SA cinematographer cracks nod for new Star Wars film

Producers for the new Star Wars film announced that South African cinematographer Daniel Mindel has been chosen to be the director of photography for the film. by Jonathan Greig

Mr Mindel has done photography and production work for numerous blockbusters, including Shanghai Noon, G.I. Jane and The Bourne Identity.

The new instalment, helmed by J.J. Abrams, is slowly putting together its production team as Mr Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan do rewrites on the script.

The decision to drop the original screenwriter Michael Arndt, a long-time Star Wars screenwriter, in favour of Mr Abrams and Mr Kasdan was met with some controversy.

Mr Mindel is a frequent collaborator with Mr Abrams, working with him on the latest Star Trek films as well as Mission: Impossible III.

He studied cinematography in Australia and the UK before getting his start as a camera operator on some of director Tony Scott's early films and commercials. He worked his way up to cinematographer, eventually working with Mr Scott and Will Smith on the blockbuster Enemy of the State

At a recent film industry event, Mr Mindel told the audience that they've decided to shoot the movie on 35mm film instead of using digital cameras the last three Star Wars were filmed on digital cameras hinting at a more old-school look akin to the earlier Star Wars movies.

The producers have yet to announce any casting decisions but many actors, from Ryan Gosling to Saoirse Ronan, have reportedly read for parts in the new film. Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill - Han Solo and Luke Skywalker in the original films - have been tight-lipped about their involvement.

Shooting is scheduled to start at Pinewood Studios next spring and Disney plans to release the film in 2015.

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