Han Solo: A Star Wars Story Begins Shooting in January 2017

Writer Lawrence Kasdan reveals that the Star Wars Han Solo spinoff will start shooting this coming January in London.

Later this year, the beloved Star Wars franchise will continue with the first spinoff, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which will be followed next year by Star Wars: Episode VIII in December 2017. The next movie after that will be Han Solo: A Star Wars Story, which is set for release May 25, 2018, exactly 41 years after this iconic character was first introduced in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. While there is still very little we know about the story, screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan recently revealed that production is set to begin in January.

Biz Journals caught up with Lawrence Kasdan after he was presented with the AJFF Icon Award for Contributions to the Cinematic Arts at the Woodruff Arts Center's Rich Auditorium earlier this month. While the writer wouldn't reveal any details about the plot, he said directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller are getting ready to move to London, to prep for principal photography starting in early 2017. Here's what the writer had to say about the Star Wars spinoff.

"You know, Chris Miller and Phil Lord are going to direct it. They're great, funny and imaginative and we've had a great time together. My son [Jon] and I wrote the script and Chris and Phil are working on it and they're about to move to London to start shooting in January. And it should be fun."

Earlier this month, Alden Ehrenreich was cast as the young Han Solo. All we know about the story thus far is that it will take place before the events of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, offering an origin story for this iconic character. Since he is part of the LucasFilm story group, and co-wrote the script for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Lawrence Kasdan was asked if he could shed any light on the sequels Star Wars: Episode VIII or Star Wars: Episode IX. Here's what he had to say below.

"I have a little information. [Star Wars Episode 8 Director] Rian [Johnson] is a friend of mine. I'm getting to know Colin Trevorrow, who is going to direct Episode 9, so I feel very involved with it."

No other cast member or characters have been confirmed for the Han Solo movie at this time. It's possible that this spinoff could show how Han Solo met Chewbacca for the first time, but that hasn't been confirmed. Hopefully we'll have more casting and story details soon, so stay tuned for more on Han Solo: A Star Wars Story.

The 6 'Star Wars' Technologies Inventors and Scientists Have Already Made Real

Soon we'll all be using hydrospanners to fix our Millennium Falcons.  

We’ve long known that life imitates art as art imitates life. But science fiction complicates that famous formulation, forcing us to acknowledge that life only imitates certain types of art when technological progress allows for it. Increasingly it does and, also increasingly, human inventors seem to be taking cues from the Star Wars universe, building the sort of tools used by the Rebellion and the Empire in their ceaseless game of intergalactic red rover. Let the cynics dwell on why lightsabers would never work, it’s still remarkable that we already have six futuristic technologies (and some planets) cribbed from a trilogy of movies that absolutely shattered minds when it was released a little less than three decades ago.
These are those technologies:

Cybernetic Limbs

Luke's cybernetic hand.

We all remember that scene at the end of The Empire Strikes Back: Luke’s hand — sliced off during a confrontation with Darth Vader earlier — is back. Only it’s not really his arm; it’s got a bunch of metal and wires strewn around. It was an artificial limb. But unlike conventional prosthetics, this one was basically as good as the real deal. It could move with full functionality. It responded to sensations induced by external forces. And it was encased in a skin-like exterior. It was pretty much the same as the other arm.

The DEKA Arm

In the real world, we’re not at the point where we can just replace our limbs with artificial ones and get along with life just as well — but we’re made steps to that. Late last year, researchers at DARPA were able to construct a prosthetic hand connected to a patient’s spinal cord and give that person an ability to move the mechanical arm and even feel sensations induced on specific areas of the limb.

Princess Leia in hologram form.

Holograms

“Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.” Those words were immortalized by Princess Leia, but it wasn’t her saying those things directly — it was a hologram version of her. Without question, we are now in the age of holograms. We already made Tupac come back to life and perform at Coachella via hologram — and it looked pretty damn impressive.
This isn’t just an important technology for entertainment purposes. Holography is also seeing a significant impact in teaching medical students how to identify and interact with different parts of the body to diagnose and treat illnesses. In the future, your physician might just let you sit around while they pull up a holographic version of you to examine and see what ails you.

