Report: Peter Cushing to be Digitally Recreated for Rogue One

Peter CushingThe Daily Mail is reporting today that Grand Moff Tarkin will be returning for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. This time, however, there is no recasting for the part as Peter Cushing will return to the role through the magic of digital recreation.

 

 

According to the Daily Mail’s source, “This is one of the most complex and costly CGI re-creations ever”. They note that there has been particular trouble around recreating the acting legend’s legs and feet as they were never shown on screen in the original Star Wars due to Cushing’s issues with Imperial footwear. In order to get around the issue, they are combing through countless hours of Cushing’s other performances to find matches to recreate a full range of motion.

 

In Revenge of the Sith, Tarkin was played by actor Wayne Pygram, using make-up to recreate Cushing’s distinctive look. But according to the Daily Mail, Tarkin will have a pivotal role in the upcoming film, so it would be safe to assume if this is true that the film makers thought a stand in actor would not suffice.

 

Tarkin
Tarkin is important for the Star Wars canon

 

This is still a rumor and if true we have no way of knowing just how large Tarkin’s role will be. As the man in charge of constructing the Death Star, his presence makes a great deal of sense in the context of a plot revolving around stealing the plans to the aforementioned battle station. But will this digital recreation only appear in a few scenes? Maybe just via hologram? Or are they actually constructing a major part for an actor who died over twenty years ago. That remains to be seen. Suffice to say, this sort of digital recreation of deceased actors has historically been quite controversial, so if this is true there is likely to be great debate as to the need and efficacy of such a move.

 

 

Source: Daily Mail

 

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169 thoughts on “Report: Peter Cushing to be Digitally Recreated for Rogue One

  • August 23, 2015 at 5:17 pm
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    They would still need someone to voice him.

    • August 23, 2015 at 7:15 pm
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      Stephen Stanton

      • August 24, 2015 at 1:12 am
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        Probably just use whoever voices him in Star Wars Rebels

        • August 24, 2015 at 7:12 am
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          To pull it off, they will need some technical innovation….

          And nothing I’ve seen or heard so far screams “innovation” regarding Star Wars.

          • August 24, 2015 at 7:49 pm
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            You’re kidding right? Star Wars was the reason we have Dolby surround. THX standard. Digital projectors in theaters. Industrial Light and Magic was definitely innovative. Would others have come out with something? Perhaps, but Lucasfilm has done a lot of firsts in the movie business. Just because didn’t come out the way you wanted, when you do it first doesn’t make it the best but that is what we call innovation. You can even see CGI improve across episodes 1, 2, then 3. While the new movie is using both, I guarantee there are even some innovations with episode 7. A local theater around where I lived just upgraded their screen with lasers to enhance sound and picture. I remember when Episode 2 would only play in theaters with digital screens. Star Wars has always been about pushing the boundaries of what has been done before.

          • August 24, 2015 at 9:46 pm
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            I think you missed the ironic sarcasm there…

    • August 23, 2015 at 9:45 pm
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      We will crush the rebellion with one swift stroke. Evacuate?! in our moment of triumph…i think you overestimate their chances

  • August 23, 2015 at 5:21 pm
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    Wow, I really hope that his role is small if he’s a CGI character. I have yet to see a CGI character that looks real on screen.

    • August 23, 2015 at 7:02 pm
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      They did a pretty good job in Ant-Man with creating a young Michael Douglas.

      • August 23, 2015 at 8:34 pm
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        Yeah but that was touch up, just subtracting a few wrinkles. They already recast Tarkin once (albeit just for a cameo) but I would prefer they cast a solid lookalike and just touch them up digitally rather then CGIing the the whole character. I’m only ok with that if he’s just set dressing in the background.

        • August 23, 2015 at 9:43 pm
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          CGI humans are slowly inching their way out of the uncanny valley. I thought “young Arnold” in Genisys was pretty well done — indeed he looked acceptable in the previous Terminator movie as well. This technology will only get better.

          So for a few brief scenes, at least, I think they can pull off an acceptable CGI Tarkin. If they can dig up some actual unused footage of Peter Cushing for the very closest close-ups, that would probably be wise (they would animate his mouth to fit new dialogue).

          I would expect some glimpses of a 1977-style Leia as well.

          Another decade or two, and I guess they’ll be making entire movies with young Han, Luke and Leia. Beloved and iconic movie characters will finally become just as actor-independent as Vader, Boba Fett or Chewbacca.

          • August 24, 2015 at 5:03 am
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            Well said!

            And let’s not forget, the effects of any SW movie are going to top-shelf, leagues above anything Terminator could hope to do.

        • August 23, 2015 at 11:06 pm
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          Sorry reported by mistake! Was trying to press like

          • August 24, 2015 at 12:40 am
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            You are forgiven! Thanks for the “like”.

            I have hit the wrong button more than once myself. Irritating, even though Anakin in The Phantom Menace essentially saved the day just by pushing an endless array of wrong buttons. All right, call it the will of the Force …

        • August 24, 2015 at 4:42 pm
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          Practical humans

      • August 24, 2015 at 4:10 pm
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        They did an amazing job with the new terminator movie, having a younger arnold as a terminator.

