Reports flew faster than a Death Star laser beam across the Internet siting that director Zack Snyder would be involved in a non-sequel film set in the Star Wars universe. Rumor had it that the film would be loosely based on the 1954 Akira Kurosawa classic “Seven Samurai.” Now the rumor has been dispelled. In a statement made to the Hollywood Reporter, a spokesperson representing Snyder had this to say on behalf of the director.
“While he is super-flattered because he is a huge fan, Zack is not involved in any way with the new Star Wars. He is currently in post on his two films, “Man of Steel” and “300: Battle of Artemisia.””
This is definitely unfortunate. Snyder would have been an excellent choice for a film of this caliber, but it does present an interesting footnote. In 1977, in the wake of the first Star Wars film, Marvel Comics published the movie adaptation in a six issue series. When the seventh issue arrived, it followed Han Solo and Chewbacca along with a whole bunch of new characters in a “Seven Samurai” style tale. Now that Disney owns both Marvel Comics and Lucasfilm, is it possible they are adopting some of the previous comic book material for a new Star Wars universe spin-off feature?
The as of yet untitled “Star Wars: Episode VII” film is expected to open in theaters in May of 2015. Academy Award winning screenwriter Michael Arndt (“Little Miss Sunshine”) is penning the script. No director has been hired at this time.
“Superman: Man of Steel” will land in theaters on June 14th, 2013. Actor Henry Cavill will play Clark Kent/Superman. Other members of the cast include Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Antje Traue, Lawrence Fishburne, Russell Crowe, Ayelet Zurer, Henry Lennix, Christopher Meloni, Michael Kelly, and Richard Shiff. Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder are producing the “Man of Steel.” The screenplay is written by David S. Goyer (“Batman Begins”), which is based on a story created by David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan. Zack Snyder (“Watchmen,” “300”) directs.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Comic Book Resources