NumberWan

While we are waiting for The Force Awakens in December, a new movie is already on its way... The rumors pop up here and there, the first being that Benicio Del Toro would participate in the next chapter of Star Wars. Nothing is yet confirmed, except for the director - Rian Johnson ("Looper' with B.Willis). IMDB has Poe Dameron as the returning character, as well as Benicio Del Toro's status is now "announced". In an interview he was (surely) secretive about his role, but hinted, that he is most likely playing an evil guy. Also possibly coming back (Episode VII rumors!). Here are the latest pictures (and probably the first) from shooting of Episode VIII (if they are real of course). HINT: (pictures)

@@DrXann This question was raised during the production of Episode III. There was an actor with prosthetics, so that he would look like younger Tarkin. I actually believe, that Tarkin would have looked differently in that age.

@@Cerez I see what you mean. It's like the postcards from the XIXth century - they have their own charm not just because of the style, but because of the printing technology, which isn't perfect, but that what makes it great. However the original unchanged trilogy is still available to fans, and as far as I remember it was even included into certain releases, or not? Anyways, the changes made in 1997 seem to be still somehow reasonable - Lucas said himself back those years in an interview, that when he envisioned Star Wars, a lot of things couldn't be done with the technologies they had. And they don't much regarding the original scenes, only adding rather than changing the picture. By 1997 Lucas felt, that he wanted to make some things he couldn't earlier - like larger panoramic views, deeper background. I am not saying seeing more of the city is better than seeing a tiny street. But I think it's always good to be able to have expanded views of the familiar things, like Mos Eisley. More creatures and quarters, as well as Millennium Falcon leaving the spaceport - I actually like that. The sequence with Jabba, as mentioned above in this thread - well, it is the scene that should have been added, but the Jabba character himself, probably, should have been introduced in a bit different way, without the comic effect with Han stepping on his tail. Of course, the animatronics are much older. But they differ greatly from contemporary "droids", What I mean, is that the animatronics of 1970s was probably the only way to make a convincing character (for starships and other effects they could still use some cinematic tricks other than animatronics). In 1990s the era of CGI began, keeping aside the older technology. For The Force Awakens they reasonably use more animatronics than for the prequels - the time has come for this technology to blossom. More than 100 characters are believed to have come to life through this method in the new film. So the technology developed beyond recognition since 1970s, and whereas Jabba would have been a puppet, controlled by several people in ROTJ, now he can be as alive as any other character through basic remote controlling. As for celebration - here I would disagree. It is spectacular and shows different worlds freed from the Empire. When I watched the film as a child, I didn't have the feeling, that battle of Endor was somehow so significant for the Galaxy. It was - in my opinion - for the characters, for a small group of Rebels, etc. The personal conflict resolved between Vader and Anakin, or between Vader and Luke. Light and Dark. Besides seeing Coruscant in the OT was very-very important to me. Its coming to Star Wars had been postponed since Episode IV, which was supposed to include the Imperial Capital with the Emperor (though a puppet in the hands of such people as Moff Tarkin). Bespin is another de-facto incarnation of early looks of Coruscant. The Death Star II was supposed to be orbiting Coruscant, while the duel between Luke and Vader would take place in the Imperial Palace. I am glad, that it was Endor after all, but still Coruscant had to reenter the Original Trilogy. And I like the EU a lot, so I am glad, that the legendary world eventually made it into the films, where it was supposed to appear. Perhaps I am seeing the Galaxy from the point of view, that it can include lots of different (opposite) things, and they ought to be seen, be it a cantina, a gang base, a tall skyscraper, an elegant office or a mud hut on a swamp.

