Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (USE SPOILER TAGS!)

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

They even say their main players are already cast. They're probably waiting until may 4th to announce everything at once. It's going to be one big bulk announcement, and what better day to do it than Star Wars day.

That's probably what will happen.

It makes sense.

[Malik True]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

From everything I've heard, the Arndt draft was a mess, and that's the reason he was booted out. No one was happy with where it was going, so when Kasdan finished his spin-off film script, they asked if he'd come work on 'Episode VII', and he said yes. Apparently his script for the 'Boba Fett' film is really good, and that's why they asked him back for this one. He's got a major hand in the films right now, and I think that's a good thing. The more people trying to make a series closer to the original trilogy, the better off we are. Shooting on real sets and on film is definitely a step in the right direction, and having Kasdan is another.

Amen!!

[ChainsawJedi]

I have to say it's news to me that there were no practical effects and real locations used on the prequels. The CGI gets talked about because it was used to such grandstanding effect. Consequently, the assumption was made early on that the prequels were all CGI. And that has been passed from one fan to the next with nobody apparently stopping to check the facts.

Technology moves forward. I'm not so rooted in the past that I think the new films in the saga have to be made with the same effects as the originals. I'd rather Abrams worried more about the validity of another trilogy and spent time accordingly with regards to the story, rather than trying to appease the OT fans by placating them with practical effects and a distinct lack of Gungans.

[Walts Ghost]

'Star Wars: VII' Adds Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca (Exclusive)

The trio of new leads for Star Wars: Episode VII has yet to be revealed, but an actor from the original franchise is returning to reprise his role.

Peter Mayhew will play Chewbacca for Disney and Lucasfilm's upcoming sequel, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.

Mayhew played the legendary Wookiee and Han Solo's co-pilot in the original trilogy, beginning with Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope in 1977. Rumors have recently surfaced that he may be reprising his role as he canceled an appearance at Texas convention Comicpalooza "due to filming.” Since the convention takes place May 23-26, many fans wondered if that meant the actor would be busy with Episode VII.

Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn revealed on April 2 that the new Star Wars has already begun filming and most of the cast was set. “We have a lot of them [in place]," he said about the main actors, whose names have not been disclosed. “We’re just not completely done yet.”

Star Wars: Episode VII, to be directed by J.J. Abrams and slated to hit theaters Dec. 18, 2015, has been shrouded in a thick veil of secrecy, with dozens of names flying through the rumor mill for months now. THR has reported that Adam Driver will be playing an undisclosed villain. Original stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher also are said to be reprising their roles.

In March, Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger said the new project will begin filming in May and will be set 30 years after the events in 1983's Return of the Jedi. "There will be some very familiar faces along with a trio of new young leads," he said during Disney's annual shareholder's meeting in Portland, Ore.

Mayhew, who also played Chewbacca in prequel film Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, has mainly spent his career playing the iconic character, but also appeared in the horror film Terror and did voice work in the British version of Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy. He's repped by Entertainment Legends Management and Cohen & Gardner.

Disney and Lucasfilm had no comment.

THR

[thegoat]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

...good start but she better get more serious and lay off the donuts before filming. She's not that old - there are plenty of actresses her age that are attractive: Kim Catrall, Joan Allen, Dana Delany, Mimi Rogers, Geena Davis, Bo Derek, Sela Ward, Rita Wilson.

Guess they should halt filming until toddly is sufficiently aroused.

And, yeah, all that those actresses did was "lay off the donuts"....

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

THR

Awesome, this gives further evidence that the Harrison, Carrie & Mark will probably be in the new trilogy as well.

[Kevin Holly]

Originally Posted by ChainsawJedi

Personally, this malarky about practical effects and shooting on film sounds like nothing more than simple fanboy service to me.

This film existing in the first place is nothing more than simple fanboy service, so what does it matter if they do a little more They may as well find someone who looks like 1970s era Carrie Fisher and have her be naked the whole film, just for the sake of having MORE fanboy service if you ask me.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by The Fallen Deity

Awesome, this gives further evidence that the Harrison, Carrie & Mark will probably be in the new trilogy as well.

You mean that they are in it? We're just waiting for the official announcement at this point...But everyone knows they are. Just quit hiding it and confirm it already!

