Tag Archives: Episode VII

Struzan Approached for Episode VII

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It’s already going to be weird enough seeing Episode VII without the Fox Fanfare. I’m not sure if I could handle a new Star Wars film if it were missing something else iconic. Something like Drew Struzan poster artwork.

For those that don’t know, Struzan has been retired for a number of years, which makes getting new art from him for the sequel trilogy potentially problematic. Thankfully, there might be a bit of hope. From a joint interview with Sam Witwer, Drew said…

I got a couple calls already this week on Star Wars from Disney. Oh my god, I’m trying to be retired! You know, I spent 35 years painting Star Wars. [laughs] I painted Star Wars before most of you were born! But I guess there is always a chance. There’s no intention. But I would love to have a day off every now and again, and I have to work a weekend and all through the night. If the opportunity arises, it will be a real temptation.

Here’s to hoping Struzan returns for at least one more Star Wars film.

(Via)

The Sequel Trilogy Isn’t Real Star Wars

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star-wars-episode-vii-logoSequel trilogy fans need to grow up.

All the excitement, all the speculation, all the angsting. All for something that really doesn’t matter. It’s absolutely baffling why so much thought and effort is being put into something so meaningless. It kills me to see people wasting their time on all of this because, come on, let’s be perfectly honest.

The sequel trilogy isn’t real Star Wars.

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Kathleen Kennedy Announces an Episode VII Announcement

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According to ComicBook.com, Kathleen Kennedy told ABC News Radio that we should be hearing an announcement for Episode VII sometime in January and that pre-production for the film will begin this coming spring. What’s the announcement? No one knows, since this is just an announcement of an announcement. One presumes that it could be a director.

So if that’s the case, speculate while you still can.

(via)

Samuel L. Jackson wants to be in Star Wars sequels

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Because being in three Star Wars movies isn’t enough for the biggest BAMF in film:

“I can come back as one-armed or a one-handed Jedi that’s still around that didn’t actually die,” he said. “I could do that or be a ghost hologram. I don’t care!”

Adding, “I just want to stay associated with the franchise. Not that I won’t, because I’ve been in three of them.” As for why the actor is drawn to the sci-fi world, Sam said he loves the concept of life in other in galaxies far, far away.

Mace Windu in a Holocron as a possible plot point for Episode VII? We’ve heard crazier rumors.

via Yahoo!

Lucas Clarifies (Or Muddies) Consultant Role

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Since the news of the Lucasfilm sale and new Star Wars films broke a month ago, fans have speculated just how much George Lucas would be involved. Despite selling off the company and story treatments, I’d gotten the impression that the fandom seems to think Lucas will remain heavily involved in the development of the new films. What does the man himself have to say about all this? Access Hollywood asked:

“[If the filmmakers ask],‘Who’s this guy?’ I can tell them,” he told Access at the event in Los Angeles. “I mean, they have a hundred encyclopedias and things, but I actually know a lot. I can say, ‘This is this and this is that.’”

But answering questions about the more remote characters of his beloved galaxy may be where George’s involvement ends.

“Basically I’m not — I don’t really have much to do,” he said.

Of course, the risk in reading too much into this particular quote is the same risk you have when reading into any quote from George Lucas. The man is notoriously snarky and sarcastic. Take him at his word and he apparently isn’t all that involved with Episode VII. If you read that as snark, who knows?

It’s going to be a long three years, folks.

(via)

Tosche Station Radio #37: Giving Thanks

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It’s a special Thanksgiving-themed edition of Tosche Station Radio!

Kicking off the show, Nanci highlights what’s new on the blog. Bria has started her EU retrospective with The Really Old Republic. Meanwhile, Nanci guested on our sister podcast, We Talk Clones, to discuss the episode Bound for Rescue. Finally, our regular weekly features included Cosplay Monday featuring Marty McFly, Fanwork Friday featuring a Lois and Clark fanvid, and Trope Tuesday featuring Grudging Thank You.

In Fixer’s Flash, Nanci’s been busy with NaNoWriMo, finishing off the first part of her second book. She’s also been reading the sixth Mageworlds novel, The Stars Asunder. Brian’s been reading The Starpilot’s Grave as well as some new Marvel releases, Captain Marvel #6 and Avengers Assemble #9 by Kelly Sue DeConnick.

Deak’s Dirt starts with news that Brad Bird and Colin Trevorrow are out of the running for Episode VII director duties. Howard Roffman, one of the individuals responsible for kick-starting the Expanded Universe, is returning to Lucasfilm. Reports are circulating that Simon Kinberg and Empire Strikes Back script writer Lawrence Kasdan are in talks to produce and/or write parts of the sequel trilogy. Finally, Her Universe has announced new product releasesin time for Cyber Monday.

This week’s Camie’s Concerns has the hosts reflecting on the geeky things they’re thankful for this year. From conventions to theme parks, there are a lot of nerdy pursuits that we should be thankful for. The hosts wrap up the show with their Ask Us Anything segment.

Tosche Station Radio is the official podcast of Tosche-Station.net and a part of the Solo Sound network. If you like what you hear, please leave a review on the iTunes Music Store or the Xbox Music Store. We can also be found on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter.