Droids

If you think of robots as a version of droids, this isn’t even a stretch of the imagination. We’ve got droids that look like humans (and they are as clumsy and lazy as us, too!); droids that trudge around like animals; droids that follow us around and show us weird shit, etc.
It’s just a matter of time before we have droids that run around and tell us how bad all of our ideas are.

Speeders

A vehicle that can hover in mid air and zip across large distances? Impossible, right?
Well, we’re not totally far off from seeing speeders become a reality. We already have trains that levitate using magnets. Elon Musk’s proposed hyperloop transportation system is already being built by two different companies.

Most of all, hovercraft technology is progressing fast.

HUD

A heads-up display shows someone a digital interface overlaid whatever screen they’re using to see out in the real world. They provide access to information that doesn’t require you to pull up an entirely new device, and sometimes interacts with what’s happening ahead of you in a way that augments what your visual space looks like. Remember when Luke was gearing up to blow up the Death Star, and switched off his targeting computer? That could be considered a version of an HUD.
Nowadays, we’re already seeing HUDs in the form of smart glasses, smart cars, pilot displays in aircraft, and many other systems.

Tractor Beams

Last but not least, tractor beams are now a real thing. Researchers from Britain developed a device last year that can use high-amplitude sound waves to create an acoustically-driven hologram to move small objects around.
It’s a miniature form of a tractor beam, but it still counts — and illustrates a possible method that could be advanced for scaling up a working tractor beam that could move large objects around with just a flick of a switch.

 

 

Star Wars is 39 Years Old Today!

39 years ago today the world was changed when an unexpected space fantasy altered the way the world looked at movies. Star Wars (later A New Hope) was released on May 25^th, 1977 and summer blockbusters would never be the same.

  May the 4^th may be “Star Wars Day” due to clever marketing and fandom’s love for wordplay, but today is the day it all began. Before Star Wars, movies about space wizards, alien planets, and interplanetary battles of good and evil were the fodder of B-Movie cinema. They were seen as lesser and not taken seriously. Today’s blockbuster landscape would have seemed fantasy in its own right to movie goers of the early 70’s. But the spectacle and awe of Star Wars brought to life through the passion of George Lucas change all that. Lucas had a vision that the serials of his youth could be elevated to something that could both have mass appeal and stand the test of time.



Star Wars changed the film industry, advanced technology, and elevated aspects of geek culture into the mainstream in unprecedented ways. Without Star Wars, Lucas, and those who collaborated with him, the world would be a much different and far lesser place. So, Happy Birthday Star Wars! Although we here at SWNN will obviously salute you on this day due to our predisposition for all things of the galaxy far, far, away, it is the world and the entire film industry that should honor you for forever altering the way we consume movies. Happy Birthday and may the force be with you!

Check Out the Star Wars Celebration 2016 Poster!

Galactic eras collide on the official Star Wars Celebration 2016 poster! Lucasfilm has today launched The Star Wars Show, a new new web series that aims to explore everyone’s favorite galaxy far, far away. The new episode, which you can check out in the player below, has a cool surprise for Star Wars fans as it reveals the official Star Wars Celebration 2016 poster! Check out the full version, which blends Gareth Edwards’ upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story with characters from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, in the gallery viewer at the bottom of this page. There’s also an amusing opening sequence that features Star Wars: Episode VIII helmer Rian Johnson and a certain Wookiee. Check it out in the player below! RELATED: Star Wars Celebration Europe to Feature Rogue One Panel  Set to take place this July at the ExCeL London Exhibition Centre, Star Wars Celebration 2016 is Lucasfilm’s love letter to fans. Beginning July 15, the event will feature three fun filled days of costumes, exhibits, a vibrant, interactive show floor, screenings, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panels, autograph sessions, fan-inspired activities, and other surprises celebrating all things Star Wars. Star Wars Celebration 2016 aims to deliver a landmark experience where memories are made, families brought together, old friends reunited, and new friendships formed — all in the setting of the ever-evolving Star Wars universe. RELATED: Star Wars Celebration 2017 Set to Take Place in Orlando Last year’s Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim had an estimated 50,000 fans in attendance. Much of the event was live streamed on StarWars.com where a number of trailers made their debut, including the second teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, an official reveal of Star Wars Battlefront, and the first look at Rogue One. CS will be in London for Star Wars Celebration 2016, so check back for updates! What do you think of the Star Wars Celebration 2016 poster design? Will you be attending the event this summer? Let us know in the comments below!

