Comics Review: "STAR WARS: Crimson Reign #1" Makes Star Wars Comic Books Seem Like a Racket

STAR WARS: CRIMSON REIGN #1 (OF 5)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

STORY: Charles Soule
ART: Steven Cummings
COLORS: Guru-eFX
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Leinil Francis Yu with Sunny Gho
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Steve Cummings with Guru-eFX; Ario Anindito with Edgar Delgado; Clayton Crain; Valerio Giangiordano with Arif Prianto; David Lopez; Rahzzah; Khoi Pahm with Lee Loughridge
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (February 2022)

Rated T

Part 1: “The Orphans”

Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters was a Marvel Comics Star Wars publishing event that was comprised of 34 individual comic books, published from May to October 2021.  The series imagines a series of events that occur between the time bounty hunter, Boba Fett, collects Han Solo frozen in carbonite in 1980s The Empire Strikes Back (Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back) and his appearance in 1983's Return of the Jedi (Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi).

Coming out of War of the Bounty Hunters is the comic book miniseries, Star Wars: Crimson Reign.  It is written by Charles Soule; drawn by Steven Cummings; colored by Guru-eFX; and lettered by Travis Lanham.  According to Marvel, Crimson Reign is the second installment of a trilogy that will reshape the history of the Star Wars Galaxy during the “Age of Rebellion.”

Star Wars: Crimson Reign #1 opens in the halls of the group known as “Crimson Dawn.”  Qi'ra of Corellia is now the group's leader.  She has taken on the killers, liars, and thieves that make up this group and has given them a purpose.

Qi'ra has gathered a diverse group:  “The Knights of Ren,” “Chanath Cha and the Orphans,” Deathstick, Ochi of Bestoon, Margo and Trinia, and the Archivist to carry out of her plans, which is to destroy the Sith in order to free the galaxy.  Her main targets, of course, are Emperor Palpatine a.k.a. “Darth Sidious” and his apprentice, Darth Vader.  Qi'ra begins her mission by sending her allies against the galaxy's criminal syndicates, but has doom for herself and her group already been foretold?

THE LOWDOWN:  I have enjoyed the vast majority of the Charles Soule's Star Wars comic book work that I have read.  I have enjoyed Steven Cummings art since I was first exposed to it in some OEL (original English language) manga from Tokyopop, including Pantheon High (2007), Star Trek: The Manga (2007), and CSI: Intern at Your Own Risk (2009).

However, Star Wars: Crimson Reign #1 isn't the kind of first issue that will inspire me to go out of my way to read the rest of the series.  It is professionally written, professionally drawn, professionally colored, and professionally lettered.  This isn't a bad comic book.  I simply have little interest in Qi'ra's conspiracy, which is contrived past the point of being credible.  I find it hard to believe that not one syndicate leader would notice that the troubles begin shortly after Qi'ra and her ilk begin meeting with the syndicates.  Does it take two issues for even one of them to figure this out?

Lucasfilm and Marvel seem determined to retcon the fuck out of the original Star Wars trilogy and the imaginary timeline surrounding it – known as the “Age of Rebellion.”  That is their prerogative, but it is mine to choose to read it.  I choose not to.  I have never been that curious about “what happened” between the films, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983).  But if that is your thing, Crimson Reign is not only a miniseries, but it is an event that will take place in various issues across Marvel's line of Star Wars comic books.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Marvel's Star Wars comic books may want to try Star Wars: Crimson Reign.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://twitter.com/Marvel
https://www.marvel.com/
https://www.marvel.com/comics
https://www.comixology.com/Marvel_Comics


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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A "Star Wars" Link-o-Rama 2021 by Negromancer - Update #46

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS AND RUMORS: 

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  In March 2022, writer Marc Guggenheim and artist David Messina launch a new ongoing "Star Wars" comic book, "Han Solo & Chewbacca."

EPISODE VI - From Deadline: "Return of the Jedi" is among 25 films that the Library of Congress has added to the "National Film Registry" for 2021.

VIDEO GAMES - From IGN:   Lucasfilm has revealed a new video game, "Star Wars Eclipse," which is set during the "High Republic" era.  Heavy Rain and Quantic Dream are making the game.

KATHLEEN KENNEDY - From BleedingCool:  Lucasfilm boss, the Kathleen Kennedy, talks about the Hayden Christensen-Ewan McGregor reunion and what will happen to the leftovers from the stillborn "Rangers of the New Republic."

AHSOKA - From Deadline:  Actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo has been cast as the lead opposite star Rosario Dawson in the Disney+/Lucasfilm series, "Star Wars: Ahsoka."  Bordizzo will play "Sabrin Wren," a character that debuted in the 3D-animated series, "Star Wars: Rebels" (2014-18).

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics published "Star Wars" comic books for nearly a quarter-century before losing the license.  Beginning in Spring 2022, Dark Horse will once again publish Star Wars comics, this time with a line of all-ages comic books and graphic novels.

OBI-WAN - From THR:  "Obi-Wan Kenobi" star Ewan McGregor and director Deborah Chow revealed details about the upcoming series.  For instance, Kenobi will be on the run from "Jedi Hunters."

From ScreenRant:  In the upcoming Disney+ series, "Obi-Wan," there will apparently be a confrontation/reunion between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader/Annakin Skywalker - according to art and an embargoed "sizzle reel."

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ROGUE SQUADRON - From THR:  Director Patty Jenkins' Star Wars film, "Rogue Squadron," which was due to go into production next year, has been taken off the production schedule.

BOBA FETT - From Variety:   The first trailer for “The Book of Boba Fett” has dropped, with the Disney Plus series teasing the titular bounty hunter’s rise to prominence in the galactic underworld.

AHSOKA - From THR:  Multiple sources have told "The Hollywood Reporter" that actor Hayden Christensen will reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker in Disney+/Lucasfilm live-action series, "Ahsoka."  The series focuses on Anakin's former padawan, Ahsoka Tano.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' 2022 "Star Wars" event is "Star Wars: The Hidden Empire."

BOBA FETT - From Variety:   "The Book of Boba Fett" will debut December 29, 2021 on Disney+.

STAR WARS: ANDOR - From Deadline:   The "Rogue One" prequel series, "Star Wars: Andor," is due on Disney+ in 2022.  Star and executive producer, Diego Luna, says that the 12-episode series is finished shooting and that it will feature some "familiar faces."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Marvel Comics has announced a new Star Wars comic book miniseries, "Star Wars: Crimson Reign," from writer Charles Soule and artist Steve Cummings.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The infamous "Star Wars Holiday Special" will be re-imagined as a one-shot comic book in "Star Wars: Life Day #1," which is due in Novemer.