    • August 23, 2015 at 7:22 pm
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      CGI + motion capture could do the trick. Davy Jones in pirates of the Caribbean looked good enough for me in many close-ups, 10 years later I expect only better.
      To look real? That’s matter of post production time and how far they want to push quality.

      • August 24, 2015 at 1:08 am
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        But there’s a big difference: what should a squidfaced cursed pirate look like in real life? Since there isn’t a real life counterpart in our minds, ILM had an easier go of it.

        Millions of years of evolution have taught us to pick up on the smallest nuance of a person’s facial expression. The smallest thing being “off” activates the Uncanny Valley reaction.

        Jeez, first a production team is all “look at us! We’re using foam rubber puppets from the 70’s. Look at us! LOOK!!!!!!!” and the next one is trying to CG humans from scratch. Can’t we find a happy medium?

    • August 23, 2015 at 7:58 pm
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      Disney is going to step in and say “no no no, we’re making a PRACTICAL Peter Cushing with puppets!” And the rest of lucasfilm willl have to comply.

      • August 23, 2015 at 9:49 pm
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        I think it’s Abrams who makes a big deal out of wanting practical effects. I doubt Disney could care any less about that.

        • August 24, 2015 at 5:05 am
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          Remember, too, that lots of the effects talk is done solely because they (wisely) won’t talk about the story.

          They have to talk about something, so why not the effects?

    • August 23, 2015 at 8:22 pm
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      1984 Arnold Schwarzenegger close-up in Terminator: Genesys?

    • August 23, 2015 at 8:48 pm
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      So your saying CGI is never going to advance? I can assure you the time is fast approaching when virtual characters (Human)will be so realistic you won’t be able to distinguish them from the real thing.
      It could be done now but it would take to much time and money.

    • August 23, 2015 at 9:45 pm
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      Doppelgänger they need to find this guys Doppelgänger. And advertise for it. With a reward. I`d bet anything an amazing lookalike exists somewhere in the most unlikely place imaginable. Everyone has at least one.

    • August 23, 2015 at 10:52 pm
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      There have been new developments lately. They’re now capable of simulating skin to the lowest level called “Skin Microstructure Deformation with Displacement Map Convolution”. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuZMMZ8vbNk)

    • August 24, 2015 at 1:48 am
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      Vice his head, which was modified digitally, the ENTIRE body of Steve Rogers pre-Captain America was CGI! The Terminator that resembles a younger Schwarzenegger in the recent movie was CGI. They can do this and will do a fine job of it.

    • August 24, 2015 at 2:13 am
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      Look at Audrey Hepburn in the Dove chocolate advert that was amazing it fooled me for a while until I found out it was cgi Talkin

      • August 24, 2015 at 7:32 pm
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        There is something off about CGI Hepburn. It looks like her but I get a Invasion of the Body Snatchers vibe. There’s no sense of her brain or soul in the CGI creation. Her movements aren’t exact. That’s the real trick… You can make a CGI reincarnation but you need to give it the soul and personality of the actor. That isn’t easy to do no matter how much you try to emulate his or her movements. To me, CGI Hepburn is just creepy.

    • August 24, 2015 at 2:17 am
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      A cgi Tarkin will be cool as hell just look at the Audrey Hepburn cgi on the Galaxy Dove advert! That had me fooled for quite a while and you can’t tell me they can’t pull it off, it’s reality now period.

    • August 24, 2015 at 2:54 am
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      They did a pretty good job in Gladiator

  • August 23, 2015 at 5:22 pm
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    Lol so much for practical effects.

    • August 23, 2015 at 5:37 pm
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      This is for Rogue One. The practical effects comments have been around TFA. Different directors different approach.

      • August 23, 2015 at 5:57 pm
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        The power the directors weild on these particular productions is often overstated around here. These guys don’t have free reign on these movies. They aren’t filling the Lucas role, Kennedy is.

      • August 23, 2015 at 6:41 pm
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        Not to mention that unless you just take the decision to cast someone else (who will thus look different), this is “the right way to go”…
        Practical effects are nice because you can feel it is real. But there just are stuff you can’t do with practical effects…
        I work in visual effects, and I can tell you that making 3D look real is always time consuming. So making realistic humans… something always feels weird with digital doubles closeups, and that’s just because we are so used watching micro movements of the human face… Schwarzy in the latest Terminator and Jeff Bridges in Tron Legacy although are beautifully crafted but the animation is not without flaw.
        I agree with you Bob Fett, we yet have to see a human being represented perfectly.
        So this CG Tarkin is interesting news because it is not just like “oh so much for practical effects”(cmon man…), it is a challenge. A real one, on a very beautiful and mythical model, by people that are very talented and passionate, with a lot of time and money, and a lot of pressure. The best conditions possible! (I’d love to work on that one!).
        Anyway, ILM guys are very good, and I’m almost sure it won’t be perfect, but also that it will be cool enough to enjoy it very much.

    • August 23, 2015 at 8:49 pm
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      One things for sure you could never have a practical effect human that looks so real.

    • August 23, 2015 at 9:10 pm
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      Ooooh stop it you guys…
      Every Star Wars movie will obviously have a lot of CGI.

      • August 24, 2015 at 5:46 am
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        Well they’re not marketing to many commentors here, and thats hurting those people so much that they are so disinterested in the movie that they’re not even following up-to-date news stories and spoil……..oh wait…they’re here anyway.

  • August 23, 2015 at 5:29 pm
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    This is the Daily Mail, I doubt it’s real

    • August 23, 2015 at 8:42 pm
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      The article is absolutely absurd. They call Cushing ‘gravel-voiced’ (have they ever heard the man speak?), claim he was the one who created Vader (have they ever seen Star Wars?), and believe that the hardest part of recreating a character through CGI is the legs and feet (gratuitous Tarkin shower scene?). Wow. Not sure why anyone would take the Daily Mail seriously.

      • August 24, 2015 at 10:16 pm
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        I wouldn’t wipe my arse on the Daily Mail…absolute garbage.

  • August 23, 2015 at 5:29 pm
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    No-one ever said CGI wasn’t going to be used at all did they?

    • August 23, 2015 at 8:11 pm
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      True, but the CGI detractors from the PT over did it, so this the appropriate, opposite, and equal reaction to the initial overreaction.

      For my part I like the proper utilization of both CGI and practical effects, which each Star Wars films to this point has had.

      • August 23, 2015 at 8:55 pm
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        Yeah sure. Specially Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Pretty balanced.

        CGI will be great in The Force Awakens, but for the only reason that they will use it wisely.

  • August 23, 2015 at 5:35 pm
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    For those not in the UK. The Daily Mail is a piece of turd newspaper and the world is a dumber place because of their existence.

    • August 23, 2015 at 5:52 pm
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      Bingo! This is likely 100% bullshit.

      • August 23, 2015 at 6:30 pm
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        It’s marginally better than The Sun and The Mirror though… only marginally

  • August 23, 2015 at 5:36 pm
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    *47 year old complaining about CGI*

  • August 23, 2015 at 5:41 pm
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    I’m not sure if this is a good move. Peter Cushing did well in the role, but that’s what it is, a role. They can find another actor – just as they did for Alec Guinness.

    And for the record, this is an entirely separate issue from that of The Hayden in Ep VI: REPLACING what was a great performance [from Sebastien Shaw] was just lame, on a personal level against Shaw’s time put in. I still despise The Hayden stepping on Shaw’s turf.

    But I’m turned off equally by raising a guy back from the dead for a new performance that he doesn’t owe anyone – I’m turned off for the exact OPPOSITE reason that ROTJ’s ghost-switch turns me off.

    They should just move on and let Cushing rest in peace, so to speak. My opinion.

    • August 23, 2015 at 6:50 pm
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      I agree with you that they should just recast him, though if they managed to make it look seamless I would be pretty impressed.

      However, the difference between this and Obiwan is that Rogue One takes place just moments before A New Hope.

    • August 23, 2015 at 7:14 pm
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      Ummm, Shaw was just standing there, how is this “a great performance”? Some of you are really pathetic with this OT nostalgia.

      Hayden IS Anakin and I’m glad Lucas put him there in the end of RotJ, now the whole Saga is at least connected in a visible and clear way. Imagine all these confused kids watching episodes I to VI and asking “who is that?”.

      • August 23, 2015 at 7:50 pm
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        Shaw was the man behind the mask in a short scene that surpasses any Hayden Christensen performance in the PT.

      • August 23, 2015 at 8:00 pm
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        “Imagine all these confused kids watching episodes I to VI and asking “who is that?”.”

        Exactly. Who is that? Why did Lucas have to answer that question with “Hayden Christensen”? -_-

      • August 23, 2015 at 8:42 pm
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        This makes 1000% more sense than what these OT purist fanboys with misguided feelings of nostalgia say. Lucas, a.k.a. The Creator of the Star Wars universe, has given an explanation countless times why the younger version of unmasked Vader had to be inserted instead of Shaw’s yet these OT purist fanboys are still too arrogant to recognize it (they have a a hard time processing it due to being blinded by the aforementioned). They need to just go back go to their Laserdiscs (or those bootleg Harmey’s blu-rays until Disney/LFL releases updated, unaltered OT versions (if ever)) if all they do is complain about this minor change.

        • August 23, 2015 at 8:50 pm
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          Every time you need to take it personally with the “OT purist” rather than fully focus in your arguments, you show the weakness of your speech.

        • August 23, 2015 at 10:38 pm
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          “Lucas, a.k.a. The Creator of the Star Wars universe, has given an explanation countless times why the younger version of unmasked Vader had to be inserted instead of Shaw’s yet these OT purist fanboys are still too arrogant to recognize it”

          Lucas a.k.a The Perpetual Revisionist of the Star Wars Universe.

          It makes no sense that it is Hayden. Hayden was already evil before he had to wear the mask and suit. and Sebastian Shaw had returned to the good side before his death so obviously it should be in that guise he appears as a force ghost.

          doesn’t require any arrogance. yours is the arrogant stance with all this “go back to your laserdiscs” patronising nonsense.

          is this the same “Anonymous” who ALWAYS posts this tired diatribe?

