Showing posts with label John Boyega. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Boyega. Show all posts

Friday, September 27, 2019

Star Wars Franchise Stars Launch "Triple Force Friday"

Star Wars Talent Join Forces to Count Down to Triple Force Friday

Fans Around the World Invited to Tune in to Epic Livestream from Pinewood Studios for First Look at New Products for “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” “The Mandalorian” and “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order”

Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano and More to Reveal New Star Wars Products Ahead of Global Launch

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Generations of Star Wars talent will came together Thursday, September 26, 2019 for a global livestream event on YouTube kicking off a weeklong countdown to Triple Force Friday when new products inspired by this year’s highly anticipated Star Wars movie, live-action series and gaming launches began hitting shelves worldwide.

On September 26 at 2 p.m. ET, fans around the world tuned in to the Star Wars YouTube page for a livestream event from Pinewood Studios in London where the upcoming theatrical release “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” was filmed (view teaser here). Via live and recorded vignettes, an ensemble of veteran and new Star Wars talent revealed new products that will roll out globally for Triple Force Friday on October 4, 2019, inspired by a trio of upcoming original Star Wars releases:

 1. “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”: the highly anticipated final installment of the Skywalker saga, which hits theaters December 20
2.  “The Mandalorian”: The first-ever Star Wars live-action series, which will debut in the U.S. on November 12 exclusively on Disney+, The Walt Disney Company’s new streaming service

3.  “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order”: a brand-new action adventure game from Respawn Entertainment, releasing November 15

Star Wars talent participating in the global reveal will include: Daisy Ridley (‘Rey’); John Boyega (‘Finn’); Oscar Isaac (‘Poe’); Anthony Daniels (‘C-3PO’); Billy Dee Williams (‘Lando Calrissian’); Joonas Suotamo (‘Chewbacca’); Keri Russell (‘Zorii Bliss’); Naomi Ackie (‘Jannah’); Kelly Marie Tran (‘Rose’); Pedro Pascal (‘The Mandalorian’); Gina Carano (‘Cara Dune’ in “The Mandalorian”) and Cameron Monaghan (‘Cal Kestis’ in “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order”). Livestream viewers will also be treated to the worldwide premiere of a new trailer for “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order,” along with other special surprises from across the Star Wars galaxy.

Warwick Davis, a prolific actor who’s best known for his roles as ‘Wicket the Ewok’ in “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” and as ‘Willow Ufgood’ in “Willow,” will host the livestream event at Pinewood Studios. In the U.S., fans and influencers will gather for a special viewing party at Lucasfilm’s headquarters in San Francisco.

As well as seeing new characters like ‘Zorii,’ ‘Jannah,’ ‘The Mandalorian,’ ‘Cal Kestis’ and the new droid ‘D-O’ in product form for the first time, fans will get their first look at the wide array of new products that bring the characters to life in new and unexpected ways, spanning toys, apparel and accessories, books, gaming, tech and home goods.

Force Friday is an anticipated event for Star Wars fans worldwide, commemorating merchandise introduced in advance of the episodic saga films. Past iterations, including a live unboxing event that rolled through 15 cities worldwide in 2015 and a global in-store digital scavenger hunt in 2017, brought out fans around the world who shared their experiences.

As always, fans are invited to join the conversation on social using Triple #ForceFriday, as well as to participate in real-world retail celebrations around the globe. Select retailers in major markets around the world, including flagship Disney store locations in the U.S., will open at midnight on October 4, featuring the new range of products from all three properties as well as a selection of limited-edition commemorative products.

Throughout the weekend, retailers including Target and Toys “R” Us Canada will join in to celebrate Triple Force Friday. On October 4, Amazon Treasure Truck will feature a limited-edition product in select cities — sign up for Treasure Truck alerts so you don’t miss out.

Fans in Orlando and Anaheim will be able to experience October 4 midnight shopping at World of Disney at Disney Springs and Downtown Disney. Disney Springs also will feature midnight shopping at The LEGO® Store, along with Star Wars-themed food and beverage offerings and a LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon Master Build Event taking place throughout the weekend.

As new plot points are revealed, additional products will continue to roll out leading up to the theatrical release and beyond. More details and updates about Triple Force Friday are available at StarWars.com.


About Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
Disney Parks, Experiences and Products brings the magic of The Walt Disney Company’s powerful brands and franchises—including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, ESPN, 20th Century Fox and National Geographic—into the daily lives of families and fans around the world to create magical memories that last a lifetime.

When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California on July 17, 1955, he created a unique destination built around storytelling and immersive experiences, ushering in a new era of family entertainment. More than sixty years later, Disney has grown into one of the world’s leading providers of family travel and leisure experiences, with iconic businesses including six resort destinations with 12 theme parks and 52 resorts in the United States, Europe and Asia with approximately 160,000 cast members; a top-rated cruise line with four ships and plans for three more to be completed in 2021, 2022, and 2023; a luxurious family beach resort in Hawaii; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Disney’s global consumer products operations include the world’s leading licensing business; one of the world’s largest children’s print publisher; one of the world’s largest licensors of games across platforms; more than 200 Disney store locations around the world; and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.

These experiences are created by Disney Imagineers, the creative force behind experiences found in Disney theme parks, resort hotels, cruise ships and consumer products—including books, games and merchandise.

About Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production. In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company's activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California.

Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Saturday, December 29, 2018

A "Star Wars" Link-o-Rama 2018 by Negromancer - Update #81

Posted by Leroy Doureseaux - on Patreon.

EPISODE IX - From FlickeringMyth:  Todd Fisher, the brother of the late Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), says that there is enough unused footage from "The Force Awakens" and "The Last Jedi" to make a fitting end for Fisher in Episode 9.

EPISODE IX - From BleedingCool:  According to John Boyega, "Episode 9" takes place one year after the events depicted in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" (Episode 8).

COMICS - From Newsarama:  A "Star Wars" T-shirt, with art by "Star Wars Adventures'" Derek Charm, will be available for Free Comic Book Day 2019.

THE MANDALORIAN - From Variety:  Giancarlo Esposito, Carl Weathers, and Werner Herzog are among the new cast members for the Disney+ streaming series, "The Mandalorian."

ROGUE ONE PREQUEL - From THR:  Stephen Schiff, a producer on FX's "The Americans" named showrunner for Disney+'s "Rogue One" prequel TV series.

OBITUARY/A NEW HOPE - From EW:  Gloria Katz, the screenwriter who was a script doctor on the original Star Wars film, died Sunday, November 25, 2018.  Katz worked with her husband, Willard Huyck.

THE MANDALORIAN - From Variety:  Academy Award nominated actor, Nick Nolte, joins Disney+'s "Star Wars" streaming series, "The Mandalorian."

GALAXY OF ADVENTURES - From Deadline:  Starting Friday, Nov. 30th at StarWarsKids.com, the first six animated shorts in the new series, "Star Wars: Galaxy of Adventures," will debut.

