Jon Favreau to Write and Produce A Live Action Star Wars Series for Disney Streaming Service

The previously announced live action Star Wars television series now has its producer and writer, both coming in the form of Disney favorite Jon Favreau. The series will be found on Disney’s upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service, which is slated to launch in 2019.

 

The official announcement was just posted over at StarWars.com. In addition to his impressive track record and body of work, Favreau is no stranger to Disney or Star Wars, so even at face-value it makes perfect sense. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy clearly shares those sentiments.

“I couldn’t be more excited about Jon coming on board to produce and write for the new direct-to-consumer platform. Jon brings the perfect mix of producing and writing talent, combined with a fluency in the Star Wars universe. This series will allow Jon the chance to work with a diverse group of writers and directors and give Lucasfilm the opportunity to build a robust talent base.”

 

In light of recent backlash, in an effort to clearly express her intentions, there is no doubt Kathleen Kennedy made sure her statement stressed that Favreau will be writing and producing this show with a diverse group of writers and directors, in an effort to build and strengthen the company’s talent base.

 

 

Favreau, perhaps in cliche fashion, but very-welcomed cliche fashion, explains his excitement about joining the creative forces in the Star Wars galaxy:

“If you told me at 11 years old that I would be getting to tell stories in the Star Wars universe, I wouldn’t have believed you. I can’t wait to embark upon this exciting adventure.”

 

Last month Favreau tweeted this photo of him with Solo: A Star Wars Story director Ron Howard and writer Lawrence Kasdan.

 

 

 

The speculation wheels began churning once again, as Favreau had long been speculated as an eventual choice to helm a Star Wars story, but I don’t think anyone had their finger on the pulse of him producing and writing a TV series!

 

Favreau has worked under the Disney umbrella for over a decade now, dating back to 2008’s Iron Man! There is currently no release date for the series, but as we mentioned the initial launch for the Disney streaming service has been targeted for late 2019!

 

The upcoming Star Wars live action TV series is so money…and it doesn’t even know it!

 

Source: StarWars.com

 

Hit me up on Twitter if you got that reference @JohnnyHoey

“For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is.”

 

 

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John Hoey is the Lead Editor and Senior Writer for Star Wars News Net and the host of The Resistance Broadcast podcast

"For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is."

John Hoey

John Hoey is the Lead Editor and Senior Writer for Star Wars News Net and the host of The Resistance Broadcast podcast"For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is."

103 thoughts on “Jon Favreau to Write and Produce A Live Action Star Wars Series for Disney Streaming Service

  • March 8, 2018 at 5:28 pm
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    yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

    • March 8, 2018 at 5:30 pm
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      Dexter Jettster Cantina/Bar Series!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • March 8, 2018 at 5:45 pm
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      Space Food Truckers: selling Jawa Juice across the universe!

    • March 8, 2018 at 5:36 pm
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      He’s likely focusing on where ever Rebels is going next.

    • March 8, 2018 at 5:55 pm
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      No? He is in animation and likely has things he is doing already. This isn’t something taken from Dave.

    • March 8, 2018 at 6:19 pm
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      Dave’s doing fine I’m sure

      • March 8, 2018 at 10:18 pm
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        I know. I guess I’m just a little frustrated, because announcing Dave Filoni as the head of a brand new live-action series would’ve been way more amazing, especially coming off the heels of the end of Rebels.

        Dave has said he’s fine with heading animation, but I’m sure he’s also got ambitions to move beyond animation and oversee projects that can get broader exposure. And I don’t think Dave is one who will “play a part” in Favreau’s series….Dave fires on all cylinders when he’s speerheading his own show from start to finish. While, I’m happy for Favreau and look forward to what he comes up with, I feel like this was a missed opportunity.

    • March 8, 2018 at 10:26 pm
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      They just announced Jon but I really think Dave will be involved in this as one of the show runners, as a consultant, writer, director, producer…

  • March 8, 2018 at 5:32 pm
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    …and Andy Serkis is quietly and descreetly developing the same exact series with a competing studio.

    • March 8, 2018 at 6:20 pm
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      Just like jungle book.

      • March 8, 2018 at 6:26 pm
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        Andy’s series will be called “Boba”, while Favreau makes “The Mandalore Book”.

  • March 8, 2018 at 5:39 pm
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    From the man who brought you Couple’s Retreat comes… Star Wars!

    Just poking fun… I had to really dig through his IMDB to find some clunkers. He’s got a really decent run of good stuff.

