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==Premise==
==Premise==
Set approximately thirty-five years after ''Return of the Jedi'' and the demise of [[Darth Vader]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theforce.net/story/front/Star_Wars_Episode_VII_Has_Begun_Filming_With_Casting_Almost_Complete_157254.asp|title=Star Wars Episode VII Has Begun Filming, With Casting Almost Complete|work=TheForce.net|date=April 6, 2014|accessdate=April 7, 2014}}</ref> the plot centers around a trio of young leads, along with characters from the previous installments.<ref name="MayTimeFrame">{{cite web|url=http://starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-vii-set-to-roll-cameras-may-2014.html|title=STAR WARS: EPISODE VII SET TO ROLL CAMERAS MAY 2014|work=StarWars.com|date=March 18, 2014|accessdate=April 7, 2014}}</ref> ''Episodes VII''-''IX'' will not feature any of the storylines or characters from the [[Star Wars Expanded Universe|Expanded Universe]], though elements could be included to become canon.<ref name="EUApril2014">{{cite news|last=Pirrello|first=Phil|title=New ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy Has No Ties to Expanded Universe, Lucasfilm Confirms|url=http://www.thewrap.com/lucasfilm-confirms-new-star-wars-trilogy-free-expanded-universe|accessdate=April 26, 2014|newspaper=The Wrap|date=April 25, 2014}}</ref>
Set approximately thirty-five years after ''Return of the Jedi'' and the demise of [[Darth Vader]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theforce.net/story/front/Star_Wars_Episode_VII_Has_Begun_Filming_With_Casting_Almost_Complete_157254.asp|title=Star Wars Episode VII Has Begun Filming, With Casting Almost Complete|work=TheForce.net|date=April 6, 2014|accessdate=April 7, 2014}}</ref> the plot centers around a trio of young leads, along with characters from the previous installments.<ref name="MayTimeFrame">{{cite web|url=http://starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-vii-set-to-roll-cameras-may-2014.html|title=STAR WARS: EPISODE VII SET TO ROLL CAMERAS MAY 2014|work=StarWars.com|date=March 18, 2014|accessdate=April 7, 2014}}</ref> ''Episodes VII''-''IX'' will not feature any of the storylines or characters from the [[Star Wars Expanded Universe|Expanded Universe]], though elements could be included to become canon.<ref name="EUApril2014">{{cite news|last=Pirrello|first=Phil|title=New ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy Has No Ties to Expanded Universe, Lucasfilm Confirms|url=http://www.thewrap.com/new-star-wars-trilogy-no-ties-expanded-universe|accessdate=April 29, 2014|newspaper=The Wrap|date=April 25, 2014}}</ref>


==Cast==
==Cast==

Revision as of 18:36, 29 April 2014

Star Wars Episode VII
Directed byJ. J. Abrams
Screenplay byJ. J. Abrams
Lawrence Kasdan
Story byGeorge Lucas[1]
Produced byJ. J. Abrams
Bryan Burk
Kathleen Kennedy
Starring
CinematographyDaniel Mindel
Edited byMaryann Brandon
Mary Jo Markey
Music byJohn Williams
Production
companies
Distributed byWalt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures[4]
Release date
  • December 18, 2015 (2015-12-18)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$200 million[5]

Star Wars Episode VII is an upcoming American epic space opera film[6][7] and the seventh film in the Star Wars film series. The film stars John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson and Max von Sydow, with Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker reprising their roles from previous films. Filming began in April 2014,[8] and will move to Pinewood Studios in England in the following month,[9] with a scheduled release date of December 18, 2015.[10] It forms the first part of the planned third trilogy of Star Wars films,[7] following chronologically in the series 35 years after 1983's Return of the Jedi. It will be the first Star Wars film produced since The Walt Disney Company acquired ownership of Lucasfilm.[7]

J. J. Abrams is attached to direct the film based on a screenplay written by himself and Lawrence Kasdan, who acted as co-writer on The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.[11][12] Originally, Academy Award-winning screenwriter Michael Arndt was attached to pen the screenplay after writing a 40-50 page treatment. Arndt has since dropped out of the production, and did not receive production credit.[13][14] Producers include Kathleen Kennedy and Abrams' long-time collaborator Bryan Burk.[7][15] Star Wars creator George Lucas will act as creative consultant on Episode VII (and other new Star Wars films).[16]

Premise

Set approximately thirty-five years after Return of the Jedi and the demise of Darth Vader,[17] the plot centers around a trio of young leads, along with characters from the previous installments.[18] Episodes VII-IX will not feature any of the storylines or characters from the Expanded Universe, though elements could be included to become canon.[19]