EPISODE 9 - From YahooEsquire:  Luke Skywalker may return in Star Wars Episode IX, but not as a force ghost...

THE MANDALORIAN - From SlashFilm:  Unofficial word is that actor Pedro Pascal (Netflix's "Narcos") will be the lead actor in "The Mandalorian," the new Star Wars TV series for the upcoming streaming service, Disney+.

ROGUE ONE - From Variety:  Diego Luna will reprise his "Rogue One" role of "Cassian Andor" in a new "Star Wars" series for Disney's upcoming streaming service, called "Disney+".  The unnamed series will be a prequel to "Rogue One."

BOBA FETT - From The Playlist:  Lucasfilm boss, Kathleen Kennedy says that "Boba Fett" spinoff film no longer in development.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Star Wars: Age of Republic Special #1" is a Jar Jar Binks story.

RESISTANCE - From BleedingCool:  Elijah Wood will be a voice actor on "Star Wars Resistance" (Disney Channel), specifically the episode, "Fuel for the Fire," which is scheduled for Sun., Oct. 21st, 2018.

THE MANDALORIAN - From TheWrap:  Lucasfilm releases the first image from the upcoming streaming series, "The Mandalorian," and the names of people who will be directing episodes of the series.  Those names include Taika Waititi ("Thor: Ragnarok"), Bryce Dallas Howard, and Dave Filoni ("Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Star Wars Rebels).

THE MANDALORIAN - From Deadline:  That is the title of the upcoming Star Wars streaming TV series from Jon Favreau, "The Mandalorian."  It will focus on the Star Wars race that gave us bounty hunter Jango Fett and his son Boba Fett.

STAR WARS TV - From WeGotThisCovered:  Jon Favreau's "Star Wars" TV series for Disney's streaming service is looking at "Game of Thrones" actor Pedro Pascal for lead role.

STAR WARS RESISTANCE - From IndieWire:  Japanese-American actor, Christopher Sean, talks about his voice acting role in the upcoming (Sun., Oct. 7th) Disney Channel animated series, "Star Wars Resistance."

LEGACY - From NewJerseyHerald:  A story about Greg Hildebrandt, his iconic poster for the first "Star Wars" film, and working with his twin brother, Tim, who also worked on that poster.

LUCASFILM - From Variety:  Lucasfilm extends Kathleen Kennedy's deal as president to 2021.

OBITUARY - From Variety:  "Star Wars" producer Gary Kurtz has died at the age of 78, Sunday, September 23, 2018.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - From YahooCelebrity:  Billy Dee Williams pranked young Mark Hamill during the 1980 royal premiere of "The Empire Strikes Back."  Read the story.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "This is the Age of Star Wars! STAR WARS: AGE OF REPUBLIC, AGE OF REBELLION and AGE OF RESISTANCE chronologically tell a series of spectacular adventures featuring your favorite characters from ALL THREE STAR WARS TRILOGIES."

FRANCHISE - From Variety:  Michael K. Williams, who lost his part in "Solo" because of scheduling, still wants to be part of the "Star Wars" universe.

EPISODE IX - From BleedingCool:  Oscar Isaac ("Poe Dameron") says that the late Carrie Fisher is with the cast as they film Star Wars 9.

EPISODE IX - From Variety:  Matt Smith, who played the 11th incarnation of "the Doctor" in "Doctor Who," has joined the cast of Star Wars 9

EPISODE IX - From Deadline:  Dominic Monaghan was one of the stars of J.J. Abrams' TV series, "Lost."  Now, he reunites with Abrams as Monaghan has joined the cast of "Star Wars 9."  Monaghan also appeared in "The Lord of the Rings" films.

STAR WARS RESISTANCE - From StarWars:  See the first trailer for the new Disney Channel / Disney XD, animated Star Wars TV series, "Star Wars Resistance."

EPISODE IX - From CNET:  Latest rumor, Episode 9 may be titled "Star Wars: A New Order."

From CinemaBlend:  New photo from the set of "Episode 9."

From WeGotThisCovered:  Could there be a Hutt connection from "Return of the Jedi" in Star Wars Episode 9.

From WeGotThisCovered:  There is a rumor that "Star Wars 9" could be the longest film in the series, so long that it might be split into 2 films.

From WeGotThisCovered:  John Boyega teases a new hairdo for Finn.
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STREAMING - From BleedingCool:  According to an article in "The New York Times," the "Star Wars" series that Jon Favreau is developing for "The Disney Streaming Service" will have a budget of $100 million for a 10-episode season.

RETURN OF THE JEDI - From WeGotThisCovered:  James Marquand, the son of "Return of the Jedi" director, the late Richard Marquand, defends his father's work on the final installment of the original Star Wars trilogy.

STREAMING - From IndieWire:  The "Star Wars" films (the three main trilogies and the stand alone films) won't be on Disney's upcoming streaming service until 2024.

EPISODE IX - From Deadline:  J.J. Abrams tweets first photo from the set of "Star Wars Episode IX."

EPISODE IX - From WeGotThisCovered:  George Lucas to be working with Disney on the script for "Star Wars IX."

EPISODE IX - From StarWars:  The cast for Star Wars Episode IX was officially announced today.  Returning cast members include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd. Joining the cast of Episode IX are Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, and Keri Russell, who will be joined by veteran Star Wars actors Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian.

From BleedingCool:  Carrie Fisher will return in Star Wars IX via unused footage from Episode VII.
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THE CLONE WARS - From StarWars:  Beloved CGI animated series, "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" will return for a new season of 12 episodes... which will be available on Disney's "direct-to-consumer" streaming service.  This article also includes an interview with supervising director and "shepherd of the series," Dave Filoni.

EPISODE IX - From THR:  Sources confirm that Billy Dee Williams will return as "Lando Calrissian" for Star Wars Episode 9.

EPISODE IX - From THR:   Keri Russell is in talks to join Star Wars 9.  Russell previously appeared in Episode 9 director, J.J. Abrams' breakout TV series, "Felicity."

FRANCHISE - From Collider:  Sources say that Lucasfilm is putting the development of future "anthology films" or spinoff films (like "Rogue One," and "Solo") on hold.

EPISODE IX - From ScreenRant:  Rumors heat up that Billy Dee Williams will appear in Star Wars 9.

FRANCHISE - From WeGotThisCovered:  Lucasfilm Reportedly Has 9 Star Wars Movies In Development Right Now

GEORGE LUCAS - From DenofGeek:  Via an interview for James Cameron's TV series, "James Cameron's 's Story of Science Fiction," George Lucas reveals a few details about his unused plans for the Star Wars "sequel trilogy" (Episodes 7 to 9).

FRANCHISE - From ScreenRant:  "Star Wars" is taking a break.

LUCASFILM - From ScreenRant:  Star Wars Rumor: Kathleen Kennedy Stepping Down From Lucasfilm?

EPISODE IX - From FanthaTracks:  "Star Wars 9" changes working title from ""Black Diamond" to "trIXie"

EPISODE IX - From WeGotThisCovered:  Is Lando Calrissian returning for "Star Wars 9."

