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Star Wars News & Features

News and information from a Galaxy Far Far Away, and sometimes a little closer to home.

    Star Wars canon has been redefined, and what was the Expanded Universe will now become available under the "Legends" banner.

    Disney and Lucasfilm have announced that the old Expanded Universe is no longer canon, to give the storytellers of Star Wars Episode VII and onwards more freedom to create exciting new stories for fans.

    The EU has not been totally swept away, though, as elements of it have been preserved as part of the new canon in Disney's new animated series Rebels. Recognising the popularity of the EU, old publications will still be available under a new "Legends" banner and will still be open to be adapted into the new canon.

    Del Rey will continue as the publisher for Star Wars adult fiction, and future novels will be part of the new official canon. The first novel announced, by John Jackson Miller, is fittingly titled A New Dawn and will tie-in to Star Wars Rebels, and show how Kanan Jarrus and Hera Syndulla came together. It is scheduled for release as an eBook and hardcover novel on 2nd September 2014.

    Three more titles have been revealed:
    Tarkin, by James Luceno. 4th November 2014.
    Heir to the Jedi, by Kevin Hearne. January 2015
    Lords of the Sith, by Paul Kemp. March 2015


    It's a brave new world for Star Wars, and we'd love to hear your thoughts on this development.

    Recent rumors suggest that some filming for Star Wars Episode VII may be done on location in Abu Dhabi.

    The Hollywood Reporter first published a few days ago a rumor that Star Wars was headed to Abu Dhabi, possibly to create scenes based on Tatooine. Now, Abu Dhabi newspaper The National has revealed what it claims are photographs that prove this rumor, showing some set detail from the upcoming movie.

    None of this proves that the Abu Dhabi desert is portraying Tatooine, the childhood home planet of both Anakin and Luke Skywalker, which has previously only been seen on film as Tunisia. It may well be that Abu Dhabi is playing host to another barren planet of the Star Wars galaxy, either newly created or already existing in canon.

    It may be worth mentioning that it has previously been rumored that the ancient Sith stronghold of Moraband/Korriban could feature in Episode VII, and is also known to be a largely barren desert planet.

    The National's article describes the large round object as bearing a resemblance to the escape pod used by R2-D2 and C-3PO in the original 1977 film, but to me it looks more like the bottom of an AT-AT's foot. Most intriguing.

    Disney boss confirms that shooting for Star Wars Episode VII has already begun, and the casting process is almost complete.

    During an interview for The Hollywood Reporter, Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn confirmed that shooting has begun for the latest episode of the Star Wars saga, and that while casting was not completely finished the main actors are all in place.

    Horn did not disclose any of the cast members but he did acknowledge the screen-writing problems the movie suffered last year and said that the screenplay, co-written by JJ Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan based on an early draft by Michael Arndt, was right where it needed to be.

    He also reiterated the previously stated release date of December 2015, and said that the movie would pick up 35 years after Return of the Jedi, which would seem to clash with a previous statement that pinned Episode VII at 30 years post-RotJ.

    Mayhew to return as Chewbacca?

    By Andy, in The Movies,

    Peter Mayhew has canceled an appearance at a convention due to take place during filming for Star Wars Episode VII.

    The veteran Star Wars actor who has played everybody's favorite wookiee Chewbacca in four Star Wars movies was due to appear at Texas' Comicpalooza in May, but a tweet sent out by the organisers announced his cancelation as being "due to filming".

    It was previously thought that Mayhew might miss the latest instalment of the Star Wars saga after he underwent double knee replacement surgery last year to combat his poor mobility caused by the same medical condition that gave him his towering stature.

    A casting call went out at around the same time as Mayhew's operation asking for a 7ft 3in actor, the same height as Chewbacca, leading to speculation that the character was to be recast as a result of his mobility problems.

    Of course, this is not an official confirmation of Peter Mayhew's involvement in the new film, but we hope to hear more news soon as the start of shooting draws ever closer.

    Edit: A source close to The Hollywood Reporter has since leaked Mayhew's return to Star Wars; reprising his role as Chewbacca.

