As time keeps on ticking little bits of information about "Star Wars: Episode VII," the highly anticipated first film of a third trilogy in the "Star Wars" universe, keep trickling out. While the production is still being very tight lipped as far as any plot teasers of casting announcements it has been learned that the film will be shot on film, not digitally, according to SlashFilm.
For his first "Star Wars" movie director J.J. Abrams will be using a cinematographer that he is quite comfortable with, Dan Mindel. Mindel worked on both of the "Star Trek" films directed by Abrams as well as "Mission: Impossible III." Mindel has stated that he plans to shoot the new "Star Wars" movie on Kodak film stock 5219 film, reports SlashFilm.
The original trilogy was shot on film, of course, since digital didn't exist yet. "The Phantom Menace" was also shot on film while digital technology was used for the production of "Attack of the Clones" and "Revenge of the Sith."
One thing that this means is that the film will not be shot in 3D, although it may be converted to 3D later. J.J. Abrams' favorite camera trick, the use of anamorphic lens flares, is not yet possible on digital camera rigs, so that may be part of the reason for the choice of film. In a speech at the Produced By conference Abrams spoke highly about the use of film, according to SlashFilm.
"I have not yet shot a movie digitally," Abrams said. "Film is the thing I am most comfortable with. If film were to go away - and digital is challenging it - then the standard for the highest, best quality would go away."
In other "Star Wars" related news the website WhatCulture! has suggested that while fans have fixated on characters they would like to see return for "Star Wars: Episode VII" that maybe fans would be thrilled to also see the return of a beloved "piece of junk," the Millenium Falcon.
"[The Falcon is] just as much a main character in the original trilogy as Luke, Han and Leia," David Bailey writes. "We have an emotional connection with the Millenium Falcon. We go to know it. It felt like the one consistent place our heroes could call home."
