Star Wars: Episode VII to focus on Luke, Leia, and Han, says writer

The story of Star Wars: Episode VII will chiefly be about the oldies: Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia, according to io9 and The Holly Wood Reporter.

 

Oscar winner Michael Arndt, known for his spectacular writing on Toy Story 3, was originally hired to write Star Wars: Episode VII’s story. He and George Lucas wanted the new film to focus on the next generation: the children of Luke, Han, and Leia.

J. J. Abrams debate
 

J.J. Abrams, however, had something else in mind. In the debate that followed, George Lucas, director of the original Star Wars film and the horrendous prequel trilogy, eventually gave way to Abrams and movie producer and Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy.

 

The trinity of classic heroes will now take center stage in the new film, so that fans could have one more chance to enjoy them before giving them a proper send-off. Though their offspring have been relegated to supporting roles, expect them to rise to importance in Episodes VIII and IX.

 

Michael Arndt is no longer doing the writing for Episode VII. With the help of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark co-writer, Lawrence Kasdan, Abrams has been giving Arndt’s script a major overhaul.

This has led to many of the roles that actors had been vying for to become obsolete. One victim is Tye Sheridan, from the movies “Mud” and “The Tree of Life”. Once a frontrunner to play an important young character, his services will no longer be needed. One character that had originally been a 20-year-old is now 40 years of age.

New characters, new roles

 

Fortunately, it appears Michael Fassbender (the young Magneto in X-Men: First Class), Adam Driver (Girls), and Jesse Plemons (Breaking Bad) could be getting roles, as they have been meeting with J.J. Abrams. Hugo Weaving (Lord of the Rings’ Elrond) has already been chosen to play an Imperial Commander, which is most probably the perfect choice for the actor.

 

As for other casting rumors including Benedict Cumberbatch, Jack O’Connell, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, sources close to the film have yet to release an official statement about them.

 

Another interesting casting story going around is that Abrams is supposedly looking for a “20-something female actress” who is either African American or mixed-race. According to the rumor mill, Obi-Wan had a daughter or a granddaughter.

 

Star Wars: Episode VII will be hitting theaters in Dec 18, 2015. — TJD, GMA News