Interview With George Lucas & Kathleen Kennedy On ‘Episode VII’

Michael Arndt To Write ‘Star Wars Episode 7’

Just a day after Vulture dropped a rumor that the writer of the 2010 Pixar Animation smash-hit, ‘Toy Story 3′, was writing a treatment for S’tar Wars: Episode VII’, Lucasfilm finally confirmed that Michael Arndt would be writing the screenplay for the first of ‘The Sequel Trilogy’.

Michael Arndt won an Oscar for writing 2006’s ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ and, as said above, 2010’s ‘Toy Story 3’.

Just after Disney had bought out Lucasfilm Ltd. for $4.5 billion dollars and announced ‘The Sequel Trilogy’ for Star Wars films as well as even more Star Wars films that would come out “2 to 3 years apart”.

‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ is set to blast into theaters sometime in 2015.

Mark Hamill On Star Wars: Episode 7

After the news of George Lucas selling his major company, ‘Lucasfilm Ltd.’ to ‘The Walt Disney Company’ for $4.05 billion dollars and the news that Episode 7, 8, and 9 were in the works, Entertainment Weekly caught up with Mark Hamill to see his thoughts on the newly planned sequel trilogy.

What did you make of the big news yesterday?
MARK HAMILL: Oh my gosh, what a shock that was! I had no idea that George was going to sell to Disney until I read it online like everybody else. He did tell us last summer about wanting to go on and do [Episodes] VII, VIII, and IX, and that [newly appointed Lucasfilm president] Kathleen Kennedy would be doing them. He seems to be in a really good place. He’s really happy. And that’s nice because I know that when we were making the movies, he was not a jolly guy on set. [Laughs] I always felt badly for him because he agonizes over details, and I’m sure after imagining it in his head for so many years, to see it realized — he’d look up and just hang his head and groan. Harrison [Ford], Carrie [Fisher], and I were always trying to cheer him up and joke him out of his doom and gloom. I missed his call yesterday, but I spoke to him maybe three weeks ago. But until we know more, it’s hard to make any comment other than congratulations to George.

So you met with George this past summer and he told you about his plans to make another trilogy?
Yeah, last August, he asked Carrie and I to have lunch with him and we did. I thought he was going to talk about either his retirement or the Star Wars TV series that I’ve heard about — which I don’t think we were going to be involved in anyway, because that takes place between the prequels and the ones we were in and, if Luke were in them, he’d be anywhere from a toddler to a teenager so they’d get an age-appropriate actor — or the 3-D releases. So when he said, “We decided we’re going to do Episodes VII, VIII, and IX,” I was just gobsmacked. “What? Are you nuts?!” [Laughs] I can see both sides of it. Because in a way, there was a beginning, a middle, and an end and we all lived happily ever after and that’s the way it should be — and it’s great that people have fond memories, if they do have fond memories. But on the other hand, there’s this ravenous desire on the part of the true believers to have more and more and more material. It’s one of those things: people either just don’t care for it or are passionate about it. I guess that defines what cult movies are all about. We’ll see. I’m anxious to know what’s going on, but the main story [yesterday] was the sale to Disney. I have mixed feelings about that, but they haven’t done badly by Marvel and the Muppets and Pixar. It’s one of those big decisions that at first seems unusual but then the more you look at it, the more it makes sense.

When you had lunch with George, did he get into any details with you about where the story would go in the next three films, or whether you would have a part in them?
Well, no, he was just talking about writers and the fact that he wouldn’t be directing. I guess he wanted us to know before everybody else knew. He said, “Now you can’t tell anybody!” [Laughs] Even now I’m nervous about saying anything. I just don’t know!

Courtesy Of Entertainment Weekly

So the deal with Disney and the new sequel trilogy had been planned all the way back to August. Most likely even farther back since this was a huge deal and announcement for not only Star Wars fans and the film industry, but for the world.

The Potential New Star Wars Films Have

Think about. Really think. The first trilogy is of course the best and the one everyone loves the most, but really, think about the whole saga as a whole. The prequel trilogy is NOT in any way ‘bad’. Sure, it may not be as great as the original trilogy, but it is very good in its own right.

Do you realize how popular Star Wars comics, books, and video games are ever since Episode 4 in 1977? In case you’ve only watched the movies, you should realize that the stories told in some of these comics, books, and video games, heck, even fan fiction are some amazing stories.

So many great stories can be told in new Star Wars films. The news of new Star Wars films may have gotten somewhat of  a bad response since Disney just bought out Lucasfilm Ltd. Don’t get confused, Lucasfilm is still making the movies, Disney will just distribute them. Imagine film adaptions of your favorite comics, books, and video games. Here, take a look at this little list and tell me seeing them on film wouldn’t be awesome.

