It has just been confirmed by Alan Horn that the filming of Star Wars: Episode VII is now underway. Horn, chairman of Disney Studios, was vague about where production is taking place and how long crews have been shooting, though commented that “a lot” of the actors have been selected, though casting isn’t completely finished.
Horn gave details on the latest Star Wars installment while speaking at Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television for the program’s Hollywood Masters series. Hollywood Reporter journalist Stephen Galloway asked Horn if the script was complete, and Horn commented, “It actually is now,” adding that the biggest obstacle of the production so far has been coming up with a great story. “It’s all about the screenplay,” he said. “It has to be screenplay, screenplay, screenplay.”
Here is the interview:
According to starwars.com, the first installment of the sequel trilogy began pre-production on October 30, 2012. Principal photography was scheduled to begin in spring, 2014 at Pinewood Studios, situated in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, which lies approximately 20 miles west of central London.
Horn revealed that the events of Episode VII will take place roughly 30 years after Return of the Jedi. The Disney exec said the latest film will pick up “where 6 left off and where 6 left off is 35 years ago by the time this is released.”
Episode VII will be directed by J.J. Abrams (Super 8, Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek) and was scripted by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi). Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, with Tommy Harper (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Jack Ryan, Star Trek Into Darkness) and Jason McGatlin (Tintin, War of the Worlds) serving as executive producers. John Williams is returning to score Star Wars: Episode VII.
George Lucas is on board as a creative consultant, and has been in talks with former cast members Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher. Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Billy Dee Williams and Ewan McGregor are also being rumored to reprise their roles.
It’s also been said that Girls actor Adam Driver has been cast as a Sith villain, and that Jesse Plemons of Breaking Bad and Friday Night Lights might be chosen as the lead Jedi protagonist.
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