Nanci and Brian are the co-founders and writers of Tosche-Station.net. You can find Nanci on Twitter with the handle @Nancipants and you can find Brian with @LaneWinree.

Howard Roffman Returns to Lucasfilm

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Over at the Official Blog, Howard Roffman discusses his return to Lucasfilm as well as his history with Bob Iger of Disney and Kathleen Kennedy. It’s a fascinating read, delving into history with Disney as well as why he chose to come back to Star Wars.

I would not have come back unless I truly believed that we were doing the right thing for Star Wars and, even more fundamentally, that we were entrusting its fate to people worthy of that trust. I believe in Bob and his teams at Disney. I believe in Kathleen. And I believe in George and our company. My faith isn’t blind. It’s based on knowing these people for decades, knowing their talents, their achievements, their integrity, their commitment. For many of the pundits analyzing the Disney deal, we are often little more than abstractions based on resumes and numbers on a page. But for me it’s much more. My faith is the product of my life experience, what I know from living and working with the folks to whom the torch has been passed, who will now share responsibility for keeping the Star Wars flame burning bright.

To read the rest, head over to the Official Blog.

Brad Bird Not in Episode VII Running

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When Michael Arndt signed on for Episode VII, speculation immediately shifted towards Lucasfilm bringing Brad Bird on as the film’s director. It would have made a lot of sense. Bird has been in Disney’s good graces for a while, helming films such as The Incredibles and Ratatouille. Unfortunately for those hoping for Bird, E!Online reports that he won’t be handling the film.

Spielberg’s out, Abrams is out, and now Bird is out. I’m starting to think the director will be someone that most of us don’t recognize.

Tosche Station Radio #36: Authenticity

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The hosts are back and there’s more Episode VII news to discuss in this week’s Tosche Station Radio!

Kicking off the show, Nanci highlights what’s new on the blog. Brian wrote a pair of columns looking into the Big Frakking Sale with a look at what it could mean for the Expanded Universe and the future of Star Wars in general. Bria reviewed the first Captain Marvel arc. Nanci re-read the Jedi Prince books. Meanwhile, Bria’s re-reading her collection of Expanded Universe novels. Emily reviewed Billy Dee Williams’ appearance on NCIS. Nanci introduced a new feature called Bake It So and the first recipe featured was “Come to the dark side, we have chocolate cake.” Bria reviewed The Old Republic: Annihilation by Drew Karpyshyn. The hosts talked about Cosplay Appreciation Day and the awful double-standards applied to female fans.

In Fixer’s Flash, Nanci’s been keeping herself busy by going on cross-country trips and writing a novel for Nanowrimo. She also appeared on the Wrong Opinions About Movies podcast to discuss the big Lucasfilm sale. Nanci’s week was made when she was officially accepted into the Rebel Legion! Meanwhile, Brian has been reading a book and not making appearances on other people’s podcasts.

Deak’s Dirt and Camie’s Concerns are combined this week as the hosts tackle more Star Wars news and discussion. We now know who the screenwriter for Episode VII will be. What does all of this mean for the Expanded Universe? Will the Big Three return? Just what is Lucasfilm up to?

Wrapping up the show, the hosts answer questions in their Ask Us Anything segment.

Tosche Station Radio is the official podcast of Tosche-Station.net and a part of the Solo Sound network. If you like what you hear, please leave a review on the iTunes Music Store or the Zune Marketplace. We can also be found on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter.

Nanci and Brian are the co-founders and writers of Tosche-Station.net. You can find Nanci on Twitter with the handle @Nancipants and you can find Brian with @LaneWinree.

Report: Kennedy Says Lucasfilm Ramping Up for 2-3 Films Per Year?

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“2-3 Films per year? Seems aggressive.”

Dunc over at Club Jade spotted an interesting (and surprising) quote in the Star Wars edition issue of Entertainment Weekly. According to them, Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy wants to make 2-3 films a year?

Lucasfilm’s co-chairman and soon-to-be president, Kathleen Kennedy, has told employees she wants the company to produce two or three films a year (it’s averaged fewer than four per decade), and first up is Star Wars: Episode VII for 2015, which will pick up sometime after Darth Vader gave his life to overthrow (figuratively and literally) the Emperor and save Luke in 1983’s Episode VI— Return of the Jedi. Yes, the plan is to return to the characters in the first trilogy (1977–83). Whether the original actors will have significant roles or merely be on hand to pass the baton to a new generation of actors—something Lucasfilm tried with mixed success with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Disney with TRON: Legacy—is unclear.

Now, let’s be clear. Based on this quote, it doesn’t mean that this would equate to 2-3 Star Wars films per year. It could be 2-3 films with any existing or potentially new Lucasfilm intellectual property. I’d hope it’s the latter, because 2-3 Star Wars films per year screams market over-saturation to me.

If it’s 2-3 Lucasfilm projects that aren’t necessarily Star Wars, that actually makes a lot of sense. With the capital resources Disney can now provide, the studio can probably afford to expand the scope of their work dramatically.

Or option the third, Entertainment Weekly misquoted Kennedy or misunderstood what she was talking about. I expect multiple news outlets are reaching out to Lucasfilm and Disney for clarification right now.