• Darth Maul Origin
• The Force Unleashed
• The Old Republic
• Prequel of Palpatine’s Turn To The Darkside
• Quinlan Vos Films
• Live-Action Version of ‘The Clone Wars’
• Another Ewok Movie (LOLOL)
• Star Wars Legacy Adaption
• Prequel Trilogy To Episode I

A prequel trilogy to Episode I would probably screw up the Episode numbering but who cares. List the trilogy as Episodes, -2, -1, and 0.

How could they ever make all of these films if they said they’re gonna make a new trilogy with Episode 7, 8, and 9 you ask? In case you didn’t catch it, they’re planning to release new Star Wars films every two to three years. So they could explore a TON of ideas throughout the years. Also, if you’re wondering why I didn’t say anything about a trilogy that would take place after Episode 6, that’s exactly what Episodes 7, 8, and 9 are for.

Star Wars is HUGE in pop culture and if these films are good, especially if Episode 7 will be, then this could be a MAJOR WIN for the Star Wars universe, Lucasfilm, and Disney. Use the force, Disney…

Star Wars Episode 7 & New Trilogy Coming 2015 – Disney Buys Out Lucasfilm Ltd.

 

HOLY ASFNLSDFKGNLNKSDJNKSJANFJN FREAKING CRAP! WHOEVER THOUGHT WE’D SEE THE DAY!?!?! SUCH A WONDERFUL DAY FOR STAR WARS FANS (SORT OF)!!!!

On this very day of October 30, 2013, Disney has bought out Lucasfilm Ltd. for $4.05 billion dollars. So far, this sounds disastrous for true Star Wars fans… But wait, don’t sweat it, depending on how much of a die hard fan you are, this could be somwhat of good news.

The seventh movie, with a working title of “Episode 7,” is set for release in 2015. Episodes 8 and 9 will follow. The new trilogy will carry the story of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia beyond “Return of the Jedi,” the third film released and the sixth in the saga. After that, Disney plans a new “Star Wars” movie every two or three years. Lucas will serve as the creative consultant for the new movies.

“For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see ‘Star Wars’ passed from one generation to the next,” said Lucas, chairman and CEO of Lucasfilm Ltd. “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.” Courtesy of MSN.com

Working title of Episode 7 seems pretty obvious… I mean come on. I am pretty excited about new Star Wars movies. Lots of people will probably be outraged that they’re gonna make more since most people did not like the prequel trilogy at all. Well, think of it this way. It’s still Star Wars and will be set in the official storyline. Lucas is also a consultant for all the new films to come. I am only worried about the part where it says that even more films will follow after the new trilogy every ‘two or three years’. That might be a little too much. I think they should just wait and see how the new trilogy is then see what they’re gonna do from then on. 

The criticism grated on Lucas, who vowed never to make another “Star Wars” movie during an interview with The New York Times earlier this year.

“Why would I make any more when everybody yells at you all the time and says what a terrible person you are?” Lucas told the Times.

So Lucas is somewhat of a lier, oh well! Who cares!? We get more Star Wars.

Plus, we all knew this was destined to happen… I mean Disney is going to buy out the United States within the next five years since they also just bought out Marvel in 2009 and Pixar in 2006.

Are you excited for a new trilogy? Tell us in the comments below or on Twitter!

Karen Allen Talks ‘Indiana Jones 5’ Possibilities

 

Not too long ago, Indiana Jones star Karen Allen was interviewed. She was asked if she would accept to reprise her role in yet another Indiana Jones film to which she replied:

“I would… and I, in fact, just talked with Steven Spielberg recently. We emailed back and forth, and I said, ‘What should I say? I’m doing this publicity thing, what should I say if people ask me that question?’”

“He said, ‘It’s in George’s hands! I’m game, Harrison’s game, and now it’s up to George to write the script or to get the script organized, and the story.’ They want to do a fifth, from what I understand, but they don’t want to do it just to do it, they want to do it if they can come up with a story that everybody is happy with and that everybody likes.”

So for those who want a fifth Indiana Jones film and actually liked the fourth one like myself, this is good news. Karen Allen confirms that director Steven Spielberg, Indiana himself, Harrison Ford, and herself are all ‘game’ and are just waiting for George Lucas to ever write a script and think up a good story.

Chances are, George Lucas probably will get a story going and we’ll get ‘Indiana Jones 5’ within the next 5 years or so.

In other news, buy the complete set for the ‘Indiana Jones’ series in stores now!

Indiana Jones IMAX Poster Is Released & IMAX Trailer Review

This is what we’ve been waiting for people! First we get a yearly re-release of Star Wars in 3D and now a re-release of Raiders Of The Lost Ark. Sure, it’s just a way for Lucasfilm to make a crapload of more money cause they can’t think of any more movies to make, but who cares! We love Indiana Jones and the Star Wars movies.

I generally don’t see any differences in quality from the trailer, but then I am watching it on a computer screen on Youtube. I’m sure there will be a little bit better quality, some btter color correction and grading, and probably some fixed titles. A 0:28 in the video we do see how it’s changed barely… but to be honest it does look better.

