Casting VII

[Mike_Droideka]

I know this is only a rumor, but I cannot help but get excited by this bit of info!

We've waited months for some trustworthy Star Wars Episode VII news, and just 24 hours after it was revealed that Breaking Bad's Jesse Plemons is meeting with J.J. Abrams about a role in the new trilogy, The Hollywood Reporter has broken some huge news about the movie. Firstly, Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class), Adam Driver (Girls) and Hugo Weaving (Captain America: The First Avenger) are all being considered for roles, with two sources claiming that the latter is apparently being lined up to play an Imperial commander.

According to the site, the movie has changed considerably since Michael Arndt was taken off scriptwriting duties. Why? Well, "Arndt is said to have focused on the offspring of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), with the original trilogy heroes taking on supporting roles. Abrams, however, wanted Episode VII to focus on the classic trio of characters, so audiences could have one more chance to enjoy them before a fitting send-off. The new characters, the offspring, will now be in supporting roles, according to these sources, and take center stage in Episode VIII and IX. Some characters have disappeared from the Arndt script and new ones are being drafted."

As a result, the type of actors being sought after for the movie has drastically changed, with even those who auditioned now no longer needed. One of those is Mud's Tye Sheridan, but sources tell the site that such young actors are no longer needed. One role which was initially conceived as a 20-year old male is now being rewritten to be a 40-year old. In a final interesting twist, the site adds: "The latest bit to surface this week is that Abrams and Lucasfilm are now searching for a 20-something female actress who is either of mixed race or black. The rumor is that Obi-Wan Kenobi had a daughter or granddaughter."

Source

[DoubleSith]

Man, I don't like that the reason to rework the script is to give the three old farts a larger role. New trilogy, new leads!

I hope Kennedy and Abrams know what they're doing.

[Mike_Droideka]

I think it's a great idea, then let the younger cast take on larger roles in the other two!

[Bandersnatch]

...to give the three old farts a larger role.

2 of those three "old farts" are only 10 years older than me.

But anyway, if the story works and the new younger characters evolve over the course of the new trilogy, then that's cool with me.

[Mike_Droideka]

That's it.

A compelling story, with strong believable performances, enhanced with cool FX is enough for me.
I couldn't give a shit how old they are.

[DoubleSith]

...to give the three old farts a larger role.

2 of those three "old farts" are only 10 years older than me.

But anyway, if the story works and the new younger characters evolve over the course of the new trilogy, then that's cool with me.

Hey, I'm no spring chicken myself, but Ford is going to be 7 years older than he was on Indy IV! I'm fine with them being there in the background to pass the torch, but to have them carry the bulk of the action...I dunno.

[Alexrd]

Hey, I'm no spring chicken myself, but Ford is going to be 7 years older than he was on Indy IV! I'm fine with them being there in the background to pass the torch, but to have them carry the bulk of the action...I dunno.

I agree. If true, it's nothing more than a desperate attempt to cash in on nostalgia for them and a particular sect of the fandom at the expense of the envisioned story.

[VT-16]

From what Lucas said over the decades (before denying he ever planned the Sequels), there's a passing of the torch in the Sequels anyway. I don't know how this destroys anything else he had planned.

All I need is Ford actually caring for a role and not doing the "dying old man" act.

[Bandersnatch]

All I need is Ford actually caring for a role and not doing the "dying old man" act.

Or his "contractual obligation" act, which is what ROTJ always felt like to me.

[CoGro]

The idea that Obi-wan had a daughter or granddaughter is pretty ridiculous.

[The_Somnambulist]

There's something strangely appealing about the prospect of watching these geezers go for another Star Wars ride so removed in time from the OT.

Reminds me of some Frank Miller comic art I've seen of older, stockier versions of Batman and Superman (I know, I'm a comic nub).

[DoubleSith]

J.J. Abrams Says ‘Star Wars Episode VII’ Script Done, Confirms Jesse Plemons Talks

J.J. Abrams says the script for “Star Wars Episode VII” is complete, and confirms that he’s talked with “Breaking Bad” actor Jesse Plemons about a role.

“We’re working really hard and we’ve got our script and we’re in deep prep,” Abrams told TheWrap. “Full steam ahead, y’know.”

Abrams spoke Sunday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour, where he’s promoting his new NBC series, “Believe.” He confirmed that Plemons is among the actors he’s speaking with, and expressed surprise about the reports of his talks with the actor.

“He is one of the actors that we’ve talked to, yeah,” Abrams said. “But, you know. It’s not often that I read about actors that I’m going to be meeting… that I get to read articles about actors who are going to come in. And so I get to see someone and say, ‘Oh, I read that I’m going to see you.’ … It’s usually agents talking to people about what’s happening. It’s a lot of noise.”

The Wrap

In other rumor news, Big Shiny Robot is reporting that they're hearing Judi Dench as Mon Mothma.

