Star Wars: Episode IX Rise of the skywalker, First Trailer out

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Lucasfilm and Disney are quickly approaching the premiere of their next Star Wars film, as part of their announced slate to bring the franchise back into theaters every year. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens started off their plan in the best way possible, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story has now been tasked to follow up to a lower, but still high, level of success. Rogue One takes a departure from all previous seven films by not being a saga film – though the main saga will be picked up again in Star Wars: Episode VIII in 2017.
Episode 8 is one of the most anticipated movies of next year, as it will hopefully answer the burning questions audiences left The Force Awakens with. Whatever questions are not answered or new ones that arise throughout the next film will have to wait until Star Wars: Episode IX hits theaters in 2019 to be addressed. Despite it being more than two years away from potentially premiering, it appears filming on Episode IX could begin sooner than expected.



Project Casting (via Omega Underground) is asserting that Episode IX will begin filming in April 2017 at Pinewood Studios UK. This has been one of the primary filming locations for both Episode VII and VIII, so a return is hardly a surprise. Instead, the reveal that production will begin so early is curious. For comparison, Episode VIII started filming in February 2016 and will be released in December 2018. This has given director Rian Johnson plenty of time to work through the movie and make what is hopefully another great addition to the franchise. If Episode IX does begin filming in April, the movie will absolutely be on track for a 2019 release.

Lucasfilm and Disney have so far not confirmed a release date for Episode IX, but either May 2019 or December 2019 seems likely. May used to be Star Wars‘ month to release movies but as Disney has seemingly given the first week of the month to Marvel Studios’ properties, putting two major releases three weeks apart crowds the summer season and cannibalizes the long running success of each. For 2019, Marvel Studios has the fourth and Untitled Avengers movie hitting the first week of May, so it would be a surprising move for Lucasfilm to date the conclusion to this trilogy (and potentially saga films as a whole) so close to another one of Disney’s biggest tentpoles.
Instead, an April start date could mean the beginning of pre-production as well, or director Colin Trevorrow is being given a massive head start to meet a December 2019 date. December is where The Force Awakens made its mark on the history books and both Rogue One and Episode VIII look to do the same. The young Han Solo movie will arrive in May of 2018 instead, to avoid competing head-to-head with Avatar 2 in December. Episode IX seems most likely to take the December 2019 spot (what with Avatar 3 not arriving until 2020) – and if so, it should have more than enough time to become a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, if the rumored filming start date is accurate.


Source: Project Casting [via Omega Underground]

 

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[h=1]Star Wars 9 Will Reportedly Begin Filming April 2017[/h]



Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is currently tearing up the box office, making the new annual release schedule for Star Wars a smash success thus far. And with Episode VIII looking to drop its very first trailer sometime next spring, and with the still-untitled young Han Solo anthology film set to begin filming right around the same time, the never-ending Lucasfilm production machine is continuing forward apace.
That makes the third round of sequels and spinoffs the highest priority on everyone’s mind. When can we expect any kind of information on Episode IX and the movie that will replace the dead-in-the-water Boba Fett Star Wars Story? As it turns out, sooner than you might think.
Omega Underground is now reporting that a second source has confirmed the previous report from Project Casting, alleging an April 2017 production start date for Episode IX. That means that production on Episode IX (in some form) would take place concurrently with Episode VIII’s post-production and Han Solo’s principal photography.


If accurate, this is highly interesting news. More than the rather-convoluted production slate that Lucasfilm will have to maintain – it’s quickly getting to Marvel Studios-esque levels here – there’s the question of release dates. Both The Force Awakens and Rogue One had their initially-planned opening days pushed back from the traditional May window to December, a move which SW8 is following. Disney/Lucasfilm is releasing Han Solo in May of 2018 based on the expectation that Avatar 2 will open in theaters in December of that year, but it’s plausible that Episode IX will move back to December 2019 (seeing as there won’t be an Avatar sequel arriving that year).

Still, a production start in April 2017 doesn’t fit the pattern that we’ve seen with Disney’s Star Wars films thus far. Assuming that the second anthology installment does, indeed, keep its May 2018 debut, here’s a list of the various movies’ production start dates, their release dates, and how many months transpired between the two:

• Episode VII – May 2014/December 2015 (19 months)
• Rogue One – August 2015/December 2016 (16 months)
• Episode VIII – February 2016/December 2017 (22 months)
• Young Han Solo – February 2017/May 2018 (15 months)

A filming start next April, with a debut in May 2019, would give Star Wars: Episode IX a sizeable 25 month window. If we bump the film back to December of that year, then the production cycle grows to 32 months.
This means that either (a) the information is incorrect or that (b) Disney executives, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, and co-writer/director Colin Trevorrow are all so concerned about sticking the landing perfectly right – since this may very well be the swan song to the entire Skywalker family story and all – that they’ve built themselves a filmmaking lifecycle that more closely mirrors what George Lucas did with all six of his installments; giving himself plenty of time and room for reshoots or writing entirely new material, based on how the movie evolves in the editing room. Either way, it opens a can of worms – one that fans of Star Wars should enjoy following and obsessing about over the course of the next few years.
Source: Omega Underground, Project Casting

 

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Star Wars: Episode 9 to Begin Filming in Late 2017?

