Star Wars Bits: Zack Snyder, Neill Blomkamp, ‘Star Wars: Battlefront’, Anthony Daniels, Warwick Davis
Luke, Leia, and Han are all set to appear in the newStar Warstrilogy, but what about their trusty pal C3PO?Anthony Danielswill only say “wait and see.” Also after the jump:
McWeeny, who’s racked up a lot of credibility when it comes to this stuff, dismisses the recent Jacen and Jaina Solo talk as “100%” bull. In fact, he says, it’s unlikely the Extended Universe books will make it to the big screen at all. Head over toHitFixto read his reasoning.
In truth, despite the constant chatter and speculation, there isn’t a whole lot we know for sure about the new films. One thing that’s clear, however, is how many people want to be part of the new film.
Warwick Davisappeared as Ewok Wicket inEpisode VI – Return of the Jediand as Wald (among others) inEpisode I – The Phantom Menace, but he’s hoping he can cross over to the dark side upon his return to the galaxy far, far away. “My ideal role would be a villain, preferably with a light saber,“he saidin a recent interview.
While he’s not part of the cast yet, he’s hoping the same strategy that got him into the prequel trilogy can get him into the sequel trilogy. “Years ago I would drop lots of hints toGeorge[Lucas], sending him faxes and I think he got so tired of it he said ‘just put him in the film,'” he recalled. “I am hoping to drop a few auditions in there and to tease out a few details about the new films.” [The Sun]
Meanwhile,Anthony Daniels(a.k.a. C3PO) is being a little cagier about his hopes forEpisode VII. Asked whether he’d been approached about the new film, he gave a hesitant “Well…” before continuing:
What I always say to that is “Wait and see.” Let’s keep the suspense going. […] I’d rather not comment. You will recall I’ve always had a rather discreet attitude, or a professional sense of discretion. I don’t blab things about the script. I think that would be very unprofessional, or childish.
Happily, Daniels was more candid about C3PO’s presence, or lack thereof, inStar Wars In Concert(he’s in negotiations),Lego Star Wars(he just recently wrapped a new episode), andStar Wars: Rebels(he’s not involved). [BleedingCool]
Earlier this year,Zack Snydershot downreports that he’d be directing aSeven Samurai-inspiredStar Warsflick. However, it doesn’t sound like he’s entirely ruled out the possibility of making aStar Warsmovie. An interviewer recently asked him whetherMan of Steelmight be a “calling card” of sorts that could lead to work inStar Wars. Snyder’s response was vague but ultimately positive.
If someone were to see the movie and say, like, “Dang, this guy can make a sci-fi movie,” that’s cool. But… yeah. I like to think that I kind of did that before this, but… yeah. I think so. It’s something to regard.
I can’t blame the guy for not wanting to give a definite answer at this point. But if you’re a fan hoping for a Snyder-directedStar Wars, there you have it — something to pin your hopes on. [First Showing]
Standing in stark contrast to all the eager actors and filmmakers isNeill Blomkamp, who continues to maintain that he has no interest in tackling aStar Warsmovie of his own. “I loveStar Wars. I really, really loveStar Wars,” he said. “But I’m not the right guy. And also, just taking ideas that already exist in Hollywood is just not for me.” [IGN]
Add lightsabers to the long, long list of things you’re not allowed to bring on an airplane.Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca, tweeted that the TSA was refusing to let him through with his lightsaber-shaped cane.
Ultimately, though, he was able to use the power of social networking to convince the agents to return his cane.
But the resolution didn’t come fast enough to prevent the kerfuffle from getting covered by the media.The Colbert ReportandThe New York Postwere among those who covered the incident. [viaTHR]
Nerdist Industries is getting the pieces in line for their second annualCourse of the Forcerelay run.Chris Hardwick,Jessica Chobot,Alison Haislip,Alex Albrecht, VH1’sCarrie Keagan, andAshley Eckstein(Clone Wars) have been set as hosts and correspondents for the event, which starts at Skywalker Ranch onJuly 9and finishes at San Diego Comic-Con onJuly 16. Get more detailshere. [Nerdist]
C3PO and Darth Vader’s costumes are iconic today, but it took artistRalph McQuarriea few tries to get them right. Below, check out some of his earlier test designs.
[viaGeek Tyrant]
The LucasArts game studio has beenshut down, but the Star Wars video games will keep coming. Electronic Arts announced last week that they are working onStar Wars: Battlefront, the first to come out of a licensing agreement between the video game publisher and Disney. The new shooter appears set on the ice planet Hoth, and features an appearance from an AT-AT. Watch the teaser below.
No release date has been announced for the game. [LAT]
As Star Wars barrels into the future withEpisodes VII,VIII, andIX, now seems like a good time to look back to the franchise’s roots. A 1997 documentary titledGeorge Lucas: Flying Solofrom BBC Omnibus examines his early years, going all the way back to his short films.
James Erskinedirected the film, which features appearances by Lucas collaborators likeFrancis Ford Coppola,Harrison Ford,Mark Hamill, andIrvin Kirshner. See the 50-minute doc below.
[viaThe Playlist]
