4:31 am - 11/15/2012
The Star Wars: Episode VII director search has been whittled down to "a couple of candidates", according to producer Frank Marshall.
Last month (October 31), Disney announced plans to make a new series of Star Wars films after buying Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion (£2.5 billion), with Episode VII supposedly earmarked for release in 2015.
With George Lucas set to serve as "creative consultant" on the new movies but without playing an active role in their development, speculation as to who will helm the new trilogy of movies has been rife.
However, Marshall, whose wife Kathleen Kennedy is the president of Lucasfilm, has told MTV that he knows the inside scoop on the new Star Wars films and revealed that the director shortlist is now down to "a couple of candidiates".
He added: "But I can't reveal it, or I won't be alive tomorrow. I'm really excited about this. It's going to be one of the most anticipated blockbusters of all time. I can't wait to see what's next."
Marshall, who was producer all four Indiana Jones movies for Lucasfilm, also revealed that while 'Indy 5' is likely, it has been "put on the back burner" for the moment while the production company focuses its attention on new Star Wars films.
This week, it was announced that Toy Story 3's Michael Arndt has now been officially commissioned to script the first film.
An announcement on the Star Wars website read: "As pre-production of Star Wars: Episode VII begins, Lucasfilm has confirmed that award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay for the new Star Wars film. As revealed in the ongoing video series posted here on StarWars.com, (Lucasfilm president) Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas have begun story conferences with Arndt."
Arndt is a known Star Wars fan with an impressive CV. He won an Oscar in 2007 for his original screenplay to Little Miss Sunshine and went on to script 2010's Toy Story 3, which earned him another Oscar nomination. He has also co-written The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, due next year (2013).
Meanwhile, Star Wars: Episode VII has yet to lock in a director. X-Men helmer Matthew Vaughn is reportedly in talks for the job, while Steven Spielberg and JJ Abrams have publicly ruled themselves out.
Source.
'Star Wars 7' director search down to 'a couple of candidates'
The Star Wars: Episode VII director search has been whittled down to "a couple of candidates", according to producer Frank Marshall.
Last month (October 31), Disney announced plans to make a new series of Star Wars films after buying Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion (£2.5 billion), with Episode VII supposedly earmarked for release in 2015.
With George Lucas set to serve as "creative consultant" on the new movies but without playing an active role in their development, speculation as to who will helm the new trilogy of movies has been rife.
However, Marshall, whose wife Kathleen Kennedy is the president of Lucasfilm, has told MTV that he knows the inside scoop on the new Star Wars films and revealed that the director shortlist is now down to "a couple of candidiates".
He added: "But I can't reveal it, or I won't be alive tomorrow. I'm really excited about this. It's going to be one of the most anticipated blockbusters of all time. I can't wait to see what's next."
Marshall, who was producer all four Indiana Jones movies for Lucasfilm, also revealed that while 'Indy 5' is likely, it has been "put on the back burner" for the moment while the production company focuses its attention on new Star Wars films.
This week, it was announced that Toy Story 3's Michael Arndt has now been officially commissioned to script the first film.
An announcement on the Star Wars website read: "As pre-production of Star Wars: Episode VII begins, Lucasfilm has confirmed that award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay for the new Star Wars film. As revealed in the ongoing video series posted here on StarWars.com, (Lucasfilm president) Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas have begun story conferences with Arndt."
Arndt is a known Star Wars fan with an impressive CV. He won an Oscar in 2007 for his original screenplay to Little Miss Sunshine and went on to script 2010's Toy Story 3, which earned him another Oscar nomination. He has also co-written The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, due next year (2013).
Meanwhile, Star Wars: Episode VII has yet to lock in a director. X-Men helmer Matthew Vaughn is reportedly in talks for the job, while Steven Spielberg and JJ Abrams have publicly ruled themselves out.
Source.
Considering Matthew Vaughn's First Class was all over the place, I know I do not want him at the helm, thats for sure.
ps
Drucilla Winters I love you girl! :)
It's a big deal when it comes to casting, that I don't even care about a script, which obviously is important, but I think Hayden and Natalie were totally miscast for Anakin, and Padme, that they really need to hit a home run IF they do the twins.
If they choose terrible people I might have to go to Skywalker ranch and slap Lucas myself.
Exactly, or you need people who look similar enough that they could PASS for siblings, if they cannot find Fraternal Twins, hell... I'd prefer them to go the unknown route in this case. I doubt that will happen because they are gonna wanna draw people in.
The indie films they make are fabulous but they do need a big franchise for their legacy. Star Wars would be great for their filmography and I think they would do such a brilliant job that it could make up for those horrific Prequels.
So excited for Gravity
Oh.
Well then carry on then. I have nothing to worry about.
I'm hoping the movies contradict everything from The Truce At Bakura onward, tbqh.
The Prequels are embarrassing.
And agreed, as long as George is not directing and especially not writing, I think this pretty much has to be better than the prequels!
But if that's out, I can't muster up any fucks to give about the director. I just wanna know if they are going to continue with the Skywalkers (and bore me to tears) or skip forward further in time so people can't bitch about getting the characters/tone/focus/casting/dialogue/c
STOP
People have been so down on Star Wars for the last ten years, I'm just glad there is some excitement again. Even if these new movies end up being bad, I'm just kind of glad the prequels won't be the end anymore. There's at least a chance now that Star Wars can be good again!
In med school I had a fellow student who told me she had never seen Star Wars and said she bet I'd get mad at her for not seeing them. I told her it was all right, that it was her prerogative but that pop culture references have flown over her head. She then told me, "Oh wait, I did see Star Wars! I saw Episodes I-III!"
It took everything I had not to slap her in the face. Obviously I told her that now she had to watch the originals because what the fuck is wrong with you? After we finished "A New Hope" she turned to me and said, "The Family Guy special makes a lot more sense now."
I still didn't slap her. /csb