Original 'Star Wars' Cast Signed on for New Films Before Disney Sale

Turns out that speculation was moot over whether cast members from the original Star Wars movies would return for a new trilogy: George Lucas says Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill had all essentially agreed to return before Disney bought Lucasfilm last fall.

"We had already signed Mark and Carrie and Harrison – or we were pretty much in final stages of negotiation," Lucas said in a lengthy BloombergBusinessweek examination of how his $4.05 billion deal with Disney came together. He continued, "Maybe I'm not supposed to say that. I think they want to announce that with some big whoop-de-do, but we were negotiating with them." 

George Lucas and the Cult of Darth Vader

He added, "I won't say whether the negotiations were successful or not."

Some of them must have been: Fisher confirmed earlier this week that she would return as an "elderly" Princess Leia in Episode VII, which J.J. Abrams will direct. Ford and Hamill have each said they would be interested in reprising Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, respectively.

Disney plans three films that continue the main Star Wars narrative arc, and CEO Robert Iger has said the company also plans spin-off movies that would focus on other characters outside the main storyline. 

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Original 'Star Wars' Cast Signed on for New Films Before Disney Sale

Turns out that speculation was moot over whether cast members from the original Star Wars movies would return for a new trilogy: George Lucas says Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill had all essentially agreed to return before Disney bought Lucasfilm last fall.

"We had already signed Mark and Carrie and Harrison – or we were pretty much in final stages of negotiation," Lucas said in a lengthy BloombergBusinessweek examination of how his $4.05 billion deal with Disney came together. He continued, "Maybe I'm not supposed to say that. I think they want to announce that with some big whoop-de-do, but we were negotiating with them." 

George Lucas and the Cult of Darth Vader

He added, "I won't say whether the negotiations were successful or not."

Some of them must have been: Fisher confirmed earlier this week that she would return as an "elderly" Princess Leia in Episode VII, which J.J. Abrams will direct. Ford and Hamill have each said they would be interested in reprising Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, respectively.

Disney plans three films that continue the main Star Wars narrative arc, and CEO Robert Iger has said the company also plans spin-off movies that would focus on other characters outside the main storyline. 

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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Disney Songwriter Robert Sherman Dead at 86

Richard Sherman (left) and Robert Sherman, who gained fame from numerous Disney film scores pose outside of the Hilton theatre in New York with the original car used in the 1968 film 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'. UPI Photo/Ezio Petersen /Landov

Robert Sherman, a songwriter best known for his work for Disney films and attractions, died Monday at age 86. With his brother Richard, Sherman wrote many of Disney's most memorable tunes, including "It's a Small World (After All)" and songs for Mary Poppins (for which they won Academy Awards), The Jungle Book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Charlotte's Web and many others. 

In addition to tongue-twisting show tunes like "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," the brothers also wrote pop songs, including Johnny Burnette's 1960 hit "You're Sixteen" (later a Number One hit by Ringo Starr). In 2008 the Sherman brothers received the National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush. "A piece of our childhood has ben taken away," said film music historian Jon Burlingame. 

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Disney Songwriter Robert Sherman Dead at 86

Richard Sherman (left) and Robert Sherman, who gained fame from numerous Disney film scores pose outside of the Hilton theatre in New York with the original car used in the 1968 film 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'. UPI Photo/Ezio Petersen /Landov

Robert Sherman, a songwriter best known for his work for Disney films and attractions, died Monday at age 86. With his brother Richard, Sherman wrote many of Disney's most memorable tunes, including "It's a Small World (After All)" and songs for Mary Poppins (for which they won Academy Awards), The Jungle Book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Charlotte's Web and many others. 

In addition to tongue-twisting show tunes like "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," the brothers also wrote pop songs, including Johnny Burnette's 1960 hit "You're Sixteen" (later a Number One hit by Ringo Starr). In 2008 the Sherman brothers received the National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush. "A piece of our childhood has ben taken away," said film music historian Jon Burlingame. 

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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Week in Review: Disney Upsets Joy Division Fans with Mickey Mouse T-Shirt

Joy Division is famous for being one of rock's darkest, most intense bands, so it comes as no surprise that their fans didn't have much of a sense of humor about Disney selling a Mickey Mouse t-shirt based on the cover of their 1979 classic Unknown Pleasures. After some outrage from fans – as well as some bitter remarks from bassist Peter Hook – Disney pulled the item, though the shirt is now available at an inflated price on eBay.

Photos: Leading Ladies on the Cover of Rolling Stone

In addition to following this unlikely drama, Rolling Stone chatted with Benji and Joel Madden about their new band the Madden Brothers, talked to Killers bassist Mark Stoermer about his solo debut and learned all about the Kaiser Chiefs' new tour and album. Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen interviewed each other about their show Portlandia, Vanilla Ice told us about the time he was stalked by a Satanist cult and Craig Finn played a solo set in our studio. We also caught up with the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir on his plans to reopen the Sweetwater Music Hall,  analyzed this week's pop charts, reviewed the latest albums and singles and looked back on this week in rock history.

Photos: Leading Men on the Cover of Rolling Stone

In pop culture, Peter Travers ranted about Oscar snubs and raved about the new Liam Neeson action flick The Grey, we listed off the 10 best music movies debuting at the Sundance Film Festival and we recapped the latest episodes of American Idol and Jersey Shore.

Photos: Random Notes

Last week, we asked you to name the most unique vocalist of all time, and we made a gallery of your top 10 favorites. Our question for you this week is: What is the best-ever rock star movie role? You can answer on our website, at facebook.com/rollingstone or on Twitter using the #weekendrock hashtag.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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Week in Review: Disney Upsets Joy Division Fans with Mickey Mouse T-Shirt

Joy Division is famous for being one of rock's darkest, most intense bands, so it comes as no surprise that their fans didn't have much of a sense of humor about Disney selling a Mickey Mouse t-shirt based on the cover of their 1979 classic Unknown Pleasures. After some outrage from fans – as well as some bitter remarks from bassist Peter Hook – Disney pulled the item, though the shirt is now available at an inflated price on eBay.

Photos: Leading Ladies on the Cover of Rolling Stone

In addition to following this unlikely drama, Rolling Stone chatted with Benji and Joel Madden about their new band the Madden Brothers, talked to Killers bassist Mark Stoermer about his solo debut and learned all about the Kaiser Chiefs' new tour and album. Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen interviewed each other about their show Portlandia, Vanilla Ice told us about the time he was stalked by a Satanist cult and Craig Finn played a solo set in our studio. We also caught up with the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir on his plans to reopen the Sweetwater Music Hall,  analyzed this week's pop charts, reviewed the latest albums and singles and looked back on this week in rock history.

Photos: Leading Men on the Cover of Rolling Stone

In pop culture, Peter Travers ranted about Oscar snubs and raved about the new Liam Neeson action flick The Grey, we listed off the 10 best music movies debuting at the Sundance Film Festival and we recapped the latest episodes of American Idol and Jersey Shore.

Photos: Random Notes

Last week, we asked you to name the most unique vocalist of all time, and we made a gallery of your top 10 favorites. Our question for you this week is: What is the best-ever rock star movie role? You can answer on our website, at facebook.com/rollingstone or on Twitter using the #weekendrock hashtag.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

Amazon MP3 Download Center

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