The Star Wars community was hit with the bad news today that the galaxy’s favorite princess is no longer with them. The news has since been the source for a number of updates on the future of the franchise’s films, mostly in regard to what degree General Leia will play a role. Reportedly, Fisher completed filming a much larger role in Star Wars: Episode VIII prior to her passing, and was expected to return for Star Wars: Episode IX, but the story will now be retooled to accommodate for her absence.
Recently, reports have begun to circulate that Episode IX could begin filming sooner than expected with Lucasfilm potentially eyeing spring 2017. However, a new report points to director Colin Trevorrow having to wait much longer before he can begin.
The new details come courtesy of Deadline who confirmed that Leia was expected to return for the end of the trilogy, but also revealed that the previous filming timeframe appears to be off. Their sources indicate that Episode IX will not begin production “for about a year.”

The timing of the information, which contradicts previous reports could be an indicator of how much the studio will have to rework the story without Leia. Given the path that Star Wars movies have traditionally followed, Episode IX may well have had another large role for Leia, as a general in the Resistance, but also in shaping the arc of Kylo Ren. Then again, the reveal that production may not begin as soon as anticipated may simply be coincidence.
Regardless of whether Episode IX begins production in the spring or waits until winter of 2017, the film should still have more than enough time to finish production without impacting its tentative theatrical release date. Lucasfilm has yet to confirm the precise date for the film’s premiere, but it will likely be in either May or December of 2019. The studio has traditionally started production on new films nearly a year and a half before it is expected to bow in theaters. This new start date would still line up for a May release, but with both Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story performing so well in December, the rest of the films may wind up following suit.
Screen Rant will have more details on the production schedule of Star Wars: Episode IX as they are made available.
Source: Deadline

 

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Taken in Tunisia early morning Day #1 waiting for my 1st shot (emerging from home for robot auction)-Perhaps the very 1st #LukePic #SW pic.twitter.com/WMCGnWCotP

9:00 AM - 18 Mar 2017

 

[mac007]

franchise is still going strong..... waiting for next movie

 

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[h=1]Star Wars 9 May Use Carrie Fisher Footage, No CGI[/h]

Star Wars: Episode IX may use footage of the late Carrie Fisher to conclude her role as General Leia Organa, according to her brother Todd Fisher. Since the tragic death of Fisher this past December, many fans have wondered how it might affect her role as General Leia Organa in the upcoming Star Wars films. It might seem like a callous way to react to her death, but Leia is as beloved to fans as Fisher was, and to think of the saga continuing on without her was almost too much to bear. After news that Fisher had finished filming a larger, more central role in Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, fans began to wonder what might await the beloved princess-turned-general in the new trilogy’s final film.
One major worry several fans had was that Leia’s role in The Last Jedi would be changed during reshoots, possibly to include the character’s death as a way of explaining why she wouldn’t appear in Episode IX. News that Leia’s role remained unchanged were no doubt a relief to this worried sub-group.


Now, at the TCM Film Festival, Fisher’s brother Todd Fisher has revealed that he and Fisher’s daughter Billie Lourd have granted Lucasfilm the rights to use unused footage of Fisher from the prior two Star Wars films. CGI being used to re-create Leia was already debunked in the days following Fisher’s death. Fisher’s brother said in an interview with the New York Daily News:

“Both of us were like, ‘Yes, how do you take her out of it?’ And the answer is you don’t. She’s as much a part of it as anything and I think her presence now is even more powerful than it was, like Obi Wan — when the saber cuts him down he becomes more powerful. I feel like that’s what’s happened with Carrie. I think the legacy should continue… To me, Star Wars is the holy grail of storytelling and lore and you can’t mess with it.”
​

This news is especially heartening considering Leia supposedly has a big role to play in both The Last Jedi and Episode IX. The Force Awakens put Leia in another role of great power, as well as handing her a lot to work with emotionally. To erase that set-up in favor of unceremoniously writing Leia off, regardless of circumstance, would have been a betrayal to the legacy of the character. Leia has always mattered and been more than just a princess. It is only right that Lucasfilm honor the legacy of the first lady of Star Wars and give her the chance to complete her on-screen journey.
Lucasfilm’s decision to keep Leia as part of the story, without relying on CGI to bring her back, is a smart and considerate decision. It shows the respect the studio clearly had for Fisher. By using unused footage to keep her as part of Episode IX, they are not compromising the narrative established in both previous films, and are allowing both the studio and the fans to have a sense of closure. Leia’s story will live on, and like the Force, Fisher will always be with us.