FUTURE - From SlashFilm:  Emilia Clarke is currently starring in "Solo: A Star Wars Story" and is the lead in HBO's "Game of Thrones."  She says that "Game of Thrones" TV series creators, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, will make their announced Star Wars TV series "Star Wars on acid."

FUTURE - From TheWrap:  There is a report that Oscar-nominated James Mangold has been hired to write and direct a "Boba Fett" movie.

EPISODE IX - From WeGotThisCovered:  Rumors are that "Legends" characters turned "Rebels" star, Grand Admiral Thrawn, will appear in Star Wars 9.

OBI-WAN - From JoBlo:  The rumored "Obi-Wan Kenobi" movie would be a prequel to "Star Wars: A New Hope" (Episode IV).

EPISODE IX - From FlickeringMyth:  Rumoured plot breakdown for Star Wars: Episode IX surfaces online

EPISODE IX - From WeGotItCovered:  Bizarre Star Wars: Episode IX Leak Points To Time Jumps And More

FRANCHISE - From EveningStandard:  The British newspaper site ranks the Star Wars films from best to worst - according to the writers.

EPISODE IX - From WeGotThisCovered:  Rumors have it that J.J. Abrams is looking for a new female lead for "Star Wars Episode 9."

ANIMATION - From Variety:  Disney Channel ordered the anime-inspired series, "Star Wars Resistance," which will debut this fall on Disney XD.

CARRIE FISHER - From SideshowToys: Todd Fisher talks about his late sister, Carrie, and late mother, Debbie, in this video interview.

EPISODE IX - From YahooMoviesUK: Lucasfilm has hired Victoria Mahoney as J.J. Abrams' second unit director on "Star Wars Episode 9."  She is the first black woman to work as a director on a Star Wars film.

FRANCHISE - From BleedingCool:  Rian Johnson says the "Star Wars" franchise needs directors who are not white guys.

EPISODE 9 - From EmpireOnline:  At "AwesomeCon 2018 (in Washington DC), John Boyega dropped some info saying that Finn and Rey would be reunited after spending "The Last Jedi" separated for almost the entire film.

FRANCHISE - From YahooDigitalSpy:  Not even Steven Spielberg could get the rights to use 'Star Wars' in 'Ready Player One'

CELEBRITY - From LATimes:  Mark Hamill gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

From Variety:  Harrison Ford remembers Carrie Fisher at the ceremony for Mark Hamill's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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STREAMING - From StarWars.com:  Jon Favreau to Executive Produce and Write Live-Action Star Wars Series

From YahooEntertainment:  Jon Favreau hired for 'Star Wars' series: Why fans have mixed feelings
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COMIC BOOKS - From StarWars:  How Dark Empire Kickstarted Star Wars Comics for a New Generation

TELEVISION - From CinemaBlend:  Could "Star Wars Resistance" be the next "Star Wars" animated or first live-action TV series?

FRANCHISE - From PopSugar:  All the Details We Have on the Upcoming Star Wars Films

EPISODE IX - From BleedingCool:  J.J. Abrams says he has a script for "Star Wars: Episode 9," and a start date for production.

THE FORCE AWAKEN - From DenofGeek:  New tidbits about "The Force Awakens," including an earlier different title for the film.

A NEW HOPE - From Oscars.org:   Myth-making: STAR WARS and the Art of Advertising

NEW FILMS - From Movieweb:  Will there be two "Star Wars" per year?

NEW FILMS - From StarWars:  "Game of Thones" creators, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, write and produce a new series of Star Wars films.  These films will be separate from the episodic Skywalker saga and the recently announced Rian Johnson trilogy.

CHARACTERS - From CinemaBlend:  More "Expanded Universe" characters may soon become canon, as "Grand Admiral Thrawn."

CARRIE FISHER - From USMagazine:  Carrie Fisher posthumously won the Grammy Award for "Best Spoken Word Album" at the 60th Grammy Awards for the audio version of her 2016 memoir, "The Princess Diarist."

OBI-WAN - From YahooEntertainment:  After winning a Golden Globe for his performance in the FX (mini) series, "Fargo," Ewan McGregor was backstage to speak with the press and got grilled about playing Obi-Wan Kenobi.

EPISODE 9 - From YahooEntertainment:  How 'Star Wars: Episode IX' can give Princess Leia the ending she deserves

FRANCHISE - From TheNewYorker:  A Field Guide to the Musical Leitmotifs of “Star Wars”

ORIGINAL TRILOGY - From DenofGeek:  The secrecy of the Star Wars films apparently drove a wedge between Darth Vader actor, David Prowse, and Lucasfilm.

NEW TRILOGY - From TheScotsman:  The new Star Wars trilogy, to be created by Rian Johnson, is set to begin filming Summer 2018 in Scotland... according to this website.

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Review: "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" Earns Love, Draws Ire

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 3 (of 2018) by Leroy Douresseaux

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Running time:  152 minutes (2 hours, 32 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for extended sequences of sci-fi action and violence
DIRECTOR:  Rian Johnson
WRITER:  Rian Johnson (based on characters created by George Lucas)
PRODUCERS:  Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Steve Yedlin (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Bob Ducsay
COMPOSER:  John Williams
Academy Award nominee

SCI-FI/FANTASY/ACTION/ADVENTURE/DRAMA

Starring:  Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern, Benicio del Toro, Frank Oz (voice), Billie Lourd, Joonas Suotamo, Amanda Lawrence, Jimmy Vee, and Justin Theroux

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a 2017 science fiction-fantasy action film written and directed by Rian Johnson.  It is the ninth movie in the Star Wars film franchise, which began with the 1977 Oscar-winning film, Star Wars, created by George Lucas.  The Last Jedi is also a direct sequel to Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and the eighth Star Wars “episode” film.  The Last Jedi focuses on a young woman who takes her first steps into the world of the Jedi and tries to unlock the mysteries of The Force and the secrets of the past.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi finds the wannabe galactic rulers, the First Order, and its Supreme Commander Snoke (Andy Serkis), ascendant.  The First Order moves to destroy the main base of its enemy, the ResistanceGeneral Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) struggles to keep the Resistance one step ahead of the First Order.  Heroic Resistance pilot, Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac),  leads the charge that gives the Resistance vessels the time they need to jump into hyperspace to escape the First Order.  However, escaping the First Order will not be so easy, and now stormtropper turned Resistance fighter, Finn (John Boyega), and mechanic, Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran), must execute a dangerous mission to allow the Resistance to really escape the First Order.

Meanwhile, budding Jedi, Rey (Daisy Ridley), is on the planet, Ahch-To, where she has found the long-missing Jedi Knight legend, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).  However, Luke refuses to initiate Rey into the ways of the Force and also declares that the Jedi Order must end with him.  Frustrated, Rey also discovers that she has some kind of psychic connection to Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), Luke's former student who turned to the Dark Side and now serves Snoke and the Resistance.

