"Star Wars: Episode VII Cast Announced" Topic

link

(in case you are having a heck of a time getting to the site, like I was…)

"…The Star Wars team is thrilled to announce the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.

Director J.J. Abrams says, "We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud."

Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, and John Williams returns as the composer. The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015…"

I think I must be the only person of a certain age for whom Star Wars is totally over and has been since two seconds before the first Ewok appeared in Return of the Jedi.

I have also had more than enough of Andy Serkis, especially if he going to be motion capturing something. Again.

/Grumpmode

Wow – didn't see that coming. Ford is getting noticeably seedy, and Hamill and Fisher have had better days … wonder if they will try and spruce them up, or just have them play the Elder Generation? Skywalker as a taller Yoda, Ford and Fisher and Grandma and Grandpa Solo?

I only needed to see one name in that cast:

PATHETIC EARTHLINGS!

I don't care who Max plays, it's already awesome.

Sydow does manage to add awesomeness to any movie.

The name that really struck me was Kasdan – the guy who (co)wrote screenplays for Empire Strikes Back and Raiders. Hope he can bring back the magic!

I've had my fill of Star Wars, but bring on Max!

Now if they would just cast someone to play a better director, this movie just might work!

I`m pretty sure Kasdan will bring the magic, and Abrams will bring the lens flair…..

I'm struggling with how Mayhew will be able to play Chewbaca, given he was walking with a (lightsabre-shaped) cane last time he made the news for his argument with the TSA.

And von Sydow is always cool. I just hope someone remembers to add a plot to the movie, but not a plot that requires the audience to make diagrams as the movie goes along.

For his role, Hamill has been hitting the gym and changing his diet. He's been vocal about it and feels a lot better.

Yeah, I saw the list and said, "They got Ming!"

Von Sydow is truly a great actor, so I'm curious what part he'll play.

And with Kasdan it looks like after over thirty years we may finally get a decent Star Wars script.

Kasdan is also responsible for one of my favorite flicks, Silverado, as both a writer and a director. If anybody knows tight, pithy and clever dialogue, it's Kasdan.

You know, I'm optimistic about this.

Set blasters for cautiously optimistic.

I'm struggling with how Mayhew will be able to play Chewbaca

Peter Mayhew had knee replacement surgery.

I think this is going to be great. I enjoyed the first JJTrek a lot, but always felt he would be better off with a property like Star Wars. JJ isn't the world's best director but he can make a fun nostalgic space opera.

This is just my opinion but I loved the original, the second movie (what the heck is it, episode V?) was okay but not as good. Return of the Jedi looked like a two hour toy commercial. I was dragged to Episode One, two hours of negotiating a trade agreement, after that I learned my lesson, no more Star Wars for me. I don't see that changing. I saw what he (Abrahms) did to Star Trek, great characters, already worked out back story, hey gang, let's change it. I wouldn't be surprised if in the first ten minutes Ford, Hammil Fisher et al fly into a Black Hole where they come out as younger versions of themselves, run into Von Sydow whose been imprisoned there since the movie "Blackhole" along with his Satanic robot and discover that Darth Vader is actually Luke's Uncle. After this I understand he's going to reboot Casablanca.

I am optimistic.

Peter Mayhew had knee replacement surgeries and a crap load of physical therapy over the last 6-8 months (needed, to get the joints moving properly).

The best thing about the news was who WASN'T in the list.

No Benedict Cumberbatch. Booyah! Does happy dance.

run into Von Sydow whose been imprisoned there since the movie "Blackhole" along with his Satanic robot

Wrong actor. That was Maximillian Schell in The Black Hole.

Looking at the photo, I've been trying to identify actors. Ford is easy to pick out, and Fisher's obvious. I think that's Von Sydow in the far left foreground, with the back of his head to the camera, but is he talking to Hamill, or is Hamill in the back center of the picture, looking down at the script?
I think Mayhew is on the far right, next to Fisher.

I don't know Daniels by sight, and Kenny Baker is obviously not there (unless he's already inside R2! ).

Give us a who's who, if you know!

I don't have a bad feeling about this. I think they may just pull it off.

Parzival, I'm positive that's Hamill in the lower left, face to the camera. That could be Von Sydow he's chatting with (why are they both wearing flannel?).

I agree Ford, Fisher and Mayhew are on the right. I know what Daniels looks like (he MCed a Star Wars concert I went to a few years ago), but don't see him.

The young actors are pretty much unknowns, right? Not that there's anything wrong with that – kind of a franchise tradition.

I get a kick out of Mayhew looking at his script:

HAN: Chewie! What have you and Lando done to my ship?

CHEWBACCA: WHROWREURHROW

LEIA: Well, if it isn't the giant hairball again.

CHEWBACCA: WHROWWHROWWHUHRWHROW

LUKE: What did he say?

CHEWBACCA: WHROWWHROWWHUHRWHROW WHROWAWAWAGHOWR

LUKE: That's what I thought he said.

And what exactly is J.J. explaining to Harrison?

JJA: See, this time when the Sith Lord grabs your gun with the Force you hit a button on your belt and it explodes in his face!! Han always has an ace up his sleeve, see?

FORD: Uh-huh.

This photo really tickles the imagination/funnybone.

Wish they had gotten Brian Blessed.

BLESSED: Solo's ALIVE?!?!

lol

NEWSFLASH: NEW SITH VILLAIN REVEALED!

Peter Wyngarde to portray new Sith Lord

Oh yeah, May the 4th be with you!