Cast

Production

Background and writing

Lucas had story treatments for Episode VII (as well as for VIII and IX) which he turned over to Disney chairman Bob Iger around the time Lucasfilm was sold to Disney.[20] During the previous 35 years Lucas had given many hints about the content of the sequel trilogy, including the following (sometimes contradictory) possibilities relevant to Episode VII:

  • R2-D2 and C-3PO would be the only characters who might continue through all nine films (Lucas in 1980, 1981 and 1983).[21]
  • The trilogy would deal with the rebuilding of the Republic (Lucas in 1980).[22]
  • "It's like a saga, the story of a group of people, a family" (Lucas in 1980).[21]
  • Luke would have a romantic relationship with a female love interest (Lucas in 1988).[23]
  • The main theme of the trilogy would be moral and philosophical problems, such as the necessity for moral choices and the wisdom needed to distinguish right from wrong, justice, confrontation, and passing on what you have learned (Lucas in 1983 and 1989).[24]
  • The key actors, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford as Han Solo, and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, would appear, in their 60s or 70s (Lucas in 1983).[24]

Interviewed in 2012 after the announcement of the new trilogy, Lucas biographer Dale Pollock said that he had, in the 1980s, read the outlines to 12 Star Wars episodes planned by Lucas, but had been required to sign a confidentiality agreement.[25] Pollock said:

  • "The three most exciting stories were 7, 8 and 9. They had propulsive action, really interesting new worlds, new characters. I remember thinking, 'I want to see these 3 movies.'"
  • The next film in the series would involve Luke Skywalker in his 30s and 40s.
  • That he had little doubt Disney would use Lucas' outlines as the basis for the sequel trilogy. "That's in part what Disney bought."[25]

Author Timothy Zahn, whose Star Wars novel series, the Thrawn trilogy, is set in the Star Wars Expanded Universe, was also interviewed in 2012.[26] Zahn confirmed the sequel trilogy would not be based on the Thrawn novels, but said he had been briefed years before on Lucas' plans for the sequels (Zahn had discussions with Lucas before the first Thrawn novel was published in 1991). Zahn said, "The original idea as I understood it—and Lucas changes his mind off and on, so it may not be what he’s thinking right now—but it was going to be three generations. You’d have the original trilogy, then go back to Luke's father and find out what happened to him, and if there was another 7th, 8th or 9th film, it would be Luke's children."[26] However, in April 2014, it was confirmed that the sequel trilogy would not be based off of any Expanded Universe material.[19]

Pre-production and design

As creative consultant on the film, George Lucas' involvement includes attending story meetings. "I mostly say, 'You can't do this. You can do that,' ” he told Bloomberg Businessweek. "You know, 'The cars don't have wheels. They fly with antigravity.' There’s a million little pieces. Or I can say, 'He doesn’t have the power to do that, or he has to do this.' I know all that stuff."[20]

In May 2013, it was confirmed that the production of Episode VII would take place in the United Kingdom.[27] Representatives from Lucasfilm met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne to agree to produce Episode VII in the U.K.[27] Beginning in September 2013, production spaces at the Bad Robot facility were converted for shooting of Episode VII, for the benefit of shooting a minor portion of the film in the United States.[28]

Simon Kinberg and Lawrence Kasdan are both "working with J. J. as consultants on Star Wars VII," according to Bob Iger in February 2013.[29] Costume designer Michael Kaplan, who worked with Abrams on his Star Trek films, will be working on Episode VII.[30] Film editors Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey, also long-term collaborators with Abrams, have also been signed for Episode VII.[31] After several off-hand remarks on returning,[32][33] John Williams was confirmed to compose the score for Episode VII.[34]

In August 2013, it was announced that cinematographer Daniel Mindel will be shooting the film on 35 mm film (specifically Kodak 5219),[35] and that the film would rely on the employment of real locations and scale models over computer-generated imagery, in order to make the film aesthetically similar to the original Star Wars trilogy.[36]

On the film's official website, it was announced that both Abrams and Kasdan would be rewriting Arndt's script.[37] Also, several other film crew members were confirmed on October 24, 2013, including sound designer Ben Burtt, director of photography Daniel Mindel, production designers Rick Carter and Darren Gilford, costume designer Michael Kaplan, special effects supervisor Chris Corbould, re-recording mixer Gary Rydstrom, supervising sound editor Matthew Wood, visual effects supervisor Roger Guyett, and executive producers Tommy Harper and Jason McGatlin.[38]

In January 2014, Abrams confirmed that the script was complete.[39]

Casting

Though Lucas intimated that previous cast members Fisher, Ford and Hamill would return for the new film as early as March 2013,[20] their casting was not confirmed until April 29, 2014, at which point it was revealed that Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker would all appear in Episode VII.[14]

Casting for new character roles was the subject of much speculation. On March 30, 2014, actor Dominic Monaghan said during a interview that Abrams was looking for three unknown actors to play the leads in Episode VII and that rumors of bigger name stars were untrue.[40]

Saoirse Ronan,[41] and Michael B. Jordan,[42] and Lupita Nyong'o [43][44] each are confirmed to have auditioned for the film.