I found Star Wars: The Last Jedi to be as entertaining and as well-made as Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  It is quite thrilling at times and kept my on the proverbial edge of my seat hoping our heroes could survive the overwhelming First Order odds against them.  The Last Jedi is not exactly a “non-stop thrill machine,” but it is thrilling.  But neither The Last Jedi nor The Force Awakens are as good as 2016's Rogue One: A Star Wars film.

I thought about why I feel that way.  I thought about it, and I think that The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi both suffer because Star Wars creator George Lucas did not have direct hand in making them.

For all the criticism leveled against Lucas by critics and fans over the decades, especially because of the Lucas directed “prequel” films, (Star Wars: Episodes I to III), Lucas is a wildly imaginative and inventive filmmaker and storyteller.  Each prequel film had enough subplots, characters, settings, worlds, ideas, and creatures to power its own film trilogy.  Lucas' weakness (relatively speaking) seems to be in the execution of telling a  film story via screenplay and directing (especially in directing actors).  Visually, Lucas' films seem almost too big for even the biggest movie screens, but that size and scale comes at the cost of the narrative.

The Force Awakens (Episode VII) and The Last Jedi (Episode VIII) are disciplined and narrow in focus, in terms of plot.  The Last Jedi focuses on (1) the struggle of the Resistance to escape destruction at the hands of the First Order and (2) Rey's quest to discover the secrets of the Jedi and the Force.  The Last Jedi is so focused that it looses the sense of wonder that permeates the original Star Wars films.  Instead, The Last Jedi references and remakes scenes from Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Return of the Jedi (1983).  Some people complained that The Force Awakens was a kind of remake and reboot of the original Star Wars film, but The Last Jedi does not do that as much.  [Strangely, I find that Rogue One, which is a side story connected to Star Wars 1977, comes across as a fresh, new take on Star Wars, while being true to the work of George Lucas.]

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a Star Wars movie, and I will likely always love all Star Wars movies, to one extent or another.  [Every time one is on TV, I try to watch at least some of it.]  So I love The Last Jedi and will give it a high grade.  However, this final trilogy (Episodes VII to IX) is starting to seem like fan fiction, created by writers and directors who cherry pick ideas from their childhood Star Wars favorite moments.  Maybe the current owner of Star Wars, The Walt Disney Company, and the filmmakers it hires to continue the “Star Wars saga” are really afraid of new ideas or too many new ideas.  Maybe, Disney got the message; the prequel trilogy looked too different from the original trilogy and audiences, at least the vocal part of it, were pissed.  Well, the Disney-produced Star Wars films will suffer for playing it safe.

Let me summarize my thoughts and feelings this way.  If Disney replaced the title, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, with something else, say Alien or Predator, I would give this film a rating of 5 or 6 out of 10 at most.  This 8 out of 10 is the kind of love you show family.

8 of 10
A

Sunday, December 17, 2017
Edited:  Thursday, March 15, 2018

NOTES:
2018 Academy Awards, USA:  4 nominations: “Best Achievement in Visual Effects” (Ben Morris, Michael Mulholland, Neal Scanlan, and Chris Corbould), “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures-Original Score” (John Williams), “Best Achievement in Sound Editing” (Matthew Wood and Ren Klyce), and” Best Achievement in Sound Mixing” (Michael Semanick, David Parker, Stuart Wilson, and Ren Klyce)

2018 BAFTA Awards:  2 nominations: “Best Sound” (Ren Klyce, Michael Semanick, Matthew Wood, David Parker, and Stuart Wilson) and “Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects”


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site or blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Sunday, December 31, 2017

Negromancer's "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" Link-O-Rama - Update #98

Posted by Leroy Doureseaux - on Patreon.

From Negromancer:  My review of "The Last Jedi."

From Patreon:  My review of "The Last Jedi."

From YouTube:  "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" first official teaser trailer.

From YouTube:  "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" second official trailer.

From YouTube:  "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" -- "Awake" teaser.

From YouTube:  The Last Jedi - TV Spot #4

From YouTube:  The Last Jedi - "Tempt" TV spot

From WeGotThisCovered:  Here are two sneak previews of "The Last Jedi" trailer that will debut during the halftime show of ESPN's "Monday Night Football," Oct. 9th, 2017.

From YahooMovies:  A "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" behind-the-scenes reel, presents at D23 Expo 2017.

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From Variety:  "The Last Jedi" tops $1 billion in worldwide box office.

From Variety:  "The Last Jedi" approaches $1 billion in worldwide box office.

From ComicBook:  The Last Jedi's "Force Tree" explained.

From YahooHuffPost:  Mark Hamill is not exactly happy with the Luke Skywalker of "The Last Jedi."

From Deadline:  "The Last Jedi's" worldwide box office has now crossed $600 million.

From Movieweb:  Rian Johnson explains why he did not include Obi-Wan Kenobi in "The Last Jedi."

From THR:  Toy shipments for "The Last Jedi" are down from "The Force Awakens."

From TheWrap:  See Kelly Marie Tran's (Rose) audition with John Boyega (Finn).

From TheWrap:  In a commentary, Phil Hornshaw says that the Luke Skywalker in "The Last Jedi" does not feel like Luke Skywalker.

From Inverse:  Mark Hamill had a second secret role in "The Last Jedi,"which will be revealed in the Blu-ray release.

From BoxOfficeMojo:  "The Last Jedi" opens with the second largest weekend box office at $220 million, behind "The Force Awakens" at #1 with $247.9.

From YahooGMA:  SPOILER - Explaining that shock ending, involving Luke Skywalker.

From Variety:  "The Last Jedi" has the second largest Thursday preview night with an estimated haul of $45 million.  Of course, "The Force Awakens" has the record for the biggest Thursday preview night.

From the NYT:  The "Times" reviews "The Last Jedi."

From TheVerge:  The site offers what it claims is a spoiler free review of "The Last Jedi."

From Variety:  There are early reactions to "The Last Jedi," although full reviews are embargoes until Tuesday morning, Dec. 12th.

From YahooEntertainment:  Elaborate premiere for "The Last Jedi" celebrates Carrie Fisher.

From TheVerge:  Some begs, "Please don't let The Last Jedi be another remake of The Empire Strikes Back.

From ScreenRant:  There is a new TV spot for "The Last Jedi" which teases plenty of action.

From Yahoo:  Mark  Hamill reveals Luke Skywalker's relationship to the Dark Side.

From Yahoo:  New "Star Wars" teaser has Luke Skywalker moment fans have been waiting for.

From WeGotThisCovered:  New detailed character bios of key characters in "The Last Jedi."

From io9:  The latest poster for "The Last Jedi" puts General Organa/Princess Leia front and center.

From THR:  The new trailer for "The Last Jedi" will debut during the halftime show of Monday, Oct. 9th's telecast of "Monday Night Football" on ESPN.  The game will feature the Minnesota Vikings vs. the Chicago Bears in Chicago.

