A Writer for 'Star Wars Episode 7'

A screenwriter has already produced a 40- to 50-page treatment for Star Wars Episode 7, the first of the new trilogy that was announced in connection with the Disney acquisition of Lucasfilm, according to Vulture.  

Michael Arndt, who won an Oscar for Little Miss Sunshine and was nominated for Toy Story 3, has 
completed his treatment and is the leading candidate to pen the full script, according to the report.

The treatment is going to be pitched to top directors including Brad Bird (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol), Steven Spielberg, and J.J. Abrams.

The studio hopes to get the three central stars from the first film to play the characters much older: Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill.   

The Vulture story is based on information from "informed sources," with no direct comment from any of the people involved, so should probably be taken with a grain of salt until confirmed, although Vulture is usually reliable.

Spike TV to Debut Afro Samurai: Resurrection

The Spike TV network has announced that it will premiere the Afro Samurai anime sequel, Afro Samurai: Resurrection as a two-hour movie on Sunday, January 25th at 10 pm (ET, PT). Encore airings of Afro Samurai: Resurrection will air as a series of four half-hour episodes starting on Friday, January 30th at 1:30 am (ET, PT).

Afro Samurai: Resurrection features the vocal talents of producer Samuel L. Jackson, who once again provides the voice of the series’ protagonist. Jackson is joined in Resurrection by Lucy Liu and Mark Hamill. Hip hop artist RZA (Wu Tang Clan) has created the soundtrack for the sequel as he did for the original series. For a review of Afro Samurai: Resurrection.

The original Afro Samurai series was a major hit for Funimation on DVD in 2007. Funimation plans to release Afro Samurai: Resurrection on DVD on Feb.3rd, just nine days after it debuts on TV, in Director’s Cut (MSRP $34.98), Spike TV ($29.98) and Blu-ray ($39.98) versions.

Afro Samurai Game, TV Movie Both Arrive in January

Namco Bandai will release its videogame adaptation of Takashi Okazaki's Afro Samurai manga and anime franchise for the Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 consoles on January 27, 2009. Namco Bandai first announced the game in August 2005, more than a year before the January 2007 release of the original five-part anime miniseries. The company showcased a playable demo of the game at Comic-Con International 2008.

Afro Samurai will also be returning to Spike TV in January with Afro Samurai: Resurrection. The made-for-television movie will feature Samuel L. Jackson reprising his role of the titular character. Jackson will be joined by Lucy Liu (Charlie's Angels, Kill Bill) and Mark Hamill (Star Wars) in new character roles, as well as Yuri Lowenthal as Kuma, the teddy bear.

Funimation will release Afro Samurai: Resurrection on DVD in February.

Afro Samurai Sequel -- A Movie

Lucy Liu, Mark Hamill Join Cast
July 24, 2008

Manga Vol. 1The Spike TV network has announced that in January of 2009 it will air Afro Samurai: Resurrection, an animated feature length movie sequel to the Afro Samurai anime miniseries that was one of the bestselling anime DVDs of 2007. Afro Samurai: Resurrection, like its predecessor was produced by Gonzo, one of Japan’s leading anime studios. Once again Samuel L. Jackson, who also functioned as an executive producer on the project, reprises his role as the title character and hip hop artist RZA (Wu-Tang Clan) provides the soundtrack. Lucy Liu joins the vocal cast as Sio, a seductive and sadistic mastermind plotting to destroy Afro Samurai, while Mark Hamill will voice the role of Bin, Sio’s servant and protector. A trailer for Afro Samurai: Resurrection will debut at Comic-Con and will be available for viewing on afrosamurai.com starting at 8:15 pm (ET) on Thursday July 24th.

FUNimation Entertainment, which co-produced Afro Samurai: Resurrection with Gonzo, will once again have the home entertainment (DVD, etc.) rights, though no debut date for the disc, which is sure to be one of the bestselling anime DVDs of 2008, has been set yet.

The Afro Samurai miniseries and Afro Samurai: Resurrection are based on the original Afro Samurai manga by Takashi Okazaki, which Tor/Seven Seas is releasing in North America on September 2nd, 2008.