Tag Archives: dispatches

The Direct - Star Wars

Star Wars Responds To Toxic Lord Of The Rings Fans

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

Disney and Lucasfilm have added a couple of exciting new wrinkles to the Star Wars legacy on Disney+ this year, with more on the way thanks to next month’s Andor. However, as has been the case for the past few years, Star Wars has also had to deal with a slew of toxic criticism from various sects of the fanbase, especially more recently.

Finn actor John Boyega lamented Lucasfilm’s efforts with diversity in the franchise, even comparing its efforts to Marvel Studios with the MCU succeeding so well in that department. And even as recently as Star Wars’ last release, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the franchise dealt with unfortunate commentary as Reva star Moses Ingram dealt with a wave of racist comments following her performance in the Disney+ series.

While Star Wars has been in the spotlight more than most franchises for this type of toxicity, another widely popular series has, unfortunately, had to deal with the same thing in recent weeks – Lord of the Rings.

This franchise recently came back into the spotlight with The Rings of Power on Prime Video, and while the series earned record-breaking viewing numbers, its stars have faced a number of prejudiced comments similar to those that Star Wars handled throughout 2022.

Now, as a sign of respect, the galaxy far, far away offered its support for J.R.R. Tolkien’s world in Middle-Earth….

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

The Direct - Star Wars

Bad Batch S2 Gets New Release Date?

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2’s release frame is in a state of flummox. Lucasfilm originally announced the sophomore run to the hit animated series would debuted this fall during Celebration, with all indicators pointing a September 28 premiere. But the plan has seemingly changed, as the series was omitted from the September lineup of Disney+ releases.

Nearly every Star Wars streaming title not named The Mandalorian has had a scheduling reshuffle, and The Bad Batch appears to be no exception. With Andor being pushed back to a three-episode premiere on September 21, many have speculated that Lucasfilm is holding Bad Batch back a bit to create more separation between the year’s final shows.

But that delay could far more significant than anyone expected. A new rumor suggests that The Bad Batch‘s second season may not be happening in 2022 at all, but rather on the flip side of the new year….

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

SWNN

‘The Acolyte’ Casts ‘Squid Game’s Lee Jung-Jae

Deadline is reporting that the upcoming live-action Star Wars series The Acolyte has cast Lee Jung-Jae as its male lead. The series’ lead role will be played by Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies, The Hunger Games), with Jodie Turner-Smith in negotiations to join as well.

The outlet also points out that Leslye Headland is the series’ director, writer, executive producer, and showrunner. We knew about the former two, and assumed she would also take writing credits for some episodes, but it was unclear if she would also direct for the series. Deadline‘s wording seems to imply that she will be the only director on the series, though we don’t know for certain yet. According to the report, Headland and Kathleen Kennedy have been carefully putting together an A-list cast for the series that also happens to be diverse.

Lee Jung-Jae broke into fame last year after the global success of Netflix’s Squid Game. He has earned awards for his performance, and is now the frontrunner to take the Best Actor Emmy in the upcoming ceremony. Details about his character in The Acolyte are currently unknown….

…Read the Full Article @ SWNN

The Direct - Star Wars

Rian Johnson Reveals The 1 Thing He Doesn’t Regret

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is easily one of the most controversial movies to hit pop culture in a long time. Not only was it a long-awaited sequel, it brought back Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker for the first time since the original movies—but when it finally hit theaters, many had a long list of problems with it.

Among the many problems, audiences felt the movie had include how Luke Skywalker’s characterization felt off, the unsatisfying death of Snoke, Holdo’s frustrating communication, Rey’s nobody-heritage, and much more.

In an interview with Den of Geek. Hamill himself admitted some discontent without how things went down, including how “it was a big mistake that [Luke, Leia, and Han] were never [going to] reunite in any way” thanks to both Han and Luke being dead by the end of The Last Jedi.

Despite everything, Johnson has recently noted how he’s “even more proud of it five years [later],” even despite the “actively hostile and toxic” online culture that gravitated towards his movie—which he made clear is not necessarily from actual “Star Wars fans who didn’t like the movie.” …

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

SWNN

Respawn’s First Person Shooter Will Use UE5

Respawn’s next Star Wars title will not use their parent company’s in-house Frostbite Engine to create the worlds of its first-person shooter Star Wars game, but Unreal Engine 5.