Some of the pictures (not sure which ones are official) for Episode VII as promos. More here: Source

@ I think, we don't see these older characters, because their re-appearance is much larger boom! If they were to appear now, most people would ignore other toys, as well as it would provide a much larger spoiler to the film, which is undesirable by the developers. Let us be frank: Star Wars is not only about the iconic characters and ships (which have already been revealed many times), but about the details, the motives and things in the background as well. Everything is important, and such things as background characters, new titles, species, backstory stuff (they've already announced a comics about C-3Po losing his arm, which is replaced by a red one) - all this will appear on the market in due time as books, graphic novels, more toys and of course video games. I wish we had those times back, when the games would be based on the film and you could actually play a story with lots of characters through the entire film. The perfect formula - film's story + deepness of KOTOR = awesome game. The only closest example to this, as I remember, was the Phantom Menace video game, where you could play as 4 different characters from the film and see Tatooine with lots and lots of its inhabitants as well as walk though Naboo streets, fighting the battle droids, or repelling the attack of thugs on Coruscant. I expected them to make such games based on Episode II, but only Episode III was released, centered merely around the Jedi and CIS many droids, etc. @@dark_apprentice I also believed, that Carrie Fisher's daughter would play young Leia either in a hologram, or in a vision. The latest rumors suggest, she doesn't, but instead has a separate role in the film. The same applied to Darth Vader - in most cases it was said, that he would appear as a hologram, as memory, or as a ghost (unlikely). We now know, that at least his helmet is present, so probably that's the only occasion we will see him in Episode VII. The same with Leia - we already have her in the film, and the only new detail known about her, that by the time of TFA she is working along with some Mayor, which is known to her since ANH.

@@Cerez There are scenes in the OT, that ought to be changed – like the land speeder sequence. Even as a child I often questioned the red crude shadow underneath. While such minor changes as Boba Fett voice or Slave I engine sounds - were unnecessary. At the same time the redesigned hangar on Death Star I, cleaning of image and correcting the mirrored shots (like with Imperials aboard Star Destroyer) was also a right thing to do. Adding a celebration sequence in the end was also a good move. It gave much more depth to the death of the Emperor and the eventual fall of the Empire. I felt quite lonely, when I saw the ewoks celebrating near fire, while Luke looks at his father's dead body. Now with Naboo, Bespin and Tatooine and Coruscant the scene is full of joy, but retains the loneliness and probably the feel, that Luke will have to move on alone, without any guidance. What would we all ave to expect? CGI was a trait of 1990s and early 2000s, and Lucas has always dreamed of using them, just the time wasn't right. Here and there one could hear rumors, that Lucas wasn't satisfied with the actors and would prefer to replace all of them with CGI people, or at least cast an entirely Japanese team for Episode II, instead of relying on "spoiled Western actors". Perhaps using CGI in 1990s was somehow a right thing to do. Now we have other advanced technologies (like animatronics), so it is time for them now.

@ Yes, that was their intention - be closer in style to older Star Wars (a trait seen in Alien franchise now as well). And the addition of this transport is an obvious nod towards Kenner and their many different toys. I myself have two of those vehicles, including the MLC-3, which I am currently recreating for my own mod for JA. Strange, they haven't used it yet in Rebels show (perhaps a bit later in Season 2 or 3). There is a teaser for Season 2, which has been poster around here already. But there is also a Season 1 Bonus materials trailer, which shows some of the Season 2 features like the female Inquisitor and AT-ATs. Here

I just checked the price of the Lego sets for Episode VII. They are so expensive!!! I compared these to the older Star Wars, released 1-3 years ago. The First Order Shuttle costs as much as one of the previous Millennium Falcon sets! O_o Perhaps in this regard I will say NO to Episode VII, but still eager to watch. I just checked the price of the Lego sets for Episode VII. They are so expensive!!! I compared these to the older Star Wars, released 1-3 years ago. The First Order Shuttle costs as much as one of the previous Millennium Falcon sets! O_o Perhaps in this regard I will say NO to Episode VII, but still eager to watch. @ Not that the voices are somehow unique, but I liked these. With Phasma I can even imagine her "I'm no Lady" from GOT. =) Kylo Ren's voice reminds of Starkiller in helmet from the Force Awakens. One of his phrases sounds nice - "I am immune to the Light". Usually we hear that evil guys say "The Jedi are weak" and good guys – "I'll never fall to the Dark Side". But nothing like this... "This weapon is mine" – I am almost certain he says that about the lightsaber from the Original Trilogy.

