Best of 2014: Part Five
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KAMANDI IS COMING! The Jack Kirby Artist’s Edition Library From IDW Adds Essential Series
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| (Amazing double page spread from the not-included Kamandi #3!) |
Of all Jack Kirby’s celebrated DC Comics creations, perhaps none has struck such an enduring chord with readers as his post-apocalyptic adventure Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth. Now, to the delight of fans far and wide, this much-anticipated series joins the esteemed ranks of Jack “King” Kirby’s Artist’s Editions!Read more »
Long after the age of super heroes, Kamandi triumphed as humanity’s last beacon in a world ruled by beasts. Traveling the remnants of civilization after a great disaster, the Last Boy on Earth found both friends and foes among the irradiated animal kingdom that now inhabited the world. Written and drawn by Kirby, the series was unique to comics and completely unlike anything else readers had seen.
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Netflix Greenlights WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER Limited Series; Entire Cast To Return
The cast of Wet Hot American Summer, which starred Elizabeth Banks, H. Jon Benjamin, Michael Ian Black, Bradley Cooper, Judah Friedlander, Janeane Garofalo, Nina Hellman, Ken Marino, Zak Orth, David Hyde Pierce, Joe LoTruglio, Christopher Meloni, A.D. Miles, Marguerite Moreau, Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, Marisa Ryan, Molly Shannon, Michael Showalter and Kevin Sussman, are all returning to summer camp in an 8-episode limited series for Netflix with David Wain set to direct and co-write with Showalter.
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Melissa McCarthy In Talks For GHOSTBUSTERS With Jillian Bell And Cecily Strong In The Mix
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| Written by Christopher M. |
THR is reporting that Melissa McCarthy is finally in early talks to take a role in Paul Feig's Ghostbusters reboot. However, they are cautious since McCarthy's CBS series and other film projects could become an issue. Melissa has been linked for the film ever since it was announced, and seems like a lock.
THR mentions two other names which are Jillian Bell (Eastbound And Down, Workaholics, 22 Jump Street) and Cicely Strong (SNL). Jillian was my favorite part of 22 Jump Street so I see where Feig and Sony are coming from. No, I have not watched Workaholics and I've heard she is excellent there as well.
It should be noted that Emma has been talking with Sony about the project even when it was still going to be the third sequel and not a reboot, they want her badly for the film. I just hope they go for comedians here.
Also, why the fuck is Sony only looking at white women?
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How Neill Blomkamp And Sigourney Weaver Could Team-Up To Convince Fox To Make ALIEN XENO
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| Written by Christopher M. |
We know that writer-director Neill Blomkamp has been secretly commissioning artwork for an Alien film (working title Alien Xeno) but wasn't on the radar of 20th Century Fox who own the franchise. He instead tried to come-up with his own take on the saga, which seemingly had the return of Ripley and Hicks. The two surviving their on-screen deaths in Alien 3, and back to stopping the evil Weyland Corporation from using the xenomorphs for bio-weapons. Essentially becoming the Aliens sequel that James Cameron was never allowed to make.
For starters there is a new guard at Fox, something that happens every so often. The people who nixed the original plan to have Weaver reprise the Ripley role in Alien 5 are now gone. That pitch had James Cameron set to work with Joss Whedon on a script with Ridley Scott attached to direct the film. Instead Fox went with Aliens Vs Predators and everyone just walked away from the franchise. Of course Ridley returning only to play around with his Space Jockey origin in Prometheus installments.
We know that the xenomorph we know and love won't be apart of Fox's Prometheus sequel, as this was confirmed by Ridley himself. That seems to leave a few options on the table for Fox to consider new mainstream Alien saga films. Appeasing the fans who felt cheated with Prometheus and are still hungering for more movies. I've mentioned before about mining the rich world created for the space station setting of Alien Isolation which has Ripley's daughter Amanda becoming the protagonist. While this could be an excellent one-off or soft reboot, I'm convinced we could have another round with Ellen Ripley.
Sigourney Weaver has stated she's extremely open to playing Ripley one more time to give fans that finally climax we never really had. This could have the events of the fourth film continue with the cloned Ripley continuing to seek out the Aliens and destroying them.
Another aspect would be to ignore the events of the last two films entirely. Allowing Ripley to be herself and really explore what would have happened if Weyland-Yutani did in fact finally get ahold of the aliens.
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Saoirse Ronan And Taron Ederton Linked For Roles In X-MEN APOCALYPSE
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| Written by Christopher M. |
Latino Review is reporting new names linked for the roles of younger versions of Scott Summers (Cyclops), Jean Grey and Ororo Munroe (Storm) in Bryan Singer's X-Men Apocalypse. Oscar Isaac is set to play the titular villain of the film, but we haven't really heard a recent update from trades.
