Disney’s Alan Horn: Star Wars: Episode 7 Casting Almost Complete. Filming Already Underway!
In an interview with THR Disney’s Chief Alan Horn revealed that they are already filming sequences for Star Wars: Episode VII. He also mentioned that casting is still not complete…
From THR
The new Star Wars — episode 7 in the nine-picture franchise — has already begun filming and most of the cast is now in place for the movie, Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn revealed April 2. “We have a lot of them [in place],” he said about the main actors, whose names have not been disclosed. “We’re just not completely done yet.”
Horn acknowledged there had been some problems getting the script right. “It’s all about the screenplay,” he said. “It has to be screenplay, screenplay, screenplay.” Asked if the screenplay was fully where it needed to be, he added: “It actually is now.” The script has been co-written by Lawrence Kasdan and J.J. Abrams, following an early draft by Michael Arndt.
The executive said the movie would be released in December 2015 and that the story would pick up “where 6 left off — and where 6 left off is 35 years ago by the time this is released.”
He also mentioned that they are not filming the movies back to back and that we all have to be patient.
I guess this gives even more credibility to JediNews’ Cairo and Abu Dhabi filming rumor. And seeing that they are still casting I think it’s safe to say that right now they are filming shots not involving any actors. Probably some plate shots and establishing sequences tests.
I wonder if Abram’s photo form Paris yesterday has something to do with the filming?
Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.
Born on April 24, 1980.
Well, if they’re having such a tough time with it, they should just skip the filming of episode 7 and move on to episodes 8 & 9. When they’re done with those, THEN go back and film episode 7. Just like I did on my math test. I got a C+. See? It works!
Brilliant.
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If you’re wondering, Anonymous insulted the intelligence of the WackyBantha. I corrected his spelling error, thus simultaneously exposing the truth and the irony.
We don’t want a C+ Episode 7, we want an A+.
just give us the cast…… please.
..Why is everyone demanding something that Lucasfilm don’t even know for themselves yet?
Tell us SOME names from the cast. We’re not asking for the entire list.
They’ll want to release the principle cast all in one go. It’s not done yet, so they can’t release anything. Why are people complaining lol
^gee, I don’t know why we’re all complaining. THINK for once in your life, Anon.
Even though it is a month away, I think it would be great if they waited until may the 4th to announce anything about episode 7. I think this would make star wars day very meaningful.
“The script has been co-written by Lawrence Kasdan and J.J. Abrams, following an early draft by Michael Arndt.” Great news. Hopefully Michael’s work hasn’t been scrapped too much.
If casting is close to complete it probably means they have a few minor roles to fill. We’ve all been honing in on who the main cast are all this time, and they are probably just doing last minute casting for the last few characters.
Big Daddy Dave
Or it might mean they still dont have one of the leads. Looking at how JJ did casting for Star Trek, he Chris Pine wasn’t cast until three weeks before filming. So my guess they have at least one lead they are still casting for.
They have untuil main cast show up on set, then everyone will know.So if they have any brains they will do it before then or people will not care what so ever.
It was confirmed that Ep VII would take place 30 yrs after ROTJ. But this guy says it’ll be right after Ep VI, right? Or am I misreading this?
“where 6 left off — and where 6 left off is 35 years ago by the time this is released.” There you go.
Yes, but that’s really confusing fettman, due to his phrasing it could be interpreted that it takes place right after 6, which came out (aprox) 35 years ago.
That would be bad. Very bad.
“It has also been confirmed that Star Wars: Episode VII is set about 30 years after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi”
Forever,
Ep. VI did not come out 35 years ago (approx. or otherwise).
RotJ came out 30, almost 31 yrs. ago, and the difference between 30 and 35 yrs. is enough to mean that Horn was talking about time in-universe, not in real life.
Now, he may/may not have his timeline right, but anyone who knows their basic math should be able to see this w/their eyes closed.
I think Horn is trying to say this picks up 35 years after EP VI. He should have said 32.5 years to be precise. Sounds like he is saying that is the hard part of getting the script right.
To me he was saying Ep 7 will be set approx 35 years after Jedi. The way he phrased it is a little confusing true. Lucasfilm announced Ep7 will be set 30 years after Ep 6. So he was virtually saying the same thing.
Thanks anonymous
Horn’s timeline is pretty much right on. He said it takes place 35 years ago by the time EP 7 is released in 2015. EP 6 happened 1 year after EP 5. EP 5 was shot in 1979, leaving ROTJ “happening” in 1980.
