Empire Strikes Back Screenwriter May Return for Star Wars Episodes VIII and IX

Holy crap, fanboys!

Deadline reports that Disney has approached Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and screenwriter Simon Kinberg (X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: First Class) about scripting Star Wars: Episode VII and Star Wars: Episode IX. Oscar winner Michael Arndt is scripting Star Wars: Episode VII.

What's unclear from Deadline's report is whether Kasdan and Kinberg are writing both installments together, or if Kasdan is taking on Episode VIII and Kinberg's doing Episode IX, respectively.

Kasdan also wrote the video game Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, as well as a little movie called Raiders of the Lost Ark. His other film credits include Silverado, The Big Chill, The Accidental Tourist, The Bodyguard, Wyatt Earp, and Dreamcatcher.

In addition to the X-Men films, Kinberg also scripted Jumper, This Means War, Sherlock Holmes, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and xXX: State of the Union.

Source : ign[dot]com

Kevin Smith's Poignant Thoughts on Star Wars VII

With the announcement of Disney buying Lucasfilm, many celebrities have been offering their two cents on the news. But for Clerks director Kevin Smith -- renowned for his immense Star Wars love -- the potential for new Star Wars films meant something much more personal.

In a guest column he wrote for The Hollywood Reporter this week, Smith shared a story from his early days as a Star Wars fan. "Star Wars repeatedly is referenced in all the flicks I make because I grew up watching the George Lucas trilogy in the 1970s and early '80s," Smith begins. "But thanks to the toymakers at Kenner, no self-respecting Star Wars fan was ever content to simply watch the movies. Indeed, until the advent of home video a few years later, playing with Star Wars figures was about the closest a fan could get to seeing the movie again until it was rereleased in theaters."

Smith goes on to describe a boyhood friend named Pete, with whom he would play Star Wars. "Every summer day from 1978 to 1982, you could find me and Pete in his tiny yard, building a new Hoth or Tatooine, brushing ants off our bodies as we laid belly down in the dirt, making Luke Skywalker repeatedly kiss a girl who turned out to be his sister right before they swing from dental floss over the heads of stiff-armed Stormtroopers," he continues. "It shaped me as a storyteller and as a person."

"We'd create our own Star Wars adventures. The best story (and the only one outside of the movie canon that we'd repeatedly play) wasn't about Luke and Leia: It was about inexplicable fan-fave Boba Fett... The plot of our backyard adventure: Boba Fett gets trapped by robotic gunslinger IG-88 in a Star Wars universe time loop, sending him through all the movies as well as moments only referenced in the flicks."

But as Smith and Pete grew older, their interests of course changed. "As Pete and I hit our teens, we didn't play as much Star Wars anymore. I was onto girls, and Pete was replacing Star Wars with G.I. Joe figures.

"One morning shortly after Clerks happened to me, I got the absolute s#!t news that Pete King had been hit by a car in New York City. I asked how long his recovery would be only to learn the awful truth: Pete had died.

"Not a summer goes by when I don't think about Pete or our ongoing saga of Boba Fett lost in time. So when I heard about Disney's $4 billion Lucasfilm acquisition, naturally I had a brief, one-sided conversation with my former best friend.

"'We might finally get to see that Fett flick we always dreamed about, Pete,' I said aloud at my desk after I read the news."

In conclusion, Smith sums up his feelings on the announcement of Star Wars: Episode VII. "In a world where Disney needs to make back its investment, we may indeed see an all-Boba Fett film. And if the Force wills it, maybe it'll even be about Boba Fett lost in the Star Wars universe time stream. But even if it became the highest-grossing film of all time, it'd still never be as good as Pete King's version."

Source : ign[dot]com

Star Wars: The Clone Wars' Dave Filoni Comments on Disney Deal and the Show's Future

Since the announcement of Disney buying Lucasfilm last week, there’s been a lot of speculation and curiosity (mixed with some outright nervousness from fans) about what this might all mean for Star Wars: The Clone Wars. While Lucasfilm has officially stayed quiet on the subject, there was a recent report stating that The Clone Wars is likely leaving Cartoon Network at the end of the current Season 5 – probably for Disney XD.