Apparently, my top contender Taron Edgerton from Matthew Vaughn's Kingsman The Secret Service and my Spider-Man hopeful Tye Sheridan (Mud, Tree of Life, Dark Places) are up for the role of Cyclops. British actor Jamie Blackley is also in the mix.
Considering the buzz coming from Kingsman, I expect Fox will move on offering the role to Taron. I had him pegged weeks back and I really hope he lands it.
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TJ Miller Being Looked At For Comedic Role In DEADPOOL..Is It Weasel Or Bob?
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| Written by Christopher M. |
Deadpool will be released next February but we don't have much casting for the film at the moment. The Wrap has an update with news that both TJ Miller (Big Hero 6, Silicon Valley, Cloverfield) and Ed Skrien are being looked-at for major roles in the film. Miller's role is said to be comedic of nature, which I assume means it could be Weasel or Fox's version of Bob Agent of Hydra.
Ed Skrien on the other hand is said to be the up for the villain role. We have no idea who that character could be since the major script rewrites, but I would take a guess that Taskmaster or someone like that is a strong candidate. Skrien is best known for his roles in Game of Thrones and Transporter: Legacy, both of which were extremely action-heavy characters. This leads me to believe he very well could be Taskmaster or another extremely psychical X-Men villain.
Here's why I believe Taskmaster is a strong candidate to become a major villain in Deadpool.
At one time Fox tried to have a Taskmaster film put together by Joe Carnahan, who later developed a gritty Daredevil reboot for them as well. My assumption is that Fox still holds the rights to the character, since we haven't heard anything about him returning to Marvel. The Marvel villain has tangled with Deadpool on many occasions and seems like a threat that would outside the mutant world. He's also one of the more recognizable villains Deadpool has clashed with over the years.
Nothing says it couldn't lead to him getting his own spin-off eventually, since we know Fox did want to give the character his own movie. Plus, after all the extensive rewrites that the original script underwent after it leaking a lot stuff could have been scrapped.
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Gary Whitta Leaves STAR WARS Spin-Off To Focus On Fox's STARLIGHT
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| Written by Christopher M. |
Reports are coming-out from THR that screenwriter Gary Whitta is exiting Gareth Edward's Star Wars spin-off. Gary has taken to Twitter to confirm this and reveals he'll be now focusing on scripting Fox's Starlight. The film is adaptation of the Mark Millar comic which is mix of The Incredibles meets Flash Gordon.
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My Two-Cents On What Fox Needs To Include In THE WOLVERINE Sequel
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| Written by Christopher M. |
Originally, there had been chatter from Hugh Jackman that he was looking forward to retiring the character after Days of Future Past. Then The Wolverine was a huge success when compared to the other X-Men releases that time. He also got a chance to see Days of Future Past, which become the biggest box office earner in the franchise. His attitude started changing and we've been hearing him become a bit more open to idea of holding-on the the role. Signing-on for two more installments with X-Men Apocalypse in May 2016 and The Wolverine 2 in March 2017.
He's still giving the impression his participation will be due to what is offered to him, and will have to blow him away for him to agree to it. An excellent creative and contract positioning tactic from Jackman. Production won't likely start for a while and the creatives are still mapping-out the script. It's in a unique position where they might be still willing to take suggestions, well I have a couple and will run them down below.
Fox recently hired screenwriter David James Kelly to help with the script which was being outlined by The Wolverine director James Mangold (3:10 To Yuma, Cop Land), who is set to return. Kelly isn't a stranger to writing Marvel characters, as he was tasked to rewrite the Daredevil reboot for Fox when David Slade (Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night) was still attached as director.
I've tried hard via Twitter to get some details out of James Mangold, but he has been patiently calm and coy when talking about the film. Granted, my exchanges were during the early development of his outline. I'm unsure where he's at with his current collaboration with Kelly. James has actually asked for input and character suggestions, which sort of led me to doing this write-up.
As much as I'd love to see more of the Japanese underworld and the return of Lady Deathstrike, it's possible that might not be the focus of this sequel. Since making the film too close to the last one might not be the wisest move.
Hugh has commented on the fact The Wolverine was a desirable prospect because it was a standalone installment. Only having a few connections to the other X-Men films, feeling like a true solo adventure. It's possible that they reuse that excellent concept for the sequel as well.
While most are expecting more of a crossover or bringing-in other main X-Men characters, it's unlikely.
