Star Wars: Episode 7 is coming in 2015 and will feature the original cast members according to recent reports about cast negotiations. Late last year, Disney bought LucasFilm and much of the cast negotiations happened before the deal.
Disney will continue the Star Wars saga offering a new Star Wars movie every two or three years. Installments of Episodes 8 and 9 are planned to follow Star Wars: Episode 7.
"For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next. It's now time for me to pass 'Star Wars' on to a new generation of filmmakers," Founder and Chairman of LucasFilm, George Lucas said in a statement.
One of the biggest questions on the minds of fans was whether there would be a new cast or not. J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode 7 and fan wondered if the original cast members would return for the new trilogy.
Speculation went on for months as it was rumored that Harrison Ford would return as Han Solo. According to tipsters, Ford has already signed on the return for Star Wars: Episode 7.
Ford currently stars in the Jackie Robinson biopic, 42 in which he plays the Major League Baseball executive who signed Robinson to the league, Branch Rickey. When asked if he's starring in the new Star Wars movie, Ford hints around about it.
"I think it's almost true, I'm looking forward to it. It's not in the bag yet, but I think it's happening", Ford said to EW in March. His response suggests that he may still be in negotiations regarding the new Star Wars trilogy.
It's safe to theorize that the Disney acquisition of LucasFilm may have further delayed cast negotiations so nothing is yet finalized. Contract negotiations in Hollywood take time and the transition of LucasFilm may have rendered any agreements set in place null and void causing re-negotiations to take place. Ford is all for a return as Han Solo, under the right circumstances of course. Disney announced at CinemaCon Wednesday that Star Wars: Episode 7 is slated for a summer 2015 release.
Ford recently dropped by Jimmy Kimmel Live and was reluctant to talk about anything involving Star Wars. When Kimmel asked him about the possibility of his return as Han Solo in Star Wars: Episode 7, Ford said he's not allowed to talk about it. "No Star Wars questions", Ford told Kimmel before storming off the set of the late night talk show after a run-in with an audience member. From the looks of things, Ford may have given fans a preview of what to expect in the near future.
Check out the footage below:
