The reboot of the Star Wars franchise by Disney brought fans a number of exciting and unexpected news. Obviously, the announcement of a new Star Wars movie trilogy that reunites the original movie cast was a dream come true for everyone. At the same time though, the restart of the Star Wars lore was somewhat of a surprise. Redefining well-known stories and transitioning every other pre-Disney story under the legacy banner certainly makes sense for Disney. It allows the company to shape the look and the feel of Star Wars while retaining the soul of the franchise. We are about to witness the first labor of Disney’s effort with the release of the novel “Star Wars, A New Dawn”. The book sets the stage for the upcoming Star Wars: Rebels animated series that’s set to air later this year.
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Star Wars: Force for Change Winner Revealed
Congratulations D.C. Barns! In an incredible show of the power of the Force, the global Star Wars community raised $4,261,410 for UNICEF to impact the lives of children around the world. Thank you! From the press release announcing the winner: With an exciting initiative that offered a chance to win unique rewards and prizes, including a once-in-a-lifetime grand prize, Star Wars: Force for Change raised $4,261,410 USD for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Contributions were received via fundraising platform Omaze from citizens of 125 countries and enough money was raised to support the equivalent of 7-8 new UNICEF Innovation Labs. The grand-prize winner was D.C. Barns of Denver Colorado, who shared during a donor video chat that the first time he saw Star Wars when it opened in theaters in 1977, when he was only five. “I loved it! … I just couldn’t get it out of my head…
Fantastic Four filmmaker Josh Trank confirmed to direct his own Star Wars spin-off movie
Josh Trank will direct one of the planned standalone Star Wars films, it has been announced. Lucasfilm announced that the 30-year-old filmmaker will be at the helm of one of the two announced Star Wars spin-offs being made outside of the third trilogy. Josh said: “The magic of the Star Wars Universe defined my entire childhood. The opportunity to expand on that experience for future generations is the most incredible dream of all time.” Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Josh into the family. He is such an incredible talent and has a great imagination and sense of innovation. That makes him perfectly suited to Star Wars, and for this new slate of movies that reach beyond the core characters and storylines of Episodes I through IX.” An earlier announced spin-off is to be led by Godzilla director Gareth Edwards. Movie bosses announced last year that they…
The Empire Strikes Back Voted Greatest Film of All Time
The Empire Strikes Back has topped a poll of the greatest movies of all time. I can’t say that we are really all that surprised at this news. Despite the beef that some people have with the movie, it is still a classic. It’s a part of pop culture and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone today who doesn’t at least know of the movie. The movie, which came out in 1980, beat over 301 other titles in Empire magazine. Yahoo! UK News brings us more on the story: Creator George Lucas said it was a “privilege” to be voted top. Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather came second in the survey involving 250,000 film fans. “The fans like The Empire Strikes Back the best, partly because it is so dark. “It’s an overall story and as it happens in the second act, things get dark. “I never really planned it…
Gareth Edwards Will Direct The First ‘Star Wars’ Spinoff
“Godzilla” director Gareth Edwards has a date with another monster franchise. A week after his “Godzilla” reboot claimed the top spot at the box office with a $93 million debut, Lucasfilm announced late Thursday on StarWars.com that Edwards will helm the first planned “Star Wars” spinoff film. Soon after Disney acquired Lucasfilm in late 2012, it announced its plans to produce at least three spinoff films not directly related to the planned trilogy currently shooting under J.J. Abrams’ direction. Those films will reportedly focus on various characters from the “Star Wars” universe — Boba Fett, Yoda, Han Solo (anybody but JarJar Binks). It hasn’t been revealed who the main subject of the Edwards film will be The plan is to release a new “Star Wars” movie every year starting in 2015, alternating between trilogy installments and spinoffs. Edwards film is slated for Dec. 16, 2016. ““Ever since I saw ‘Star…
Star Wars Vader Dance- Disney’s Star Wars Weekends
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Star Wars weekends are coming up. From May 16 to June 15, 2014 you can experience the best of Disney Star Wars experience if you’re going to Hollywood Studios. While some fans are critical of the Disney “spin” on Star Wars, we think it’s pretty cool. If you have not been to Hollywood Studios or don’t plan to this summer, go ahead and check out this video by Star Wars Always to see what it’s all about. Post by Star Wars always. Learn more about Star Wars Weekends STAR WARS WEEKENDS — Since 1997, Walt Disney Worldhas sponsored a series of special Star Wars Weekends in theDisney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. Activities normally include celebrity appearances, as well as trivia contests and prize give-aways, Star Tours “ride-a-thons,” and a Star Wars Cantina street party, complete with a live disc jockey. 2014 STAR WARS WEEKENDS 2014 Star Wars Weekends will be held every weekend (Friday, Saturday and…
