Star Wars 7 News: Star Wars Spin-Off Lands Felicity Jones, Lucasfilm Attempts To Plug Leaks And More

After a change of writers, it looks as though the first ‘Star Wars’ spin-off has landed its leading lady, and it’s none other than Felicity Jones. But while the whole world ponders the upcoming ‘Star Wars’ spin-off, it looks as though Nicolas Cage is more concerned with the prequels…

This week in the galaxy far, far away, we’ve seen a familiar face slated to return in ‘Star Wars Rebels’ and the rumoured return of the galaxy’s slimiest race of creatures. And there’s even a glimpse of the upcoming ‘Star Wars’ videogame.

So let’s take a look back at the week’s ‘Star Wars’ news.

- New Look At The Millennium Falcon
- Andy Serkis Has Only One Star Wars Role
- George Lucas Won’t See Star Wars VII Trailer

Felicity Jones Cast In Star Wars Spin-Off?

After plenty of rumours and speculation, it looks as though the first ‘Star Wars’ spin-off has cast its leading actor. Revealed to be in the running last week alongside Tatiana Maslany and Rooney Mara, it seems that Felicity Jones may have landed the coveted role.

“Jones is now in talks to star in the project,” said The Hollywood Reporter. “Actresses were meeting, reading and testing last week in Los Angeles for the role, with Tatiana Maslany and Rooney Mara among those in the mix.”

Of course, nothing is confirmed until Lucasfilm officially announce it. But it sounds as though Felicity Jones may have clinched it. Who will she play? For now, that remains a mystery.

The Hutts Return In Star Wars VII?

Jabba the Hutt may have bitten the dust in ‘Return of the Jedi’ but it looks as though that’s not that last we’ve seen of his kind… After all, if there’s a dirty deal to be made, you can bet there’s a Hutt involved somewhere.

According to latest rumours, the Hutt cartel is going to appear in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’… as well as the upcoming ‘Star Wars’ spin-off. And if the rumours are to be believed, we’ll see an enormous practical puppet.

“There are Hutts in The Force Awakens,” say the Latino Review. “We know because those Hutts have been practically built. I know there is more than one Hutt, but unsure how many exactly are going to show up.”

What part will they play in the sequels? For now, we’ll have to wait and see. But I think we can all agree they won’t exactly be upstanding citizens.

Nicolas Cage Applauds Hayden Christensen’s Anakin

It’s no secret that the ‘Star Wars’ prequels aren’t exactly held in high esteem… and when it comes to acting talent, Hayden Christensen was critically mauled for his performance. But it looks as though he has a fan – Nicolas Cage.

According to Nicolas Cage, Christensen’s performance was ‘superb’.

“I was very impressed with Hayden’s sort of edgy, dangerous, dark and still soulful performance,” he said. “I thought it was superb, so I really connected with him. Plus he has a look in his eyes that I respond to… he’s got the sad thing going on that I’ve always been accused of having in my eyes.”

If you say so, Nic. If you say so.

Star Wars Rebels Features Grand Moff Tarkin

Apart from his brief appearance in ‘Revenge of the Sith’, we haven’t seen Grand Moff Tarkin since the very first ‘Star Wars’ film, ‘A New Hope’. But it looks as though he’s set to return in an upcoming episode of ‘Star Wars Rebels’.

Originally played by Peter Cushing, the Grand Moff played a vital role in the original trilogy, and was responsible for the creation of the first Death Star. And it looks as though he’s going to be just as big a headache for the all-new Rebels.

But will we see a lot more of the Grand Moff? We’ll have to wait and see.

Bob Iger Updates On Disney Theme Parks

After acquiring the ‘Star Wars’ franchise, it was only a matter of time before Disney started ramping up the ‘Star Wars’ presence in its theme parks. And now it looks as though they’re getting closer to making it all happen.

Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed that there are big things coming to the Disney theme parks… but that’s about all he can say.

“We’ve got big plans,” he explained. “Our imagineers are hard at work at drawing them up. And fairly soon, I’m sure we’ll be ready to go public with some specifics. But it’s safe to say that you’ll see a lot more ‘Star Wars’ at Disney and at Disney parks in the near future.”

What shape that will take remains to be seen… but we’re all waiting with bated breath.

Lucasfilm Hunts Star Wars Leaker

It seems that Disney isn’t too pleased about the recent leaks of official ‘Star Wars’ concept art… and who can blame them. But now the hunt is on to find the leak – and they’re going full-force with a subpoena to track their insider.

“The subpoena is directed to ImageShack,” said The Hollywood Reporter. “A website hosting a screenshot of what appears to be a Sith lord from the film set to be released in December. The pictured character wears a dark hood and a mask and is waiving a red broadsword lightsaber that’s of the same ilk seen in the movie’s trailer. It was posted by a user named ‘Darth_Simi’.”

Of course, this seems to suggest that the leaked concept art is genuine… but more importantly, Disney is taking the hard line with anyone caught leaking confidential info.

Star Wars Battlefront Concept Art

Finally, we have some rather cool concept art from the upcoming ‘Star Wars Battlefront’. Showcasing a rather awesome scene from the battle of Endor, this first look at the upcoming video game shows us just how beautiful we can expect it to look.

Much like earlier games in the ‘Battlefront’ series, it looks as though players will get the chance to return to pivotal moments throughout the ‘Star Wars’ saga and turn the tide with their own objectives.

Although little has been released so far, I personally can’t wait to jump back into the galaxy far, far away. And I’ll be pre-ordering my copy as soon as possible.

Join us next week for a run-down of all the top ‘Star Wars’ stories.

- Daniel Craig Rumoured For Star Wars Cameo
- Star Wars VII’s John Boyega Replies To Haters
- Did Star Wars VII Lose Control Of Its Secrets?

Picture Credit: Lucasfilm, Disney, DICE, Universal Pictures