New teaser or trailer might be coming very soon, like September 11. And it seems while it's about 110+ days left until Episode VII, rumors are beginning to form around Episode VIII with some new actresses considered for the lead role in the sequel. I wonder if that might mean the change in protagonists for the next episode. I surely that raises a question, when the next episode would be set after The Force Awakens.

I would change the texture for Mas Amedda face. In all other aspects - a nice addition to JA =) I never thought we would see him here.

The Clone Wars lasted a bit more than 3 years. But as any other war it changes people, makes them grow faster. Become more mature, so I think that's what happened to Anakin. And Ahsoka as well. When I saw the preview for the next volume, I thought it was describing the first year after the Clone Wars.

@ It's still unconfirmed, but a lot of decorations and concepts suggest, that Yavin IV was indeed a Rebel base even many years later. I think, of all the planets Corellia might be the only one to appear from EU, previously established locations, all others are new, including the ice planet, the T planet and the forest planet, as well Maz Kanata's planet. Jakku has been revealed to be the new one. I am glad, it's no Tatooine – I would prefer seeing that planet unchanged. I also thought that Dantooine might show up. But most unlikely. Teedo - the new character - seems he is played by Warwick Davis. In the Behind-the-scenes teaser the actor was standing next to a small yellowish alien. Seeing the phrase "Crush the Resistance" I am wondering, if there are any new catchy phrases in Episode VII. We had Rebel Scum and Bantha Fodder in previous films. Here is a coloured version of Sarco Plank: As well as an alien Resistance pilot named Asty. (This one will also be available with the new X-Wing Lego set)

I like this one. It has some mystery to it. It's so funny to see the CIS droid head here in the hands of the new generation. Can't wait to see the next episodes, but it will be in October only. Oh, and today is Summer's last day.

If someone (doubtfully) hasn't seen the Korean teaser earlier, then this one would be a completely new video for them. For me, well it wash't very special, if you ask... I read the post about the video first and then opened to watch it. The text description was much more interesting and with more details, than what we see in the teaser. Seeing a troubled face of Rey and Finn holding the saber in the dark... Well, it isn't that captivating. I can only assume, that Finn is in the cold forest as well, there might be a scene like this: - The characters escape the forces of the First Order and Kylo Ren is chasing them. This episode reminds me of Chronicles of Narnia, to be precise the moment was in the book, but I like how it was depicted in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (1979) cartoon, as the main heroes were escaping through a snowy forest, though the Spring came as well, and the witch tried to follow them in a sledge. So Finn might have stayed in the forest to engage Kylo in a duel, to give some time for the others to be able to escape. - A different scenario is that the scene might have driven Finn and Kylo Ren from a larger battle into the woods. Then it might be reminiscent to Episode VI Return of the Jedi, when Darth Vader is moving slowly beneath the platform on the Death Star, trying to lure Luke out of hiding by talking about his friends and his sister, while Luke stays in the shadow hiding his feelings. Finn might have been hiding from Ren here in similar manner, but eventually decided to engage the enemy with the old lightsaber. There are also some pictures spotted at SWU. As well as some toys: notably Phasma is as tall as it was believed. Gwendoline Christie is indeed continuing the tradition of tall baddies in Star Wars. There is also a schematics for the new Star Destroyer. It also now obvious, that the 4 small ships accompanying the First Order Shuttle to the Star Destroyer in the trailer – are actually the recently revealed ships in Lego sets, which will be also seen in Rogue One movie, but as an earlier version.

Meanwhile we've got a new teaser from Episode VII. You can watch it here. Now we can clearly see the old lightsaber in hands of Finn.

The toy will be released very soon. So probably we will have a better look then. But I like the preliminary variant of the model. Also there is a small article about BB-8 at SWU with a link to the blog about it.