Source: New York Daily News

 

[its Me]

 

[Bankabilla]

That was an ordinary trailer.Nothing to get excited at all,but then again Force Awakens wasn't very special either,it just had nostalgia factor working for it to make it so successful. Let's see how this one goes.

 

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Star Wars: Episode 8 Officially Titled The Last Jedi

star wars 8 thread here....

 

[its Me]

Star Wars: Episode 8 Officially Titled The Last Jedi

star wars 8 thread here....

Did not see that one before posting (sm1)

 

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[h=1]Star Wars 9: Carrie Fisher Won’t Appear, Says Kathleen Kennedy[/h]

Footage of Carrie Fisher will not be used in Star Wars 9. While the newest Star Wars films have focused on young characters, one of the best parts for the older fans has been seeing the return of some of the beloved characters who had not been seen since Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. With Luke Skywalker only being seen in the final moments of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Han Solo now gone, the constant has been General Leia. She even made a brief appearance in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – courtesy of a bit of movie magic.
So when actress Carrie Fisher died suddenly at the end of 2016, it was a devastating blow to the fans who had waited so long for the story of Leia, Luke, and Han to continue. She had finished filming her role in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. But the fate of her character in Star Wars 9 was of immediate concern.
According to a statement that Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy gave to ABCNews, Carrie Fisher will not appear in Star Wars 9 as her iconic character Leia Organa. This is in spite of a statement made by the late actress’ brother Todd Fisher, indicating that he and Fisher’s daughter Billie Lourd had given permission for footage to be used of the late actress in the upcoming film. Earlier today Kennedy stated that no decision had been made about whether to include the footage or have Leia appear in some other fashion. She thinks that Todd Fisher was “confused” when he made his earlier statement about his sister being in the ninth film.

Kennedy earlier reported that Leia has quite a bit of screen time in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and gives a beautiful performance. Though whether her story concludes in The Last Jedi – or if there is footage which will allow it to conclude – is not known at this time. Fisher’s death was quite sudden, leaving Lucasfilm no time to plan for how to end her story and continue without her. Kennedy did indicate in her interview that there was a conclusion in The Last Jedi, though whether she means a conclusion to Leia’s story or simply that Fisher had concluded filming was not clear.
The loss of Fisher will certainly have a deep impact on Star Wars 9. Both in the loss of a fine actress and the franchise’s original female hero.
[h=2]Next: Watch Star Wars Celebration’s Carrie Fisher Tribute[/h]Source: ABCNews

 

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[h=1]Star Wars: Episode 9 Gets Official 2019 Release Date[/h]

Lucasfilm and Disney have yet to release Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but they’ve now confirmed that the followup Star Wars: Episode IX will debut in May. The studios have found great success recently with December, ever since they brought back Star Wars. The Force Awakens was the first film of this new slate to hit in December and did so with record-breaking success, thanks to a lack of blockbuster competition. Even their first anthology movie, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story benefited from the December launch and crossed $1 billion worldwide.
The Last Jedi is currently set to be released this December, but that may be the final Star Wars film to come out in the winter. Han Solo already has laid claim to an end of May 2018 release date, and now Episode IX has landed a release the year after.
Disney has announced that Episode IX will follow suit with Han Solo and debut in the heart of the summer season, specifically on May 24, 2019. This will mark the first episodic movie to debut in May since the Star Wars relaunch, and means fans will have an even shorter wait following The Last Jedi.

This is a somewhat surprising move for Disney and Lucasfilm to make at this stage. The Last Jedi already figures to be a box office hit this December where it experiences little competition, but the summer season can be a much more competitive time – even for Star Wars. Both Rogue One and The Force Awakens had great legs and continued to bring in new and repeat viewings thanks to the lack of competition, but that will not be the case in the summer. Now, opening weekend numbers will be much more important as the heavy competition will mean diminishing returns as Episode IX goes on.
Episode IX is only in the pre-production stage at this point, and now has just about two years to get the movie finished. Director Colin Trevorrow recently revealed that a script is in place and they’re working on making that a final version, one that won’t include Carrie Fisher as Leia. This move to May for what could be all Star Wars movies may be an effort to avoid James Cameron’s impending onslaught of Avatar sequels, starting with Avatar 2 arriving in 2020.
Even so, an early release should make Star Wars fans ecstatic as it means even less time between the end of The Last Jedi and the debut of the final installment in the trilogy. The Last Jedi will surely leave audiences wanting more and with new questions, so instead of the two year gap between The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, it will be merely a year and a half.