[Bandersnatch]

Good news about the script.

But this...

In other rumor news, Big Shiny Robot is reporting that they're hearing Judi Dench as Mon Mothma.

...is just odd. Dench is awesome of course, but why not use the actress who played Mon Mothma in ROTJ? She's still around and is only 1 year older than Dench: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0086860/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

[Bandersnatch]

Gary Oldman: "They've called, yeah... they've inquired."


http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=114535

[Mike_Droideka]

Wow, Oldman is a superb actor and perfect for SW.

[Bandersnatch]

More casting calls and shooting start date:

http://www.moviecastingcall.org/2014/02 ... epted.html

[DoubleSith]

Multiple sources now have confirmed for us that "Star Wars Episode VII" is set to start shooting mid-May and will run through September of this year, and most principal casting on the film is complete, with many announcements still to come.

What do we really know about the new film at this point? In terms of concrete verified fact? Very little. I hear pretty much everyone who could make a return will make a return. While I haven't had it confirmed conclusively, I think that even includes Lando.

HitFix

[BlackCriminalGangster2050]

Multiple sources now have confirmed for us that "Star Wars Episode VII" is set to start shooting mid-May and will run through September of this year, and most principal casting on the film is complete, with many announcements still to come.

What do we really know about the new film at this point? In terms of concrete verified fact? Very little. I hear pretty much everyone who could make a return will make a return. While I haven't had it confirmed conclusively, I think that even includes Lando.

HitFix

Star Wars Episode VII: We've Even Got Lando

Not a ton of new info, but McWeeny sure can write a solid "excitement piece"...the best thing that dude ever did for himself was leaving behind the rancid stench of AICN, Knowles, "pwesents", etc.

[CoGro]

Non news.

We'll get a casting announcement before May that's for sure.

[DoubleSith]

With Star Wars: Episode VII casting underway and production expected to begin in the spring in the U.K., Industrial Light & Magic -- the VFX division of Lucasfilm, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company -- is getting ready to launch a new feature visual effects facility in central London.

She also revealed that since production of J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars is planned at London’s Pinewood Studios, “we’ll certainly have some art department and previs there, but we’re not currently planning on having a large ILM presence at Pinewood. We did consider splitting the facility in two, but we are now focusing on our London facility and having an as-needed facility at Pinewood to be near the production.”

ILM’s Roger Guyett (who earned his third Oscar nomination this year for Star Trek Into Darkness) will be the VFX supervisor on Star Wars Episode VII. The plan is for the ILM facilities to handle all of the work for the film, not just in the U.K., but also in ILM’s San Francisco headquarters, and Singapore and Vancouver locations, as well as at its strategic partner, Base FX in Beijing. The London facility will have a pipeline allowing it to share work with the other ILM offices.

THR

[CoGro]

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/66222

New casting rumour (though it comes from Harry): Jack Reynor is in Episode VII

[BlackCriminalGangster2050]

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/66222

New casting rumour (though it comes from Harry): Jack Reynor is in Episode VII

Did they find the same model dish? Did they paint it white again?

Will we discover the bathroom on the Falcon?

This Jack Reynor dude sure has a young Harrison Ford thing going on in this pic, at least:

[Cryostar]

You may want to sell them now. Once these characters get retconed into oblivion, their sentimental value (and market value) will slowly diminish.

Ah, but that's not how the secondary market works, you know. It's about availability of the figure, and with many of those EU figures, especially the comic packs never getting made again...and the character's getting retconned, the demand will soar, leading to these figures gaining a life of their own.

[Bandersnatch]

You can stop right there...I don't trust that fat slop any further than I can throw him by hitting him with a bus.

That.

Also, Jack Reynor is busy shooting MACBETH right now, so I can't imagine he'd be available to do Star Wars simultaneously.

[Cryostar]

The joy to Harry's madness! He doesn't have to be available until MAY!

[DoubleSith]

No Jack Reynor

"There is no truth in that -- Jack is not taking on a role in the latest Star Wars film," a spokesperson for the actor told the Herald.

"He has not been approached about a role and there has been no discussion.

"The rumours started online, but there is no foundation to them."

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/jack-reynor-shoots-down-star-wars-rumours-30029504.html

[Cryostar]

rumors...

"Ian McDiarmid, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Warwick Davies, Benedict Cumberbatch and Gary Oldman. I believe Cumberbatch and Oldman were pursued for the same role, but I don't know how that will work out with the script changes, but I'm told they are both involved."

"Many Star Wars pre-production issues, an 'inadequate' central story which nobody would stamp off on, a problematic initial release date and an 'indecisive' director (J.J. Abrams) with the hardest gig in the industry. It's not going to be a cakewalk, but it will be a product shipping with the majority of its original parts."

