Disney Confirms New Star Wars Movie For 2020

Disney confirmed a third Star Wars film in the standalone series that will begin this December with "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." CEO Bob Iger told an investor gathering today that his company has largely “figured out the odds for making good films” as he talked up long-term planning for franchises including Star Wars.

Meanwhile he just heard a pitch from the director of the Star Wars movie due in 2019, and has hired a writer who’s developing another stand-alone Star Wars film for 2020.

So if you're counting, that means those who were born on the same 1977 day as "Star Wars" hit theaters will be 43 when this movie comes out. Since the series' popularity seems to just keep going, someday those same people will be able to take their great-great grand kids to watch a galaxy far, far away unfold on the big screen. (Although by then will we even see movies in theaters? They'll probably just beam them directly to our brain.)

So mark your calendars, you've got "Rogue One" this December, Episode VIII in December of 2017, a as-yet-untitled young Han Solo film in 2018, then Episode IX in 2019, and now this movie in 2020. The films are alternating release years between the remaining two of the original series and the three standalone movies.

Who do you think the movie will be about? A continuation of the new trilogy? Expanding on the background of an already well loved character? You tell us, Forcestrong!

Director Of Rogue One Corrects The Record - What's Different?

In May, reports emerged about reshoots for Disney's first-ever Star Wars spinoff movie, Rogue One, leading some to believe the film was in some way in trouble. Now, director Gareth Edwards has responded, saying the reshoots--which are commonplace in film--were planned from the start.

"I mean, it was always part of the plan to do reshoots. We always knew we were coming back somewhere to do stuff," he told Entertainment Weekly. "We just didn't know what it would be until we started sculpting the film in the edit."

Reports suggested the reshoots were done to "lighten the mood." Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, who is a producer on Rogue One, said the movie's tone and story is not changing.

"There's nothing about the story that's changing, with a few things that we're picking up in additional photography," she explained. "I think that's the most important thing, to reassure fans that it's the movie we intended to make."

Edwards added that he thinks concerns over Rogue One's reshoots were "blown out of proportion a little bit." He's also now increasingly skeptical of the internet.

Shouldn't we all be skeptical of the internet... I always am. Hopefully that puts the rumors to rest. Read the full article from Gamespot here.

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Rogue One is going rogue...

The next movie in the Star Wars canon is going rogue from the classic series in a lot of ways — and not just because it’s called, well, Rogue One. The Disney-backed spinoff is leaving the story of the Skywalker family behind, for starters, instead focusing on a brand-new rebel fighter. It’s depicting events that occur in between the chronology of the original six episodes.

But one of the biggest breaks with tradition, according to Entertainment Weekly, will definitely be the movie’s style. Even the iconicStar Wars opening script crawl, which has been a standard across the trilogies, is still very much up for debate in the new spinoff — and may not make it in.

“The crawl and some of those elements live so specifically within the ‘saga’ films that we are having a lot of discussion about what will define the [stand-alone] Star Wars Stories separate and apart from the saga films,” said Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. “So we’re right in the middle of talking about that.”

I think it should have the crawl. I mean the TV shows, comics, and everything has it. What do you think? Sound off on our Facebook Group. Read full article on Time here.

The Future Looks Bright For Star Wars Fans! What Comes Next?

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" smashed box-office records, taking only 12 days to gross $1 billion and only 20 to become the highest-grossing domestic film. The film has successfully rebooted the "Star Wars" franchise and set high expectations for the Disney-produced films to follow, which will consist of six films total through 2020.

In addition to Episodes VII-XI, three stand-alone spin-off films make up the Anthology series. "Rogue One," the first, will hit theaters December 16, 2016, and has a new trailer. A Han Solo origin film and Boba Fett film will round out the series for now.

Disney is continuing to invest in strong female leads. Many were pleased that Star Wars: The Force Awakens starred a fierce heroine, Daisy Ridley, as its lightsaber-wielding Jedi disciple warrior. The trailer for Rogue One confirms that the spinoff, too, will have a female lead, with Oscar nominee (and fellow Brit) Felicity Jones playing Jyn Erso, a rebellious fighter forced to complete a dangerous mission.

Aside from Jones, the cast includes Riz Ahmed, Diego Luna, Jiang Wen, Ben Mendelsohn, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, Donnie Yen, and Alan Tudyk as a motion-capture character.

But Disney might not stop making Star Wars movies in 2020, a new report indicates, as the company is apparently planning at least five more standalone pictures on top of the ones that are currently in development.

“There are some really cool things being discussed. It is very exciting to see how it is being put together,” J.J. Abrams told The Sun, which also reports that Disney is working on projects focusing on new and legacy characters. Movies for Obi-Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu are among the ideas Disney execs are toying with.

I'm probably most excited about Rogue One and the other anthology movies. Sound off on our Forcestrong Facebook Group (30,000+ Members) and let us know what you're most excited to see.

Forcestrong Editorial Breakdown Of Rogue One

Written By Wesley Younger

There isn't a more formidable force in cinematic fandom that that of Star Wars. It's been growing for almost 40 years with each generation adding millions of new fans.

One of the favorite pastimes of Star Wars fans is the endless debates and speculation that the Star Wars Universe offers. The Galaxy far far away is so rich in character and story that the most minute morsel of detail can bring forth hours of passionate deliberation. A 3:00 am breakfast at Denny's between Star Wars geeks can look like a parliamentary filibuster on C-Span. Sometimes entire hypothetical plots have been concocted by the most obscure characters or settings.

It is in that spirit Rogue One: A Star Wars story was brought to life.

LucasFilm chief creative officer John Knoll was a visual effects coordinator for the Star Wars prequels as well as countless other blockbusters, and one of the originators of Photoshop. In 2012 he pitched the idea of Rogue One to Kathleen Kennedy based on a line from the opening crawl of the very first Star Wars film A New Hope.

"During the battle, rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the Empire's ultimate weapon, the DEATH STAR."

To me this is a genius idea and I believe I can speak for most Star Wars fans when I say it's an idea we have all speculated on. It's the very action that sets everything we love about Star Wars into motion. The catalyst that prompts Darth Vader and Imperial Forces to attack Princess Leia's ship. It's the desperation of Princess Leia that causes her to hide the stolen plans in her Astromech Droid R2-D2 and send him to Tatooine with his bumbling companion C-3PO to deliver the plans to Obi Wan Kenobi, her only hope. It's those series of events that ultimately enters Luke Skywalker into the fold. 

The question is how did the Rebel spies do it? And who are these rebel spies? Are they the Bothans Mon Mothma mentioned? What battle did the Rebels win and how did that effect the acquisition of these plans? So many nuggets of curiosity packed in that one line written almost 40 years ago.

So now with the help of Lawrence Kasdan, Kathleen Kennedy and Director Gareth Edwards Disney prepares to make the very first Star Wars film not directly centered around the Skywalker saga (unless you include that God awful 80's Ewok movie).

Here are some things I'd like to see in Rogue One:

1.) An Identity for the Anthology films.

In an interview with the Costco Connection of all places Kathleen Kennedy said this in regards to future Star Wars projects:

"The Saga films focus on the Skywalker family saga. The stories follow a linear narrative that connects to the previous six films. The Force Awakens follows Return of the Jedi and continues that generational story. The Anthology films offer opportunities to explore fresh characters, new storylines and a variety of genres inside the Star Wars universe."

One of the major challenges Disney will have with creating Rogue One is identity. Disney will have to establish that this is still the Star Wars universe we've all grown to love without using all the tropes that identify with the saga films. Certain traditions such as saying "I have a bad feeling about this" and Wilhelm Screams can stick around as well as the universal facts like the roar of a Tie-Fighter and the horrible aim of Stormtroopers.

However certain Star Wars guarantees such as Lightsaber battles and even the use of the force may have to take a backseat in order expand the universe and explore different types of heroes and villains.