      • August 24, 2015 at 5:04 am
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        For Shaw’s one scene with the unmasking, he gave an undeniably solid performance.

        I think Shaw is entitled to a Force-Ghost.
        I like Shaw better, on a personal level, and his force-ghost was moderately less creepy.

        If your granddad was in a Star Wars movie in 1 good scene + party-cameo, having Lucas arbitrarily dedicate extra time and expenses specifically to removing your granddad, would that not feel like a bit of a slap in the face??

        I’ve heard and agree with Lucas’ argument, but it’s still disrespectful to Shaw’s [albeit small] contribution. That’s something that his grandkids SHOULD be able to see as a little heritage – without hunting down an old copy, that is.

        It’s just not cool. PLUS Hayden really does give me the creeps. On a personal level, like, if I saw him in real life, with no prior knowledge of Star Wars’ existence, he as himself would give me the creeps.

        And nostalgia aside, Shaw actually gave a better performance as a Force-Ghost, casting friendly nods to Obiwan, looking like someone who legitimately loves Luke as his Son.
        Hayden just stood there, knees locked, like he was auditioning for a Stanley Kubrick film.

        • August 24, 2015 at 6:39 pm
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          Because they took some recording from photo shoot with Hayden, they DID NOT recorded new material for Special Edition. Hayden himself had no idea he will be included in RotJ before it was released!

          • August 25, 2015 at 4:44 am
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            Same thing with Shaw. His recording was for a photoshoot, not initially for the movie.

    • August 23, 2015 at 7:59 pm
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      please explain to me how sebastian shaw was a “great performance?” I must have missed it.

      • August 23, 2015 at 8:05 pm
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        Sebastian didn’t whine, didn’t give people creepy stares and didn’t get around to murdering any children or abusing any women.

        He deserved an Oscar. Or at least to remain Anakin’s Force ghost.

        • August 23, 2015 at 8:43 pm
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          The backstory behind Vader was that at one point, he was a Jedi human with unstabled feelings. If you can’t accept that, then you need to seek a different fandom.

          • August 24, 2015 at 4:25 am
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            You missed his “force spirits” point! An Alec Guiness Ben Kenobi (? Not young Obi-Wan Ewan McGreggor); and, then a young Anakin where Yoda is old? Just as inconsistent the prequels were in telling a greater prequels I thought we were going to see in 1999-2005!

          • August 24, 2015 at 5:57 am
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            Yoda and Ben died at an old age. Anakin Skywalker (not Darth Vader) died on Mustafar in his early 20s. Hence why his force ghost was young.

          • August 25, 2015 at 12:02 pm
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            OK so who was it dying on the floor? Darth Vader? Or Anakin Skywalker? “I’ve got to save you”, “You already have” ” my son”

          • August 25, 2015 at 2:05 pm
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            Nope. He was Vader on Mustafar.

          • August 24, 2015 at 5:50 am
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            Your arrogance and authoritarian approach to defining ‘fandom’ for others is offensive to the universality and accessibility of the Star Wars universe.

        • August 23, 2015 at 8:46 pm
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          Jeez, those are roles, get over it.

          • August 23, 2015 at 8:53 pm
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            Cheese and onion or ham.

    • August 23, 2015 at 8:32 pm
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      I think Lucasfilm ought to dream up a new character (canon or otherwise) that is second in command to Tarkin, and create a CGI Tarkin only visible on a star destroyer viewscreen. This should minimize the human eye’s ability to scrutinize any noticeable flaws…IMO

      • August 24, 2015 at 4:56 am
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        That would be the best case scenario. CG for a few scenes is okay, but for anything more they should get a new actor.

    • August 23, 2015 at 8:37 pm
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      recast him. let it go. no need to show off; hey look what I was able to accomplish as a director! we all know he passed years ago, so it’s pointless. if anything, just get someone who looks similar and get the voice down. that’s really the proper way to handle this.

  • August 23, 2015 at 5:46 pm
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    Wonder who would do his voice, if he speaks at all? Stephen Stanton?

  • August 23, 2015 at 5:49 pm
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    As long as it looks real and you don’t have to question it then I think it will be really cool. It must have moved on since the young Jeff Bridges remake which was a total failure.

    • August 23, 2015 at 5:56 pm
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      If someone can do this well is Gareth Edwards. Though he’s a young director, he has a long career in CG and knows what his limitations are and how to hide them. Monsters is a good example of that.

      • August 23, 2015 at 6:02 pm
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        nah

      • August 23, 2015 at 7:41 pm
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        Concur.

  • August 23, 2015 at 5:53 pm
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    why? Just get a solid actor who resembles him. why are they doing this? waste of money and I can’t imagine the cgi holding up over time. It’s not a big deal. go with a real actor.

  • August 23, 2015 at 5:58 pm
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    Ergh. I don’t know about this one. I sorta hope it’s not true. And I’m not entirely sure Tarkin needs to be in the movie at all. The Death Star is an enormous place and there’s no reason why we’d necessarily see him at any given time. That, and I think he should stay unique to A New Hope. Let these films keep what differentiates them from the others. From an artistic standpoint, I think it works better.

