Category Archives: The Force Awakens

Mark Hamill crashes Return of the Jedi screening, awesomeness ensues

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Amidst all of the Jacen Solo Day celebrations, Mark Hamill dropped by the CapeTown Film Festival’s screening of Return of the Jedi to discuss all things Star Wars. Among Hamil’s answers to questions was a response that gave his insight to CGI versus traditional effects:

“That’s what the challenge is, is to try and meet expectations of what you guys want. I think there’s nothing wrong with CGI, but I think you have to have a balance, because the camera perceives the width and the depth and the weight – even if it’s a miniature model, the camera just realizes that. So when you have too much CGI and the clouds are CGI and the trees are CGI and the buildings are CGI, you’re getting to a point where the figure in the shot is like a hybrid of an animated film and live-action. And I want it to have an organic look so that we don’t get into Roger Rabbit territory.” He then added, with a laugh, “But I don’t imagine that the priority is what I want!”

For a more in-depth recap of the interview and other fun from the event, be sure to head over to Club Jade and read over James’ writeup.

Via Club Jade. Video courtesy of Jason Ward.

Abrams expects Williams to score Episode VII

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The folks over at CinemaBlend tracked down a Star Trek Into Darkness press conference video where director J.J. Abrams was (naturally) asked a question about the other Star franchise he’s working on. Specifically, whether or not John Williams would be back to score Episode VII. Skip to 8:14 to get right to the question.

The relevant quote:  “For Star Wars it’s very early days … but I believe that … John Williams will be doing that film, because apparently he was there long before I was.”

Remember, though. This isn’t official confirmation and it won’t be until you hear it from Disney or Lucasfilm.

Via TFN

Kathleen Kennedy says Lucasfilm won’t go all Into Darkness on Episode VII

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Star Trek fans have been having to deal with J.J. Abrams being tight-lipped for ages in regards to Star Trek Into Darkness. He still hasn’t explicitly said who Benedict Cumberbatch is playing. Can you imagine trying to shroud Episode VII and the Sequel Trilogy in that kind of secrecy for the next two years? Thankfully, it appears Kathleen Kennedy can’t either.

No telling exactly how much information they’ll release or when, but at the very least it seems like they won’t be masking who’s playing what two weeks before the film releases.

Jedi News’ Mark Newbold talks yearly Star Wars films on BBC Breakfast

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Last week we had Jedi News‘ Mark Newbold on the podcast. The result was perhaps the most fun episode of Tosche Station Radio we’ve ever recorded. Suffice to say, we’re fans of Mark (and you bet we’re looking for chances to get him back on the show).

After recording with us, Mark got to talk to a (hugely) bigger audience and sat down with BBC Breakfast to discuss the news that Lucasfilm will be producing a yearly Star Wars film starting in 2015 with Episode VII. Definitely give the above video a watch, Mark’s a tremendous personality and really knows his stuff.

After that, listen to him on the podcast linked above! /shamelessplug

Kennedy talks Episode VII, Star Wars spinoffs at CinemaCon

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http://youtu.be/GDh-ZYRc3s8

If you’re hoping for Kennedy to slip up and reveal some Earth-shattering new details about Episode VII, the spinoff films, and the Sequel Trilogy, don’t get your hopes up. She did, however, confirm that J.J. Abrams currently is only signed up to direct Episode VII.

New Star Wars Films to Be Released Every Summer Starting in 2015

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star-wars-episode-vii-logo

You get a Star Wars film! And you get a Star Wars film! And you…well, you get the point.

Today at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Disney and Lucasfilm announced that a new Star Wars film will be released each summer starting in 2015.

Episode VII will come first, followed by a standalone film in 2016. This alternating “episode-standalone” schedule will continue until, presumably, Episode IX is released (it felt really really really weird to type Episode IX as an actual thing that will happen, by the way). Bob Iger confirmed upcoming standalone films back in February, but this is the first we’ve heard of this aggressive release schedule. No note of how many standalone films will be produced, or if they will continue after the Sequel Trilogy ends.

We’re recording a new episode of Tosche Station tonight, so be sure to look out for a new episode with all of our thinky thoughts.

(via IGN and /film)

Michael Giacchino Says John Williams Should Score Episode VII

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michael giacchinoThese days, there are seemingly two constants in the film universe. First, if there’s a Star Wars movie, John Williams is scoring it. Second, if there’s a J.J. Abrams movie, Michael Giacchino is scoring it.

Uh oh.

Given these two virtual certainties, a number of fans are wondering exactly who is going to score the next episodic installment of the Star Wars saga. Will it by franchise legacy composer Williams, or will J.J. Abrams bring in Giacchino? There’s no telling for sure yet, but Giacchino himself seems to think it should be Williams back at the conductor’s stand.

“He has been a great inspiration to me over the years,” he continued. “He has been a great teacher to me and good friend and I would love nothing more than to hear more of his music from that universe.”

“If it were up to me I would say ‘John, you must do it.’”

For whatever it’s worth, I do agree with Giacchino. If Williams is able and willing, he should be the one that scores Episode VII. If nothing else, maintaining a constant presence on the film score side of things will go a long ways in linking these three distinct eras of Star Wars together.

Harrison Ford thinks his return to Star Wars is “going to happen”

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Harrison FordAs always, it’s not confirmed until Lucasfilm says it’s confirmed.

Chicago’s WGN TV met up with Harrison Ford yesterday and, as every media outlet seems  to be doing, asked him if he’s going to be involved with Episode VII and the Sequel Trilogy. Long story short? He said nothing is finalized but he’s pretty confident it’s going to happen.

Bob Iger says no Decision Made on Original Trilogy Actors Yet

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Disney CEO Bob Iger sat down again with CNBC today to discuss the state of Disney. As these interviews seem to go, he was asked point blank about whether the Original Trilogy actors would be making a return to the new films.

But fans won’t know whether the old cast will make an appearance in the new movies. “George Lucas was quoted as saying they would, but we haven’t made an official announcement yet,” Iger said.

The takeaway from Iger in the video in the CNBC link is that there have been discussions with the actors, but everything is going to hinge on Michael Arndt’s script. Until that script is finished, no one will know for sure what the extent of the OT actors involvement with the new films will be.