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Lucasfilm Decided to No Longer Recast Characters After ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’

Here’s an odd statement, but it looks like Lucasfilm may have learned the wrong lessons from 2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story. The film was generally positively reviewed and people highlighted the casting of Alden Ehrenreich as a highlight of the film. It sadly didn’t perform like other entries in the franchise, but still pulled in a respectable $393M worldwide.

Yet, it seems that something was missing for Lucasfilm and it is the reason they didn’t recast Mark Hamill‘s Luke Skywalker in The Mandalorian‘s second season finale. In the new Vanity Fair piece, Lucasfilm CEO Kathleen Kennedy had the following to say on what they’ve learned from that film:

There should be moments along the way when you learn things. Now it does seem so abundantly clear that we can’t do that.
Kathleen Kennedy

It seems they believed that Ehrenreich didn’t quite capture the “swagger” that made Harrison Ford‘s take on the character stand out as much as it did throughout the years. Yet, one could argue that there were other factors that had a negative influence on the film’s performance and it’s strange to focus on the recasting.

While it’s special to see Mark Hamill return to the role of Skywalker, the technology still has its limitations, especially with a smaller budget than film production. It still had many excited when he arrived in The Mandalorian, but there were still some aspects that may feel like it’s part of the uncanny valley. Plus, it also highly restricts what stories they can tell with characters that would otherwise have lived during that era.

Source: Vanity Fair, Rotten Tomatoes

May 17, 2022
‘The Mandalorian’ Season 3 May Not Release Until 2023

There’s been a lot of discussion on when we can expect the next season of The Mandalorian. Even its spinoff series stayed true to the December release date, which had many guesses that Season 3 wouldn’t be much different. Yet, it seems that the exact release window isn’t specified as of now and we may not get the series until early 2023. According to Vanity Fair’s new June issue, we got an insight into what the future holds for the Star Wars projects.

The Pedro Pascal-led series that kicked off the TV renaissance for Star Wars is currently uncertain to release either by the end of 2022, but could also potentially find its way to Disney+ early 2023. Given some reported delays during production, it may be the reason for it to potentially get pushed back. The same article also confirms that Ahsoka will follow next year, which is the second The Mandalorian spinoff series currently in development.

No reason was given, but we’re also still waiting for some kind of update on Star Wars: The Bad Batch whose second season was also rumored to premiere this year. So, it may be that they are currently keeping it open depending on how far along some projects are and when is the best time to release them. For now, it’s good we got a least a glimpse and if it does release 2022, it seems very likely to stick to the December release window at this rate.

Source: Vanity Fair

May 17, 2022
‘Rogue One’ Prequel ‘Andor’ Confirmed for a Late Summer Release on Disney+

The new Vanity Fair piece has been a treasure trove of information on what the future has in store for the Star Wars franchise. Alongside an update on the various films in development for the franchise, which has all seemingly been continued to get pushed back even if Lucasfilm CEO Kathleen Kennedy confirms they have a road map in place. Now, we also got a clear confirmation that the Rogue One prequel series starring Diego Luna, Andor, will arrive later this summer.

The series is described as a “spy saga” and no clear release date is given, but if it is going for a late summer release we might get a hint during Star Wars Celebration later this month. There have been rumors it might release in August, which would fit a late summer release date. though, there has also been the revealed that She-Hulk would find its way to Disney+ on August 17th.

Still, as we’re seeing shorter release windows between projects like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ms. Marvel, it would seem like they could release it by the end of August. So, it’s great to get a clear indicator for when we can expect the project potentially be released even if the strategy by Lucasfilm and Disney+ has seemingly left much hanging with when their various projects would finally find their way to the service. Still, it looks like this is going to be quite the summer for Star Wars and Marvel fans.

Source: Vanity Fair

May 17, 2022
Patty Jenkins’ ‘Rogue Squadron’ Delayed After All With Taika Waititi’s Untitled ‘Star Wars’ Film to Arrive First

While Star Wars has been pushing forward on its Disney+ expansion, there has been a bit of a dry spell when it came to its cinematic releases. Rise of Skywalker was the last film that we saw in theaters all the way back in 2019, but it looks like we’re still going to have to wait a bit longer. In a new feature by Vanity Fair, they offered an update on when we might expect their next cinematic installments.

As expected, Patty Jenkins‘ Rogue Squadron is delayed indefinitely after all, as now the Star Wars film by Taika Waititi and screenwriter Krysty Wilson-Cairns are set to arrive ahead of the Wonder Woman director’s film. He’s still been busy on Thor: Love and Thunder and if they haven’t started work on both productions, it seems very unlikely that Rogue Squadron will hit its initial 2023 release schedule. It’s only described as “further off” in the Vanity Fair piece.