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Four Comic Book Franchise Roles MANU BENNETT Could Be Perfect For
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| Written by Christopher M. |
Above is an image of Aussie actor Manu Bennett performing the Haka with fellow actor Jason Momoa. It's a cool picture for a couple of reasons, it establishes Manu's Maori background and he's posing with an actor with a career I see him paralleling very soon.
Jason recently became Warner Bros' Aquaman in a multi-picture deal which includes Batman v Superman, Justice League Part 1-2 and his own Aquaman film.
I have a feeling Manu is going to be in this position very soon and could end-up reading for some big franchise roles. Thanks in part to playing Azog The Defiler in the Hobbit Trilogy and becoming a standout on CW's Arrow as Slade Wilson aka Deathstroke.
It's likely impossible to see the actor reprise that role in Zack Snyder's DC Comics cinematic universe. Since we've heard from studio heads that the TV and film universes are indeed separate entities. Even though David Goyer had been developing a Deathstroke film for the studio, it's very unlikely that role will go to Manu.
This just means Bennett could be open for a whole bunch of franchise comic book roles. I'm sure there will be a point where Fox, Marvel Studios and Warner Bros. could all be courting the charismatic Aussie. We saw a similar thing go down for Dwayne Johnson and Jason Momoa when they suddenly started landing on studio radars.
Which comic book franchise roles do I think Manu is best suited for?
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A Solo BATMAN Film Will Arrive Sooner Rather Than Later
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| Written by Christopher M. |
For a moment let's humor the idea of a secret Batman film coming out in October, why would Warner Bros. hide this from fans?
Warner Bros. is gambling big with Batman v Superman, pitting their developing cinematic franchise against Marvel's established one. A lot of things could go wrong and totally mess-up their plans, as their announced DC Comics movie slate is 100% happening at this point. Some films could get replaced by others or could be place-holders for WB establishing release dates early. A tactic we've seen Marvel Studios use to their advantage recently. Although, Marvel isn't announcing films unless they are sure they're getting made to meet those dates.
Announcing a Batman centric film would greatly help establish this new shared universe.
Let's be honest, Wayne is the most important hero in the DC ranks currently.
Read more »Let's be honest, Wayne is the most important hero in the DC ranks currently.
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Three Of The Oddest Races In Movie History
In the real world, sport races are a pretty serious business. If it be Formula One cars, Speedway motorbikes or thoroughbred horses – the stands will be packed, the tension will be rampant and the atmosphere charged.
For the most part, cinematic representations of sport races have wished to retain this heavy ambiance of the real life event, treating the subject-matter with seriousness and passion equal to that of its fans. Indeed, with the release of the odds for the Grand National, it won't be surprising to see many copies of classic horse-racing dramas, such as National Velvet and Seabiscuit, being rented during the build-up to this iconic British event.
However, Hollywood productions - in terms of staging races - have neither always adhered to traditional sports to depict nor always treated the enterprise with such seriousness and drama. Hollywood has churned out some surprisingly odd variants of traditional sport races and, occasionally, made-up their own entirely.
With this in mind, here are three of the oddest races ever contested in movie history!
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The Top 10 Songs To Make Out To
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| By Elizabeth Weitz |
Before I begin let me preface this by saying that this list is comprised solely of the songs that I made out to. I could have titled this piece: "The Top 10 Songs That I Sucked Face To Back When That Sort Of Thing Was Still Kinda Hot" but who really wants to read about a 40 year old's titular pre-full-on-sexual history through a list of songs.
Probably about five people right?
So, I kinda fudged the title a bit and hope that this completely subjective grouping of songs that, when played in the background, will lead to a furious bout of slobber-swapping and dry humping for you. And, if it doesn't, well, at least the memory of my awkward tongue kissing will forever be embedded into your noggin (sorry about that).
Let's begin.
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TAYLOR NEGRON: More Than Just "That Guy"
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| By Elizabeth Weitz |
Taylor Negron always presented himself as "That Guy", the one who delivered pizza to Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times At Ridgemont High, the mailman in Better Off Dead, the mailman in How I Got Into College...so many small parts in so many big pictures. Then again he managed to score bigger roles as well: Julio in Easy Money, Dr. Phil Burns in Young Doctors In Love, Albert Emperato in Punchline and Milo in The Last Boy Scout.
For some this is all they will know about him.
But losing Taylor (who passed away this week after a long battle with liver cancer) is much more complicated than simply being reminded that "Oh yeah, he was that guy in that thing...how sad", losing him means we lost a layered and complex and brilliant and funny man who really never got his due, never really caught on with the mainstream audience, never truly became what those of us who loved him wanted him to be... and that is known.
