Tag: Star Wars

Star Wars Weekends Events Will be Available with FastPass+

Star_Wars_Weekends_Logo

Some of the events being held during Star Wars Weekends are now available for FastPass+ during Star Wars Weekends.

For the first weekend the available shows are:

Behind the Force – Star Wars: Rebels

Obi-Wan and Beyond starring James Arnold-Taylor

Stars of the Saga Star Wars Celebrity Talk Show

The shows will be included in Tier 1 of the FastPass+ selection group at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  This group also includes Toy Story Mania, Rock ‘n Roller Coaster, and Fantasmic.  One selection is allowed from this group.

Star Wars Episode VII Cast Finally Announced

star-wars-episode-7-cast

From StarWars.com –

The Star Wars team is thrilled to announce the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.

Director J.J. Abrams says, “We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud.”

Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, and John Williams returns as the composer. The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.

Organizational Changes Take Place at WDI and Epcot

Walt_Disney_Imagineering_logo

Disney is in the process of a reshuffle of organizational leadership at Epcot and Walt Disney Imagineering.

As posted earlier, Tom Fitzgerald will be taking over the creative direction of Epcot.

In addition, current Epcot Vice President Erin Youngs will take on the new role of vice president Construction, Horticulture, Textile Services and Distribution Services.  Youngs will be replacing the retiring Greg Ruse.

Replacing Youngs as Epcot VP will be Sam Lau who currently is the vice president of Walt Disney World Transportation.  Lau will report to Jim MacPhee.  Replacing Lau in transportation will be Jason Kirk who will be taking on the role of vice president, Transportation Operations.  Kirk previously had bee part of the team that relaunched Disney California Adventure and most recently was a director of Planning and Industrial Engineering.  Kirk will report to Tom Wolber.

Meanwhile, at  Walt Disney Imagineering, Scott Trowbridge is being moved to a new project studio solely dedicated to the Star Wars franchise.  Additionally, Trowbridge will be taking on the role of portfolio leader at Disneyland Resort.  Previously he was leading WDI Research and Development and various Blue Sky work.

This Is The Event You’re Looking For

feel-the-force-00-full

Rocket your Star Wars experience into hyperspace when you buy tickets for the Feel the Force Premium Package. Enjoy a reserved premium viewing area for 2 popular Star Wars Weekends spectaculars—the Legends of the Force:Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade and the Symphony in the Stars fireworks. During the day, the motorcade viewing area includes beverages and snacks; when the stars come out, the fireworks viewing area features a Star Wars-themed dessert party.

The Feel the Force Premium Package will be with you, always: to remember this very special day in a galaxy far, far away, you’ll receive a special souvenir Disney PhotoPass card that can be used to link your photos to your Disney account—and includes a series of complimentary Star Wars photos.

Tentative Talent Lineup Announced for Star Wars Weekends

Star_Wars_Weekends_Logo

Today,  Disney announced the full talent lineup for this year’s event. Celebrities scheduled to attend includeStar Wars actors and actresses from the past (from the Star Wars film saga), present (from the popular animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars) and even the future (from the eagerly anticipated Disney XD animated series Star Wars Rebels).

Previously Disney announced that acclaimed voice actor James Arnold Taylor is the official celebrity host of this year’s event. We’re pleased to announce today that Ashley Eckstein, voice of Ahsoka Tano in The Clone Wars, a former Walt Disney World Resort parade performer and now a successful fangirl fashion designer, will be the host of a special “Behind The Force” show each weekend. This year, “Behind The Force” will showcase some of the main cast members from Star Wars Rebels.

Also of note: Weekend V will feature the most Star Wars celebrities to appear at one time in the event’s history.

Here’s the lineup (*subject to change):

Weekend I: May 16-18 

Ahmed Best: Jar Jar Binks (Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones; Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith; Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Peter Mayhew: Chewbacca (Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith; Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope; Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back; Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi; Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Vanessa Marshall: Hera Syndulla (Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend II: May 23-25

Warwick Davis: Wicket W. Warrick (Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi); Wald (Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)

Jeremy Bulloch: Boba Fett (Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back; Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi); Capt. Jeremoch Colton (Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith)

Tiya Sircar: Sabine Wren (Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend III: May 30-June 1

Ray Park: Darth Maul (Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)

John Ratzenberger: Major Bren Derlin (Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back)

Taylor Gray: Ezra Bridger (Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend IV: June 6-8

Mark Hamill: Luke Skywalker (Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope; Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back; Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi); Darth Bane (Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Ray Park: Darth Maul (Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)

Billy Dee Williams: Lando Calrissian (Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back; Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)

Taylor Gray: Ezra Bridger (Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend V: June 13-15

Dee Bradley Baker: Captain Rex/the Clones, Bossk and several additional characters (Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Cat Taber: Padmé Amidala and several additional characters (Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Tom Kane: Yoda, the series’ narrator and several additional characters (Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Matt Lanter: Anakin Skywalker and several additional characters (Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Steve Blum: Zeb Orrelios (Star Wars Rebels)

 

D-Tech Me Experience Returns for Star Wars Weekends

D-Tech Me

A very popular activity for Star Wars Weekends is returning this year. The D-Tech Me experience is where guests can have their faces cast on a mold of a Star Wars figurine.

This year, there will be four exciting new options for attendees to choose from. The options include two returnees: the Carbon-Freeze Me mold (similar to what happens to Han Solo in Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back) and the Stormtrooper mold.  New this year are molds of the Alderaan Princess and the X-Wing Pilot.

During the process guests will take part in a 3D face scan. From, there, the scan will be sent to a 3D printer. Once the figurine is created, it will be mailed to guests in approximately 7-8 weeks. (International shipping may take a bit longer.)

The experience will take place in Darth’s Mall, a special merchandise location only available during Star Wars Weekends.  This year Darth’s Mall will be located on Soundstage 1, between Toy Story Mania and the Studio Backlot Tour.

Guests will be able to purchase either a 7-inch figurine for $99.95 (plus tax and shipping) or a new 16-inch figurine for a whopping $1,499.95 (plus tax and shipping.)

To book the experience, please call (407) WDW-TECH. A credit card number will be required to hold the reservation, and cancellation fees may apply. This opportunity will only take place during Star Wars Weekends. Keep in mind that theme park admission is required to enter the park.

Star Wars Weekends are scheduled for May 16-18, May 23-25, May 30-June 1, June 6-8, and June 13-15.

For Star Wars fans, this is a can’t pass up, absolutely unique souvenir.

Disney Studio Head Says “Star Wars VII” Casting Almost Complete….and Film is Already Shooting

star-wars-episode-7

From The Hollywood Reporter –

The new Star Wars — episode 7 in the nine-picture franchise — has already begun filming and most of the cast is now in place for the movie, Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn revealed April 2. “We have a lot of them [in place],” he said about the main actors, whose names have not been disclosed. “We’re just not completely done yet.”

Horn acknowledged there had been some problems getting the script right. “It’s all about the screenplay,” he said. “It has to be screenplay, screenplay, screenplay.” Asked if the screenplay was fully where it needed to be, he added: “It actually is now.” The script has been co-written by Lawrence Kasdan and J.J. Abrams, following an early draft by Michael Arndt.

The executive said the movie would be released in December 2015 and that the story would pick up “where 6 left off — and where 6 left off is 35 years ago by the time this is released.”

Horn was interviewed by THR’s Stephen Galloway at Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television in Los Angeles, as part of the ongoing Hollywood Masters series. Others in the series have included Alfonso Cuaron, David O. Russell, Judd Apatow, John Singleton, Sherry Lansing and William Friedkin.

%d bloggers like this: