'Star Wars' Details Possibly Revealed by Sony Leak

Sick and tired of all this Sony hacking stuff? Me too, and frankly I hope it all dries up and goes away real soon. The problem is that the stuff getting leaked would be news under any other circumstance, so distasteful thought it may be we're going to post about some of it, especially when the future of Star Wars gets drawn into it. Here come the spoilers, tiny though they may be.

Columbia Pictures' Mike De Luca, who already spilled some info on Warner Bros.' Aquaman movie, has probably drawn the ire of Lucasfilm by possibly revealing what's up with Star Wars. Here's what we think we know already: Rian Johnson is writing and directing Star Wars: Episode VIII and writing Episode IX, while Gareth Edwards and Josh Trank are working on the spinoffs. How much do we know about any of them? Precious little, but here's what De Luca has to say about them in an email with Sony's Amy Pascal...

De Luca: "Star Wars: Any studio would have lost Josh Trank and Rian Johnson to this, it's freaking ‘Star Wars.’ Your ‘After Earth’ writer Gary Whitta is writing Gareth Edwards stand alone Star Wars film. Simon Kinberg is writing Josh Tranks. No one knows what they're about but Boba Fett is rumored to be the subject of one. Rian Johnson as you know is doing the main ones, episodes 8 and 9 of the Luke and Leia story lines, after J.J. [Abrams.] Not sure anything is gained by looking at what Lucasfilm is doing except we are stalking all these people too, except Whitta whom I think blows.”

Points for the dig at Whitta because he is pretty terrible.

So wait, are Episode 8 and 9 about Luke and Leia? Probably not given the ages of Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher. Besides, Hamill himself recently stated these movies are about the youngsters, not the original crew. When asked by Yahoo! why he wasn't in the teaser trailer, Hamill said this...

Hamill: “This is about the new generation of characters; I think that’s the most important thing. It’s the opening act of a whole new approach to the storytelling. “I rightly assumed that it wouldn’t be our story. Because we had a beginning, a middle, and an end. This must be our offspring and the current generation, with us there lending the kind of support that Peter Cushing and Alec Guinness did in the original.”

Keep in mind all of this is coming from a guy who doesn't have anything to do with Lucasfilm or Star Wars, so his info could be out of date or just plain wrong. Either way, this probably will get De Luca's name taken off Kathleen Kennedy's Christmas card list.  [TheDailyBeast]

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*UPDATE* The Trailer for 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' has Arrived!

 *Updated with a few high-res images!*

"There has been an awakening. Have you felt it?" And so, after months of secrets and speculation, the first trailer for J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: The Force Awakens has arrived! So does it live up to the hype? Well, let's just talk about the things it actually has: our first look at new heroes played by John Boyega (in Stormtrooper gear) and Daisy Ridley, the Millennium Falcon soaring, and a Jedi wielding a lightsaber shaped like a broadsword. Holy !?!?!?

Was this what fans were expecting, though? The short answer is: who knows? This is one of the rare occasions when we had absolutely no idea what this footage would look like beforehand. Go back to the trailer debut for The Phantom Menace all those years ago and we knew what to expect, but Abrams has kept production under such a tight grip that we don't even really know who each actor is playing. That only makes what we get here all the more exciting, and Abrams teases us just enough to keep us wanting to learn more. At the same time, this is a trailer that only relies on nostalgia just a little bit before forging its own path, which is exactly what we hope for the franchise as a whole.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens December 18th 2015.


Star Wars- Episode VII - The Force Awakens Official Teaser Trailer #1 (2015) - J.J. Abrams Movie HD-2 by clouzy

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'Star Wars' Set Video Features the Millennium Falcon and a Bat-Surprise

J.J. Abrams and Zack Snyder are quite the pair of practical jokers. For weeks they've been trading Star Wars/Batman v Superman mash-ups, even having fun with the rumored theft of the Batmobile. A stormtrooper did it, in case you didn't hear. Or did he? Maybe it was a different, more roguish character of George Lucas' creation? A set video tweeted by Bad Robot gives us a tour of the Millennium Falcon, which will be appearing in Star Wars: Episode VII. If the music sounds a little off that's because it's a mix of the familiar Star Wars theme with music from Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. You'll have to wait for it (a whopping 30 seconds!), but the end of the video continues Abrams' and Snyder's shenanigans in a fun way. Watch close.