He just revealed they are recasting the Big 3, but you don’t want to admit it.
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He has no idea the confusion he’s just brought about does he? I’ll figure that he just didn’t arrange his words correctly and that the previous confirmed setting of about 30 years after ROTJ is accurate.
This interviewer sucks. Alan Horn was going to elaborate on several answers, but the idiot cuts him off and asks him a different question. What a missed opportunity.
Still, Viral, gotta thank you for posting this because Horn finally gives us some real insider info!
wohoo found this story last night and posted it on the previous article ;D
glad it was posted, it really is big news.
good job, dandino!
thanks anon 🙂
i absolutely hate this interviewer he cuts him off at every question when he is about to elaborate and say some interesting stuff.
I’m a big fan of OT, and i’m excited to get news from the film, and blah blah blah…
But…. i like this kind of secretism. If they play with me during 2 years without oficial news, only rumors, i’m ok with that. See Episode VII without knowing anything could be awsome ;P
If they give us oficial news it’s tempting. I want, but i shouldn’t.
Want to know everything is like being seduced by the dark side of the force
I wonder if anything huge will happen in episode 7, or the story is just kind of mediochre and predictable like in the prequels. There might be some huge twists and turns. The question is, will it get leaked? I will burn my eyes out if anything gets leaked and I accidentally hear about it.
It doesn’t matter what you do as a living, there will always be some fucking idiot asking you another question before you finish the one he already asked you. I think Alan Horn did a great job.
True… Horn was trying to say even more, but the fool cut him off. Can’t stand it when people do that.
But, when Horn mentioned casting as the greatest challenge, he said, “We’re up against it right now.” Finding the new leads must be a huge challenge for the biggest franchise in history. They don’t want to mess it up. It is a truly unique challenge.
People just can’t listen anymore.
Wow, this means that the short list with Plemons, Boyega and company is pretty much null and void at this point, as of April 2nd. Disney doesn’t want them any more than the online community that voted against them.
How do you find a new actor to carry a whole trilogy on his shoulders?
Wowza! Real deal info from the horses mouth! Always nice. All three of those guys working together on script just sounds so promising.
Crazy as it sounds… I’m starting to not want to know the actors they chose. Just let me see the trailers and then the movies! Such a conflict of desires. I want to know everything yet I also want to be surprised lol.
More useless news, ALMOST done casting, I think they are going on almost 2 years to find the cast for a film. No matter who they pick, the fan boys will complain the acting was no good.
USELESS NEWS?!?!? are you f*cking insane!!?!? he just CONFIRMED they are filming RIGHT NOW.
JJ is great at working with actors. Brilliant. The cast should be fine, it depends on the characters. I just really hope there aren’t any annoying characters. Luke, Leia and Han were just brilliant and so likeable. If one of the main characters is annoying it will be so dissapointing. As for complaining fanboys, I just think they will complain that there’s not enough lighstabers in it or not enough action or something contradicts some stupid thing from the prequels and blah blah blah
It’s interesting how anons are always the ones who bash the article/subject of tr article. And let’s not even get started on the EU bashers who are like ALL anonymous.
What’s being anon got to do anything? Oh no, the person hasn’t got a google+, livejournal, wordress etc etc account, therefore their points are invalid … ? Everyone on the internet is anonymous. You’re behind a computer screen. Is it somehow admirable to sign up for an account just to post a comment? Big whoop. Congratulations. Here have a trophy..
Everyone on here is anon, even if you have a “name.”
Cullen Peterson, here, let me hand you another trophy for posting utter nonsense under a name that may not even be your real name.
Come on guys he deserves more respect because he has a blogger account. All hail the mighty ‘Cullen Peterson’
Anonymous or fake BS name? Whats the difference. dandino8100 are you insane? Getting all excited because they are currently filming test shots, and back drops that Might be used. They still haven’t finished casting, chill out.
Having a sign in and not being “anonymous” helps people follow what you are saying when you post more than once. Someone could post as “anonymous” and pretend they’re the ones that posted earlier comments. Also, not being “anonymous” helps you have an identity within the community. Helps for better conversations, too.
RS, you make some good points, I must admit.
Signed,
Anonymous
Do you remember the Matrix Reloaded(?) where Agent Smith was replicating himself and there was a whole lot of him? Anonymous posters are like that, except that none of them have a face and lack the fighting skills Agent Smith displayed.