    • August 23, 2015 at 6:00 pm
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      Agreed. That’s why I didn’t care for the appearance of the Imperial Shuttle in the Special Edition of ESB. It’s a Jedi ship. And while I know the shuttles were scooting around before the events of ROTJ, it’s something that was unique to that film. And now we see one in ESB…and parked, no less. The original debut of the ship was falling from the belly of the Star Destroyer and unfolding its wings. Artistically, a much better debut.

  • August 23, 2015 at 6:00 pm
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    OK with this only if he appears only via hologram.

    But again, I’m not buying it anyhow.

  • August 23, 2015 at 6:06 pm
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    They did it for Marlin Brando in Superman Returns. it was only a 5 minute scene though and it was just his head. I don’t remember any controversy over it though

    • August 23, 2015 at 6:52 pm
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      That was footage that Brando originally recorded for Superman II that the studio ended up not being able to afford (it’s also seen in the Richard Donner cut of II released in 2006).

  • August 23, 2015 at 6:08 pm
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    BS

  • August 23, 2015 at 6:09 pm
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    The actor in ROTS didn’t look that great either. They cosmetically added 3D makeup to his cheekbones in an attempt to match Cushing’s face. The trouble is Cushing’s cheekbones were not particularly massive, but they appear to be because the flesh below them around the mouth is so sunken and gaunt. You can’t do that with makeup, you would need a surgeon, an no one is going to do that. It’s a very skeletal look he had, perfect for playing evil men. What current actor really looks like that? If there is one, do they have the gravitas to pull off the Tarkin role? If so, they would probably be fated to act in remakes of Cushing films for the rest of their carrer. Not saying CGI is the answer, just saying…

    • August 23, 2015 at 6:26 pm
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      To be fair, the Tarkin portrayed in ROTS was purposely made to look a little different (and younger) from the one in ANH on account of ROTS being19 years before ANH, so Tarkin had to look a bit different (albeit similar appearance). It’s all personal preference however (personally, I thought his appearance on ROTS was fine with respect of the timeline).

      Since Rogue One will be much closer to ANH, the Tarkin portrayed there (if it’s even true) will have to be a more accurate match. It’ll be interested how they will pull it off given current modern technology.

      • August 24, 2015 at 12:31 am
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        I believe a combination of the latest technology in CGI and prosthetics must be used. CGI alone won’t do it. Prosthetics alone won’t. A stand in or voice actor alone won’t do it.

        Everything we have learned and accomplished in the last century must now be used wisely. This is a pivotal moment in history.

  • August 23, 2015 at 6:28 pm
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    I think it can be pulled off. It’s not like it hasn’t been done before. Example: Paul Walker’s face in Furious 7; I thought they did a decent job in CGI’in his face in the few scenes that needed for that to happen.

  • August 23, 2015 at 6:29 pm
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    I hope its not true… Ben Mendelsohn looks almost identical to a slightly younger Tarkin.

    • August 23, 2015 at 6:53 pm
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      No he doesn’t.

  • August 23, 2015 at 6:47 pm
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    this could work nicely.. if done to a really high quality.. anyone remember the chocolate commercial with audrey hepburn? that was pretty good.

  • August 23, 2015 at 6:55 pm
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    no doubt since its star wars its gonna be the best damn digital recreation ever. And I think it makes sense that his role will be important but not taking up massive amounts of camera time. Also doesn’t this just give more reason to include Vader in the film?

    • August 23, 2015 at 8:02 pm
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      This is the first interesting rumor regarding star wars special effects since the disney buy-out in 2012…

      …. therefore it must be fake.

  • August 23, 2015 at 7:06 pm
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    This is t even worth being considered as a possibility. First of all the Daily Mail described Tarkin as “creating Darth Vader”. Poor journalism. If they got that detail wrong I really don’t find any credibility in any of the other reporting in the article. They could have double checked that bit of info from any number of sources online. But somebody with half a brain told someone else with half a brain that Tarkin creates the Death Star. That guy writes Darth Vader thinking they’re the same thing. Yeah, these people don’t report. They just write down nonsense. The idea that Lucasfilm is putting all of its efforts to recreate a character that is likely only in a short amount of the film is far fetched. They are recycling sets from Ep 7. I doubt they have a large budget for Rogue One to do something like that.

    • August 23, 2015 at 8:49 pm
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      Wrong details doesn’t make the entire story wrong. It doesn’t work like that. It could have happened by a misinformed editor.

  • August 23, 2015 at 7:10 pm
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    I remember it being rumoured around episode III – I’ll always thought Christopher eccleston could pull off a good Tarkin

    • August 23, 2015 at 10:14 pm
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      Christopher Eccleston pulling off Tarkin..? Hee hee

  • August 23, 2015 at 7:16 pm
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    Havin digital people in movies is a bad move for a Star Wars movie because it just looks shit. The digital Arnie in the recent Terminator movies looks rubbish. I would have just re written the script to avoid having him in it in some way.

    • August 23, 2015 at 7:36 pm
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      I agree
      it looks wrong all the time
      Over animated, too fluid/liquid or too static face with cartoony expressions.
      For this kind of challenge, being close to the real thing is not enough.

