Category Archives: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Review: First Order Stormtrooper Sixth Scale Figure by Hot Toys
Today, we are reviewing the First Order Stormtrooper Sixth Scale Figure by Hot Toys. We will start off with the specs via Sideshow Collectibles who distributes the figure and was also kind enough to provide this review sample to us.
“Sideshow Collectibles and Hot Toys are excited to present the sixth scale collectible figure of the new streamline designed First Order Stormtrooper from Star Wars: The Force Awakens! The highly-accurate collectible figure is specially crafted based on the image of the First Order Stormtrooper in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and features the brand new designed Stormtrooper armor and helmet, a highly detailed blaster rifle and pistol, and a specially designed hexagonal figure stand with the First Order’s emblem!” – SSC
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
The First Order Stormtrooper Sixth Scale Collectible Figure specially features:
- Authentic and detailed likeness of First Order Stormtrooper in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
- Approximately 30 cm tall
- Body with over 30 points of articulation
- Seven (7) pieces of interchangeable gloved palms including:
– One (1) pair of fists
– One (1) pair of relaxed palms
– One (1) pair of palms for holding weapons
– One (1) gesturing left palm
Costume:
- One (1) newly designed First Order Stormtrooper armor
- One (1) black under-suit
- One (1) belt with pouches
- One (1) pair of white boots
Weapons/Accessories:
- One (1) blaster rifle
- One (1) blaster pistol
- First Order emblem hexagonal figure stand with First Order Stormtrooper nameplate and Star Wars logo
The First Order Stormtrooper by Hot Toys is THE First Order Stormtrooper to own. Simply put, it is amazing and stunning. Hot Toys has always been known to put out amazing products, I have been a collector and fan since they did the Rocky figures and own over 200 of them, and this is already one of my favorites.
The artwork inside the package deserves to be a print all on it’s own, it is gorgeous! The rest of the package is your standard black and white mandated look and the figure is placed inside with a “double clamshell” and is easy to remove. It’s a solid figure and is very easy to pose. It comes with the stand, but with the articulation in the feet, he is very easy to pose.
The armor is crisp, clean and accurate. The blaster rifle and the pistol both connect magnetically to the side of the leg, which is a very cool feature. The other hands are a nice touch so you can post him in a multitude of positions. Hot Toys also has several other Stormtroopers with different accessories (like the First Order Stormtrooper (Jakku Exclusive), First Order Heavy Gunner Stormtrooper, Squad Leader and Stormtrooper Officer as well as the Riot Control Stormtrooper who comes bundled with Finn!).
Every angle of this figure looks like it jumped off the screen, right down to the details on the weapons. Hot Toys are not cheap, but you do get what you pay for, if you don’t own any yet, this would a great one to start out with. I promise you won’t be disappointed. You can still secure one of these today for $204.99 at this link. Check out the entire gallery of all the images below!
Star Wars: Gwendoline Christie Explains Captain Phasma Keeping Helmet On
Via Ew.com:
A friend and I were arguing about a deeply urgent divisive issue: Whether Captain Phasma never removing her helmet in The Force Awakens was cool or not. “You don’t hire somebody as talented as Gwendoline Christie for a Star Wars movie and then never show her face, it wastes her performance!” my friend fumed. While I countered: “An actor’s movements and voice are every bit as important as their face, and there’s something intriguing about not fully revealing a character, just like Darth Vader and Boba Fett, especially since Kylo Ren was whipping off his helmet left and right!”
So I asked somebody else to settle this: Gwendoline Christie. This is a bit like a real-life version of the famous scene in Annie Hall when Woody Allen fantasized about pulling out philosopher Marshall McLuhan to back him up in an argument.
“I thought it was a really interesting opportunity because as an actor I’m interested in transformation and different kinds of roles,” Christie told EW. “What’s the role about? Who is the character? What does the character mean in the function of a project or story? I thought it was a really interesting opportunity to play a female character where we formed an opinion of her based on her actions rather than the way she has been made flesh. And that concept within a Star Wars movie, a mainstream phenomenon, was very modern and interesting and exciting. I made no secret of the fact I wanted to be in the film, I campaigned hard to be in the film, but to be in it as that kind of character – she’s a woman, she’s in armor, the armor isn’t sexualized, and in the film we don’t see the actor’s face – I thought that was an exciting, modern concept. And obviously, I’m delighted to be in another film [Episode VIII].”
Click below to read the full article.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Won’t Be the Highest Grossing Movie of All Time After All
Via Time.com:
The force wasn’t strong enough to push it past Titanic or Avatar.