A NEW HOPE - From TheWrap:   George Lucas once showed an early cut of his film, "Star Wars," to his pals Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, and Brian De Palma.  De Palma ("Scarface") disputes Spielberg's recollection of what went down at the screening...

VISIONS - From CBR:  Lucasfilm has announced that seven of the Japanese anime (animation) industry's top studios, including Trigger and Production IG, will be involved in the production of "Star Wars: Visions," an anime anthology series.  "Star Wars: Visions" will feature 8 animated short segments and will debut exclusively on Disney+ on Septemeber 22, 2021.

From StarWars:  Here is a special video clip look at "Star Wars: Visions."

 

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SOLO - From YahooEntertainment:  Emmy Award-winning actress, Thandiwe Newton, says that it was mistake to kill off her character, "Val," in "Solo: A Star Wars Story."  [She is absolutely right. I knew it the moment I saw Val's death happen in the film - Leroy] 

VISIONS - From Deadline:   Disney+ has released the trailer and unveiled the Japanese and English dub voice casts for Star Wars: Visions, its upcoming anthology series from Lucasfilm composed of short films centered on the Star Wars universe. The series launches September 22 on Disney+. Lucy Liu, Neil Patrick Harris, George Takei, Alison Brie and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are among the English voice cast for the series that tells new Star Wars stories through the singular style and tradition of Japanese anime.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Here is a list of Marvel Comics' "Star Wars" comic book releases for October 2021 - with some speculation thrownin.

MANGA - From ComicBook:   VIZ Media has announced a manga that will be a prequel to the 2016 film, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."  The manga will actually be an adaptation of Greg Rucka's novel, "Star Wars: Guardians of the Whills."

THE FORCE AWAKENS - From Collider:   Concerning the "sequel trilogy," writer-director J.J. Abrams says it would have been better to have had a plan.

THE MANDALORIAN - From YahooLifestyle:   Disney has apparently decided to NOT move forward with its announced spinoff of "The Mandalorian," which was to be called "Rangers of the New Republic."

JOHN BOYEGA - From YahooEntertainment:   John Boyega reflects on bringing up "Star Wars" race issues: "I wanted to discuss the elephant in the room."

DAVE FILONI - From Variety:   Dave Filoni actually has been "executive creative director" at Lucasfilm since Summer 2020.

A NEW HOPE - From YahooEntertainment:  The "Star Wars" stars that never were: Meet the actors whose scenes were cut from "A New Hope."

From Variety:  Variety.com has offered up its 1977 review of the original "Star Wars" from its print edition.  The reviewer at that time, A.D. Murphy, really liked it.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics is publishing a "Star Wars" comic event, "War of the Bounty Hunters," which tells the story of what happened to frozen Han Solo between "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi."  One of the tie-in comic books will be "Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters - Jabba the Hutt #1."

OBI-WAN KENOBI - From StarWars:   The cast for the Disney+ series, "Obi-Wan Kenobi," has been revealed.  It includes (of course) Ewan McGregor.  He is joined by Hayden Christensen, Joel Edgerton, Sung Kang, O'Shea Jackson, Jr., Moses Ingram, and Bonnie Piesse, among others. The series will begin shooting this month (April 2021).

LANDO - From BleedingCool:   Lando Calrissian is apparently officially "pansexual," according to LucasFilm.

OBI-WAN - From Deadline:   "Game of Thrones" actress Indira Varma reportedly joins the cast of the Disney+/Lucasfilm Obi-Wan Kenobi series.

RIAN JOHNSON - From DigitalSpy:  Some time ago, there was an announcement that director Rian Johnson ("Star Wars: The Last Jedi") was developing a new Star Wars trilogy.  It apparently is still in development, according to bestselling author Sariah Wilson, although that had been reports that the trilogy had been cancelled.

COMIC BOOKS - From StarWars:   Writer Charles Soule talks about his upcoming comic book series, "Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters."

From BleedingCool:  In May 2021, the "Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters" comic book event will take place in six Marvel Comics titles.

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THE MANDALORIAN - From Variety:   Apparently, actress Gina Carano, who portrayed the character "Cara Dune" on "The Mandalorian," has tweeted herself out of future employment with Lucasfilm.

BOOK OF BOBA FETT - From LRMOnline:  Some fan-favorite bounty hunters reportedly will appear in "The Book of Boba Fett."

From CNET:   Some answers to some questions about "The Book of Boba Fett."

COMICS - From ScreenRant:   Part of "The High Republic" publishing program will be the first original Star Wars manga, "Star Wars: The High Republic: The Edge of Balance," from VIZ Media.

QUI-GON JINN - From YahooIndieWire:  Actor Liam Neeson said he would be interested in returning as the beloved Jedi "Qui-Gon Jinn."  But he is wondering if "Star Wars" is fading out on the cinematic landscape.

COMICS - From Patreon:  This link is to my review of Marvel Comics' "Star Wars: The High Republic #1." 

From Patreon:  A review of Marvel Comics' "Star Wars: Vol.: The Destiny Path" trade paperback.

VIDEO GAMES - From TheBeat:  Ubisoft is developing an "open-world" Star Wars video game.

HIGH REPUBLIC - From TheBeat: Lucasfilm Publishing’s STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC launches

HIGH REPUBLIC - From StarWars:  There is a new trailer and new information in promotion of the impending release of the first books and comic book in "Star Wars: The High Republic" publishing initiative.

NOVELS - From IndieWire:  Beloved "Star Wars" novelist, Alan Dean Foster, talks about being asked to remove a budding romance between Finn and Rey that he was setting up in his novelization of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

BOBA FETT - From StarWars:  There is more news on the recently announced Disney+ series, "The Book of Boba Fett," which will be executive produced by Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, and Robert Rodriguez.

From Deadline:  Previously unannounced, "The Book of Boba Fett" will be a new Disney+ "Star Wars" series.  A spinoff of "The Mandalorian," the series is set to debut December 2021.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Marvel Comics' "Star Wars: The High Republic #1" has sold out three weeks before its release date.  Marvel has reportedly ordered a second printing.

OBIT - From CinemaBlend:  The English actor Jeremy Bulloch has died at the age of 75, Thursday, December 17, 2020.  Bulloch played the bounty hunter, "Boba Fett," in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, appearing in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of Jedi."  While Bulloch wore Boba's costume, the late American actor, Jason Wingreen ("All in the Family," "Archie Bunker's Place") provided Boba's voice.

GEORGE LUCAS - From IndieWire:  Legendary film director, Francis Ford Coppola ("The Godfather"), says that he feels sad that "Star Wars" dominated George Lucas' career.

OBI-WAN - From Deadline:   Hayden Christensen will return as Darth Vader in the developing Disney+ series, "Obi-Wan Kenobi."

