Stars React to STAR WARS VII

Star Wars: Episode VII has people talking; from rumors to facts and every tidbit the Internet throws at us – it’s being talked about.

Total Film has made a compilation of reactions from various stars and filmmakers, giving their thoughts and answers on whether or not they’d like to be a part of the Star Wars universe or not, some were even asked if they would return.  Here from the likes of Joss Whedon, Jason Statham (I like his honesty), Eli Roth, Nicholas Hoult, Jai Courtney, Mark Wahlberg (I imagine he doesn’t get a lot of things), Michelle Williams, and Melissa McCarthy.

Lucas Says Hamill, Fisher and Ford are Pretty Much Signed for Star Wars: Episode VII

Bloomberg Businessweek has a new feature on Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm which includes George Lucas telling them that Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford were pretty much signed on for Star Wars: Episode VII saying:

“We had already signed Mark and Carrie and Harrison—or we were pretty much in final stages of negotiation,” Lucas said. “So I called them to say, ‘Look, this is what’s going on.’” He pauses. “Maybe I’m not supposed to say that. I think they want to announce that with some big whoop-de-do, but we were negotiating with them.” Then he adds: “I won’t say whether the negotiations were successful or not.”

You can read the full article by clicking here.

J.J. Abrams to Direct STAR WARS: EPISODE VII

You read right folks, after much speculation and rumor, there is a director for Disney’s first entry into the Star Wars universe Star Wars: Episode VII (the first of a new trilogy) and it’s J.J. Abrams.

It’s going to be interesting with Abrams, as he is now leading the two largest sci-fi anything’s in the works Star Trek and Star Wars.  I’m not a crazy fan of either (Kevin and Ryan are, they should be posting this!) but I will admit it’s got me interested.  Abrams can tell a story and keep secrets; that’s what we need for Star Wars to get a pulse again.

FYI: Michael Arndt is writing the screenplay.  Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg are writing screenplays for other Star Wars films that could either be sequels to Episode VII or spinoff movies featuring other characters.

TODAY’S LINKS: Insidious 2, The Hunger Games, Star Wars, TMNT and More

Got a link? Send it our way!

• Insidious Chapter 2 will be hitting theaters on August 30, cast returns. [collider]
• Smurfs 2 teaser trailer and synopsis. [youtube]
• Motion poster for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. [comingsoon]
• The first poster for Evil Dead revealed. [image]
• Ryan Gosling in new Only God Forgives art. [image]
• George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy talk Star Wars: Episode VII. [youtube]
• Jack Reacher has two TV spots with Tom Cruise. [One, Two]
• TMNT co-creator says new film will be “Fantastic”. [nbc]
• New trailer for Epic featuring the voices of Amanda Seyfried, Josh Hutcherson, and Christoph Waltz. [youtube]

Disney Buys Lucasfilm for $4 Billion; Sets Release for STAR WARS: EPISODE 7

Did you just hear the Internet explode?  Well it might have to do with the current revelation that Disney has purchased George Lucas’ Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion!  It’s not over; they have a 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII (same year as The Avengers 2 and Justice League).  Disney owns the empire everyone, what does it mean?  Nothing really if you’re like me and considered Star Wars a done deal after they unfreeze Han Solo.

Disney now houses Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. The story was confirmed by THR and other major media outlets and oh, this statement from George Lucas:

For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next,” said George Lucas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lucasfilm, in a statement. “It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime. I’m confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come. Disney’s reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment, and consumer products.

Kathleen Kennedy had been chosen as the new co-chair of Lucasfilm. She will now become the studio’s president under the new deal, answering directly to Disney chair Alan Horn.  As for that new Star Wars film, Lucas will remain onboard as a “creative consultant” while Kathleen Kennedy will serve as executive producer on Star Wars Episode 7 and future Star Wars movies.