- Take a look at J.J. Abrams' message to his Episode VII cast



Jolly good.

- First Star Wars: Episode VII set video features cool new aliens

- Gareth Edwards Is Directing The First Stand-Alone Star Wars Film

Press Release:

Gareth Edwards and Gary Whitta Onboard for Star Wars Stand-Alone Film

In addition to the episodes of a new Star Wars trilogy, Lucasfilm and Disney have begun development on multiple stand-alone movies that will offer new stories beyond the core Saga. Gareth Edwards will direct the first stand-alone film, with a screenplay by Gary Whitta. The film is due outDecember 16, 2016.

Gareth Edwards blazed into the filmmaking forefront with his acclaimed work on Monsters, a film he wrote, directed and served on as cinematographer and visual effects artist. The skill and vision readily apparent inMonstersearned him the high-profile spot directing this year's smash hitGodzilla.

"Ever since I sawStar WarsI knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life - join the Rebel Alliance! I could not be more excited & honored to go on this mission with Lucasfilm," said Edwards.

Gary Whitta's screenwriting credits include 2010'sThe Bookof Elistarring Denzel Washington. He is also well known as a journalist and editor in the video game industry, as well as part of the BAFTA award-winning team on Telltale Games' adaptation ofThe Walking Dead.

Whitta states, "From the moment I first saw the original movie as a wide-eyed kid,Star Warshas been the single most profound inspiration to my imagination and to my career as a writer. It is deeply special to me, so to be given the opportunity to contribute to its ongoing legacy, especially in collaboration with a film-maker as talented as Gareth, is literally a dream come true. I'm still pinching myself."

- Carrie Fisher talks returning for Star Wars: Episode VII

While talking at the Hay Festival in Wales, she admitted that, 31 years after they all worked together on Return Of The Jedi: "We all look a little melted. It's good to see other melted people.

"And it is good to have us all in a room because it's unique. I mean, I don't suppose they have reunions for the Gone With The Wind gang."

As for Leia's distinctive look, Fisher revealed that she wants the Chelsea buns back. "That hairdo can never really be repeated without gales of laughter," she says.

"I've begged them to put the hair back on in grey and just catch me cooking with the hair, like Granny Leia."

Not to be too shallow and take pot-shots at an elderly woman who has struggled with substance abuse problems, but I hope they clean Fisher up well.

It's not the age issue; Harrison Ford is older than her and he looks fantastic and Hamill -once he loses his little bit of retirement pudge- looks great too. Fisher's struggles with her weight and and all of those years of drinking, smoking, and coking have left her looking and acting haggard and tired. I hope her fitness instructor does more to rejuvenate her, rather than just focusing on weight loss.

Really, I'd rather have an overweight Leia that still has that badass-princess-spunk than a slim Leia who acts like everyone's recovering alcoholic great-aunt who wears too much perfume.

- Star Wars: Episode VII Adds Academy Award Winner Lupita Nyong'o and Game of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie



Lupita Nyong'o joins the recently announced cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. This year, her breakthrough performance in 12 Years a Slave earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Gwendoline Christie, currently starring in the hit television series Game of Thrones as Brienne of Tarth, has also been cast in the production. She can next be seen in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2.

"I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII," says Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. "It's thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape."

- 'Star Wars Episode 7': Millennium Falcon -- HOLY CRAP!! [SET PHOTOS]

Gotta love Abrams

- Rumour: Female villain for Star Wars: Episode VII? [SPOILERS]

Some fresh Star Wars: Episode VII rumours have popped up online this morning, with Latino Review claiming to have the inside track on some key plot details.

- Harrison Ford Injured on the 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Set

Harrison Ford has been injured on the set of Star Wars: Episode VII. The actor hurt his ankle on Thursday and was transported to a local hospital.

A source close to the production tells The Hollywood Reporter Ford broke his ankle.

"Harrison Ford sustained an ankle injury during filming today on the set of Star Wars: Episode VII. He was taken to a local hospital and is receiving care. Shooting will continue as planned while he recuperates," studio Disney said a statement to THR.

A source tells THR that the actor, who reprises his role as Han Solo from the original franchise, was injured by the door of the Millennium Falcon, the spacecraft that his character pilots in the original films. The spaceship looks to be making a return in the sequel.

Heinous!

Luke will be the mentor of the new hero right?

And what new villains will appear? Stronger ones than the sith?

And will the force spirits of Obi-Wan & Anakin appear?

I'm liking these rumors of a female villain.

- ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’: Is This A Subtweet, A Spoiler, Or Both? [SPOILERS?]

lol ed boon another classic troll

- Harrison Ford Could Be Out For Eight Weeks Following ‘Star Wars’ Set Injury

He shot first and he'll do it again!