"Ultimately it's about twins, and which will take a path towards darkness and which will follow in their father's footsteps, or at least that is what it used to be, that may come later as I think changes are being undertaken to bring the original cast into the forefront of the story leading to ramifications that lead up to the next generation of Skywalkers."

http://geektyrant.com/news/star-wars-ep ... ory-update

[CoGro]

They're going to have to make some casting announcements soon. Production is around the corner.

[Cryostar]

Not JJ.....I wouldn't bet we wouldn't find out some people until they show up on set.

[BlackCriminalGangster2050]

Variety: Adam Driver Reportedly Cast as EpVII villain

huh...I thought he would've been fantastic playing a young Han Solo--not for physical resemblance, but because I thought he could capture the spirit of Solo.

[CoGro]

Wont need much makeup to make him look scary: he is one ugly dude

[Mike_Droideka]

Darth Cletus?

[Jinh Warrior]

Is this source reliable or is it just another rumor?

[Alexrd]

Well, it's Variety, they don't bring things up like this baselessly.

[DoubleSith]

After meeting with several young actors this past year, sources tell Variety that “Downton Abbey” thesp Ed Speleers, “Attack the Block” star John Boyega, Jesse Plemons and theater actors Matthew James Thomas, and Ray Fisher are among the men J.J. Abrams is eyeing for the lead role. Though some insiders warn the search is still ongoing, multiple sources confirm to Variety these actors have moved to the top of the list in recent weeks.

Exact details of the character are vague but the part is believed to be a Jedi apprentice. The original draft by Michael Arndt was said to focus on Han Solo and Princess Leia’s kids, however, Abrams and Kasdan’s recent rewrite reportedly puts their offspring in a supporting role.

Variety

Boyega is awesome, I hope he gets the role. I like Plemons as well, but fuck Eragon.

[Joe1138]

Boyega is awesome, I hope he gets the role.

I agree. I thought Attack The Block was all right but Boyega's performance really stood out.

[CoGro]

He could play Luke's son.

[Joe1138]

He could play Luke's son.

It's funny you bring that up. Boyega hasn't been the only black actor rumored for a lead role Episode VII (Michael B. Jordan being the other). If Abrams really is casting his net this wide, might the new films not focus on Luke's or Han and Leia's offspring after all?

[CoGro]

It's funny you bring that up. Boyega hasn't been the only black actor rumored for a lead role Episode VII (Michael B. Jordan being the other). If Abrams really is casting his net this wide, might the new films not focus on Luke's or Han and Leia's offspring after all?

Well if there's any truth to these rumours that Boyega is competing against white actors for a lead role the assumption would be that the role isn't a Skywalker / Solo.

I imagine there will be multiple Jedi padawans in this film and it would make sense for them to diversify the cast in that regard. I don't think it means that the Skywalker / Solo kids won't play significant roles also. Maybe these casting rumours are for the Solo / Skywalker kids' padawans. Remember that Luke and Leia's kids could be over 30 (assuming VII takes place roughly 30 years after Jedi) and might be full-fledged Jedi Knights - not the padawans we suspect them to be.

[Topeka]

In this expanded universe, Mara Jade could be black.

[pjvader]

DUH! its lando's son

[Dalsk]

Probably fake, but a logo for Episode VII was found on Twitter:
http://www.sithclan.net/index.php?id=13438
(French website, but the pictures isn't )

[DoubleSith]

That logo is fake, the source is the same guy that did the fake D23 posters last year.

Add Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o to those meeting for the part of the female lead in Star Wars: Episode VII.

Sources say that Nyong-o met with J.J. Abrams only a few weeks ago, just before the Academy Awards where she took home the statuette for best supporting actress for her work in 12 Years a Slave.

Now Nyong'o’s name has surfaced in connection to Star Wars. Because of the secrecy, it is unclear which role it could be. One possibility is that of a descendent of Obi-Wan Kenobi, which has been described as a non-Caucasian role. That is separate from the search for two roles, female and male, for characters in their twenties.

THR

[Dalsk]

That logo is fake, the source is the same guy that did the fake D23 posters last year.

Yep, confirmed fake by the official Star Wars Twitter.

[CoGro]

Honestly, if she plays a relative of Obi-wan it might become the dumbest shit in all of Star Wars.

[Bandersnatch]

Maybe Obi-Wan liked dark meat?

[DoubleSith]

Bob Iger:

Disney CEO Bob Iger says only one actor has been cast for the new “Star Wars” film — and it's R2-D2.

Iger also confirmed that the film, due Dec. 18, 2015, will take place 30 years after “Return of the Jedi,” and will feature a trio of new young leads, as well as several “very familiar faces.” It will begin shooting in May.

The Wrap

[CoGro]

With all due respect to Mr. Iger - R2D2 is a character, not an actor.

[Alexrd]

Thanks Iger, I can read a press release as well...

[Joe1138]

With all due respect to Mr. Iger - R2D2 is a character, not an actor.

I would not want to be the guy at Disney to break the news to Iger.