      Do or do not, there is no try, so please…, do not

      • August 23, 2015 at 8:04 pm
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        So we should ignore the fact that CG humans haven’t been perfected yet and just avoid doing it?

        Imagine if George Lucas took that approach in the 70s because spaceship special effects looked fake.

    • August 23, 2015 at 8:07 pm
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      No Chris1138, having digital people in a star wars movie is “bad” because OT fans like you will bitch about it nonstop. Please go away.

    • August 23, 2015 at 8:48 pm
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      Star Wars movies are all about pushing the envelope in filmmaking technology (from the OT, to the PT, to the ST (as well as the stand-alone films). If you can’t accept that and feel that filmmaking techniques utilized in Star Wars films needs to stay static, you’re going to have a difficult time finding enjoyment in the next couple of Star Wars films in the next 5 years.

  • August 23, 2015 at 7:29 pm
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    Does this mean they will use CGI Harrison Ford in the Han Solo movie?

    • August 23, 2015 at 7:52 pm
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      No

  • August 23, 2015 at 7:57 pm
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    He might be only in one scene like a hologram message to Storm Troopers or Vader.

  • August 23, 2015 at 8:09 pm
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    Remember when people use to complain about the PT because they kept trying to tie everything to the older films, even when it didn’t really work?

    Fast forward to today when every bit of news about Star Wars films is some kind of tie in to the OT.

  • August 23, 2015 at 8:14 pm
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    Because the CGI Patrick Stewart was so awesome on Wolverine Origins.

  • August 23, 2015 at 8:14 pm
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    They should hire actor Charles Dance for Tarkin. A bit of makeup and hair-piece and he could pull it off. A lot easier than cgi Tarkin.

  • August 23, 2015 at 8:15 pm
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    Star Wars was always about pushing the envelope…George Lucas was known for developing new groundbreaking techniques!! I wanna see a full Brown CGI Tarkin + a Darth Vader in his prime who takes down legions of rebels with his lightsaber!

    • August 23, 2015 at 9:05 pm
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      George Lucas is on record saying that to do a convincing digital human is probably impossible, but all things advance, Spielberg wasn’t convinced when he was about to shoot Jurasic Park that the Dinosaurs would look convincing until he was shown some test footage.

    • August 23, 2015 at 9:05 pm
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      You can deny it, you can hit your head against the wall and extol the merits of the technology…nothing will replace a real actor, and tried to do it is just a wrong way.

      The richness of human face, human movement and human acting cannot be created by a computer…because it’s alive, it’s a burst of spontaneous life – CGI is a “dead” thing that try to mimic life

    • August 24, 2015 at 3:25 pm
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      Full brown tarkin? Do you mean cast a different race actor, or is it a typo on full blown? I think a full brown tarkin would be cool!

  • August 23, 2015 at 8:59 pm
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    I don’t see the need to do this. The way I imagined it Tarkin was on the Death Star when the plans were stolen I guess from where it was built. Vader was then sent in hot pursuit. Tarkin doesn’t need to be involved and it would sure Tarkin as being incompetent.

  • August 23, 2015 at 9:00 pm
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    YUCK

    Why not just serve frozen nostalgia on a stick?

    YUCK

  • August 23, 2015 at 9:01 pm
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    Please give Star Wars back to George Lucas.

    Pretty please?

    • August 23, 2015 at 11:20 pm
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      George sold it and is surely enjoying retirement.. plus he lost the magic over 2 decades ago

      • August 23, 2015 at 11:47 pm
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        Maybe.

        But it would appear that Kathleen Kennedy and Disney are going to introduce us to a whole new galaxy of suck.

  • August 23, 2015 at 9:05 pm
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    Hopefully it’s just a cameo. You can’t really do this with one swift stroke.

  • August 23, 2015 at 9:39 pm
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    Come on, The Daily Mail?? You can’t believe the British tabloids – their ‘journalism’ is the pits.

  • August 23, 2015 at 9:45 pm
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    IF this is true ( I won’t believe it though unless it comes from a credible source – not the Daily Mail ), they should cast Tom Hiddelston as the young Tarkin.

    • August 23, 2015 at 9:48 pm
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      I like the idea, but Rogue One will likely happen months-to-days before the events of A New Hope.

      • August 23, 2015 at 10:59 pm
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        Okay, I was not aware of that.

    • August 23, 2015 at 11:04 pm
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      Tom Hiddelston is not a bad choice. He has the right bone structure and definitely has the acting chops. This is the best alternative I’ve heard yet to going the digital route.

  • August 23, 2015 at 9:47 pm
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    Um … what’s wrong with recasting?

    • August 23, 2015 at 10:01 pm
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      Wasn’t Tarkin recast in Episode 3?

      • August 23, 2015 at 11:08 pm
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        Yes, but the guy they got looked like he was wearing halloween make-up. It took me right out of the movie.

        • August 24, 2015 at 5:58 am
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          You mean “Nooooooooooooo!!!!” hadn’t already taken you out of the movie?

          haha

          • August 24, 2015 at 10:01 pm
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            Yeah… it was a cool movie, but it had it’s cringe-worthy moments. Vader’s silly and awkward “Nooooooo!!” being one of them.

