Promoting his new Jackie Robinson biopic in Chicago last night, Harrison Ford was of course asked something about the upcoming Star Wars. Rumors were that the original 1977 cast would be returning for part of the latest production, which is said to be set in the near future where Return of the Jedi left off. "It's not in the bag yet, but I think it's happening," said Ford.
See the entire interview here.
Ford had previously stated he was interested in the idea, but was his usual guarded self in front of the camera. "I think it's almost true, I'm looking forward to it," he said to Chicago local news outlet. None of the original cast have made official announcements about their potential roles, but of course they'd be unlikely to unless the contracts are finalized. Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher have both been contacted. The film is yet to have a exact release date except that it will be sometime in 2015. As part of the Star Wars franchise and after the recent purchase of Lucas Films by The Walt Disney Company, the project is already getting a not unusual amount of attention.
A little background on what has been speculated about Star Wars VII:
There's been confirmation the plot will be an original story and not directly from the Star Wars Expanded Universe found in novels, comic books, etc. It was originally theorized the film would be based off Timothy Zahn's 1991 post-Return of the Jedi novel Heir to the Empire, of the Thrawn Trilogy, but that rumor was discredited after executive producer Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas met with writers to discuss the script. Disney hired Michael Arndt, author of many high budget films, to write the script. J.J. Abrams is set to direct, and John Williams has expressed in interest in doing the score.