  • March 8, 2018 at 5:39 pm
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    Do you think he has an idea of what he wants to do or do you think he is starting from scratch?

    • March 8, 2018 at 5:44 pm
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      “This series will allow Jon the chance to work with a diverse group of writers and directors and give Lucasfilm the opportunity to build a robust talent base.”

      Sounds like it’s going to be very collaborative. He’s just the guy giving it some guidance. So more producer than writer is my guess. Like he directed an episode of Orville. That sort of thing. Only more involved this time.

      • March 8, 2018 at 11:54 pm
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        They have RJ trilogy where it looks like he will direct one. The Benioff and Weiss series which is at least 2 films. We have Ep9. So that is 6 films and only 2 directors. So series is perfect way to prepare directors for directing the 4 other films and future films.

    • March 8, 2018 at 5:55 pm
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      I think he probably pitched them something they liked. That’s how they said this works.

      • March 8, 2018 at 6:27 pm
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        Probably, but once there, I’m sure he also thumbed through the SW Underworld story treatments that were sitting on the shelf. He’d be silly not to pick out a few gems.

        • March 8, 2018 at 6:50 pm
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          I mean, if you want to just make things up, sure.

          • March 8, 2018 at 6:59 pm
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            I will, because speculating is what we do.
            Pretty sure someone told him. “Hey Jon, George had come up with some ideas at one point, here’s 100 story treatments.” and Jon said “sure I’ll take a look”.

          • March 8, 2018 at 7:55 pm
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            Whatever makes you happy.

          • March 8, 2018 at 8:01 pm
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            Thanks, I’m glad I have your permission 😉

      • March 8, 2018 at 7:25 pm
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        Sounds like those write ups or scripts George had done up for Star Wars: Underworld are not being utilized, which doesn’t upset me in the slightest. I know that 1313 took elements from those scripts to make that game and we obviously never got that either but I hope that they get used for something eventually. Its possible elements from them will be included in this series as well or Jon will write something completely new. Either way, I am excited.

        • March 8, 2018 at 7:36 pm
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          Agreed. As long as good ideas make it to screen I’m happy. If there are good episode story ideas in the SW Underworld series but they just change all the characters names and situations to fit Jon’s series. I’d consider that a win. I heard the writers for the new upcoming God of War game may have recycled some concepts from SWU.

        • March 8, 2018 at 7:55 pm
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          They have taken things from Underworld already; Saw Gerrera, for instance, was a character meant to be used in that show.

  • March 8, 2018 at 5:52 pm
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    I’ll say this. Depending on how their service works… will decide if I sub or not. That and the quality of the show obviously. Please be more like Netflix. A base fee that gets me in with no ads. NO ADS.

    • March 8, 2018 at 6:31 pm
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      If Disney wanted to destroy their competition they’d make it a price that’s just “too good to pass up”. Something like $3.99/mo to stream on 1 device at a time. Who is going to pass on $4/mo? 1 less Starbucks that month. If it’s $7.99 or $12.99 it gets harder for families to justify adding one more streaming service to the already crowded lineup… but $4 a month? Nobody will pass on that. Then two years later Disney can raise the rates and start dismantling their competition.

      • March 8, 2018 at 7:02 pm
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        They make enough money that taking a hit at the start of it wouldn’t hurt that much. I’d be a sound move. Unless they think they can control enough content to be worthy of such costs. If theyhave all of Fox by then… they might. Netflix has risen it’s prices slowly and I didn’t mind because I like their content… but I definitely jumped in when it was much cheaper.

    • March 8, 2018 at 8:19 pm
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      I hate ads – was watching Rebels on Disney XD in the UK and it had ads over the picture while it was playing top right and bottom left. Grr

      • March 8, 2018 at 11:46 pm
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        I can take ads, just not the one they play on DisneyXD during Rebels. Apparently I’m just a little bit out of the target demographic.

  • March 8, 2018 at 5:54 pm
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    Dave Filoni is like….. *Hello darkness my old friend*.
    He should at the very least direct an episode to see what he is like directing live action.

    • March 8, 2018 at 6:06 pm
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      He has directed live action though. Including TV series. Forgive me if I’m misreading your comment. Edit* yep… I knew something was amiss. You said DAVE not Jon. *lowers head in shame*

      • March 8, 2018 at 6:11 pm
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        Dave Filoni? He has no live action directing credits on IMDb.

        • March 8, 2018 at 6:12 pm
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          Yep. I misread his comment alright. My brain read Jon Favreau… but he clearly wrote Dave Filoni. My bad!

