You might remember English actor Julian Glover for his role as Walter Donovan, the villain of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." A Nazi collaborator who wants the Holy Grail to achieve immortality, he meets a grisly end when he chooses ... poorly.
In his native England, Glover was a renowned member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. In Hollywood, though? He's a 6'2 British man, so, of course, he plays the heels, even in his later roles like Pycelle on "Game of Thrones." (Who knows if he'll show up in "3 Body Problem" with his former co-stars.)
"Last Crusade" was not Glover's first rodeo with Lucasfilm; he had a much smaller role in "The Empire Strikes Back" as Imperial General Veers. The general only shows up in the film's first act, but he leads the At-at assault on the Hoth Rebel base (with some insert shots of him riding in the...
In his native England, Glover was a renowned member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. In Hollywood, though? He's a 6'2 British man, so, of course, he plays the heels, even in his later roles like Pycelle on "Game of Thrones." (Who knows if he'll show up in "3 Body Problem" with his former co-stars.)
"Last Crusade" was not Glover's first rodeo with Lucasfilm; he had a much smaller role in "The Empire Strikes Back" as Imperial General Veers. The general only shows up in the film's first act, but he leads the At-at assault on the Hoth Rebel base (with some insert shots of him riding in the...
- 4/20/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
I know this week hasn’t been great for Star Wars, but if you want some good news after the Outlaws decable, here it is! Marvel Comics will run a miniseries called Star Wars: Outlaws, focusing on Darth Vader’s Jedi hunters.
The official Star Wars X account made the announcement this week, complete with some sweet-looking art. Well, it’s cool looking if you forget the silly way the Inquisitors used those double-bladed lightsabers in Rebels.
Get a first look at Marvel’s upcoming Star Wars: Inquisitors, which sees the Empire’s Jedi hunters close in on a new target. https://t.co/bgntcgyrVk pic.twitter.com/fUg4IjMCWs
— Star Wars (@starwars) April 16, 2024
The series will focus on the Inquisitors’ hunt for Tensu Run. The surviving Jedi is attempting to rebuild the Order, but he’s leaving an easy trail for Vader to follow.
While the Inquisitors have been...
The official Star Wars X account made the announcement this week, complete with some sweet-looking art. Well, it’s cool looking if you forget the silly way the Inquisitors used those double-bladed lightsabers in Rebels.
Get a first look at Marvel’s upcoming Star Wars: Inquisitors, which sees the Empire’s Jedi hunters close in on a new target. https://t.co/bgntcgyrVk pic.twitter.com/fUg4IjMCWs
— Star Wars (@starwars) April 16, 2024
The series will focus on the Inquisitors’ hunt for Tensu Run. The surviving Jedi is attempting to rebuild the Order, but he’s leaving an easy trail for Vader to follow.
While the Inquisitors have been...
- 4/17/2024
- by Mike Phalin
- Pirates & Princesses
I think /Film's Jacob Hall put it best in our list of the greatest "Star Wars" movie moments when he described George Lucas' prequel trilogy as "a collection of brilliant ideas, filmed in the most baffling, alien way possible." That extends to Anakin Skywalker's journey from a wide-eyed wunderkind enslaved on Tatooine with his mother to a genocidal tyrant who murders kids and owes fealty to a cackling dictator over the course of three movies. As conceptually logical and narratively sound as the rise of Darth Vader is on paper, it's perplexing enough in motion to merit me writing an article explaining Anakin's fall to the dark side for all those folks who watched the films and yet still came away scratching their heads.
In contrast, you get a far more satisfying depiction of Anakin and his transformation in "The Clone Wars," the animated show following Anakin (Matt Lanter...
In contrast, you get a far more satisfying depiction of Anakin and his transformation in "The Clone Wars," the animated show following Anakin (Matt Lanter...
- 4/14/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Gareth Edwards' 2016 flick "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" told the story of how the Rebel Alliance in "Star Wars" came into possession of the Death Star blueprints the Rebels used as their central guide for its destruction. Audiences were told that "Many Bothans died to bring us this information," although none of those Bothans appeared in "Rogue One". Instead, Edwards' film focused on a loose-knit group of rebels who defied the plans of the Rebellion -- they went rogue -- in order to obtain the blueprints. The group was led by a young woman named Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), the daughter of one of the Death Star's architects.
The characters weren't terribly interesting, the dialogue was clunky at best, and the bland story was a frustratingly foregone conclusion -- the end scenes of "Rogue One" link directly to the first scenes of "Star Wars" -- but Edwards' film accrued...
The characters weren't terribly interesting, the dialogue was clunky at best, and the bland story was a frustratingly foregone conclusion -- the end scenes of "Rogue One" link directly to the first scenes of "Star Wars" -- but Edwards' film accrued...
- 2/16/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Say what you will about George Lucas' writing -- especially his dialogue -- but there's no denying the man had a vision, and that vision changed cinema forever. He helped bring about the digital revolution, created one of the biggest fictional universes out there, and can also be a pretty good filmmaker with the right material. That said, Lucas is not known for eloquent and specific instructions for his actors. Instead, he is famous for his "faster, more intense" stage direction during the making of the original "Star Wars" trilogy — a direction that was sorely needed in the recent "Ahsoka" series.
