Author Archives: Matt

Hamill Aware of the Connection Between History’s Knightfall and Star Wars

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Via www.thewrap.com:

When Mark Hamill joined Season 2 of History’s “Knightfall,” he swapped his long-held lightsaber for a Medieval sword. But he didn’t switch completely from one world to another, seeing as the themes in the drama series are similar to those explored in “Star Wars.”

And yes, Hamill is aware that the Knights Templar — the group he’s entering for the Tom Cullen-led drama — were part of what inspired George Lucas’ Jedi — a group he’s all too familiar with due to his decades of playing Luke Skywalker in the franchise.

Hamill was asked during the Television Critics Association press tour Sunday if the “connection” between the Knights Templar and the Jedi created “any hesitancy for you in taking on this role or is that something you thought of at all.”

“Not until after I accepted. I didn’t really think it through,” Hamill joked.

“The truth of the matter is that I’m sure George drew from- George drew from so many different inspirations of his own, both in the movies and in literature,” Hamill continued, seated alongside Cullen and new showrunner Aaron Helbing. “He was probably thinking more of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, because it was more idealized and glamorous, certainly, than the Templar knights. But there’s no question that his inspiration was rooted partially in this mythology.”

Click here for the full story at thewrap.com

Alden Ehrenreich Signs Exclusive Autograph Agreement

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Via Authentic Signings, Inc. on Facebook:

Alden Ehrenreich has signed an exclusive deal with Nick Cordasco of Authentic Signings, Inc. and Harlan J. Werner of Sports Placement Service.

Ehrenreich has granted both companies exclusive rights to create memorabilia from SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY that he will personally sign within this coming year. “The fans deserve authentic signatures.” said Ehrenreich. ” These in-person signings will help prevent counterfeit items from entering the collectibles arena which are present at most conventions.

Harlan Werner along with his partner, Nick Cordasco are honored to enter into this agreement with Mr. Ehrenreich. This becomes one of the most significant deals within the Star Wars memorabilia industry and we look forward to offering a complete line of limited and licensed product over the coming months,” Werner said.

 

EA “Fully Committed” To Star Wars Games

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Via gamespot.com:

Following a report that Electronic Arts had canceled the open-world Star Wars game in development at EA Vancouver, the publisher has finally responded with a statement. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer any real insight, though tellingly it does nothing to dispel what Kotaku’s story laid out earlier this week.

“There’s been speculation overnight about one of our Star Wars projects. As a natural part of the creative process, the great work by our team in Vancouver continues and will evolve into future Star Wars content and games,” the company said in a statement shared with GameSpot. “We’re fully committed to making more Star Wars games, we’re very excited about Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order from Respawn, and we’ll share more about our new projects when the time is right.”

Click Here for the full article at gamespot.com

Disney’s Acquisition of Fox Finalized?

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Via EE News:

 
Today, Twenty-First Century Fox shareholders got quite a surprise. Their stock election letter came with The Walt Disney Company letterhead (see below). This comes after initial reports that Disney’s $71.3 billion acquisition of Fox was near the end, followed by weeks of media silence and no concrete date.

Last year, Disney received conditional approvals from both the European Union and U.S. regulators and was waiting from approvals from Brazil and other countries. Back in July 2018, shareholders from both companies approved all proposals related to the acquisition, but neither company gave a solid date for the close. Disney CEO Bob Iger previously stated that “it could take up to 12 months for the acquisition to close,” while President of Fox Peter Rice said to employees, “The company will be logistically ready to close on Jan. 1.”

Based on the below shareholder letter, it looks like earlier speculation about the January 1, 2019, date was more in line with the actual acquisition timeline. The Disney-Fox acquisition marks an incredible shift in the entertainment industry and there will definitely be more news about it in the coming months. Stay tuned.

Forbes Predicts Star Wars IX will be one of the Biggest Blockbusters Of 2019!

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Scott Mendelson of Forbes.com reports via this link:

Star Wars Episode IX (December 20)

Will J.J. Abrams continue along the path set by himself and Rian Johnson or will he offer something of a “course correction” after the controversial reception of The Last Jedi? I have to assume that Disney and Lucasfilm, to say nothing of Abrams, are aware that the movie got rave reviews and still grossed $1.33 billion worldwide and that the online outcries presumably don’t represent the general moviegoers. Nonetheless, after the utter disaster that was Solo and the ongoing culture war rooted in The Last Jedi (deepest sympathies for folks who didn’t like it for purely artistic reasons and got lumped in with the incels), the Star Wars franchise is now almost an underdog, especially alongside comparatively surefire mega-hits like Avengers: Endgame and The Lion King. But whether or not Star Wars 9 makes all the money or merely most of the money, it will easily be the biggest movie of the last month of the year. All due respect to Jumanji 3 and Cats, but Star Wars will still rule the holidays one last time.

Click here for the full article and other movies he is predicting to do well.