Today, The Clone Wars’ supervising director, Dave Filoni, released a statement about the new scenario, via a blog on the official Star Wars site. Filoni notes his early days working for Disney’s Television Animation Division on series like Kim Possible and Lilo and Stitch: The Series and writes very enthusiastically about Lucasfilm's new owners.

Exclusive clip from David Tennant's appearance on the next Clone Wars:

While he doesn’t go into the situation with the series potentially switching networks or give any new specifics on how much longer The Clone Wars will go (though we know work is underway on Season 6), he does end his blog with the following:

“I think this is an incredibly exciting time for all of us. I am being reunited with old friends of mine from my Disney days and getting ready, like all of you, for Episodes VII, VIII, and IX. When Revenge of the Sith was over, I found myself in the incredible position of carrying the torch forward. Now I can see the incredibly bright light that is the future of Star Wars. For those of you who are fans of The Clone Wars, do not worry. We have many stories left to tell, and every one of them came directly from George himself. Right down to the last one, where that thing with Ahsoka happens.”

Filoni obviously is implying in that statement that the very end of The Clone Wars -- and the fate of Ahsoka Tano -- has been decided upon by George Lucas, who, as Filoni has noted before, provides the scenario for pretty much every story arc for the series. So should we extrapolate then that the end point for the series has also been decided upon? We know there will be a Season 6, but is that it or does the ending come later? We shall see…

Source : ign[dot]com

Boba Fett Chimes in on Episode VII

We've heard what Luke Skywalker and Han Solo and Princess Leia have to say about Disney's recent buyout of Lucasfilm and Star Wars: Episode VII. But what about the saga's resident badass, Boba Fett?

In a recent interview with Unleash the Fanboy, actor Jeremy Bulloch, who originated the role of the famed Star Wars bounty hunter, offered his thoughts on the studio deal that transpired last week. "Obviously it came as quite a shock to everybody, there must have only been a few people who knew about it, but I think in general it really came as a surprise," Bulloch said. "I always felt that there was more of a story to tell after Return of the Jedi, and always hoped that they would go back and do an Episode VII. I hope it really is good, and that they go back and capture that 'wow' factor that made the trilogy so great."

Assuming Boba really did escape the clutches of that Sarlacc pit in Return of the Jedi, is there a chance Bulloch would reprise his role? "Realistically I'm sure if Boba Fett were to return they would go with someone younger, but I'm still fit and can jump around. I'd love to be involved in some way, maybe a cameo as an aging Bounty Hunter in the corner somewhere," he said.

What do you think? Would you like to see the return of Fett's iconic T-visor and jetpack? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love by following @Max_Nicholson on Twitter, or MaxNicholson on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Podcast Unlocked Ep. 75: Hayden Christian Andersen

Locksmiths Ryan McCaffrey, Mitch Dyer, and Destin Legarie talk about Disney buying Lucasfilm, the disappointing Assassin's Creed III, Halo 4, and if military games give gamers the wrong idea about war.

Download Podcast Unlocked Ep. 75. (MP3)

Mitch Dyer is an Associate Editor at IGN. He’s also quite Canadian. Read his ramblings on Twitter and follow him on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Mark Hamill Talks Star Wars: Episode VII

Following Disney's Lucasfilm buyout on Tuesday, Star Wars poster boy Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker himself) revealed that he -- much like everyone else -- was caught completely by surprise when he heard the big news.

"I had no idea that George [Lucas] was going to sell to Disney until I read it online like everybody else," Hamill told EW. "He did tell us last summer about wanting to go on and do [Episodes] VII, VIII and IX, and that [newly appointed Lucasfilm president] Kathleen Kennedy would be doing them. He seems to be in a really good place. He's really happy. And that's nice because I know that when we were making the movies, he was not a jolly guy on set. [Laughs]"

So what did Lucas have to say last summer about the third trilogy? "Last August, he asked Carrie and I to have lunch with him and we did," he said. "I thought he was going to talk about either his retirement or the Star Wars TV series that I’ve heard about -- which I don't think we were going to be involved in anyway... So when he said, 'We decided we're going to do Episodes VII, VIII and IX,' I was just gobsmacked. 'What? Are you nuts?!' [Laughs]"

Continued Hamill, "I can see both sides of it. Because in a way, there was a beginning, a middle, and an end and we all lived happily ever after, and that's the way it should be -- and it's great that people have fond memories, if they do have fond memories. But on the other hand, there's this ravenous desire on the part of the true believers to have more and more and more material. It's one of those things: people either just don't care for it or are passionate about it. I guess that defines what cult movies are all about. We'll see."

