Scoops Before Production Announcement:
(November, 1995 - September 24, 1996)
November, 1995... An undisclosed informant reports of 'bumping' into a ten-year-old child actor auditioning for the role of a young Luke in Northern California in Summer '94, almost a year-and-a-half ago. [Undisclosed source.]
Week of March 3, 1996... Casting calls are underway for two lead roles to be played by young actors. Taken from the audition requirements:
THE QUEEN: Eurasian/Latina girl 13-14. An enchanting young girl, already showing signs of blossoming into a sensual, exotic, darkhaired beauty. By contrast she has, however, the reserve, political acumen, poise and bearing of a queen and ruler, together with a natural wisdom and sensitivity that cannot be taught. A strong, spirited and highly intelligent girl, she is quick to learn the principles of justice and honor. She is a great leader and it is apparent to all...LEAD.
This information, to a lesser format, has been reported by the media this past week. These may be the two roles producer Rick McCallum spoke about last year. No additional information, such as the name of 'The Queen' is known at this time.
Unconfirmed and speculative is the rumor that Eric Lloyd (Tim Allen's son in The Santa Clause) could be the front-runner for the Anakin role. The story goes that Lucas himself asked for a personal casting call from the young actor - however Lucasfilm remains tight-lipped about any casting operations.
[A very large thank you to Brent Lynch for the detailed scoop and rumor info - obviously trained by some faction of Rebels (perhaps the Bothans) in the art of intelligence gathering. Additional scoop info provided by 'Atreides'.]
March 24, 1996... Construction of a 'new' Millennium Falcon may have been already finished months ago. Apparently, the ship has been built on a 1:1 (one-to-one) scale - meaning true size, and over fifty feet in length. It apparently has working hydraulic leg rams, a voice activated ramp, and complete internal wiring and design features. The model has been used for the past two-three months in computer mapping for CGI work with ILM. The ship is scheduled (or has already been?) to be moved to a new British studio for principle photography around the end of the year. No word if the ship comes with a standard new-car warranty or air-conditioning, though. [Scoop info comes care of Tony Morgan, intelligence operative, via undisclosed sources.]
March 29, 1996... One of our readers girlfriend's sister's friends (you see how rumors get started?) was apparently cast as the child version of Jennifer Jason Leigh's character in Dolores Claiborne. When the girl was asked what movie she may be working on next, she cryptically said that she had auditioned for a role in the "new Star Wars movie". Even our source added, "...take this how you will." [Scoop handed in anonymously.]
April 12, 1996... One source from ILM says that Kenneth Brannagh has been signed to star as a young Ben Kenobi, as well as looking to develop parts for Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher to play. Again, nothing official has been announced. [Scoop submitted by Tony Morgan.]
April 28, 1996... On the Shadows of the Empire musical CD are enhanced tracks that you can read on computer systems, supposedly showing preliminary design sketches for new vessels to appear in the new film. Of these are images of Coruscant and the Ord Mantell shipwreck yard. Doug Chiang is credited as head of the art department of the new trilogy at Lucasfilm. [Scoop reported by Harry Knowles, Imperial double-agent.]
April 29, 1996... In the words of our scoop reporter: "Information is interesting but calorie content is high." Warning has been given:
Rumors have it that Carrie Fisher is not only interested in script-doctoring the female roles in the new trilogy, but that she's also interested in directing one of the new films, possibly Episode 2. This development is supposidly very remote and also depends on whether or not another female director (who some call a "perfectionist") is interested in the directing chores. Another rumor has actress Carol Channing portraying Moffina Delantreos, a whirling-dervish matriarch of House Delantreos, who controls the commercial aspects of the Old Republic. Another rumor has it that Stephen Sondheim or the songwriting team from Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame to write a song for the Moffina to sing. Uh, right.
Also, expect the spacecraft to incorporate sweeping fins and other aspects from the early pulp adventures from the 1920s-1950s. The weapons are rumored to be less refined but more explosive looking, staying away from the thin sliver lines of laser fire from the original trilogy.
The Olympic Theme from 1996 written by John Williams is rumored to have been originally intended for the Mandalorian Warriors March theme but Lucas rejected it, wanting some more darker and sinister. The droids in the new films are reported to be 70% functional.
