"Rogue One" - December 16, 2016

That guy worked on The Book of Eli, After Earth and Telltales the Walking Dead. There might still be hope since he work on that video game.
 
I just hope they don't let him near Boba Fett! I'm really not sure what his major qualification are, outside of Godzilla being a hit ATM. I'm fine if he tackles Han Solo, I have no interest in that anyways. He can do anything he wants to the OT, but if they branch out into other genre. Not so much.

I didn't think After Earth was written that bad, the basic story was good. It suffered from bad performances, and lack of depth. Maybe even lack of Direction.
Also thought Book of Eli was decent, plus he's done some other good stuff. So i'll give Whitta benefit of the doubt.
And to be honest, there's nothing wrong with being Anti-SE or PT. It juts means that you're not a fan of BS, and will opt for quality story lines! So I see no need to distance yourself from those comments.


Oh, and I'm really getting annoyed at being logged out every 5 minutes. What's up with that?
 
I'd say getting to write a Star Wars film made him a winner, actually.
Despite his provenance, he is still preferable to Filoni (who I can only guess you like from your avatar).
 
GNT said:
Many Bothans died to bring us this information :p
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Wrong Death Star!

Bounty hunters being involved is fine; using the Executor bounty hunters isn't great; using the Falcon because Han doesn't own it yet is really dumb because of the timeline; having this theft set far enough back that Han not having the Falcon makes sense means this ISN'T the theft that kicks off the ANH title crawl, and make the plans some hot potato MacGuffin that gets stolen repeatedly; having Boba Fett as part of the team would take the cake in terms of stupid decisions.
 
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As with anything on the internet, feel free to take this with a grain of salt: But from what I know of Gareth Edward's directorial style (and I will highlight from the beginning that my knowledge is limited to 2014's Godzilla), I'm wary of him directing the first stand-alone Star Wars movie.

Simply put, I think Disney made a recoiled by-the-numbers decision in hiring Edwards after the instant financial success of Godzilla.

I get the feeling that Disney is trying to inaugurate him into the semi-artificial "Modern Sci-Fi Directors Club", and I guess I just don't get it.

Yes, I didn't like Godzilla one bit, and I won't pretend to be less than negatively biased against him, but I thought an overwhelming majority of the creative and directorial choices implemented in that movie were very poor.

I'm talking about the fundamentals of film-making like narrative, character development, cinematography, visual and aesthetic presentation - they weren't very good.

I'm not out to dislike the guy, and because he's helming a Star Wars movie, I sincerely hope it turns out well, but these stand-alone films are the only I'm skeptical about in the Disney acquisition.

Am I alone here?
 
But, he is in charge of the Spin-off. Which may not have anything to do with what we're used to.
 
Masterfett said:
But, he is in charge of the Spin-off. Which may not have anything to do with what we're used to.
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I don't quite take your point.


I think what bugs me about this placement is that I don't think this guy has the credentials (or the demonstration of great potential) to direct a Star Wars movie. I think someone like Matthew Vaughn, Sam Mendes, or Duncan Jones (though I'm wary of his lack of reverence for practical effects - apparently the models in "Moon" were implemented at the insistence of the producer) would be better suited. Heck, a year ago, Rian Johnson is very much the kind of person I'd expect to direct a stand-alone Star Wars flick.

Gareth Edwards doesn't seem like an interesting Sci-Fi/Adventure director or a left-of-field, bold choice on Disney's part. Everything about this appointment feels fairly conventional and bland.

Don't even get me started on the screenwriter, even if he did write the Walking Dead pilot.
 
As much of a fan of TWD I am, Walking Dead in really just Neo-Romero, portrayed in longer time frames... the writing is very good, but it hasn't knocked my socks off.
 
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Actresses Being Tested for First Star Wars Standalone Movie

While J.J. Abrams is putting the finishing touches on Star Wars: The Force Awakens for its release on December 18, things are already moving forward on the first Star Wars standalone film with The Hollywood Reporter‘s Heat Vision reporting that actresses are being tested for the female lead in the Gareth (Godzilla) Edwards-directed film.
Canadian actress Tatiana Maslany (left), who has made huge waves playing multiple clones in BBC America’s hit series “Orphan Black,” and Rooney Mara (right), nominated for an Oscar for her performance in David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, are two of the names being mentioned with The Theory of Everything‘s Oscar-nominated star Felicity Jones also on the short list.

THR’s Borys Kit says that Jones may have scheduling issues as she’s already pegged to co-star in the Da Vinci Code sequel Inferno opposite Tom Hanks and directed by Ron Howard.

