Grain of salt, etc.

MarketSaw’s insider sources claim that Alfonso Cuaron (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Children of Men) and Simon Pegg are being courted for roles for the sequel trilogy. MarketSaw has had a decent track record reporting details of both Avatar and The Hobbit, so allow that to influence what you think of this rumor if you like.

Cuaron could make some sense as a director for one of the films, but Pegg’s role would be more uncertain. Perhaps he’s being considered for a role of some sort in the Abrams-directed Episode VII, but given that the screenplay isn’t even finished yet, it’ll be some time before we know whether or not he’s actually involved. That said, Pegg is a uniquely talented actor that would offer a lot to any film.

Edit: Pegg responds

No idea where this silly rumour about me attached to the new Star Wars film came from but I can confirm that it’s absolute Bantha poodoo.

— Simon Pegg (@simonpegg) February 26, 2013

So much for that. Also of note from the MarketSaw post:

The focus is on the original trilogy in regards of reverence and tone. Remember I told you before that the tone was important, well I believe they are really taking that seriously. From everything I know, they’re focusing on that directly. Remember everything has the ability to change drastically, as Star Wars right now apart from the twin trilogies is a huge blank canvas. However, the trilogies ongoing narrative will continue to focus on that particular branch, whereas the stand alone movies, will fill and expand the voids in between in multiple timelines, and have potential to then be franchised themselves in regards to the worlds they open up.

That certainly would be in line with what Mark Hamill is hoping for. A return to the more hopeful tones of the Original Trilogy and a step away from the fatalism of the Prequel Trilogy.

And again, grain of salt, exercise caution.