Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens *SPOILERS*

[Reverend Strone]

I was in San Francisco last week and hooked up with some of my LF buddies. While they were of course extremely careful not to break any NDAs when speaking with me, the over all feeling of optimism about the new movies based on the preliminary work done so far came through loud and clear. There's a lot of work going on over there right now and they seem to be very excited about these new films. While I won't name names out of respect to them, this is coming from LF and SW veterans, people who have been there through the prequels and weren't necessarily happy with how those turned out. They see these as a fresh start with energised new directors and writers.

Of course, that was all contrasted by the lay offs going on at the time acros the company and the all too early cancellation of the Clone Wars, so it was a strange time to be there: lots of mixed and raw emotions. People are saddened by the changes and losses but also excited by what is to come.

I'm gutted and angry about the Clone Wars, personally, but I also understand that it has to have been something that was costing LF a huge amount of money, so it probably always had a target on its back when the company was sold and new owners opened the books. I just hope it has a worthy successor. It's so sad to see those storylines left incomplete and much of the creative team dispersed.

But, new movies, new tv shows, new opportunities. Let's see what they have to offer before prejudging them. I think I'm more excited about the prospect of the off year fiolms that the sequel trilogy. The SW Universe is a cool place to tell stories, and some smaller, one-off tales with their own style, set in different eras or focussing on certain characters, could be really fun and a great way to keep it fresh.

[Archon Revuge]

But, new movies, new tv shows, new opportunities. Let's see what they have to offer before prejudging them. I think I'm more excited about the prospect of the off year fiolms that the sequel trilogy. The SW Universe is a cool place to tell stories, and some smaller, one-off tales with their own style, set in different eras or focussing on certain characters, could be really fun and a great way to keep it fresh.

Well put as always Strone

[Bazzack]

But, new movies, new tv shows, new opportunities. Let's see what they have to offer before prejudging them. I think I'm more excited about the prospect of the off year fiolms that the sequel trilogy. The SW Universe is a cool place to tell stories, and some smaller, one-off tales with their own style, set in different eras or focussing on certain characters, could be really fun and a great way to keep it fresh.

Well put as always Strone

Totally. And thanks for sharing your insider info too Rev.

[MattG]

Yes, thanks for that perspective and reassuring low-down.

[Reverend Strone]

Just my impressions, but thanks guys. I could be totally wrong, and of course a lot can change in a couple of years! No one sets out to make a bad film!

[Buzz Bumble]

No one sets out to make a bad film!

Some parody film makers do. They purposely make it so bad that it's what makes it a good parody.

[oota goota]

Thanks Rev!

[Archon Revuge]

Bleedingcool.com has today released what it claims to be the official casting call for Star Wars: Episode VII. This might be dismissed as a mere hoax, but the fine folks over at theforce.net have since contacted Lucasfilm and confirmed that the information is official. The casting call contains the following roles:

Late-teen female, independent, good sense of humour, fit.

Young twenty-something male, witty and smart, fit but not traditionally good looking.

A late twenty-something male, fit, handsome and confident.

Seventy-something male, with strong opinions and tough demeanour. Also doesn’ t need to be particularly fit.

A second young female, also late teens, tough, smart and fit.

Forty something male, fit, military type.

Thirty something male, intellectual. Apparently doesn’t need to be fit.

It's an incredibly ambiguous list (no doubt intentionally), but it does give some very clear information about the age and genders of the main players. There's something else we can take from this casting call too: If it does contain a complete list of the main characters (barring those who will hopefully be reprised by actors from the original trilogy) then we shouldn't expect to see a couple of the main character from the post-RotJ EU - namely, Jaina and Jacen Solo. Since the pair are twins, we'd expect to see both a male and a female role of the same age on this casting call.

[Buzz Bumble]

Bleedingcool.com has today ... Since the pair are twins, we'd expect to see both a male and a female role of the same age on this casting call.

Unless they've already cast some characters ... maybe even the now-older Jake Lloyd.

Or, perhaps one of the twins isn't seen much and they are casting the main characters, and will then come back for secondary roles based on who they hire this time

[Archon Revuge]

Bleedingcool.com has today ... Since the pair are twins, we'd expect to see both a male and a female role of the same age on this casting call.

Unless they've already cast some characters ... maybe even the now-older Jake Lloyd.

Or, perhaps one of the twins isn't seen much and they are casting the main characters, and will then come back for secondary roles based on who they hire this time

Good point Buzz