Lucas says 'Star Wars' trio returning for new film
NEW YORK (AP) - It appears the Force is still strong with Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher.
In an interview posted online Thursday, George Lucas said the trio from the original "Star Wars" trilogy will reprise their iconic roles of Hans Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia in the new "Star Wars" film.
Lucas told Bloomberg Businessweek that all three were signed for the new "Episode VII" film in advance of Lucasfilm's $4 billion purchase by Disney.
"We had already signed Mark and Carrie and Harrison - or were pretty much in the final stages of negotiation," Lucas said.
He added: "Maybe I'm not supposed to say that. I think they want to announce that with some big whoop-de-do."
In an interview posted Wednesday with Florida's Palm Beach Illustrated, Fisher said that she'll be coming back as Princess Leia.
Disney's Lucasfilm was coy in response. In a statement, a spokesperson for the company said, "George couldn't say whether they were signed or not and neither can we. As Yoda said, 'Always in motion is the future.' Stay tuned."
The Walt Disney Co. is producing a new "Star Wars" trilogy to take place after Lucas' original three space epics. J.J. Abrams is directing the first film. The 70-year-old Ford, the 61-year-old Hamill and the 56-year-old Fisher are expected to play smaller, supporting roles.
A representative for Ford declined to comment. Hamill's representatives didn't immediately return requests for comment.
In an interview posted online Thursday, George Lucas said the trio from the original "Star Wars" trilogy will reprise their iconic roles of Hans Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia in the new "Star Wars" film.
Lucas told Bloomberg Businessweek that all three were signed for the new "Episode VII" film in advance of Lucasfilm's $4 billion purchase by Disney.
"We had already signed Mark and Carrie and Harrison - or were pretty much in the final stages of negotiation," Lucas said.
He added: "Maybe I'm not supposed to say that. I think they want to announce that with some big whoop-de-do."
In an interview posted Wednesday with Florida's Palm Beach Illustrated, Fisher said that she'll be coming back as Princess Leia.
Disney's Lucasfilm was coy in response. In a statement, a spokesperson for the company said, "George couldn't say whether they were signed or not and neither can we. As Yoda said, 'Always in motion is the future.' Stay tuned."
The Walt Disney Co. is producing a new "Star Wars" trilogy to take place after Lucas' original three space epics. J.J. Abrams is directing the first film. The 70-year-old Ford, the 61-year-old Hamill and the 56-year-old Fisher are expected to play smaller, supporting roles.
A representative for Ford declined to comment. Hamill's representatives didn't immediately return requests for comment.
In an assisted living home, far far away.......
I thought Harrison Ford didn't want anything to do with Star Wars anymore?
Everybody calm down. They will have supporting roles.
Finally, we'll get to see that Jedi Mind-Meld.
Yuck. Han in a walker. At least Clint went back to westerns as an older character--I don't want to see Harrison Ford, as he is now, in a black vest.
@chandler You think that's bad, try visualizing Carrie Fisher donning that gold bikini now. *shudder* Talk about a boner-killer.
Yoda could be played by Danny DeVito for all I care.  I am just excited to see more Star Wars.  I wish someone (studio, director, etc... ) would  really consider Akira.
So wait. They're all almost 40 years older. Mark Hamill's acting career basically came to an end because a car accident almost killed him and scarred up his face (you could actually see it in some angles in Return of the Jedi). Carrier Fisher, no offense to her struggles with drugs and alcohol, has basically destroyed her body. Harrison Ford - the dude practically needs a walker.
How in God's name do they come back in their original roles in a Star Wars story years after the Empire has fallen?
Also, PLEASE, PLEASE, no Jar Jar Binks. I hope the movie opens up with, "poor Jar Jar, lost in a black hole."
@Howard BealeI'd recommend you look at IMDB to check on Mark Hamill's 'not acting'. He has become the James Brown of voice over.
@Howard Beale...probably going to take place a quarter century or so after Return of the Jedi I would assume and they did say above that they will have supporting roles.
@Howard Beale Yeah, Harrison Ford was really limping around for Indy IV.....
Good grief.
So is Spock going to be in this one too?
@Audio Cat Why should he?
I loved the original trilogy, and honestly thought it should have stopped there. Are they coming back to try to grab some of the audience (like me) who lived their childhood through the first three adventures? They won't be main characters, and I suppose will be nostalgic to see them reunited on screen again...
just checked out recent pictures of them....they've all aged... a lot! Wonder what roll they'll be playing...hopefully the grandparents! and yes, I know that we all age....but...wow!
@hopeforthefuture Why not, they are in the books that take place after the movies.
Aaah crap, I just admitted reading a Star Wars book
Wait, No I didn't, I ran out of gas, I had a flat tire, I didn't have enough money for cab fare, My tux didn't come back from the cleaners, an old friend cam in from out of town. There was an earthquake, a terrible flood locusts. It wasn't my fault I swear....
@hopeforthefuture Â
It's been almost 40 years (36 if you want to be specific) since the first Star Wars movie - of course they all look old!
*sigh* It's Han Solo, not Hans. He's Corellian FFS, not Swedish.
Signed the contract, they did. Rt @komonews: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher 2 B in next Star Wars film -- http://t.co/Eiduf4057iâ
Sweet!
I just hope their roles are genuine supporting roles or better, not some gratuitous 30 seconds at the start or such. I doubt Ford, at least, would sign on otherwise. The J. J. Abrams part of the news stinks, however. They should get Joss Whedan instead. :)
@TwoFiveTwo J.J. Abrams is not exactly new news, and after watching the new Star Trek, I am actually looking forward to it. Just as long as he does not try to do the mega lens flare thing (which I don't think he will as he will want the two movies to look and feel very different).
@komonews check out the fresh movie poster! http://t.co/UrUPkaWHqB
@reidwegs Love it! There might be some solutions to that in my SPAM folder...
Wow! â@komonews: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher all signed to appear in next Star Wars film -- http://t.co/8ZSpfPgvI9â