One major change already guaranteed is the score. It's almost blasphemous to think of a Star Wars film not being scored by the legendary John Williams but Disney has hired Alexandre Desplat (The King's Speech) to score Rogue One. A familiar sounding Star Wars score without some of the signature themes would be one way to put you in the Star Wars universe while letting you know this isn't same old same old.

Personally I think it would be great if the film started with the iconic blue text

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....

But hit you with a completely different piece of music than the Star Wars theme. We could still get an opening crawl preceded by the Star Wars logo but make a subtle but dramatic change by making the text red. All of these things could go a long way in establishing identity.

2.) Dirty, Gritty, War

Director Gareth Edwards hasn't been shy about the fact that Rogue One will be a War Film. "It's called Star WARS" he said at Star Wars celebration. "The absence of the Jedi is omnipresent in the film. It hangs over the whole movie.” Edwards went on to explain. 

Its almost unfathomable to watch a Star Wars film without the presence of Jedi but that's what will happen with Rogue One. A rebellion in despair, backs against the wall facing almost certain destruction. In need for A New Hope. “It’s about the fact that god’s not coming to save us, and we’re on our own" said Edwards.

We know before Episode IV the rebellion scores their first victory vs the Empire in some sort of battle. I expect this battle to be the focal point of this film. When on screen the movie will be more similar to the Battlefront video game with a story more similar to Battlefront:Twilight Company. 

3.) Darth Vader being a Sith Lord While the omission of Jedi seems to be one of the central themes in Rogue One according to Gareth Edwards, the Sith's role wasn't mentioned.

With the plot taking place just before a New Hope it's hard to believe we won't see Darth Vader and maybe even the Emperor himself making an appearance or even having a central role.

If Vader does appear I believe it will be in more of a supporting role or maybe even a final act appearance. The problem with this is that it's one more battle we know Vader loses. It's obvious the Rebel Alliance steals the Death Star plans because we've seen A New Hope. Disney will have to find a way for the rebels to win that still allows Vader to maintain his badassery.

Maybe Vader kills all the Bothans himself. Or even better the Rogue One heroes are on Alderaan when Tarkin and Vader blow it up with the Death Star.

Either way the writers of Rogue One need to maintain the the threat of Darth Vader for the integrity of the character and the original trilogy. With Brian Muir the original sculptor of Vader's helmet being signed for Rogue One it seems likely we will see Vader on screen again.

As somebody who's not a huge fan of the prequels I believe Rogue One is not only a chance to expand the Universe but to give us the prequels we never got. While we may not get the retelling of the fall of Anakin Skywalker a story with Vader showcasing his strength such as in the book "Lords of the Sith" could make for a memorable cinematic experience.

Rogue One is due for release on December 16th 2016

Episode VII Post Credit Scene Rumored To Introduce Rogue One

Everyone knows you never leave your seat when the credits roll at the end of a Marvel movie. As expected, Disney is expanding that practice to the Star Wars franchise. Rumors of a post credit scene at the end of Episode VII have now been confirmed. However, the subject of that scene has sparked a new rumor.

According to CinemaBlend, the post credit scene is rumored to introduce Rogue One. While it would be interesting to see some more footage outside the teaser we've already seen, post credit scenes are normally used to tease future installments that are linked to the one you just watched. Teasing Rogue One would be a bit odd because the events of that movie take place over 3 decades before Episode VII. It would make more sense if the post credit scenes were to tease Episode VIII instead....but like we said earlier, the content of the post credits scene is a rumor for now.

Star Wars: Rogue One main cast photo

You can be sure we will update all of you about this once the rumors are confirmed!

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Moff Tarkin Returns For Rogue One

In what is surely a very controversial move, Star Wars Rogue One will feature Grand Moff Tarkin. Why is this contraversial you ask? Simple.This isn't a look alike actor or an actor with prosthetic facial make up.....it's a full on CGI rendering of Peter Cushing!

A source on the set has revealed that "This is one of the most complex and costly CGI recreations ever". Obviously it would make sense that Moff Tarkin would be around, as he oversaw the construction of the Death Star, but there is also a new angle being introduced to us...