From WeGotThisCovered:  The next "Last Jedi" trailer arrives Monday, Oct. 9th.

From WeGotThisCovered:  Tickets for "The Last Jedi" go on sale next week, possibly as early as Monday, Oct. 9th.

From WeGotThisCovered:  "The Last Jedi" officially wraps production.

From THR:  Mark Hamill is begging fans not to read Star Wars #49 of the original Star Wars comics run by Marvel Comics.  It is also entitled "The Last Jedi."  Or is he just teasing...

From ThePlaylist:  Joseph Gordon-Levitt apparently has a cameo in "The Last Jedi."

From YahooMovies:  Rian Johnson explains the title, "The Last Jedi."

From YahooMoviesUK:  The name of Benecio del Toro's "Last Jedi" character is "D.J." What does that mean?

From YahooMoviesUK:  Laura Dern's "Last Jedi" character, Admiral Amilyn Holdo, may be the first openly LGBTQ character in the Star Wars universe.

From YahooNewsSPOILERS!! - A checklist of collectible cards from Topps may have spoiled the plot breakdown of "The Last Jedi."

From YahooNews:  There will be an evil goth version of BB-8, named BB-9E, in "The Last Jedi."

From YahooMovies - A look at the cool new "Last Jedi" toys in a slideshow of 81 images.

From YahooNews:  AT-ATs will operate differently in "The Last Jedi."

From Variety:  John Boyega hints that the rumors are true that Great Britain's Prince William and Prince Harry will have secret cameos in "The Last Jedi."

From YahooMovies:  New "Last Jedi" photos with some already released in this photo suite.

From CinemaBlend:  "The Last Jedi" dominates social media.

From CinemaBlend:  Maz Kanata's role in "The Last Jedi" will be smaller than it was in "The Force Awakens."

From EntertainmentWeekly:  The magazine has exclusive photos from the set of "The Last Jedi."

From BleedingCool:  John Boyega talks about Finn going undercover in "The Last Jedi."

From YahooNews:  John Boyega says "The Last Jedi" sends Princess Leia off in an amazing way.

From ExpressUK:  Supreme Commander Snoke may be revealed to be more fearsome than Emperor Palpatine in "The Last Jedi."

From ScreenRant: A new image brings Rey, Finn, and new character, "Rose," together.

From YahooMovies:  The 2017 San Diego Comic-Con began today.  At the previews last night, a new character for "The Last Jedi" was revealed.  "C'ai Threnalli" is a pilot and is Poe Dameron's wingman.

From ScreenRant:  "Last Jedi" director Rian Johnson compares his film to other Star Wars movies.

From io9:  See Kylo Ren's deadly new ship, the "TIE Silence."

From ScreenRant:  The "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" character posters are beautiful.

From ScreenRant:  Check out the first wave of LEGO sets from "The Last Jedi."

From ScreenRant:   Fans at the Disney fan convention, D23 2017, may see some behind-the-scenes footage from "The Last Jedi."

From SlashFilm:  Adam Driver says "The Last Jedi" creates new rules for franchise.

From TheDailyExpress:  Information on a purported scene between Supreme Commander Snoke and General Hux.

From Gamespot:  See "alien sea-creature" art from "The Last Jedi."

From ScreenRant:  Leaked action figure information may suggest that there will be a showdown between Luke Skywalker and Kylo Ren.

From ScreenRant:  Mark Hamill and John Boyega tease "Last Jedi" spoilers.

From ScreenRant:  "Last Jedi" director Rian Johnson takes to Twitter to answer concerns that his film may be recycling ideas and such from previous Star Wars.

From BleedingCool:  John Boyega shows off Finn's blaster for "The Last Jedi."

From FlickeringMyth:  A peek at LEGO toys for "The Last Jedi" may reveal Supreme Commander Snoke's costume.

From SideshowToys:  A selection of the striking "Last Jedi" images from Vanity Fair magazine's recent story.

From BleedingCool:  Vanity Fair articles reveal the identities of Benecio del Toro and Laura Dern's characters in "The Last Jedi."

From YahooNews:  Perhaps, "The Last Jedi" will end with a huge twist.

From Nerdist:  A "Force Ghost" to appear in "The Last Jedi?"

From ScreenRant:  First look at Kylo Ren's TIE fighter from "The Last Jedi."

From THR:  "Last Jedi" set photos reveal Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa.

From io9:  There may be details of one of two key scenes featuring General Leia Organa in "The Last Jedi."

From SideshowToys:  "Last Jedi" director, Rian Johnson, is ready for your nitpicky Star Wars questions.

From CinemaBlend:  According to director Rian Johnson, "The Last Jedi" refers to Luke Skywalker.

From YahooMovies:  Meet "Rose" the biggest newcomer in "The Last Jedi."


From ScreenRant:  Rumors about the character Benicio del Toro will play in "The Last Jedi."

From TheHuffingtonPost:  Laura Dern talks a little about being "The Last Jedi."

From YahooMovies:  Disney shareholders were treated to some secret "Last Jedi" footage.  Lucky bitches.

From YahooMovies:  John Boyega said that "The Last Jedi" will carry on the tradition of awkward dialogue in a Star Wars movie.

From ScreenRant:  J.J. Abrams thinks Mark Hamill will win an Oscar for "The Last Jedi."

From the Express:  An official new image has fans questioning if Rey really is a Skywalker.

From CBR:  The Spanish and French versions of the title, "The Last Jedi," apparently affirm a key fan theory, "Jedi" is plural.

From THR:  "Star Wars Force Friday II" is moved to September 1 when products related to "The Last Jedi" will be revealed.

From Polygon:  Still hearing "maybe" on a trailer for "The Last Jedi" at Star Wars Celebration.

From EntertainmentWeekly:  "The Last Jedi" to get a prime spot upcoming "Star Wars Celebration."

From TheHollywoodReporter:  Jimmy Vee will take over as the iconic droid, R2-D2 in the wake of the Kenny Baker, who had played the droid since the original Star Wars film in 1977.

From CinemaBlend:  Benecio del Toro will reportedly appear in "The Last Jedi."  Could he be playing an adult version of "Ezra Bridger," a teen character in the animated series, "Star Wars Rebels."

From YahooStyle:  Here is an intriguing theory about who or what is "The Last Jedi."

From Wired:  The site has a bad feeling about that "Sith-colored" logo.

From CinemaBlend:  What does Mark Hamill think of "The Last Jedi" title?

From CinemaBlend:  What does "The Last Jedi" mean.

From CinemaBlend:  Rian Johnson shares a photo from the working process of "The Last Jedi."

From YahooNews:  Fans happy and confused by the title, "The Last Jedi."

From YahooMovies:  Star Wars Episode VIII now has an official title, "Star Wars: The Last Jedi."

From Wired:  Rumors say that Episode 8 will have its own goofy aliens a la Ewoks and Gungans.

From THR:  Tom Hardy being coy (or a dick) when it comes to rumors that he might be in Episode 8.