Star Wars 8 Set Video Shows Daisy Ridley in Costume as Rey

 

The last half of Star Wars: Episode VIII is currently shooting in Malin Head, Ireland. And today, we have the first set video featuring star Daisy Ridley in costume as Rey. She appears to be wearing the same uniform she had on at the end of The Force Awakens, when she meets Luke Skywalker for the first time. Though, we suspect she'll be getting a costume change at some point in the movie, if only to sell more action figures.
The video arrives courtesy of Twitter, and you can clearly hear the excitement of the two girls in the car upon seeing Rey in the flesh. Shooting was completed this weekend on the scenic cliffs of Malin Head. Also spotted in the area was the Millennium Falcon. And while there are no pictures, it is confirmed that Chewbacca was on location for these scenes. Though it isn't known if original actor Peter Mayhew was in the costume, or if it was his understudy and stand-in Joonas Suotamo, who will, at some point, completely take over the role.
Last week, we saw new photos surface of stars Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Daisy Ridley (Rey) and Adam Driver (Kylo Ren) arriving in Malin Head, Ireland. Along with their arrival in town, the Millennium Falcon has certainly made its presence known to the locals. This massive ship has been parked on the edge of a cliff, reportedly a mile from Banba's Crown, an area which is well known as a great spot to get pictures of the Northern Lights.
The Republic of Ireland's Aviation Authority has enlisted a strict "no-fly zones" around the set. The security in Donegal County is also very tight, with only one country road that leads to and from the set. Production is said to be wrapped in Malin Head, with the shoot shifting to the south of Ireland, close to the Skellig Michael Island set, where the final scene of Star Wars: The Force Awakens was shot, depicting Luke Skywalker's secret Jedi temple. It isn't known how this particular vehicle obtaining this set footage of Rey got on the country road.
The production has also been constructing Jedi Temple sets on a mountain headland dubbed Ceann Sibeal in Kerry County, where shooting is expected to take place later this month. Of course, we don't know exactly what will be shot in Ireland, but there have been plenty of rumors that have surfaced thus far. There has been speculation that the story follows Rey starting her Jedi training with Luke Skywalker, but that hasn't been confirmed yet. There have also been rumors that Kylo Ren will capture Poe Dameron and Finn to try and set a trap to draw Rey out of hiding.
Rian Johnson is directing Star Wars 8 from his own script, with Disney and LucasFilm setting a December 15, 2017 release date. Disney and LucasFilm still haven't revealed an official synopsis or any story details quite yet, but we'll be sure to keep you posted as soon as more details are released. Until then, check out the new video from the Ireland set of Star Wars: Episode VIII, arriving in theaters December 15, 2017. StarWarsPost.com has more photos you can check out, though we've included the video below.

John Williams May Not Return for Star Wars 8

John Williams, who has scored every Star Wars live action movie to date, isn't sure if he'll be back for Episode VIII.

With Star Wars 8 midway through production, it still hasn't been announced whether or not composer John Williams will be back to score the soundtrack. He remains undecided, but one thing is for certain. He doesn't really want to see anyone else take on the job, either.
John Williams recently conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra, where he opened the show with a hint about his participation in the next Star Wars sequel. He only briefly mentions the movie, but it sounds like a big possibility that he may not return. He has this to say about scoring Star Wars: Episode VIII, as reported by JWFan.com.

"I told the producers I wasn't sure if I wanted to do the next one, but told them I didn't want anyone else doing it either."