President Kathleen Kennedy does promise though that they “have a road map.” When asked if there’s an update on Kevin Feige‘s Star Wars film, which is being written by Michael Waldron, she couldn’t offer any clear updates on that either. The only statement she shared on the matter is the following:

I would love to see what movie he might come up with. But right now, no, there isn’t anything specifically.
Kathleen Kennedy

Of course, there’s a chance they are trying to keep some updates for the upcoming Star Wars Celebration that’ll take place later this month. They also confirmed that Rian Johnson’s work on the Knives Out films has also delayed work on his trilogy, which has been announced quite some time ago but hasn’t seen any further development since.

Source: Vanity Fair

May 17, 2022
‘The Acolyte’ Takes Place Long Before the Prequel Trilogy

With the Star Wars Celebration on the horizon, a new piece by Vanity Fair has given us a plethora of information on what the future has in store for Star Wars fans, most notably updates on the mysterious The Acolyte Disney+ series. Showrunner Leslye Headland offered a tease of what and when the series will take place.

In the Vanity Fair interview, she reveals that The Acolyte takes place around 100 years before the events of The Phantom Menace. So, it looks like we’re about to enter a new era that hasn’t been explored yet in a live-action adaptation so far.

A lot of those characters haven’t even been born yet. We’re taking a look at the political and personal and spiritual things that came up in a time period that we don’t know much about. My question when watching The Phantom Menace was always like, ‘Well, how did things get to this point?’ How did we get to a point where a Sith lord can infiltrate the Senate and none of the Jedi pick up on it? Like, what went wrong? What are the scenarios that led us to this moment?”
Leslye Headland

She goes on to highlight the series as a mystery thriller during what seems like a “peaceful era,” which she coins as the “Age of Enlightenment.”

We actually use the term the Renaissance, or the Age of Enlightenment. The Jedi uniforms are gold and white, and it’s almost like they would never get dirty. They would never be out and about. “The idea is that they could have these types of uniforms because that’s how little they’re getting into skirmishes.
Leslye Headland

It definitely sounds like we’re going to explore an era similar to the High Republic but one that is in the middle of shifting into a new era that has a dark foreboding future for the Jedi.

Source: Vanity Fair

May 17, 2022
RUMOR: Live-Action ‘Captain Carter’ Project in Development

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has given us a plethora of cameos that gave us a window into a different reality where the Avengers never formed but rather the Illuminati. Amongst its members were some heavy hitters from Marvel comics history, such as Black Bolt, Charles Xavier, and Mr. Fantastic. Yet, we also got the return of Captain Carter, a Variant we were first introduced to in What If…? with Haley Atwell returning to the role. While she pretty much headlined the first animated Marvel Studios animated series, it seems she might get a series or film of her own.

As shared in The DisInsider Show‘s Rumor of the Week segment, Derek Cornell has unveiled some details regarding a potential Captain Carter series or film. While they seem to believe heavily in the former, they don’t rule out that a film could also result from her appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Hot off of Doctor Strange 2 and What If…?, we are hearing not for sure if it’s a series, but we’re hearing a Captain Carter live-action series. Series or movie, but something is in the works, live-action will be coming.
Derek Cornell

If you’re wondering how she would return given she’s only half the woman she was before, it’s very likely they’d revisit the concept in another part of the multiverse. The animated version isn’t the same one we saw in Multiverse of Madness. As such, there are a lot of opportunities to revisit these characters in different versions across the multiverse, even if it might become quite confusing for viewers.

Source: YouTube

May 17, 2022
Jon Watts Confirmed to be Co-Creating and Directing Post-ROTJ Star Wars Series

This past winter, rumors began to swirl that Jon Watts, who recently served as the director for the MCU-set Spider-Man trilogy, was being lined up to direct a developing Star Wars streaming series. Recently, the pieces started to fall in place when Watts and Marvel Studios parted ways on the Fantastic Four project that Watts had been set to helm. Now, Vanity Fair has revealed that Watts has indeed been brought on board for the Star Wars project, but in a much bigger role than originally expected.

Watts has reunited with Chris Ford, the writer of Spider-Man: Homecoming, to create an original Star Wars streaming series for Disney Plus. The project, code named “Grammar Rodeo”, will be set in The New Republic era, which means it’ll be taking place around the same time as Lucasfilm’s biggest streaming success to date, The Mandalorian. Earlier rumors suggested it might be set during a much earlier time known as The High Repbulic.

The series will reportedly revolve around a very young main cast, with Lucasfilm casting several teen and pre-teen actors. According to Vanity Fair, the series will be a “galactic version of classic Amblin coming-of age-adventure films of the ’80s”, meaning such films as E.T., The Goonies and perhaps even Back to the Future could serve as inspiration for the project. Watts has a great track record working with young actors, so he seems a perfect fit for Lucasfilm’s plans.