If only the Star Wars re-releases were in IMAX instead of 3D. That would’ve been way better. Episode II was once released in IMAX, and Lucas was not impressed. But why would he be releasing them in IMAX then?

Spielberg recently spoke on the the IMAX conversion to the New York Times,

“For me, it’s always been the bigger the screen, the better,” Steven Spielberg, who directed “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and the three subsequent “Indiana Jones” sequels, said Tuesday in a telephone interview. “It’s the only marked contrast we have to the generations that are seeing our movies on phones and hand-held platforms. It’s a complete relief to be able to see a film that many people have just experienced on a palm-sized platform technology, suddenly hurled at that them on an IMAX-sized screen.”

“You kind of feel the sound in your chest, like when the boulder is rolling, chasing Indy through the cave. You really feel the boulder in your stomach, the way you do when a marching band passes by and you’re standing right next to it.”

Spielberg also spoke on Indiana Jones 5 to the New York Times,

“I’m afraid to think about it. Because if I think about it, I’m really going to want to do it. But it’s not up to me – it’s up to George. So the person who needs to be thinking about it is George, not me. And I’ve given George my pledge that if he wants to write a fifth Indiana Jones movie, I’m his man to direct it. But it’s all up to him, and I don’t put any pressure on him. And if he decides that another one is warranted, I’ll be happy to direct it.”

Mark Raats also made a new poster for the IMAX Re-Release. Feel free to download below.

Click For Full Size

‘Raiders Of The Lost Ark’ is set to hit select IMAX theaters from September 7th through the 13th.

And don’t forget the Blu-Ray release of all four Indiana Jones movies September 18th!

Will There Be Indiana Jones 5?

Whenever a movie drops into the box office and everyone hates it, I usually just happen to love it. That’s what happened with “Indiana Jones: The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull”. Everyone hated that thing to death. Anybody else like it besides myself? No? No? Dang it…

Well, Indiana Jones 5 rumors have been circling around the internet for a long time now. Creators George Lucas and Steven Spielberg along with members of the cast and crew have been interviewed about the idea and gave us the impression that it a fifth film would be made some day.

IGN said after an interview with Steven Spielberg,  “Spielberg indicated that LaBeouf has to make multiple Transformers movies before he can move over and take on the fedora and bullwhip of Indiana Jones.”

“Am I into it? Who wouldn’t be? I don’t think that’s reality. It’s a fun rumor.” Shia LaBeouf said. He seems to be all for a fifth film. Ford then said he would return for a fifth film if it doesn’t take another twenty years to develop.

Steven Spielberg then commented yet again saying “only if you [the audience] wants more”.

Time magazine then interviewed Harrsion Ford on if he would let Shia take over the fedora to which he responded, “What are you talking about? It’s mine. I would love to do another Indiana Jones movie. George Lucas is working on an idea now. Shia can get his own hat. I earned that hat.”

George Lucas then said that he was thinking “to make Shia LaBeouf the lead character next time and have Harrison Ford come back like Sean Connery did in The Last Crusade.” At the time Last Crusade was filmed, Connery was 58 while Ford was “65 and did everything in this movie [Crystal Skull]. The old chemistry is there, and it’s not like he’s an old man. He’s incredibly agile; he looks even better than he did 20 years ago, if you ask me.”

Lucas also joked about a spin-off of the series, “Indiana Jones is Indiana Jones. Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones. If it was Mutt Williams it would be Mutt Williams and the Search for Elvis or something.”

“I’d hate to see it reduced in any way from the movies that we have done and the way we have done them.”  Ford said after being asked if he would return if Indiana Jones was turned into a animated film like “The Clone Wars”. He also called Lucas’ concept for the fifth film “crazy but great”.

So up until now we’ve been panting like dogs (some of the us… the cool people) on if there will be another Indiana Jones film. The latest development on a fifth film came by a couple days ago:

Producer Frank Marshall said in an interview with Crave Online, “As far as I know he’s not writing a fifth Indy,” said Marshall. Interesting considering Spielberg as well as actor Harrison Ford have told the press he is. But he continued.

“I think he’s thinking about ideas but he’s certainly not writing one. We’d love to keep the series going but again it’s got to be a really good story. They’re hard to do. I say, for me, [Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is] the last hurrah. I know that yes, we talk about it, but there’s no idea, there’s no MacGuffin… [Lucas] isn’t [hungry to do another Indiana Jones].”

Maybe Marshall just doesn’t have the connections to Lucas, Spielberg, or Ford? I hope that is the case, or these statements of his could be true and we may never get the long rumored fifth Indiana Jones film.

So was 2008’s “The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull” the last we’ll ever see of Indiana Jones? Was that ending good enough for such a hero? Are you still hoping for a fifth film or are you glad it is supposedly dead? Tell us in the comments or on Twitter!