Source: Disney/Lucasfilm

 

[mac007]

one movie a year is a good speed opcorn2:

 

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[h=1]Director Colin Trevorrow Exits Star Wars: Episode 9[/h]

Director Colin Trevorrow, who had been attached to helm Star Wars: Episode IX since summer 2015, has exited the project following creative differences with Lucasfilm. The studio’s big screen revival of the galaxy far, far away got off to a rousing start in 2015 with the $2 billion success of The Force Awakens, but things haven’t been as smooth in the years since. Last year’s Rogue One (which was a critical and financial hit), went through extensive reshoots that saw filmmaker Tony Gilroy come in to oversee the additional photography. While that drama seemed like a big deal at the time, it was nothing compared to what the studio has endured this year.
Back in June, Phil Lord and Chris Miller were infamously fired from the Han Solo spinoff movie, four months into production. While all that was going down, Trevorrow’s The Book of Henry was an unmitigated critical and commercial disaster, causing some to wonder if his future with Star Wars would be in doubt. While Trevorrow remained very enthusiastic about the opportunity, it has now been revealed he is stepping down.


In a statement, it was said Lucasfilm and Trevorrow have mutually agreed to part ways since their “visions for the project differ.” They mentioned more information about Episode IX will be revealed soon. Currently, the plan is for the film to begin shooting in January 2018 so it can meet its previously scheduled May 2019 release date. The studio will have to move quickly to find a replacement to stay on track, but odds are they have some names lined up for the job. After all, Ron Howard swiftly replaced Lord and Miller on Han Solo, so it shouldn’t be a long search to find someone new for Episode IX.

During his time onboard, Trevorrow was extremely complimentary of Lucasfilm’s collaborative nature, promising fans a poignant conclusion to the trilogy (and possibly the saga). However, reports are suggesting it was an uneasy alliance. Per THR, script issues plagued Episode IX in development, which led to Jack Thorne being hired in August to rewrite the screenplay. Sources told the outlet Trevorrow’s relationship with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy had become “unmanageable.” After the Han Solo fiasco, Kennedy apparently “tried to avoid this decision,” but the parties could not agree on the right direction for Star Wars 9. Fortunately, there are still five months left until principal photography, so it isn’t as dire a situation.
It will be interesting to see who Lucasfilm gets to step in, as an argument can be made recent developments may turn directors off from entering the Star Wars universe. One logical option on the table is Rian Johnson, who is coming off a great experience directing The Last Jedi. Earlier this year, the Looper helmsman said he would call the shots on another Star Wars film in a heartbeat, so there’s definite interest there. Given how much the cast loved Johnson’s screenplay and approach to the franchise, he seems like a natural fit to conclude the story he is continuing this holiday season.
[h=2]Source: Lucasfilm, THR[/h]

 

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[h=1]Star Wars 9 Director Reportedly Fired For Being ‘Difficult’[/h]

More alleged details concerning Colin Trevorrow’s departure from Star Wars: Episode IX have emerged, implying that the director was “difficult” to work with during the developmental process. Earlier this week, Lucasfilm made waves when they parted ways with the filmmaker, who had been attached to Episode IX for more than two years. The official press release indicated the age-old “creative differences” were to blame for the split, but as in the curious case of Phil Lord and Chris Miller, many presumed there was more to the story. It didn’t take long for more information to come out.
Shortly after the announcement, reports stated the script was the biggest hurdle Star Wars 9 could not clear, as Trevorrow handed in multiple drafts that apparently did not satisfy the powers that be at Lucasfilm. It was said the Jurassic World helmsman’s relationship with Kathleen Kennedy had become “unmanageable,” giving the studio president no choice but to move on. Based on the latest word, Trevorrow’s personality played a large role in the newest Star Wars directorial shakeup.
According to Vulture, the record-shattering success of 2015’s Jurassic World seemed to have gone to Trevorrow’s head, and the newfound egotistical outlook coupled with The Book of Henry (Trevorrow’s film released earlier this year) failing critically and commercially didn’t sit well with Kennedy:

“During the making of Jurassic World, he focused a great deal of his creative energies on asserting his opinion. But because he had been personally hired by Spielberg, nobody could say, ‘You’re fired.’ Once that film went through the roof and he chose to do Henry, [Trevorrow] was unbearable. He had an egotistical point of view— and he was always asserting that. When the reviews for Book of Henry came out, there was immediately conjecture that Kathy was going to dump him because they weren’t thrilled with working with him anyway. He’s a difficult guy. He’s really, really, really confident. Let’s call it that.”
​