A secondary character from the new trilogy is rumored to be 'facing the same fate' as a secondary character from Episodes 4-6. This new character may be reduced in scope or written out entirely, or may evolve into the Boba Fett character. Depending on how the new trilogy does at the box office, the Fett character may be brought back for Episodes 7-9.
It should also be noted that this source mentioned that Lucas is considering 'updating' the Howard the Duck film with CGI effects. Consider that, kiddies when you digest these rumors. [Scoops supplied by 'Atreides'.]
May 16, 1996... Carrie Fisher is 'confirmed' on script doctoring, a source claims, as well as possibly playing a role in the new trilogy. [Scoop info submitted by 'Bail Organa'.] May 16, 1996... It was announced Wednesday May 16 that the Pepsi company has signed an exclusive promotional deal allowing the company use of the Star Wars characters beginning in the Star Wars Special Edition movie in February 1997 through to the opening chapter of the new trilogy in 1999 - for two billion dollars. A deal of this size is unprecedented. The deal is apparently global in scope, and covers PepsiCo's affiliates such as Taco Bell, KFC, Frito-Lay and Pizza Hut. No word if the Falcon will have a new CGI-placed Pepso logo on it's bottom plates. [Scoop reported by 'In-the-know' Diane.]
May 28, 1996... When Return of the Jedi was in development, the working title for the show was "Blue Harvest". For what it's worth, a copyright has just been taken out for "Blue Harvest II". [Scoop forwarded by 'Snowdog'.]
June 5, 1996... Word reaches CA that a copyright may have been taken out for the development title of "Star Wars: Genesis" (which means it's not the film's official release title...if indeed this is true.) Episodes One to Three are alleged to be set 32, 22 and 20 years before SW4, respectively. The Clone Wars, which are featured in the first movie, should open at a half-way point in the war and not at the start of the feud. And the reporter re-iterates that Kenneth Branaugh will not be Obi-Wan Kenobi! [Scoop handed in anonymously.]
June 12, 1996... Lucas may have decided against any future episodes past the Return of the Jedi chapter - but no official comment has originated from Lucasfilm as-of-yet. Another rumor suggests that one of the new licencees of the Episodes 1-3 trilogy, Pepsi, may be pressuring Lucas to get the new films out as fast as possible to recoup PepsiCo's investment. FOX Kids programming may be in serious negotiations to develop a "Young Jedi Knights" Saturday morning cartoon show featuring Han and Leia's children. And last, but not least, is a rumor floating around that actor Jeremy Bullock has been approached to play a role in the new trilogy. Fans will remember his name as the actor who portrayed Boba Fett. [Scoop submitted by 'Johnny Incognito' and an anonymous source.]
June 16, 1996... Another scoop informer tells us he's heard whispers the new film's subtitle may be "The Balance of the Force". [Scoop handed in by 'Majestic'.]]
June 11-16, 1996... 20th Century Fox is currently converting the Royal Sydney Showgrounds into their Sydney, Australia film studios. One of the scoop informants overheard that an actress he knows of has recieved word to audition for a part in the new trilogy - to be filmed in the Sydney Fox Studios. The second scooper has heard of similar casting calls placed by a large U.S. casting agency through the Australian casting companies. If valid, this would cement Fox as the distributor of the new films, and tell us why Pinewood Studios hasn't been booked as-of yet by Lucasfilm. The Sydney Studios have been hyped as the largest and most technologically advanced studio in the world. 'shape' points out that this Australian rumor fits the pattern of other scoops that have appeared on here about key sets being designed, constructed and then shipped off-shore. A strong possibility exists for these rumors to be accurate. [Scoops sent to us anonymously and by 'shape'.]
June 17, 1996... Word reaches us that a scene featuring "several men sword fighting in a desert" may be included in the final film cut - or it may be used to see how the special effects intergrate with the modern camera techniques. Lightsaber effects will be added later in this scene from "the Clone Wars." [Scoop submitted by 'dgorman'.]