Speaking with Empire for the 25th anniversary of the "Star Wars" prequels, Ian McDiarmid spoke of Emperor Palpatine's fateful fight against Mace Windu in "Revenge of the Sith," and Lucas' direction in the making of that scene.
"George [Lucas] kept hyping me up on that," McDiarmid explained. "I was screaming,...
Speaking with Empire for the 25th anniversary of the "Star Wars" prequels, Ian McDiarmid spoke of Emperor Palpatine's fateful fight against Mace Windu in "Revenge of the Sith," and Lucas' direction in the making of that scene.
"George [Lucas] kept hyping me up on that," McDiarmid explained. "I was screaming,...
- 2/13/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
After nearly six years, the end of Fox’s “X-Men” movies and an acquisition by Disney, Deadpool is finally back — and he’s arrived in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The first trailer for “Deadpool and Wolverine” was shown at the 2024 Super Bowl on Sunday.
Not only is Ryan Reynolds’ Merc With a Mouth back, he’s also bringing Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine — who fans last saw die in 2017’s sendoff movie “Logan.”
The trailer shows the Time Variance Authority, the multiverse managers last seen in “Loki” Season 2, kidnap Deadpool while he’s celebrating his birthday and bring him into the MCU. Calling himself “Marvel Jesus,” Deadpool promises to bring his R-rated jokes and fourth-wall breaking antics into Disney’s squeaky clean brand. Wolverine’s face isn’t shown, but he can be seen from behind, and Deadpool faces off against him at the end of the trailer — but only his shadow is shown.
Not only is Ryan Reynolds’ Merc With a Mouth back, he’s also bringing Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine — who fans last saw die in 2017’s sendoff movie “Logan.”
The trailer shows the Time Variance Authority, the multiverse managers last seen in “Loki” Season 2, kidnap Deadpool while he’s celebrating his birthday and bring him into the MCU. Calling himself “Marvel Jesus,” Deadpool promises to bring his R-rated jokes and fourth-wall breaking antics into Disney’s squeaky clean brand. Wolverine’s face isn’t shown, but he can be seen from behind, and Deadpool faces off against him at the end of the trailer — but only his shadow is shown.
- 2/11/2024
- by Valerie Wu
- Variety Film + TV
"If [Darth] Vader is the great dark icon of our times, I'm blacker than him. I'm the blackest of the black," said Ian McDiarmid when speaking to Empire Magazine about his role as Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious, master of Vader and greatest villain of the "Star Wars" saga.
"Star Wars" emphasizes how the dark side leads to misery; Vader's portrayal across the original trilogy is about the rediscovery of humanity buried within a monster. Palpatine is the exception; he's an enigmatic sadist utterly devoid of conscience or attachment.
In the prequel trilogy chronicling his rise to Emperor, Palpatine orchestrates an invasion of his homeworld in a complex plot to ride the sympathy vote to the Chancellorship, sparks a ruinous galactic civil war, and ultimately ends 1000 years of democracy (though some might argue that he just hastened the end of the Republic's corrupt husk).
McDiarmid has played Palpatine on and off for...
"Star Wars" emphasizes how the dark side leads to misery; Vader's portrayal across the original trilogy is about the rediscovery of humanity buried within a monster. Palpatine is the exception; he's an enigmatic sadist utterly devoid of conscience or attachment.
In the prequel trilogy chronicling his rise to Emperor, Palpatine orchestrates an invasion of his homeworld in a complex plot to ride the sympathy vote to the Chancellorship, sparks a ruinous galactic civil war, and ultimately ends 1000 years of democracy (though some might argue that he just hastened the end of the Republic's corrupt husk).
McDiarmid has played Palpatine on and off for...
- 1/29/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
While recently scrolling Twitter, an interesting anecdote came to my attention. In the fabled George Lucas outline for a Star Wars sequel trilogy, a treatment which the filmmaker shared with the Walt Disney Company when he sold Lucasfilm for $4 billion, Lucas apparently had a strange vision for Luke Skywalker: He wanted the older version of Skywalker to be like a character in a movie Lucas almost made before Star Wars. He wanted him to be, in essence, Marlon Brando’s Col. Kurtz from Apocalypse Now, right down to the bald head and rambling gibberish.
This detail is not new. In fact, Pablo Hidalgo first confirmed the information in Star Wars: Fascinating Facts (2020). In that book (via Total Film/GamesRadar+), Hidalgo wrote, “Although Luke Skywalker only barely appears in The Force Awakens, the concept artists had a lot to imagine based on the fragments of the story they were hearing as it developed.
This detail is not new. In fact, Pablo Hidalgo first confirmed the information in Star Wars: Fascinating Facts (2020). In that book (via Total Film/GamesRadar+), Hidalgo wrote, “Although Luke Skywalker only barely appears in The Force Awakens, the concept artists had a lot to imagine based on the fragments of the story they were hearing as it developed.
- 1/24/2024
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
However you felt about "Obi-Wan Kenobi" as a whole, you've got to hand it to the series for giving us one of the more complicated antagonists in all of "Star Wars" -- Moses Ingram's Reva Sevander, a member of Darth Vader's personal Force-wielding Jedi-hunting hit squad known as the Inquisitors.
From the moment we met her, there was something different about Reva ... and not just because she's a Black woman who served as a member of a group whose ranks otherwise appear to be uniformly composed of individuals with extremely pallid complexions. She was feisty and hungry to prove herself in a way the other Inquisitors weren't. In time, it came to light this was but a mask for a deep well of pain and anger. Reva, we learned, was really a former Youngling who survived Anakin Skywalker's assault on the Jedi Temple on Coruscant during Order...
From the moment we met her, there was something different about Reva ... and not just because she's a Black woman who served as a member of a group whose ranks otherwise appear to be uniformly composed of individuals with extremely pallid complexions. She was feisty and hungry to prove herself in a way the other Inquisitors weren't. In time, it came to light this was but a mask for a deep well of pain and anger. Reva, we learned, was really a former Youngling who survived Anakin Skywalker's assault on the Jedi Temple on Coruscant during Order...
- 8/27/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Some cliche somewhere said that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ This has proven to be the case for me and especially when it comes to fan art. I have always sought out great fan art and have wanted to share it with as many people as possible. “Awesome Art We’ve Found Around The Net” is the outlet for that passion. In this column, I will showcase the kick-ass artwork of some great artists, with the hopes that these artists get the attention they deserve. That’s the aim. If you have any questions or comments, or even suggestions of art or other great artists, feel free to contact me at any time at theodorebond@joblo.com.
The Batman by Jack Owen
Blade by Nuno Sarnadas
Bram Stoker’s Dracula by Adam Demarti
Darth Vader by Carles Ganya
Gran Turismo by Andrei Sofronov
La La Land by Leandro Abbacchio...
The Batman by Jack Owen
Blade by Nuno Sarnadas
Bram Stoker’s Dracula by Adam Demarti
Darth Vader by Carles Ganya
Gran Turismo by Andrei Sofronov
La La Land by Leandro Abbacchio...
- 8/26/2023
- by Theodore Bond
- JoBlo.com
This post contains spoilers for the second episode of "Ahsoka."
In the second episode of "Ahsoka," Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) head to the shipyards of Corellia to investigate Morgan Elsbeth's old racket. The former magistrate used to run shipyards on Corellia, but they have since been turned over to the New Republic. When Hera and Ahsoka arrive, they discover the yards have been decommissioning hyperdrive motivators and cores from Star Destroyers to put into New Republic ships, and they have been finding other uses for them or selling them off to pay for other New Republic programs.
But what exactly is a hyperdrive core? Or a hyperdrive motivator? Or generator? We've heard a lot of different names for a technology that hasn't ever been well-explained in "Star Wars." So let's break down what we know.
Read more: Every Ahsoka Book You Need To Read...
In the second episode of "Ahsoka," Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) head to the shipyards of Corellia to investigate Morgan Elsbeth's old racket. The former magistrate used to run shipyards on Corellia, but they have since been turned over to the New Republic. When Hera and Ahsoka arrive, they discover the yards have been decommissioning hyperdrive motivators and cores from Star Destroyers to put into New Republic ships, and they have been finding other uses for them or selling them off to pay for other New Republic programs.
But what exactly is a hyperdrive core? Or a hyperdrive motivator? Or generator? We've heard a lot of different names for a technology that hasn't ever been well-explained in "Star Wars." So let's break down what we know.
Read more: Every Ahsoka Book You Need To Read...
- 8/23/2023
- by Bryan Young
- Slash Film
This article contains spoilers for the premiere of "Ahsoka."
"Star Wars" may be set in space, but from its very beginning, it was always more of a fantasy story full of magic and fantasy creatures than a strictly sci-fi one. The more we learn about the Force in the comics, the games, and the animated shows, the more magical it all seems, with spirits, deities, magical swords, and more.
As powerful and mysterious as the Force is, and as fascinating and twisted as the history of the Sith is, there is much more out there, like the Witches of Dathomir. They are Force users, but rather than strictly using the Dark Side, they use "magick" to do nasty things. The witches, also known as Nightsisters, were formidable villains during the time of the Clone Wars and some of the most fascinating villains in the franchise at large. Now, they finally...
"Star Wars" may be set in space, but from its very beginning, it was always more of a fantasy story full of magic and fantasy creatures than a strictly sci-fi one. The more we learn about the Force in the comics, the games, and the animated shows, the more magical it all seems, with spirits, deities, magical swords, and more.
As powerful and mysterious as the Force is, and as fascinating and twisted as the history of the Sith is, there is much more out there, like the Witches of Dathomir. They are Force users, but rather than strictly using the Dark Side, they use "magick" to do nasty things. The witches, also known as Nightsisters, were formidable villains during the time of the Clone Wars and some of the most fascinating villains in the franchise at large. Now, they finally...
- 8/23/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Ever since “The Mandalorian” first arrived on Disney+ in Nov. 2019, Lucasfilm has strived to bring the world of “Star Wars” to streaming in a way that would satisfy lifelong fans without alienating anyone who has never before traveled to a galaxy far, far away. In many ways, that mission faces its greatest challenge with the newest “Star Wars” show, “Ahsoka.”