While another public breakup with a director so soon after the Lord and Miller debacle on the Han Solo anthology was hardly what Lucasfilm needed, it’s arguably better Kennedy pulled the plug now with roughly four months to go until the start of principal photography instead of sticking it out with someone she didn’t get along with. Nobody understands the pressure to get the new Star Wars movies “right” for the fans more than Kennedy, and she has shown a willingness to make some tough calls in order to do what she feels is best for the longterm viability of what was a $4 billion acquisition for Disney. It’s becoming apparent Lucasfilm may need to rethink their hiring procedures as they look ahead to Obi-Wan and other future films so they avoid more dustups, but that problem sounds easily fixable on-paper, especially with what the studio has learned from their experiences so far.
Granted, Lucasfilm’s handling of their directors may prevent some filmmakers from lending their talents to the galaxy far, far away, but it’s hard to argue with the success Kennedy has had guiding the new era of Star Wars onscreen, and the allure of working in such a legendary franchise has drawn in Oscar caliber names like Ron Howard and possibly Stephen Daldry (who is said to be in early talks for the Obi-Wan film). It was admirable that Kennedy attempted to give up-and-comers a shot at playing in such an expansive sandbox, but for now, it seems like the studio’s vision for their prized possession gels better with experienced directors who know the drill and are open for collaboration. Kennedy, as Vulture‘s source states, is the “gatekeeper” of one of the most popular properties in the history of pop culture. She has a clear vision and – right or wrong – is seeing it through.
[h=2]Source: Vulture[/h]

 

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[h=1]Star Wars 9: J.J. Abrams To Write and Direct[/h]

J.J. Abrams has been hired to direct Star Wars: Episode IX, following the departure of original helmsman Colin Trevorrow. Recently, Lucasfilm made waves when they parted ways with the Jurassic World filmmaker, citing creative differences over the project. Unfortunately for the studio, this was the second such incident they’ve been through in the past few months, as Phil Lord and Chris Miller were infamously fired from the Han Solo anthology movie back in June. Though Lucasfilm’s new Star Wars films have been successful critically and commercially, their numerous director woes have some fans concerned about the stability of the franchise moving forward.
At the time of the Trevorrow announcement, many had presumed a replacement was lined up, especially considering Episode IX‘s schedule. Lucasfilm plans on beginning principal photography in January 2018 so the film can meet its May 2019 premiere. Given how fast they brought Ron Howard aboard to take over for Lord and Miller, nobody expected the Star Wars 9 director search to go on for very long, and now they’ve found who is (hopefully) the right person for the job.
In a press release, Lucasfilm announced J.J. Abrams will step in to call the shots on Episode IX, which potentially could be the last installment in the Skywalker saga. With this development, Abrams becomes the only director besides George Lucas to helm multiple films in the franchise. It was also revealed Oscar winner Chris Terrio will co-write the script with Abrams, meaning Jack Thorne (who was brought onboard in August) has been quickly axed. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy had this to say:

“With The Force Awakens, J.J. delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for, and I am so excited that he is coming back to close out this trilogy.”

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According to Deadline, Last Jedi writer/director Rian Johnson was initially offered the gig, but declined. This led to the studio reaching out to Abrams, and obviously an agreement was made. While Abrams is most definitely a safe choice, he’s also a logical one at this point in time. With Episode IX undergoing a complete overhaul of its creative team so soon before production starts up, it was a necessity for Lucasfilm to find someone they know works well in their system so they can avoid future issues from arising. Additionally, as the one who started the sequel trilogy, Abrams created several new fan-favorite characters like Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren, so he should be able to end their respective stories on a resonant and (ideally) high note. Plus, he is a die-hard Star Wars fan and demonstrated a deep understanding for what made the original trilogy so special on Episode VII.
As of now, Episode IX remains on track to commence filming in about four months, so Abrams and Terrio have their work cut out for them if the film is to stay on that trajectory. Fortunately, Abrams has been involved with the development of the sequel trilogy over the past couple of years, serving as an executive producer on Last Jedi and being a member of the brain trust Trevorrow was bouncing ideas off of during his time on the film. This was probably a key factor in his hiring, as he possesses knowledge of the narrative and isn’t just jumping in fresh. Abrams may not have been the first name on many fans’ wish lists, but he has the experience and ability to close the saga out in entertaining fashion – and that’s ultimately what matters most.
[h=2]Source: Lucasfilm, Deadline[/h]​