    Details for Episode VII Emerge

    By TheUnknown, in The Movies,

    A post on Starwars.com has revealed a few important details about Episode VII's plot and release date. The article states that Episode VII will take place about 30 years after the Episode VI: Return of the Jedi and will feature several existing (though as of yet unnamed) characters along with "a trio of new young leads.". Shooting is to begin in May. A release date has been set for December 18, 2015.

    Update: It has now also been confirmed that Star Wars: Episode VII will be heading to super-sized IMAX screens, despite earlier reservations about the format by director JJ Abrams.

    The Star Wars live action television series, which has been stuck in development hell for years is reportedly in the casting phase.

    First announced by George Lucas in 2005, the Star Wars live action series was highly anticipated by fans who were, at the time, still waiting for Revenge of the Sith to hit the big screen. Since then it has been reported to be at varies stages of production and at one point was said to have 50 episodes already written.

    Now it seems that Disney are looking to cast a live action Star Wars project separate to the series of movies. It is unlikely that this is the same series that was originally announced, as it has been rumored that this is for a mini-series or television specials.

    This type of project does seem like the type of thing Disney would venture into in order to capitalise on their new reign over the Star Wars franchise, having recently created a live action television series for their Marvel universe too, Agents of SHIELD.

    Formerly known as Korriban, the Sith homeworld of Moraband is rumored to be appearing in Episode VII.

    Recent talk suggests that Moraband, the homeworld of the Sith may play a part in Star Wars Episode VII. It was recently confirmed that Moraband as seen in animated television show The Clone Wars is intended to be the same planet as Korriban, which has had numerous appearances in the Expanded Universe, and at some point was renamed.

    According to sources, Moraband was a name George Lucas had pencilled in for a Sith world that was ultimately never used in the movies, but recent interest and a re-emergence of the name suggest that it may be being introduced ready for an appearance on the big screen.

    As ever, no details have been officially confirmed.

    Downton Abbey star among those being considered for the main part.

    After meeting with several young actors this past year, sources tell Variety that “Downton Abbey” thesp Ed Speleers, “Attack the Block” star John Boyega, Jesse Plemons and theater actors Matthew James Thomas, and Ray Fisher are among the men J.J. Abrams is eyeing for the lead role. Though some insiders warn the search is still ongoing, multiple sources confirm to Variety these actors have moved to the top of the list in recent weeks.
    What do you think?

    Here's the link to the story http://variety.com/2014/film/news/star-wars-4-1201125355/

    Carrie Fisher has again let slip that she will be involved in Star Wars Episode VII and will be filming in London for six months.

    Carrie Fisher has never been one to keep quiet, and despite a lack of official confirmation she has again been speaking about her role in Star Wars Episode VII.

    /Film reported that the 57 year old actress, who played Princess Leia Organa in the classic Star Wars trilogy, has recently told Jim Jeffries of television show Legit that she will be in London for six months while filming for the latest Star Wars movie.

    This, if accurate, seems to suggest that the role of the Big Three may be bigger than originally expected, and links in with talk that the script was rewritten to include more of the original cast before handing over to the new generation.

    BioWare has released a video announcement of a new player housing feature for Star Wars: The Old Republic.

    BioWare Community Manager Eric Musco teased players with a video showing what appeared to be player housing during a Twitch livestream yesterday. This confirmed what dataminers had recently posted on Reddit, showing that additions to the game code and assets pointed towards this feature being implemented.

    Today it was officially confirmed with this announcement trailer, captured from the development livestream:




    Player housing is a feature missing from many recent MMOs, and amongst fans who played Star Wars Galaxies especially this has been a much requested feature that is sure to prove popular.

    Player-owned structures in Star Wars Galaxies could be placed almost anywhere on a planet, with some player controlled cities becoming busier than areas built by the developers. Houses allowed players to sell merchandise and show off their possessions, as well as provide valuable storage space.

    It is currently not clear what kind of system The Old Republic will be using but more details are sure to emerge soon.

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