Although it had advanced ticket sales that broke records and was the fastest film to reach the billion-dollar mark in ticket sales, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has since come back down to earth, so to speak.
Since most blockbusters earn more than 90% of the money they make in the first couple of months or so after their release, analysts predict that the J.J. Abrams-directed The Force Awakens will pull in around $2.2 billion, according to Bloomberg.
To be clear, that’s still no slouch: If the $2.2 billion figure turns out to be right, it will put Star Wars: The Force Awakens in third place, trailing only Titanic and Avatar, respectively. But that’s less than the $2.8 billion the movie had been expected to earn once foreign ticket sales were factored into the equation. Overseas, the movie had a cooler reception, with one analyst telling Bloomberg, “It just didn’t pan out.” A lack of interest among Chinese moviegoers is one reason cited for lower-than-expected ticket sales.
Both Titanic and Avatar hit their record-shattering sales after the critical nine-week window following release, but they were still going stronger with ticket sales than The Force Awakens is at the same point in their lifespans. Today, though, viewers have many more movies from which to choose, and that increased competition also is playing a role.
Darth Vader May Have Been Cut From Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Via Thegaurdian.com:
A longstanding rumour that Star Wars: The Force Awakens was originally due to feature Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker battling with lightsabers in a flashback scene appears to have been confirmed in a new book.
A key sequence in JJ Abrams’s blockbuster space opera reboot featured lead character Rey (Daisy Ridley) experiencing visions of the past – the segue has been dubbed the “Forceback” by fans – including Kylo Ren’s attack on Skywalker’s Jedi Academy and herself as a young child.
Abrams has already revealed that Ewan McGregor, AKA the prequel trilogy’s Obi-Wan Kenobi, recorded new lines of dialogue for the scene. Now the official book Star Wars The Force Awakens: Rey’s Story suggests Vader and Skywalker were also once part of the flashback sequence.
In the book, the scene is detailed as follows:
“As she peered into the distance, she saw a man in black wielding a red lightsaber. His face was covered with a mask, moulded to approximate a human face. But the mask’s eyes were dead and empty. The man’s red lightsaber clashed against a brilliant beam of blue. A young man with blond hair raised his own lightsaber and fought furiously against the monster in black.”
The website Making Star Wars reports the scene would originally have shown Rey watching the battling father and son, as featured in 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back, from a new vantage point in Cloud City. New actors were reportedly cast to play the roles, rather than Abrams recycling old footage.
Fans will be hoping the footage turns up as a deleted scene on the home video release for Star Wars: The Force Awakens in April. There have also been reports that a further unused sequence in Abrams’s film featured Lupita Nyong’o’s Kanata using telekinetic powers to fight off a stormtrooper incursion.
Creating BB-8’s Voice
Via Slashfilm.com:
Shortly after the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a cool little behind the scenes detail regarding the beloved ball droid BB-8 surfaced, specifically with regards to how the character’s voice was created. Sure, like R2-D2 and some of the other droids we’ve seen in the Star Wars universe, BB-8 communicates with a series of bleeps and bloops. But how those sounds were created for the movie is quite a fascinating story.
Thankfully, enough time has passed that comedian Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation, House of Lies) is now able to open up a bit about the creative process for giving BB-8 his voice. Bill Hader only briefly touched upon this behind the scenes information before, but Schwartz dives in and tells us exactly what kind of work he did for The Force Awakens.
For those of you who can’t watch the video, we’ll explain the process. Schwartz says that while J.J. Abrams was on a break from the movie, he asked for some help in figuring out how to give BB-8 some warmth and humor. The droid really needed to be engaging due to how much interaction there was between him and Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega). So how did they do it?
Well, the first attempt involved Schwartz and Abrams (presumably Hader as well) actually writing real dialogue for the droid to say in these scenes. Schwartz would record the lines, and then they would be sent to the post-production sound crew at Lucasfilm to turn into bleeps and bloops for BB-8 to say. However, they determined that it sounded too much like a human voice was turned into sound effects.
So for a second try, they had Schwartz say the dialogue into a microphone hooked up to a computer and synthesizer. That wasn’t working too well, so then they just had him try to say the bleeps and bloops himself with the same tools. This seems to be what informed BB-8’s voice the most, because even though Schwartz says that he has no idea how much of his voice was used in The Force Awakens, he was told that the editors used the dialogue they wrote and recorded while cutting scenes together.