 

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[h=1]Star Wars 9 Moves To December 2019[/h]

Star Wars: Episode IX has a new release date, and will open in December 2019 instead of its previously scheduled May window. The film has recently undergone massive changes in the creative team, with Force Awakens helmsman J.J. Abrams stepping in to replace the departed Colin Trevorrow (who left the project last week due to creative differences with Lucasfilm). Abrams is also writing the movie alongside Argo scribe Chris Terrio, which isn’t a surprising development considering the script was the biggest hurdle Trevorrow (and then Jack Thorne) was unable to clear.
That Star Wars 9 saw such an overhaul at this stage in development was somewhat alarming, since the plan was for production on the sequel to begin in January 2018 – four months from this writing – so it could meet its summer 2019 release date. However, Lucasfilm is keen on ending the sequel trilogy on a strong note, and are willing to give Abrams and Terrio more time to crack the story. As was the case with its predecessors, Episode IX will be a holiday affair and arrive in theaters for Christmas.
The official Star Wars Twitter account broke the news today, announcing December 20, 2019 is when the film will be released.

Star Wars: Episode IX is scheduled for release on December 20, 2019. pic.twitter.com/rDBqmuHX89
— Star Wars (@starwars) September 12, 2017​

While next year’s Han Solo anthology movie remains on course for a May premiere, the new era of Star Wars on film has found tremendous success in December. Both The Force Awakens and Rogue One posted monster numbers at the box office, taking advantage of limited competition and waves of positive buzz. This year’s The Last Jedi is also set to dominate multiplexes over the winter, so it isn’t surprising Lucasfilm repositioned Episode IX to replicate that performance. This also gives the studio another opportunity to put together a massive Force Friday event in fall 2019, unveiling Star Wars 9 merchandise just in time for holiday shopping. As indicated above, there additionally is an artistic reason behind this decision, since Abrams and his team now have some extra breathing room when penning the screenplay. Some will recall Abrams requested Force Awakens be pushed back, so it’s possible something similar happened here. The last thing Lucasfilm wants is to rush a troubled production through for the sake of making a release date.
This sets up a rather interesting box office showdown a couple years from now, as Warner Bros. recently slotted Wonder Woman 2 for December 13, 2019. Diana Prince proved to be a box office juggernaut in her own right this summer, when Wonder Woman grossed $410.5 million domestically. Since both WB and Lucasfilm will want to maximize profits for their highly-anticipated blockbusters, it seems unlikely both will stay in December. Fans will be watching with a curious eye to see if Wonder Woman 2 shifts to a different timeframe so it avoids going head-to-head with the possible end of the Skywalker saga. Star Wars is always a cinematic event, and everything else would be wise to stay out of its path.
[h=2]Source: Twitter[/h]

 

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[h=1]Star Wars 9 Is Now On The 4th Version Of Its Script[/h]

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Star Wars 9 now has five screenwriters to its name and is on the fourth major version of its script. Today we’re going to take a look at the continued attempts to wrap up the Skywalker Saga in a satisfactory manner.
Finishing what he started, J.J. Abrams has come onto Episode IX as director and co-writer with Chris Terrio, replacing the recently departed Colin Trevorrow. There has been a semi-predictable mixed reaction to this appointment, mainly due to Abrams playing it narratively safe with The Force Awakens and Terrio’s major connections to the DC Extended Universe (he rewrote Batman v Superman and worked on the story and screenplay for Justice League). However, both of these complaints do seem to ignore the bigger context of those movies – Episode VII had a lot of weight on it so had to be a mega-hit, while Terrio’s wrestling with directing and editing issues in the DCEU – and, indeed, of Star Wars 9 itself.


When Episode IX arrives in December 2019, it will have been in active development for over four years. And it’s a turbulent time for Kathleen Kennedy’s Lucasfilm, with Han Solo going through a director change-up almost (but not exactly) 85% of the way through production, and now Episode IX having to make a similar switch after two years of pre-production. Abrams and Terrio are clearly there to do two things: deliver a satisfying ending and do it without any drama.
But while Solo‘s behind-the-scenes developments have been well-documented care of candid reporting, the story of Episode IX – which, lest we forget, is still well over two years out – is a more mysterious one. Let’s dive into it.
Now, before we begin, first a little clarification. Obviously, most movies have multiple drafts. That’s the only way to refine complex ideas across a sprawling 120-page script. And it’s not uncommon for new writers to come in and tighten up a lacking screenplay later on in pre-production either. However, with Star Wars 9 we’re dealing with something different. Each of these rewrites is a distinct go around that explicitly moves beyond what came before. We’re sure Episode IX will be all good when it arrives in a couple of years, but it’s certainly taken quite a few parsecs to get here.
[h=2]The First Trevorrow/Connolly Script[/h]

