In 2012, Disney announced new “Star Wars” movies were on the way — a shocking revelation that pleased fans, as well as whoever serves as Jar Jar Binks’ agent. (“Meesah needs commission!”)
Production on next year’s “Star Wars: Episode VII” is well under way, with filming taking place in the UK, Abu Dhabi and Ireland, among other locales.
And, as is the habit of director J.J. Abrams, details are being kept tightly under wraps.
But some information has leaked out. Let’s try to separate the likely from the unlikely.
Let it be said: potential spoilers ahead.
Fact
The basics: The amount of reliable information we have about the new movie wouldn’t fill a Bantha’s hoof. Michael Arndt (of “Little Miss Sunshine”) was initially hired to write the story, but the final draft was later penned by Lawrence Kasdan (who co-wrote “The Empire Strikes Back”) and Abrams.
It’s scheduled for release Dec. 18, 2015.
“Episode VII” is set to launch a new trilogy. The next installment will be handled by Rian Johnson ( “Looper”).
Beyond Episodes VII to IX, at least two stand-alone movies focusing on single characters are planned, including one directed by Josh Trank ( “Chronicle”).
The cast: The story for “Episode VII” will be set 30 years after 1983’s “Return of the Jedi,” and will feature familiar cast members Mark Hamill (as Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (as Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (as Princess Leia), Kenny Baker (as R2-D2), Anthony Daniels (as C-3PO) and Peter Mayhew (as Chewbacca).
The established cast will be joined by franchise newcomers John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson and Lupita Nyong’o.
Rumors
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The story: The plot of “Episode VII” is said to center on Ridley and Boyega. She’s a junk dealer named Kira living on a desert planet inside a downed AT-AT Walker.
He’s a stormtrooper (placeholder name: “Thomas”) who’s rescued by Kira after his ship crash-lands on her planet. He’s now trying to go straight, and a potential romance between the couple may develop.
One day, an alien creature brings Kira an object of particular interest that’s fallen from the sky — Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber. (Some accounts claim this is Luke’s weapon that he lost when Darth Vader cut off his hand in “The Empire Strikes Back.”)
Thomas and Kira take the weapon to an old cyborg (played by Max von Sydow) who’s been around long enough to remember the Clone Wars.
He recognizes the lightsaber as Jedi gear, and sends the pair to someone who might be able to help: Han Solo.
Han and Chewie have apparently taken some knocks over the years, because they no longer own the Millennium Falcon. (They somehow lost it to Oscar Isaac’s character.)
Also, the Wookie is rumored to have lost a hand and now has a robotic one.
The group goes in search of Luke, who hasn’t been seen in about a decade because he’s either gone underground or is being held captive.
The bad guy: The movie’s main villain is supposedly someone called the Inquisitor. He wears a black robe, has red eyes, and half of his face has been replaced by metal. He also has a cybernetic hand.
The Inquisitor’s order once served none other than Darth Vader, who will appear in a brief flashback. Leaked concept art depicts the Inquisitor holding Darth’s shattered helmet, as if paying tribute.
The new guys: Driver, Nyong’o and David Oyelowo (from TV’s “MI-5”) will play members of the Inquisitor’s order, an evil group similar to the Sith in previous “Star Wars” films. They wear black armor and their job is to hunt Jedis.
The setting: Some of the action will take place on an ice planet, possibly Hoth. (Roger Moore confirmed this detail when he spoke of visiting Abrams on an “Episode VII” location with “a lot of mountains and snow.”)
On this snowy planet, the bad guys are building a weapon that can supposedly destroy not just worlds, but galaxies.
The dynamic duo: One other whisper making the rounds is that Han and Chewbacca are now in charge of a Star Destroyer, the battle cruiser used by the Empire.
The stormtroopers: They’ll be back, although with redesigned helmets. Some will also be wearing new shiny, chrome armor.
The X-Wing: The classic flying fighters may have a new look. Photos from the set appear to show that the Rebel starships have gotten a new black-and-orange paint job.
The A-list cameos: In an unexpected crossover between two of the biggest cinematic franchises, James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, reportedly shot a brief cameo.
It’s believed his face will be obscured and he won’t be recognizable. Robert Downey Jr., Hugh Jackman and Samuel L. Jackson might also make brief appearances.
The families: Gleeson is rumored to be playing Skywalker’s son, perhaps named Ben. The son and daughter of Han Solo are also expected to be introduced.
It’s also possible that the mother of Skywalker’s child will make an appearance.
In the expanded Star Wars universe, the story line told through books, comics and video games, she’s named Mara Jade and is a former Imperial assassin who falls in love with Skywalker.
Redhead Karen Gillan, who shaved her head for “Guardians of the Galaxy,” recently let slip that her locks were made into a wig for a “Star Wars” character.
This admission led to speculation that her hair was for Mara Jade, who is depicted as redheaded.
Long Shots
The plot: The most jaw-dropping bit of story intel involves the fate of Luke Skywalker.
Remember how the movie’s main villain is the Inquisitor, a half-robot creature with his face partially obscured? At the film’s climax, the Inquisitor will reveal himself to be Luke, now gone to the Dark Side.
It’s a perfect bit of symmetry with Darth Vader revealing he’s Luke’s father in “The Empire Strikes Back.” Probably won’t happen.
As Jay Carlson, editor-in-chief of news site Indie Revolver, points out, Hamill’s beard is incompatible with concept drawings of the villain.
The title: A report on Ain’t It Cool News claimed the movie’s subtitle would be “The Ancient Fear.” Cue online scorn. The source pointed out this was just a working title, so it’s subject to change.
The Scientologist: Over the summer, speculation ran rampant that Tom Cruise was set to take a major role in the new trilogy after the actor was spotted dining with Abrams in London. Nope. Turns out the two are just friends. Although the 5-foot-7 star would make a great Ewok.