ROGUE SQUADRON - From Deadline:   Patty Jenkins, the director of the "Wonder Woman" film franchise, will direct a new "Star Wars" film, "Rogue Squadron."  This will be the first "Star Wars" feature directed by a female director.

OBIT - From StarWars:   David Prowse, the actor who gave the physical performance of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, died this weekend. He was 85. 

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STAR WARS Movie Reviews:

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars"
From Negromancer:  "The Empire Strikes Back"
From Negromancer:  "Return of the Jedi"

From Negromancer:   "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Force Awakens
From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"
From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008 animated film)
From Negromancer:  "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"
From Negromancer:  "Solo: A Star Wars Story" 

I Reads You "Star Wars Central" comics and graphic novel review page is here.

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BOOK REVIEWS:

From IReadsYou:  My review of the new novel, "Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage."

From IReadsYou:  My review of the new novel, "Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi." 

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Comics Review: Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters – IG-88 #1

STAR WARS: WAR OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS – IG-88 #1
MARVEL COMICS

STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Guiu Vilanova
COLORS: Antonio Fabela
LETTERS: VC's Ariana Maher
EDITOR: Tom Groneman
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Mahmud Asrar with Matthew Wilson
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Ron Frenz and Tom Palmer with Nolan Woodard; Caspar Wijngaard; Ray-Anthony Height with Guru-eFX
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2021)

Rated T

“Born to Kill”

Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters is a Marvel Comics Star Wars publishing event that is comprised of 34 individual comic books, published from May to October 2021.  The series invents a series of events that occur between the time bounty hunter, Boba Fett, collects Han Solo frozen in carbonite in 1980s The Empire Strikes Back (Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back) and Fett's appearance in 1983's Return of the Jedi (Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi).

Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters – IG-88 #1 is the fourth of four “War of the Bounty Hunters” one-shot tie-ins that focus on the most notorious hunters and scoundrels of the Star Wars criminal underworld.  This comic book is written by Rodney Barnes; drawn by Guiu Vilanova; colored by Antonio Fabela; and lettered by Ariana Maher.

As Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters – IG-88 #1 (“Born to Kill”) opens, the droid, IG-88, who calls himself “the greatest bounty hunter in the galaxy,” lies in the pieces.  [The reasons for this are shown in Darth Vader (2020) #17-18.]  Enter the cyborg, RB-919, who is a master at recommissioning droids.  He has been hired by Deva Lompop, the bounty hunter and member of the galactic criminal syndicate, Crimson Dawn, to restore IG-88.

Once IG-88 is back online he returns to being an advanced droid designed for death, destruction, and mayhem, flawless in design and possessing unparalleled weapons systems.  Lompop has a mission for the revived bounty hunter – find Boba Fett and steal Han Solo (frozen in carbonite) from him.  Can IG-88 find a strategy to overcome his old foe?  And what motivates him to come back from destruction time and again?

THE LOWDOWN:  Until I read Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters - IG-88 #1, I had not read a single issue of “War of the Bounty Hunters,” although I had initially planned to do so.  I am a fan of writer Rodney Barnes, so when I found out (via Twitter) that he'd written this tie-in comic book, I purchased a digital copy via comiXology.

Barnes doesn't disappoint.  I wondered if anyone could write a single-issue story that ties into “War of the Bounty Hunters” and that either illuminates IG-88's character or offers something new.  Barnes offers a credible tie-in and also a story that presents IG-88 as an intriguing character outside the main story.  Honestly, he seems more humanoid than droid, and he is an attractive character because he is both clever and homicidal.

I hugely enjoyed the art by Guiu Vilanova, which reminds me of 1990s Matt Wagner.  While stylish, Vilanova's art here conveys the edgy, violent nature of Barnes' story, while establishing a gritty sci-fi setting that recalls the original Star Wars film's Wild West vibes.  Antonio Fabela's colors light the story as if to bring together the sensibilities of Blade Runner and Star Wars.  Ariana Maher's lettering delineates this story's shifts and twists in a seamless fashion.

I will be a greedy fanboy and say that I wish there was more Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters - IG-88 #1.  I think Rodney Barnes and Guiu Vilanova could at least offer an enticing IG-88 miniseries.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Star Wars comic books will want Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters - IG-88 #1.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.starwars.com/the-high-republic
https://twitter.com/Marvel
https://twitter.com/starwars
https://www.starwars.com/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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The Walt Disney Company Celebrates 166 Nominations for the 2021 Primetime Emmys

Congratulations to The Walt Disney Company’s 2021 Emmy Award Nominees

The Walt Disney Company proudly announces an impressive 166 nominations across 85 categories and 38 titles for the 73rd Primetime Emmy® Awards. While the Television Academy announced the attributed total number as 146, the Company additionally recognizes all the programming produced for third party platforms and by all its production and studio entities.

For the second year in a row, Disney+ leads the way with Lucasfilm Ltd‘s The Mandalorian garnering 24 nominations including Outstanding Dramas Series. Additionally, Disney+’s limited Marvel Studios’ series WandaVision received 23 honors including a nomination for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, and nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress (Elizabeth Olsen) and Outstanding Lead Actor (Paul Bettany) in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. Similarly, Disney+’s Hamilton became a fan-favorite this year with 12 total nominations including two nods for Outstanding Lead Actor—Lin-Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr.—as well as a nomination for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded); and Marvel Studios/Disney+’s The Falcon and The Winter Soldier scored five including Don Cheadle’s nod for Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series.

Hulu Original The Handmaid’s Tale netted a series-best 21 nominations including Outstanding Drama Series and a Lead Actress nod for Elisabeth Moss, making season four the most nominated season to date. Additionally, Pen15 earned the platform its first Outstanding Comedy Series nomination, and Aidy Bryant earned her first lead actress nomination for Shrill.  Nat Geo scored 13 total nods including Cynthia Erivo’s critically acclaimed performance in Genius: Aretha as well as reality and documentary programming City So Real and Secrets Of The Whales. Whereas FX’s Pose earned 10, including Outstanding Drama Series as well as Outstanding Lead Actor for Billy Porter and a historic first-ever nomination for a transgender nominee for Mj Rodriguez as Outstanding Lead Actress; and much-talked-about The New York Times Presents: Framing Britney Spears scored two nominations including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special.

ABC’s black-ish earned a show-best of six nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series and nods for Lead Actor (Anthony Anderson) and Lead Actress (Tracee Ellis Ross). This is Anthony Anderson’s seventh nomination, making him the most nominated Black actor in Emmy history in the Lead Actor in a Comedy Series category. Additional series with multiple nods include 20th Television-produced This Is Us and ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.