          I too would like to see Dave’s take on live action.

      • March 8, 2018 at 7:11 pm
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        No worries, I wasn’t sure if DF had actually done any live tbh, I knew he hadn’t done BIG ,expensive stuff though. Personally I think he would nail it.

    • March 8, 2018 at 6:50 pm
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      That’s not how this works.

      • March 8, 2018 at 7:09 pm
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        I can dream.

      • March 8, 2018 at 8:16 pm
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        I think it’s exactly how this works. Favreau may direct a few episodes but he’ll be more of a show runner.

    • March 8, 2018 at 8:18 pm
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      Hear! Hear! That is the best idea I’ve heard thus far concerning Filoni. That’s the perfect way for him to transition into being a film director.

  • March 8, 2018 at 5:54 pm
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    Canto, baby!!

  • March 8, 2018 at 6:07 pm
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    At last we’ll get to see some cooking in the SW universe. Seriously, I think this is a good choice, I hope…

  • March 8, 2018 at 6:17 pm
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    I want you to remember this face, here. Okay? This is the guy behind the guy behind the guy.

  • March 8, 2018 at 6:18 pm
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    So many people seem to want Dave Filoni to do a live action thing but they are very different formats. While I think Dave is open to it, I don’t think that he thinks he is necessarily the right person for it.

    Besides, if he did go make live action he’d probably be taken far from home and family for extended periods of time and not be able to take the crew with him that he knows and trusts because their skills are better used on the next animated program. So there’s many draw backs for him I’d imagine.

    Now if he worked on the story treatments for episodes or a season of a live action show, I’d be really excited about that and it would make sense for his skills as a storyteller. Ultimately I think those episodes should probably be produced and directed by someone with live action experience.

  • March 8, 2018 at 6:47 pm
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    Baby, we’re going to be up five hundy by midnight!

  • March 8, 2018 at 6:56 pm
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    STAR WARS, noun.

    A never-ending saga loved by many, agreed upon by none, and would be betrayed and killed for by everybody.

  • March 8, 2018 at 7:05 pm
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    I hope Lucasfilm starts giving us some actual information about all these projects.

    What is the Rian trilogy about and when can we expect it? What about the Game of Thrones guys series of movies? Rebels is done so what is next for animation? Is Obi Wan, the Bounty Hunter movie, or any other Star Wars Story going to happen? What was the announcement that Kathleen Kennedy promised for last June about the next stand alone movie that never came? When can we expect a the live action show and will there be more coming, Bob Iger did imply so? Is there going to be any movie in 2020 or is there going to be a break post Episode IX?

    In just a over couple of months when Solo comes and goes there will only be one Star Wars movie were we know what to expect and when it will happen and that’s just because it’s a continuation from a previous movie not because we have been given any information.

    Most franchises give dates with their announcements as well as a brief description of what to expect if it’s not obvious something to get people going. Right now we just have “there will be some Star Wars stuff eventually”.

    • March 8, 2018 at 7:08 pm
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      We went from having next to no Star Wars to so much Star Wars… I think a bit of silence is alright. Technically everything you listed is still more Star Wars. Just undefined!

      • March 8, 2018 at 7:13 pm
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        Maybe it’s just crazy me talking but i just don’t like that after Solo in just over two months it’s just one more movie in a year and a half and then nothing but undefined announcements just floating around.

        • March 8, 2018 at 7:21 pm
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          Well we’ll have Celebration and what not. I’m sure they’ll make more defined announcements soon.

          • March 8, 2018 at 10:10 pm
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            No Celebration 2018.

          • March 8, 2018 at 10:20 pm
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            Well… it’s Disney. They can always make an announcement in whatever way they like. I wouldn’t say it’s beholden to Celebration.

        • March 8, 2018 at 11:42 pm
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          There’s got to be more content coming in 2019 before Ep9. There are too many people working too much stuff, and they can’t wait to get that Disney streaming service going. I think that’s the reason for these many announcements — they are putting it all together now.
          And more than just fans, this is what Disney investors want to hear about.

    • March 8, 2018 at 8:16 pm
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      Yes! I know right. Why don’t they give some details if they are going to release all this news. We want to know what the content is not just who is attached to it. I been hearing about a live action series since pre Disney era. It was supposed to be called Star Wars underworld. So I hope they still do something with that like adult oriented. Let the kiddies have the animated shows and live action be for adults.

    • March 8, 2018 at 11:48 pm
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      I believe that the next animated series will be announced right after Solo and it will come before Ep9.

