Since Disney acquired the rights the Lucasfilm and announced an all-new epic STAR WARS trilogy is on the way beginning with EPISODE VII in summer 2015, the Internet has been rampant with rumour and speculation regarding cast and crew.
First up we received confirmation Oscar-winning scribe Michael Arndt would pen the screenplay after impressing with a 50-page treatment mapping out a new trio of films (also expect him to continue writing the further two efforts). His work is also said to include the likes of Luke, Leia and Han, with Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher both open to offers for a franchise return and Disney is this week rumoured as determined to bring iconic villain Darth Vader, back from the dead.
The latest news comes from Kathleen Kennedy’s husband and regular producing partner Frank Marshall, who has confirmed the director shortlist of candidates is now down to two. He has also initiated that both names in the frame are filmmakers Marshall and Kennedy have worked with before. One of those names is rumoured to be JURASSIC PARK III and CAPTAIN AMERICA-director Joe Johnston. His name does make sense considering STAR WARS was inspired by the short matinee serials from the 1930s and ’40s – Johnston’s production design work and directing debut THE ROCKETEER oozes that particular style. Still, his name is hardly in the same class right now as others already being talked about. When pressed about his involvement, Johnston returned with:
A lot would depend on what ‘it’ is. I am very glad to see LucasFilm cranking up to get productive again, regardless of who ends up doing it.
Where does this revelation put fan favourites Matthew Vaughn and Brad Bird? Only time will tell but expect an announcement in the coming weeks.
Source: MTV, Frank Marshall
