Star Wars 7 News: Star Wars Spin-Off Gets New Writer, Episode VIII And IX Dates Confirmed And More

It looks as though the first ‘Star Wars’ spin-off has lost its writer… and gained an entirely new one. And all this before reportedly heading out on location in Mexico. But what does it all mean?

This week in the galaxy far, far away, we’ve seen ‘Star Wars VIII and IX’ release dates confirmed (yet again) and Peter Mayhew is reportedly on the mend. We’ve even seen Ewan McGregor explaining that he still hasn’t been asked to return…

So let’s take a look back at the week’s ‘Star Wars’ news.

- New Look At The Millennium Falcon
- Andy Serkis Has Only One Star Wars Role
- George Lucas Won’t See Star Wars VII Trailer

Star Wars Spin-Off Gets New Writer

It’s one of the most surprising bits of ‘Star Wars’ news recently - the exit of Gary Whitta from the upcoming spin-off movie. But while the screenwriter has finished his first draft, it looks as though the writing process is far from over… and Lucasfilm have already hired a replacement.

Introducing Chris Weitz – writer of ‘About A Boy’ and Disney’s upcoming live-action ‘Cinderella’. Of course, we’re unsure how far his writing duties stretch on the project. Will he simply be a second pair of eyes to give the first draft a good going over? For now, we’ll have to wait and see. But it’s starting to look as though the ‘Star Wars’ franchise is a far more collaborative project than we first thought.

Star Wars Spin-Off Heading To Mexico?

In other ‘Star Wars’ spin-off news, it looks as though the ambitious production could be heading to Mexico. According to the folks at Making Star Wars, the first spin-off might just head out to South America for some location shoots.

“Here are some rumors from the crew members and such from Pinewood and what a few people at Pinewood are hearing about the new film,” they said. “Expect more on-location shooting than for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Crew members are hearing their start dates now. Many believe they are doing a lot of work on-location in Mexico for the first spin-off.”

Of course, we’ve been hearing a lot of rumours about tales of a dirty dozen style movie… and a Mexico setting might just reflect that. But will it happen? We’ll have to wait and see.

Star Wars VIII and IX Release Confirmed

In a move that will surprise absolutely no-one, Disney CEO Bob Iger has confirmed (yet again) the upcoming release dates for ‘Star Wars VIII’ and ‘Star Wars IX’.

“Next year we’ll release our first standalone movie based on these characters,” he said, “followed by ‘Star Wars: Episode 8’ in 2017, and we’ll finish this trilogy with ‘Episode 9’ in 2019.”

Of course, this was always planned as another trilogy, with spin-off films in between each episode… so it’s hardly a huge surprise. Still, it’s nice to think that while we wait for ‘Star Wars VII’ to hit our screens, there are another two films to follow.

Peter Mayhew Returns Home From Hospital

Here’s a quick update following our story last week that Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew had been hospitalised – he’s firmly on the mend and has been discharged from hospital. The 70-year-old ‘Star Wars’ actor was being treated for pneumonia.

A representative for the actor took to Twitter and posted a rather amusing image of Jar Jar Binks with the caption “Weesa Going Home”. “Thank you all for your sympathy and well wishes,” they said. I think I speak for most ‘Star Wars’ fans in wishing Peter all the best. And we hope to see him back on his feet soon.

Jessica Chastain Wants To Be In Star Wars

Although ‘Star Wars VII’ filming is complete, it hasn’t stopped various actors expressing their interest in the galaxy far, far away. And this time, it’s the turn of the lovely Jessica Chastain.

Appearing alongside ‘Star Wars VII’ actor Oscar Isaac in the movie ‘A most Violent Year’, it looks as though she might be jealous of her co-star’s role.

“I would have absolutely been in ‘Star Wars’, I would have loved to be in Star Wars,” she said. “I know they’re going to make more so…”

Of course, I can’t help thinking she’d make a rather excellent Mara Jade – that’s Luke Skywalker’s wife in the Expanded Universe. But will that character even appear? I certainly hope so.

Ewan McGregor Not Approached For Star Wars Return

Although there are plenty of actors desperate to make their ‘Star Wars’ debut, there are also some who’d like to return to the franchise. Ewan McGregor – who played a young Obi-Wan Kenobi in the prequel trilogy – reveals he still hasn’t been approached. Even though he’d love to be a part of it.

“I’m still waiting for the call,” he said. “But literally, I have had nothing. Nothing. I don’t know how it could work, because I don’t know what those stories are. I never discussed them with George [Lucas] when we made ours, so I have no idea what the three storylines are.”

Of course, I can’t help thinking that the return of good old Obi-Wan would be an excellent idea… but perhaps it’s something for a spin-off rather than the main ‘Star Wars’ saga. Still, it’s nice to see he’d love to return.

J.J. Abrams’ Reaction After Harrison Ford Broke His Leg

Finally, here’s one of the weirder stories this week – it’s J.J. Abrams’ rather odd reaction to Harrison Ford breaking his leg. Back in June 2014, Harrison Ford was injured on the set of ‘Star Wars VII’. It eventually turned out that he’d broken his leg… and it would see the star out of action for some time.

But during an interview with the Huffington Post, Oscar Isaac revealed how director J.J. Abrams handled the news.

“JJ was in such high spirits, he was literally making jokes on the loudspeakers,” he said. “We had a big schedule that day, but JJ stopped us all and he said, ‘Can everybody just stop and look at the moon right now?’. He said, ‘Look how beautiful it is, and how lucky we all are to be here.’ JJ knows what’s important, and he reminded us it was a beautiful experience. He made it very personal.”

Not exactly the most ordinary reaction to one of your actors breaking his leg, but I imagine it was a rather stressful time for everyone. Still, the moon? I’m fairly sure that was no moon…

Join us next week for a run-down of all the top ‘Star Wars’ stories.

- Daniel Craig Rumoured For Star Wars Cameo
- Star Wars VII’s John Boyega Replies To Haters
- Did Star Wars VII Lose Control Of Its Secrets?

Picture Credit: Lucasfilm