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Idris Elba may Train 'King Arthur'; Michael Caine Joins 'The Last Witch Hunter'; Jeff Bridges Heads to 'Antwerp'

Idris Elba may be reuniting with his Rocknrolla director Guy Ritchie for King Arthur, taking on a Merlin-esque role in the film. Variety reports Elba is in talks to be the first official cast member, while testing for the role of Arthur is to officially begin next week. King Arthur has already been set to hit theaters on July 22nd 2016.

A movie starring Vin Diesel and titled The Last Witch Hunter probably doesn't seem like the type to court Oscar winners, but it has one anyway with the addition of Michael Caine. He joins Diesel and Rose Leslie in the film directed by Breck Eisner and centering on an immortal witch hunter who teams up with a female witch to stop an evil coven from destroying humanity. 

And finally, Jeff Bridges is said to be in negotiations to star in Antwerp, a heist movie J.J. Abrams has been developing for years since optioning the rights to Joshua Davis' Wired article, “The Untold Story of the World’s Biggest Diamond Heist." Doug Jung (Confidence, a film I like but apparently nobody else did) has written the latest script which tells the story of a 2003 burglary in Antwerp, Belgium that was dubbed the "heist of the century". [The Tracking Board]

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J.J. Abrams Shows Off X-wing Fighter; Win a Chance to See 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Early

J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilm are using the attention gained by the production of Star Wars: Episode VII for more than just selling merchandise. Some weeks ago they announced Star Wars: Force for Change, a program benefiting UNICEF. Part of that initiative was a chance for donors to win a role in the new film, and now the prize just got better as Abrams has revealed the winner will also be able to attend an early private screening of Star Wars: Episode VII. And as part of his announcement Abrams has also revealed a cool X-wing fighter jet on the London set.



For more info go to www.starwars.com/forceforchange, and to contribute for a chance to win head over to www.omaze.com/starwars. Here are the Grand Prize details:

· Airfare and accommodations to London for one winner and a guest
· Behind-the-scenes access on the closed set of Star Wars: Episode VII as VIP guests of J.J. Abrams
· Winner will have the opportunity to meet members of the cast
· Winner and their guest will then be transformed by makeup and costume teams into a Star Wars character and filmed for a scene in Star Wars: Episode VII

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J.J. Abrams Shooting 'Star Wars: Episode VII' in IMAX; Teases Pic of Tatooine

This won't come as a surprise to anybody paying attention to Star Wars: Episode VII over the last year, but J.J. Abrams has confirmed he'll be shooting the film in IMAX. Or at least partially in IMAX. Abrams tweeted the below image that teases filming of Tatooine using the IMAX cameras...

#bestformatever pic.twitter.com/fs6JcTALmZ
— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) July 8, 2014

Disney had already announced a few months ago that Star Wars would be released in IMAX theaters,while rumors surfaced even before that claiming Abrams would be using the format. He'd boasted about his intentions of shooting the film in 35mm and we can probably expect him to do that in conjunction with IMAX.

So there you have it. Lightsabers the size of a small building will be coming your way on December 18th 2015.

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J.J. Abrams Still Pushing for May 2016 Release Date for 'Star Wars: Episode VII'?

If you manage to get through the slog of nothing that is Latino Review's latest rumor in regards to Star Wars: Episode VII, what you'll find is one very basic point; one they could have made in about three sentences. And basically that point is J.J. Abrams and Kathleen Kennedy really want to see the film moved to May 4th 2016, as they had been requesting some months ago. This comes on the heels of Harrison Ford's injury and rumors saying Oscar Isaac's role was being turned up a notch as a result, assuming the production isn't delayed considerably.

Any talk of a delay has been shot down by Disney, and apparently CEO Bob Iger continues to refuse the idea of moving from the December 18th 2015 release date. So has this disagreement over scheduling caused any behind-the-scenes friction? Latino Review certainly think so, going so far as to say the hiring of Rian Johnson for Star Wars: Episode VIII is the result. But there's nothing to support that now, and it's worth mentioning that everybody at Disney seems to be trying to figure out the best way to get the movie done right.