Industry publications also reported Jesse Plemons was being considered for possibly playing playing Ben Skywalker, Luke's son;[45][46] Adam Driver for an unnamed villain;[47] and Maisie Richardson-Sellers for an unknown character.[48]

On April 29, 2014, the cast for the film was officially announced.[14]

Filming

On February 11, 2014, Abrams planned a six-month shooting schedule.[49] On March 18, Disney and Lucasfilm announced that principal photography would begin in May at Pinewood Studios.[50] On March 22, an Icelandic website reported that pre-production filming would be taking place in Iceland prior to the start of official filming in May and that the site will only be used for landscape shots which will then be used for scenery.[51] On April 1, it was reported that the official start date for filming would be on May 14, 2014 with two weeks of shooting in Morocco and possibly in Tunisia, both locations used in the previous films for Tatooine.[52] On April 2, 2014, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn confirmed that filming had already begun.[8] It turns out that a second-unit filming the desert scenes was already concluded earlier in April under some secrecy within the U.A.E. emirate of Abu Dhabi.[53] On April 20, it was revealed that in addition to 35mm film, segments of the film are being shot in the 65mm IMAX format.[54]

Release

In November 2013, the film was given a release date of December 18, 2015, which will make it the second film—following Star Wars: The Clone Wars, released in August 2008—not to be released in May, as the first six films were.[55] In March 2014, Disney confirmed that Episode VII will be released in IMAX.[56]