June 24, 1996... We received an e-mail from someone who claims that George Lucas was in Scotland last week at casting auditions for an actor to portray an "unmasked Boba Fett" who's Vader's right-hand man to assassinate the remainder of the Jedi Knights during the Clone Wars. The auditions were held in a Newport South Wales film school under the premise that the roles were for parts in a "student film". Lucas reportedly watched the auditions in the room next door via a video camera linked in with audtions to avoid dectection. But isn't Fett supposed to meet Vader for the first time in the Empire film? [Scoop info handed in anonymously.]
June 25, 1996... This informant tells us that the last rumor sounds suspicious, since South Wales is 400 miles south from Scotland. [Scoop sent in anonymously.]
June 25, 1996... John Williams has been signed for the new Star Wars films and has confirmed this at several of his recent concerts this informer claims, despite rumors that Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire composer Joel McNeeley may handle the task. [Scoop reported by 'shadow'.]
July 1, 1996... A visitor to a web site tells of a reported article that claims a new Boba Fett action figure will come with a removable helmet revealing the features of Anakin Skywalker underneath. That explains Vader's late-nights in the Clone Wars, we suppose. [Scoop reported by 'scrummy923'.]
July 2, 1996... More info heard about the new Fett figure: the story for the figure suggests that the clone is shocked to discover that he is indeed a duplicate and hides for several years on Yavin 4, eventually stumbling acrossthe Mandalorian battle armor hidden in a cave. He then develops the Boba Fett persona, and uses his semi-Force sensitivity to become a bounty hunter. Although there is nothing to prove these claims...it sounds neat enough to post up on here, don't you think? [Scoop sent in by two anonymous sources - one of whom secretly believes Wedge Antilles is Boba Fett - "...they're never in the same room at the same time."]
July 10, 1996... An interesting mention to the June 24, 1996 scoop was sent to CA. The scooper points out that when Vader confers with the bounty hunters on his Star Destroyer, he sums up his terms by stressing to Fett "...no disintergrations!" While it seems to have been placed as emphasis for Boba Fett's notorious history, this person would like to add it may serve as a piece of background story for the new trilogy. Vader may know of Fett already, and quite personally. [Scoop sent in by 'icenogs'.]
July 25, 1996... David Tattersall is set to be the Director of Photography for Episode 1. [Scoop submitted by 'mbrondbo'; originally appeared in Rick McCallum's 'Star Wars Insider' column.]
July 26, 1996... Someone else has heard "some guys" (apprently the same guys you always hear about designing these cool things) are working on a trailer for "Balance of the Force" to be released in the trailers for the Return of the Jedi: Special Edition release. The effects sequence supposedly shows some new never-seen-before computer generated spaceships fighting amidst the logo. [Scoop sent in by 'Johnny-S'.]
July 31, 1996... Casting is underway, and scout teams are checking out locations in Tunisia, India, New Zealand and the former Soviet Union. [Scoop info supplied by 'jpz3949' and 'compukiller']
August 3, 1996... At a recent award dinner in Beverly Hills, Lucas was charmed by Winona Ryder. He later called the organizers of the dinner to get more specific contact about the actress, and asked for photos of her from the dinner. Is he scouting her for a role in the new trilogy? [Scoop reported anonymously.]
August 4, 1996... This person theorizes that since the Balance of the Force title has been leaked, it is most likely that the title will be ditched. As well, they add that the Genesis rumor is true (although we have not confirmed it ourselves yet); the scooper tells us the name was ONLY taken for copyright purposes. The scooper also emphasizes that NO ONE other than Lucas has seen the script. "This is official from Lucasfilm, no rumor. A few 'snippets' have been shown to ILM artists in order to design some ships and costumes, though." This jives with the information we've been hearing. Also, the scoop writer tells us that Lucas wants to make the entire storyboard through computer animation. This was done for the rooftop firefight sequence in Clear and Present Danger, for instance. [Scoop submitted anonymously.]
August 8, 1996... On August 7th, on the QVC channel, Lucasfilm employee Steve Sansweet said that Lucas had finished writing the first episode's screenplay. production should begin next year for a 1999 release date. [Scoop info submitted by Jeremy Ritter and 'carv'.]
August 13, 1996... If we assembled the scoops like we were on Jeopardy!...
Answer: Nina Brosh. Question: Who was the first confirmed actor to be cast in the new Star Wars film?