Production on the series is rumored to kick off next month, so it’s likely we’ll learn much more about the project soon, perhaps even at Star Wars Celebration, which runs from May 26th-29th.

Source: Vanity Fair

May 17, 2022
Rian Johnson’s ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy Put On Indefinite Hold

Rian Johnson divided the entire Star Wars fandom when he released Star Wars: The Last Jedi a couple of years ago. The film, celebrated and loathed by many circles, took the mythology in new directions, which Lucasfilm was quick to avoid when JJ Abrams returned to direct the finale. Not long after the film’s release, Lucasfilm nonetheless announced a brand new trilogy written by the Knives Out director.

And now that trilogy has been put on indefinite hold. In an interview with Vanity Fair, producer Kathleen Kennedy revealed that the trilogy has been put on the back burner due to Johnson’s current commitments with Netflix.

And the trilogy from The Last Jedi’s Rian Johnson that was announced five years ago? Back-burnered. “Rian has been unbelievably busy with Knives Out and the deal that he made at Netflix for multiple movies.”
Kathleen Kennedy

The in-depth interview with Vanity Fair outlines the company’s future plans with the franchise beyond the announced properties. With so much on their plate, it’s not surprising to see them shelve Johnson’s trilogy for the meantime. There’s no telling if they’ll ever revisit the project as Lucasfilm has historically been known to put long-gestating projects to rest. Johnson was one of the more interesting directors to ever helm a Star Wars film so it’ll be a shame if none of it ever comes to fruition.

Source: Vanity Fair

May 17, 2022
The Morning After Huddle: May 17, 2022
Hello, teammates! Welcome to another edition of The Morning After Huddle where we report on the “X’s”, the “O’s”, and everything in between. In the words of DJ Khaled, “major bag alert”! Jaire Alexander is living the dream this Tuesday, signing a major deal to stick around.

Here’s what you need to know:
- The Green Bay Packers made Jaire Alexander the league’s highest paid CB (in terms of annual average salary) on Monday, inking him to a four-year, $84M deal. The deal guarantees him $31M in year one and includes a roster bonus of $11.5M next March.
- The city of Buffalo is in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy unfolded over the weekend with several people passing away and many others hurt after a mass shooting that targeted residents of the area. Micah Hyde and other members of the Buffalo Bills organization have committed to helping the community heal, with Hyde donating a portion of the proceeds from a recent charity softball game to the families of the victims. Money from a silent auction at the game will also be donated.
- Your Key Signings RoundUp is brought to you by Melvin Ingram. Ingram will call South Beach home for the next year, having agreed to a one-year, $5M deal with the Miami Dolphins. Gregg Rosenthal’s Top 101 NFL free agents list had Ingram listed at No. 25 overall.
That’s it for today’s huddle. Catch us tomorrow as we bring you more top news you want to know.

ICYMI: Monday – May 16, 2022 Edition
May 17, 2022
‘Daria’ Spinoff ‘Jodie’ to Become Animated Film

The previously announced Daria spinoff, Jodie, is now being developed as an animated film.

The news comes courtesy of Variety, with the outlet confirming the animated film has set its cast. Tracee Ellis Ross, who was previously attached to the television series, will remain on board and voice the title role of Jodie, Daria’s friend from high school. The animated film will follow Jodie as she navigates life after college graduation as she prepares to work as an intern for the prestigious tech firm, Firstfinity.

Joining Ellis Ross in the film are Pamela Adlon (King of the Hill), Cole Escola (Tuca & Bertie), Jojo T. Gibbs (Good Trouble), William Jackson Harper (The Good Place), Zosia Mamet (The Flight Attendant), Alex Moffat (Ralph Breaks the Internet), Dermot Mulroney (Shameless), Arden Myrin (Insatiable), Kal Penn (House), Kofi Siriboe (Queen Sugar), Dulcé Sloan (The Daily Show), and Heléne Yorke (Masters of Sex).

Aldon plays Jocelyn Light, Escola plays Ryan, Gibbs plays Tiffany, Jackson Harper will play Mack, Mamet will play Greta, Moffat will play Barry, Mulroney will play Lionel, Myrin will play Britney, Penn will play Sandeep, Siriboe will play Raymond, Sloan will play Cas, and Yorke will play Nia.

The Daria spinoff was first announced in 2018. At the time, it was thought the project would focus on both Daria and Jodie. A year later, it was confirmed the project would actually serve as a standalone Jodie project with Ellis Ross joining the series. The animated film will be written by Grace Edwards, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Ellis Ross and Ashley Kohler of Awesome Inc. MTV Entertainment Studios, who aired the original series, is also producing.

Source: Variety.

May 16, 2022