BEIJING, April 21 (UPI) — The Walt Disney Co. pledged $1 million in aid to China where an earthquake left more than 180 dead, LucasFilm president Kathleen Kennedy said.
From: http://pheed.upi.com/click.phdo?i=1c71c7120db18fcb9355152feffbe3f0
Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy was in Las Vegas this week to receive the 2013 Pioneer of the Year Award at CinemaCon, during which time she spoke to the press about Star Wars: Episode VII, J.J. Abrams and how his Star Wars will be different from his Star Trek, trying to keep secrets in the Internet age, and being a role model for tomorrow’s female filmmakers.
Judging from her comments near the end of the interview, it would seem Lucasfilm may be a bit more transparent with information on Episode VII than it was on the prequels or than how J.J. Abrams has traditionally been in regards to the Internet, fandom and secrecy.
Via ScreenSlam.
By Victor W. Hwang, Contributor
Unless you’ve been frozen in carbonite for the last half year, you have surely heard the big news. Three—count ‘em, three—new Star Wars movies are coming. Kathleen Kennedy, the superstar producer, now runs Lucasfilm. J.J. Abrams, who directed Lost and the last Star Trek film, is overseeing Episode 7. Michael Arndt, who won an Oscar for writing Little Miss Sunshine, is penning the script. These talented people seriously rock. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest
Recent reports have surfaced that Harrison Ford is indeed set to return for Star Wars: Episode VII and that the film will focus on the Skywalker and Solo children. Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, spoke to Entertainment Tonight recently to clarify his involvement and talk a bit about the possible return of Luke, Leia and Han Solo.
“They’re talking to us,” he said. “George
wanted to know whether we’d be interested. He did say that if we didn’t want to do it, they wouldn’t cast another actor in our parts – they would write us out. … I can tell you right away that we haven’t signed any contracts. We’re in the stage where they want us to go in and meet with Michael Arndt, who is the writer, and Kathleen Kennedy, who is going to run Lucasfilm. Both have had meetings set that were postponed — on their end, not mine. They’re more busy than I am.”
…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at IGN Movies
We’ve known for awhile now that Disney and Lucasfilm have more than just Star Wars Episodes VII-IX in mind for the franchise’s future. They’re also planning standalone Star Wars films. But what and who would such solo films center on?
Here’s a rumor from Ain’t It Cool News: “The first Stand Alone film is going to center upon YODA. At this stage specifics are sparse, but Kathleen Kennedy is putting together a STAR WARS slate… I’m wildly curious for more details on the YODA film – would this be a young or old YODA tale?”
Source: FULL ARTICLE at IGN Movies
Now that the deal’s been sealed and officially announced, Lucasfilm boss and Star Wars: Episode VII producer Kathleen Kennedy has gone on record about how she won over a reluctant J.J. Abrams to direct the next Star Wars movie.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kennedy recalled meeting Abrams, who’d already publicly said he didn’t want to helm Episode VII, at his production office at Bad Robot to change his mind. Kennedy summed up her sales pitch as “Please do Star Wars,” and noted that Abrams was “flipping out” when she told him that Oscar winner Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3) was scripting Episode VII and that Empire Strikes Back’s Lawrence Kasdan was aboard as a consultant. “I learned firsthand how incredible and persuasive she is.” said Abrams.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at IGN Movies
HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 26 (UPI) — Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy lauded J.J. Abrams as “the perfect director” to tackle the next “Star Wars” film after signing him to a deal earlier this week.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at UPI Entertainment
Lucasfilm and Disney have officially announced that J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII a day after the news first broke.
“It’s very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie,” said Star Wars producer and Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy in a statement. “J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture.”
“I’ve consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller. He’s an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn’t be in better hands,” said George Lucas.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at IGN Movies
A new report says that the director for Star Wars: Episode VII has been found and it’s none other than J.J. Abrams. The Wrap is reporting the huge news, saying that Abrams has agreed to direct the highly-anticipated film (to say the least) after months of being courted by new Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy. Just last month, Abrams specifically said he was not going to do the film (indicating he had been asked), but as The Wrap puts it, “The lure of the Jedi was too strong.”
Source: FULL ARTICLE at IGN Movies
