Disney’s D23 Expo has been going on this weekend, and the company is revealing a LOT of new stuff there, including info on new rides, theme park attractions, and upcoming animated films. Some of the BIG news to hit is of course STAR WARS-related, and we’re rounding it up for those who missed it.
Click on image to see it full-size.
First up, while many have wondered if legendary movie poster artist Drew Struzan would contribute new art for the upcoming STAR WARS movie, especially since he’s technically retired, the answer is here. Disney revealed a new Struzan poster image at D23, though we don’t think this is meant to be an actual theatrical poster, more of an exclusive teaser for attendees. Struzan has done teaser posters like these in recent years, usually for special events like San Diego Comic-Con, so if Drew is going to do a final poster of some sort, we expect it to be much different from this. These days studios don’t actively pursue art posters, usually opting for Photoshop quick jobs they can get for little to no money. Let’s hope Disney sees the value in having a Struzan masterpiece in theaters once more. What’s most telling about this poster is the image of John Boyega holding a lightsaber… so… does this mean he’s a Jedi? That is Luke’s saber, supporting the “they found Luke’s lightsaber” theory, but is there a moment in the film where he just uses it for self-defense, or something much more? Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Click on image to see it full-size – ROGUE ONE L to R: Actors Riz Ahmed, Diego Luna, Felicity Jones, Jiang Wen and Donnie Yen Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley ©Lucasfilm 2016
Next up, the STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE will be the first spinoff film to follow EPISODE VII, and we already knew Felicity Jones (THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING) would have the leading role. Directed by Gareth Edwards (GODZILLA), this film will follow an attempt by resistance fighters to steal plans for the Death Star. Now we know the full cast, thanks to an official press release and premiere image from Lucasfilm, which you can see above. The ensemble will include Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, and Riz Ahmed. Lucasfilm announced the movie has started principal photography, slated for a December 16, 2016 release. What’s most interesting is that this is another prequel movie, set just before A NEW HOPE. You can read a little more from the official StarWars.com press release below. This comes from an idea by veteran ILM visual effects supervisor John Knoll – he’s the guy who helped create Photoshop too:
The filmmakers have assembled a stellar cast, including Felicity Jones, nominated for an Academy Award for her leading role in The Theory of Everything; Diego Luna, who was featured in 2008’s Oscar-winning Milk and 2013’s Elysium; Ben Mendelsohn, recently nominated for an Emmy for his leading role in Bloodline and co-starring in the upcoming Mississippi Grind; Donnie Yen, Hong Kong action star and martial artist who starred in Ip Man and Blade II; Jiang Wen, who co-wrote, produced , directed and starred in the award-winning Let the Bullets Fly and Devils on the Doorstep; Forest Whitaker, recently featured in the critically-acclaimed Lee Daniels’ The Butler and winner of an Academy Award for his leading role in 2006’s The Last King of Scotland; Mads Mikkelsen, who starred in The Hunt and was the memorable villain from 2006’s Casino Royale; Alan Tudyk, who plays a performance-capture character in Rogue One, stars in the soon-to-be-released Con Man series and Trumbo, which releases this November; and Riz Ahmed, who was recently featured in Nightcrawler and starred in the BAFTA-winning film Four Lions.
“Rogue One takes place before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope and will be a departure from the saga films but have elements that are familiar to the Star Wars universe,” says Kathleen Kennedy. “It goes into new territory, exploring the galactic struggle from a ground-war perspective while maintaining that essential Star Wars feel that fans have come to know. Gareth is such an innovative director and I’m so excited to be working with him and the extraordinary ensemble cast he’s selected for ‘Rogue One.’”
And finally, though rumors had already been swirling, especially after the staggering success of JURASSIC WORLD, Colin Trevorrow has officially been announced as the director for STAR WARS: EPISODE IX, the final installment of the new trilogy that picks up where RETURN OF THE JEDI left off. You can read the full press release that appeared on StarWars.com below. Are you excited about Trevorrow taking on EP 9? How about that Struzan poster? Or ROGUE ONE? Let us know in the comments.
Today at D23, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn announced that writer-director Colin Trevorrow will direct Star Wars: Episode IX, which is set for release in 2019.
While production won’t begin for a few years, Trevorrow is heading to Lucasfilm this year to begin working with artists and his fellow Star Wars directors. “Colin is someone I’ve been interested in working with ever since I saw Safety Not Guaranteed,” says Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “The power of that film paired with the enormous success of Jurassic World speaks volumes about his abilities both as a storyteller and skilled filmmaker. We are thrilled to have such an incredible talent as Colin join our family and step into the Star Wars universe.”
Trevorrow states “This is not a job or an assignment. It is a seat at a campfire, surrounded by an extraordinary group of storytellers, filmmakers, artists and craftspeople. We’ve been charged with telling new stories for a younger generation because they deserve what we all had—a mythology to call their own. We will do this by channeling something George Lucas instilled in all of us: boundless creativity, pure invention and hope.”
Star Wars: Episode IX will conclude the third trilogy of Star Wars movies that begins with Star Wars: The Force Awakens on December 18, 2015.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