Technically a spin-off of Rosario Dawson’s performance as former Jedi Ahsoka Tano on “The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett,” the show is really a sequel to two “Star Wars” animated shows: “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels.” Taken together, these shows, which ran from 2008 to 2020, span 208 episodes of TV, and roughly cover the events between “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones” and “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” (on “Clone Wars”) and “Revenge of the Sith” and “Star Wars: A New Hope” (on “Rebels...
Technically a spin-off of Rosario Dawson’s performance as former Jedi Ahsoka Tano on “The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett,” the show is really a sequel to two “Star Wars” animated shows: “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels.” Taken together, these shows, which ran from 2008 to 2020, span 208 episodes of TV, and roughly cover the events between “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones” and “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” (on “Clone Wars”) and “Revenge of the Sith” and “Star Wars: A New Hope” (on “Rebels...
- 8/22/2023
- by Adam B. Vary and Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
"Star Wars Rebels" concluded its run on Disney Xd back in 2018, but it's still fresh in the minds of a great many fans out there. One, because the show genuinely holds up as some of the best "Star Wars" to come around during the Disney era of Lucasfilm but two, because "Rebels" fans are about to reunite with many members of the Ghost crew in the "Ahsoka" series on Disney+, including Sabine Wren and, most importantly, Ezra Bridger.
That being the case, now feels like a great time to go over some fan theories regarding the young Jedi from Lothal, who disappeared at the end of the "Rebels" finale, heading into the wilds of unknown space with Thrawn. What happened to Ezra? Where did he go? What has he been up to in the years since he disappeared? Is he hiding a terrible secret? Fans have been theorizing ever since the show ended,...
That being the case, now feels like a great time to go over some fan theories regarding the young Jedi from Lothal, who disappeared at the end of the "Rebels" finale, heading into the wilds of unknown space with Thrawn. What happened to Ezra? Where did he go? What has he been up to in the years since he disappeared? Is he hiding a terrible secret? Fans have been theorizing ever since the show ended,...
- 8/22/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
There’s never been a Star Wars Disney+ series quite as ambitious as Ahsoka. Not only is it a continuation of storylines introduced in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett but also a direct sequel to animated series The Clone Wars and Rebels. Specifically, the new Disney+ show picks up where Rebels left off, showing us what our favorite characters from the cartoon are up to in the years after the fall of the Empire.
But for those Star Wars fans who haven’t watched those animated series, catching up on multiple seasons of The Clone Wars and Rebels to learn everything there is to know about Ahsoka, Hera, Sabine, Ezra, and Thrawn might seem like a daunting tasks. That’s why we’ve broken down the key things you need to know about these characters as Ahsoka kicks off…
Ahsoka Tano Was Anakin Skywalker’s Apprentice…Until...
But for those Star Wars fans who haven’t watched those animated series, catching up on multiple seasons of The Clone Wars and Rebels to learn everything there is to know about Ahsoka, Hera, Sabine, Ezra, and Thrawn might seem like a daunting tasks. That’s why we’ve broken down the key things you need to know about these characters as Ahsoka kicks off…
Ahsoka Tano Was Anakin Skywalker’s Apprentice…Until...
- 8/22/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
The optics of Obi-Wan Kenobi's plan for hiding Luke Skywalker after the rise of the Galactic Empire and his father's turn to the dark side have always been ... let's just say sketchy. To be fair, "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" went a long way in justifying Obi-Wan taking Luke to live with his aunt and uncle on Tatooine, as it revealed the boy's old man, Anakin/Darth Vader, had no idea he was even alive. That and Obi-Wan knew Vader would have little reason to revisit his backwater home planet, a place that holds lots of bad memories for him.
Still, was changing his name to "Ben Kenobi" really the best idea Obi-Wan could come up with? Perhaps "Kenobi" is a much more common surname in the "Star Wars" galaxy than we know. Or perhaps I'm just overestimating how much interest a middle-aged hermit who goes...
Still, was changing his name to "Ben Kenobi" really the best idea Obi-Wan could come up with? Perhaps "Kenobi" is a much more common surname in the "Star Wars" galaxy than we know. Or perhaps I'm just overestimating how much interest a middle-aged hermit who goes...
- 8/22/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
The latest Disney+ series "Ahsoka" introduces "Star Wars" fans to some new villains. We already met Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto), the Imperial Magistrate of Calodan on "The Mandalorian," but now she's working with two Force users, Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) and Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno). Baylan is a former Jedi who managed to survive Order 66 and is now acting as a mercenary for Elsbeth. He and his apprentice Shin appear to be powered by the dark side of the Force. While a single master and apprentice usually indicate a Sith pair, these two aren't wielding red lightsabers like, say, Darth Vader. Baylan and Shin's lightsabers are orange in color.
The orange lightsabers definitely grabbed the notice of fans when the first "Ahsoka" trailer was released. In fact, creator Dave Filoni confirmed to Screen Rant during Star Wars Celebration earlier this year that these are, in fact, orange lightsabers and told the site,...
The orange lightsabers definitely grabbed the notice of fans when the first "Ahsoka" trailer was released. In fact, creator Dave Filoni confirmed to Screen Rant during Star Wars Celebration earlier this year that these are, in fact, orange lightsabers and told the site,...
