When it was announced earlier this year that JJ Abrams had signed on to direct Star Wars: Episode VII, it was made clear that there was every chance the film may not meet Disney’s planned summer 2015 release date. Abrams and producer Kathleen Kennedy told of how they wanted to get the film absolutely right, and if that meant delaying the release somewhat, then so be it.
However, it would seem that an agreement may have been met as Disney revealed some exciting plans during this weeks CinemaCon. During Disney’s presentation, studio chairman Alan Horn confirmed that Star Wars: Episode VII would still be arriving in cinemas during the summer of 2015. However, he then went on to describe the studios plans for the future, and if you’re feeling like you’re missing some serious Star Wars in your life, by the time Disney have finished with it, you just might have had enough (yeah right!). Horn said that Disney were planning to release Star Wars: Episodes VIII and IX in 2017 and 2019 respectively, which would mean a new Star Wars film every other year. That’s enough right?
Apparently not, and during the years when a Star Wars film should be absent, Disney are planning on releasing a spin-off film based on one particular character. No other details were given of these plans, but what we do know is that there have been rumours and ‘wishlists’ of characters fans would like to see in these spin-off films. Yoda and Boba Fett have been top of many lists, while characters from Han Solo to Jabba the Hutt have also had a mention.
Getting back to JJ Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode VII, there is still a high expectation that he will be bringing back Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, but again these are still just rumours. The only concrete news we have at this point on Star Wars: Episode VII is:
J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay.
J.J., his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, and Bad Robot are on board to produce along with Kathleen Kennedy under the Disney | Lucasfilm banner.
Also consulting on the project are Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg. Kasdan has a long history with Lucasfilm, as screenwriter on The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi. Kinberg was writer on Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
Be the first to comment