In the end whatever work Schwartz did to help make the droid lovable worked pretty well. In each of the several screenings I attended, audiences absolutely loved BB-8, and they audibly felt for him when that little sad moan sounds off after learning that Poe Dameron isn’t coming back. I hope that the eventual Blu-ray and DVD release has more about the making of BB-8’s voice and includes some of the recordings that Schwartz did to help bring him to life.
10 Amazing Hidden Details in Star Wars The Force Awakens
The Message Hidden In Poe Dameron’s Star Wars Flight Jacket?
Via radiotimes.com:
Oscar Isaac’s outfit is REALLY detailed
This is why we love Star Wars fans. Millions of people have watched the movie by now, but it takes just one off-hand question to open up a whole new galaxy of fun.
A question like, ‘What does the writing on Poe Dameron’s flight vest say?’
Of course, someone, somewhere, had the answer.
Enter Tumblr blogger youneedapiilot, who quickly realised the letters were in Aurebesh, the Star Wars writing system. Each character corresponds to a letter in the alphabet, so it should be an easy translation job, right?
Click below to read the full article.
How Star Wars: The Force Awakens Combined Practical and Digital FX in a Revolutionary Way
Via io9.com:
Star Wars and visual effects have always developed in tandem. The original trilogy is known for its groundbreaking practical effects; the prequel trilogy was made with landmark digital effects. Now, with The Force Awakens, both the practical and the digital have been fused in ground-breaking ways.
The blending of these types of effects not only helped change the story of the movie, but the canon of Star Wars itself. So we talked to Industrial Light and Magic’s Roger Guyett and Patrick Tubach—both visual effects supervisors on The Force Awakens (Guyett was also the second unit director on the film), both nominated for the Best Visual Effects Oscar this year—to find out how Star Wars might have revolutionized special effects for a third time.
“You’re pushing these two notions so far around they actually join back to themselves,” Guyett told io9. “One way around the block, you’re going completely old school. And at the same time, you’re taking contemporary technology and you’re pushing that to a point where it’ll become so seamlessly engaged and blended with what’s really going on in front of a real camera. That was our fundamental at every step. To make it feel like those events were really happening and that it was a completely immersive experience.”
That blending of new and old can be seen everywhere in the movie, but one great example is with BB-8, the franchise’s new droid. Throughout the film, BB-8 is an elaborate mix of practical effects, digital effects or, in most cases, both.
“The best performances we all got out of him was when he was directly being rod-puppeted,” said Guyett. “Because with a remote control, obviously the operator doesn’t have that absolute connection to that creature. There’s a lag. There’s a delay.”
So if the best version of the character meant that a puppeteer had to be physically standing next to a practical, full-size BB-8, that creates some huge challenges in visual effects. There’s a human or two standing in the frame at all times. That person has to be erased, as well as all evidence of their movement.
Click below to read the full article.
Yoda Almost Had a Cameo in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’
Via etonline.com:
So close, yet so far.
Yoda is noticeably missing from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but the film’s editors, Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey, revealed to ET that the Jedi Master was actually considered for the sequel.
In the film, Rey’s (Daisy Ridley) Force vision includes veteran voices from Alec Guiness, Ewan McGregor and Frank Oz — but the editors said they thought about going a step further and having Yoda make a cameo.
“There was one point where we were actually thinking of having Yoda in the film, and then we decided not to,” Brandon told ET at the 66th annual ACE Eddie Awards. “Frank Oz came in for a day and did a whole bunch of Yoda and he was over the moon to do it — and we were tickled pink!”
Last month, ET also spoke with Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow, who will helm Episode IX of the film franchise, and he was optimistic about what the future holds for Star Wars fans, and was confident that moviegoers will be pleased with how everything ends.
After the premiere of the movie in December, fans started speculating on the lineage of Rey. Is she actually Rey Skywalker, daughter of Luke (Mark Hamill)? Or could she be Obi-Wan Kenobi’s granddaughter?
“We’re going to make sure that that answer is deeply and profoundly satisfying,” Trevorrow promised. “Rey is a character that is important in this universe, not just in the context of The Force Awakens, but in the entire galaxy. She deserves it. We’ll make sure that that answer is something that feels like it was something that happened a long time ago, far away, and we’re just telling you what happened.”
Trevorrow did not, however, speak as to whether Yoda will be included in any future Star Wars projects.
10 MORE GREAT QUOTES FROM STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
Via Starwars.com:
RUNNING DOWN MORE CLASSIC LINES, FROM A NEW JEDI MIND TRICK TO MAZ KANATA’S WORDS FOR A WALKING CARPET.