The last half of the statement was meant as a joke. And it got a laugh from the crowd just as the conductor led into the Scherzo for X-wings track off The Force Awakens soundtrack. It's clear that the musician doesn't want to relinquish control to someone else, having been in charge of the live-action Star Wars movies since 1977, starting with A New Hope. This December's spinoff Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will mark the first big screen entry that he has not been in charge of, with Alexandre Desplat doing the music.

Before John Williams committed to doing The Force Awakens, there was some question whether or not he would return due to health issues. The conductor had to drop out of Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies, but is returning for the filmmaker's next project The BFG. When the official press release came out for The Force Awakens, it was stated that he would be doing the entire new trilogy. Later press releases from Disney and LucasFilm backed off that, stating he was only doing the music for Episode VII.
John Williams has sounded enthusiastic about returning for more Star Wars in the recent past. But taking on such a commitment at his age has become somewhat of a burden. If the composer doesn't return, it's possible that Alexandre Desplat could step in to replace him. It isn't known when a final decision will be made. There are still a couple of months left for the Star Wars: Episode VIII shoot. So don't expect to hear an official confirmation until sometime in late summer or this fall.

Se Filtran Imágenes de Star Wars Episodio 8

Star Wars: The Original Trilogy (Trailer)

In a galaxy not so far away: Exclusive photographs reveal that the Millennium Falcon has touched down in England as Star Wars VIII is filmed at Pinewood Studios

• Star War's most iconic spaceship was spotted on set at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire as filming continues 
• Photos showed the famous aircraft next to a huge set which closely resembles world seen at end of Star Wars VII
• Filming began on the next installment in February, while the film had its release date pushed back to December 2017

 

Photos have revealed that Star Wars most famous spaceship has touched down in London.

The Millennium Falcon was spotted for the first time this summer as the highly-anticipated Star Wars VIII is filmed at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.

Photographs showed the famous aircraft next to a huge set which closely resembles the world that Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, visited at the end of last summer's Star Wars VII when she finally tracked down missing Jedi Luke Skywalker.

A second set was set built up near that of the Millennium Falcon, but it is unknown at this stage what the intended setting will be, with fans of the franchise going into rumour-mill overdrive online as they face a long wait until the film is finally released.

But while little is known about the plot of the next chapter of the galaxy spanning saga, these new photos of filming give a snippet into what fans can expect to see in the follow up to The Force Awakens 

Principal photography began on the next installment in February, but was pushed back earlier this year around the same time the release date was changed from May to December 2017.

Since filming began on February 10 and April 28 marks the halfway point, filmmakers are apparently expecting the 22 week shoot to wrap on July 15. 

 

 

Star Wars Episode VIII is being directed by Looper's Rian Johnson, while Episode IX will fall to Jurassic World's Colin Trevorrow.

The as-yet-unnamed next installment is set for release on December 15, 2017. The entire surviving cast will return from The Force Awakens, while Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern and Kelly Marie Tran have been added to the lineup. 

Prince William and Prince Harry showed that the force is with them as they engaged in a brotherly duel with a pair of light sabers as they toured the set at Pinewood Studios earlier this month. 

The pair admitted that they are ‘huge fans’ of the legendary Star Wars films as they toured the set of the latest installment in the franchis

 

 

 

Harry looked bemused, however, as his light saber turned red as he switched it on and asked his brother plaintively: 'Why do I always have to be the baddy?'

The highlight of their hour-long visit was getting the chance to fight each other with the film's legendary light-sabers as well as meeting Luke Skywalker himself - Mark Hamill - Chewbacca and new characters Finn and Rey.

William admitted that he was 'total geek' when it came to the films and he and Harry couldn't hide their delight as they got to pose with Hamill and Chewbacca, played by Joonas Suotamo, who at seven foot six in his costume towered over the two princes who are both six foot plus.

Harry even got a bear hug from 'Chewie', as did William - leading Hamill to remark: 'If I went towards royalty with my arms outstretched I would get arrested - but there's something about a Wookie that means you just wanted to be hugged.' 

