I think it's a given that Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher will be joining the newly signed Harrison Ford in Star Wars: Episode VII. George Lucas made it a point to meet with them early, and that probably wasn't for nothing. It suggests that he at least knew where the story would be headed, even if the Disney deal had yet to be officially announced.
But Roger Friedman over at Showbiz411 doesn't understand why everyone made such a big deal about Ford returning, when to him it was old news....
Friedman: "I just got back and saw a story running wild about Harrison Ford playing Han Solo in the new Star Wars revival. No one seems sure about it. I was told some time ago that Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill would be reprising their roles… the three main actors are definitely coming back."
Ok, he actually seems most confused by the people who are doubting the story. I'd like to know who his sources are on this, because everybody thinks they have a leg up on Star Wars info. Friedman's also pretty sure he knows the direction the story is headed, and it doesn't involve Luke, Han, or Leia as the main protagonists. Instead, it would be their children....
Friedman: "It’s some time in the future. Han, Princess Leia (with a presumably better hairstyle), and Luke Skywalker will be a lot older. Their children will be the new main characters… the bigger question is, which young actors will play their kids?"
If you're one of those who reads the rather extensive Star Wars novelizations, then you no doubt are aware of Han and Leia's kids, Anakin, Jacen, and Jaina Solo. All are powerful Jedi in their own right, although Jacen ends up swayed by the Dark Side. Luke has a son, Ben Skywalker, with the formerly evil Mara Jade. While many consider the novels official Star Wars canon, it's likely that Disney would want to start "clean", so to speak. In fact, Lawrence Kasdan said as much just last week...
Kasdan: "I’m trying to start fresh. There are certain pleasures that we think the saga can bring to people that they’ve been missing, and we’re hoping to bring them that, and at the same time, have them feel that it’s all new."
They could still use the kids while crafting a totally new story that's perfectly in line with the other six movies. I expect that's the direction they'll go in, when all is said and done. In the meantime, I'd like to know where Friedman's getting his intel. He may be right, but it'd be nice to have some sort of confirmation. Or at least some indication he's not just blowing smoke.
I remember the rumors of Matthew Vaughn wanting to cast Chloe Moretz in the film if he won the directing gig. She'd make a heck of a Jaina "Hit-Jedi" Solo, I think.