Star Wars Day Greeting from J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan
How did you spend May the Fourth? Did you rewatch the movies? Did you attend a Star Wars Day party? Did you take part in any of the specials or deals that were out today? Maybe you just hung around looking at Facebook posts dedicated to Star Wars. It’s ok- we won’t judge. But whatever you did with your day, if you missed this video you need to stop right now and check it out. If you did see it, you might want to go ahead and see it again because, well… it’s awesome. Straight from London, Star Wars Episode VII director and writer, J.J. Abrams along with writer Lawrence Kasdan have a quick video message for Star Wars fans this May the 4th. What better way to celebrate May 4th than with a message from J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasden? And while we’re still talking about May the Fourth, here…
Star Wars Expanded Universe Will Change
For over 35 years, the Expanded Universe has enriched the Star Wars experience for fans who wanted a little something more after the movies. Lucas created a universe that sparked interest, and that made fans think long beyond just the movie experience. It’s no surprise then that there have been books, games, toys and more all spun off that initial Star Wars canon. But StarWars.com tells us about how this Expanded Universe is set to change: Now, with an exciting future filled with new cinematic installments of Star Wars, all aspects ofStar Wars storytelling moving forward will be connected. Under Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy’s direction, the company for the first time ever has formed a story group to oversee and coordinate all Star Wars creative development. “We have an unprecedented slate of new Star Wars entertainment on the horizon,” said Kennedy. “We’re set to bring Star Wars back to the big screen, and continue the adventure through games, books, comics,…
New Star Wars Kids Books Announced by Disney Publishing
Disney Publishing, which we already knew was handling the Rebels books, has also recently announced they are going to be releasing a new original-trilogy book series for young readers. They have brought together some bestselling children’s authors- Tom Angleberger (The Strange Case of Origami Yoda,) Tony DiTerlizzi (The Spiderwick Chronicles,) Adam Gidwitz (A Tale Dark and Grimm,) and R.J. Palacio (Wonder) – to help create something awesome for the younger Star Wars fans. The books will start hitting the shelves in October. Here’s a video to show you more: Coming October 2014 is a new series of Star Wars children’s books reimagining the films of the original trilogy. The classic saga will come to life like never before through adaptations by bestselling children’s authors Tom Angleberger, Tony DiTerlizzi, Adam Gidwitz, and R.J. Palacio, with art by famed Star Wars concept artist Iain McCaig. Each of these celebrated authors will bring their contemporary, unique voice…
4 Year Old Jedi Gets a Final Farewell
It’s something no parent ever wants to have to do- bury their child. Sadly, the parents of 4-year-old Jack Robinson had to do just that. Their little boy had an inoperable brain tumor and sadly, died on April 1st. But little Jack but have a send-off worthy of his short, but special life. His parents and family gave him a Star Wars- themed funeral that they say he helped to plan before his passing. The family said that there son was a very special soul who brought together people from all over the world, despite his young age. Because of this, they wanted to give him a very special, unique funeral. UK’s The Mirror describes the event: “His body arrived in a Star Wars coffin on a white horse-drawn carriage surrounded by Stormtroopers. The carriage was decked with floral tributes, including one reading ‘Jedi’ and wreaths in the shape of…
Rumor: All Six Star Wars Films May Be Released on 3D Blu-Ray
When it comes to the new Star Wars films, you know how we like to share rumors and any other tidbits of information we can come across. Well, a reader from Jedi News found an interesting piece of possible Star Wars film info, which she shared with them and they shared on their site. Jedi News reader LadyFerry explains: Hello! it’s me LadyFerry! Just a quick message to say that I was looking online for blu-ray pre-orders and found this, it’s a pre-order notification for the six 3D Star Wars movies coming out on blu-ray. Just thought it would be an interesting titbit for the front page at Jedi News: See it here: Amazon Ok, that’s pretty interesting indeed. Amazon now has listings for all six current Star Wars films for 3D Blu-Ray! (They also have listings for Episodes VII-IX on regular blu-ray). No release date is given. This could be…
STAR WARS: EPISODE VII to Start Filming in May 2014
Have you been as anxious about Star Wars: Episode VII as we have? We have been waiting to share with you some good news and it’s finally here. Disney and Lucasfilm are excited to announce that principal photography on Star Wars: Episode VII, directed by J.J. Abrams will begin filming in May 2014 (just 2 months away) in London’s historic Pinewood Studios.
Disney Already Casting for Star Wars Live-Action TV Projects?