From THR:  "Star Wars" brain trust sets a meeting to discuss the future of Princess Leia in Episodes 8 and 9 in the wake of Carrie Fisher's death.


Thursday, December 28, 2017

General Organa's General Star Wars Link-O-Rama 2017 - Update #111

Posted by Leroy Doureseaux - on Patreon.

SOLO - From BleedingCool:  There is a rumor that Disney is prepared for its young Han Solo movie, "Solo: A Star Wars Story," to bomb.

CARRIE FISHER - From ComicBook:  Billie Lourd shares a touching tribute to her mother, Carrie Fisher, who died a year ago today. #CarrieOnForever

A NEW HOPE - From YahooEntertainment:  There has been a death in the Star Wars family.  Alfie Curtis played the Mos Eisley cantina thug who threatens Luke Skywalker and promptly gets his hand lopped off by Obi-Wan Kenobi.  He died Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at the age of 87.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - From io9:  Here is an article about what fans thought about Episode V.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - From THR:  James Earl Jones did not believe that Darth Vader was Luke Skywalker's father.

RETURN OF THE JEDI - From THR:  See a touching farewell scene between Luke Skywalker and Han Solo that was cut from the film.

WEIRD - From Nerdist:  There are indeed Star Wars sex toys.

FRANCHISE - From BleedingCool:  Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy would like to see Taika Waititi ("Thor: Ragnarok") director a Star Wars film.

COMICS - From Crunchyroll:  Yen Press has the first manga license in years and will publish the "Star Wars: Lost Stars" manga in May 2018.

CELEBRITY - From YahooGMA:  Mark Hamill surprises "Star Wars" fans at a Disneyland ride.

NEW TRILOGY - From THR:  Rian Johnson, the director of "The Last Jedi," create a new Star Wars trilogy set in an until now unexplored corner of the galaxy.  Johnson will write and direct at least the first film.

STREAMING - From THR:  A live-action Star Wars TV will help launch Disney's streaming service in 2019.  Neither the service nor the series have a title yet.

FRANCHISE - From ScreenRant:  Lucasfilm is planning the next decade of Star Wars films.

HAN/LEIA - From RollingStone:  Harrison Ford did finally speak a little on Carrie Fisher's claim of their affair during filming of the first Star Wars film.

THE FORCE AWAKENS - From RollingStone:  Mark Hamill was afraid to come back to Star Wars, but credits Harrison Ford for changing his mind.

OBIT - From THR:  Film costume designer, John Mollo, has died at the age of 86, Wednesday, October 25, 2017.  He won a Academy Award for designing the costumes for "Star Wars."  He shared a second Oscar for his work on "Gandhi."

BOOKS - From WeGotThisCovered:  New "Star Wars" novel, ""The Legends of Luke Skywalker," links Luke with the "Battle of Jakku."

THE FORCE AWAKENS - From BleedingCool:  Acclaimed director David Fincher says he turned down directing "The Force Awakens" because he was afraid of Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher.

EPISODE IX - From CinemaBlend:  Star Wars 9 may tie into the prequel trilogy.

SOLO - From YahooEntertainment:  Ron Howard announces that the young Han Solo movie will is entitled, "Solo: A Star Wars Story."

EPISODE IX - From ScreenRant:  John Boyega expresses happiness that J.J. Abrams is returning to direct Star Wars 9.

EPISODE IX - From YahooEntertainment:  Domhnall Gleason (General Hux) is glad that J.J. Abrams is back to direct Episode 9.

SOLO - From BleedingCool:  Paul Bettany has wrapped up filming his part in "young Han Solo" movie.

EPISODE IX - From Variety:  The release date for "Star Wars Episode 9" has moved from May 24, 2019 to December 20, 2019.

EPISODE IX - From THR:  J.J. Abrams is the new director of Star Wars 9.  He will co-write the film with Chris Terrio, an Oscar-winning screenwriter for "Argo."

EPISODE IX - From Entertainment.ie:  Lucasfilm boss, Kathleen Kennedy, sack Colin Trevorrow as director of Episode 9 because he was unbearable and difficult.

EPISODE IX - From TheWrap:  "The Last Jedi" director Rian Johnson says that he is not directing "Star Wars Episode 9," in the wake of announced director Colin Treverrow's firing... at least for now.

EPISODE IX - From YahooEntertainment:  Colin Trevorrow supposedly chased off Star Wars 9 because he was "difficult."

SOLO - From ScreenRant:  For the "young Han Solo" film, Han Solo will have a new version of the Millennium Falcon.

EPISODE IX - From Deadline:  Not that Colin Trevorrow is no longer directing IX, could VIII's director, Rian Johnson, become IX's new director.

EPISODE IX - From Deadline:  Colin Trevorrow out as director of Star Wars Episode 9.

SOLO - From Variety:  Ron Howard announce that Paul Bettany has joined the "young Han Solo" movie.  Bettany previously worked with Howard on "A Beautiful Mind (2001)."

HAN SOLO - From Vulture:  Ron Howard shared a photo of Donald Glover with his Lando Calrissian mustache.

HAN SOLO - From TheWrap:  Because he was not available for reshoots, Michael K. Williams' character had to be cut from the "young Han Solo" film.

FILMS - From Variety:  Disney in early development of a stand-alone Obi-Wan Kenobi film, with Stephen Daldry ("Billy Elliot") in early talks to direct.

GEORGE LUCAS - From YahooNews:  George Lucas still offers advice on the new films.

HAN SOLO - From ScreenRant: Ron Howard shares a new set photo from "young Han Solo" movie.

A NEW HOPE - From YahooNews:  George Lucas says that Princess Leia received her Ph.D. at age 19.

HAN SOLO - From CBR:  Ron Howard hints that his brother, actor Clint Howard, will have a part in the "young  Han Solo" movie.

EPISODE IX/9 - From THR:  Star Wars Episode 9 is getting a new writer, Jack Thorne, who will work on the script written by Colin Trevorrow and his writing partner, Derek Connolly.

HAN SOLO - From YahooNews:  Emilia Clarke, whose role in the young Han Solo movie remains a mystery, teases the new Chewbacca.

DARTH VADER - From CinemaBlend:  Spencer Wilding, who currently wears the Darth Vader costume, is apparently currently filming another Star Wars film.

HAN SOLO - From YahooTV:  Warwick Davis will appear in the "young Han Solo" film, according to a tweet from director Ron Howard.

HAN SOLO - From ShadowandAct:  Ron Howard reveals glimpse of Donald Glover at young Lando.

HAN SOLO - From USAToday:  No one from the "young Han Solo" movie was at D23 Expo 2017.  Should we be worried about this film?

HAN SOLO - From Mashable:  Ron Howard teases Lando Calrissian's costumes.

HAN SOLO - From CinemaBlend:  Woody Harrelson thinks the "young Han Solo" movie is in good hands with Ron Howard directing.

HAN SOLO - From TMZ:  A set photo from the "young Han Solo" movie reveals a scene with Woody Harrelson.