 

 

The Star Wars series' opening shots ranked and rated, from The Phantom Menace to The Force Awakens

It might not be the order you're expecting...

©  Lucasfilm

The openers to the Star Wars films are always a bit tingly. They're iconic and they follow a pattern, but each is different. So which is the best? 

We've ranked the crawls and the first shots - the point up to the first cut - in reverse order of greatness for excitement, coherence and out-and-out coolness. Remember, it's only the first shot we're ranking and not the quality of the film itself. 

Let the Star Wars openers wars commence!

7. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

The crawl:

Both the most boring and the most convoluted of the Star Wars crawls. Blah blah turmoil. Blah blah taxation. Blah trade routes. Not exciting, although it does mention that a couple of Jedi Knights have been despatched to have a debate about shipping or something. Commerce Wars, more like.

The shot:

A glossy purple CGI spaceship (a consular-class space cruiser) zips past the camera and approaches the stationary fleet of Lucre-class battleships. Overly shiny yet somehow dull… 

6. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

The crawl:

Unrest in the Galactic senate… A separatist movement is forming under Count Dooku, making it hard for the Jedi to keep the peace… Senator Amidala is returning to the Senate to vote on the issue of An Army Of The Republic. OK, it's got an army in it and a queen too, but if Menace's crawl was all about commerce, then Clones's is about politics. Snore.

The shot: 

Pan up on the bottom of the planet Coruscant. A sparkly yellow CGI Naboo fighter zooms over the camera, followed by a very shiny Royal Cruiser and a couple more fighters. Like Menace, it's video game-glossy but just not all that interesting. There no emotion. 

5. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

The crawl: 

It's a dark time for the rebellion with rebel forces driven all across the galaxy. Luke Skywalker has established a new base on the ice world of Hoth, meanwhile Darth Vader is desperate to find Luke and has sent out his probes! Familiar faces, cool location but not wildly revelatory…

The shot:

The shortest of the openers, the first cut comes very early. Pan down. A star destroyer floats across the sky towards the camera (like a reverse angle of A New Hope, below) getting closer and closer and then… cut. 

4. Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

The crawl:

Luke's vanished, new enemy The First Order has risen and is trying to destroy Luke, who they assume is the last Jedi. Leia's running the resistance and hunting for Luke, sending her best pilot to Jakku for clues. It's the perfect mix of the old and new - familiar faces, daring pilots, old friends and a good vs evil structure that mirrors and updates A New Hope.

The shot:

The black silhouette of a Star Destroyer cuts across the planet Jakku in this simple nod to A New Hope. Elegant and simple, it felt like JJ Abrams was telling the fans they were in safe hands - the absolute opposite of the empty flashiness of the prequels.

3. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

The crawl: 

Luke's gone back to his home planet to rescue Han from the "vile gangster" Jabba the Hutt. The Empire are building a new space station that's going to be even more powerful than the Death Star - a weapon that'll spell certain doom for the Rebels. It's got all the drama, all the tension, all the best people in it and certain doom for our heroes! Brilliant teaser for the third part of a trilogy (as it was then).

The shot:

It's a deliberate echo of A New Hope. Only this time when the Star Destroyer creeps across the screen, Darth Vader's shuttle pops out of the bottom. In the background, you can see the new Death Star.  And if that's not an omen of doom and a fitting full circle for the set, then we don't know what is.

2. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith  

The crawl:

After the underwhelming crawls at the starts of I and II, ep III finally upped its game. "War!" it begins, before telling us that Evil is everywhere and there are heroes on both sides. Exciting! This crawl also explains General Grievous's audacious kidnap of Chancellor Palpatine and that two Jedi Knight are coming to rescue him. Great set-up.

