 |
| Stunning preview art for EPISODE VII, for Entertainment Weekly magazine, by Martin Ansin. |
To say 2015 is going to be an exciting time for STAR WARS fans of all ages is surely an understatement! Here's just a
small sneak peak of what will be catching AFICIONADO's specific attentions, as
The Force Awakens...
EPISODE VII: THE FORCE AWAKENS (in cinemas worldwide from December 18th, 2015)
* Hopefully some new footage for February's US SUPERBOWL half-time entertainment/movie promos period, as well as selected behind the scenes footage at CELEBRATION in Los Angeles in April, plus footage and cast and crew attendance at SAN DIEGO COMIC CON in July; a second teaser trailer for May's STAR WARS DAY, and a final extended trailer and new character TV introduction spots by at least October/November.
* New EPISODE VII sneak peaks in all the UK film and sci-fi magazines. EMPIRE film magazine, which has a strong relationship with Abrams/Bad Robot and Disney/Lucasfilm, are bound to have special previews by summer-time and October. Continuing the tradition, the US VANITY FAIR and ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY will likely do something special as well! Expect Daisy Ridley to be on the cover of VOGUE or ELLE by at least December.
* Expect several tie-in MARVEL comics featuring lead-ins to specific events and characters of EPISODE VII, plus the later adaptation of the film.
* John Williams surely stunning soundtrack, available by at least mid-December.
* Disney Theme Parks ride/material linked to the film, with new contributions (either voice work or specially shot footage) from its new younger heroes, notably John Boyega and Daisy Ridley.
* Official novelisation- rumoured to be penned by Alan Dean Foster.
* Massive three-wave set of trading cards rumoured from TOPPS, separate or alongside its new
Masterwork series.
 |
| Rian Johnson will be directing EPISODE VIII. |
EPISODE VIII: TITLE TBA
* Pre-production work, animatics and early special effects sequences will gather apace in the US and London from Summer onwards, with Rian Johnson on board for writing/directing duties. Luke and Leia will apparently continue to make vital contributions to VII and IX.
STAR WARS UNTITLED SPIN-OFF
* Commences shooting at Pinewood Studios around May, written by Gary Whitta, directed by Gareth Edwards. May involve a pre-EPISODE IV story about how the Rebels, using help from bounty hunters and other shady associates, win their first major victory against the Empire and capture the original
Death Star plans.
OTHER CINEMATIC EVENTS
* EPISODE III gets a limited 3D release later in the year (US TBA), possibly followed by IV to VI in the format (US). The Classic Trilogy may get an additional non-3D theatrical release in the weeks of anticipation to EPISODE VII.
* Classic Trilogy to finally arrive unaltered, but restored in sound and picture quality, by November on manila Blu-ray, via DISNEY in special arrangement with LUCASFILM and FOX.
STAR WARS REBELS
* The continuation of Season One, beginning in the US on DISNEY XD and online from early January, featuring the vocal return of Frank Oz as Yoda, Billy Dee Williams, and a possible second Vader cameo. Complete Season DVD release expected by October.
* Season Two, beginning next September/October, with possible guest voices (for a flashback sequence?) from Matt Lanter as Anakin Skywalker and Ashley Eckstein as Ahsoka Tano. Plus some kind of linkages in and out of that year to EPISODE VII.
* A possible Obi-Wan TV special of some kind may be in the works- TBA.
OTHER BOOKS
* A mountain of EPISODE VII related books for readers young and old by November/December, including a novel tie-in (arriving after the film's release in cinemas), a storybook, several visual guides from DORLING KINDERSLEY (with a spread peek at new ships in next summer's
Definitive Guidebook), plus a Making of, likely by J.W. Rinzler.
* At least two lavish new archive-related SW books from J.W. Rinzler/ LUCAS BOOKS spread through the year, with separate publicity features via STAR WARS INSIDER.
* Original novels: Luke Skywalker stars in
Heir to the Jedi, Vader and Palpatine in
Lords of the Sith, and Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Vos in
Dark Disciple, all in the UK from Winter to Summer via CENTURY PUBLISHING.
OTHER COMICS
* MARVEL unleashes its new series of Classic Trilogy adventures in January, including separate Darth Vader and Princess Leia mini-series in February and March. It also continues its digitially recoloured reprints of classic past comic stories and film adaptations in physical and online form.
