Star Wars Bits: Open Casting Calls Begin, Plus: Neil Gaiman, George Lucas, 20th Century Fox
Star Wars Episode VIImay have arelease datenow, but it still needs some stars and maybe some additional shooting locations. After the jump:
Around 30 tech industry hotshots, including Yahoo! presidentMarissa Mayer, YouTube co-founderChad Hurley, and Twitter co-creatorJack Dorseyhave signed a petition urging the Presidio Trust to let Lucas open his cultural center. The planned museum is “a beacon that says to the world that San Francisco is, and will remain, this country’s capital of innovation,” argues the letter.
Lucas had long planned to construct The George Lucas Cultural Arts Museum on the site, and wasfuriousto learn this fall that his proposal was one of three being considered by the board. “They hate us,” he complained at the time, threatening to move the center to Chicago. [Mashable]
Up until now, each Star Wars cinematic experience has opened exactly the same way: with that classic Fox fanfare. But that tradition won’t continue into Episode VII, which is being distributed by Disney. Weassumed as muchfrom the get-go, because duh, but now there’s official confirmation.
Interestingly, Star Wars almost didn’t have the fanfare to begin with. Fox had mostly stopped using that intro by the time the first movie opened, butGeorge Lucasinsisted that his film include it.John Williamstook it one step further by working with it. Knowing that his theme would immediately follow those famous notes, he composed his score to complement it. [TheWrap]
The UK’s Pinewood Studios are thrilled to welcomeEpisode VIInext year, but not everyone is so happy with the movie’s choice of set. California Film Commission chiefAmy Lemischis miffed that her state lost the shoot, and she blames it on their stingy tax credit program. “I have a giant list of major projects that California has lost because we can’t compete on incentives andStar Warsis at the top,” she said. [Variety]
Meanwhile, rumors thatStar Wars Episode VIIcould film in New Mexico (as well as, not instead of, London) have sprung back to life. A source claims that Disney has signed a three-year deal to shoot the film there, and will open a production office there early next year so Star Wars.
This update has not been confirmed by Disney, and directly contradictsan earlier reportthat contrary toonlinechatter, New Mexico was “never on the list” of shooting locations to begin with. But if I were a New Mexican, I’d keep an eye out just in case. [Star Wars UnderworldviaJedi News]
There have beenEpisode VIIcasting rumors surrounding seemingly every actor in Hollywood over the past few months, includingsomeveryprominentBritish ones. However,J.J. Abramsisn’t ready to get too specific yet.
Asked byNeil Gaimanduring an interview whether there’d be “British casting” inStar Wars, Abrams responded, “It wouldn’t beStar Warsif there weren’t some fantastic actors who happen to be British, but I think we’re doing our job of looking everywhere for the best possible actors for the role.”
And Abrams does mean everywhere . The studio is currently hosting open casting calls around the world, including Glasgow, Dublin, Chicago, Austin, and Nashville, for two major roles. Here’s thedescriptionfor “Rachel”:
Seeking: Young woman to play 17-18 Years old. Must be beautiful, smart and athletic. Open to all ethnicities (including bi- and multi-racial).
Was quite young when she lost her parents. With no other family, she was forced to maker her way alone in a tough, dangerous town. Now 17 she has become street smart and strong. She is able to take care of herself using humor and guts to get by.
Always a survivor, never a victim, she remains hopeful that she can move away from this harsh existence to a better life. She is always thinking of what she can do to move ahead.
And here’s the one for “Thomas”:
Seeking: Young man to play 19-23 years old. Must be handsome, smart and athletic. Must be over 18.
Has grown up without a father’s influence. Without the model of being a man, he doesn’t have the strongest sense of himself. Despite this, he is smart, capable and shows courage when it is needed. He can appreciate the absurdities in life and understands you can’t take life too seriously.
If you fit either of those descriptions but don’t live near any of those cities, don’t despair. Online applications are also being accepted, so interested parties can just send in a video audition. Go toOpenCastingCall2013.com(for Americans) or@UKopencall(for Brits) for more information. To see what you’re in for, check outTheForce’s roundup of articles about the first audition day in Bristol. [viaBBC Newsnight,JoBlo]