The shot:

The longest by far of all the openings begins like the others with a pan down through space, this time to a sunrise and a Republic cruiser gliding along majestically, followed by two Jedi star fighters zipping past together. Rather than cutting away, though, this progresses into a long fluid tracking shot as we follow the star fighters into the heart of a space battle packed with ships, laser fire and explosions spinning us like we're on a roller-coaster through the action, and finally focusing on R2-D2. Lovely bit of VFX showcasing, sticking two fingers up at the ep I and II haters, perhaps.

1. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope 

The crawl:

Introducing Rebel spaceships, the evil Empire, The Death Star and Princess Leia (all of which had no context at all at this point) was a bold move and could have been potentially alienating for audiences. But the whole concept of the crawl - and the opening line, "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away" - was so tantalising that we can't help but adore this opening.

The shot:

Pan down. Space. Planets in the foreground and background over the horizon of a third. A small Rebel ship whizzes past the camera as lasers shoot at it from behind. Then: ominous and massive, a Star Destroyer hoves into view from on top of the screen and just keeps coming till it fills it. Portentous, operatic and, as a metaphor for the persecution of the little guy by the evil overlords, it's pretty much perfect. *Shivers*

Star Wars Day Bonuses Revealed for Battlefront, The Old Republic

Some special events are already underway.

May 4, better known as Star Wars Day, is coming up next week, and EA plans to mark the occasion with bonus events in several of its Star Wars games.

Star Wars Battlefront will offer players who log in on May 4 a free bundle of 4,444 credits. A new Hutt Contract will also be available on that day; this is a new feature announced in March that gives players the chance to pay credits and then complete bounties to earn rewards. In this case, spending between 3500 and 8000 credits unlocks new bounties that will let you get your hands on the Bacta Bomb Star Card. This gives a health boost to you and your teammates.

Additionally, EA will offer free access to Battlefront on PC in the form of a four-hour trial. You'll be able to grab the game from Origin beginning at 11 AM PT on May 4 and try it out, but you won't have access to any of the DLC content that's currently available.

Star Wars: The Old Republic players will also be getting bonuses for Star Wars Day, including some that are available right now. From now until May 30, the Knight of the Fallen Empire expansion can played for free. Logging in between now and May 4 also rewards you with a M4-I6 Zakuulan Astromech Droid mini-pet, pictured below.

Playing The Old Republic between May 3 through May 10 will also rewards double experience, double PvP commendations, double requisitions in Starfighter, and double legacy experience.

Finally, the quietly good mobile game Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes will offer a 25 percent discount on crystals (the premium in-game curency) on May 4. And from April 30 until May 5, a different game mode will offer double rewards each day, starting with Cantina Battles.

‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’ New Photos Show Off Ship, Vintage Helmet

Courtesy of Disney

Director Rian Johnson offered a few breadcrumbs to appease hungry fans until the next update on “Star Wars: Episode VIII.” Johnson took to his “lousy stinkin” Tumblr to share some big news with “Star Wars” fans.
“I can’t believe we’re halfway through the shoot. (We’re halfway through the shoot!)”
He also released some set photos showing himself in “action,” captioned: “Good. Bad. I’m the guy with the microfiber sham.”
The second image shows a First Order base or ship and the iconic mask or headpiece that was made famous in the original trilogy. It looks like Johnson may be taking a page out of the original “Star Wars” movies and moving away from the helmets used in “Star Wars: A Force Awakens.”
“Force Awakens” was directed by J.J. Abrams. Last year, Abrams’ longtime friend Greg Grunberg told the Washington Post that Abrams regrets not sitting in the director’s chair for the sequel. However, he’s still on board as executive producer.
Johnson also posted other set photos earlier this month and in April.
But Johnson isn’t the only one who has been sharing some early looks at “Episode VIII.” Mark Hamill humorously tweeted in February: “EXCLUSIVE 1st LOOK #EP8 Exotic alien creature to terrorize … oh no wait, that’s just my daughter’s dog #Whoops #MyBad.”

Joining Hamill in “Episode VIII” are cast members Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie and Andy Serkis. Benicio del Toro and Laura Dern will also be joining the franchise in unspecified roles.
“Star Wars: Episode VIII” is set to blast into theaters on December 15, 2017.