Contrary to what Revenge of the Sith showed us, apparently Moff Tarkin had a pivotal roll in the transformation of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader. An idea that was never relayed in ROTS, as it was portrayed as a decision by Palpatine alone.

The source goes further and discusses the fact that in A New Hope Peter Cushing was always stationary in his scenes so there is not footage, edited or otherwise, showing what Moff Tarkin's feet look like or how he walked. "They are going through hours and hours of old footage from the horror movies to recreate his legs and feet to produce realistic movements. It is eerie to see someone who has been dead for so long come to life on a screen."

I'm sure some of you will share my sentiments below about this, as Cushing was an amazing actor, and Moff Tarkin was a very unique character that no one could have portrayed as well as Peter Cushing:

This is DANGEROUS territory. In order to preserve the character, they'll have to go above and beyond any CGI project that has been attempted. Not only that, but they'll have to find one hell of a voice actor to fill in for all the dialogue, or face some serious backlash from the fan base.

One person who comes to mind for bringing Tarkin's voice to the screen is Stephen Stanton. He voiced a younger Tarkin in Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV series as well as in the new Star Wars Rebels TV series, and I think he could pull off an older version very well.

A side by side of Stephen Stanton & Tarkin from The Clone Wars

Stephen Stanton in costume as a young Tarkin

What do you think of this new development? Do you think Disney will pull this off, or will they put the first mark of imperfection in the return of Star Wars to the big screen?

You can bet there will be discussions about this all over the fan-verse, so why not get in on the action and be a part of one of the largest Star Wars communities on Facebook! Join our FB Group and like our FB page for all sorts of Star Wars news, fun, and all around fandom!

Source: The Guardian

Darth Vader To Appear In "Rogue One" But Not As The Main Villain

We all know Darth Vader has to appear in Rogue One simply because A New Hopes begins with him boarding the Tantive IV after it's capture.

However it appears he will not be the main villain in this film. While the identification of the main antagonist still remains a mystery, it has been said that Darth Vader will make a small number of appearances throughout the film. Much like the Emperor did in Empire Strikes Back & the beginning and middle of Return of the Jedi, Darth Vader is going to appear as a puppet master of sorts.....at least he will according to BirthMoviesDeath.com.

What does this mean for our heroes? Will they come face to face with Darth Vader at any point, or will they just have to deal with their main adversary while Lord Vader watches from the shadows? More importantly, who is the main villain? I'm afraid we'll all have to wait for the answer to that last question.....and what of the "puppet master" reference? Does this mean Darth Vader allowed the Rebels to steal the plans in the hopes of following them back to the Rebel HQ?

That would make sense, although it would be a bit redundant since he later tries that same tactic on the Falcon but with better success.

One thing is for sure. The ending of Rogue One will definitely be a climactic one since the opening scene of A New Hope shows Vader's Star Destroyer in hot pursuit of the Rebel Blockade Runner holding those plans.

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John Williams WILL NOT Score Every New Star Wars Film

Fear not my friends! For as you know, fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate to... well, you get the idea.

Let's look at this logically. John Williams is synonymous with Star Wars, but he's also pushing 83. While he will be scoring Episode VII (and maaaaaaybe VIII & IX, but only time will tell), He's already made steps to have a replacement ready. What better way to test the "new guy" than to let him score the first stand alone Star Wars movie.

This is where Oscar winning composer Alexander Desplat comes in. Desplat will be the one responsible for the musical score of "Star Wars: Rogue One", as he revealed during an interview on the French program "Radio Classique's Culture Club".

Hypable and Film Music Reporter have confirmed this to be true.

His most recent works can be heard in "Godzilla" and "The Grand Budapest Hotel". He's very good at creating music to help set the tone of a film. As it's been recently reported that "Rogue One" is going to be a grittier and somewhat darker addition to the franchise (Excluding ROTS), could this mean we are in store for a lot of dark, ominous music this time around?

We'll all have to wait and see, but LucasFilm & Disney seem to be quite sure of their decision to bring him on to this franchise.

How do you feel about this move? Chime in on our FB page.