have an unprecedented slate of new Star Wars entertainment on the horizon," said Kennedy. "We're set to bring Star Wars back to the big screen, and continue the adventure through games, books, comics, and new formats that are just emerging. This future of interconnected storytelling will allow fans to explore this galaxy in deeper ways than ever before."

In order to give maximum creative freedom to the filmmakers and also preserve an element of surprise and discovery for the audience, Star Wars Episodes VII-IX will not tell the same story told in the post-Return of the Jedi Expanded Universe. While the universe that readers knew is changing, it is not being discarded. Creators of new Star Wars entertainment have full access to the rich content of the Expanded Universe. For example, elements of the EU are included in Star Wars Rebels. The Inquisitor, the Imperial Security Bureau, and Sienar Fleet Systems are story elements in the new animated series, and all these ideas find their origins in roleplaying game material published in the 1980s.
Demand for past tales of the Expanded Universe will keep them in print, presented under the new Legends banner.

On the screen, the first new canon to appear will be Star Wars Rebels. In print, the first new books to come from this creative collaboration include novels from Del Rey Books. First to be announced, John Jackson Miller is writing a novel that precedes the events of Star Wars Rebels and offers insight into a key character's backstory, with input directly from executive producers Dave Filoni, Simon Kinberg, and Greg Weisman.

And this is just the beginning of a creatively aligned program of Star Wars storytelling created by the collaboration of incredibly talented people united by their love of that galaxy far, far away....

StarWars.com. All Star Wars, all the time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUm0Lo6DL-E&feature=player_embedded

So, The Clone Wars, a children's show full of clichés, money constrictions and story (stories) without almost any tip of maturity will be canon. Something that will continue with Rebels. A series that didn't even scratched the detail envolved in the movies will stay as canon? Just great...I hope someone in the future will erase The Clone Wars out of canon and if Rebels follow the same like it seems it will, then this one also.
Will Ashoka Tano ever get a true ending? I don't care since i never liked her.
It seems that even Star Wars: Republic Commando was "erased", a game that bear no canon problems and whose Delta Squad even appeared in one of the Clone Wars episodes.

 

[Chaos Jackal]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

Meh, I've seen a lot of episodes from the Clone Wars, and although they weren't really bad, under no circumstances would I consider them canon. It interferes with the lives of many characters and raises a lot of questions if it is canon (I have a long time to watch the films, but wasn't Amidala's and Anakin's relationship a secret? Doesn't look like it in the Clone Wars). Ashoka Tano, Aayla Secura, Plo Koon... I do recall a Jedi with Aayla's and a Jedi with Plo's model dying in Episode III, but not an Ashoka-like character. Furthermore, Ashoka in the Clone Wars is presented as Anakin's student, while in the films no mention of Anakin having a student is included. Ashoka is actually the biggest problem in the Clone Wars-a seemingly major character that has no outside mentions and just disappears.

 

[professorlight]

RE: Star Wars - "Episode VII" and "Rebels" Discussion Thread

In the clone wars's ending, ahsoka is framed for terrorism and the jedi pursue her, clears her name and then leaves the order, leaving anakin with some amount of hatred for the jedi, I think.

It would seem an aproppriate closure that leaves everything in place and gives anakin some more reason to turn on the jedi later.

That said.

No thrawn, no mysteries of the sith and no KOTOR?

JJ abrams better f****** deliver something astoundingly magnificent, or there will be blood.