A complete list of all The Walt Disney Company nominations follows below. (As some of the nominations overlap, these are grand totals for each entity.)

The Mandalorian (Disney +/Lucasfilm Ltd.)

24 Nominations:
    Outstanding Drama Series
    Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series—Giancarlo Esposito
    Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series—Carl Weathers
    Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series—Timothy Olyphant
    Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series—Jon Favreau
    Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series—“Chapter 13: The Jedi”
    Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series—“Chapter 16: The Rescue”
    Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Period Or Fantasy Program (One Hour Or More)—“Chapter 13: The Jedi”
    Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series
    Outstanding Cinematography For A Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour)—“Chapter 15: The Believer”
    Outstanding Cinematography For A Single-Camera Series (One Hour)—“Chapter 13: The Jedi”
    Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes—“Chapter 13: The Jedi”
    Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Drama Series—“Chapter 11: The Heiress”
    Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Drama Series—“Chapter 13: The Jedi”
    Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Drama Series—“Chapter 15: The Believer”
    Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Drama Series—“Chapter 16: The Rescue”
    Outstanding Period And/Or Character Hairstyling—“Chapter 16: The Rescue”
    Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup—“Chapter 13: The Jedi”
    Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score)—“Chapter 16: The Rescue”
    Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour)—“Chapter 13: The Jedi”
    Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Season Or A Movie
    Outstanding Stunt Coordination
    Outstanding Stunt Performance—“Chapter 16: The Rescue”
    Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Period Or Fantasy Program (One Hour Or More)—“Chapter 13: The Jedi”

WandaVision (Disney+/Marvel Studios)

23 Nominations
    Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series
    Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—Paul Bettany
    Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—Elizabeth Olsen
    Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—Kathryn Hahn
    Outstanding Writing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—“Filmed Before A Live Studio Audience”
    Outstanding Writing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—“Previously On”
    Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Program (Half-Hour)
    Outstanding Casting For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie
    Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes—“Filmed Before A Live Studio Audience”
    Outstanding Directing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie
    Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—“On A Very Special Episode…”
    Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—“The Series Finale”
    Outstanding Period And/Or Character Hairstyling
    Outstanding Main Title Design
    Outstanding Period And/Or Character Makeup (Non-Prosthetic)—“Filmed Before A Live Studio Audience”
    Outstanding Music Composition For A Limited Or Anthology Series, Movie Or Special (Original Dramatic Score)—“Previously On”
    Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics—“Agatha All Along”
    Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music
    Outstanding Music Supervision
    Outstanding Sound Editing For A Limited Or Anthology Series, Movie Or Special—“The Series Finale”
    Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—“The Series Finale”
    Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Season Or A Movie
    Outstanding Writing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—“All-New Halloween Spooktacular!”

The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu Original)

21 Nominations

    Outstanding Drama Series
    Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series—Elisabeth Moss
    Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series—O-T Fagbenle
    Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series—Max Minghella
    Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series—Bradley Whitford
    Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series—Madeline Brewer
    Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series—Ann Dowd
    Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series—Yvonne Strahovski
    Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series—Samira Wiley
    Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series—Alexis Bledel
    Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series—Mckenna Grace
    Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series
    Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series—“Home”
    Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Contemporary Program (One Hour or More)
    Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series
    Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Drama Series
    Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling—“Vows”
    Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic)—“Pigs”
    Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score)—“The Crossing”
    Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour)
    Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes

Hamilton (Disney+)

12 Nominations
    Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
    Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—Lin-Manuel Miranda
    Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—Leslie Odom Jr.
    Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—Daveed Diggs
    Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—Anthony Ramos
    Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—Jonathan Groff
    Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—Phillipa Soo
    Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie—Renee Elise Goldsberry
    Outstanding Directing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie
    Outstanding Picture Editing For Variety Programming
    Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Variety Series Or Special
    Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control For A Special

Pose (FX /  20th Television / FX Productions)

10 Nominations
    Outstanding Drama Series
    Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series—Billy Porter
    Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series—Mj Rodriguez
    Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series—“Series Finale”
    Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series—“Series Finale”
    Outstanding Contemporary Costumes
    Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling
    Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic)
    Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup
    Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series—Pose: Identity, Family, Community

black-ish (ABC / ABC Signature)

6 Nominations
    Outstanding Comedy Series
    Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series—Anthony Anderson
    Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series—Tracee Ellis Ross
    Outstanding Contemporary Costumes
    Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling
    Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance—Stacey Abrams

This Is Us (20th Television)

6 Nominations
    Outstanding Drama Series
    Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series—Sterling K. Brown
    Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series—Chris Sullivan
    Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series—Phylicia Rashad
    Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup
    Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score)

Dancing with the Stars (ABC)

5 Nominations
    Outstanding Choreography For Variety Or Reality Programming—Artem Chigvintsev, Choreographer
    Outstanding Choreography For Variety Or Reality Programming—Derek Hough, Choreographer
    Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program
    Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Series
    Outstanding Contemporary Makeup for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program (Non-Prosthetic)

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (Disney+/Marvel Studios)

5 Nominations
    Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series—Don Cheadle
    Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour)—“One World, One People”
    Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Season Or A Movie
    Outstanding Stunt Coordination
    Outstanding Stunt Performance—“Truth”

The Oscars (ABC)

4 Nominations
    Outstanding Variety Special (Live)
    Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special
    Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special
    Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Special

Ratched (20th Television)

4 Nominations
    Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series—Sophie Okonedo
    Outstanding Period Costumes
    Outstanding Period and/or Character Hairstyling
    Outstanding Period and/or Character Makeup (Non-Prosthetic)

Fargo (FX/FX Productions)

3 Nominations
    Outstanding Cinematography For A Limited Series Or Anthology Series or Movie
    Outstanding Music Composition For A Limited Or Anthology Series, Movie Or Special (Original Dramatic Score)
    Outstanding Sound Editing For A Limited Or Anthology Series, Movie Or Special

Genius: Aretha (National Geographic / 20th Television )

3 Nominations
    Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited or Anthology Series or Movie—Cynthia Erivo
    Outstanding Choreography For Scripted Programming
    Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Life Below Zero (National Geographic)

3 Nominations
    Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Nonfiction Or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera)
    Outstanding Cinematography For A Reality Program
    Outstanding Picture Editing For An Unstructured Reality Program

Pen15 (Hulu Original)

3 Nominations
    Outstanding Comedy Series
    Outstanding Casting For A Comedy Series
    Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series

The Politician (20th Television)

3 Nominations
    Outstanding Contemporary Costumes
    Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling
    Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic)

Secrets of the Whales (Disney+ / National Geographic)

3 Nominations
    Outstanding Documentary Or Nonfiction Series
    Outstanding Cinematography For A Nonfiction Program
    Outstanding Narrator—Sigourney Weaver

Shark Tank (ABC)