- 8/21/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
Lucasfilm's "Obi-Wan Kenobi" series was largely forgotten as soon as it aired, and not without reason. Although the show was a nostalgia feast for fans of the prequels and it also gave us a fantastic Leia story (one of the best in the entire franchise), it felt disappointingly derivative. For one, its climactic final battle between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader was lifted straight from "Star Wars Rebels," and the story of the Third Sister was rather similar to the plot of "Jedi: Fallen Order."
Still, seeing Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan again, this time carrying the weight of "Revenge of the Sith" on his shoulders, was special for fans. Also special: Hayden Christensen's return to the franchise. His reunion with Obi-Wan remains quite emotional, and seeing Vader in a post-prequels and post-"The Clone Wars" era, with the context of all those stories, lent his appearance an extra poignancy.
Still, seeing Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan again, this time carrying the weight of "Revenge of the Sith" on his shoulders, was special for fans. Also special: Hayden Christensen's return to the franchise. His reunion with Obi-Wan remains quite emotional, and seeing Vader in a post-prequels and post-"The Clone Wars" era, with the context of all those stories, lent his appearance an extra poignancy.
- 8/17/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
“Star Wars has that special feel where it’s something that’s only heard in our universe,” notes Matthew Wood of the iconic sounds of the franchise. So with the recent work on Disney+ series in the “Star Wars” galaxy, he and Scott R. Lewis needed to ensure that the classic sound design was “going to be paid homage to as well as create new places for it to go.” The Television Academy clearly enjoyed those new places, as Wood and Lewis received Emmy nominations for sound editing and sound mixing, respectively, for both “The Mandalorian” and “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” Watch the exclusive video interview above.
“It’s great being part of the toolbox,” notes Wood, the library of effects at his disposal at Skywalker Sound. “All these new directors coming in who have their vision…but they also want it to feel connected to Star Wars, and sound really is...
“It’s great being part of the toolbox,” notes Wood, the library of effects at his disposal at Skywalker Sound. “All these new directors coming in who have their vision…but they also want it to feel connected to Star Wars, and sound really is...
- 8/14/2023
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Dave Prowse, renowned for his portrayal of Darth Vader in George Lucas‘ iconic Star Wars trilogy, captivated audiences as the masked antagonist. However, few fans are aware of the reason behind Lucas’ decision to ban Prowse from official Star Wars engagements.
The dispute between the men arose when Prowse inadvertently divulged one of cinema history’s most significant moments. The move resulted in a ban and ignited a feud between Prowse and Lucas that lasted for decades.
David Prowse accidentally leaks a major plot twist in ‘Star Wars’
The Empire Strikes Back, the sophomore entry in the Star Wars series, arguably features one of the most jaw-dropping plot twists in the history of cinema. The iconic moment between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader has left an indelible mark on popular culture.
Back in 1980, Lucasfilm was keen to keep the “I am your father” surprise hush-hush before and during the sequel’s launch.
The dispute between the men arose when Prowse inadvertently divulged one of cinema history’s most significant moments. The move resulted in a ban and ignited a feud between Prowse and Lucas that lasted for decades.
David Prowse accidentally leaks a major plot twist in ‘Star Wars’
The Empire Strikes Back, the sophomore entry in the Star Wars series, arguably features one of the most jaw-dropping plot twists in the history of cinema. The iconic moment between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader has left an indelible mark on popular culture.
Back in 1980, Lucasfilm was keen to keep the “I am your father” surprise hush-hush before and during the sequel’s launch.
- 8/14/2023
- by Perry Carpenter
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When it comes to the mythology of "Star Wars," fans might find that there is more knowledge and detail in expanded universe lore than there is on the screen. Darth Vader's suit, for instance, might merely look like an intimidating life-support system at first glance, and audiences can rightly interpret his mask as the respirator that keeps his lungs functioning. The black, swooping helmet he wears was simply part of an Empire uniform, meant to evoke helmets worn by Nazi soldiers during World War II. What did Darth Vader look like under the mask? In 1977, no one knew. The buttons and panels on Darth Vader's chest clearly fulfilled some sort of medical or engineering function, but audiences would never be told explicitly what they did in any of the "Star Wars" movies.
Of course, thanks to extensive expanded-universe lore, various technical sourcebooks, and endless tie-in novels, Starwoids now know...
Of course, thanks to extensive expanded-universe lore, various technical sourcebooks, and endless tie-in novels, Starwoids now know...
- 8/13/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In George Lucas' 1977 film "Star Wars," a military-run, fascist Empire rules the galaxy and it's up to a scrappy group of Rebels to attack them and destroy their ultimate weapon: a moon-sized space station capable of exploding entire planets with a single shot (known as the Death Star). In "Star Wars," the highest-ranking Empire official audiences see is Grand Moff Tarkin (Peter Cushing), a stern commanding officer who orders many to their deaths and who commands an eerie masked space wizard named Darth Vader. At one point, Tarkin mentions that the Empire has an Emperor, although we never actually see him in the flesh.
In the 1980 sequel "The Empire Strikes Back," it is revealed that Darth Vader was always a high-ranking individual in the Empire, as we now see him commanding entire Star Destroyers. It is also revealed that Vader answers directly to the mysterious Emperor, who only appears in the form of a hologram.