Electronic Arts games usually make use of the company’s in-house coding program, the Frostbite Engine, which is typically best-served for FPS titles (barring a notable exception with Battlefield 2042). However, it’s been learned (hat tip Gameranx) that Respawn Entertainment has opted not to use Frostbite for any of their games, and they are continuing their tradition by choosing to use Unreal Engine 5, which is made by EA competitor Epic Games, to bring one of their next Star Wars games to life.

Melissa Janowicz, Respawn’s Lead Combat AI Designer, recently revealed a pair of jobs listings for the upcoming untitled Star Wars FPS:…

…Read the Full Article @ SWNN

The Direct - Star Wars

Ahsoka Receives ‘Amazing’ Update From Lead Star

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

When asked about the directors and crew she gets to work with, Dawson admitted that she couldn’t say much, but confirmed that everybody is “really excited” about everything happening. She noted how everything’s running like “a well-oiled machine” thanks to everything set up by The Mandalorian, praising the team for the “dedication and heart” that’s going into the story:

“Again like, I don’t know if I’m allowed to say any of that stuff. But I do have to say, it feels really really special. Like everyone is really excited about it. Dave [Filoni] has been wanting to tell the story for a while. And everyone’s just really showing up and out. Like a lot of blood, sweat, and tears going into this and it feels like… You know what’s interesting is that, because of Mando, everyone’s really great at making Star Wars, you know? Like… it’s a well-oiled machine in a different kind of way, you know? And there’s a familiarity between all the different departments, which is super interesting, because I’ve only experienced that again on like a Spike Lee joint, or you know a View Askewniverse project, because there’s just such a family kind of element to it. And that’s what it feels like on set, so that’s special. Because, you know, it’s hard what we’re doing and… it’s really coming together really beautifully. There’s a lot of dedication and heart going into it and we know the expectations, so we’re loving it so far. So I can just say we’re enjoying ourselves.”…

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

SWNN

‘Ahsoka’ Will Finish Filming This Fall

While promoting Kevin Smith’s Clerks III, Rosario Dawson revealed the upcoming Disney Plus series Ahsoka will complete filming in the next couple of months, and it sounds like we can expect a lot more fight out of the Togruta Jedi in the upcoming series.

In an exclusive with Screen Rant, Dawson was asked for an update on Ahsoka:

“Yes, we’re still filming it right now. We just have a couple months left. It’s going great. It’s really amazing learning martial arts in my 40s. [Laughs] It’s super amazing, and I don’t use that word very lightly. My grandmother used to say, ‘Amazing is two blue horses,’ if you ever said something was amazing. Because it’d be like, ‘No, amazing is two blue horses. That pizza slice probably isn’t amazing.’”…

…Read the Full Article @ SWNN

The Direct - Star Wars

The Acolyte, Gets Casting & Filming Update

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

For the first time in Lucasfilm’s run on Disney+, the Star Wars franchise is set to take a journey back longer ago than fans have ever seen. This will come with next year’s The Acolyte, which will take the story back a century prior to the events of 1999’s Episode I: The Phantom Menace, focusing on the Dark Side’s mysterious and hidden rise to power.

Not too much is known about the plot for this show, although Lucasfilm is bringing some of the top industry professionals on board to bring the story to life. Leading the way in this effort is director Kate Herron, who held the same position with Marvel Studios on Loki Season 1 and delivered excellent results for fans and critics alike….

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

The Direct - Star Wars

Ohnaka Actor Teases Live-Action Crossover

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

Recent Star Wars projects, such as The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, have drawn from past projects more than any before it. In fact, they’re the first live-action properties to actually try to integrate animated shows such as The Clone Wars and Rebels. Characters such as Ahsoka Tano , Cad Bane, and Bo-Katan Kryze have now transitioned over from the world of animation for the first time. But who might be next?

With Ahsoka right around the corner, fans know that Sabine Wren and Hera will be making the jump, with Ezra and Thrawn likely right behind them. But there’s another character whose involvement is long overdue: Hondo Ohnaka.