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It was reported in 2014 when Rian Johnson was hired for The Last Jedi that he was working on a story treatment. That was since denied by the filmmaker, but due to his role in the trilogy’s middle Episode will have had a hand in mapping out the game plan. Script-wise, Trevorrow joined Star Wars 9 as director in mid-2015, with him and writing partner Derek Connolly started work on this script that same year.
When The Force Awakens rolled around, the director said that the ending wasn’t yet set, and a few months later Kennedy backed this up saying there was an ongoing discussion over whether Episode IX was the end of the story or not. Of course, given the lengthy pre-production, Lucasfilm still finding their feet in the new era and the writers also working on The Book of Henry, this protracted development was to be expected.
We don’t know how far along this screenplay got due to the tight secrecy at Lucasfilm and three impending movies to distract. There were rumors of an April 2017 filming start date that would suggest things were beginning to really coalesce at 2016 drew to a close, but those are disputed. It was later said by Kennedy in April 2017 itself that she hadn’t read a script yet, although she may have been referring to a subsequent, changed draft.
[h=2]The Sans-Leia Script[/h]

The death of Carrie Fisher appears to have hit Star Wars 9 hard. If The Force Awakens was Han Solo’s film and The Last Jedi Luke’s, then Episode IX was set to be Leia’s; by all accounts was going to have a bigger role than in either previous sequel, meaning Fisher’s tragic loss had a fundamental impact on the film. Trevorrow met with Kennedy in early 2017 to discuss how to proceed, which led to much speculation in the fanbase about CGI body doubles or repurposed footage (both methods Lucasfilm had trialed in Rogue One), but at Star Wars Celebration it was confirmed that Leia wouldn’t appear at all.
This obviously meant she had to be written out completely and, as a core of the story, a rejig of the big picture was needed. At Celebration, Kennedy also said they “pretty much started over“. Now that could mean the entire thing was rebuilt from the ground up, but it’s worth pointing out that’s vague on purpose – there could have been a more chop and change situation. While how big the changes are again up to discussion, what we know (per Trevorrow) is that a complete draft of this new version was done by April 2017.
[h=2]The Jack Thorne Rewrite[/h]

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In August 2017, Jack Thorne came on board to do a rewrite of the script. Specifics were and remain unforthcoming, but at the least we know he was giving the Non-Leia script a polish up.
However, if we pair his hiring with another behind-the-scenes turn we may get something more. Shortly after Trevorrow left it was reported it was a result of him being difficult, egotistical and above all “really, really, really confident”. It’s possible he was incredibly sure in a version of the story that Kathleen Kennedy didn’t think was up to scratch, so she brought in a tried-and-tested outside voice to punch it up. Whether Thorne’s take still wasn’t up to snuff or Trevorrow just continued down the same driven path is unknown, but we do know how it ended up: both are no longer linked to the project.
[h=2]The Abrams/Terrio Script[/h]

And so we get to what will be – bar another classic Lucasfilm SNAFU – the early basis for the shooting script. A week after Trevorrow was fired, J.J. Abrams came on as director. Second to the announcement was that he and Chris Terrio will be co-writing the screenplay with him.

Because Lucasfilm rarely officially addresses their mistakes, we’ve no idea if this is a rewrite of previous versions or a complete reset. However, the fact that none of the previous writers are included suggests that we’re getting something of an overhaul.

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The unseen force here is the Star Wars Story Group, who have a big influence on the direction of the franchise and the movies’ ultimate ending (although in an ideal world wouldn’t totally override a director’s vision). It’s likely that much of what’s gone down in the past two years – the franchise’s mega-successful return with The Force Awakens, Rogue One proving the Star Wars Story enterprise works and the death of Carrie Fisher – had a considerable influence in where they wanted the Skywalker Saga to go, especially in terms of setting up further Episodes. But, from everything we’ve heard, this is the clearest order of events.
We won’t know quite what the genesis of Star Wars 9‘s story was until well after the movie, but right now then we can say one thing with certainty; the writer credits are going to be interesting.

 

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[h=1]Star Wars Episode IX Adds Blade Runner 2049 Art Director[/h]

Star Wars Episode IX has recruited Blade Runner: 2049 art director Paul Inglis to its production team. The conclusion of the trilogy that stars Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as Finn, Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, and Adam Driver as Kylo Ren has some pretty big shoes to fill when it comes to concluding the highly anticipated trilogy and everything’s got to be on par.
So far things look good for the trilogy’s conclusion. Director J.J Abrams will be returning to conclude the trilogy and the film will be bringing back Neal Scanlan, the veteran creature designer behind the porgs for The Last Jedi. While the film might have some course correcting to do in order to tie up a number of loose ends, Disney and Lucasfilm have things very tightly under wraps. That hasn’t stopped fans from speculation about just what the film might include, but this new information offers some intriguing clues as to what Star Wars Episode IX might include.


