Disney to air new TV series “Star Wars Rebels”

Disney and Disney XD will be releasing a new TV series, hoping to continue the tradition from “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” with “Star Wars Rebels”. Here’s part of the press release:

Production has begun on Star Wars Rebels, an exciting, all-new animated television series based on one of the greatest entertainment franchises of all time. Scheduled to premiere in fall 2014 as a one-hour special telecast on Disney Channel, it will be followed by a series on Disney XD channels around the world.

Leading the development of the series is a creative team of exceptional talent. Screenwriter/producer Simon Kinberg (X-Men: First Class, Sherlock Holmes, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) is an executive producer on Star Wars Rebels and will write the premiere episode. He is joined by Dave Filoni as executive producer, who served as supervising director of the Emmy nominated Star Wars: The Clone Wars since 2008. Executive producer Greg Weisman brings with him a wealth of animation experience with credits such as Young Justice, The Spectacular Spider-Man and Gargoyles.

Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, said, “The entire team at Lucasfilm has provided extraordinary creativity and innovation for over three decades, and we’re thrilled to be bringing the expansive and imaginative world of Star Wars to Disney XD’s viewers.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to explore new corners of the Star Wars universe,” said Kathleen Kennedy, president, Lucasfilm. “I think Star Wars Rebels will capture the look, feel and fun that both kids and their parents love about Star Wars.”

The action-filled series is set between the events of Episode III and IV — an era spanning almost two decades never-before explored on-screen. Star Wars Rebels takes place in a time where the Empire is securing its grip on the galaxy and hunting down the last of the Jedi Knights as a fledgling rebellion against the Empire is taking shape. Details about the show are a closely guarded secret at this point.

Disney is of course releasing “Star Wars: Episode VII” with director J.J. Abrams at the helm.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Fassbender joins Macbeth

Michael Fassbender has wowed audiences so far with roles in “Inglourious Basterds”, “X-Men: First Class”, “Shame” and a lot more. Now Fassbender will play Macbeth in a new adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic play. It looks promising from the same company that made “The King’s Speech”. But who plays Lady M is probably equally as important as landing Fassbender.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Storm not returning for “X-Men: Days of Future Past”?

Bryan Singer is promoting “Jack the Giant Slayer”. He also is helming “X-Men: Days of Future Past” with a cast from First Class and his original films, including Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, Jennifer Lawrence and Ellen Page. But what about Storm, played by Halle Berry? Here’s what Singer told MTV:

“I can’t say. I don’t know yet. And it’s not necessarily a deal making aspect at all,” he said. “I want to make sure it’ll make sense. But I love working with her.”

Interesting. I’ve never read the comics, but it seems to me that she’s not an essential characters so if they don’t have her already planned, I’d just leave her out.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Box office battle: 2/1/13

“Warm Bodies” and “Bullet To The Head” take on the Super Bowl. Will either be successful?

“Warm Bodies” will take the weekend. It’s had a strong marketing campaign that’s portraying this as a funny, unique take on the zombie film. The film features rising stars Nicholas Hoult (“X-Men: First Class”) and Teresa Palmer (“I Am Number Four”) as well as John Malkovich and Rob Corddry. I think the film won’t have the broad appeal that would allow it to really break out, but an opening near $20 million is well within reach.

Opening weekend: $18-20 million

After Arnold’s “The Last Stand” and Jason Statham’s “Parker” bombed, Sylvester Stallone takes his turn with “Bullet To The Head”. Looks like another generic action film. Not to mention it’ll be  incredibly front loaded as its target audience will be watching the 49ers and Ravens on Sunday.

Opening weekend: $7-9 million

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

One cast member not returning for “X-Men: Days of Future Past”?

Bryan Singer’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past” has a lot of people excited. The film already confirmed to have Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender starring. Of course Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult and Hugh Jackman will be in the film as well. And teases about a number of the original trilogy coming back have been running rampant as well. But one actress who played a pretty big role in “X-Men: First Class” doesn’t think she’ll be back. January Jones, who played Emma Frost, doesn’t see herself returning.

“I don’t know that I’m in it, I don’t think Emma’s in this one,” Jones told Collider. ” Well they haven’t told me if I am (laughs).  I wouldn’t put it past them though, I got the script for the first one on the airplane on the way there.  It’s called Days of Future Past I think, and I think it’s more about James [McAvoy] and Michael [Fassbender] and then Patrick [Stewart] and Ian [McKellan], and I think it’s gonna go back and forth with those so I don’t think Emma’s in those bits.  I don’t know, I really don’t know.”

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Just how many old X-Men will show up in “X-Men: Days of Future Past”?

Bryan Singer is back. So is much of the cast from “X-Men: First Class”, including Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy and Jennifer Lawrence. The big news that has been swirling is the time traveling aspect. We already know Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are back. Hugh Jackman too, and according to Jackman, there could be more than a few more showing up as well.
“You wouldn’t have enough room on the page after you’ve listed them all,” Jackman said. “Every other actor who’s ever put on a superhero uniform will be in it. There’s an element of time travel and, naturally, it will be action-packed.”

Does that mean a return for Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, Ellen Page and more?

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

“Star Wars Episode VII” director chosen?!

Well, we won’t know for sure and the source is actor Jason Flemyng, who has worked with director Matthew Vaughn on nine films, including “X-Men: First Class”. When asked about “Star Wars Episode VII”, Flemyng’s answer was “I’m sure I’ll get the call for Star Wars”. Does he know something we all don’t? Vaughn’s name was the first to be thrown around and he did mysteriously leave the “X-Men Days of Future Past” set for an unknown reason.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

What do X-Men, Iron Man and Tim Burton have in common? Find out…

Reports that director Tim Burton and Robert Downey Jr. (“Iron Man”) were going to collaborate on “Pinocchio” got a lot of people excited. Now, fans have even more reason. Jane Goldman is writing the script. Goldman wrote “The Woman in Black” as well as “X-Men: First Class”. Sounds like a pretty solid team here.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Matthew Vaughn rumored for HUGE film

It was a surprising to hear Matthew Vaughn, who directed “Kick-Ass” and “X-Men: First Class” dropped out of “X-Men: Days of Future Past”, allowing Bryan Singer to take over. Now, if this is true, we know why he did.

Rumors are swirling that Vaughn is being considered to direct “Star Wars Episode VII”, a film slightly bigger than X-Men. I’d like to see Vaughn take this film. I think he could bring Star Wars in a different direction and inject the series with some good action and dialogue, if he’s allowed to write the script as well.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

 

Big news about “X-Men: Days of Future Past”

Matthew Vaughn has now directed “Kick-Ass” and “X-Men: First Class”. But, just as he’s not directing “Kick-Ass 2”, Vaughn announced he is not directing “X-Men: Days of Future Past”. With production set to start in just months, Fox will have to replace him quickly. And guess whose name is coming up: Bryan Singer. Singer, the director of “X-Men” and “X2: X-Men United” before leaving the franchise for “Superman Returns”. Would you want Singer to come back?

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.