And as for the buyout itself? "I have mixed feelings about that, but [Disney hasn't] done badly by Marvel and the Muppets and Pixar," Hamill responded. "It's one of those big decisions that at first seems unusual but then the more you look at it, the more it makes sense."

According to a recent interview with Lucas biographer Dale Pollock, the original outlines for Episodes VII, VIII and IX called for an older Luke Skywalker. While this is by no means evidence of anything -- after all, those particular drafts might already be scrapped -- there is still a chance that Hamill could reprise his role in the new films. Of course, for now, this all remains under the bubble of fanboy speculation.

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he still can't believe he can type "Episode VII" without having to add "Just Kidding." Geek out with him by following @Max_Nicholson on Twitter, or MaxNicholson on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

George Lucas Reveals Destination of Disney Dollars

George Lucas has revealed what he plans to do with the many billions of dollars that he’ll make from the $4.05 billion sale of Lucasfilm to Disney.

Speaking to the The Hollywood Reporter, a studio representative explained “George Lucas has expressed his intention, in the event the deal closes, to donate the majority of the proceeds to his philanthropic endeavours.”

It’s not yet clear where he will direct the money, be it to a new foundation, the George Lucas Educational Foundation, or one of the many charities and causes he has previously supported.

Lucas also released a statement himself, saying “For 41 years, the majority of my time and money has been put into the company. As I start a new chapter in my life, it is gratifying to devote more time and resources to philanthropy.”

Chris Tilly is Entertainment Editor for IGN and wouldn't mind a couple of those Disney dollars. His idle chat can be found on both Twitter and MyIGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Is The Lone Ranger the New Batman?

We've heard quite a bit about Disney's long-awaited adaptation of The Lone Ranger -- mostly in regards to the film's storied production issues. However, the film's star Armie Hammer recently offered a bit more insight into the title character, which he describes as a vigilante comparable to Batman and, to a lesser extent, Spider-Man. Here's what the actor had to say (from Empire Magazine via ComicBookMovie):

"It's the rock 'n roll Lone Ranger, actually. Our take is darker and more complex, more action-packed and more badass than the old TV show. It's a 21st century version of the character you know. There's a little of the Dark Knight in him. There's less moral ambiguity, but there are definite similarities. They're both vigilantes who feel they have to wear a mask to serve justice because the people who are supposed to be doing it aren't. I think The Lone Ranger will always resonate with people as a seeker of justice in the same way Spider-Man or Batman does. And I think we're doing a great job of making the character accessible to everyone, from the seven-year-old kid who brings his cap gun to the theatre to the 80-year-olds who remember the original radio show."

The Gore Verbinski-helmed project is currently slated for a July 3, 2013 release.

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love on Twitter and IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World Set for 3D Releases

Disney and Marvel updated their release slate today, announcing that both Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World will be released in 3D.

Interestingly, the studio announcement did not say that the other Marvel Phase 2 movies -- Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Ant-Man -- would be in 3D.

Source : ign[dot]com

Edgar Wright's Ant-Man Gets a Release Date

Marvel and Disney have set a release date for director Edgar Wright's long-gestating Ant-Man movie: November 6, 2015. Fans had hoped Ant-Man could make a 2014 debut, but no such luck.

Source : ign[dot]com

Disney Epic Mickey 2 Confirmed for Wii U Launch

Disney has revealed that Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two will be available for the Wii U at launch in the UK and America.

While we already knew that the game would appear as one of 23 games on Nintendo's console when it launches in America on November 18, Disney has now confirmed that the game will be available when the Wii U launches in the UK on November 30.

This now brings the number of Wii U launch day titles available in the UK to 12, and it remains to be seen if more will be announced as we move closer to the console's release.

Luke Karmali is IGN's UK Editorial Assistant. You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on IGN and on Twitter.

Source : ign[dot]com

Level Up With These New Wreck-It Ralph Images

Check out these all new images from Wreck-It Ralph, Disney's animated tribute to video games that hits theaters November 2!

Source : ign[dot]com

Wreck-It Ralph: The World of Fix-It Felix Jr.