Quoting Star Wars is a way of life for fans of the saga. I’m no exception. And when I first wrote about the 10 best quotes from The Force Awakens, people hit me with so many quotes I felt like I was hit with firepower greater than half the starfleet. So I thought we’d come back for another round of great quotes.
If your favorite isn’t here, that doesn’t mean it’s not one of our favorites, it’s just a sign that The Force Awakens is just so incredibly quotable.
And remember, direct quotes from the film might very well be considered spoilers, so read at your own risk.
Click below to read the full article.
LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens Revealed
WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT, TT GAMES,
THE LEGO GROUP AND LUCASFILM ANNOUNCE
LEGO® STAR WARS™: THE FORCE AWAKENS™
The No. 1 LEGO® Videogame Franchise Triumphantly Returns with an
In-Depth Journey Through the Latest Star Wars Blockbuster
Experience New Story Content from the Star Wars Universe that
Provides Deeper Insights into the Film’s Most Memorable Moments, while Allowing Players to Build, Battle and Fly Through the Galaxy Like Never Before
Burbank, Calif. – February 2, 2016 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, TT Games, The LEGO Group and Lucasfilm today announced LEGO® Star Wars™: The Force Awakens™, marking the triumphant return of the No. 1 LEGO videogame franchise, allowing players to relive the epic action from the blockbuster film in a fun-filled, humorous way that only a LEGO game can offer. Launching on June 28, 2016, the game will introduce brand new gameplay mechanics to build, battle and fly through the galaxy like never before, as well as new story content exploring the time between Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, providing additional insight about the new movie and its characters.
LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens, developed by TT Games and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, will be available for PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system, Xbox One, Xbox 360, the Wii U™ system from Nintendo, the Nintendo 3DS™ family of systems and Windows PC.
“We’re extremely proud of the LEGO Star Wars videogames, truly an incredible franchise that has sold more than 33 million copies and helped ignite a passion for numerous fun-filled LEGO games enjoyed by countless gamers around the world,” said Tom Stone, Managing Director, TT Games. “LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be pushing the series forward with innovative new gameplay mechanics, while also exploring new parts of the universe that are sure to excite and delight both LEGO and Star Wars fans, as well as newcomers to our games.”
“We are thrilled to be bringing back the LEGO Star Wars videogame franchise, which kicked off such a beloved series of LEGO titles more than a decade ago,” said Ada Duan, Vice President, Digital Business & Franchise Management, Lucasfilm. “LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens allows players to experience the new film in a unique way that only TT Games can provide, combining signature humor with epic Star Wars action. With previously untold story content exploring new details about the movie and its characters, it’s a perfect fit for fans of all ages.”
“We are delighted to return to the Star Wars Universe and continue the journey with the franchise that started it all for LEGO videogames,” said Niels Jørgensen, Vice President, Digital Games for the LEGO Group. “LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens will offer an amazing gaming experience covering not only the movie but also exclusive content with all the fun and humor you would expect from a LEGO game, while delivering the epic Star Wars adventure fans expect.”
LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens takes players deeper into the new film than any other game with all of the heroic characters from the movie, including Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and BB-8, as well as Kylo Ren, General Hux and Captain Phasma, while also exploring iconic Star Wars locales, such as Jakku and Starkiller Base.
This action-packed adventure introduces new gameplay features, including the enhanced “Multi-Builds” system, where players can choose from multiple building options to advance the game. Gamers will be able to engage in intense new Blaster Battles for the first time, utilizing surrounding environments to drive back the First Order. Fans can also experience the thrill of high-speed flight gameplay through arena-based battles and dogfights in space, while utilizing a multitude of vehicles along the way, including the legendary Millennium Falcon.
PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 players will have access to exclusive downloadable content, the Droid Character Pack and the Phantom Limb Level Pack. For information on LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens, visit the PlayStation Blog.
Speedrun: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens
The Force Awakens Wall Art At Topps
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Worldwide Box Office Hits $1.94 Billion
Via Comicbook.com:
After six weeks, Star Wars: The Force Awakens global total now stand at $1.94 billion!
Money, money, money! A major snowstorm that caused havoc to a third of the country kept many moviegoers at home this weekend, but The Force Awakens was still able to nab second-place with $14.5M. Its domestic total now stands at $879M.
As for the international box office, J.J. Abrams’ space saga pocketed $23.3M this weekend — dropping 51% from last weekend. That brings its overseas total to $1,060.7M.
The Force Awakens is now $60M shy of reaching the $2 billion milestone, which only two other films have done: Titanic and Avatar.
