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Tag: Pinewood Studios

  • Star Wars: Filming Standalone in UK is a Win-Win

    The decision to film a new Star Wars standalone movie in the U.K. turns out to be a win-win situation for the country and the studios producing the films.

    George Osborne, U.K.’s chancellor of the exchequer, hailed the decision to film the standalone movie from the mega-hit franchise in the U.K., citing the country’s tax breaks as impetus for the decision.

    The chancellor and U.K. Culture Secretary Sajid Javid visited Pinewood Studios on the set of Star Wars: Episode VII, where the new standalone film will be made. There they met Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and director JJ Abrams.

    Under tax breaks introduced by Osborne, studios benefit from a 25% tax relief on the first £20 million (roughly $33.5 million) of qualifying expenditure and 20% after that.

    Because of the tax break, investment in UK-based film production in 2013 was over £1 billion (roughly $1.7 billion) – an increase of 14% over the previous year.

    “Lucasfilm and Disney‘s decision to shoot the Star Wars standalone movie in the UK is testament to the incredible talent in Britain,” said Osborne.

    “This will mean more jobs and more investment. It is great news for people working at Pinewood Studios, from the set designers to the carpenters,” said Osborne.

    “As Chancellor I have been determined that we back our brilliant creative industries which is why we have invested in skills and training as well as providing tax relief for films, high-end TV, animation, video games and regional theatre.

    “The further changes the Government made to the film tax relief at Budget 2014 will support our highly skilled, innovative creative sectors so that they continue to thrive and encourage more films to be made in the UK.”

    Kennedy also hailed the decision and praised the U.K. crew on the Episode VII film, which is currently filming in the U.K.

    “The UK crew that we’re working with on Star Wars: Episode VII is incredible,” she said. “They’re among the most gifted and passionate when it comes to film and storytelling. Star Wars couldn’t be in better hands.”

    “This is great news for the UK and is further proof of the world-leading position of the UK film industry,” said Javid. “We have studios, tax incentives and talent, both in front of and behind the camera, which are amongst the very best in the world. Given Lucasfilm’s decision to film another Star Wars movie in the UK, it is clear that the Force is strong here.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Star Wars: Episode VII Cast Members Arrive in London

    Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher were spotted in London over the weekend, where production of Star Wars: Episode VII is soon to begin. While Disney has yet to confirm the inclusion of Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker in the upcoming trilogy of the Star Wars franchise, the London sightings are fairly indicative that the three will reprise their iconic roles.

    There have been many rumors about who will be cast in Episode VII, though having Ford, Hamill and Fisher all in London at once with filming just weeks away seems beyond far-fetched as being a mere coincidence. Disney and Lucasfilm might divulge a bit more regarding confirmed casting on the upcoming Star Wars Day, an unofficial holiday on May 4th honoring George Lucas’ space opera.

    Fisher took to Twitter herself to mention her arrival in London, Hamill had a friend tweet his whereabouts for him, and Harrison Ford does not play on the internet:

    According to starwars.com, the first installment of the sequel trilogy began pre-production on October 30, 2012. Principal photography is scheduled to begin within weeks at Pinewood Studios, situated in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, which lies approximately 20 miles west of central London. George Lucas is on board as a creative consultant, and Episode VII will be directed by J.J. Abrams (Super 8, Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek) and was scripted by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi).

    It has been confirmed that Peter Mayhew has signed on to reprise his role as Chewbacca, and it’s also been said that Girls actor Adam Driver has been cast as a Sith villain, and that Jesse Plemons of Breaking Bad and Friday Night Lights might be chosen as the lead Jedi protagonist.

    It’s been revealed by Alan Horn, chairman of Disney Studios, that the events of Episode VII will take place roughly 30 years after Return of the Jedi. The Disney exec said the latest film will pick up “where 6 left off and where 6 left off is 35 years ago by the time this is released.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons