Big Gay Picture Show

Taking a look at the world of film through gay eyes - news, reviews, trailers, gay film, queer cinema and more

Taking a look at the world of film through gay eyes - news, reviews, trailers, gay film, queer cinema & more

Lupita Nyong’o & Gwendoline Christie Join Star Wars: Episode VII

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lupita-nyongoA couple of months ago there were rumours that 12 Years A Slave Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o was being courted to appear in Star Wars: Episode VII, but when the main cast list was announced, her name was missing. However now it’s been officially announced that she’s joining the movie.

She’s not the only one, as Gwendoline Christie, best known for playing Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones, will also appear. Christie will also be seen in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay.

Lucasfilm’s head Kathleen Kennedy commented, “I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII. It’s thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape.”

As with the other new cast members, there’s no news on exactly who they will play, but they join fellow newbies Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, Andy Serkis, Max Von Sydow. The join original cast members Kenny Baker, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher.

The film is already shooting with JJ Abrams directing. The film is due out towards the end of 2015.

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JJ Abrams Gives Fans The Chance To Appear In Star Wars: Episode VII

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star-wars-jj-abramsWant to appear in Star Wars: Episode VII? Well, you could have the chance and help raise money for Unicef in the process! As the video from the set of Star Wars: Episode VII shows, director J.J. Abrams has announced the creation of Star Wars: Force for Change, which will raise funds and awareness for the United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) Innovation Labs and its innovative programs.

Disney has committed US $1 million, and fans can now contribute directly at Omaze.com/StarWars for a chance to appear in Star Wars: Episode VII. For each $10 contribution made through the Omaze fundraising platform, eligible participants will be automatically entered for a chance to win this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The campaign runs until July 18th.

The Grand Prize includes:

  • Airfare and accommodations to London for one winner and a guest
  • Behind-the-scenes access on the closed set of Star Wars: Episode VII as VIP guests of J.J. Abrams
  • Winner will have the opportunity to meet members of the cast
  • Winner and their guest will then be transformed by makeup and costume teams into a Star Wars character and filmed for a scene in Star Wars: Episode VII

“The Star Wars fans are some of the most passionate and committed folks around the globe,” says J.J. Abrams. “We’re thrilled to offer a chance to come behind the scenes as our VIP guests and be in Star Wars: Episode VII. We’re even more excited that by participating in this campaign, Star Wars fans will be helping children around the world through our collaboration with UNICEF Innovation Labs and projects.”

The press release adds, ‘By pledging support for Star Wars: Force for Change, fans are helping UNICEF create a brighter tomorrow for kids and families around the world. Through its global network of Innovation Labs, UNICEF helps create sustainable solutions to major issues facing children in the areas of nutrition, water, health, and education. The Star Wars: Force for Change campaign will help fund innovative, life-changing projects in communities around the globe.

‘Visit StarWars.com/ForceForChange to learn more about this new charitable initiative and the work of UNICEF’s Innovation Labs and programs, and be sure to enter through contribution or free entry for your chance to win at Omaze.com/StarWars.’

star-wars-force-for-change

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The Star Wars Episode VII Cast Is Announced, Including John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis & Domhnall Gleeson

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star-wars-episode-vii-script-readingJJ Abrams has been keeping very quiet about the cast for Star Wars Episode VII, but with the shoot starting to gear up and the likes of Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill & Carrie Fisher seen in London, many presumed we’d find out who would be in the film on Star Wars Day, May 4th.

However it’s come sooner that that with Lucasfilm & Disney issuing the following release: ‘The Star Wars team is thrilled to announce the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

‘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.

‘Director J.J. Abrams says, “We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud.”

‘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.’

There’s no news on who the new cast will play, although it’s believed Attack The Block’s Boyega will be a Jedi apprentice, while Girls’ Adam Driver is one of the main villains. It’s a fair bet that Andy Serkis will be playing a motion capture character, but it’s less clear what Inside Llewyn Davis’ Oscar Isaac, About Time’s Domhnall Gleeson or relative newcomer Daisy Ridley will be doing.

Along with the release came the pick above from a cast script reading.

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Newcomer Maisie Richardson-Sellers Rumoured For Star Wars: Episode VII

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maisie-richardson-sellersDisney has confirmed that some shooting on Star Wars Episode VII has started and casting is almost complete, but we still have little official info on who will be playing new characters in the movie. The latest speculation surrounds little-known British actress Maisie Richardson-Sellers.

She has no film credits to her name, but THR reports she is being sought for, “an undisclosed and possibly major role” in the movie.

There presumption is that the actress is up to play a previously rumoured a mixed-race character, who may be a descendant of Obi-Wan Kenobi. The character crosses paths with the children of Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher).

As yet though the actress has not been offered a role.

With the main shoot expected to begin next month at Pinewood Studios, expect a lot more casting confirmation to come very soon.

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Peter Mayhew May Be Back As Chewbacca In Star Wars Episode VII

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chewbacca-han-soloWhile there’s been a lot of talk about young actor testing for new roles in Star Wars Episode VII, JJ Abrams is making sure a lot of old faces will be back to. It’s almost certain (although interestingly still hasn’t been officially confirmed) that Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford will be back, and it’s known that RSD2 will also return.