References

  1. ^ "George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy Talk STAR WARS: EPISODE VII | Collider | Page 207393". Collider. November 20, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Star Wars Is Being Kick-Started with Dynamite". StarWars.com. January 25, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  3. ^ Ben Quinn and agencies (October 30, 2012). "Disney to buy Star Wars production company Lucasfilm for $4bn | Film". London: The Guardian. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  4. ^ "Star Wars franchise and Lucasfilm sold to Walt Disney – video | Film". theguardian.com. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  5. ^ Hugh Armitage (December 16, 2013). "Star Wars Episode 7 script still not finalised". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  6. ^ McNary, Dave (April 17, 2013). "Star Wars Movies Coming in 2015, 2017 and 2019". Variety. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d "New Star Wars Movies Announced as Disney Enters Agreement to Acquire Lucasfilm Ltd". StarWars.com. October 30, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  8. ^ a b Appelo, Tim (April 5, 2014). "Disney Chief Reveals 'Star Wars: VII' Casting Almost Complete, Says Film Is Already Shooting (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  9. ^ Leonard Martinez. "Star Wars: Episode VII to begin filming in May". Kvia.com. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  10. ^ Breznican, Anthony (November 7, 2013). "'Star Wars: Episode VII': Release set for December 18, 2015". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  11. ^ McIntyre, Gina (October 24, 2013). "'Star Wars: Episode VII': J.J. Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan to pen script". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  12. ^ Barnes, Brooks (October 24, 2013). "Abrams and Kasdan Take Over Writing of New 'Star Wars' Movie". New York Times. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  13. ^ Kit, Borys (October 24, 2013). "Writer Michael Arndt Exits 'Star Wars: Episode VII'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "STAR WARS: EPISODE VII CAST ANNOUNCED". Star Wars.com. April 29, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  15. ^ "Star Wars Is Being Kick-Started with Dynamite", StarWars.com, January 25, 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  16. ^ "New Video Series: A Discussion About the Future of Star Wars", StarWars.com, October 30, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  17. ^ "Star Wars Episode VII Has Begun Filming, With Casting Almost Complete". TheForce.net. April 6, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  18. ^ "STAR WARS: EPISODE VII SET TO ROLL CAMERAS MAY 2014". StarWars.com. March 18, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  19. ^ a b Pirrello, Phil (April 25, 2014). "New 'Star Wars' Trilogy Has No Ties to Expanded Universe, Lucasfilm Confirms". The Wrap. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  20. ^ a b c Devin Leonard, "How Disney Bought Lucasfilm—and Its Plans for 'Star Wars'", Bloomberg Businessweek, March 7, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  21. ^ a b Steranko, "George Lucas", Prevue #42, September–October 1980.
  22. ^ Gerald Clarke. "The Empire Strikes Back!". Time, May 19, 1980. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  23. ^ Bill Warren. "George Lucas: Father of the Force". Starlog #127, February 1988.
  24. ^ a b Clarke, Gerald; Worrell, Denise (May 23, 1983). "I've Got to Get My Life Back Again". TIME. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  25. ^ a b Waxman, Sharon (October 30, 2012). "'Star Wars' 7, 8 and 9 Are 'The Most Exciting,' Says George Lucas Biographer (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Retrieved May 26, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ a b Breznican, Anthony (November 2, 2012). "'Star Wars' sequel author Timothy Zahn weighs in on new movie plans – EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 26, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ a b "Star Wars Feature Film Production Returns to the U.K." starwars.com. May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  28. ^ Abramian, Alexandria (September 11, 2013). "Source: J. J. Abrams Building 'Star Wars' Postproduction Facility in L.A. (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  29. ^ "Disney Plans Stand-Alone 'Star Wars' Films", CNBC, February 5, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  30. ^ Butler, Tom (May 19, 2013). "Star Trek Costume Designer Joins Star Wars VII Crew". Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  31. ^ "Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey on Cutting Star Trek Into Darkness", Studio Daily, May 22, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  32. ^ Billington, Alex (February 17, 2013). "John Williams Sounds Likely to Return for the New 'Star Wars' Trilogy". First Showing.net. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  33. ^ Carlson, Adam (May 1, 2013). "J.J. Abrams says John Williams will do the next 'Star Wars' score, probably -- VIDEO". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  34. ^ Hayden, Erik (July 27, 2013). "John Williams Confirmed to Score 'Star Wars: Episode VII'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  35. ^ Jeff Sneider (August 22, 2013). "J.J. Abrams Hires 'Star Trek' Cinematographer to Shoot 'Star Wars: Episode VII' on 35MM Film". The Wrap. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  36. ^ "Star Wars Episode VII to Use Film, Be More Like Original Trilogy". mashable.com. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  37. ^ Master Filmmaking Team Announced for Star Wars: Episode VII
  38. ^ Olsen, Mark (October 24, 2013). "'Star Wars: Episode VII': Lawrence Kasdan's big move". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  39. ^ Molloy, Tim (January 19, 2014). "J.J. Abrams Says 'Star Wars Episode VII' Script Done, Confirms Jesse Plemons Talks". The Wrap. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  40. ^ Dassanayake, Dion (March 30, 2014). "JJ Abrams looking at 'unknown actors' for Star Wars Episode VII like original trilogy cast". Express. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  41. ^ Jacobs, Matthew (October 1, 2013). "Saoirse Ronan Confirms She Did Audition For 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Role, But 'So Did Everyone'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  42. ^ "Michael B. Jordan Confirms 'Star Wars' Rumor". The Huffington Post. October 10, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  43. ^ Chavez, Kellvin (March 14, 2014). "EXCLUSIVE: This Oscar Winner Is SO CLOSE to 'Star Wars: Episode VII'". Latino Review. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  44. ^ Kit, Borys (March 14, 2014). "Lupita Nyong'o Meets With J.J. Abrams for 'Star Wars: Episode VII'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  45. ^ Hart, Benjamin (January 17, 2014). "Rumors: Jesse Plemons Cast As Ben Skywalker, Boba Fett Retcon, & More". The Star Wars Underworld. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  46. ^ Rosen, Christopher (January 10, 2014). "Jesse Plemons Reportedly Up For 'Star Wars' Role". The Huffington Post. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  47. ^ Kroll, Justin (February 26, 2014). "'Star Wars': Adam Driver Near Deal to Play the Villain (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  48. ^ Kit, Borys (April 9, 2014). "'Star Wars: Episode VII' Speculation Centers on Unknown Oxford Actress". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  49. ^ Newton, Mark (February 11, 2014). "Star Wars 7 plans 6 months of filming from May". Movie Pilot. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  50. ^ "Episode VII filming to begin in UK in May". BBC News. March 18, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  51. ^ Westbrook, Caroline (March 22, 2014). "Star Wars 7 Iceland rumours spark speculation of return to Hoth". Metro. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  52. ^ Faraci, Devin (April 1, 2014). "EPISODE VII Shoots May 14th In Morocco". Badass Digest. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  53. ^ Newbould, Chris (April 23, 2014). "Disney confirms that Star Wars: Episode 7 is filming in Abu Dhabi desert". The National. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  54. ^ Fordham, Joe (April 20, 2014). "Film Renaissance". Cinefex Blog. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  55. ^ Breznican, Anthony (November 7, 2013). "'Star Wars: Episode VII': Release set for December 18, 2015". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  56. ^ "Disney to Release Avengers: Age of Ultron, Star Wars: Episode VII in IMAX". ComingSoon.net. March 20, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Star_Wars:_The_Force_Awakens&oldid=606368652"