Let IGN take you further into the video game realm of Disney's Wreck-It Ralph with this exclusive look at the world of Fix-It Felix Jr.

Fix-It Felix Jr.: The All-Around Good Guy

Felix is the popular star of Fix-It Felix Jr. and Niceland’s hammer-wielding maintenance man who’s beloved by all. When he is not busy fixin’ all of Ralph’s wreckin’, this gold-medal-winning good guy is being showered with kisses, praise and pies from his tenants. Hardwired for niceness, anything other than being “The Good Guy” just doesn’t compute.

Gene: Pint-Sized Party Planner

Gene is the blocky, pint-sized leader of the Nicelanders—the window-filling victims of Ralph's destruction in the game Fix-It Felix Jr. Like his fellow apartment residents in peril, Gene worships Felix and despises Ralph. In his spare time, Gene plans cocktail parties, but is always sure to leave Ralph off the guest list: To Gene, Ralph's just a bad guy and that's all he'll ever be.

The Nicelanders: Apartment-Dwelling Residents in Peril

When they aren’t playing the victims in Fix-It Felix Jr., the Nicelanders live to worship Felix and criticize Ralph. Responsible for baking power-boosting pies to aid the good guy’s in-game mission, the fawning fans of Felix spend their free time planning cocktail parties— but they are always sure to leave Ralph off the guest list. These blocky, pint-size window dwellers, including Gene, Roy and Mary, can’t seem to get past Ralph’s title—and the wreck-less behavior that goes with it. Nothing short of a heroic miracle could convince them to include Ralph in their lives.

Wreck-It Ralph hits theaters November 2. Until then be sure to play the arcade-style Fix-It Felix Jr. online game!

Source : ign[dot]com

Report: Kingdom Hearts 1.5 Coming West Next Year

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix may be coming West in the second half of next year, according to a new report.

Though Disney has yet to confirm the repackaged version of the original Kingdom Hearts and Chain of Memories will be localised, comments made at Goldman Sachs' Communacopia Conference suggest this may be about to change.

“

We start the year right out with a big title "Epic Mickey 2," and another big title that hasn't been announced yet, but coming mid-year, and continuing to grow in the social space.

According to Business Insider, Disney Interactive's CFO Jay Rasulo explained that next year would see two big releases, one of which hadn't been announced yet.

He said, "We start the year right out with a big title "Epic Mickey 2," and another big title that hasn't been announced yet, but coming mid-year, and continuing to grow in the social space."

While Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix has technically been announced, it hasn't been for the West and Business Industry definitely seems to think it's the most likely candidate given that none of the studio's upcoming movie slate really carry enough weight to justify the "big" prefix in terms of game tie-ins.

With Epic Mickey 2 out November 18, it seems Rasulo is referring to the company's financial year which runs from October 1 to September 30. So this means whatever the title is, it should be launching sometime after next March. Which is when Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix arrives in Japan. Coincidence? Time will tell.

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix was announced for Japan last week at the Tokyo Game Show, and will be released exclusively for the PS3.

Luke Karmali is IGN's UK Editorial Assistant and has missed Sora, Goofy and Donald. Bad. You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on IGN and on Twitter.

Source : ign[dot]com

Gravity Falls' Big Video Game Episode

Since its debut in June, the animated series Gravity Falls has proven to be a very clever and witty addition to the Disney Channel lineup. And tonight’s brand new episode, called “Fight Fighters”, should prove especially notable for IGN readers, as it’s all about video games.

In “Fight Fighters”, Dipper (Jason Ritter) is challenged to a video game contest and is shocked when his favorite fighting game character, Rumble McSkirmish (prolific animation and video game voice actor Brian Bloom) comes to life to help him. However, Dipper soon finds that controlling Rumble is not so easy…

Check out a couple of clips from the episode below. While old school fighting games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat are the clear initial inspiration, you’ll see some notable nods to other games as well.

Gravity Falls: “Fight Fighters” airs Friday, September 14th at 9:30pm ET/PT on Disney Channel.

Source : ign[dot]com

New Wreck-It Ralph Poster

Check out the latest one-sheet for the upcoming Disney animated movie Wreck-It Ralph, the studio's tribute to video games old and new.