The space pirate was first introduced as a villain in The Clone Wars but then became somewhat of a mentor to Ezra Bridger in Rebels. The character has even transcended those shows and become a prominent part of some rides at both Disneyland and Disneyworld, not to mention leading his own spin-off book.

So when exactly will he make the jump to live action, if ever?…

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

The Direct - Star Wars

Hamill Pokes Fun At Disney Trilogy’s Missing Reunion

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

While the Star Wars sequel trilogy had its moments of greatness, Disney’s additions to the Skywalker Saga left many disappointed with how the 42-year story came to an end. Amongst the biggest complaints were those about Mark Hamill in his return as Luke Skywalker, which left some fans with a sour taste in their mouths as the franchise’s original hero met his unfortunate end.

Even though the trilogy ushered in a new era of stars like Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron and John Boyega as Finn, Hamill was relatively disconnected from his Star Wars pals, only getting one scene with the late Carrie Fisher’s Leia Organa.

Multiple cast members from the sequel trilogy have shared their disappointment with these missed opportunities, even though Luke has made his presence felt in a more meaningful way through Star Wars’ efforts on Disney+. Now, Hamill himself has offered some new thoughts on the matter, lamenting that Luke didn’t get one reunion that so many were hoping to see in the 21st century….

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

SWNN

‘Fett’ Wins Outstanding SFX at Emmys

The Book of Boba Fett took home some gold during last night’s Creative Arts Emmys Awards. Out of its four nominations, the show took home Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or a Movie. Also up for the award in this category were Stranger Things, The Witcher, Lost in Space, and Foundation.

Congratulations to #TheBookOfBobaFett VFX Team on their #Emmy Award win for Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or Movie. pic.twitter.com/cFmS9BTUgJ

— The Book of Boba Fett (@bobafett) September 5, 2022

Among those specifically recognized for the award include: visual effects supervisor Richard Bluff, visual effects producer Abbigail Keller, animation supervisor Paul Kavanagh, associate visual effects supervisor Cameron Neilson, special effects supervisor Scott Fisher, Legacy Effects supervisor John Rosengrant, ILM visual effects supervisor Enrico Damm, Image Engine visual effects supervisor Robin Hackl, and virtual production visualization supervisor Landis Fields….

…Read the Full Article @ SWNN

SWNN

Genevieve O’Reilly Talks Mon Mothma In ‘Andor’

We’ve seen Diego Luna talk plenty about what it’s like returning to the Star Wars galaxy and what audiences can expect from his character, but now Genevieve O’Reilly has spoken at length about her return as Mon Mothma in Andor.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, O’Reilly revealed that she went back and watched Caroline Blakiston’s performance as Mothma after she landed the role in Revenge of the Sith. Whenever she returns to the role (she reprised the role in Rogue One and has also voiced the character in Star Wars Rebels), she studies Blakiston’s performance when she delivers the famous line about the Bothans….

…Read the Full Article @ SWNN

The Direct - Star Wars

Star Wars: 14 Major D23 Reveals To Expect

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

The future of Star Wars will be revealed in a few short weeks.

Seeds have been planted, and traces left behind in recent months. The Lucasfilm Studio Showcase panel at Star Wars Celebration wasn’t quite everything fans had hoped, only touching on imminent releases. For the Star Wars faithful, that will hopefully change at the D23 Fan Expo’s Hall D23 with a panel unveiling Disney’s upcoming slate of films and series.

As Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has made clear, the future of Star Wars is, for the time being, on television. That’s not to say the company is doing away with films – the contrary, actually. But it’s been a struggle for Kennedy to find storytellers willing to commit to several years for larger projects which, in addition to what’s now become routine creative issues, has led to delays in movie development.

Anything related to the silver screen was ignored at Celebration, with the event instead focusing on the shows. According to Kennedy, this was by design, and Star Wars’ theatrical future would be shared in a few months’ time… which is now.

With so much on the way, there will be plenty of updates to provide on previously announced titles… and also room to talk about some things that are new. Below are predictions for Star Wars projects that could be discussed at D23, both known and currently unearthed….