From FlickeringMyth:  Will the "young Han Solo" debacle with its original directors teach Disney not to tread on Star Wars sacred ground?

CARRIE FISHER - From YahooMovies:  Carrie Fisher's only child, her daughter Billie Lourd, will inherit her late mother's estate.

ANIMATION - From USAToday:  Rey turns in animated shorts, "Star Wars: "Forces of Destiny."

CULTURE - From YahooMovies:  An R2-D2 droid that was using in several Star Wars movies was sold at auction for $2.76 million.

HAN SOLO - From WeGotThisCovered:  Disney CEO Bob Iger is confident that Han Solo movie will be alright.  Yes, because Ron Howard is directing it.

HAN SOLO - From Mashable:  With every new Han Solo revelation, Phil Lord and Chris Miller look like the problems and got themselves fired.

HAN SOLO - From Gizmodo:  Lucasfilm was so concerned about Alden Ehrenreich's performance as Han Solo that they hired an acting coach for him.

HAN SOLO - From THR:  In an exclusive breaking story, "The Hollywood Reporter" is reporting that Oscar-winning filmmaker, Ron Howard, will take over as director of the "young Han Solo" movie after the original directors, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, were fired.

HAN SOLO - From THR:  Golden boys, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, have quit as the directors of the "Young Han Solo" movie over creative differences.

From THR:  Why were Lord and Miller fired?  It seems the comedic tone they used in making the film clashed with what Lucasfilm and the "Han Solo" movie screenwriter, Lawrence Kasdan, wanted.

From TheUKIndependent:  Maybe, the firing of Lord and Miller indicates that Disney and Lucasfilm are afraid of the future for Star Wars.

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VIDEO GAMES - From YahooNews:  The upcoming video game, "Star Wars Battlefront 2" will give the "first official on-screen look" at the years between "Return of the Jedi" and "The Force Awakens."

CARRIE FISHER - From USMagazine:  Los Angeles County coroner's office says Fisher dies of combination of factors, including sleep apnea.

COMICS - From BusinessInsider:  Marvel Comics will tell the story of Captain Phasma in a new four-issue comic book series.

EPISODE 9 - From YahooNews:  Director Colin Trevorrow wants Star Wars Episode 9 to be kid-friendly...

RUMOR - From CNET:  Could director Edgar Wright ("Baby Drive," "Shaun of the Dead") be involved with Star Wars.

FRANCHISE - From NME:  The identity of the third stand alone anthology film will be revealed in June.  The first film was "Rogue One" and the second will be a "Young Han Solo" film due May 2018.

CARRIE FISHER:  From SideshowToys:  A look at Carrie Fisher/Princess Leia - then and now - on the 40th anniversary of the theatrical debut of Star Wars (May 25th 1977).

CARRIE FISHER - From Vulture:  Princess Leia would have been center stage in Episode 9.

DISNEY - From MiceChat:  The blog has updates on "Temporary Star Wars Land."

A NEW HOPE - From ComicBook:  To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original theatrical release of the original Star Wars films, New Zealand Mint will release a commemorative silver coin.

CULTURE - From YahooMovies:  Kid wears Darth Vader costume to school on "Star Wars Celebration Day" (May 4th - as in May the Fourth/Force Be With You) and causes a panic, started by a "concerned parent."

CULTURE - From CNNHealth:  There is a hospital tech in Tennessee whose real name is "Darth Vader."

STAR WARS REBELS - From ScreenRant:  The Disney XD animated series, "Star Wars Rebels" is heading into its fourth and final season.  It may also tie into the recent live-action, "Rogue One."

CARRIE FISHER:  From THR:  George Lucas and Billie Lourd, daughter of Carrie Fisher, offer tributes to the late actress and Star Wars icon.

From YouTube:  A Tribute to Carrie Fisher video.

From YouTube:  Carrie Fisher tribute at Star Wars Celebration 2017.

From YahooMovies:  A touching photo of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Billie Lourd (Carrie's daughter) - "It was almost as if we were cuddling our princess again."

From YahooMovies:  Lucasfilm boss says no Carrie in Episode IX.

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A NEW HOPE - From Movieweb:  A big 40th anniversary announcement is coming tomorrow morning, Tues., April 11th, on "Good Morning America."

EPISODE IX - From NYDailyNews:  Carrie Fisher will appear in Star Wars Episode 9 (due for 2019), according to her brother, Todd Fisher.

HAN SOLO SPINOFF - From Variety:  "Sing Street" breakout star Ian Kenny joins "Young Han Solo" film.

FRANCHISE - From YahooMovies:   Disney CEO Bob Iger talks (vaguely) about the future of the franchise, including "The Last Jedi" and the "Han Solo" spinoff.

FRANCHISE - From CinemaBlend:  Future Star Wars films will move away from legacy characters and story elements.

A NEW HOPE - From Deadline:  This may be the very first photographic image of Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker.

COMIC BOOKS - From YahooNews:  Marvel Comics is launching a new "Darth Vader" comic book series, which will be set immediately after the events depicted in "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith."

HAN SOLO - From Variety:  Michael K. Williams in final talks to join "Young Han Solo" film.

ORIGINAL TRILOGY - From SlashFilm:  The original cuts of the original Star Wars films may get a re-release or release for the 40th anniversary of the original theatrical release of Stars Wars, which is this year.

THEME PARKS - From FlickeringMyth:  Disney announces "Star Wars Land."

THE FORCE AWAKENS - From YahooNews:  Fans freak out over database saying that there is a connection between Kylo Ren and Rey.

HAN SOLO SPINOFF - From Variety:  Thandie Newton in talks to join the "Young Han Solo" spinoff movie.

HAN SOLO SPINOFF - From Variety:  Pheobe Waller-Bridge, hot off the Amazon series, "Fleabag," is being considered for a role in the Han Solo spinoff movie (which would be set before the event depicted in "Star Wars: A New Hope."  Reportedly, the role would be CGI-driven.

HAN SOLO SPINOFF - From THR:  Billy Dee Williams, the original Lando Calrissian, had lunch with Donald Glover, who will play the character in the "Young Han Solo" movie.

A NEW HOPE - From Forbes:  20 years ago, "Star Wars: Special Edition" arrived.

OBIT - From Variety: Sound engineer Richard Portman has died at the age of 82, Saturday, February 28, 2017.  He won an Oscar for his work on "The Deer Hunter."  He mixed the sound on "Star Wars."

EPISODES 8 AND 9- From CinemaBlend:  Should Lucasfilm reconsider its decision about a CGI Leia for Episode 9.

RETURN OF THE JEDI - From YahooMovies:  Mark Hamill reunited with the lightsaber prop he used in "Return of the Jedi."

HAN SOLO SPINOFF - From Deadline:  Donald Glover wants to live up to the expectations of playing Lando.

THE FORCE AWAKENS - From YahooNews:  Chewbacca yanks off an arm in deleted scene.

HAN SOLO SPINOFF - From StarWars:  It's official.  Woody Harrelson has signed on for the "Young Han Solo" movie due late 2018.