The voice cast includes John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch and Jack McBrayer. Check out the new trailer below:

Source : ign[dot]com

The Rocketeer Gets a Reboot

Disney is gearing up to reboot The Rocketeer, their 1991 comic-book adaptation about a man, a jetpack and… Jennifer Connelly.

Vulture reports that the studio will be meeting with writers soon to hear pitches on the property, which interestingly would be a Disney superhero movie that doesn't take place within the Marvel universe, even though Marvel is owned by Disney. (Or would it?)

The original film was based on the Dave Stevens character and starred Billy Campbell as a 1930s stunt pilot who acquires a Howard Hughes-designed (!) rocket pack and soon finds himself mixing it up with gangsters and Nazis. The film didn't fare very well at the box office, alas, but it is a favorite for many of us comics fans.

While we wait for more news on the reboot, why not check out the great animated homage below to the character and his late creator?

Talk to Movies Editor Scott Collura on Twitter at @ScottIGN, on IGN and on Facebook.

Source : ign[dot]com

Wreck-It Ralph Concept Art

Check out some cool new concept art from Disney Animation's upcoming video game valentine Wreck-It Ralph:

Wreck-It Ralph opens November 2.

Source : ign[dot]com

ABC in Talks for Live-Action Avengers-Connected TV Series

The Avengers success (and the success of the Marvel films in general) may finally be leading to a TV Series.

Since Disney bought Marvel three years ago, there’s been a lot of talk about live-action TV show possibilities, especially since Disney also owns ABC. But nothing has come to fruition, though we keep hearing about the Guillermo del Toro Hulk series that’s been in development for a couple of years now. It was always unclear whether that series could be considered in continuity with the films, though it seemed it would likely be a tenuous connection at best – perhaps focusing on a Bruce Banner younger than the one we see in Avengers.

But Deadline now reports that Marvel Television and ABC and ABC Studios are having conversations about a drama series that would more specifically be set in the Marvel cinematic universe.

Deadline says the connection to Avengers “Would be light” and while it would be set in the same universe, it may not include any of the characters from Joss Whedon’s Avengers film. Right now there’s just “the kernel of an idea,” with many scenarios being discussed, including “a high-concept cop show.”

Marvel of course has a ton of characters they could pull from for such a series, and there are many ways to connect such a series to Avengers without it being Avengers: The TV Series. Even having smaller characters like SHIELD agent Jasper Sitwell (played by Maximiliano Hernandez) from the Marvel films could help make the connection deeper.

What do you think? Is there a Marvel character or concept you think would be the right fit for a TV series tied to the Marvel movies? Let us know in the comments!

Source : ign[dot]com

Sonic, Street Fighter Characters Confirmed for Wreck-It Ralph

A press release from Disney today announcing additional voice cast members for their upcoming animated video game homage Wreck-It Ralph confirms that Sonic the Hedgehog and Street Fighter characters M. Bison, Ken Masters and Ryu will all appear in the film. John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman and Jack McBrayer lead the voice cast. The latest cast additions follow after the trailer:

Alan Tudyk (Suburgatory, Firefly) as King Candy, ruler of Sugar Rush, a candy-coated cart racing game

Ed O’Neill (Modern Family) as Mr. Litwak, owner of Litwak’s Family Fun Center & Arcade

Mindy Kaling (The Office) as Taffyta Muttonfudge, an accomplished racer and Vanellope’s nemesis

Adam Carolla  (The Adam Carolla Show) as Wynchel, Sugar Rush security

Horatio Sanz (Saturday Night Live) as Duncan, Sugar Rush security

Dennis Haysbert (The Unit, 24) as General from the first-person shooter game, Hero’s Duty

Edie McClurg (Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Planes) as Mary, a Nicelander who lives within the game Fix-It Felix, Jr.

Roger Craig Smith (Captain Marvel from The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Ezio from Assassin’s Creed) as Sonic the Hedgehog

Gerald C Rivers  (the Street Fighter series) as M. Bison

Rachael Harris (The Hangover) as Deanna, a Nicelander who lives within the game Fix-It Felix, Jr.

Stefanie Scott (A.N.T. Farm) as Moppet Girl, a young arcade enthusiast who visits Litwak’s arcade

Reuben Langdon (multiple Street Fighter games) as Ken from Street Fighter

Kyle Hebert (multiple Street Fighter games, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes) as Ryu from Street Fighter

Source : ign[dot]com