Nick Nolte Joins ‘The Mandalorian’

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Hollywoodreporter.com got the exclusive scoop:

Veteran actor Nick Nolte has joined the cast of The Mandalorian, the live-action Star Wars series that will launch on Disney’s streaming Service, Disney+.

The known cast includes Pedro Pascal and Gina Carano. The series, which is already in production, is heavy on visual effects, costumes and makeup, which will allow actors to come and go as well as, in some cases, be cast later in the production process than usual.

Jon Favreau wrote the series and is executive producing along with Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson and Dave Filoni. Filoni will also direct episodes, as will with Taika Waititi, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rick Famuyiwa and Deborah Chow.

Click here for the full story at Hollywoodreporter.com

5 TIPS FOR JOINING OBI-WAN KENOBI IN STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT II‘S BATTLE OF GEONOSIS

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Via StarWars.com:

Even on the frontlines of the Battle of Geonosis, the first major Clone Wars conflict between the clone troopers of the Galactic Republic and the Separatist droid army, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi is a composed, precise fighter and leader. Striding across the dusty battleground that’s the center of the new Star Wars Battlefront II update, it’s clear that the legendary warrior’s style makes him a master of defense and a worthy addition to the fan-favorite game.

General Grievous in Star Wars Battlefront II.

Now you can follow Obi-Wan into battle, join the 212th Attack Battalion, and take on General Grievous himself while dominating the legendary battleground,  get behind the controls of a massive six-legged AT-TE battle tank or gain a tactical advantage to disarm one. StarWars.com spoke with Battlefront II assistant producer Michael Dailey to help you master the Jedi’s abilities, traverse the harsh terrain, and emerge victorious to begin the Clone Wars.

CLICK HERE TO READ ALL 5 AT STARWARS.COM

Gloria Katz Dies at 76

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Via USAToday.com

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Hollywood writer and director has announced the death of his wife and longtime collaborator, Gloria Katz, who co-wrote “American Graffiti” and helped give Princess Leia her power in “Star Wars.” She was 76.

Willard Huyck told the Hollywood Reporter that Katz died on Sunday, their 49th wedding anniversary, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after battling ovarian cancer.

The couple shared an Oscar nomination with director George Lucas for “American Graffiti” and secretly doctored his script for “Star Wars.” The Reporter quoted Katz as saying they shaped Carrie Fisher’s Leia into someone who “can take command,” not “just a beautiful woman that schlepped along to be saved.”

Star Wars Park Will Have Original music from John Williams

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Via TheVerge.com:

When Disney’s Star Wars land Galaxy’s Edge opens next year, it’ll come with a familiar soundtrack — Entertainment Weekly reports that John Williams will provide the score, and has a preview of what to expect, along with looks at two of the park’s big experiences.

The first of EW’s videos shows off a new behind-the-scenes look at the park’s construction, revealing an extensive array of buildings and landscapes, set to a music that is the “overarching theme” for Galaxy’s Edge. EW also previews a pair of videos that highlight the main rides for the parks — Smuggler’s Run, set aboard the Millennium Falcon, and Rise of the Resistance, set onboard a First Order ship.

The construction video shows off a sprawling world called Batuu — which we’ve seen a bit of already in Timothy Zahn’s recent novel Thrawn: Alliances — and in particular, a village called Black Spire, described as a “remote trading outpost” in the midst of a forest of petrified trees. The score is epic and sweeping, and it certainly feels like it belongs to the Star Wars universe. Hopefully, Disney will release a companion soundtrack for those of us unable to visit in person.

The two additional videos show off detailed and immersive experiences. For “Smugglers Run”, visitors will board the Millennium Falcon, and will pilot the ship away from Batuu, taking on one of three roles to ensure “the mission is a success.” The video for “Rise of the Resistance” shows off the finished interior of a First Order spaceship, complete with Stormtroopers and droids as a Resistance fleet drops out of hyperspace just outside. EWsays that the experience will show off “what it’s like to be caught in the crossfire of a deep-space battle between the First Order and the X-Wing dogfighters” and that visitors will be able to fight against Kylo Ren.

Marvel Reveals The Hidden Secret of Darth Vader’s Castle

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Via CBR.com:

Marvel’s Star Wars comics have been peeling the curtain back on so many aspects of Darth Vader, you’d never think this was the same character we saw on-screen in the ’70s and ’80s. We’re now seeing so much depth to him, forcing us to empathize with his selfish reasons for wanting to harness the Dark Side of the Force.

Come Darth Vader #22, Charles Soule and Giuseppe Camuncoli continue to unpack the backstory of his famous obsidian castle on Mustafar. However, after the last issue hinted Vader wanted to use this castle to increase his powers, we now discover an even bigger hidden secret regarding its existence…

Click here for the full story at CBR.com, the article contains major spoilers for Darth Vader #22 by Charles Soule, Daniele Orlandini, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Terry Pallot, David Curiel and VC’s Joe Caramagna, on sale now