@ The ghost of Padme is a thing, which appeared countless of times among fans. One such person wrote, that when watching with his mother, she asked in the end, that why Luke and Leia's mother wasn't there - her logic is that they have two parents, so why wouldn't they show both. Some fans made stories, that Padme was actually Force sensitive and would alter use a lightsaber. At least twice I saw some fanfics, developing this idea to the extent, that Padme left the Senate to become a Jedi and even replacing her with another Naboo queen, making her a Padawan. I don't like this at all, as I enjoy the difference in characters - Jedi, soldiers, smugglers, traders, little droids, evil lords, adventurous travelers, freaky-freaks and many others. Star Wars has all of these. So not seeing Padme in Episode VI is pretty much logical. I also think that Yoda and Obi Wan are the only true Force Ghosts. Anakin... perhaps he attained this status differently. It was never truly explained how Yoda and obi Wan were capable of doing that (later sources say Yoda learnt that from Qui Gon and the Force priestesses, and Obi Wan from his former master, but it changes a little). The clothes worn by Yoda and Obi Wan never truly indicated they were in Jedi robes. It was more like a costume for old a wise. We can see the same trait in Qu Rahn in Dark Forces II, who is more of a mentor, who was forced to use his saber against Dark Jedi. The concepts for Episode I suggest, that the Jedi had a very different uniform, more bluish grey in color and reminded more of a Ninja. So probably the concept of peace-loving Jedi came a but later regarding the clothes, and this idea is seen in Episode I.

@ That's the thing: no one asks the question why Anakin shows up in the end of Episode VI at all. When the OT was the only story, it was majority believed, that both Yoda and Obi Wan reached some sort of enlightenment, which allowed them to be Force spirits (it was never mentioned sure). But it was more natural, rather than a special ability. Perhaps at the moment, Anakin was able to become a ghost through other means - that he overthrew the evil, that he was a good man inside and this goodness fought for his return, that his love for Luke was greater than everything else. Now one more reason is added -he was a Chosen One. Some ask why Padme and Qui Gon wouldn't appear there as well. Luke didn't know them, that might be the reason. Actually I guess this is the moment, when the logic can't be applied. Otherwise we would have to ask the midichlorians about all this...

Back in 1997 I did enjoy larger Tatooine, though the Ronto addition in a few places was dubious, like the one that walks in the front, removing an astromech droid as well as Luke and Obi Wan in the land speeder. It was also good, that they cleared the shadow underneath the speeder. Some new shots of Tatooine with larger views of a sand crawler - it was also a good addition. The scene with Jabba was somehow funny, but Jabba himself didn't look like the one we know from ROTJ. He looked too small compared to his original version. I would rather see the scene reshot a bit, excluding the moment when Han walks upon Hutt's tail. It was good from the point that they decided to find a solution to the walking around of Han, but unnecessary. Other minor changes like X-Wing leaving Yavin IV and similar scenes - these were also welcome. They didn't change the plot and thus added a better visualization. It might have been nothing special for the older fans, but I am sure people new to Star Wars and minors would comment something like - "this movie is solo old". A least that's what I hear from some. Episode V has now more of the Bespin view. While I am not sure if changing a corridor into a balcony was a need, I do like the idea of seeing the city and its streets. Changing the Emperor was also a good move, but I would make him look more like Episode VI version. Not Episode III... My brother expected to see more of the Empire in Episode V - he hoped, that the new scenes would reveal more close combat between the Rebels and the Empire, as well as the scene of landing craft, as AT-AT begin their operation on Hoth. Some people say they would prefer Wampa to remain unseen, but personally I believe that to be the right choice. From the beginning I wanted to see that creature. The Jabba's Palace sequence in ROTJ as a whole could have remained the same, there was no necessity for adding new aliens. I also think, that such iconic moments as the duel on the Death Star should have remained untouched (the NO moment). But I appreciate adding the celebration scenes (Bespin, Tatooine, Naboo, Coruscant) in the ending.

@ Well, in TFA the newer versions replace the older ones. In R1 they will be seen side by side - it would be important to follow the traditions of ANH more rigorously...

There is a spoiler (and a rumour), that Rogue One has new helmets for some of the Imperial and Rebel forces.

I like the idea. However what the Falleen look like exactly is unknown. SOTE has some shots of Prince Xizor, revealing an alien appearance, but the promo materials for SOTE show quite a human face.