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

Rebel Force Radio

ROGUE ONE Rewind with Gary Whitta

Audio

With ROGUE ONE back in theaters, co-writer Gary Whitta joins us this week In The Cantina to talk about the film with behind-the-scenes stories. Plus, learn about Gary’s ambitious multi-media launch for his new novel GUNDOG and hear his answers to “The Yoda Questionnaire”. We wrap up our review of ICONS UNEARTHED: STAR WARS with audio highlights from Marcia Lucas and a look at the prequels.

#starwars #rogueone #podcast #rebelforceradio #garywhitta #andor #gundog #marcialucas

Brought to you by RFR on Patreon!

Official YouTube Video Home for Rebel Force Radio: Star Wars Podcast

#StarWars News, Interviews. comedy and Commentary

Catch new audio podcasts every Friday at www.rebelforceradio.com

Watch Full Show Video, get tons of exclusive bonus podcasts and join a great community at: RFR on Patreon

…Rebel Force Radio

 

SWNN

Gleeson Would Love To Return To Star Wars

The Star Wars sequel trilogy was certainly very divisive among the fanbase, but some of the people involved are still very excited about the franchise and would be back instantly if given the opportunity. Unlike John Boyega, who most recently said he’s done with our favorite galaxy far, far away, The Last Jedi writer/director Rian Johnson mentioned recently that he’d hate to be done with it, Oscar Isaac said he would consider returning if the story was right, and now, Domhnall Gleeson, who played Admiral Hux, has given the most emphatic yes out of the main cast in recent memory. (Outside of maybe Kelly Marie Tran, who is still involved with Lucasfilm.)

In a recent interview during the press tour for his new series The Patient, Gleeson was asked if he’d ever consider a return to the Star Wars galaxy, to which the actor replied, enthusiastically, the following:

“Of course I would! He was really interesting, and I think there’s a lot I could do more [with him].

I don’t see them making the call. I’m not sure anybody’s clamoring for a Hux sequel or prequel. But yeah, of course. Those movies are amazing.”…

…Read the Full Article @ SWNN

SWNN

Review: ‘Darth Vader’ #26

After Darth Vader #25, I predicted that riding a podracer would see Vader wrestle with some personal demons, and that #26 would also see Sabé resurface in the storm, and I was right. If anything, this issue spends a little too much time wandering through Vader’s memories and retreading old ground, though it does mark a significant change in Vader’s journey towards his eventual redemption.

The Darth Vader comic series (particularly Charles Soule’s run) has always been at its most fascinating when Vader strolls down memory lane, dealing with some of his awful decisions as Anakin Skywalker and wondering what might have been. Unfortunately, this issue isn’t as effective with its flashbacks…..

…Read the Full Article @ SWNN

The Direct - Star Wars

Subscribe-Exclusive Star Wars Toys?

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

Star Wars has arguably been the heart of Disney+ since the platform launched in November 2019. The Mandalorian‘s first episode was available to subscribers on Day 1, shepherding in millions of viewers as Mando met who was then referred to as “Baby Yoda.” Nearly three years later, the series remains among the most popular in the service’s content library.

It comes as no surprise that The Mandalorian has been such a smash hit. Audiences worldwide are invested in Din Djarin and Grogu’s journey, and there’s a little something in the series for everyone. Diehard Star Wars fans have been treated with the major appearances of Luke Skywalker, Boba Fett, and Ahsoka Tano, the latter of whom have since received their own spin-off series. Little Grogu has stolen the show, and he’s unsurprisingly been a cash cow for Disney and Lucasfilm.

The two companies are built on the shoulders of strong merchandising, with loyal fans always turning out to collect the latest offerings. In the coming months, some serious changes will be taking place with Disney+, as the streamer looks to unveil different subscription tiers to align with product output. A new report reveals that merchandise will be a heavy player in this effort – with Star Wars, and specifically The Mandalorian, naturally being at the forefront….

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

The Direct - Star Wars

Andor | 10 Main Characters on Poster

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

Following a few weeks of hiatus, Lucasfilm and Disney are inching closer to a return to the galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: Andor premiering on Disney+ on September 21. This series will take fans back to the unexplored gaps in the Skywalker Saga for the second time this year after Obi-Wan Kenobi, giving more depth to Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor before he meets Jyn Erso in 2016’s Rogue One.