Besides, do we really want Star Wars, Captain America 3, and Batman v Superman arriving all within days of one another in May 2016? Disney certainly doesn't.

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Let's Entertain These Tom Cruise in 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Rumors For a Sec

As we recently saw with the latest confirmed cameo in Disney's Guardians of the Galaxy, sometimes rumors linking a director to a prior collaborator turn out to be true, but I have serious doubts about what's being said in regards to Star Wars: Episode VII right now. The story making far too many waves around the Internet says that Tom Cruise is set to make an appearance in Star Wars, which is being directed by his Mission: Impossible 3 helmer, J.J. Abrams.

The story first surfaced at The Sun, which should be enough reason for skepticism. Cruise supposedly has been in London for a week and met with Abrams, along with some others, over the weekend to discuss Star Wars. Abrams continues to have a hand in the Mission: Impossible franchise as a producer, and their prior working relationship is said to be a motivating factor in Cruise coming aboard. But even more than that, the injury sidelining Harrison Ford up to eight weeks has given Abrams "some time to play around with" and craft a role for Cruise. This doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense to be perfectly honest. If production has been altered for two months on a film that is going to be developing right down to the wire as it is, wouldn't that leave less time to start shoe-horning in celebrities in newly created roles? Plus, the inclusion of Cruise would be seen by too many as a distraction, and not an especially beneficial one given Cruise's lackluster box office performances of late.

And lastly, let's not forget that Cruise's Mission: Impossible 5 is going up against Star Wars: Episode VII in December of 2015. There is very little incentive for Disney to have Cruise involved other than to keep Abrams happy, and since he's apparently leaving the franchise in favor of Rian Johnson as of Episode VIII, that's not going to be much of a concern either.

So we'll see what happens, but you probably can tell I don't buy these rumors one bit.

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J.J. Abrams Has Something To Say About All Those 'Star Wars' Leaks

If the secretive J.J. Abrams is pissed about the dozens of leaked images from the Star Wars: Episode VII set he isn't showing it. In fact, he's having a little fun with it. Abrams put out a funny little note today addressing the situation, while at the same time making note of claims the Millennium Falcon will show up in the film. Be sure to pay attention to what the note is actually posted on...



Oh, Mr. Abrams, aren't you clever. Yes, the note is attached to what appears to be the Millennium Falcon's Holo-Chess board, seen in the original Star Wars. Perhaps a game is in order?

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J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan Wish Fans a Happy Star Wars Day

Unless you've been sleeping under a tauntaun it's been pretty hard to avoid the Star Wars Day festivities. The fan event has already led to the release of the full Star Wars Rebels trailer, and to some pretty good deals on Star Wars merch available everywhere. But in terms of big surprises and announcements...well, not much of those. What we are getting is this short little selfie video from J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan wishing fans a happy Star Wars Day.

It's not much but Abrams does sort of confirm that more casting announcements are coming, and Kasdan seems to indicate they are still working on the script which hopefully won't be a big deal.

NASA is also getting in on the fun with this fun little video featuring everyone's favorite astromech droid, R2-D2 as he stops an Empire plot to jam a crucial transmission. Enjoy.

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'Star Wars: Episode VII' Cast Officially Revealed!

Well, it's time for all of the guesswork and rumors to come to an end. Just yesterday word hit that J.J. Abrams was planning a big table read with the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII, suggesting that the cast had already been put together. Coupled with sightings of Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher in London, we knew an announcement had to be coming. And now here it is, along with the above photo of everybody assembled together.

And so what we have are names we had been hearing about for weeks, such as John Boyega and Adam Driver, with some that only cropped up recently such as Oscar Isaac and Andy Serkis. Along with them are veteran actor Max von Sydow, Domhnall Gleeson (About Time), and newcomer Daisy Ridley, who is probably taking that role Maisie Richardson-Sellers was rumored for. And of course there are the original stars, Hamill, Fisher, Ford, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, and Anthony Daniels.

So what's left for Star Wars Day when it arrives on May 4th? Official plot synopsis, maybe? A title? Logo?

Star Wars: Episode VII opens December 18th 2015. Check out the full press release below:

The Star Wars team is thrilled to announce the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.