          • August 25, 2015 at 12:18 am
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            Luke’s Noooo! in ESB was just as laughable. contrary to what fanboys will lead you to believe.

  • August 23, 2015 at 9:55 pm
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    Now I don’t know if this is officiel but according to an interview in a Danish newspaper Mads Mikkelsen has told the following:

    In the film he is not playing a bad guy
    It is an important role
    they will shoot for 3 months in England and Iceland. And will start shooting in the mid september

    http://ekstrabladet.dk/filmmagasine…dt-af-sloeret-for-sin-star-wars-rolle/5697741

  • August 23, 2015 at 9:58 pm
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    Yes, this piece of Daily Mail is bogus, but in Lucasfilm,
    this Tarkin issue was bound to be examined and discussed. As far as Death Star Plan, Tarkin is the man who supervise everything. He must appear in Rogue One, in oneway or another, because he already has been in Rebels, CW, Novels. He is so important and famous in canon.

  • August 23, 2015 at 10:41 pm
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    I can see this being done with a 2 step process. First have a body double on set. This is for obvious reasons. Second use motion capture and apply that to a computer model of Peter Cushing. This will give you some of the subtle movements you expect to see in a human face. Once you have all of these in place, Use it sparingly. No need to have Tarkin in every scene or even close ups.

    Here is an idea, have him just as a communication hologram. The detail does not need to be perfect for those.

  • August 23, 2015 at 10:46 pm
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    Daily Mail = Sleazy Tabloid.

    Is anywhere else reporting this?

    • August 23, 2015 at 11:02 pm
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      Here, here. It’s an atrocious tabloid. Like many british tabloids, they will often simply make a story up.
      If any other reputable source can verify this, it would be welcome.

  • August 23, 2015 at 10:51 pm
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    If they actually digitally re-create Peter Cushing in Rogue One, they will likely do it as perfectly as possible; however, I prefer if they used footage from A New Hope, or cast an actor with prosthetic make-up.

  • August 23, 2015 at 10:57 pm
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    I love Peter Cushing, and have since I was a young lad cutting my teeth on the old Hammer horror films. Although I have yet to see a truly photo realistic digital double, I will remain cautiously optimistic if it means I’ll get to see one of my old heroes play Governor Tarkin on the big screen once more.

    Cushing was a legend and had an incredibly unique look. I just can’t think of any modern actor who could do him justice.

  • August 23, 2015 at 11:19 pm
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    Well it’s plausible Tarkin could appear in the film. And if he does they could CGI him. The technology is good enough so they could pull it off. We’ll have to wait and see…. Daily Mail though so we have to take this with a HUUUUUGE grain of salt folks.

  • August 23, 2015 at 11:55 pm
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    The fake is strong in this post.

  • August 24, 2015 at 12:54 am
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    If this turns out to look good and I mean so good you can’t tell the difference from real and CGI in any way I want them do do the same for a young Han solo for his stand alone movie so he would look exactly like a young Harrison Ford. I just can’t see someone else as Han solo. And again, only if it looks like really really amazing mindblowing good.

  • August 24, 2015 at 1:09 am
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    They should cast the guy who played Scorpius in Farscape. 😉

    • August 24, 2015 at 4:37 pm
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      LOL

  • August 24, 2015 at 1:35 am
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    They should just cast Peter Capaldi…

  • August 24, 2015 at 1:58 am
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    I’m a practical effects guy and I love this cgi Tarkin idea. Really Ijust love meticulous stylistic consistency within a cinematic universe and I love that they need to combine both new and old technology to achieve it.

  • August 24, 2015 at 2:57 am
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    This rumor makes me think. Three weeks ago we visited Madame Tussaud’s in Berlin. One thing I noticed about the characters from Star Wars was that these looked so much better than all the other figures there. Could it be possible that there is more about this cooperation between Lucasfilm and Madame Tussaud’s than most of us thougt?
    And they have Han… So maybe there will be not really an actor playing the role of Han Solo but instead an actor motion capturing Harrison Ford as Han Solo. Tarkin could be some kind of test for this.

    • August 24, 2015 at 5:06 am
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      Behind the scenes TFA footage shows this mo cap controlled model technique for an alien, maybe Maz Kanata. That video of the new Tussauds Star Wars exhibit did show pretty impressive likenesses in wax. Could they do an equally good likeness in a flexible medium for a mo-cap performance? Good enough to be credible in high-res-whatever quality on the big screen? I understand that the tabloid source is often full of bantha poodoo. Tarkin and Death Star #1 go hand in hand though. Easier to imagine this technique used for Tarkin than Solo. Tarkin will stand around and talk, or skeptically raise an eyebrow; Solo is much more dynamic.

  • August 24, 2015 at 3:05 am
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    I would like to see Chris Eccleston drop 15 pounds, get into some makeup and play Tarkin.

  • August 24, 2015 at 3:27 am
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    This is believable as the one in the 90’s about CGing Alec Guiness’s face on Ewan’s body which was also started by The Daily Mirror to no one’s surprise. Plus, You REALLY think Disney is going to go through the hassle of dealing with Cushing’s estate for a short scene?

    • August 24, 2015 at 4:31 am
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      They will have to deal with Cushing’s estate, and also deal with the ethical objections that will rise from capitalizing on a deceased actor.

