ROTTEN TOMATOES: Lucas Update: Portman, "Star Wars," and "Indy 4"

Lucas Update: Portman, "Star Wars," and "Indy 4"

by Scott Weinberg | March 07, 2007

Got a grab-bag of George Lucas news bits for you, including a final denial that Natalie Portman will appear in "Indiana Jones 4," plus a few new items on those long-discussed "Star Wars" TV projects.

First off, let's squash that rumor, the one that says Natalie Portman will be playing Dr. Jones' daughter in the third sequel to "Raiders of the Lost Ark." George Lucas plainly states that in this rather cool video interview from IESB.net. (He also goes on to mention which classic characters will appear in the live-action series ... folks like Mace and Yoda are mentioned!!)

Lucas also says there will NOT be any future "Star Wars" movies, but also that the brand is far from demised. It also looks like the filmmaker's "Red Tails" war drama might soon be happening, but certainly not before "Indiana Jones 4" gets moving.

Sources: IESB.net, IGN Movies

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(1-20 of 26 posts) | Reply

privatepilesleftnipple writes:
on Mar 07 2007 04:16 AM

I think they need to re-evaluate the entire situation

(Reply to this)

WiseGuy writes:
on Mar 07 2007 04:30 AM

I think you need to re-evaluate posting on Rotten Tomatoes.

(Reply to this)

mojodaddy writes:
on Mar 07 2007 05:39 AM

Star Wars' PR guy said at comic-con 2005 that there would definitely be a CGI Star Wars TV series.

(Reply to this)

Merlin235 writes:
on Mar 07 2007 06:54 AM

Here is my question: why is Lucas dead set against making Episodes 7,8 &9 into movies, but he'll pimp the Star Wars brand into every other kind of medium? I mean, come on, a Star Wars live action TV show? I'm not sure there are even enough Star Wars geeks to keep that crap running. "Stay tuned after American Idol, for the premier episode of Star Wars:the Series".....barf

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pocketnovel writes:
on Mar 07 2007 07:15 AM

The author got it wrong. Lucas was saying that people like Mace and Yoda will feature in the Clone Wars 3D animated series, not in the live action show. That would be horrendous...I don't need to see second class actors playing those already established roles on television.

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RandoCommando writes:
on Mar 07 2007 08:16 AM

In reply to this comment (#857483)
[b]well, not only that...[/b]
Mace is already dead in the setting of the live action series, which takes place between episodes 3 & 4... Yoda they could do no problem, though--what's Frank Oz doing anyway, besides voicing Grover on Sesame Street-- although I have a feeling his character will be spared. Also, Lucas has not ruled out future star wars movies-- just episodes 7,8,9 involving Skywalkers... for NOW.

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ninjaandy writes:
on Mar 07 2007 08:38 AM

Despite Lucas' public assertions that the expanded universe of Star Wars is not "his vision", he knows it is immensely popular and has even pulled ideas from it on occasion.

Granted, if he really, really, really wanted to make 7, 8, and 9 he would, but given the reception of the prequel trilogy by fans and casual viewers, it's not likely he'll risk alienating them by rewriting a "history" they already know and accept, and backing it with statements about "it's my vision, I can do what I want."

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kenny356 writes:
on Mar 07 2007 09:25 AM

what are 7,8 and 9, are they the grand admiral thrawn/Joruus C'boath trilogy?

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adml_shake writes:
on Mar 07 2007 09:52 AM

In reply to this comment (#857486)
that would be cool, but they could probably try the Yuuzhan Vong War too. Switch over to a Jacen, Jaina, Anakin based story line.

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wilkiedriver writes:
on Mar 07 2007 10:22 AM

In reply to this comment (#857487)
Great idea, but unfortunately I think that would cause too much confusion among moviegoers that know very little about the original Star Wars in general. The Imperial Remnant joining the New Republic/Galactic Alliance against the Yuuzhan Vong would be too much for the barely-casual moviegoers (the type of people that look forward to see Norbit or Wild Hogs).

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TheIceGhost writes:
on Mar 07 2007 10:33 AM

Lucas has said that in his mind the Skywalker's story is finished. That is why there won't be an Ep. 7,8 and 9. The expanded universe isn't exactly his brain-child, so he doesn't really care about it story wise. Then again, this IS George Lucas we're talking about, so you never know (which is why the rumors will probably never die).

From what I've heard the live-action show MAY (b/c nothing has officially been released) be set amongst 4 primary characters from 4 different backgrounds, in which the series would split up their episodes to highlight these 4 different areas in the SW universe (obviously there would probably be inter-linking storyarches between the characters down the line).

I also have heard that Boba Fett has a good chance of being one of those characters. I remember hearing something a while back about the kid who played Boba in Ep. II wanting the role, or being asked to do it or him signing some phantom contract or something like that.

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nogard64 writes:
on Mar 07 2007 11:47 AM

I think there can be atleast 2 movies that makes sense, a prequel to the prequel, a movie that goes in to the rise of the Jedi's and how they thwarted the dark side. This Prequel movie would end with the birth of Anakin Skywalker where ever he came from.

And Atleast one movie to be Ep 7.

I'm against stretching out story lines in to trilogies, I think 1 of each would be fine.

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medicineman writes:
on Mar 07 2007 11:48 AM

While I was travelling in Europe last fall it was reported on television that while Lucas has indicated that he won't be directing future Star Wars movies, he did not rule out the possibilty of producing future movies and allowing others to direct them.

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Floor Man writes:
on Mar 07 2007 12:42 PM

In reply to this comment (#857489)
[b]Excited for some canon EU![/b]
Gah! Thank you! I'm glad *someone* knows what they're talking about. There will NOT be episodes 7, 8, and 9. They don't exist, everyone!

That's all I've heard as well...Good ol' George said he'll probably write and produce the first season, then hand the project off to someone else he knows will do it justice (although he'll still be onboard as producer). Lucas has, indeed, officially stated Daniel Logan (young Boba) will return for the TV series, but, as you said, nothing more has officially been released.

In general, I'm just excited. :) No more Star Wars movies, but more Star Wars! Yay.

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S0BeURself writes:
on Mar 07 2007 01:36 PM

[b]wilkiedriver. . .[/b]
whoa buddy, do not place the "casual movie goer" on the same level of that guy who goes to see Norbit and Wild Hogs. There's a better person btw him and the uber geeks who are busy speculating on episodes 7-9.

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Flim Springfield writes:
on Mar 07 2007 02:34 PM

Lucas used to say there'd be no more Star Wars movies back in the late 80s, too. Eventually his bank account will drop below ten digits and he'll do another trilogy.

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Scarborough Fair writes:
on Mar 07 2007 03:41 PM

[b]YES[/b]
I hope they base the series on the hugely unpopular rape-droids of Gerlbangz 6!

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yodas gooch writes:
on Mar 07 2007 03:42 PM

I would really like to see him dump all his Indy/Star Wars baggage and move on!!!
Red Tails at least sounds promising

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yodas gooch writes:
on Mar 07 2007 03:44 PM

PS this live action series has that Star Wars Christmas Special stench to it...me thinks it will be fxxking woeful

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TheSilentMan writes:
on Mar 07 2007 11:11 PM

looking forward to it. i think he's a much beter director than peter jackson, who i think is extremely overrated.

(Reply to this)