Director J.J. Abrams says, "We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud."

Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, and John Williams returns as the composer. The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.

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'Star Wars: Episode VII' Re-Creating Tatooine in Morocco

Over the last few weeks we've started to learn more about Star Wars: Episode VII, at least enough to endlessly speculate on. There isn't likely to be a lot of info once J.J. Abrams starts shooting in London's Pinewood Studios, so the trickle of news we're getting now is of added importance. Most recently word came out that some filming was taking place in Morocco, which happened to be the location of old sets used to create Tatooine in the original movies.

Now THR is confirming Abrams' plan to re-build the Skywalker clan's desert homeworld in Morocco...

"J.J. Abrams and Disney are planning to build out an extensive re-creation of Tatooine, the desolate home planet of Luke and Anakin Skywalker, in a Morocco-like environment (the original was built in Tunisia)."

I suspect there will be a sudden rush of airplane bookings to Morocco. Star Wars: Episode VII opens December 18th 2015. 

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Filming on 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Has Already Begun

The secrecy surrounding Star Wars: Episode VII is to be expected, not only from a Disney standpoint, but from a J.J. Abrams standpoint. He's always been the type to keep everything under lock and key until the last possible moment, and apparently that includes when shooting will begin. It seems there's been some misdirection, as it's been stated recently that filming would begin in six weeks on May 14th. But Walt Disney Chairman Alan Horn has told THR that production is already underway, stating "Actually, we're shooting some of it now." 

There have been rumors going around that filming had begun in Egypt, and this would seem to back up those claims. It could just be some second unit photography taking place before the main work begins.

Horn also addressed the casting, which has had practically everybody in Hollywood read for a role in the film. He admitted it has been the toughest part of production so far, but added "we have a lot of them, it's just not completely done yet."

Of course, no official casting announcements have been made and likely won't be until every piece is in place. And even then we may not know until Abrams is fully comfortable revealing anything. And part of that comfort will be in getting the script just right. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan took over scripting from Michael Arndt, and Horn reiterated just how important it was to get the screenplay right, saying "It's all about the screenplay. It has to be screenplay, screenplay, screenplay." He also confirmed the story would take place 35 years after Return of the Jedi. There have been some rumors of some

Star Wars: Episode VII opens December 18th 2015

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Lupita Nyong'o Has Met for 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Role

Not so long ago it looked like Star Wars: Episode VII would largely be focused on a female lead. That has faded into the background a little since JJ Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan took over writing the script. Of all the actors who have reportedly met for a role in the film, only Saoirse Ronan stands out as a prominent female, and she basically turned the gig down. But there's another name we can add to the list: Oscar-winner and Hollywood's new favorite gal, Lupita Nyong'o.

The new first surfaced at Latino Review, who seem all but certain the 12 Years a Slave break-out is close to signing, and then confirmed to certain extent by THR. The latter trade says she met with Abrams recently, possibly for the role of a distant relative of Obi-Wan Kenobi, which a Caucasian actress won't be sought for. So far there are no other actors confirmed although Adam Driver looks like a sure bet as a villain. John Boyega, Jesse Plemons, Ed Speelers, and Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher are up for the male lead.

Nyong'o, who followed-up 12 Years a Slave with a tiny role in Non-Stop, is also up for the courtroom thriller, The Whole Truth. The film stars Daniel Craig, Renee Zellwegger, and has Frozen River's Courtney Hunt directing.

Jumping into a major franchise is a pretty good way for Nyong'o to capitalize on her Oscar win and solidify her career. 

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'Star Wars: Episode VII' Details Emerge; Michael Fassbender, Hugo Weaving, Adam Driver Sought for Roles

If you thought the Star Wars: Episode VII rumors were flying around at a fast pace before, it's only picked up as production inches closer. The difference is these stories are coming from reputable sources with hard info, not random blogs following a hunch, and after word broke recently that Jesse Plemons is in talks for a lead role, THR has just dropped a mountain of new information.

The site not only confirms Plemons for a meeting with J.J. Abrams about a role throughout the trilogy, but also mentions Michael Fassbender, Hugo Weaving, and Adam Driver as among those being considered. Weaving apparently met to play an Imperial commander, but since nothing is set in stone we can just add them all to the lengthy list of possibilities that includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael B. Jordan, Saoirse Ronan, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Driver seems to be something of a franchise favorite, at least as far as rumors go, as he also mentioned for a Nightwing role in Man of Steel 2.

There's far more to the story than just casting, however, as the trade reveals screenwriter Michael Arndt's recent departure had nothing to do with scheduling, but conflicts over the story's focus. That has led Abrams and fellow co-writer Lawrence Kasdan to go in a different direction, one that focuses on the original trio of Luke, Han, and Leia in order to give them "a fitting send-off". Their children would be in supporting roles, at least for the first movie, and presumably will take over the rest of the way. So it sounds as if Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher will be turning up only to wrap up their characters' storylines, sell a few million action figures for Disney, then fly off into the Corellian sunset.

Apparently the script is still evolving, too, and characters are changing in just about every respect. That means some of the actors who read for parts earlier, such as Mud star Tye Sherdian, are no longer in the picture because that character has been aged up considerably. A mixed-race or African-American female in her 20s is also being sought to play the possible daughter or granddaughter of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Who knew Ob-Wan had 'Dagobah Fever'?

Expect more news to come. Star Wars: Episode VII opens December 18th 2015.

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First 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Set Photo Reveals a Familiar Droid

After all the talk about Star Wars: Episode VII delays and casting rumors, it's high time we got some news that was just plain fun, like the very first set photo? With filming set to begin early next year, pre-production is already taking place, and Bad Robot has just tweeted an image of J.J. Abrams, producer Kathleen Kennedy, and a very familiar little Astromech droid.

Hi from the workshop! #StarWarsVII pic.twitter.com/9R7JGSfxlC
— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) November 14, 2013

Is this is confirmation that R2-D2 will be in the film? Well, not really but let's be honest and admit that he's probably the most popular character in the entire franchise not named Boba Fett, so of course Disney and Lucasfilm want R2-D2 back if only to sell some more action figures. It's expected that Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher will be reprising their roles, as well. Maybe we'll get a set photo of them, too?

Star Wars: Episode VII opens on December 18th 2015.

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Is Chiwetel Ejiofor Headed to 'Star Wars: Episode VII'?

All but a sure thing to earn a Best Actor nomination (and likely victory) for 12 Years A Slave, Chiwetel Ejiofor is finally receiving the attention many people have felt he's long deserved. Sci-fi fans have been familiar with him for a long time, as he played the sword-wielding villain in Joss Whedon's Serenity, and he had a co-starring role in Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men. And if the latest rumors are true it's a genre he'll be returning to, albeit in a galaxy far far away.

A story out of the U.K. Times has Ejiofor spotted in the offices of J.J. Abrams, which in today's "break the news first facts be damned" world of movie journalism means he's been cast in Star Wars: Episode VII. At least that's how the folks over at Jedi News take it to mean, as they've run with it to boast the headline "Star Wars Episode VII: Chiwetel Ejiofor Cast in Episode VII" with the promise that more information will be revealed later today. We'll see about that. 

When asked directly about Ejiofor, Abrams gave one of his usual non-answers....

He looks at me, dead-eyed. “I can’t discuss casting,” he says. “But he’s a very talented gentleman.”

Yes, he is very talented, which is why Abrams could be approaching him for any number of Bad Robot projects totally unrelated to Star Wars. At the same time, considering all of the bad press about rewrites and possible delays it stands to reason that Abrams' focus is squarely on Star Wars right now. And this isn't the first time Ejiofor has been connected to the film, with reports he had read for a role surfacing some months ago. So maybe this Ejiofor rumor turns out to be true, or it goes down the rumor rabbit hole like all of those stories about Benedict Cumberbatch playing a Sith lord.  Maybe Lucasfilm surprises us and confirms both? On a side note, am I the only one who thinks Ejiofor's soulful, butt-kicking turn in Redbelt was the perfect primer for playing a Jedi? 

Star Wars: Episode VII is set to open summer 2015.

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Could 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Miss Its 2015 Date?