    • March 9, 2018 at 2:49 pm
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      Star Wars Celebration 2019 is going to be huge event. With all the films in various stages of development. With TV series in development and new lands at Disney nearing completion will be huge.

  • March 8, 2018 at 7:07 pm
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    The real question is, what’s it gonna be about.

    • March 8, 2018 at 10:33 pm
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      Wars, amongst the stars.

      • March 8, 2018 at 10:34 pm
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        That’s ludicrous. That’s not Star Wars!

  • March 8, 2018 at 7:25 pm
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    Let’s be patient and wait!!!everybody was excited about RJ and we have seen what he has done to the franchise!!!

    • March 8, 2018 at 7:54 pm
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      “I hope they make it about the prequel era.”

      Let’s hope not. Lucasfilm told stories from the Prequel era for 15 years. It’s time to explore some other periods in the Star Wars galaxy.

      • March 8, 2018 at 8:40 pm
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        I would definitely welcome the period of the Old Republic as well.

        • March 8, 2018 at 10:29 pm
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          Do people consider Old Republic stuff as being part of the Prequel era? I always saw the Prequel era as running roughly from E1 to the end of the Clone Wars cartoons. I’m sure there are some books or comics or whatever that closely bracket that time frame as well, but I’ve never paid much attention to any of them.

          I’d be fine if a show takes place centuries or whatnot before what we’re familiar with. I just don’t want it to retell the story from those Old Republic video games.

          • March 9, 2018 at 1:41 am
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            yep the story of Bane and how the Rule of two began. Lots of jedis and Siths involved in medieval SW style.

            Jedis and Siths go near extinction at this moment.

    • March 8, 2018 at 8:59 pm
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      Yeah, he moved it forward in a meaningful way. MOre of that!

    • March 8, 2018 at 11:42 pm
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      He gave us a genuinely new take on Star Wars instead of another predictable helping of fan service nostalgia. Exactly what Star Wars needs. If all you want is endless rehash, this franchise will die out quickly.

      • March 9, 2018 at 2:49 pm
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        No, he gave us a nonsensical script, full of plotholes, bad acting and wooden characters. I have no problem with a “new take” as long as it is good; RJ’s simply is not, but JJ will probably fix it in Episode IX.

        • March 9, 2018 at 8:48 pm
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          What about it is nonsensical in your opinion?

    • March 8, 2018 at 11:47 pm
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      I hope Favreau can do as good a job as RJ.

    • March 9, 2018 at 10:29 am
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      What did Rian Johnson do? Turn in another smash hit?

  • March 8, 2018 at 7:32 pm
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    “The Ewok New Adventures”.

  • March 8, 2018 at 7:41 pm
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    Milk it, milk it good…

  • March 8, 2018 at 8:03 pm
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    Here’s my visions of the LucasFilm board room.

    Kathleen: You get a Star Wars story, and you get a Star Wars story, and you get one to. Heck, everyone gets a Star Wars story!! Ok, now what are we gonna write about?

    Everyone Else: Blank stares…..

    In all seriousness, I am happy to see the franchise move forward, but I would almost rather hear about the ideas and not who’s writing them.

    • March 8, 2018 at 8:18 pm
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      I’ll second that last sentence. Enough with the personalities, let’s focus on story and character. And for goodness sake, enough with the PC diversity being the most important part of everything!

      • March 8, 2018 at 11:46 pm
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        You expect them to come out and say this is the story we want to tell? What franchise does this? Did the MCU do this? Did JK Rowling ask Harry Potter fans where they story will go? Did we demand from George Lucas where the Prequels would go? The Clone Wars? Rebels?

        • March 9, 2018 at 2:00 am
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          Yes, when they make an announcement they should announce the thing they are actually doing, not make a bigger deal out of who is making it. When they announced The Clone Wars they did not announce that “Dave Filoni was going to helm a Star Wars TV show that we’re not going to name yet.” When they announced Rebels, they announced Rebels. When they announced Episode 7, they said they were making Episode 7, they did not say who was directing — because it wasn’t even known yet.

          Your question about Harry Potter is odd, because nobody ever said anything about giving away plot details. Don’t try to slip in a red herring. If a new Harry Potter movie is going to be announced, they’ll announce the movie — not “a great producer/writer/whatever who is going to make a movie we’re not going to name.”

          This is not rocket science, don’t make it so.