      This is not going to happen. I can’t believe people are even entertaining this absurd report.

  • August 24, 2015 at 4:11 am
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    I love the scene that picture is from. “This will be a day long remembered. It has seen the end of Kenobi and will soon see the end of the rebellion.” This as Tarkin/Cushing raises one eyebrow conveying a look of caution, hope and skepticism without saying one word.

  • August 24, 2015 at 5:09 am
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    Both Mads Mikkeson and Peter Cushing are/were 1.83 m in Height ! Coincidence ?!

    • August 24, 2015 at 10:20 am
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      I actually thought mikkelsen would make a good tarkin. But they already said he’s not playing a bad guy. Unless he’s lying. In which case he actually is playing Tarkin. Or maybe that’s just what they want us to think and he’s not oh wait…..

  • August 24, 2015 at 5:29 am
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    I have a very bad feeling about this.

  • August 24, 2015 at 5:59 am
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    Could be cool. Could be a disaster.

    But its likely only a few scenes, likely a hologram anyway. I’m sure it will be fine.

  • August 24, 2015 at 6:16 am
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    That one shot from Rogue one looks alright but also sort of generically movie-ish. The grit of Star Wars was less based on dark colors and bad-assed facial expressions and more based on having simplicity and realism in a genre where you’d least expect those qualities.

  • August 24, 2015 at 6:50 am
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    What a terrible idea. Ugh.

  • August 24, 2015 at 7:11 am
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    If they were going younger, I’d say Cillian Murphy. He looks like him and has the acting ability. But I don’t know how well they could CGI him or make him up to look older.

  • August 24, 2015 at 8:10 am
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    If they’re going down this route why not just digitally make a young han solo voiced by harrison ford, for the spinoff. Lol

    • August 24, 2015 at 9:44 am
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      Well, even if you could do it convincingly (and, aside – Antman tells me we’re not at a point yet where any house can – yeah, that’s a younger looking dude, but that’s not what Douglas looked like as a younger actor), in Harrison’s case, his voice has changed so much in the last 4 decades that it wouldn’t work.

  • August 24, 2015 at 8:46 am
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    If true, then this movie is all of a sudden much more interesting to me than it was previously.

  • August 24, 2015 at 9:04 am
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    Funny, the one time Lucas DOESN’T use CGI, people say it was a bad idea and CGI a character he didn’t CGI in the prequels, LOL!

    Anyhoo, all for more Tarkin as long as it’s convincing.

  • August 24, 2015 at 9:31 am
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    I wonder if his family would receive a royalty payment for his likeness being used? Imagine being an actor and getting more work after you died than when you was alive.

  • August 24, 2015 at 9:41 am
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    Horseshit. The anthology films are already obviously the ‘budget SW’ films, this would be needlessly pricey, take ages to do, opens an enormous ethical shitstorm that, frankly, Disney aint going to step its family-friendly image in, and, speaking as someone who has worked as a character animator, would be horrifically painful to make work in any way that would fool an audience into thinking they were watching Cushing.
    .
    I;m slightly skeptical is the message here.

  • August 24, 2015 at 11:37 am
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    lol. star wars fans hate CGI. I don’t.

  • August 24, 2015 at 2:58 pm
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    This is an exciting rumor to me actually. If any one can push the envelope it’s ILM. That close to the time of ANH it would really bug me if someone like Cushing’s Tarkin was re-cast – almost to the point of “I wish they’d just leave that era alone”. But that being said, it would make sense to me for Tarkin to have a prominent role in the film. I think that the effect can be done. They will probably use a stand-in actor like that body builder that was used for Arnold in Terminator: Genesys. I don’t think we’re to the point where an animator can make a completely CGI character without a genuine human performance to help sell it, but think it can be done and I’m excited to see the outcome.

  • August 24, 2015 at 4:06 pm
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    Credit to his memory – what an honour.

    How ….

    Get serkis to work his magic eg all real expressions work within Cushings face structure.

    Job done – next!!

  • August 24, 2015 at 5:55 pm
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    Ok. There’s stupid, and then there’s THIS tabloid rubbish about an all CGI Tarkin? Outside of a holographic appearance, absolutely no freaking way. Did Jar Jar Stinks not suck enough? Only way this happens is if G.Walton Lucas comes out of retirement in order to stick it to OT fans who haven’t forgiven the dude for forgetting what Star Wars was about when he made young Vader a threepio building slave. No pod is worth 2 slaves, but after freeing Anakin on a bet, Qui Gon sold the pod then gave the money to Shmi… who remained a slave. Oye Vey.

    • August 24, 2015 at 8:44 pm
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      If it were 1999 (or even 2005) I’d agree with you. But CGI seems to have advanced greatly in film in the last 10 years. I think it can be done if used sparingly. Tarkin can have an important role and not have a lot of time necessarily on screen.

  • August 25, 2015 at 1:41 am
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    This sounds like B.S. I still think Ben Mendelson will be Tarkin.

  • August 27, 2015 at 8:14 pm
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    Lucasfilm says “Were pushing the use of pratical effects.
    Gareth Edwards says “I never said that.”

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