The official photo of Star Wars: Episode VII.
One of the great things about Star Wars being bought by a big company like Disney is that execs make regular announcements about the progress of their projects. (Other great things? Theme park rides, character spin-off films, and the fact that George Lucas can’t crap all over my childhood anymore.) The announcements are designed to build investor confidence and raise stock prices. Are you ready to build your level of excitement and raise your nerd boner? Star Wars: Episode VII news ahoy!
Disney CEO Bob Iger had some awfully big announcements for us on Tuesday. I know you’re all eager to hear it, so I’ll get right to it: Cars 3 is coming! What kind of zany antics and/or hijinks will Mater get into this time? My prediction? He becomes the Tooth Fairy. I love living in a world where a huge media conglomerate teaches our children to love Larry the Cable Guy. The future looks bright for America. He also talked about The Incredibles 2. Oh, and I guess he mentioned Star Wars: Episode VII as well.
Iger told reporters that filming will begin in London this May, which the official Star Wars website quickly confirmed. We know from Carrie Fisher that filming will take at least six months. Iger also revealed that the film is “well into pre-production,” and that R2-D2 is the only confirmed cast member. I would certainly hope that they’re “well into pre-production,” considering that May is only six weeks away. But how far into it can you be if you’ve only cast one character?
Finally, Iger announced that Star Wars: Episode VII will be set 30 years after Return of the Jedi, and spotlight “some very familiar faces, as well as a trio of new young leads.” I think we can safely assume that his statement confirms the rumors that the film will be about Luke, Leia, Han, and their children. If the only familiar faces are R2-D2 and C-3PO, they don’t really need to set it 30 years in the future, now do they? Just promise me that they won’t visit Endor or Naboo, and I think I’m good for a while.
Via BleedingCool and The Wrap