Star Wars Bits: Benedict Cumberbatch Wants To Be A Lightsaber, Plus Damon Lindelof, Star Wars Kid & Simon Pegg
Lots of principals from Star Trek Into Darkness are discussing reuniting with their director, J.J. Abrams on his next film, Star Wars Episode VII. After the jump read about the follow Star Wars Bits:
Benedict Cumberbatch, Jedi Knight. Benedict Cumberbatch, Sith Lord. Both have a certain ring to them, don't you think? Turns out the actor, currently appearing in Star Trek Into Darkness, was a much bigger fan of Star Wars than Star Trek in his youth, and in an interview with Total Film, he talked about growing up with the films. He also joked about talking to J.J. Abrams about appearing...as a lightsaber:
I've already asked him if I can be a lightsaber and we're in talks – about whirring sounds and the rates for the lights and everything [laughs]
On May 4th, the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, CA hosted three screenings of Return of the Jedi to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film's release. The Egyptian is the same theater in which 20th Century Fox held the premiere of Jedi in 1983, so it was a very special occasion. The official Star Wars YouTube channel was on hand to document the event and they did so with a cool little video. Plus, if you have a keen eye, you can pick out yours truly in a very difficult game of Where's Germain?
Last week, screenwriter Damon Lindelof admitted he — like everyone else breathing in Hollywood — would love to be a part of the new Star Wars universe. And with his professional and personal connections to J.J. Abrams, that certainly seems plausible. Well, in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lindelof explains that he would never put himself in that situation and wants to enjoy the films as a fan. Abrams, however, has a different take and said this about the writer and massive Star Wars fan:
I consider both of us part of each other's pitching cabinet; we're both there for each other, officially or otherwise, no matter what. I know for a fact that, moving forward, I will bend his ear on this.
Being as you are currently on the Internet, I'd be willing to wager you've seen the YouTube sensation: Star Wars Kid. Even if you haven't seen it in its original form (below) you've seen him edited into other videos. He was one of the first and biggest viral "stars" out there. The man in question, Ghyslain Raza, became famous in certain circles, but never spoke about his experience. Ten years later, he's finally come out to discuss the horrors of being ridiculed the world over. The whole interview is on Maclean's but you can read pieces at New Media Rock Stars. Here's the original video:
Everyone knows Simon Pegg is a huge Star Wars fan. Even Star Wars Episode VII director J.J. Abrams knows. But Pegg, who has worked with Abrams on multiple projects, told Female First though he wants to be a part of the film, he won't come out and just say that to the director:
I would follow JJ anywhere. As a director, I love him and I really respect his choices. At the same time, I'm also a big fan of Star Wars and I'd love to see a Star Wars film and that might actually necessitate me not being in it so I can enjoy it fully. I respect JJ enough not to say, 'Please can I be in Star Wars?' because that would be unprofessional. I don't really respect myself at all to be honest. But it's still so far in the future and so up in the air.
Finally, in an interview with Scotsman, Abrams talked about his love of Star Wars and how he feels approaching it won't really overlap with Star Trek:
In terms of Star Wars, it's early days going forward. Obviously it's a completely different universe and feels like it has a different tone and history and characters. If I had a Venn diagram of the two, I don't feel like there would be much of an overlap.