Filmonic » Hayden Christensen

George Lucas Explains Why Actors Didn’t Return For Clone Wars

Liam — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:58:31 +0000

The Star Wars franchise returns this week as Star Wars: The Clone Wars is released on most parts of the planet. However, there will be no Hayden Christensen or Ewan McGregor. No Natalie Portman or Frank Oz. In fact, the only actors returning to voice their characters are Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu), Christopher Lee (Count Dooku), and Anthony Daniels (C-3P0).

Why is this?

MTV asked George Lucas that very question:

“When we decided to do the feature, we went back to the actors and said, ‘Look, we’re doing a feature. Would you like to do the voice? Could you come in a month?’ Some of them were all over the world. It was hard to get all the actors that would be off on set,” Lucas told reporters at a press conference last week. “You need people available every week. [Also] you can’t really afford multi-million dollar actors to do a television series. Those guys make more during their coffee break.”
But the bottom line for why most of the actors aren’t returning to voice the characters they made famous? Because George Lucas doesn’t need them, Lucas himself said to reporters.
“It used to be in animation you just had [unknown] actors do the parts. The idea of hiring a really good actor – Tom Hanks [for instance] – was a really revolutionary idea,” Lucas said. “Partly they did it because they were great actors, partly they did it cause they wanted to use them for publicity. To be very honest with you, I don’t really think I need to hire a big movie star to publicize my movie. I don’t need Angelina Jolie here. That’s what it comes down to in the end. They have two days in the studio and then they have like two weeks doing press. They are mainly paid for the press stuff.”

He has a point. Although it would have been great to have everyone back to voice an animated version of their characters, it is not how the world works. In Hollywood anyway.

Hayden Christensen Talks Jumper 2

Liam — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:26:22 +0000

While on the promoting rounds for Jumper on DVD and Blue Ray Disc Hayden Christensen spoke to the Toronto Sun about whether he’d be up for a sequel.

“We’re talking about it,” the 27-year-old Canadian actor said. “I know that they’re having those conversations, I hear about them.” So would he sign on again? “Oh yeah, and I think I probably will.”
Liman originally planned a movie trilogy based on Steven Gould’s novel. Liman spun out a liberal re-imagining of Gould’s more personal story about child abuse, which had jumping as a metaphor for escape.
“It was set up to become that — a trilogy — if it did well,” Christensen added. “And I think they’re happy with how it did so they want to make another one. But I don’t think they’re rushing to get into production.”

Compared to Iron Man’s $537 million+ worldwide, Jumper only made $221.4 million, which is probably a reason why they are not rushing to get it out. However, it’s budget was $85 million so it did make a nice sum for FOX.

Hayden Christensen As Superman?

Liam — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 23:05:39 +0000

Yes, you read that right…Hayden Christensen As Superman.

Cinema Blend got word from a rather dominating female who pinned Adam Brody up against a wall and beat him until he revealed information about the Justice League movie to her. Brody is playing The Flash, along with Common as Green Arrow and Megan Gale as Wonder Woman. Adam Brody was in a bar when confronted by the beast, and here is what happened.

“I asked Brody to sign a napkin, and asked what he/they were doing here. They’re in BC to check out locations for their new superhero movie Justice League is Mortal. Brody pointed at Miller and said “George is our director”. He said he’s playing The Flash, Common is playing Green Arrow (or Lantern, one or the other), Armie Hammer (sounded like Arm and Hammer) is Batman, someone from “mad max” is Martian Man-hunter (didn’t catch the name) and Hayden Christensen is Superman. Brody also nodded to the woman to his right and said “she (he said her name but i didnt catch it) is in it too”. Oh, and they had lots of drinks.”

So either Adam Brody is either A) drunk or B) scared or C) Hayden Christensen may actually be putting on the famous cape.

Everyone can understand why Brandon Routh was cast as Superman in Superman Returns, because he looks the part. He has the dark hair, tall figure and muscles. But I can’t see why they would cast some like Hayden Christensen as Superman…oh wait, I can. It’s Hollywood!

I can’t see it. Lets hope Adam Brody was drunk out of his face!