I love the fact they are so dependent on this script. We’ve been hearing about this a lot. JJ saying he wants it to be authentic and emotional, Kathleen Kennedy saying she spends days after days with the team just talking about the story and characters. I mean a script draft written by an academy award screenwriter isn’t good enough for them? They are taking this really seriously by the sounds of it so I genuinely think this film could be up there with the original films.
I am so excited that they are putting this much focus on a great script. The prequel trilogy just seemed to be a sketch of plot events that were used as a platform for the focal point of the movies — action sequences. Here’s hoping crap like this won’t be in there
Anakin Skywalker: You are so… beautiful.
Padmé: It’s only because I’m so in love.
Anakin Skywalker: No, it’s because I’m so in love with you.
Doesn’t that dialogue make you cringe?
Maybe the dialogue should have gone like this:
Anakin Skywalker – You are so ….. beautiful
Padme – I know
For me… the worst line in the entire PT was Padme going “You’re breaking my heart”. Like seriously… WAS THERE NO OTHER WAY TO COMMUNICATE THAT THOUGHT?. Close runner up is the “wish away my feelings” line (can’t remember it because of how bad it was, can’t forget the first because of how scarred it left me).
haha “I wish I could wish away my feelings.”
Actually there’s a deleted scene-
“I wish that I could wishfully wish for any wish that I wished for”
I love the fact people still defend the prequels 😉
75% of Anakin’s lines were cringeworthy — both young and old. Biggest casting fail EVER!
Alan Horn about the script being ready, “It actually is now,” makes it sound to me like they are still working on the script. It is basically ready, but his emphasis on “screenplay, screenplay” sounds like it is still in the revision phase, which is fine.
This is not useless news at all! This is the most we have heard in a long time…
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Maybe they just want to make Star Wars fans even more nervous, wondering why it takes so long, by saying things such as: “still casting” and “had been some problems getting the script right” etc..
It’s almost May .. and everybody is getting crazy.
Also .. Don’t forget:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – Billy Dee Williams aka Lando Calrissian!
77 Years – and going strong!
Horn’s words about ep 7: “It takes off where 6 left off, and where 6 left off is is 35 years ago by the time this is released.”
You know, some of you guys are right. His choice of words makes it sound like it takes place Right After episode 6. He even emphasizes the words “where 6 left off”.
If only the schmuck interviewer would have let him go on, we would have heard more, dammit!
Maybe Viral’s recast rumor is true after all! WOW!!
Big 3 aren’t being recast
I guarantee it
Wow, Anonymous guarantees it, it must be true.
Oh come on. Anyone thinking the big three could be recast are either deluding themselves or just an idiot. Yeah, the film is set 35 years after the events of episode 6 and the actors have been getting fit and pretty much confirmed they are back, but it’s all just a big misunderstanding isn’t it..? Yup.
Look what JJ did with Trek. He had old Spock and young Spock. The old Big 3 could be a framing device for the new Big 3. We can’t say anything for sure. You can’t guarantee anything.
I didn’t believe in the recast until Horn just made that statement. He clearly did not say EP 7 is set 30 years after ROTJ. Bob Iger said that a few weeks ago.
Things change. JJ’s Trek prequel focused on younger versions of classic characters and he totally pulled that off. Made a ton of $. He might have the same trick up his sleeve with SW 7, whether you like it or not.
People said you could never replace William Shatner as Capt. Kirk. Really? Then why did everyone love Chris Pine in that role?
Oh please, they HAD to recast for star trek. It was a reboot, not a continuation. Episode 7 is a continuation and it’s being set 35 years after episode 6. It wouldn’t even make sense to recast because as it’s being set 35 years after episode 6, then the cast needs to be older versions of the characters, which they are.. I can’t believe anyone can be dumb enough to think they will be recast
I am going to laugh when you are proven wrong, sir.
good u are going to laugh at someone u dont know from a comments section of a star wars news page….. hahahah u are a coool person u know? btw BIG 3 IS RETURNING!!! accept that
The Big 3 are returning. Ep 7 is set about 30 years after Ep 6. New actors playing new young characters. Original actors returning to play OT characters. All confirmed by Lucasfilm.
Haha to th person who thinks the big three will be recast, I am going to laugh when YOU are proven wrong, sir. Well, actually I’m already laughing at how moronic you’re being.