There still has been no word on who the focal character of the first of the planned stand-alone “Star Wars” movies will be, although Disney and Lucasfilm have already snagged the release date of December 16, 2016. They’re currently looking for a writer to step-in following the departure of Gary Whitta after turning in his draft.

A second stand-alone movie being co-written by Simon Kinberg and Lawrence Kasdan will be helmed by Chronicle helmer Josh Trank, who is currently finishing up his relaunch of The Fantastic Four for 20th Century Fox.
 
Honestly, I can't say that I care for Josh Trank. After seeing what they're doing to FF4! And if it has to do with any of the main characters from the OT, I'm even less interested.
 
Chris Weitz Boards Gareth Edwards’ Standalone Star Wars Film

Following the departure of formerly attached screenwriter Gary Whitta earlier this month, Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm, Ltd. have, according to a story today at The Hollywood Reporter, set Academy Award nominee Chris Weitz to work on the screenplay for the first standalone Star Wars film. Godzilla helmer Gareth Edwards remains attached to direct the project, which is scheduled for a December 16, 2016 release.

Weitz launched his screenwriting career with the 1998 animated comedy Antz. He’s best known, however, for his Oscar nominated work adapting Nick Hornby’s About a Boy in 2002, a film that he also directed. Other directorial credits include The Golden Compass in 2007 and The Twilight Saga: New Moon in 2009. As a screenwriter, Weitz’ work can next be seen in Walt Disney Pictures live action take on Cinderella, directed by Kenneth Branagh and slated for a March 13 release.

Although the mysterious Star Wars film has been rumored to follow a heist involving the theft of the Death Star plans, few official details regarding Edwards’ film have been made available. The project appears to be close to the casting stage, however, with a report from last week suggesting that actresses like Tatiana Maslany, Felicity Jones and Kate and Rooney Mara have all read for a potential role.
 
Felicity Jones Eyed for Gareth Edwards’ Standalone Star Wars Film

Although we’re still more than ten months away from the release of the hotly-anticipated “saga” entry Star Wars: The Force Awakens, casting is already underway on Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm Ltd.’s first Star Wars spinoff feature, set to be directed by Godzilla helmer Gareth Edwards. Today, The Hollywood Reporter brings an exciting update that suggests that Academy Award-nominated actress Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything, The Amazing Spider-Man 2) is in talks to star!

Although the mysterious Star Wars film has been rumored to follow a heist involving the theft of the Death Star plans, few official details regarding Edwards’ film have been made available. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard Jones’ name connected to the project, however. A recent report suggested that the actress was auditioning against the likes of Rooney Mara and Tatiana Maslany. Now said to be in the running for the male lead, however, are “Breaking Bad” star Aaron Paul and Deliver Us From Evil‘s Edgar Ramirez.

This news arrives just one week after the project added Academy Award nominee Chris Weitz to work on the screenplay, rewriting an initial draft by Gary Whitta (The Book of Eli, After Earth).

The film, still without an official title, is set for release on December 16, 2016.
 
TBH, I really have no interest in that synopsys. How many movies need to center around those DS plans? We already have 4 of them that deal with that issue in some way.

Now we'll have to suffer through another one, that probably involves a young Han and Boba? Pre-ANH? :rolleyes: I was fine with the Spin-offs, when I thought they might have nothing to do with the core movies. But this is too close for comfort.
 
What's one more movie dealing with the Death Star plans? We need more of them. :D
 
I would not mind seeing how the death plans were "obtained". I'm imaging Vader being in the mix and of course all of the Empire's troops and vehicles, etc. The Death Star itself. Probably all of the Bounty Hunters from the ESB including Mr. Boba himself. Not sure how they would incorporate Han into the mix though? There was a rumor about both Fett and Han in the same standalone movie. I took that to mean they were in it prominently and not just cameos. Of course a young Leia would be in it. I think it could be fun, but yeah it does kind of that that been there done that feel to it I guess? But at least you could get some of expansion of that pre-near the ANH stuff going that probably a lot of people would be into I would think?
 
They can always do a live action Rebels movie which I know they've commented on in the past :)
 
RebelWrangler said:
After reading Whitta's comments on furiousfanboys (never heard of him before) I think he may be a good choice lol
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I agree with you seems he thinks the same way about the PRE flicks, as the diehard OT fans do. Lots of what's and whys during the viewing of those 3 films.
 