Disney is a company that knows how to get the most out of a popular thing. The franchise is a leader for a big reason. With the new Star Wars movies coming out starting in 2015, they are probably already cooking up lots of good merchandising deals and other great ways to make money off the popularity that the new movies are going to bring. So while we all know this to be true, much of what is said about Disney’s plans about the Star Wars franchise is just speculation. Outside of rumors, we don’t really know anything for a fact. But as the release date for the movies grows closer, we do see more rumors coming out. This one, for example, has us a little bit interested. Cinelinx.com says they have it on an authority source that Disney is already casting for a Star Wars Live Action TV Project….
Disney Expects Star Wars to Have a 40 year “Useful Life”
For many of us, Star Wars dates back to our earliest memories. It has brought us a lifetime of memories. And for many others, Disney has also created a lifetime of memories and special moments. So now that the two have combined, will we see the same result? And for how long can Disney expect to see useful benefits from the Star Wars franchise and the new movie series? Well, according to Fiscal Year 2013 the Fiscal Year 2013 Annual Financial Report And Shareholder Letter Disney will get a good 40 years out of it. That’s a decent chunk of a person’s lifetime. That’s four decades of memories. That’s a very good business outlook. The report also had a neat little tidbit about the future of Star Wars with Disney: “Intangible assets primarily consist of intellectual property based on the Star Wars franchise with an estimated useful life of approximately 40 years….
Star Wars Episode VII Rumors
Here we are with some more Star Wars VII rumors and the first good point to bring up is that the number of these rumors that are actually proven to be true are few and far between. However, since all we are doing is waiting for the movies to release anyway, what harm is there in following along with some potential rumors? First up we have a tidbit from Cinema Blend that Saoirse Ronan might be coming on for a “mystery role” in the film: Virtually none of the rumors about Star Wars: Episode VII have been confirmed, but a few have been repeated so many times they’re starting to feel more true, like buzz that the original cast will return or that a teenage girl will be among the main new characters. It’s that second rumor that seems most interesting on the heels of a new rumor from Latino…
Original Darth Vader Doesn’t Like Recent Star Wars Prequels
It seems there are many who don’t like the recent Star Wars prequels but would you be surprised to learn that you can add one of the most iconic figures of the original films to the list? Dave Prowse, who played the original Darth Vader, says the Star Wars prequels are “really bad movies”. Ouch! Dave Prowse was a British actor, and any Star Wars nerds who have heard the unedited audio from the original films will know that he also sounded quite British. But you wouldn’t have known it when he donned his Vader mask to become the ultimate movie bad guy. Prowse played the deadly Sith Lord onscreen for Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983) but it seems he was not a bit impressed with the latter movies in the series. He told the Hull Daily Mail, “I didn’t like…
Movie Defense Force Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
Escapist Magazine has something fun for fans of Star Wars: Episode 1. Star Wars week happened to fall on a week in which Movie Defense Force was not scheduled. May God have mercy on Jim Sterling’s soul, for Star Wars fans have none to spare. For even more Jim check out Jimquisition. Follow Jim on twitter for a chance to win Twitter updates from Jim: @JimSterling Don’t forget to get to watch Jim with Yahtzee in their Rhymedown Spectacular. New episodes of Movie Defense Force appear every other Thursday only on The Escapist. Do you remember the first time you saw Star Wars: Episode? Where were you? Did you like it? How many times have you seen it? Was it different each time? The Escapist : Movie Defense Force : Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
Exclusive to USA Today The Star Wars Trailer
Before Star Wars, there was The Star Wars! This is the authorized adaptation of George Lucas’s rough-draft screenplay of what would eventually become a motion picture that would change the world. We’re talking about Lucas’ original galaxy as it was conceived in “The Star Wars” and the Dark Horse Comics series will show you a new side of Star Wars that you have probably never seen before. See the exclusive trailer here: USA Today got the exclusive on the trailer and brings us a little background info: Luke Skywalker as an old, gray-haired general? Darth Vader as just a dude? Han Solo — secret-agent lizard? The new Dark Horse Comics series The Star Warssounds like alternate-universe weirdness for fans of George Lucas’ influential sci-fi franchise. Instead, it’s just the filmmaker’s first pass at his galaxy far, far away. The eight-issue comic launching Sept. 4 is an adaptation of Lucas’ first…
The Wall Street Journal Spotlights the Star Wars Expanded Universe