[blonde_devil]

Originally Posted by ChainsawJedi

Technology moves forward. I'm not so rooted in the past that I think the new films in the saga have to be made with the same effects as the originals. I'd rather Abrams worried more about the validity of another trilogy and spent time accordingly with regards to the story, rather than trying to appease the OT fans by placating them with practical effects and a distinct lack of Gungans.

exactly. I don't care how it is made as long as it is a good movie - that is my big worry right now. Is he going to do the same sort of thing for the good parts of the prequel films? Are we going to see Qui-Gon return? Is Samuel L Jackson going to get a cameo? JJ is great at picking and choosing what he "honors" to appeal to the fans while he ignores the rest. Write a proper Star Wars movie and I won't care who is in it as long as it is good and fits into the universe properly.

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

You mean that they are in it? We're just waiting for the official announcement at this point...But everyone knows they are. Just quit hiding it and confirm it already!

As you said earlier, it'll probably happen on May 4th.

Fingers crossed.

[mrr1]

Originally Posted by Kevin Holly

They may as well find someone who looks like 1970s era Carrie Fisher and have her be naked the whole film...

Brilliant idea!

[stvn1974]

Receding Hairline Chewbacca is the action figure I am most looking forward too. Hopefully Sideshow or Hot Toys gets the license.

[Britbuffguy]

Originally Posted by iamsometal

This!

The Hobbit video blogs were a perfect way of giving us just enough information to keep us teased steadily yet they never spoiled anything.

But all those walking midget films sucked! :-)

Ita.pretty easy to leak.footage when all the film is is walking.

[toddly6666]

Originally Posted by thegoat

Guess they should halt filming until toddly is sufficiently aroused.

And, yeah, all that those actresses did was "lay off the donuts"....

That would be the right thing to do. I dont want to see the "Carrie Fisher crossed with Jabba the Hutt" version. She (as well as the other leads) need to get in shape because it will be depressing if we see that our favorite Star Wars characters let themselves go by stuffing their faces at fancy restaurants on Curoscant over the years. Yoda and Kenobi would not approve.

Does Peter Mayhew still remember how to act? The director is going to need to break Chewbacca's habit of sitting unhappily signing autographs. I hope Chewbacca still knows how to jog around while being chased, growl, and grab people's thoats.

[Meeklo]

So Peter Meyhew is coming back as Chewbacca. Did he do the voice too or was he just a person in a costume?

[Offender_Mullet]

Originally Posted by Meeklo

So Peter Meyhew is coming back as Chewbacca. Did he do the voice too or was he just a person in a costume?

I'm pretty sure Chewie's voice was made up of different sound effects and not Mayhew's actual voice.

[ChainsawJedi]

Something that CGI can't yet get right is a convincing Wookie. All the Wookies in the prequels were costumed actors (ILM did attempt a CGI shot of a Wookie coming out of the water in RoTS but it didn't work and was scrapped early on).

Chewbacca has a distinctive walk thanks to Mayhew's knock-knees. But he recently had an op on his knees so who knows what Chewie will be walking like in the new film.

I do hope Kenny Baker returns. By the time of the prequels, it could be argued that they didn't need him in the Artoo suit but they used him anyway. Which I thought was quite nice.

[toddly6666]

Originally Posted by ChainsawJedi

I do hope Kenny Baker returns. By the time of the prequels, it could be argued that they didn't need him in the Artoo suit but they used him anyway. Which I thought was quite nice.

it would be nice but the dude is in his 70s now - it would be quite mean to stick an old man inside a claustrophobic garbage can all day.

[Zero_Cool]

Originally Posted by Meeklo

So Peter Meyhew is coming back as Chewbacca. Did he do the voice too or was he just a person in a costume?

Originally Posted by Offender_Mullet

I'm pretty sure Chewie's voice was made up of different sound effects and not Mayhew's actual voice.

Ben Burtt mixed it with different animal growls.

[Elandyll]

Originally Posted by The Fallen Deity

As you said earlier, it'll probably happen on May 4th.

Fingers crossed.

In all logic, if any of the main three had been left out, I imagine they'd be pretty vocal about it, given that obviously they would thus not be bound by NDA contracts and all that

Reverse logic FTW hehe.

Originally Posted by Offender_Mullet

I'm pretty sure Chewie's voice was made up of different sound effects and not Mayhew's actual voice.

Which is why him being back is awesome. They could literally have had anyone with the correct size do his part (or not included Chewie at all, but we know they are going for the nostalgia factor before involving the new cast )