So says 'Diane', who read about it in the August 13th edition of The New York Daily News. According to the story, Ms.
Brosh has been cast by Lucas in an unnamed part for the first trilogy. If true, 'Diane' just scored bragging rights for breaking
the news first...if not, the Dark Side awaits
August 18, 1996... Someone who's 'friend knows the guy' who was the helicopter pilot in New Zealand on Willow
writes to tell us of a possible indication that Lucasfilm may want to film again in that area of the world. The pilot received a
letter last year from Lucasfilm asking him if he could help assist a Lucasfilm representative for scouting purposes. The letter writer
also adds that the filming could be for The Lost World, Dinotopia or even the long-rumored Indy 4 film.
[Scoop mailed in by 'potiki'.]
August 20, 1996... This fellow spots an "untidy looking" Kenneth Branagh walking from the library building on the
Skywalker Ranch to the Lucasfilm main offices. The scooper also mentions that this Branagh-lookalike quickened his pace when he
was spotted. Could the Obi-Wan rumor have the spark of truth to it? [Scoop submitted by Matthew Holcomb, utilizing his
Jedi mind tricks.]
...while this submitter informs us that a British magazine has confirmed that the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi will be
played by a younger Alec Guiness. Using a new CGI technique, an actor wears a special facial mask that allows
the addition of a younger Guiness' face while still using the younger actors physique. We haven't confirmed this yet, kiddies.
[Scoop submitted by 'casioboy' and W. Lamond; said to have appeared in SFX magazine.]
August 27, 1996... We're gonna stand back and let this contributor tell you about the second bizarre casting rumor floating
around the air:
"Very, very, strange things are happening in New York. Exactly one week after The New York Daily News reported that model Nina Brosh had
secured a role in the new Star Wars film comes a story in today's paper (Aug. 22nd) that says that another model, Bijou Phillips, has also landed a role
in the sequel.
"Phillips, the 16-year-old daughter of Mamas and the Papas' John Phillips and sister to Wilson Phillip's singer China Phillips (and sister-in-law
to William Baldwin), has appeared in several major advertising campaigns including the infamous Calvin Klein "kid porn" ads in 1995. The green-haired model has
also made headlines in the New York tabloids and fashion press over the last few years as she is a bit of a wild child (she has had a well-documented substance abuse
problem) and has been romantically linked to Lemonheads singer Evan Dando, and actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
"Not exactly the kind of person you would expect to find in a George Lucas production eh? Are these reports bogus? Is Lucas deliberately leaking false info to throw
everyone off? Or could it just be that Lucas is attempting to do something different and unexpected with the new
installment? Who knows?"
Unfortunately, George didn't return our call. [Scoop reported by Diane.]
And this fellow writes to let us know about a Lucasfilm scouting rep:
"I saw at the Festival Just For Laughs of Montréal a woman from Lucasfilm whom was searching for some new talents. She even talked with an agent of a very funny comedian very popular here in
Montréal. He is a sort of Jim Carrey. I don't know where he could fit in the Star Wars universe but with George Lucas we never know." [Scoop handed in by 'Tommy Hilfiger'.]
Another tid-bit on the casting developments:
"Natalie Portman apparantly gave an interview to a southern newspaper this past Sunday. During said interview, she was asked about the Star Wars rumor and if she had been cast. She said NO, but she had been in contact with Lucas about a role."
[Scoop handed in by 'inmyho'.]
September 6, 1996... Production on the new Star Wars feature was announced today with an agreement between Leavesden Studios and JAK Productions Ltd., the British production unit for the three prequels. This marks the first major step with
the project since George Lucas' annoucement of the project(s) back in 1994. Leavesden Studios, a former Rolls-Royce factory located outside of London, England, will receive a hefty sum
to develop it for all the requirements necessary to develop and produce the next three films, including a direct link to Lucasfilm and ILM in California. The studio complex includes a half-million square feet of
covered studio space as well as 100 acres of backlot land, perfect for the needs of Lucas and his desire for secrecy. The deal is worth a reported $1.3 billion US. Pricipal photography is slated to commence in the fall of
1997, and a release date for the first show is slated for (probably in May) 1999. This appears to put to an end the rumors that the next SW production may film in Sydney, Australia.
