ST Lupita Nyong'o (Maz Kanata) in Episode VII

I guess I missed where her name and role were revealed?


Edit; Oh, in the Vanity Fair article. But it doesn't mention she's a pirate, does it?

 

Total CGI then?

There was talk of some CGI and puppet mix being done but that is factually confirmed to not be the case?

 

Oh snap, a pygmy rancor.

 

Force Sensitive is more accurate than Jedi at this point in her career as a Bar keep I would think. I think the Vanity Fair just assumed she is an active Pirate because of her establishment and the company she keeps. then again maybe they know something we don't.

 

"How you doin', you old pirate? So good to see you!" - Lando
"It's true, I do know a lot of space pirates. Ones with eyepatches. Black psychic lady pirates who are useful in finding lost things, like the one in Pirates of the Carribean 2." - Han

 

On the picture of the group of creatures it said "Galactic travelers, smugglers, and other assorted riffraff fill the main hall of pirate Maz Kanata’s castle."

 

Their descriptions are kinda funky though because they then go on to say they don't know what side of the resistance she's on. Which is a "huh" moment for me xD

 

Cool name! Do we think it's pronounced mazz (like jazz) or mahs as in mausoleum? My instinct is the latter.

 

She could easily be a former Jedi, but current pirate. What to do when Master Luke goes into hiding? Get your pirate on!

Let's you lay low and hide your Force abilities but keeps you in touch with what's happenin' on the streets man.

 

Yes, it's possible that she fell into piracy following the events in the flashbacks.

 

That still makes sense to me, she can be a pirate and be on either side, or no side for that matter. Doesn't mean she's always been a pirate.

Good question, I've been saying it "Mazz", but I suspect you are right and it has the longer 'a' sound.
Though it reminds me of Mozzie from White Collar who was called Moz, so it would take some getting used to.

 

What's everyone's take on the characters and creatures in the VF photo of the the riff raff at Maz's castle?

Not really a fan of the "female C3PO" type droid. Reminds me of Joan Rivers in Spaceballs.

But I'm particularly intrigued by the alien on the far right with the stingray-shaped head and the red clothes. He really stands out color-wise with everyone else in sort of yellow/brown hues. Very cool! I wonder if the color difference means he may have a line or be featured in some way in this sequence. He really pops.

 

That would be sweet if she was a Jedi turned pirate. Who doesn't love Pirates!

 

I believe Jason mentioned a while back that they filmed each scene with her in two different ways: one with Lupita in a mo-cap suit, and once again with a puppet.

Perhaps they weren't sure at the time of shooting whether or not they wanted Maz to be a puppet or mo-cap? Or maybe they just used the puppet for reference? Kind of reminded me of how they did tests for PHANTOM with both puppet Jar Jar and Ahmed Best in the suit with the intention of CGI later on.

Either way, seems pretty obvious at this point that she is a full mo-cap character

 

I believe that part of the script goes like this.
"How are we going to find Luke?"
"The same way they found The Flying Dutchman in Disney's Pirates of the Carribean 2."

I'll bet 10 bucks they have Maz throw the bones too.

 

I'm struggling to assign them to any known SW species...they're very cool, though.

 

so wait, does she have a pub or castle?

 

The puppet was probably on set for reference for the other actors. So when it's Ford or Ridley on camera talking to Rose, then off camera is the puppet they are speaking to as it is being fully operated by a puppeteer and voiced by Lupita. Then of course Lupita's close-ups are all the mo-cap to be replaced later. It's just a way of going the extra mile for the actors on set instead of just having them looking at a dot or ping pong ball while delivering lines.

 

Ok thanks! Sorry I missed that thread.

 

I hope it's pronounced like the first syllable of "Maserati."

 

This name seems vaguely familiar for some reason. It'll come to me.

 

A very intriguing character.

 

I think it's pronounced Maz, as in Mazda. Zoom zoom zoom....

 

Maz, I like....although just to throw it out their I used to call my school friend Rose "Maz" as in short for Rosemary.