HAN SOLO SPINOFF - From Variety:  Oscar-nominated actor, Woody Harrelson, is being considered to play the mentor of the title character in the "Young Han Solo" movie.  Alden Ehrenreich has been cast as young Han Solo.

FRANCHISE - From Wired:  You won't live to see the final Star Wars movie.

ROGUE ONE - From Deadline:  "Rogue One" at $775 million in worldwide box office.

ROGUE ONE - From Deadline:  "Rogue One" is now the second highest grossing film at the domestic box office of 2016, behind "Finding Dory."


CARRIE FISHER:

From THR:  Carrie Fisher and her mother, Debbie Reynolds, were celebrated at a jubilant memorial.

From YahooNews:  Carrie Fisher wanted Harrison Ford to sing at her Oscars' tribute.

From YahooCelebrity:  Dan Akroyd speaks about Carrie Fisher, whom he once considered marrying.

From YahooCelebrity:  Debbie Reynolds was buried with some of her daughter Carrie's ashes.

From YahooCelebrity:  Carrie Fisher's urn is a giant Prozac pill.

From YahooMovies:  There is a fan petition to make Princess Leia a "Disney Princess."

From YahooNews:  Disney could receive a $50 million dollar insurance payoff because of Carrie Fisher's death.

From YahooNews:  Mark Hamill talks about the first time he met Carrie Fisher.

From YahooNews:  Billie Lourd, the only child of actress Carrie Fisher, breaks her silence about the deaths of her mother and her grandmother, Debbie Reynolds.

From BleedingCool:  Carrie Fisher dies at the age of 60, Tuesday morning, December 27, 2016.  Carrie was, of course, best known as Princess/General Organa in the "Star Wars" film franchise.

From THR:  Debbie Reynolds, the mother of Carrie Fisher, has died at the age of 84, Wednesday, December 28, 2016, one day after the death of her daughter.

From YahooNews:  Carrie Fisher's autopsy was completed Friday morning, December 30, 2016 and her body was released to her family.

From ET:  Carrie and her mother, Debbie Reynolds, will be buried together at Forest Lawn Memorial Park after a joint funeral.

From BleedingCool:  "Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds" is a documentary about the Star Wars daughter and her Hollywood legend mother.  It's release date has been moved up to January 2017 on HBO.

From People:  "I want to be with Carrie" were Debbie Reynold's last words according to her son, Todd Fisher.

From YahooStyle:  Why she really hated the gold metal bikini in "Return of the Jedi."

From YahooNews:  Debbie Reynolds speaks about the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher - our Princess Leia.

From Variety:  Fisher reportedly finished her work on Star Wars Episode 8 before she died.

From TheWrap:  Posted a little over an hour ago, Debbie Fisher, mother of Carrie Fisher, who suffered a heart attack about a day and a half ago, says that Carrie is in "stable condition."
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Saturday, September 30, 2017

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from September 24th to 30th, 2017 - Update #31

Support Leroy on Patreon.

LGBTQ - From Reuters:  Egypt's government is hunting down gay men and performing forced anal exams, according to Amnesty International.

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CRIME - From YahooNews:  O.J. Simpson is due to be released from a Nevada prison Sunday, Oct. 1st, and he is apparently moving to the state of Florida.  But Florida's state attorney general does not want him.

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TELEVISION - From SlashFilm:  The TV series based on David Cronenberg's infamous film "Scanners" (1981) is in development again.

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MOVIES - From SideshowToys:  There is a new poster for "Pacific Rim Uprising" starring John Boyega ("Star Wars: The Force Awakens).

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Early reviews on "Blade Runner 2049" are glowing.

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CELEBRITY - From CNN:  Emmy-winning actress and producer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, reveals that she has breast cancer.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Cesar-winner Kristen Stewart and Oscar-winner are circling Sony's "Charlies Angels" reboot, which Elizabeth Banks will direct.

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BLM - From APNews:  One of two lawsuits that Black Lives Matter and DeRay Mckesson are facing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has been dismissed.

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TELEVISION - From TheWrap:  The Disney Channel will produce a TV movie remake of Disney's popular 1993 film, "Hocus Pocus."  The long-rumored "Hocus Pocus 2" is apparently not happening.

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TELEVISION - From TheWrap:  Spike is cancelling its TV series adaptation of the Stephen King novella, "The Mist," after one season. [I found the show unwatchable. - Ed.]

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TELEVISION - From EOnline:  Meghan McCain, a TV political commentator, is reportedly joining the ABC morning talker, "The View."  McCain is the daughter of United States Senator and former Vietnam prison of war, Sen. John McCain.

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SPORTS - From TVGuide:  Justin Timberlake will reportedly headline the halftime show for Super Bowl 52.

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LGBTQ - From ViceNews:  Trump's Department of Justice wants to make being gay a fireable offense.

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SPORTS - From Truthout:  NFL quaterback Colin Kaepernick has won a "long victory."

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MOVIES - From ScreenRant:  James Cameron says "Terminator 6" will be a direct sequel to 1991's "Terminator 2: Judgment Day."

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CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment:  Action movie star turned Vladimir Putin-toady, Steven Seagal, criticizes NFL players for "National Anthem" protests.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  A sequel to the smash hit horror film, "IT," is scheduled to land in theaters September 2019.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  The super-team of Leo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese reunite for a film about Teddy Roosevelt.

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MOVIES:  From ThePlaylist:  "Avatar" sequels (#2 to #5) begin shooting with a $1 billion price tag.

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BLM - From YesMagazines:  A black woman explains "white privilege" to a white friend.

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TELEVISION - From TVLine:  Tyler Posey of "Teen Wolf" is joining Fox's "Scream" Season 3.

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STAR TREK - From TheWrap:  Early episodes of "Star Trek: Discovery" answer questions.

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BLM - From teleSUR:  Any white cop can kill a Black man at any time.

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BLM - From HuffingtonPost:  Trump Voters think that Black people are less deserving than average-American (white people).

From NewYorkTimes:  Charles M. Blow says that President Trump is a "race fiend"

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the the 9/22 to 9/24/2017 weekend box office is "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" with an estimated take of $39 million.

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MOVIES - From TheTrackingBoard:  A screenplay about the young Oprah Winfrey is a hot read in Hollywood.

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SPORTS - From TheHill:  LeBron James calls President Trump "a bum." "Going to the White House was a great honor until you [Trump] showed up!"

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  The "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" sequel adds Danish-Japanese actor, David Sakurai, to the cast.

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ECO - From BusinessInsider:  Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation awards $20 million dollars in eco-grants to more than 100 organizations from around the world.

OBITS:

From TheWrapMonty Hall, game show host, has died at the age of 96, Saturday, September 30, 2017.  He was the creator and the original host of "Let's Make a Deal."

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From TheNewYorkTimesHugh Hefner, the creator of "Playboy" Magazine, died at the age of 91, Wednesday, September 27, 2017.