In the 1980 sequel "The Empire Strikes Back," it is revealed that Darth Vader was always a high-ranking individual in the Empire, as we now see him commanding entire Star Destroyers. It is also revealed that Vader answers directly to the mysterious Emperor, who only appears in the form of a hologram.
- 5/26/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Few things are as controversial in blockbuster movie history as George Lucas' "Star Wars" Special Editions. In an attempt to use new technology to bring Lucas' vision to life, the Special Editions introduced several changes that got a, shall we say, lukewarm reception -- from Han and Greedo's encounter to replacing practical effects with CGI and even replacing entire actors.
Many of these changes were bad and have aged poorly, but some were rather good. For instance, the Special Edition of "Return of the Jedi" gave us without a doubt the best addition to the original trilogy and a John Williams banger. I'm talking about the Victory Celebration montage, which takes place at the very end of the movie. In the original cut (which audiences could have easily been spoiled for ahead of time), after blowing up the second Death Star, the Rebels celebrate with the Ewoks in a relatively...
Many of these changes were bad and have aged poorly, but some were rather good. For instance, the Special Edition of "Return of the Jedi" gave us without a doubt the best addition to the original trilogy and a John Williams banger. I'm talking about the Victory Celebration montage, which takes place at the very end of the movie. In the original cut (which audiences could have easily been spoiled for ahead of time), after blowing up the second Death Star, the Rebels celebrate with the Ewoks in a relatively...
- 5/25/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
We all know the major bad guys in Return of the Jedi: you’ve got Darth Vader, you’ve got Emperor Palpatine, you’ve got Moff Jerjerrod… oh, you don’t remember Moff Jerjerrod? Well, it is true that no one in the movie actually says the name of the Imperial officer heading up the construction of the Death Star II, but he has a few important moments. Viewers probably best recognize him as the officer who gets the “unexpected pleasure”of Vader’s visit to the space station and reacts with fear when he learns that the Emperor will be coming to oversee the completion of the station.
Fortunately, for Return of the Jedi‘s 40th anniversary, StarWars.com is bringing the movie’s deleted scenes back to the forefront, including one that fleshes out Jerjerrod’s role in the film beyond what fans saw on the big screen.
Fortunately, for Return of the Jedi‘s 40th anniversary, StarWars.com is bringing the movie’s deleted scenes back to the forefront, including one that fleshes out Jerjerrod’s role in the film beyond what fans saw on the big screen.
- 5/23/2023
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Few actors are as skilled in making us hate their guts as Ray Stevenson. The late actor, who passed away at age 58, played some truly despicable bad guys in "Dexter," "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," and of course, "Rrr," where he effortlessly captured everything wrong with the British Empire while also teaching audiences about the value of a bullet.
Stevenson found his way into the big two comic book franchises, playing both DC Comics' vigilante avenger Frank Castle in "Punisher War Zone," and Thor's faithful warrior friend Volstagg in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He also voiced Gar Saxon, one of the absolute worst Mandalorians ever, in both "Star Wars Rebels" and "The Clone Wars." Clan Saxon served House Vizsla, which caused endless pain and chaos to Mandalore during the war, and Stevenson's character was a commander in the Shadow Collective, a Sith order led by Darth Maul.
Gar Saxon was killed...
Stevenson found his way into the big two comic book franchises, playing both DC Comics' vigilante avenger Frank Castle in "Punisher War Zone," and Thor's faithful warrior friend Volstagg in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He also voiced Gar Saxon, one of the absolute worst Mandalorians ever, in both "Star Wars Rebels" and "The Clone Wars." Clan Saxon served House Vizsla, which caused endless pain and chaos to Mandalore during the war, and Stevenson's character was a commander in the Shadow Collective, a Sith order led by Darth Maul.
Gar Saxon was killed...
- 5/22/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Did you know that John Mollo, the costume designer for "Star Wars: A New Hope," had never had any costume design experience before landing that gig? It's kind of amazing when you consider just how iconic and influential the look of all the outfits in "Star Wars" have become. What got him the job was his expertise in historical military costumes, which was of great interest to George Lucas. He wanted someone who was fluent in real-world costumes, not a Hollywood costume designer who had experience in science fiction. For Lucas, "Star Wars" only worked if we recognized enough of our world in it to help ease the audience into the sci-fi/fantasy of it all.
Obviously, Mollo didn't work on these striking costumes himself. He had a dedicated team and was working off of not only George Lucas's script descriptions but also Ralph McQuarrie's production art. That said,...
Obviously, Mollo didn't work on these striking costumes himself. He had a dedicated team and was working off of not only George Lucas's script descriptions but also Ralph McQuarrie's production art. That said,...
- 4/23/2023
- by Eric Vespe
- Slash Film
"Star Wars" is full of memorable and instantly recognizable villains. As relatable as the heroes are, it is the villains who often steal the show. Whether it's a Sith like Darth Vader or Darth Maul, or even a non-Force user like Boba Fett or Captain Phasma. Indeed, there is no shortage of great villains with distinct personalities in the "Star Wars" galaxy.