As a fan, I always enjoyed his work in television and movies (And who didn't? His performances were always slightly off-putting, far more intriguing than being just a mere character who appeared for a minute and then walked off-screen forever) but it was his talents, far removed from the celluloid that appealed to me even more.
As a comic his style was more storytelling than joke-oriented, he reminded me of a less depressed, slightly more manic Spaulding Grey, weaving tales of an insane California upbringing, popular culture and the political to create a monologue tapestry as colorful as those by Daisy Tougelchee (a Navajo weaver who...oh never mind, Taylor would have enjoyed the comparison).
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Top Books of 2014, Anticipated 2015 Titles, Greatest Libraries & More!
Abnormal Bookstore Activities
Looking for some real fun to get up to in a bookstore?
Orbital The Martian Script
In what has to be a first, the script for the movie adaptation of the book The Martian has been launched into space.
Bookish PJs
Read more »Bookish PJs
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FOG! Goes To IMAGE EXPO!
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| Written by Steven Scott |
I attended Image Expo for the first time last Thursday. It was unlike any other show I'd ever been to. Like any other comic convention, there were announcements, press interviews, panels, signings, merchandise, etc., but overall, it felt like a celebration of creativity and originality.
Even though Image is in the name, the expo was almost more about the creators than the publisher itself. At other publishers the characters are often the stars, overshadowing the creative team themselves. After all, a kid who walks out of the latest Marvel movie doesn't care who the current writer of the latest issue of The Avengers is; they just want to read about the characters they saw up on screen.
It was clear from the keynote speech on that at image, the creators are the stars.
Sure, Eric Stephenson kicks off the event by broadcasting Image's growth in the marketplace, touting the company’s Eisner love from last year, as well as their dominance on the New York Times’ best sellers list and just generally tooting the company's horn, but he knows just as well as anybody that it's the creators who got them there, not the other way around.
“The nature of Image is that we are always changing, always evolving,” Stephenson said. “The beauty of our business model is that our future is in our creator’s hands, not the other way around. You don’t get much more creator curated than that.”
As an aspiring writer myself, I found his words, and the event as a whole, to be truly inspiring. You get a sense from the writers and artists on stage that they’re truly happy to be there fulfilling their dreams and working on exactly the kinds of books they want to be working on.
Upon my arrival at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, I fully expected to be hit with announcement after announcement of Image’s slate for 2015, which is not to downplay those announcements, as there are a ton of great titles that I'm now eagerly anticipating.
What I wasn't prepared for what is the amount of sheer inspiration that I walked away with and haven't experienced from any other convention I've ever attended.
It was clear that these creators loved the books that they were talking about and it wasn't just another comic they were hired to write for.
It was their book.
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The Pull List: SHAFT #2, THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #1, ANT MAN #1 & More!
Whether the comics are inspiring or disappointing, I read them all.
Welcome to The Pull List.
And, as always...Spoilers ahead!
Artist: Nick Spencer
Artist: Ramon Rosanas
Colorist: Jordan Boyd
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $4.99
Marvel timed the release of this book perfectly as the teaser trailer for this summer’s Ant-Man film recently debuted. More people are talking about the micro-hero than ever before. Hank Pym is the predecessor of this insect mantel, but this new generation will predominately associate the name Scott Lang with the character.
Nick Spencer puts together an entertaining story that serves as an introduction to the mythos of the character.
There is a lot of exposition in the form of a job interview that works very well. Lang is someone who wants to do right by his daughter but things keep getting in his way.
Sometimes, it is Lang himself who can’t get out of his own way, although it’s certainly not for a lack of trying which makes him an enduring protagonist. Tony Stark’s role as the potential answer to all of Lang’s problems is in sync with his new cavalier persona in the Superior Iron Man series.
The success of the titular character is paramount, but Stark points to a philosophical elephant in the room that questions the justifiable nature of Lang’s exoneration of past deeds and shortsighted decisions. Ramon Rosanas’ artwork really brings this story to life almost in animated form. Clean and detailed imagery coupled with great page layouts moved the story along at a nice pace. Seeing a security guard wonder how an intruder suddenly disappears was fun to watch and a cool way to highlight Ant-Man’s shrinking ability.
Spencer and company have put together a great first installment that firmly establishes the hero’s motivation which will play a key role in everything that occurs going forward. Those who never heard of Ant-Man and are jonesing for more information after watching the trailer would be well-served to pick up this book.
