.Mac.

joefavs said:

aside from all that, even though I don't like him for Tarkin, I'd love to bring Dance into the saga in some other capacity. He'd be great.

Definitely agree. He'd bring a gravitas of his own as a new (possibly villainous) character, somewhere in the SW timeline.

I know not many will agree with this idea, but if they're going to have Tarkin in Rogue One, I'd very much like to see Ralph Fiennes play as him. Fiennes is a great actor who would be the perfect "base plate" for Cushing (as he already shares many physical similarities to him) and then add any convincing prosthetics/modern digital manipulations to nail the look of Peter Cushing's Tarkin. That I'm perfectly fine with, and I'm sure they'd be able to pull it off very well these days. If necessary (if Fiennes doesn't sound enough like Cushing) possibly have Steven Stanton come in and dub over Fiennes as Tarkin's voice. Again, this idea may sound more convoluted than many would want, but to me, if they're going to have Tarkin in a film that's set just prior to the events of IV, I want Tarkin to look like Tarkin - not a new face portraying him ;) In other movies and shows, I'm more times okay with more than one person taking over the same role, but I guess because I have such high regard for Star Wars, I like better consistency when possible :D

ZkinandBonez said:

It also interesting how Phasma doesn't have a textured head under the helmet. We already know who plays the character, so why bother making it a mystery. Makes you wonder if there's something special going on about Phasma.

That's what I am curious about too. I was thinking "well maybe it's just because she'll never be seen taking her helmet off, as Boba Fett didn't either in the OT, therefore adding to the mystery of the character?" ...but even the Boba Fett Lego minifig has a face (thanks to the PT?)... So yeah I'm wondering also why hers is just black. Maybe she is actually a cyborg/droid and her face/head is just the helmet that we see? Not sure I'd like that, though.

Finally had a chance to download and watch the clip. Looks great!

Loved seeing the cloud movement, the underside of cloud city seen rushing past through the open hatch before it closes, and an edited footage of Vader walking to the front of the bridge.

One thing, though. The issue of Luke's "bent" right arm as he's hanging onto the weather vane is still present (between 3:31 - 3:39 of the clip). Even as a kid I could clearly tell it was because of his wrist underneath a lengthened sleeve (also a problem in ROTJ with Vader's severed arm). Might there be a chance that this can be fixed?

ZkinandBonez said:

Did anyone notice this thing?
It looks like a droid to me. 

 That, or it looks like one of these guys...

...there to give this thing...

...a buzz cut.

Since this is confirmed to happen, anyone else interested in seeing Anthony Ingruber being cast as young Han Solo?

I sure am, after watching the clip below - his voice is spot on and he looks very much like a young Harrison (in fact, he did play a young Harrison the movie The Age of Adaline).

Harrison Ford Impression

This source describes what could be the next trailer soon. This sounds pretty awesome to me, if true, especially the ending ;)

Snowy landscape. Speeders zoom past.
The same military gathering from previous trailer. Kylo Ren walks down landing ramp and in front of legion to chants.
Max Von Sydow narrating. Detailing the icy planet, the number of stormtroopers, Captain Phasma, and Kylo Ren and the fact some one is a fugitive.
Max Von Sydow talking “And you want to break in?”
Rey Finn Han and Chewie. Chewie roars, Han says he tried to talk them out of it.
This Christmas.
Dogfight over a lake.
Finn deflecting lasers with a blue lightsaber.

Little orange alien touches Rey’s forehead, massive flash of white light.

Imperial commander on bridge with Phasma “I want him alive. Do what you want with the girl.”

Kylo Ren and that sexy lightsaber.
Black and red X Wing shooting blue and white ones.
Tie Fighters pursue the Falcon in space.
Journey to a galaxy.
Rey screams at sight of Phasma.
A Star Destroyer plummets towards a snowy planet.
Kylo Ren unmasked lifting an officer into the air.
Orange alien with Leia looking on in horror
Artoo and Threepio in what looks like a bunker as lasers fly through the air.
X Wings shooting down Tie Fighters.
Rey acrobatically navigating a mechanical landscape.
Kylo Ren observing a river of lava with his back turned to the camera, lightsaber ignited.
Far far away.
Black.
Gravelly voice from first teaser.
“They found him”
“Who” normal voice.
“Skywalker…” Gravelly voice.
LUKE
STAR WARS
THE FORCE AWAKENS

Eh, it's hard to tell for sure if they've made actual tweaks to the costume along the way since that first pic with Iger (there's different lighting, different perspectives, different expressions, and loose vs slicked back fur for each pic), but I'm pretty sure it's still intended to be Chewie in each of those images. It would be very cool, though, to see another Wookiee besides Chewie.. maybe Lumpy ;)

New interesting looking Promotional Banner for the TFA.

I guess they see X-Wings and blasters as being a bit more important to put time and energy into than making sure a measly protocol droid's coverings are all gold, which makes sense :) And for all we know, 3PO wasn't with the Rebels/Resistance or anyone with a spare gold arm at the time when he needed a replacement.

It says it all in his pose and expression that Serkis is the uber bad guy - very awesome pic all around. I can hardly wait to see how he will actually look, but hopefully not until the movie ;)

Very awesome AT-AT - it looks as though it was taken straight out of the film! Excellent work, Ady :D

Bingowings said:

Does this mean we are getting more AT-AT action in ESB:R or is this for ROTJ:R?

I do really hope he'll hold onto this for when he starts working on ROTJ:R. This way, since we know there is an AT-AT on Endor (though it was used to transport Luke, and frankly I actually never liked that concept), we can hopefully get 1 of these monstrosities added towards the end battle.