- Harrison Ford broke left leg in accident, publicist confirms

Harrison Ford's left leg was broken in the injury he suffered while shooting the new Star Wars film, the US actor's publicist has confirmed.

It was previously believed the 71-year-old had broken an ankle in an incident involving a door at Pinewood Studios on 12 June.

"His surgery was successful and he will begin rehab shortly," continued Ina Treciokas in a statement.

"He's doing well and looks forward to returning to work."

- UPDATE: ‘Star Wars’ Bombshell! Rian Johnson To Write, Direct Next Two Films

In a bombshell move, I’m told that Lucasfilm is making a deal with Looper writer-director Rian Johnson to write and direct Star Wars Episodes VIII and IX. Essentially, that means that the intention is for Johnson to take the baton from JJ Abrams, who has gotten the space franchise off the ground and is right now helming Episode VII. I don’t know too much more at this point, but it is in keeping with Disney and Lucasfilm’s strategy of entrusting the venerable franchise to the best and brightest writers and directors, including the spinoff films that are being directed by Chronicle‘s Josh Trank and Godzilla‘s Gareth Edwards.

rian johnsonJohnson will take over the core film franchise, and he’ll get started quickly and this will be his preoccupation for quite awhile. Technically, he’ll write that second treatment but the intention on both sides is that he direct the two installments. Joining him as producer will be Ram Bergman.

So if you're uneasy about the superhero movie threads, look forward to more Star Wars threads! Woo!

- 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Update: Two newcomers added to cast



When Lucasfilm held an open casting call for the film last year in 11 cities across the U.S. and U.K., about 30,000 would-be galaxy-dwellers showed up hoping to land roles. Another 30,000 sent in applications online.

Out of all those, two have now been selected:

• Crystal Clarke, an American actress who was studying in Glasgow, Scotland. She has appeared numerous times onstage and will appear in her first feature film next year, The Moon and the Sun. She’ll be inhabiting other celestial bodies in Episode VII, although her character has not been specified.

• Pip Andersen, a British actor with experience in the wall-climbing athletic art of parkour. He was also hired for an unspecified role. Anderson was most recently seen in a Spider-Man promo for Sony.

Also of note:

The studio also said once again that it is not shifting the movie’s Dec. 18, 2015 release date, despite a broken leg that has sidelined Han Solo actor Harrison Ford.

- Sheamus Addresses Darth Vader Rumors

The Irish Mirror apparently ran a story claiming WWE star Sheamus could possibly be playing Darth Vader in the upcoming new Star Wars films, and Sheamus posted the following on Twitter:

"I cant confirm that i wont not be reprising role of Darth Vader in #StarWars ... I hope that's clear @IrishMirror ;)" - @WWESheamus

I was not aware of this rumor.

- 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Resumes Production After Harrison Ford's Injury

Filming restarted earlier this week at Pinewood Studios in the U.K., a source confirms to THR.

Ford injured himself on the set of Lucasfilm and Disney's project in June. According to sources, he broke his leg in an incident involving the Millennium Falcon, the spacecraft that his character pilots in the original films. Ford later underwent surgery and the production went on a two-week hiatus earlier in August to await his recovery.

[...] Disney and Lucasfilm say Ford's injury and the shooting hiatus will not affect the film's release, which is set for Dec. 18, 2015.

Woo!

- Game of Thrones swordsman joins Star Wars film

Actor Miltos Yerolemou, best known for his role in the first series of fantasy drama Game of Thrones, has joined the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

He played expert and athletic swordsman Syrio Forel in Thrones and has taken on several other parts which involve sword fighting during his career.

His extensive experience will inevitably lead to speculation that he may use a lightsabre in the film.

However, his character in Star Wars is not thought to be a major one.

- Oscar Isaac talks Patricia Highsmith thriller and 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

Have you had much interactions with the original trio of Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, and Mark Hamill on or off-screen?
Yeah, I have. Both. They’re such funny people. Carrie is hilarious and doing such cool work. Harrison is back. He went on hiatus for a little while, but he’s 150 percent back. It’s pretty amazing to see him bounce back. He looks incredible. Everyone’s having a really good time. J.J. sets that tone. There’s a lot of enthusiasm and it’s being done with a lot of heart. There’s nothing cynical about the way we’re doing this. Even in the way he’s shooting it—he’s shooting on film and actually building the sets, so you’ve got hundreds of Stormtroopers or whatever, and hundreds of extras and all the ships. You actually see it. It’s all real. Everyone can interact with the world.

More in article. Good stuff.

seeing hundreds of Jedi wielding lightsabers in the prequel trilogy was one thing

but the idea of seeing a bunch of non-Jedi/Sith using them all over the place rubs me the wrong way

I hope they bring in vibroblades or something. Lightsabers are special.

In original draft of Star Wars: A new Hope, all Stormtroopers (Shocktroopers back then) used Lightsabers as weapon.