Andor features an incredible cast of new characters behind Luna’s leading man while also referencing important players in Luna’s first solo movie, as shown by leaked set video from production. Genevieve O’Reilly will bring Mon Mothra to the streaming world once more, marking the character’s sixth Star Wars appearance, while Thor’s Stellan Skarsgård and Morbius’ Adria Arjona will help fill out other key roles in the cast.

Now, with only three weeks remaining until Andor begins its extended run on Disney+, Lucasfilm released a brand new poster featuring the show’s impressive cast of characters that will make this story a reality….

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

The Direct - Star Wars

Watch Star Wars Movies Before Andor? Producer Responds

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

In less than a month, the galaxy far, far away returns to Disney+ with Star Wars: Andor. The 12-episode first season sees the return of Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor, shining a light on the early days of the man who would become a hero of the Rebellion in Rogue One.

Lucasfilm has a trio of prequels on their hands, as Andor is to Rogue One what the spin-off film is to A New Hope – it will just take a little longer for the show to resolve itself. Season 1 will encompass a year of Cassian’s life in the Star Wars timeline, and Season 2 will follow up with a dozen more episodes, with four arcs of three taking place over one year apiece until the show leads right into Rogue One.

With so much Star Wars content available from different pockets of the timeline, where things fall into place can get confusing for viewers. The canon is all interconnected, so much so that it’s almost mandatory to see or read certain things before diving into something new. As such, producer Tony Gilroy was naturally asked what audiences should watch to prepare for Andor. Given who the project is aimed toward, the answer is surprisingly simple: nothing….

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

The Direct - Star Wars

Boyega Claims Abrams ‘Forced’ Finn’s Jedi Twist

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

John Boyega has made it no secret that his experience working on the sequel trilogy with Star Wars wasn’t a great one, as he played the Stormtrooper-turned-Resistance fighter Finn.

Although he keeps up with everything that Lucasfilm delivered post-The Rise of Skywalker, most recently sharing his thoughts on Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi, he regularly looks back on his time with Lucasfilm without the fondest of memories.

One of his biggest points of contention is the lack of meaningful representation across the trilogy, even comparing it to recent Marvel projects that have done a much better job on that front on Disney+ and in theaters. And while things really took a turn for the worse in his last two Star Wars movies, there are even contentions Boyega has with 2015’s Episode VII: The Force Awakens, which is almost unanimously seen as the best movie of Lucasfilm’s final trilogy.

Fans will remember that Boyega’s first movie actually ended with the tease that Finn may have gone down the Jedi route, with a moment where he wielded Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber in a short duel with Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren. And according to the actor, this is something that he felt didn’t come naturally in the story behind Episode VII….

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

The Direct - Star Wars

Johnson’s Trilogy Has Promising Update

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

Almost no name in Star Wars history has been the subject of a wider range of reviews than Rian Johnson, who famously served as the director of 2017’s Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. With the inconsistency between his work and that of J.J. Abrams, who did the movies before and after his, the sequel trilogy was left largely discombobulated and jumbled as the two directors’ visions were mixed with one another.

Even with so much controversy surrounding The Last Jedi, however, Johnson remains a consistent topic amongst the Star Wars fandom, especially with no big-screen movies on the way for the foreseeable future. Lucasfilm in particular saw promise in his work on the 2017 movie, which still grossed over $1.3 billion at the box office, and there are many who want to see him come back for another intergalactic story.

At one point in time, there were serious talks about Johnson helming his own Star Wars trilogy, although those plans have at least been pushed back for the foreseeable future. But in a recent chat with Johnson, he revealed he is still dying to return to the galaxy far, far away in the not-too-distant future….

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

SWNN

Damon Lindelof & Reported ‘Star Wars’ Rumour

Here’s the latest from: SWNN

Back in March of this year, it was reported that writer Damon Lindelof — whose credits include the likes of Lost, Prometheus, The Leftovers, and Watchmen (2019) — was potentially working on an unannounced Star Wars movie with Lucasfilm. More recently, a possible update to that rumor has surfaced, indicating that he has been working with Disney (and possibly Lucasfilm) since then.