Perhaps after Chewie captures the AT-ST and after the other AT-STs are taken out, things start looking good for the Rebels again... but then enters this AT-AT stomping through the forest like a boss, where between Chewie and the commandos/Ewoks they must use clever tactics for taking it out.

Sorry getting a bit off-topic and ahead of myself again, but I'm super excited after seeing that image and can hardly wait talking about it :)

John Doom said:

Have you seen this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyOUESbTCRk

At last a new Star Wars movie recorded on a REAL set! ;)

Fantastic! So awesome to see that set and it gives me great thrill seeing the Stormtrooper launched from the explosion!

RicOlie_2 said:

No, but her species is from the prequels.

Which species is she playing?

Anchorhead said:

To put it more clearly with regard to how I feel about her physical beauty; why CGI over her at all?  Why can't she bring gravitas to the character (which is a given), as well as be seen?  Why an alien?  Why not a human as a close friend or pivotal character?

It's a Star Wars movie where there are aliens... so why not have an alien as a close friend or pivotal character? So far the only (good) character that's been either of those was Chewie, so it's great they're attempting to branch it out more. Sure they could've had anyone for the part (A-list actress or not, beautiful or not, etc.), but since JJ felt Lupita was perfect for the part and she obviously wanted the part, that's how it is - simple as that :)

@Mrebo, We don't know how much screen time she'll get, but since she is a mo-cap character, my guess is she won't have a minor role. If Lupita wasn't up for getting that part, she wouldn't be doing it :)

timdiggerm said:

As much as I get it, I guess this is a good way of showing that she's valued for her acting not just her looks, you know?

You nailed it.

Some seem to be forgetting that they are trying to get the best actor/actress playing these parts, not if they're beautiful or not.

And I'm certainly not worried about there being a Jar Jar character in TFA. JJ has made it clear of his disdain towards him ;)

SilverWook said:

I wonder if they got anybody else who had a bit part in the original film?

Maybe Femi Taylor... I'm sure she can bring a developed and well-rounded character to the screen again :)

yoda1138 said:

Regarding the spider shot, for those distracted by it, may i suggest as an alternative to what i mentioned about moving fog around etc.. maybe a slow zoom in.tracking shot towards the ships direction? (if the original source image is clear enough)

I was thinking of a similar idea to that before. Though instead of a zoom-in, I was thinking the camera should slowly zoom out from the focal point of the X-Wing, revealing more and more of the environment and soon the spider also. It could possibly work well, but I'm fine with it as is if Ady is too.

ImperialFighter said:

it always looks to me that because this is quite a 'close-up' camera POV of Artoo, then the viewpoint could be imagined as being either filmed from a point-of-view that's in-between the gap between Artoo and the (unseen) X-Wing engine nearest us...

This is how I had always imagined it, and I think the images you posted confirm it quite well.

TV's Frink said:

I thought they tried to weed out the less important ones.

Yep and this'll hopefully help the careers of the new-comers to grow and blossom.

Are we allowed to change our mind? :P Maybe I just had to watch that establishing shot several more times, but yeah, it is just fine as is.

This reminds me of the asteroid canyon chase scene, getting that to look and feel just right too :)

First of all, incredible work as always, Ady! Loved seeing the inclusion of the Nobby Spider, the new background (it is seamless!), and all the other various fixes that everyone has noticed :D

Now for the critiquing :) So I've been thinking about this a lot before posting and I do agree with those who feel that this establishing shot with the spider goes on for just a bit longer than necessary (especially considering not much is going on in the shot - not even camera movement) and, no, it's not because it's paired with the original, I looked at it alone for how it is ;) I also agree with those that the spider does draw more attention on itself at the beginning of the shot than it should.

So here's my ideas for what I believe will improve the shot:

Trim the overall establishing shot so it's 6-7secs, so this will make it just a bit longer than the original but also shorter than how it is currently (basically, ending the shot just soon after that flying creature on the left gets off screen). I believe this should be plenty enough to "take it all in" - every second, in this case, does make a difference ;)

Next it would be better to reverse the animations of the spider, so this way, it only makes subtle movements at the beginning of the shot (this way, our eyes won't be as distracted by it at first). So now, our initial focus will more likely and naturally be guided to the X-Wing towards the center as it should be. Then after our eyes had just a moment to process it, our eyes will begin to wander and see the rest of the environment, and then the flying creatures enter the shot... and oh wait what's that?.. there's a Nobby Spider also starting to walk from the coast!*... then cut to next shot.

*perhaps adding some ripples/movement of the water when its legs move in it would be a nice final touch?

I hope this was helpful if you are considering it. Thank you for giving us a glimpse at the latest clip, Ady!

unamochilla2 said:

Video is up at VF:

http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/star-wars-the-force-awakens-vanity-fair-cover

That was interesting to watch. Saw Adam Driver clearly dressed as Kylo Ren (unmasked, which is interesting in itself), so I guess JJ is accepting that we see that now - he must've figured it was no use trying to keep hiding that old rumor now that everyone has been assuming it is anyway.

To me everyone and the costumes look great in that photo.

For sure I really hope we will see more of Alderaan in this flick - it'd be a wasted opportunity if we don't. As it is we have not seen enough of this planet to actually care much about it when it gets destroyed in ANH. I think if done right, they can even bring in Jimmy Smits to reprise his role as Bail Organa if they really wanted too, as he'd be close enough to the proper age now.

It was actually chilling for me to see the teaser and with how they revealed the Death Star, very cool! I wonder was that planet we were on supposed to be Endor, as though they built both of them there?