Score: 5 out of 5
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GONE GIRL Sequel? Author And Screenwriter Gillian Flynn Open To Idea
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| Written by Christopher M. |
When asked about at the possibility of a Gone Girl sequel by New York Daily News (via The Playlist) author and screenwriter Gillian Flynn gave a promising answer. She stated it could happen along as long as the "gang" is brought back for it.
"There could be a sequel at some point if everyone is game to get the gang back together, it could be really fun a few years from now to pick it up and see what those crazy Dunnes are up to a few years down the road and if they got on — not well I don’t think,"The assumption would be that Flynn ends-up writing the screenplay for the film, I'm not sure if a book would be released in tandem. Director David Fincher and the cast would need to return as well for Gillian to get onboard with a sequel.
Gone Girl became one of the most profitable R-rated films of the year, second only to Sony's 22 Jump Street. On a budget of $61M the film eventually earned $365M worldwide. The film also has the honor of being David Fincher's highest grossing film to date.
This leads me to believe that 20th Century Fox would love to get everyone back for a sequel.
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Wetlands (review)
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| Review by Benn Robbins |
Produced by Peter Rommel
Screenplay by David Wnendt, Claus Falkenberg
Based on Wetlands by Charlotte Roche
Directed by David Wnendt
Starring Carla Juri, Christoph Letkowski,
Marlen Kruse, Meret Becker
New on DVD & Blu-ray January 13th 2015 / Strand Releasing
Wetlands is an odd little story hailing from the country of Germany.
It is based on the novel of the same name by UK born and German raised author, Charlotte Roche. It is a semi-biographical tale that, on the surface, is about a girl with some serious emotional issues, and who is obsessed with cleanliness, that after a horrible shaving mishap, winds up in a hospital.
It is based on the novel of the same name by UK born and German raised author, Charlotte Roche. It is a semi-biographical tale that, on the surface, is about a girl with some serious emotional issues, and who is obsessed with cleanliness, that after a horrible shaving mishap, winds up in a hospital.
While there, she does her best to get her parents back together all the while seducing her male nurse; by sharing an array of sordid and graphic stories with him.
Each story grows more and more outrageous and “shocking”, as do her methods of making sure she remains in the hospital. I use quotes because I don’t know if it is shocking in Germany, the film’s country of origin, or if American puritanical sensibilities will deem it so.
The film starts off simply enough. A girl coming to terms with her body and deals with deep rooted problems, and an obsession about hygiene, that began with her childhood. Slowly, it spirals into madness and confusion.
What this film becomes, is a very odd but sweet tale about the mishaps of life, and how a simple, singular event in one's youth can slowly unravel your very existence.
This film is not for the weak stomached and easily offended.
The film starts off simply enough. A girl coming to terms with her body and deals with deep rooted problems, and an obsession about hygiene, that began with her childhood. Slowly, it spirals into madness and confusion.
What this film becomes, is a very odd but sweet tale about the mishaps of life, and how a simple, singular event in one's youth can slowly unravel your very existence.
This film is not for the weak stomached and easily offended.
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STAR WARS Producer Simon Kinberg Taking Over Spin-Off Writing Duties From Gary Whitta?
Just a couple of days ago it was confirmed that screenwriter Gary Whitta (Book of Eli, Walking Dead) would be leaving Gareth Edwards' untitled Star Wars spin-off. The writer would be moving-on to focus on adapting Mark Millar's comic Starlight for 20th Century Fox.
Another writer was expected to take his place since the film has a release date of December 16, 2016. As a new rumor coming from Slash Film suggests that Rebels writer-producer Simon Kinberg could be taking over where Whitta left-off.
/Film has learned, but was unable to confirm, that it will be Simon Kinberg. At Lucasfilm, Kinberg is a consultant on The Force Awakens, a writer and producer on Star Wars Rebels, and writer of at least one standalone movie. Whether or not that became this film or is another remains unclear. But Kinberg will be taking over duties for Whitta on this movie.
This shouldn't be too shocking to anyone who has been following the Lucasfilm development deals for future Star Wars projects.It was announced a while back by Lucasfilm that both Simon Kinberg (X-Men Days of Future Past, Fantastic Four) and Lawarence Kasdan (Raiders of The Lost Ark) would be handling the Star Wars spin-offs, taking-on duties of both writers and producers.
Kasdan was said to be penning the Boba Fett movie script which has been in the works for at least four years.
The bounty hunter's creator Joe Johnston confirmed he was pitching a Fett film to George Lucas back in 2011. Fett was mentioned along with Han Solo and Yoda as characters potentially getting spin-off installments.
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