Trusted film reporter Jeff Sneider revisited his prior report about Damon Lindelof taking a trip to the galaxy far, far away as a scoop for his website The Ankler. Here’s what he originally posted:

EXCLUSIVE via @TheAnkler: I’m hearing that Damon Lindelof, the creator of WATCHMEN and the co-creator of LOST and THE LEFTOVERS, is working on a new STAR WARS movie.

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) March 14, 2022

Five and a half months later, Sneider offered an update explaining that Damon Lindelof has been eating lunch on the Disney lot, despite his commitment to Mrs. Davis, a drama series for NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock. Check out Sneider’s comments below:

UPDATE: Remember that Damon Lindelof-STAR WARS scoop I broke in March? Well, DL has been spotted dining on the Disney lot quite a bit lately and I doubt he’s working on his Peacock series up there. When will the trades confirm? Stay tuned… and SUBSCRIBE to @TheAnkler for more! pic.twitter.com/85djY7vPn9

— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) August 29, 2022…

…Read the Full Article @ SWNN

The Direct - Star Wars

Andor Star Nearly Quit For A Hilarious Reason

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

The last time Diego Luna was seen in a Star Wars project was in Rogue One—where, by the end of the film, his character had died. When Lucasfilm announced its plans for a spin-off series chronicling Andor’s life prior to those events, there was confusion, to say the least. Why focus a whole show on him?

However, despite that initial feedback, what has been shown to the world from Andor has undoubtedly garnered a lot more excitement than many may have expected. That, on top of the intense confidence the studio seems to have regarding the show, really paints a good picture when it comes to what the quality of the piece may be.

Lucasfilm even has a two-season plan set in place, with this first season covering fives years before Rogue One and the sophomore run of episodes spanning the next four years. Its upcoming set of episodes will also be the longest season for any Star Wars Disney+ project yet.

Now, in a new interview, star Diego Luna has revealed how he actually considered leaving the role early on—and it’s likely not for the reason that one would think….

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

The Direct - Star Wars

The Mandalorian S3: Breaking Bad Actor

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

While 2022 has been one of the biggest years ever in terms of Star Wars content, fans are already anticipating 2023 and the return of The Mandalorian.

Currently slated to release in February 2023, Season 3 of The Mandalorian is expected to highlight Din Djarin’s journey to Mandalore; and given the fact he’s still in possession of the Darksaber, possibly some tension between himself and Bo-Katan Kryze.

As Mando and Grogu’s story continues to grow, so does The Mandalorian‘s cast. In addition to Moff Gideon’s Giancarlo Esposito, Katee Sackhoff’s Bo-Katan, and Carl Weathers’ Greef Karga, legendary actor Christopher Lloyd is set to star in an unknown role.

But now, a certain actor’s social media suggests that Lloyd isn’t the only one….

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

SWNN

Arjona Confirms Her Character Will Return For S2

Here’s the latest from: SWNN

Besides Cassian and Mon Mothma, and a few cameos (see Saw Gerrera), Andor will include mostly new characters. One of them is Cassian’s childhood friend and love interest, Bix Caleen, played by Adria Arjona. Bix and Cassian are both living in his adopted homeworld, Ferrix, right before the Empire arrives. Bix has appeared in a few scenes of the trailers, but we’ve always seen her in the same setting (Ferrix), which led to speculation that she might not make it out alive of the first three episodes. Apparently, that might not be the case.

In a new interview with Collider, Arjona confirmed that her character will indeed return for the second season of the show, and said she has already discussed some details with showrunner Tony Gilroy…

…Read the Full Article @ SWNN

The Direct - Star Wars

Filoni: Sabine Actress Perfect For Ahsoka

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

Under the leadership of Star Wars guru Dave Filoni, Lucasfilm is in preparations for the latest addition to the Disney+ universe with Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka.

With this new series following up on the former Jedi’s journey from both The Clone Wars and Rebels, Lucasfilm will give fans their first live-action variations of a couple of widely popular heroes on Disney+. One of those comes with a fan-favorite Mandalorian, Sabine Wren, played by Natasha Liu Bordizzo as she and Ahsoka reunite for the first time away from the animated sphere.

Although she initially had no idea that she was auditioning for such an important role, Bordizzo prepared heavily for her introduction to the Mandoverse, with Filoni praising her work ethic and her fit in the role.