This is also why I have high hopes for episode 7; because JJ is a true fan of the OT like us (me). I am sure JJ hated the prequals, or at least recognized them in all their flawed-glory, and I assume he will take measures to avoid making the same mistakes (cgi, brutal scripting, zero collaboration with others, est) . Having a Gen-X'er who grew up with the OT (and disliked the flawed prequals) could write/direct/produce something more along the lines of what we (I) want......a movie for OT fans and not for "the next generation of fans"....
 
RebelWrangler said:
After reading Whitta's comments on furiousfanboys (never heard of him before) I think he may be a good choice lol
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Eh. While I agree with his statements about Star Wars on an intellectual level, he came off as nothing much more than a classless fanboy. The whole "f*&^ Lucas" thing left a bad taste in my mouth and I'm sick and tired of reading angry, content-empty rants like this. I'm very surprised he was brought on board for Star Wars in any capacity.

Guys like that seem a dime a dozen. Not a fan.

-Bobby
 
IMO, it's far too easy to get on the bandwagon and bash things. Than it is to defend them. Seems like everyone is just a hater, because they didn't get their beloved OT sequels back then. And to top it off, the Prequels didn't pander to them.
I, in no way love the PT as much as i do the OT. But it doesn't automatically give me the right to say that it's trash, and anyone involved with it is a talentless hack.
 
It's obvious from a business standpoint Disney is trying to appeal to the kids of the next generation, and part of the point of Star Wars Rebels is clearly to build up the OT era in the public consciousness for kids again. The kids who see the cool Darth Vader scene might buy the OT and enjoy it and be prepared for E7. It's been outright stated Rebels is aimed at kids. There's also the fact Lucas has bluntly stated the movies are supposed to be for children.

I'm completely fine if Disney chooses to ignore the prequels and not reference them. I can roll with that fine. My worry is that Disney will let fans' outright spite for the prequels go so far as to going out of their way to give George Lucas a huge middle finger. I don't want a tongue-in-cheek scene of a Gungan dying as an 'lol remember how much Jar-Jar sucked guys?' or something akin to a rumor I heard months ago that Disney wanted to say the prequel Boba Fett died and that the OT Boba Fett is a separate person who took on the identity. That would take me completely out of the movie and feel more like a decision designed to please the extremists and **** with Lucas than a serious decision designed to service the broader story or universe. I'm not a fan of the marketing ploys servicing the idea like the constant notes about the use of practical effects either, but I can put up with that.

All that said, I think Rebels has illustrated what to expect in that department, too - largely a continuation of the OT era ideas with some of the better bits of the prequels sprinkled in for good measure.

For the record, leaks suggest Abrams is kind to Lucas' face and then turns around and openly chews him out to crew members talking about how he destroyed Star Wars and how stupid he is.

EDIT: I haven't read Whitta's comments yet, but I want to add that there is absolutely an anti-prequel bandwagon, and that's not for the fans who write detailed analyses and can cite reasons why the prequels are inferior films, but it's for the people who just say they 'suck' and decline explanation.
 
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JVM said:
For the record, leaks suggest Abrams is kind to Lucas' face and then turns around and openly chews him out to crew members talking about how he destroyed Star Wars and how stupid he is.
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I doubt that's true. Abrams is probably much too professional to do that. Even if he believes that Lucas "destroyed" Star Wars, which he probably doesn't, he's also too smart to lapse into that type of hyperbole. He's a film maker, not some slob fanboy raging against Lucas because of some strange illusion of his childhood being demolished or some such other nonsense.

I don't think, in any way, that Disney/Lucasfilm is working toward disregarding the Prequels. They're just shifting their storytelling focus into another era. There have been three Prequel films, the Clone Wars series, and a great many books, video games, and comics from that era. Those stories have been told and that ground has been covered. New territory means new stories and product. That's just smart business.

-Bobby
 
Well i hope that's true, that he would not act in that manner. But if so, I'd be truly shocked and disappointed in him. I think he's an okay Director on several things. My slight resentment towards him is about what he did with Kahn. But I can move past that eventually. But I can't abide someone being two-faced.

Alos, who who the heck is he or anyone to say that someone destroyed Star Wars? Only in those peoples minds did that happen. If anything, he destroyed Star Trek. Because he blew up Romulus, forever changing the landscape.
So if rumor is true, he shouldn't throw stones. lol
 
Nobody destroyed Star Wars. Nobody destroyed Star Trek either. I checked. I still have all my Star Wars and Star Trek DVDs, toys, and other crap. This whole "destroyed" thing is really pretty ridiculous.

-Bobby
 
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