So, what's it mean? It looks like the scipt for the first chapter has been done, and Lucas is working on a second draft presently (according to people who've heard Lucasfilm rep Steve Sansweet at
recent cons), although no official screenwriter has been assigned to the project. Computer and traditional conceptual design work for new ships and scenes have been announced. Storyboards are
reportedly being worked on. That means that on Wednesday May 26, 1999, you could be seated in your local gigaplex, reading the scrolling paragraphs of 'Chapter 1' floating up across a starfield...
[Scoops submitted by 'shape', Christian, 'Biggs', Chris, 'HAL 2001', 'diko', Jeremy Ritter, J. Chan and numerous anonymous sources.]
Lucasfilm plans to utilize a technology called 'OMF' - a digital media link that allows fast data communication between the film set and the effects department; in effect, once a scene has been
shot, the effects technicians can work on the scene almost immediately. This has almost always been done in the post-production phase of a movie, and with the annoucement that Lucas will bring
Leavesden up to state-of-the-art, this form of film production could be seen as the template for all future features, especially ones that rely heavily upon digital effects. Lucasfilm sponsored the OMF
technology back in December of 1993, and it was first utilized in the film Radioland Murders. That film has over 100 effect shots and was completed for a cheap price-tag of $10 million dollars.
[A great scoop from one of our anonymous friends out there.]
Producer Rick McCallum also commented on some developments with the new show. Robin Garland, the casting director, has been interviewing young actors for the roles of the Queen and Anakin
Skywalker - apparently Garland has seen over 1,500 in the last few months. Second and third unit photography should start in August '97, and principal shortly after. Again, McCallum gave a
release date of "probably in 1999" for the first chapter. [Scoop sent in anonymously.]
September 10, 1996... An anonymous scooper reports to us that the production plans to film principal photography in England, the Xinjiang province of China,
the coastal regions of Portugal, the Ksar region of Tunisia and southern Kazakhstan. The scooper also writes that "about half" of the scenes to be filmed in the first chapter will
be digitally rendered or enhanced. [Scoop reported anonymously.
September 11, 1996... A rumor sent to CA claims that Steven Spielberg has asked his old pal George Lucas to consider Spielberg's new studio, DreamWorks SKG, as the studio to
distribute the next Star Wars trilogy. And to sweeten the offer, Spielberg reportedly included his services as director for one of the shows in with the deal. [Scoop provided by 'Lumiere'.]
September 12, 1996... An addendum to the earlier report given by a New Zealand scooper. Three Lucasfilm reps were flying in a helicopter filming scenery of central Otago (wherever that
is.) This may beef up the supposition that some establishing shots in the new trilogy will be filmed in New Zealand. [Scoop provided by 'potiki'.]
September 22, 1996... The scoop reports that mentioned a copyright taken out for a "Blue Harvest 2" may have turned out to be false.
This scooper telnetted the United States Government Copyright computer (http://locis.loc.gov) and found no listing for Blue Harvest 2 or
Red Tails. The title Blue Harvest did come back with a working title for one of the Ewoks cartoon series back in the
mid-80s. [Scoop sent in by 'mwhitney'.]
September 24, 1996... This fellow's 'friend of a friend' allegedly told him the 'inside' details concerning the new trilogy. Although the official title for the first episode has not been chosen,
the working titled used inside Lucasfilm is 'Children of the Force'. The opening sequence is said to show a massive space battle, resulting in a devastating loss for the forces of good. The scooper mentioned
that Lucas wants to cast Canadian actor Stephen Arcand as a young Ben Kenobi and a recognizable star for the role of the Emperor. A new Jedi Knight character, called 'Pundaï Karel', will be played by an unknown
young actor, possibly named Carl Matthiew or Mathieu. Finally, the anonymous letter-writer said that there are drawings of characters that put Boba Fett to shame.
This scoop was delivered anonymously, and readers are reminded of the flock of rumors that have appeared concerning the next James Bond picture, to the point of scoop submissions claiming that
certain lesser-known actors had landed key character roles. And besides, why would the first picture be subtitled 'Children of the Force'? The last we heard, Anakin Skywalker wasn't going to have his children
born in the first episode... [Scoop mailed in anonymously.]