So just about everybody liked, loved or at least went to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens about half a dozen times. It’s one of the most successful movies in history. So when it comes to home video, that’s not just par for the course (since practically every movie does that anyway). It’s practically its own event.
And kudos to Disney for making the home video release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens seem special, with a new trailer previewing the behind the scenes footage from the film and also deleted scenes, including one with Kylo Ren inside the Millennium Falcon.
Also: All of Your Star Wars Theories Are Overlooking One Thing…
Film lovers cheered when J.J. Abrams decided to shoot the film on actual film, and home video lovers are also likely to be appreciative that Disney is going all out for the Blu-ray release instead of doubling down on digital streaming. Although of course, Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be there too: the film debuts on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on April 1, 2016 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on April 5.
Check out the trailer and a complete list of special features below!
From the Press Release:
Star Wars: The Force Awakens shattered box office records upon its debut to become the cinematic event of a generation with over $926 million domestic and $2.05 billion worldwide. As announced this morning by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert A. Iger at The Walt Disney Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the epic movie will be available to own early on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on April 1. It comes home on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on April 5.
Discover the complete story behind the making of Star Wars: The Force Awakens with in-depth documentary and bonus material that will take fans on an exciting journey behind the scenes. Secrets will be revealed through extensive footage, never-before-seen deleted scenes, and exclusive interviews with the actors and filmmakers. Bonus features include*:
- Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey – For the first time, discover the complete story behind the making of The Force Awakens, revealed through in-depth footage and exclusive interviews with the actors and filmmakers in this feature documentary.
- The Story Awakens: The Table Read – Cast members familiar and new reflect on the memorable day they all first came together to read the movie’s script.
- Building BB-8 – See how the filmmakers brought the newest droid to the screen, creating an instant fan favorite in the Star Warsuniverse.
- Crafting Creatures – Watch movie magic as the filmmakers bring a cast of new creatures to life.
- Blueprint of a Battle: The Snow Fight – Go deeper into the epic, climactic lightsaber battle between Rey and Kylo Ren.
- John Williams: The Seventh Symphony – The legendary composer shares personal insights of his work on Star Warsand The Force Awakens.
- ILM: The Visual Magic of The Force – An insider’s look into the remarkable digital artistry of the movie’s visual effects.
- Force For Change – Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. See how the Star Wars: Force for Change initiative has united Star Warsfans all over the globe to help others.
- Plus Deleted Scenes
* Digital bonus offerings may vary by retailer
Photo: LucasFilm / Disney
William Bibbiani (everyone calls him ‘Bibbs’) is Crave’s film content editor and critic. You can hear him every week on The B-Movies Podcast and watch him on the weekly YouTube series Most Craved and What the Flick. Follow his rantings on Twitter at @WilliamBibbiani.
The Almost-Stars of Star Wars
Almost Stars of Star Wars
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Sylvester Stallone as Han Solo
Sly did indeed audition for the role of Han Solo, and picturing the wise-cracking jet pilot as something more of a Rocky-like lummox is amusing to ponder. Stallone was, however, quickly looked over by George Lucas, and he never got a callback.
Photo – United Artists
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Ryan Phillippe as Anakin Skywalker
When Attack of the Clones was in production, there was a bitter fight in Hollywood as to who would play the young Darth Vader, in the pre-mask days. The pouty-lipped Ryan Phillippe was already a known quantity in the biz, and got so far as readings with other actors, before he lost the role to Hayden Christiansen. Phillippe may have been too young, or perhaps not “dark” enough.
Photo – Columbia Pictures
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James Woods as Han Solo
Harrison Ford may be irreplaceable in people's minds as Han Solo, but James Woods would have, I think, been an improvement. Han Solo is a flip, wisecracker, right? Who better to give off a cynical attitude than the excellent James Woods? He auditioned for the role, but was turned down.
Photo – Universal Pictures
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Karen Allen as Princess Leia
Why she was not hired is anyone's guess, but Karen Allen – pre-Animal House – did indeed audition to play Princess Leia, long before she entered the action/adventure canon as Marion Ravenwood in Raiders of the Lost Ark. I feel she would have made a more human, earthier version of the character, as Carrie Fisher is, comparatively, daintier and prettier.
Picture - Paramount
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Kurt Russell as Han Solo
One can find video evidence of Kurt Russell's audition online, meaning he came close to landing the role of Han Solo. I adore Kurt Russell, as does every right-thinking person, but his audition was a bit awkward, and he is perhaps too genial and heroic to be the cynical sidekick of the series.
Photo – Columbia Pictures
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P.J. Soles as Princess Leia
There was once a rumor that Carrie Fisher was up for the P.J. Soles role in Brian De Palma's Carrie, and Soles was up for Princess Leia, but Fisher was rejected on account of nudity. Fisher would have done the nudity, however, and the rumors are not true. The spunky Soles, however, did audition for Princess Leia. Had she landed the part, it would have made for a very different movie.
Photo – New World Pictures
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Robert Englund as Han Solound
Yes, there was a time when Robert Englund was not known for horror, and was merely a struggling actor just like all his contemporaries. Englund auditioned for Solo, but was considered too young for the part, and perhaps not '70s dashing enough. Legend has it, though, that it was Englund who encouraged Mark Hamill for the role of Luke Skywalker.
Photo – Mars Productions Corporation
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Mel Blanc as C-3PO
The famed voice of Bugs Bunny, Barney Rubble, and a thousand others was once considered to dub over C-3PO's lines the same way James Earl Jones dubbed over David Prowse for Darth Vader. Blanc was, and is, a legend in the voice acting world, and there's no doubt he could have come up with an iconic and great vice for the fey robot. Lucas eventually let actor Anthony Daniels read his own lines.
Photo – public domain