3 Nominations
    Outstanding Structured Reality Program
    Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program—Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, Kevin O’Leary
    Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program

Framing Britney Spears (The New York Times Presents) (FX)

2 Nominations
    Outstanding Documentary Or Nonfiction Special
    Outstanding Picture Editing For A Nonfiction Program

Central Park (20th Television Animation)

2 Nominations
    Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance—Tituss Burgess
    Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance—Stanley Tucci

City So Real (National Geographic)

2 Nominations
    Outstanding Documentary Or Nonfiction Series
    Outstanding Cinematography For A Nonfiction Program

The Conners (ABC)

2 Nominations
    Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series
    Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series

Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC / ABC Signature)

2 Nominations

    Outstanding Variety Talk Series
    Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control For A Series

Archer (FX/FX Productions)

1 Nomination
    Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance—Jessica Walter

Becoming (Disney+)

1 Nomination
    Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program

Bob’s Burgers (20th Television Animation)

1 Nomination
    Outstanding Animated Program

The Disney Holiday Singalong (ABC)

1 Nomination
    Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming—Derek Hough, Choreographer

Family Guy (20th Television Animation)

1 Nomination
    Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance—Seth MacFarlane

grown-ish (Freeform/ ABC Signature)

1 Nomination
    Outstanding Cinematography For A Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour)

Inside Pixar (Disney+/Pixar Animation Studios)

1 Nomination
    Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction Or Reality Series

Last Man Standing (20th Television)

1 Nomination
    Outstanding Cinematography For A Multi-Camera Series

Maggie Simpson in: The Force Awakens From Its Nap (Disney+ / 20th Television Animation)

1 Nomination
    Outstanding Short Form Animated Program

Once Upon A Snowman (Disney+/Walt Disney Animation Studios)

1 Nomination
    Outstanding Short Form Animated Program

Rebuilding Paradise (National Geographic)

1 Nomination
    Outstanding Cinematography For A Nonfiction Program

Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia (Lincoln Square Productions)

1 Nomination
    Outstanding Television Movie

Running Wild With Bear Grylls (National Geographic)

1 Nomination
    Outstanding Structured Reality Program

Shrill (Hulu Original)

1 Nomination
    Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series—Aidy Bryant

The Simpsons (20th Television Animation)

1 Nomination
    Outstanding Animated Program

-------------------

A "Star Wars" Link-o-Rama 2020 by Negromancer - Update #94

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

Support Leroy Doureseaux on Patreon.

TRAILERS:

From YouTube:  The official trailer for "The Mandalorian" Season Two.
-------------------------- 

NOVELS - From IndieWire:  Beloved "Star Wars" novelist, Alan Dean Foster, talks about being asked to remove a budding romance between Finn and Rey that he was setting up in his novelization of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

BOBA FETT - From StarWars:  There is more news on the recently announced Disney+ series, "The Book of Boba Fett," which will be executive produced by Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, and Robert Rodriguez.

From Deadline:  Previously unannounced, "The Book of Boba Fett" will be a new Disney+ "Star Wars" series.  A spinoff of "The Mandalorian," the series is set to debut December 2021.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Marvel Comics' "Star Wars: The High Republic #1" has sold out three weeks before its release date.  Marvel has reportedly ordered a second printing.

OBIT - From CinemaBlend:  The English actor Jeremy Bulloch has died at the age of 75, Thursday, December 17, 2020.  Bulloch played the bounty hunter, "Boba Fett," in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, appearing in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of Jedi."  While Bulloch wore Boba's costume, the late American actor, Jason Wingreen ("All in the Family," "Archie Bunker's Place") provided Boba's voice.

GEORGE LUCAS - From IndieWire:  Legendary film director, Francis Ford Coppola ("The Godfather"), says that he feels sad that "Star Wars" dominated George Lucas' career.

OBI-WAN - From Deadline:   Hayden Christensen will return as Darth Vader in the developing Disney+ series, "Obi-Wan Kenobi."

ROGUE SQUADRON - From Deadline:   Patty Jenkins, the director of the "Wonder Woman" film franchise, will direct a new "Star Wars" film, "Rogue Squadron."  This will be the first "Star Wars" feature directed by a female director.

OBIT - From StarWars:   David Prowse, the actor who gave the physical performance of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, died this weekend. He was 85.

REVENGE OF THE SITH - From IGN:   Star Wars Stunt Co-Ordinator Selling Lightsabers From Revenge of the Sith

HIGH REPUBLIC - From WeGotThisCovered:   A preview of pages from Marvel Comics' "Star Wars: The High Republic" reveals a look at a younger Yoda.

JOHN BOYEGA - From Deadline:   John Boyega Had A “Transparent, Honest” Phone Call With Kathleen Kennedy After "Star Wars" Race Comments

HIGH REPUBLIC - From Previews:   In its first contribution to Lucasfilm’s "Star Wars: The High Republic" publishing campaign spanning comics and prose, IDW announced the February 3rd, 2021 launch of "Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures," an ongoing comic book series set 200 years before the live action film continuity.

PREQUEL TRILOGY - From IndieWire:  An upcoming book, "Star Wars Archives: 1999-2005," reveals stunning new details of George Lucas' plans for the sequel trilogy (Episodes 7 to 9).  This includes resurrected Darth Maul and making him the "godfather of crime" in the universe.

FUTURE - From IndieWire:  Leslye Headland, creator of Netflix's "Russian Doll," says that her Disney+ TV series will be set in a part of the "Star Wars" timeline that fans "don't know much about."

JOHN BOYEGA - From THR:  This wide-ranging article features interviews with actors John Boyega and Letitia Wright, and Oscar-winning filmmaker, Steve McQueen.  In the interview, Boyega says that he met with a high-ranking Disney executive (that he did not name) about his criticisms of the way "people of color" were treated in the recent "Star Wars" trilogy.

THE MANDALORIAN - From Deadline:  SPOILER - Actor Temuera Morrison makes a cameo appearance in Episode 1 of "The Mandalorian" Season Two.  Morrison played Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father, in "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones."  Rumor says he will play Boba in "The Mandalorian."

OBI-WAN - From MensHealth:   Ewan McGregor Wore His Obi-Wan Robes on the Set of The Mandalorian

MANGA - From ScreenRant:  Yen Press has released a preview of its upcoming manga-graphic novel, "Leia: Princess of Alderaan."

HIGH REPUBLIC - From BleedingCool:  A "High Republic" story written by author Charles Soule will be serialized in "Star Wars Insider," likely beginning in December 2020.

ROGUE ONE SPINOFF - From Deadline:  Director Toby Haynes ("Black Mirror") has replaced Tony Gilroy as director of the first three episodes of the Disney+ "Rogue One" spinoff.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  IDW will adapt author Greg Rucka's 2015 Star Wars junior novel, "Smuggler's Run: A Han Solo & Chewbacca Adventure," as a comic book miniseries.

