Re: Star Wars Episode VII
21I'm now thinking that "no Lucas" is pretty optimistic - there'll be a backseat driver on this project for sure. Most likely the reason that Whedon, Abrams, etc, have ruled themselves out of the running.
Mumford, represent...Alexhead wrote:And while Kasdan is a warm fuzzy name to see back in the fold, he really hasn't done shit in forever so I have no idea what he does or doesn't bring to the table. And I say that as a Dreamcatcher megafan, too.
Don't be too sure. They gave Whedon a fair amount of freedom with The Avengers. Remember, this isn't Walt Disney pictures making this film, it's Lucasfilm a division of Disney, just as Marvel is a division of Disney. Kathleen Kennedy reports only to the Chairman of Disney, no one else. And it's not like she hasn't produced films by top level directors before (Spielberg, Landis, Zemeckis, Eastwood, Shyamalan, Scorsese). I doubt Disney is going to be a problem. About they only thing they might try to suggest is adding more things to make toys of. But this is Star Wars, it's pretty much already been designed by Lucas for that.Alexhead wrote:I'm gonna guess Paramount gave JJ more leeway to play with Star Trek than Disney will give JJ to play with Star Wars.
And I think that's exactly what you'll get. They seem to be making all the right moves so far, but I don't think they'll deviate much from whatever plan they have.TC wrote:if he (or anyone) can inject any degree of imagination into this barren franchise, it's a win for fans. lucas not being involved in the writing (of terrible, stilted dialog) is addition by subtraction. if this can be accomplished and there are corporate checkboxes that must be ticked, so be it.
kasdan consulting? well now i'm even more interested...io9 wrote:Disney confirms it: J.J. Abrams is officially directing the next Star Wars movie
The ink is now dry on the contracts and it's official: J.J. Abrams will be directing Star Wars: Episode VII. After the flurry of unofficial reports, Disney has issued a press release confirming that Abrams is on board to direct the Michael Arndt-scripted Star Wars film.
Here's the requisite backslapping from the press release:The press release also adds that Abrams, his producing partner Bryan Burk, and Bad Robot will be producing the movie with Kennedy and Disney, and that Lawrence Kasdan, screenwriter on The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and Raiders of the Lost Ark, will be consulting, as will Simon Kinberg, screenwriter on Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith."It's very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie," said [Lucasfilm president Kathleen] 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."
George Lucas went on to say "I've consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller. He's an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn't be in better hands."
"To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor," J.J. Abrams said. "I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid."
Then this should pique your interest that much further over the cliff:TC wrote:kasdan consulting? well now i'm even more interested...
Robert A. Iger, chairman and chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, told analysts in a conference call that Disney’s newly acquired Lucasfilm division is moving forward with “a few” additional movies that feature characters from the “Star Wars” universe.
Lawrence Kasdan, known for his work on “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” and Simon Kinberg, a screenwriter whose credits include “Sherlock Holmes,” are both working on the “stand-alone” films, Mr. Iger said. Disney has previously announced plans to make the seventh, eighth and ninth installments in the “Star Wars” saga; they will roll out over a six-year period starting in 2015 with one directed by J.J. Abrams.
Hrm. I think there already was plenty of Yoda in the prequels. Why not a Chewbacca one instead?Alexhead wrote:Yeah, hot rumor is the first one will be a Yoda-centric flick.