Now it appears another old face will be back, as THR reports that Peter Mayhew will once more play Chewbacca. Rumours of his returns first surfaced last week when he dropped out of a convention appearance due to his filming schedule.

It’s great news, as some as wondered whether the ill health that’s plagued Mayhew in recent years would rule him out of the sequel, but now he’s on the mend and ready to get back in costume.

A couple of days ago it was revealed that shooting on the movie is already underway (although it’s believed to mainly be preparatory shoots), with the casting almost complete. Expect to hear more about who else will be in the movie very soon

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Is Lupita Nyong’o Close To Signing Up For Star Wars VII?

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Lupita-NyongoThe Best Supporting Actress Oscar is often said to be a bit of a curse for actresses, as rather than opening up opportunities, many who’ve won have actually seen their career dip afterwards. However it’s tough to see that being true of Lupita Nyong’o, who’s not only astonishingly talented but a bit of a stunner to look at.

Now it’s possibly she may be heading to a galaxy far, far away, as THR reports the 12 Years A Slave actress is close to getting a role, which is said to be a major female character who is not tied into the Skywalker family bloodline. No other details have been released, and the actress’s reps are not talking.

There’s a suggestion she could be playing a descendant of Obi Wan Kenobi. And while she’s not exactly a dead ringer for Alec Guinness or Ewan McGregor, who’s to say how racial genetics work on planets in other galaxies!

The other possibility is that Nyong’o is up for an important Sith role opposite main villain Adam Driver.

Abrams is doing a good job of keeping things secret, as you’d have thought we’d have known a lot more about the film and the casting by now, as it’s only a few months until it’s due to shoot. However it is seemingly we’re getting close to finding out who will be joining the likes of Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill.

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Adam Driver Close To Getting Villainous In Star Wars: Episode VII

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Adam-Driver
It seems we know the first new actor to join Star Wars Episode VII, as after endless rumours of just about everyone who’s everyone on the planet being in contention for the movie, both Variety and THR report that Girls star Adam Driver in in talk to play a villain in the movie.

Nothing is completely set yet, but Driver is apparently nearing a deal for the undisclosed role. Sources suggest this role may be the role that Michael Fassbender met for late last year and that Joel Kinnaman seem to have tested for it as well. However little is known about the part itself or who exactly Driver will be playing.

Although we’ve known Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher would all return, Adam Driver is the first new actor we’ve known will probably be in the film. However it’s believed numerous other roles are very close to being cast, although director JJ Abrams and Disney are trying to keep an absolute shroud of secrecy over the production.

Expect to hear more soon though, as it’s due to start shooting in April/May.

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It’ll Be A May To September Shoot For Star Wars: Episode VII

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jj-abramsAfter Star War: Episode VII slipped from summer to Christmas 2015, it was clear that those who thought the movie would start shooting in February were probably wrong. However we now know when cameras will start rolling as Hitfix says sources close to the production say that it will shoot from May through to the end of September.

They also confirm that most of the principle casting on the J.J. Abrams sequel is now complete, although none of those who will be taking new roles have been announced yet (we do know Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher will return). Announcements are expected to start any day.

J.J. Abrams said in late January that shooting he wanted to start shooting in May, and it now appears he’ll keep filming for five months. Once lensing is complete, Abrams and his crew will have over a year to work on post-production, preparing for a December 18th, 2015

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Breaking Bad’s Jesse Plemons Up For Star Wars: Episode VII Lead?

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Jesse-PlemonsIf you’re under 30 and male in Hollywood, your name has probably been linked to Star Wars: Episode VII at some point. The latest name to emerge is Jesse Plemons, who isn’t a household name, but has been seen in the likes of Breaking Bad, Friday Night Lights and The Master.

While many of the rumoured actors have only been very tenuously linked to the film, TheWrap says, “Plemons has already taped an audition that was well-received by those involved in the casting process, and he’ll be flying in to Los Angeles from Austin, Texas for a second audition that will bring him face-to-face with Abrams.”

There’s no news on who he might play, but the speculation is that it’s one of the leads, and many have already noted Plemons similarity to Luke Skywalker – which would make sense as Episode VII is supposed to be about Luke’s kids.

It appears Lucasfilm is getting close to officially deciding on the film’s leads, so hopefully we’ll hear about them soon.

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J.J. Abrams Is Getting Advice From R2-D2 In The First Behind-The-Scenes Star Wars VII Pic

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stars-wars-vii-behind-the-scenes-pic1
If you’re going to create a new Star Wars movie, it’s a good idea to go to a veteran for advice. JJ Abrams has been in close contact with George Lucas, but it seems he’s decided it would be even better to go to someone from a galaxy far, far away.

He’s tweeted the first behind-the-scenes shot from the film, showing the writer/director alongside everyone’s favourite chirping droid, R2-D2. Off to the right is Lucasfilm head honcho Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams also included the message, ‘Hi from the workshop! #StarWarsVII’.

Star Wars: Episode VII is set for release December 18th, 2015, with Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher all set to return.

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