          • March 9, 2018 at 10:27 am
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            Obviously they hire people first and then those people write a story second. News of the hiring will leak out if they don’t make an announcement. Lucasfilm would be negligent if they didn’t use an announcement to generate excitement.

          • March 9, 2018 at 2:47 pm
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            They announced months ago they were making a live action show. The announced years ago they were making films beyond Episode 7. They announced at Celebration that they would continue making animated series. Its not like they got this idea with Jon Favreau last weekend. This has certainly been going on for a long time and came up with story ideas that Jon Favreau is willing to run with.

    • March 9, 2018 at 12:58 am
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      Everyone except a Woman or a Brown Person – that is …

      • March 9, 2018 at 10:35 am
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        Except that a woman is running the entire operation.

    • March 9, 2018 at 3:34 am
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      She also fired 3 directors

  • March 8, 2018 at 8:59 pm
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    And has been mined for years.

    • March 8, 2018 at 10:03 pm
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      What the prequel era?

      • March 8, 2018 at 10:08 pm
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        Yes, for about15 years

        • March 9, 2018 at 1:04 am
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          Oh yea I agree that time period has had its fair share in the spotlight. But you have to admit there’s more freedom for creativity in that era rather than working in a time period with an oppressive empire.

          • March 9, 2018 at 3:02 pm
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            I wouldn’t say that at all.

            Unless you do the Clone Wars, the galaxy is at peace.

  • March 9, 2018 at 12:57 am
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    Oh Hellz Yeahzzz!!! As long as He gets as Much Creative Freedom as Possible !!!

  • March 9, 2018 at 1:06 am
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    Cool. I hope its about KanjiKlub or the Trillia Massacre or Max Rebo band (how they got together, breakup, reunion and stuff) or a documentary on Sand and how it gets everywhere.

  • March 9, 2018 at 6:51 am
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    He is very talented director but some of his movies, like Jungle Book and Iron Man 2 are suspect. I’m iffy about him directing but if he produces I think he’ll do a great job. I’m excited.

    • March 9, 2018 at 10:18 am
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      Jungle Book is suspect? You’re definitely in the extreme minority with that opinion.

      • March 9, 2018 at 4:17 pm
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        I agree. My wife wanted to see it forever. I postponed the watching of it because I didn’t think I would be interested in the Jungle Book at all. One day I gave in and we watched it on Netflix. I thought it was fantastic. Beautifully done, fantastic special effects, good stuff really. I’d definately watch it again.

        • March 10, 2018 at 3:57 am
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          I enjoyed his original Iron Man movie, the sequel was a mess, to be fair due to Marvel execs involvement. The Jungle book felt like it head a heart in the right place but the execution left a lot to be desired. It’s tonally all over the place, one moment it’s a family movie, the next moment it’s ridiculous CGI parade. The word “live action” should’ve never been attached to it. As I mentioned in response above I can’t make heads or tails of Louie. Why in the world is he so giant and why do we spend most of the film staring at CGI creatures than learning more about the “star” of the movie.

      • March 10, 2018 at 3:54 am
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        Well if you saw either the Disney cartoon or read the actual book, his version represents neither. It tried to add lightheartedness with the musical number from the animated film that didn’t resonate at all, toppled with grotesque CGI apes, giant Louie was particularly odd choice. If you find that blue screen CGI fest that’s barely about Mowgli’s journey satisfying, more power to you. I’m not here to debate personal preference. I have my opinion and you have yours.

        • March 10, 2018 at 5:55 pm
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          Relax, Veni. No one is deying you the right to your opinion. Even if virtually no one agrees with you about this beautifully crafted and heartwarming tale.

  • March 9, 2018 at 7:43 am
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    Until he gets called out on allegations or something.

    • March 9, 2018 at 5:29 pm
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      Why would that be?

  • March 9, 2018 at 1:04 pm
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    I’m okay with so long as he was selected because he’s genuinely the best person for the job, and not just shoehorned it by Kennedy to fulfill some quota.

  • March 9, 2018 at 1:50 pm
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    He seems such a nice guy. His role in Friends was one of my favorite guest appearances — I was amazed when that same guy took on Iron Man! And then again, Chef in 2014. This range of experiences will only help. Wish him the best.

  • March 9, 2018 at 2:44 pm
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    Any clue on what time period the TV series will cover ? I would like to see something between ROTJ and TFA.

  • March 9, 2018 at 9:06 pm
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    I feel that way about the PT, but the larger point is: anyone with the right idea can make a good story out of any era.

    • March 9, 2018 at 9:07 pm
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      This is also true.

Comments are closed.

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