MERCHANDISE - From People:  Shoe maker and Adidas and "Star Wars" launch a fur-covered "Chewbacca" themed sneaker which you can buy at Adidas.com

OBI-WAN - From ET:  In an "Entertainment Tonight," actor Ewan McGregor talks about his "Long Way Down" and "Long Way Up" series.  Concerning what we really want to know about, the Disney+ "Obi-Wan," he says they will start filming spring of next year and that there plans are for one standalone season only.

JOHN BOYEGA - From GQUK:  Here is the John Boyega feature/interview that has caused quite a stir.

THE MANDALORIAN - From Esquire:  George Lucas cradles Baby Yoda - with social media reactions.

ROGUE ONE - From Deadline:  Actress Adria Arjona will join star Diego Luna (Cassian Andor) in the Disney+ "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" prequel series.

LEIA - From io9:  An upcoming book, "Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection" (Oct. 20th), will have details about Leia's lightsaber from "The Rise of Skywalker."

GEORGE LUCAS - From Deadline:  Tom Pollock was a studio executive and an entertainment lawyer.  He died at the age of 77, Sat., Aug. 1st.  He pulled off what is likely Hollywood's all-time greatest deal - the one that got George Lucas sequel and merchandising rights to "Star Wars."

THE MANDALORIAN - From THR:    Disney+/Lucasfilm's hit series, "The Mandalorian," received 15 nominations at the 2020 / 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards, including "Outstanding Drama Series."

THE HIGH REPUBLIC - From THR:  The new "Star Wars" publishing initiative, "The High Republic," will connect to existing "Star Wars canon."

BAD BATCH - From Variety:  Disney+ has made a series order for the animated series, "Star Wars: Bad Batch."  It is a spinoff of the long-running animated series, "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," and will follow an elite and experimental unit of clone troops.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - From Variety:  For the first time since 1997, "The Empire Strikes Back" is back on top of the weekend box office.  Back in 1997, the film was re-released under the "Special Edition" banner and included new scenes and changes to the film.  Reissued again, this time as "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back," the film is estimated to gross between $400,000 and $500,000 in this post-COVID-19 theatrical box office.

THE MANDALORIAN - From StarWars:  StarWars.com reveals an extensive publishing program of books and titles for all ages based on the Disney+ series, "The Mandalorian."  This will include comic books from both Marvel Comics and IDW Publishing.

THE HIGH REPUBLIC - From IGN:  Read the First Chapter of "Star Wars: The High Republic - Light of the Jedi" by Charles Soule.

THE HIGH REPUBLIC - From YahooEntertainment:  New Star Wars book reveals why The High Republic fell – and kicks off a new era of stories

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - From YahooEntertainment:  "Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back" will get a "4K" restoration re-release in the United Kingdom in celebration of the film's 40th anniversary.

From Collider:  See graphic designer Matt Ferguson's poster designs for "The Empire Strikes Back" 4K re-release.

TIMELINE - From YahooEntertainment:  Here is a detailed (and interesting) Star Wars timeline.

JOHN BOYEGA - From IndieWire:  Star Wars' very on "Finn," actor John Boyega, gave an impassioned speech in support of Black Lives Matter in London on Wednesday, June 3, 2020.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - From StarWars:  In an interview done to commemorate the 40th anniversary of "The Empire Strikes Back," George Lucas says that he doesn't know why "Star Wars" is so popular.

REVENGE OF THE SITH - From YahooMovieUK:  There is a fan petition demanding that Disney release an alleged four-hour cut of "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith."

JAR JAR BINKS - From YahooEntertainment:  The voice actor behind prequel trilogy star, "Jar Jar Binks," Ahmed Best, will be the host of the upcoming game show, "Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge," on YouTube's "Star Wars Kids" channel.

STAR WARS OBIT - From Variety:  "Boom operator" (sound department) veteran Ken Nightingall has died at the age of 92, Tuesday, May 19, 2020.  He worked on over 47 films, including the original 1977 film, "Star Wars."  In recent years, he became a cult figure when a photo of him emerged in which he was shirtless and wearing pink shorts while his arms were hoisting a boom microphone over Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, CP30, and R2D2 during a scene shot in Tunisia.  To fans, Nightingall was the "pink shorts boom guy."

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - From YahooEntertainment:  George Lucas apparently changed the ending of "The Empire Strikes Back," slightly, early in original release.

THE MANDALORIAN - From SlashFilm:  Katee Sackhoff will appear in Season 2 of "The Mandalorian" in which she will play in live-action the character "Bo-Katan Kryze," that she has given voice to in the animated TV series, "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Star Wars Rebels."

THE MANDALORIAN - From THR:  Actor Temuera Morrison, who played "Jango Fett" in "Attack of the Clones," will reportedly play "Boba Fett" in Season Two of Disney+'s "The Mandalorian."

REBELS - From WeGotThisCovered:  Rumors say that Lucasfilm is developing a spinoff of the animated series "Star Wars Rebels."  The alleged live-action spinoff would focuse on the character, "Kanan Jarrus."

FRANCHISE - From TheWrap:  34 Celebrities You Probably Didn’t Know Were in ‘Star Wars’ Movies (with photos)

WAITITI - From StarWars:  Oscar-winner Taika Waititi will co-write and direct a new "Star Wars" film.

ROGUE ONE - From BritishGQ:  In an interview, actor Riz Ahmed, who appeared as "Bohdi Rook" in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," says that two of his family members have died of COVID-19.

ROGUE ONE SPIN-OFF - From THR:   The Disney+ "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" spinoff has a new showrunner, Tony Gilroy.  Gilroy came in to co-write (or script doctor) "Rogue One," and may have directed new scenes for the film.  Gilroy replaces original showrunner, Stephen Schiff.  The series also added actresses, Genevieve O'Reilly and Denise Gough.

FUTURE - From Variety:  Leslye Headland, the creator of Netflix's "Russian Doll," is developing a "Star Wars" series for Disney+.

THE MANDALORIAN - From Variety:  While the second season of Disney+/Lucasfilm's "The Mandalorian" is not due until Oct. 2nd of this year, the third season is already being written and conceptualized artistically.

ROGUE ONE SPINOFF - From Variety:  Actors Stellan Skarsgard and Kyle Soller join the Disney+ "Rogue One" spinoff.

THE HIGH REPUBLIC - From BleedingCool:  The first inter-company crossover between publishers of "High Republic" fiction will involve two comic book publishers, Marvel Comics and IDW Publishing.  However, the crossover will not be a comic book, but a novel.