Now, Filoni has doubled down on that praise, sharing exactly why the young woman playing Sabine Wren is the right pick for the job….

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

SWNN

A Daring Rescue

Here’s the latest from: SWNN

Amanda Deibert and Dark Horse Comics launched the first issue in a new series titled Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories. A story for all ages, this series will bounce around the various eras of the Star Wars universe and deliver some new exciting tales.

This first issue, set in the Clone Wars-era, with none other than Anakin and Obi-Wan leading a rescue of Padmé when a diplomatic mission turns trap. While we have seen episodes, comics, and many other stories of this same vein, it’s still a perfect way to kick off Hyperspace Stories. While certainly designed for a younger audience, Deibert provides a comic all ages of Star Wars will undoubtedly be able to derive some enjoyment from. Let’s get into it….

…Read the Full Article @ SWNN

The Direct - Star Wars

Disney+ Day 2022 Predictions

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

It’s been three months since Star Wars Celebration, the last time fans received any major updates for the future of the galaxy far, far away. Since then, Obi-Wan Kenobi completed its limited run on Disney+, and Lucasfilm has turned its focus to its next streaming series, Andor, due in late September.

But the highly-anticipated show won’t be the only thing diehards have to look forward to. In fact, it’s just the beginning.

Disney will be holding the bi-annual D23 Expo convention in two weeks, which promises to bring a slew of information on upcoming Star Wars films, shows, and video games. But directly before the big weekend will be Disney+ Day on September 8, an event commemorating the streaming platform with exclusive reveals and special looks at titles in various stages of development.

Lucasfilm has already announced that Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi Returns – a documentary following the behind-the-scenes process of the latest Star Wars series – will launch on the day. The company has teased special surprises to come throughout the day, a sign that the first wave of Star Wars news in months should precede the larger festivities at D23.

Important to bear in mind is that similar promises were made for the highly hyped event last year, and it wound up being a colossal embarrassment for Lucasfilm. Assuming they’ve learned their lesson from the infamous Disney- Day 2021, Star Wars fans have reason to be excited for the date marked on the Mouse’s calendar.

Any major announcements for new Disney+ shows are likely being reserved for the Hall D23 Presentation, which unfortunately won’t be live-streamed for those at home. Below are five Star Wars streaming projects fans can realistically look to Disney+ Day for updates and release windows….

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars

SWNN

‘Andor’ IMAX Preview Makes Its Way Online

Here’s the latest from: SWNn

Yesterday night, Lucasfilm rereleased Rogue One: A Star Wars Story as part of a week-long event done to promote the upcoming release of the Disney Plus prequel series Andor. Now, the ten-minute preview accompanying the film has made its way online.

The IMAX preview was made up of a behind-the-scenes clip discussing the setting and characters that will be part of this grittier Star Wars narrative, followed by a clip showcasing a conversation between Cassian and Luthen (a snippet of which can be seen here) along with a subsequent action scene, before ending with the most recent trailer for the series. You can check it out below…

…Read the Full Article @ SWNn

The Direct - Star Wars

The Boys’ Jack Quaid Wants To Join Exclusive Star Wars Club

Here’s the latest from: The Direct – Star Wars

The Boys has recently become one of the most popular streaming series around as fans became obsessed with its unique and cynical take on the superhero genre. The Amazon original explores The Boys’ fight against Vought, a superhero management corporation, with Jack Quaid’s Hughie Campbell and Karl Urban’s Billy Butcher largely leading the action.

Quaid has long been praised for his performance in the show, leading to some impressive moves in his career. The actor has since been cast in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, HBO Max’s My Adventures with Superman, Star Trek: Lower Decks, and more, but his aspirations don’t seem to stop there as he hopes to join the Star Wars galaxy.

During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, The Boys star Jack Quaid revealed his desire to star in both a live-action Star Wars and Star Trek project, something that has only previously been achieved by a select few actors.

Having already played in several major franchises, Quaid was asked if he had any dream franchises, to which he said he would “like to be one of the first” to play live-action roles in both sci-fi worlds. With regard to who he’d like to play in Star Wars, Quaid says he would “kill to be a droid or a Jedi or a Han Solo type:”…

…Read the Full Article @ The Direct – Star Wars