We are seeing Star Wars making mainstream news and conversations more often here lately. Even President Obama had something to say about how awesome Star Wars is. So while we were not surprised, we were happy to see The Wall Street Journal handle the topic as well. In the Arena section of Friday’s Wall Street Journal, writer Alexandra Alter reported on the literary universe surrounding the Star Wars films and also addressed the fans who enjoy it and the culture that often critiques it. Alter interviewed author Troy Denning as well as some other key names to Star Wars. Hardcore fans will not be surprised by most of the piece but it was very well researched. TheForce.net tells us a bit more about the article: Nothing in the article will surprise serious Star Wars fans. It mentions Leland Chee’s Holocron, with the obligatory reference to both the database’s scope and level of detail — including “the…
Star Trek Costume Designer to work on Star Wars VII
How many SWTOR fans are also fans of the Star Wars movies? Are you excited about Star Wars VII? In a fun and interesting (but not necessarily surprising) turn of events, Star Trek and Star Wars come together once again. Michael Kaplan, the man behind Star Trek Into Darkness’ distinctive costume designs, revealed that he is also joining the production crew of Star Wars VII. In an interview with Buzzfeed, the famed designer whose credits include Blade Runner, Star Trek (2009), and Fight Club says, “I’ve just learned I’ll be working on the new Star Wars movie, again with J.J. Everything just got formalized [last week], I haven’t even had the chance to talk to anyone about it all other than to be told ‘welcome aboard.’ Personally, I’m excited about the news. He’s a great costumer and I bet JJ had something to do with bringing him on board the new team. I’ll think…
LucasFilm Cancels Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Delays Star Wars: Detours
Somewhere, the ghostly hologram projection of Obi-Wan Kenobi just stopped in his tracks and started sobbing. After five seasons, LucasFilm has decided to stop production on Cartoon Network’s animated series set in George Lucas’s imagination. The news was announced onStarWars.com today. “”After five highly successful and critically acclaimed seasons of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, we feel the time has come to wind down the series. While the studio is no longer producing new episodes for Cartoon Network, we’re continuing production on new Clone Wars story arcs that promise to be some of the most thrilling adventures ever seen. Stay tuned for more information on where fans can soon find this bonus content.””” Yeesh. The StarWars.com site has a video from The Clone Wars‘ supervising director Dave Filoni explaining the situation, and while he’s bummed about wrapping up the series, he’s excited for the future of the Star Wars franchise and LucasFilm Animation’s involvement in it, whatever that may…
Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher Back for ‘Star Wars’ via George Lucas
We brought you the rumor yesterday of Carrie Fisher returning to Star Wars and it seems today it was confirmed true by George Lucas. But of course, that’s not all! According to Lucas, the whole crew will be back together in the new films- Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher! The original stars of the series have previously hinted that they would be making a comeback but this is the first “official” word that it is true. Yahoo Movies reports: “”We had already signed Mark and Carrie and Harrison — or we were pretty much in final stages of negotiation. So I called them to say, ‘Look, this is what’s going on,’” Lucas told Bloomberg Businessweek when asked about whether he kept the actors in the loop about the Disney acquisition. So it looks like some of the stars had already signed on the dotted line before they even knew…
Disney confirms “Star Wars” spinoffs
Disney CEO Bob Iger has confirmed some major “Star Wars” news that has long been speculated: spinoff films are on the way. Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg actually are working on movies that sit outside of the planned “Star Wars: Episodes VII,” “VII” and “IX,” and are based on characters that already exist in the “Star Wars” universe. “There has been speculation about some stand-alone films that have been in development, and I can confirm to you today that in fact we are working on a few stand-alone films,” Iger said on CNBC’s “Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo.” “Larry Kasdan and Simon Kinberg are both working on films derived from great ‘Star Wars’ characters that are not part of the overall saga. We still plan to make ‘Star Wars 7,’ ’8′ and ’9′ roughly over a six-year period of time starting in 2015, but there are going to be a…
JJ Abrams Confirmed as Director of Star Wars VII, Speaks on the Role
It’s official: Abrams is directing Star Wars VII How does Abrams feel about being selected as the director for Star Wars: Episode 7? Reports say he called it “as surreal as it is exciting.” Abrams spoke with some press before heading into the Producers Guild Awards on Saturday night where he was there to accept the Norman Lear Achievement Award for such television works as “Felicity” (1998-2002), “Alias” (2001-2006), “Lost” (2004-2010), “Fringe” (2008-2013) as well as the current series “Person of Interest” and “Revolution.” Abrams is also known for his movie directing of “Star Trek” and “Mission: Impossible.”” He was on my personal shortlist for directors I wanted to do this early on but he initially said he wasn’t interested. Supposedly, the former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy (who will produce the films) convinced him to change his mind in early January after visiting him at the Santa Monica offices of…