THE HIGH REPUBLIC - From StarWars:  StarWars.com reveals the Jedi Knights and Jedi Masters that are presumably the main protagonists in the upcoming multi-platform, "Star Wars: The High Republic."  The first publications are set to arrive in August 2020, with the "Light of the Jedi" novel due August 25, 2020.

OBI-WAN - From Variety:  Joby Harold has been named the new head writer of the planned Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi TV series.

OBITUARY - From YahooEntertainment:  Dialect coach and "Star Wars" actor, Andrew Jack, has died at the age of 76, Tuesday, March 31, 2020.  He died as a result of COVID-19.  Jack played the character Caluan Ematt in "The Force Awakens" and "The Last Jedi," as well as providing the voice for a character in "Solo: A Star Wars Story."  Since the early 1980s, Jack was the dialect coach for over 200 actors, including stars such as Robert Downey, Jr. and Chris Hemsworth.  He was the supervising dialect coach on "The Lord of the Rings" and created the "Middle-earth" accents.

THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - From YahooEntertainment:  A look at the concept art for "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" reveals Lando's original look for the film and also the "space wolves."

THE MANDALORIAN - From THR:  Actor Michael Beihn, best known for his roles in James Cameron's "The Terminator" (1984) and "Aliens" (1986), has reportedly been cast in Season 2 of "The Mandalorian."

THE MANDALORIAN - From Variety:  Actress Rosario Dawson will portray the "Star Wars" character, Ahsoka Tano," in Season Two of the Disney+ series, "The Mandalorian."  This will be the first live-action version of the character which appeared in the long-running animated series, "Star Wars: The Clone Wars."

TOYS - From Newsarama:  Long time principal "Star Wars" toy designer, Mark Boudreax, is retiring after 43 years of designing for first, Kenner, and then, Hasbro.

THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - From Deadline:  Disney drops "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" on digital early, Dec. 13th, instead of the planned Dec. 17th digital release date.

THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - From Empire:  Some of the scenes deleted from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" will appear in Marvel's comic book adaptation of the film.

THE HIGH REPUBLIC - From Newsarama:  Formerly known as "Project Luminous," "Star Wars: The High Republic will bridge multiple publishers and platforms.  "The High Republic" is set 200 years before the events depicted in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace." The first publications are set to arrive in August 2020.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - From ScaryMommy:  This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first theatrical release of "The Empire Strikes Back," and Hasbro is celebrating with the upcoming release of a "Retro Collection" of action figures from the move.  According to reports the figures are "highly detailed" and "life-like."

FUTURE - From THR:  Director J.D. Willard ("Sleight") and writer Matt Owens ("Luke Cage") are developing a "Star Wars" project for Lucasfilm.  No other details are known.

From Deadline:  Willard and Owens "Star Wars" project will take place on the Sith planet, "Exegol," which debuted in "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker."

THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics will adapt "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" into a five-issue miniseries, with new material.

THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - From GamesRadar:  The novelization of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" confirms a deleted scene from the film in which Kylo Ren meets "The Oracle."

FRANCHISE - From Variety:  The future of "Star Wars" is television says Disney CEO Bob Iger.

KATHLEEN KENNEDY - From CNN:  Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy, attended the 2020 BAFTA Film Awards ceremony in London on Sun., Feb. 2nd.  There, she received the coveted "BAFTA Fellowship" trophy, their version of a lifetime achievement award.  She also talked about changing the future of "Star Wars."

OBITUARY - From FanthaTracks:  The British "Star Wars" actor, Alan Harris, died at the age of 81, Saturday, January 25, 2020.  He was best known for portraying the bounty hunter, "Bossk," in "The Empire Strikes Back."  Harris also played several bit parts and was also a body double in the original trilogy films.  He wore costumes for tests and also appeared as Terrence Stamp's body double in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace."

UNDERWORLD - From Newsarama:  Making the Internet rounds is what is purported to be test footage from "Star Wars: Underworld," the planned "Star Wars" TV series that George Lucas scrapped.

FUTURE - From Esquire:  Could the "High Republic" and "Project Luminous" be the future of Star Wars?

EPISODE IX - From GamesRadar:  Director Colin Trevorrow, fired from directing "Star Wars 9," confirmed as "real" the recent script leak and concept art for what would have been his Episode 9 film, "Star Wars: Duel of the Fates."

OBI-WAN - From Deadline:  The Disney+/Lucasfilm "Obi-Wan" series has been put on hold.

EPISODE IX - From YahooLifestyle:   More concept art, allegedly from Colin Trevorrow's aborted version of "Star Wars Episode IX," has been leaked.  Trevorrow, who was hot off "Jurassic World," was fired and replaced by J.J. Abrams.

THE CLONE WARS - From GamesRadar:  Season 7 of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" has a release date (Feb. 21st on Disney+) and a new trailer (which can see in the article I've linked to).

JOHN BOYEGA - From YahooNews:  John Boyega, "Finn" in the sequel trilogy (in case you didn't know), bought his parents a house.  They were speechless and there were lots of tears...

FUTURE - From TheWrap:   Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Taika Waititi, is being eyed to develop a "Star Wars" film of some type.

THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - From Variety:  "The Rise of Skywalker" crosses the one billion dollar mark in global box office, $1.001 billion.

EPISODE IX - From YahooEntertainment:  Before J.J. Abrams came back to direct what would become "The Rise of Skywalker," Colin Trevorrow was going to co-write and direct Episode IX.  Now, comes a leak of what is alleged to be Trevorrow and writing partner's Derek Connolly's Episode IX script, "Star Wars: Duel of the Fates."

THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - From Space:  "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" earned two Oscar nominations as the 2020 / 92nd Academy Awards: "Music (Original Score)" and "Sound Editing and Visual Effects."

THE MANDALORIAN - From TheWrap:  Meet the actor who punched the "Baby Yoda" puppet that cost five million dollars to make.

PRINCESS LEIA - From YahooEntertainment:  Apparently, Billie Lourd played her mother, Carrie Fisher's character, Princess Leia, in "The Rise of Skywalker," for "a few seconds" with the help of VFX magic.

THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - From GamesRader:  Apparenly, classic Star Wars character, Nien Nunb (Return of the Jedi), dies in "The Rise of Skywalker."

COMIC BOOKS - From Newsarama:  The site has a first-issue preview of Marvel Comics' new Darth Vader series, "Star Wars: Darth Vader."  The preview includes seven pages of interior art and also a look at the art for two covers.

THE MANDALORIAN - From CBR:  Director Taika Watiti says that he knows "The Child" a.k.a. "Baby Yoda's" real name, but he is waiting for "The Mandalorian's" creator and executive producer, Jon Favreau to reveal it.

THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - From IGN:   "The Rise of Skywalker" apparently has deleted scenes that explain how Palpatine is still alive.

THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - From BleedingCool:  Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner (1984-2005) took to Twitter to criticize "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" and actress Daisy Ridley's performance in it.

THE MANDALORIAN - From MovieWeb:  Actress Gina Garano says that she fainted twice while filming the "Baby Yoda choke scene" during a recent episode of Disney+/Lucasfilm's "The Mandalorian."

THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - From VanityFair:   Director J.J. Abrams explained how he convinced Harrison Ford to come back and play "Han Solo" one more time in "The Rise of Skywalker."


--------------------------------

STAR WARS Movie Reviews:

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars"
From Negromancer:  "The Empire Strikes Back"
From Negromancer:  "Return of the Jedi"

From Negromancer:   "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Force Awakens
From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"
From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008 animated film)
From Negromancer:  "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"
From Negromancer:  "Solo: A Star Wars Story" 

I Reads You "Star Wars Central" comics and graphic novel review page is here.

------------------

Negromancer's #TheMandalorian Link-o-Rama 2020 - Update #11

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

Support Leroy Doureseaux on Patreon.

12/18 - YahooTVLine:   A SPOILER-filled recap of "The Mandalorian" Season 2 finale

12/11 - From YahooEntertainment:  "The Mandalorian" teases the rise of the First Order.

12/9 - From Sideshow:   A recap of "The Mandalorian" Chapters 12 to 14.

12/7 -   From Sideshow:  The canonical story of Boba Fett.

12/7 - From BleedingCool:   Hasbro announces to its "Star Wars Mission Fleet" toy line related to "The Mandalorian."

12/4 - From CNET:  A Season Two-Episode Six (Chapter 14) spoiler-free recap.

11/30 - From Collider:  In the wake of her debut on "The Mandalorian," Ahsoka Tano" (as played by actress Rosario Dawson), gets her own character poster.

11/27 - From BleedingCool:  A run down of "The Mandalorian" Season 2, Episode 5 (or series Episode #13) with total spoilers.

11/27 - From EW:   The Mandalorian reveals Baby Yoda's name and backstory

11/27 - From Deadline:   "The Mandalorian" Chapter 13: Rosario Dawson Makes Debut As Key ‘Clone Wars’ Character With Major Reveals About Baby Yoda

11/27 - From IGN:  The Mandalorian (Chapter 13) Reveals Another Huge Connection to Star Wars Lore

11/26 - From ComicBook:  The Mandalorian Fans Are Losing It Over Getting to See Ahsoka Tano in Live-Action Star Wars Series

1/6- From CBR:  Director Taika Watiti says that he knows "The Child" a.k.a. "Baby Yoda's" real name, but he is waiting for "The Mandalorian's" creator and executive producer, Jon Favreau to reveal it.

1/2 - From MovieWeb:  Actress Gina Garano says that she fainted twice while filming the "Baby Yoda choke scene" during a recent episode of Disney+/Lucasfilm's "The Mandalorian."

---------------------------------

TRAILERS:

From YouTube:  The official trailer for "The Mandalorian" Season Two.

---------------------------------

STAR WARS Reviews:

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars"
From Negromancer:  "The Empire Strikes Back"
From Negromancer:  "Return of the Jedi"

From Negromancer:   "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Force Awakens
From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"
From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008 animated film)
From Negromancer:  "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"
From Negromancer:  "Solo: A Star Wars Story"

------------------

Disney and Lucasfilm Announce "Mando Mondays," Staring October 26th

Disney and Lucasfilm Announce “Mando Mondays” – A New Global Product Reveal Program in Celebration of “The Mandalorian”

New Season Starts Streaming October 30 on Disney+

Discover a Bounty of All-New Star Wars Products, Books, Comics and Digital Content Inspired by the Hit Lucasfilm Series

Pre-Orders on Select Items Have Begun

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fans of the Disney+ original series “The Mandalorian” just received a new reason to look forward to Mondays. Disney and Lucasfilm today announced Mando Mondays, an all-new global consumer products, games and publishing program, kicking off on October 26, 2020, that will debut goods inspired by the series.

After premiering last fall and quickly taking the world by storm, “The Mandalorian” – which took home seven awards last week during the 2020 Primetime Emmy® Awards – will return for its highly anticipated second season Friday, October 30, 2020, streaming only on Disney+. The Mandalorian and the Child continue their journey, facing enemies and rallying allies as they make their way through the dangerous galaxy in the tumultuous era after the collapse of the Galactic Empire.

After fans experience the latest episode every Friday on Disney+, they can visit MandoMondays.com each Monday to see what new toys, collectibles, apparel, books, comics, digital content and more will be unveiled. Mando Mondays will run for nine weeks, culminating on December 21, 2020.

“When ‘The Mandalorian’ debuted last year on Disney+, the show became an instant phenomenon, with fans of all ages expressing excitement for products related to its iconic characters – particularly the Child,” said Kareem Daniel, president, Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing. “This fall, as the world continues to watch the narrative unfold, we will further bring this unique Star Wars story to life through a must-have selection of toys, books, comics, digital content, and more.”

To celebrate this announcement, select pre-orders for the first wave of Mando Mondays products will kick off today at 1:00 p.m. PDT / 4:00 p.m. EDT across top retailers globally, including shopDisney.com. Products available for pre-order today include the Hasbro Black Series Credit Collection, new Funko Pop! bobbleheads, the LEGO® Star Wars The Child construction set and much more, all viewable now at MandoMondays.com.

The countdown starts now! For more details, visit MandoMondays.com and follow the conversation on social using #MandoMondays.

About Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing:
Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing (CPGP) brings the magic of The Walt Disney Company’s brands and franchises—including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more—into the daily lives of families and fans around the world through products and experiences across more than 100 retail categories from toys and t-shirts to apps, books, video games, and more. A division of the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment, CPGP’s global operations include: the world’s largest licensing business, one of the biggest children’s publishing brands, a leading licensor of interactive games across platforms, Disney store locations globally, and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.

About Lucasfilm Ltd.:
Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment. In addition to its feature film and series production, the company's offerings include cutting-edge visual effects and audio post-production, digital animation, immersive storytelling, 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.

About Disney+:
Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. As part of Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment, Disney+ is available on most internet-connected devices and offers commercial-free programming with a variety of original feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series and short-form content. Alongside unprecedented access to Disney’s incredible library of film and television entertainment, the service is also the exclusive streaming home for the latest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. Disney+ is available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+. Visit DisneyPlus.com to subscribe and/or learn more about the service.

LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2020 The LEGO Group. 

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