I had heard that Cruise's people denied this, saying that nothing more than a dinner was happening, given that both guys are in London at the same time.

On the other hand, I heard another rumor that perhaps Cruise could be playing a role quite suited to his talents: An older, grayer Jar Jar Binks.

Ordinarily I'd say there's nothing to it -- what would Tom Cruise be doing in Star Wars -- but this is JJ Abrams we're talking about. lol

This has to be disappointing news, but unsurprising. Disney not moving off the 2015 date and waiting for Ford's recovery means Han Solo's involvement in this film has been, reportedly, GREATLY diminished, to Llewyn Davis' gain:

With Harrison Ford temporarily out of commission on the set of J.J. Abrams’ highly anticipated “Star Wars: Episode VII,” Hollywood sources say that star Oscar Isaac’s role in the movie is being expanded.

Details of Isaac’s role have been kept strictly secret — but there’s speculation he plays a descendant or even the son of Ford’s Han Solo character, who has “an especially large role.” But after Ford was injured on the sci-fi epic’s set, spies say Isaac’s part is now being extended as a Plan B.

“They are now beefing up Oscar’s role to be bigger with Harrison injured,” said a source familiar with the project that’s currently shooting at London’s Pinewood Studios.

Rumors have spread that Ford’s injuries, suffered on June 12 at Pinewood when a door fell on him from the iconic spaceship the Millennium Falcon, are worse than first thought.

He broke his left leg, underwent surgery Thursday and will go through rehab before returning to work. He was expected to be out for six to eight weeks. Disney has stated, “Shooting will continue as planned while he recuperates.”

But a Jedi News blog sent “Star Wars” fans into a frenzy this week by reporting Ford could be gone for six months or longer and that after “an emergency meeting at Pinewood . . . the film could have little option but to either cease production, rewrite the script to remove Ford from the film altogether, or at the very least make significant changes to accommodate Ford’s recovery schedule.” But to stem any panic, the website added, “This is just a rumor.”

Another “Star Wars” source told us: “Shutting down the movie is impossible,” and, “The basic story line will not change that much.” The source said no characters were being dramatically expanded, but “the order of filming scenes could be shifted” to work around Ford’s absence.

Isaac graduated from the Coen brothers’ folk music movie “Inside Llewyn Davis” to the latest “Star Wars.”

http://pagesix.com/2014/06/25/isaacs-ro ... rd-injury/

The release date may or may not be affected by Ford's injury. It will be affected by the compressed post-production and VFX schedule, given that they started shooting months later than they should have.

I continue to believe that we'll see this movie in theaters in May 2016, on the original film's 39th anniversary.

I frankly wasn't expecting any of the original cast to have more than a few scenes in this film - other than the droids.

By the way, is there any truth to the rumor that Oscar Isaac spends several scenes asking Chewbacca stop chasing his cat?

SPOILERS






Leaked concept art is all over the web this AM...

https://imageshack.com/user/themillenniumfalcon

Rumor time...though I wouldn't be at all surprised if the score wasn't recorded in London.

A reliable source just said JW received a trailer from JJ Abrams on Monday, Oct 20. JW has already written new Star Wars music to accompany this trailer. This new trailer music will feature new music and will be recorded on November 15 in LA with full orchestra. Still determining if the score will be recorded in London due to advanced age of composer/conductor. 14 hour flight to LA not too kind on 82 year old. This is all a secret and this message will be deleted shortly.

AndyDursin wrote:Rumor time...though I wouldn't be at all surprised if the score wasn't recorded in London.

I get a strong sense he prefers recording in Los Angeles. Williams' brother Don is a tympanist in LA (and Williams himself started out as a session player) so I'm sure he feels a stronger loyalty to the musicians there.

I noticed as his clout increased in the 80s, Williams started recording exclusively in LA (he didn't record any scores overseas between Jedi and Phantom Menace). Recording the SW prequels in London was more likely due to George Lucas' preferences and "tradition", while the Harry Potter sessions were probably part of JK Rowling's deal with Warners that stipulated the productions employ UK talent.

He did use the Boston Symphony for the cues featuring Itzhak Perlman in Schindler's but I suspect that was because it was easier for Perlman to travel to Boston than LA.

But without George Lucas running things this time, plus Williams' age as a factor, I'm sure Williams would rather just drive the ten miles to Culver City than fly 14 hours to London!

THE FORCE AWAKENS is apparently this film's subtitle.

AndyDursin wrote:THE FORCE AWAKENS is apparently this film's subtitle.

I like that way better than "The Phantom Menace."

I like both titles, actually, they each can suggest a great deal.

I'm amazed they didn't call it "The Force Rises".

I don't know - the title suggests the same ol' same ol' to me.

Looks like the trailer is playing this Friday in select Regal cinemas.

This weekend, prepare for theaters to become hives of scum and villainy — or, at least, havens for Star Wars fans eager to see the first teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
After an accidental leak and a signature Abrams tease, Disney has confirmed that the teaser trailer for next year's Star Wars sequel will be playing in approximately 30 theaters over the coming Thanksgiving holiday weekend. (According to the studio, the footage will also "be seen in theaters around the world this December.")

Those theaters are:
Phoenix, AZ: Harkins Tempe Marketplace
Los Angeles, CA: AMC Century City
Los Angeles, CA: El Capitan
Irvine, CA: Regal Spectrum Irvine 21
San Francisco, CA: AMC Metreon 16
San Jose, CA: Cinemark Oakridge 20
San Diego, CA: Regal Mira Mesa 18
Toronto, Canada: CPX Younge & Dundas
Vancouver, Canada: CPX Riverport
Denver, CO: AMC Westminster 24
Washington, D.C.: AMC Tysons Corner 16
Miami, FL: Carmike Parisian 20
Atlanta, GA: Regal Atlantic Station
Chicago, IL: Regal City North
Boston, MA: AMC Boston Commons 19
Detroit, MI: Cinemark Showcase 20
Minneapolis, MN: AMC Southdale
Kansas City, MO: AMC Studio 30
New York, NY: AMC Lincoln Square 12
New York, NY: Regal Union Square
Cleveland, OH: Cinemark 24
Philadelphia, PA: Regal Warrington 22
Nashville, TN: Carmike Thoroughbred 20
Knoxville, TN: Regal Pinnacle
Dallas, TX: Cinemark Plano 20
Houston, TX: Regal Marq*E Stadium 23
Austin, TX: Alamo S. Lamar
Salt Lake City, UT: Cinemark 24 WJ
Seattle, WA: Regal Thornton Place 14
Milwaukee, WI: Marcus Brookfield 16
With the trailer attached to all movies playing in the theaters for the weekend, theater owners will likely have something more to be thankful for during the holiday; when the first trailer for 1999’s Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace was released, The New York Times reported “substantial gains … at theaters showing it.”
Interestingly, the footage isn’t being officially described as a trailer; instead, Lucasfilm is calling it “an early 88-second tease” from the movie. Whether this means that what will be shown will be in a different format from teaser trailers as audiences have come to expect them — perhaps the footage consists of merely one scene from the movie, without credits? — is something that will doubtless be the subject of much speculation between now and Friday.
It’s worth noting that at no point has there been any official (or even unofficial) commentary about the “tease” being released online. Could this be something intended solely for theaters? Given the anticipation surrounding the release, it’s not unlikely that fans will end up paying for multiple movie screenings just for a chance to see the footage again — unless, of course, the trailer appears online ahead of time, whether intentionally or via an Avengers: Age of Ultron-style leak.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be released Dec. 18, 2015.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-v ... ler-751885

Remaining unspoiled for this particular film is going to strain my "no trailers" policy to the limit.