I have not resorted to the sort of childish spit that you are spewing (using words like moronic, idiotic, dumb). I wash my hands of you. The old Big 3 will be back and they will also be played by younger actors. Time will tell which of us is correct, sir.
It was stated way back when the news of 7 first came out that the big 3 would not be recast and if they did not return they would have been written out of the story, it may have changed since then but that was the original plan
The only one using stupid words is you
“I wash my hands of you.” …wtf?
Yes we will see which one of us is correct. The fact that you genuinely think we will have a young and an old Han, a young and an old Leia, and a young and an old Luke in episode 7, is absolutely hysterical.
Maybe what he is saying is that it is very hard to recast the Big 3!
Gonna give a hunch and call Daniel Day Lewis as the baddie! Top secret!
Insanely unlikely but insanely epic
I dont believe that they are still casting at all. He just wants to avoid casting questions. And the shooting is probably background shots, no actors yet. Disney has been coy about Star wars since they bought it, why believe him now?
I bet you also believe Mara Jade and Grand Admiral Thrawn are in the next film. Those open casting auditions were all a front to avoid questions.
LOL I know nothing about the EU. Never read a Star Wars book and i never will. Im glad Mr Anonymous knows what was a front and what wasnt
I think he is being totally honest that the film is not cast yet. He could’ve answered that question any way he wanted. “What’s the biggest challenge in making EP 7?” Without hesitation, he says, Casting.
Horn has no problem delaying a film. He did it with Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince when he was running Warner Bros. Studios. The fans were pissed, but he was patient enough to make the film as he saw fit. They are going to take their time and do this right. You only get one shot at setting up this franchise for the next generation, so you’re not going to settle for Plemons or Boyega or anyone else who is not quite right for it.
Oh god, If I hear Plemons, Boyega, or any other completely dopey actor for that matter, I will get chewbacca to pull my arms out of my sockets.
if you really want to read some stupid opinions about star wars go to theforce.net.
they think the Karen Travis Mandos are still “canon”
WARNING leave your IQ at the door
In another time’s forgotten space, I used to regularly post over there. For awhile, a decade or so ago, TF.N was actually a decent place to hang out and talk Star Wars. But by the time ROTS came out, the site had basically been taken over by rather, shall we say, “overzealous” PT fans. By the time I’d had enough of them and bailed for good (around 2006 or so) the mods were banning people for even the mildest criticisms of the PT.
Sounds like maybe things haven’t changed all that much since then, eh?
they hate the PT now, they hate TCW show, they hate George Lucas, they hate anyone who is not of their political view, religious view, or who has any opinion, they all conform to one singular groupthink or they bully you into leaving,
Sounds exactly the same as when I stopped posting there, except for the 180 on the PT. What a damned shame.
-The executive said the movie would be released in December 2015 and that the story would pick up “where 6 left off — and where 6 left off is 35 years ago by the time this is released.”
I think it’s possible that both viewpoints are correct in regards to the timeline of Ep7. The bulk of the story may take place as confirmed approx. 30 yrs after ROTJ. The opening sequence could be set (very literally) “where 6 left off” possibly introducing some new characters in to the story – possibly a back story intro to the new villain or something along those lines. He may have been giving us a clue to the screenplay itself. Just a thought.
Absolutely. That’s what I’ve been thinking too. I don’t see why we can’t see both possibilities together. And this would fit with the rumor I’ve heard that people will be surprised how close to ROTJ EPVII will be.
What would be wicked cool is to show a Sarlaac wasted Boba Fett escaping (or having recently escaped) from the creature and fast forward to some 30 yrs in to the future where Fett has re-emerges as the films major villain (at least one of the films anyway). They will probably want to do a Sith villain as well. Maybe this sounds stupid to some, but I would love to see Boba Fett in a major role in the saga (apart from a spin-off).
That would be pretty jarring in terms of the established layout of the SW movies to suddenly open with a flashback scene. Especially if we’re also supposed to buy three younger actors as Luke, Leia and Han, and then leap forward 30 years to the actual actors.
Imagine running that right after a viewing of ROTJ. That alone makes me very skeptical of the idea that they’re recasting the original actors for a flashback scene (which SW has never needed before in order to establish the story, so why would it need to have one now?)
Haha genius idea, the film’s going to begin right after the events of episode 6, then jump 35 years afterwards to present day.. lol, I can just imagine what the opening crawl would be like
“For the past 35 years Jedi Master Luke Skywalker has been rebuilding the Jedi order which includes the son of Han and Leia, who married 10 years after the destructon of the Empire. Leia is currently now a– ..wait.. No. Hang on. This will take a bit too long to explain in actuall words, so you know what? Instead of explaining what’s happened and getting you up to speed with this opening crawl which is what it’s here for, we’re going to actually physically show you what happened with a flashback.. is that ok?
Ok so here’s a quick 10 minute scene that’s just after the events of episode 6. But don’t worry we’ll then jump forwards 35 years, which you know, we could have just started out the film at that point and then used this opening crawl to explain what happened after episode 6, but nah, we’re going to show you it with a flashback. (Oh, and there’s a recasted Luke Leia and Han too to avoid any confusion! But then yeah it goes 35 years later where they aren’t recasted, just to avoid any more confusion). I’m sorry I couldn’t be bothered to explain what happened in this crawl, but flashbacks are really the only way to set up a story. SCREW PACING AND LOGIC AND OPENING CRAWLS! ..*cough*.. Ok, so you got all that? Yeah? Alright well here we go. So yeah here’s what happened 35 years ago, before the main events of episode 7 which is the main timeline of the film, which as I say is 35 years after the events of episode 6, but like I said we’re not starting out there, we’re actually starting before the main events so we can physcially show you what happened instead of explaining it in this opening crawl…
Actually, you know, what, we really could have just explained what has happened after all… oh f*ck it ….. “
It wouldn’t have to be awkward…you wouldn’t have to have the big 3 in the sequence at all. Imagine the opening crawl fading into star-speckled space…a very recognizable ship flies into view and the camera cuts to inside of the ship…the camera takes us on a brief tour of the ship as it slowly sneaks up behind its captain (wearing a very familiar helmet). A gun is drawn and in a split second, the stow away insectoid alien lies in smoking ruin on the floor. The captain decked out in his usual mandolorian armor walks over to the heap on the floor, whom he has been monitoring since his supposedly secret arrival on the ship. He nudges him with his foot and as the camera slowly zooms into his helmet lense, the camera cuts to a swoop chase scene in a desert where our captain is being chased by a group of bounty hunters with a jealous eye on his merchandise. After a few moments of excitement, the bounty hunters catch our captain only to discover he is handcuffed to his own swoop. His helmet is removed and the alien we saw in the opening scene is revealed. Screen swipes to Jabba’s palace where our captain, bounty hunter Boba Fett, is making a deal with Jabba for the frozen body of Han Solo. Fett accepts payment and we cut back to the current timeline. Fett removes his helmet to reveal seriously scarred facial features…immediately, a brief disturbing flashback cuts to show Fett in the belly of the Sarlaac and his eventual escape. Cut back to older Fett, looking at scarred face in a mirror with a clenching fist.
I don’t think he meant that Luke, Leia, and Han would be played by different people just after Episode 6. I think he meant that there will be a storyline that picks up after 6 but DOES NOT YET INVOLVE the big three. Half the movie could be about the new characters introduced and then flash forward 35 years and we see Han, Luke, and Leia.
I’m not saying that will happen, but it is possible given what we have been told.
Anonymous April 7, 2014 at 9:44 PM
what.. the bloody hell.. was that…
The statement released a few weeks ago by Lucasfilm clearly said “…will star a trio of new young leads, along with some very familiar faces.” This was referring about the ACTORS portraying the characters, not the CHARACTERS themselves. In other words there will be new cast members to play new characters, together with old cast members returning to play the same characters they previously played. The statement also made it clear Ep 7 is set about 30 years after Ep 6. So an official statement is clear about this.
Excited that filming is underway, but it’s only backgrond shots and what not. In other words what this truely means is that the film is on schedule. So you few, you happy few, who know little about film making, and are under the impression that filming will get delayed because a few actors have yet to be chosen, are still completely and utterly wrong.
Casting will be released May 21.
I feel so bad for the actor who has yet to be cast… he’s gonna have A LOT of catching up work to do.
I’ve seen several tweets and one report from a news magazine saying that Peter Mayhew has returned to play Chewbacca.
Uh, can the one on the left lisp & hiss SOME MORE, please?
It wasn’t unlistenably annoying enough the first time through.
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what is wrong with you?
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