Then there's Moff Gideon, the main antagonist of the three seasons of "The Mandalorian" to date. When we first meet him, he is a combination of Grand Moff Tarkin and Grand Admiral Thrawn, a calculating but not entirely cold and detached Imperial officer who is ruthless, ambitious, and fairly successful in his work. He is also a psycho who wants to hurt Baby Yoda.
But after being defeated twice in the first two seasons, Gideon returned for the season three finale of "The Mandalorian," where he tried to...
Then there's Moff Gideon, the main antagonist of the three seasons of "The Mandalorian" to date. When we first meet him, he is a combination of Grand Moff Tarkin and Grand Admiral Thrawn, a calculating but not entirely cold and detached Imperial officer who is ruthless, ambitious, and fairly successful in his work. He is also a psycho who wants to hurt Baby Yoda.
But after being defeated twice in the first two seasons, Gideon returned for the season three finale of "The Mandalorian," where he tried to...
- 4/20/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
It's official, Daisy Ridley is returning once again as Rey Skywalker for one more film in the "Star Wars" timeline, directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and written by Steven Knight ("Peaky Blinders"). Despite the missed potential, I remain a massive fan of the sequel trilogy and its characters, so I should be happy to see it, right? Here's a perfect opportunity for Lucasfilm to set things right; to wash away the sins of "The Rise of Skywalker" and do justice to one of the Skywalker Saga's most promising and fresh characters.
Since it was just announced last week at this year's "Star Wars Celebration," details on the film are currently as vague as possible. We know that the untitled film is set 15 years after the events of "The Rise of Skywalker" in a new "era" of the timeline called "The New Jedi," in which an older and wiser Rey will pick...
Since it was just announced last week at this year's "Star Wars Celebration," details on the film are currently as vague as possible. We know that the untitled film is set 15 years after the events of "The Rise of Skywalker" in a new "era" of the timeline called "The New Jedi," in which an older and wiser Rey will pick...
- 4/13/2023
- by Tyler Llewyn Taing
- Slash Film
Ever since the premiere of the Ahsoka trailer at Star Wars Celebration Europe last weekend, there’s been plenty of debate concerning one specific element of the video: the color the lightsabers wielded by new villain characters Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) and Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno). Are their lightsabers red like rest of the bad guys in Star Wars or are they orange? The discourse got so heated online, we even had to run a fan poll to settle the argument (most of you said orange).
Even if the blades are orange instead of the customary red, is this a trick of the show’s lighting? Or is there a deeper meaning to Baylan and Shin’s chosen weapons? We finally have some answers.
Thanks to an interview with ScreenRant, series creator Dave Filoni has hopefully prevented Baylan and Shin’s lightsabers from turning into a full rehashing of the...
Even if the blades are orange instead of the customary red, is this a trick of the show’s lighting? Or is there a deeper meaning to Baylan and Shin’s chosen weapons? We finally have some answers.
Thanks to an interview with ScreenRant, series creator Dave Filoni has hopefully prevented Baylan and Shin’s lightsabers from turning into a full rehashing of the...
- 4/12/2023
- by Brynnaarens
- Den of Geek
This post contains spoilers for "The Mandalorian" Chapter 23 - "The Spies."
If one thing is certain, it's that Moff Gideon is doing his best to be a classic "Star Wars" villain. He's cold and calculating like Darth Sidious. He's three moves ahead of everyone like Grand Admiral Thrawn. He's ruthless like General Grievous. And he's cold and brutal like Darth Vader. He's committed genocide like many of them, treating the Mandalorian people in much the same way as the Geonosians or Neimoidians. He certainly learned a lot from his colleagues throughout his career in the Empire and the brutality of that regime. As we've looked to his future, it felt like there was one thing missing in his quiver of Imperial standards, and that was an imposing costume, look, or mask.
Up to this point, Moff Gideon has gotten by perfectly fine with a black cape and an evil attitude.
If one thing is certain, it's that Moff Gideon is doing his best to be a classic "Star Wars" villain. He's cold and calculating like Darth Sidious. He's three moves ahead of everyone like Grand Admiral Thrawn. He's ruthless like General Grievous. And he's cold and brutal like Darth Vader. He's committed genocide like many of them, treating the Mandalorian people in much the same way as the Geonosians or Neimoidians. He certainly learned a lot from his colleagues throughout his career in the Empire and the brutality of that regime. As we've looked to his future, it felt like there was one thing missing in his quiver of Imperial standards, and that was an imposing costume, look, or mask.
Up to this point, Moff Gideon has gotten by perfectly fine with a black cape and an evil attitude.
- 4/12/2023
- by Bryan Young
- Slash Film
The first trailer for Disney+’s Ahsoka series confirmed what we hoped — and suspected — it would: Grand Admiral Thrawn is coming, and he’s gathering every Imperial remnant he can find.
But who/what is a Thrawn? What makes him tick? And why did his appearance in the Ahsoka trailer cause such a stir at Star Wars Celebration?
More from TVLineAhsoka: Lars Mikkelsen to Return as Grand Admiral Thrawn, David Tennant Will Again Voice the Droid HuyangNew Star Wars Movie to Deliver a 'Culminating Event' for Mandalorian and Spinoffs; Dave Filoni DirectingFirst Ahsoka Series Trailer Features Sabine, Hera, Grand Admiral...