As 2013 draws to a close and the start date for Star Wars: Episode VII approaches, we're not hearing much that would instill confidence in it hitting the 2015 release date. Just a few days ago we learned that screenwriter Michael Arndt had been replaced, with director J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan taking over. That doesn't always spell disaster, but certainly the already crunched timeframe just got a bit tighter. Not that Disney seems to care, as they're dead set on having the film ready by 2015 no matter what.

According to THR, producer Kathleen Kennedy made a request to have the film pushed back to 2016 in the wake of the writing switcheroo. And how did Disney CEO respond to this request? "Oh hell naw!" Ok, not exactly in those words but he flatly denied her, probably because he wants to get that cash cow mooing as soon as possible. They've got a $4B investment to start making good on.

It seems as a slight wedge has developed between Kennedy and Abrams, as he and Iger are on the same page...

"Some sources say Abrams has become autocratic in recent months, wresting some casting control from Kennedy. But others disputed that notion, saying Abrams and Kennedy both have been involved in casting sessions. Unlike Kennedy, Abrams is said to be more in sync with Iger's desire to meet the 2015 release target -- which allows zero margin for error -- at all costs."

This is the nature of the beast when it come to major Hollywood productions. Studios are staking out release dates before the films are even in production, causing filmmakers no end of headaches trying to meet a date established by people who aren't doing the work. It's a backwards way of doing things, but it's all about money and positioning now rather than doing what's right to make a better movie.

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J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan Take Over Writing on 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

The lack of concrete information on J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII has led to a great deal of speculation that the reason is due to little actual progress being made on it. When Comic-Con and the Disney-based D23 came around and we got nothing, those rumors only persisted, and we've heard very little about the Michael Arndt's script, which should be just about completed if a spring 2014 start date was to hit its mark. And now that date, along with the summer 2015 release, may be in doubt as Arndt has been replaced on the film.

According to StarWars.com,  Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams having taken over the co-writing duties from Arndt, who has been attached since shortly after Disney's acquisition of LucasFilm. Kasdan has been a part of the Star Wars universe a long time and wrote The Empire Strikes Back, generally considered the best of the franchise. He's also been working with Simon Kinberg on the many spinoff films that are in the works.

If there were any problems to be found with the work Arndt had done, you'd never know it by what Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy's words on the news...

"I am very excited about the story we have in place and thrilled to have Larry and J.J. working on the script. There are very few people who fundamentally understand the way a Star Wars story works like Larry, and it is nothing short of incredible to have him even more deeply involved in its return to the big screen. J.J. of course is an incredible storyteller in his own right. Michael Arndt has done a terrific job bringing us to this point and we have an amazing filmmaking and design team in place already prepping for production."

A script change isn't always a sign of disaster, and it may just be that Abrams and Kasdan have ideas they want to see implemented. Or they simply didn't like what it was Arndt may have turned in and called for an overhaul. Who knows? But at the very least this threatens to push things back a little back. 

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Is a 'Star Wars' TV Series Back On? J.J. Abrams Says Film Won't Be Kid-Friendly

For years, the apple in many a Star Wars fan's eye has been a live-action television series based on George Lucas' popular universe. We've seen it work for Cartoon Network in animated form, and Lucas even began developing a live-action show Star Wars: Underworld that supposedly had 50 hours of scripting completed, described tonally as in the vein of HBO's Deadwood and The Sopranos. Obviously that never came to pass, but with Disney holding the reins now the situation may have changed.

Blue Sky Disney says word has begun to spread behind-the-scenes that the success of Agents of SHIELD has got Disney thinking about a Star Wars series again. They stress that this is all just talk right now and the kicking around of ideas, such as where the series should take place chronologically. Also since this would be on network TV and Disney wants everything to be as widely accessible as possible, the chances are it won't be too dark.

Speaking of which, director J.J. Abrams hit The Tavis Smiley Show and addressed fan concerns that Disney would only want a kid-friendly "Disneyfied" version of Star Wars, and basically he says there's no reason to worry....

Abrams:“The beauty there is Disney doesn't want that. They are well aware of this and they are very careful to make sure that...they are sensitive to that. They don't want that at all, that's the last thing they want. But that company, which is Marvel, they have...it's incredible the scale of that company. They are as aware of that as anyone.”

We'll see about that and if that Star Wars TV show finally gets off the ground. 

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