StarWars.com had some announcements for the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII film.

Regarding the cast:

“Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.”

Regarding John Williams and the release date:

“Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, and John Williams returns as the composer. The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.”

While its great to finally have confirmation on the cast and release date, the new revelations have been met with some disappointment at the near absence of any new women.

This announcement comes on the heels of news that the Star Wars expanded universe from the novels and other media, will not be acknowledged by any of the forthcoming movies. Instead, the expanded universe will live on under the banner of Star Wars: Legends. The movie canon will only be respecting the existing 6 movies and the Clone Wars television series.

“In order to give maximum creative freedom to the filmmakers and also preserve an element of surprise and discovery for the audience, Star Wars Episodes VII-IX will not tell the same story told in the post-Return of the Jedi Expanded Universe. While the universe that readers knew is changing, it is not being discarded. Creators of new Star Wars entertainment have full access to the rich content of the Expanded Universe. For example, elements of the EU are included in [upcoming animated series] Star Wars Rebels.”

Palm Beach Illustrated has posted an interview with Carrie Fisher. The interviewer asked a very direct question if Ms. Fisher would be reprising her role as Leia Organa in the upcoming 7th Star Wars film. She answer was a concise Yes.

Exceprt from the interview:

Q: Disney is going to continue the Star Wars saga, producing movies set to hit theaters starting in 2015. Can you confirm whether you’ll reprise the role of Princess Leia?

A:Yes.

Q: What do you think Princess Leia is like today?

A: Elderly. She’s in an intergalactic old folks’ home [laughs].
I just think she would be just like she was before, only slower and less inclined to be up for the big battle.

Carrie is the first of the original Star Wars cast to confirm her involvement. Rumors have been swirling that Harrison Ford (Han Solo) has signed on, but no confirmation, outside of an announcement he will be in the Anchorman sequel, has been made. Mark Hammil (Luke Skywalker) has confirmed that if approached, he would accept, but only if the whole of the original cast was involved. Things seem to be pointing in that direction.

Are you excited that the original cast may return in Episode 7? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

While it has not been officially confirmed, the internets are buzzing that JJ Abrams will direct the new Star Wars movie. The seventh in the franchise, the movie will take place after the events of Return of the Jedi. Word has it that Ben Affleck was also in contention to direct, but Kathleen Kennedy, the producer, was courting Mr. Abrams as the top choice.

Roberto Orci, co-writer of the recent and forthcoming Star Trek films, seems to think the news is quite true.
He commented on his twitter account.

“@naddycat: @boborci Any chance you can confirm/deny about Mr Abrams directing Star Wars? So far just a lot of “sources say”…” True!

Abrams’ latest film, Star Trek: Into Darkness, is set to be released to theaters May 17. Reaction is mixed. While many are excited, others are apprehensive that the Star Trek director will helm the film for the main franchise competitor, Star Wars.

Who knows, maybe we’ll see Keri Russel as an extra…

[Source]

[UPDATE] Disney has confirmed that JJ Abrams will direct Star Wars Episode VII!

News is starting to break that a blockbuster deal has taken place with Disney purchasing Lucasfilm. It seems George Lucas was ready to retire. Lucasfilm was entirely owned by Lucas. In the deal worth US$4.05 Billion, half was in cash, while the other half was in the form of about 40 million shares.

The first I heard about it was here.

Further articles revealed that Star Wars Episode 7 is coming with a target release year of 2015. Lucas will serve as a creative consultant for the film, while current co-chair of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy will serve as executive producer in addition to her new role as President of Lucasfilm and brand manager of Star Wars.

This is a developing story. We will have more as we hear it.