But who/what is a Thrawn? What makes him tick? And why did his appearance in the Ahsoka trailer cause such a stir at Star Wars Celebration?
More from TVLineAhsoka: Lars Mikkelsen to Return as Grand Admiral Thrawn, David Tennant Will Again Voice the Droid HuyangNew Star Wars Movie to Deliver a 'Culminating Event' for Mandalorian and Spinoffs; Dave Filoni DirectingFirst Ahsoka Series Trailer Features Sabine, Hera, Grand Admiral...
- 4/10/2023
- by Hayden Mears
- TVLine.com
The animated anthology series "Star Wars: Visions," which debuted in 2021, may be the best way to explore the franchise's vast and complicated mythology, better even than legacy shows like "The Book of Boba Fett" and "Obi-Wan Kenobi." Every one of the "Star Wars" movies has featured a lot of background detail, often depicting space aliens of all walks of life casually going about their business, oblivious to the adventures that our heroes may be going through at any given moment. In presenting out-of-timeline animated shorts, "Visions" has the leeway to look into the cracks and explore what life is like in the "Star Wars" universe outside the tiresome saga of the Skywalkers. It has only been through expanded universe fiction, and shows like "Visions," that Starwoids have been able to see what non-soldiers are doing in wartime.
The first seasons of "Visions" featured shorts exclusively from Japanese animation studios, including...
The first seasons of "Visions" featured shorts exclusively from Japanese animation studios, including...
- 4/10/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
"You underestimate the power of the Dark Side. If you will not fight, then you will meet your destiny." The end of the original trilogy is returning to the big screen once again. In celebration of the sci-fi sequel's 40th anniversary, Disney is re-releasing the Star Wars classic Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi in theaters nationwide starting at the end of April. The announcement was made at the Star Wars Celebration event in London this past weekend. In the US, Return of the Jedi will be playing again on the big screen in theaters from April 28th until May 4th (Star Wars Day) this spring. In the UK, it will run for one week as well. Check your local listings around April 28th to see if it's showing nearby. The epic grand finale of the original trilogy first opened in theaters on May 25th, 1983, becoming an instant hit.
- 4/10/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Out of all the studios announced to be working on Volume 2 of the animated anthology series, "Star Wars: Visions," it's Aardman Animation's involvement that's got me the most intrigued. The "Wallace & Gromit," "Shaun the Sheep," and "Chicken Run" stop-motion powerhouse's various idiosyncratic settings and toothy-mouthed characters aren't as far removed from the galaxy far, far away as you might imagine, either.
Speaking during the "Visions" panels at "Star Wars" Celebration 2023 in London, England (where members of the /Film crew are currently on the ground), the team behind Aardman's "Visions" short, title "I Am Your Mother," noted that stop-motion has a long history in "Star Wars." Indeed, the Industrial Light & Magic visual effects legend Phil Tippett famously used never-before-seen VFX to make the stop-motion tauntauns and At-ATs more convincing for the Hoth sequences in "The Empire Strikes Back." Magdalena Osinska, the director of "I Am Your Mother," referred to Aardman...
Speaking during the "Visions" panels at "Star Wars" Celebration 2023 in London, England (where members of the /Film crew are currently on the ground), the team behind Aardman's "Visions" short, title "I Am Your Mother," noted that stop-motion has a long history in "Star Wars." Indeed, the Industrial Light & Magic visual effects legend Phil Tippett famously used never-before-seen VFX to make the stop-motion tauntauns and At-ATs more convincing for the Hoth sequences in "The Empire Strikes Back." Magdalena Osinska, the director of "I Am Your Mother," referred to Aardman...
- 4/10/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
This article contains spoilers for "The Mandalorian" season 3, episode 4, "The Foundling."
While the latest installment of "The Mandalorian" focuses on a Children of the Watch rescue mission, the episode also takes a detour pivot to the fateful night of Order 66 on Coruscant, showcasing how Grogu was rescued from the Jedi Temple. This segue occurs in a rather organic way when Grogu relives his past while the Armorer (Emily Swallow) forges a new beskar rondel for the child. Jar Jar Binks voice-actor Ahmed Best returns in his first full-fledged live-action appearance as Jedi Master Kelleran Beq, having previously played the character in the kids' game show "Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge." Needless to say, it is thrilling to see Best return, especially in a pivotal role where his character saves Grogu's life.
The Order 66 segment is one of the most crucial aspects of this episode, as it adds greater context to...
While the latest installment of "The Mandalorian" focuses on a Children of the Watch rescue mission, the episode also takes a detour pivot to the fateful night of Order 66 on Coruscant, showcasing how Grogu was rescued from the Jedi Temple. This segue occurs in a rather organic way when Grogu relives his past while the Armorer (Emily Swallow) forges a new beskar rondel for the child. Jar Jar Binks voice-actor Ahmed Best returns in his first full-fledged live-action appearance as Jedi Master Kelleran Beq, having previously played the character in the kids' game show "Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge." Needless to say, it is thrilling to see Best return, especially in a pivotal role where his character saves Grogu's life.
The Order 66 segment is one of the most crucial aspects of this episode, as it adds greater context to...
- 3/22/2023
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
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