According to Omega Underground, veteran art director Paul Inglis will be the lead supervising art director on the film. Inglis’s previous work includes Skyfall, Blade Runner 2049, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Children of Men, Prometheus, and Game of Thrones. Blade Runner 2049 was nominated for an Oscar for its cinematography and Inglis having helped craft the sci-fi look of the film could be a large portion of why he was selected. That along with his tenure on Game of Thrones makes Inglis’s inclusion on the film interesting. Omega Underground went on to speculate that thanks to Inglis’s Game of Thrones background he’d be ideally suited to re-introduce the Knights of Ren.


Inglis won’t be the only Blade Runner 2049 alum stepping up behind the scenes of the beloved franchise. Costume designer Michael Kaplan will be designing the costumes for Star Wars Episode IX. Kaplan, however, will be returning to the franchise having worked on the original 1982 film. Omega Underground went on to speculate that this might be intentional. Inglis’s experience on Game of Thrones would be a good way of connecting the look of Star Wars Episode IX to the future Star Wars film series directed by David Benioff and D.B Weiss.
Nothing is confirmed however, and any connections between Star Wars: Episode IX, Inglis, and Benioff and Weiss are purely conjecture. Inglis will have his hands full helping to develop Episode IX. While Star Wars: The Last Jedi was critically beloved, the film generated a considerable amount of controversy when it came to the fan reception of the franchise.
Choosing Inglis after the impressive visuals of Blade Runner 2049, however, is a smart move. The film’s spectacular visuals promise a conclusion to a trilogy that’s been visually stunning. That combined with the sweeping vistas of Inglis’s experience on Game of Thrones should create a spectacular film. In the meantime, fans should continue speculating about the film’s release and sate their Star Wars cravings with Solo: A Star Wars Story while they wait.

Source: Omega Underground​

 

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[h=1]Star Wars 9 Casting Call Teases New Female Lead[/h]

A new Star Wars: Episode IX casting call details a female lead who goes by the name of Caro. While fans of the galaxy far, far away eagerly await the theatrical premiere of this summer’s Solo: A Star Wars Story, Lucasfilm is making the final preparations to begin filming on the sequel trilogy finale. Director J.J. Abrams is returning to finish what he started, drawing from a script written by himself and Chris Terrio. As has become standard practice for new Star Wars installments, it looks like Episode IX is set to add some fresh faces to canon.
It wasn’t too long ago word got out Abrams and company were looking to cast a role codenamed “Mara,” a woman aged 40-50 years old. Apparently, she won’t be the only newcomer to the franchise, as Abrams will be adding someone younger to the fold as well.


According to That Hashtag Show, the part in question is described as an “ethnic female” in the range of 18-26 years of age. There is a preference for an African-American actress to land the role. Among the traits listed, it’s said Caro has “captivating naturalness” and is a “leader and problem solver.” She also sports a sense of humor and has a “strong will.” In all likelihood, the name Caro is simply a placeholder. Unlike Mara, however, it does not have any major ties to Legends and seems to be created just for the film.


Given that The Last Jedi ends with the Resistance small enough to all fit in the Millennium Falcon, it stands reason to believe Caro is one of their new recruits as they look to bolster their forces. Her age is a particularly interesting bit, placing Caro in the same ballpark as Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Kelly Marie Tran. With Oscar Isaac (age 39) also returning as Poe, Episode IX was arguably set in the young lead department, so it’ll be interesting to see how Caro factors into the narrative. From the sound of things, Rey and Finn will be together again, so perhaps Caro is someone who accompanies Poe on a mission and gives the hotshot pilot someone new to play off of. It’s also possible Caro could be a villain working with the First Order. With the deaths of Supreme Leader Snoke and Captain Phasma, they need some reinforcements as well.
Who lands the role will be a topic of great interest. Historically for young leads such as Caro, Star Wars tends to pluck relative unknowns from obscurity, though there have been instances where a more established name is cast (see: Donald Glover and Emilia Clarke in Solo). As always, it will boil down to who’s the best fit. Abrams is renowned for his ability to cast the right actors, so fans have little reason to doubt he’ll make the perfect choice for Caro. He’ll be rolling the cameras in July, meaning it won’t be long until we learn more details.
[h=3]Source: That Hashtag Show[/h]