Wednesday 30 November 2016

ROGUE ONE: ALL-NEW IMAGERY!

Jyn and Cassian undercover, in a great new shot from ROGUE ONE. All images: Disney UK/Lucasfilm Ltd. 

Spectacular new images of drama and action from ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, courtesy of DISNEY UK.

Enjoy!

A contingent of Death Troopers arrive on Lah'muh.
Krennic looks towards Jedha from the Death Star.
An Imperial Tank squad on street patrol in Jedha.
Jyn surveys the Yavin IV Rebel base.
Jyn leads the charge against a key Imperial installation.
A battle won... or lost?
The Death Star above Jedha.
Imperial forces assembled.
Bodhi at the Rebel base.
"Make ten men feel like a hundred!"
The Battle of Scarif begins!

ROGUE ONE: BACK TO YAVIN IV

A Rebel Sentry keeps look out in ROGUE ONE.

The original "hidden fortress" of the growing Rebel Alliance return to our screens, located amidst the jungles and within the long abandoned Massassi temples of the lush fourth moon of Yavin, or shouldn't that be seen for the first time, with the prequel adventure that is ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY. The visual continuity between 1977 and 2016 is clearly excellent, though we now have the chance to see the view of the environment and the Alliance forces from the inside out rather than the other way around (as had been witnessed with the original film), and a chance to pay homage to conceptual artist Ralph McQuarrie's original 1975 idea of fighters located at the exterior of the base, ready for battle.

Yavin IV art by McQuarrie.
Y-wing fighters readied, in art by McQuarrie.
A special transport lifts off for Scarif in ROGUE ONE.
Rebel soldiers ready as U-wing fighters take off, as seen in the special ROGUE ONE Gillette advert.
U-wing fighters head for Scarif in another great image from the Gillette advert - a nice visual tribute to the original 1977 film.

More on the U-wing fighter: Star Wars: Making the Rogue One U-Wing fighter | EW.com


Don't forget the gorgeous and most detailed celebration yet of Ralph McQuarrie's Classic Trilogy STAR WARS art, out now in a lavish two-book collection from ABRAMS BOOKS: Star Wars Art: Ralph Mcquarrie: Amazon.co.uk: Ralph McQuarrie, Brandon Alinger, Wade Lageose, David Mandel: 9781419717932: Books

CLASSIC IMAGE: "DIE, JEDI DOGS!"


Within the battle of the Geonosian Death Arena, C-3PO is indeed acting very curiously and aggressively, now that his head has been planted accidentally onto a Battle Droid's body, in this fun moment from EPISODE II.

Tuesday 29 November 2016

ROGUE ONE: INTRODUCING BODHI ROOK!


Surely the character whom audiences will relate to the most during the blistering and explosive warfare ahead in ROGUE ONE, Bodhi Rook is the uneasy former Imperial pilot tasked with getting our heroes in and out of certain difficult planetary hotspots, and a key resource in locating the hidden resistance fighter Saw Gerrera on the frozen desert world of Jedha.

On Jedha, Bodhi negotiates to meet the elusive Saw Gerrera.
Bodhi's costume, as seen at CELEBRATION 2016.

Popular British actor Riz Ahmed apparently had additional character moments given to him with the film's extra shooting this year, of which we have no doubt that Bodhi will play a pivotal part in the ground battle of Scarif- at a time when things seem bleak he will surely, ultimately prove one of the Rebel Alliance's most courageous fighters, his actions reminding audiences that there heroism can be found deep inside all of us in the worst of times...

Caught in the firing line, but soon making a difference.

Online articles:

Riz Ahmed: Star Wars Rogue One is about waking up to political reality | London Evening Standard
Riz Ahmed: ‘Star Wars’ ‘Leading the Way’ for Film Diversity
Riz Ahmed: 'Rogue One' Will Be an 'Edgier' 'Star Wars' Film
Rogue One: Riz Ahmed on why Bodhi Rook wears Empire insignia | EW.com


ILM CLASSIC IMAGE: SNOWSPEEDER ARTIST!


At the bigger, better model facility at the new ILM base in San Francisco during 1979, expert Steve Gawley adds detail to the striking Snowspeeders being developed for THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

Monday 28 November 2016

ROGUE ONE: IN THE (IMPERIAL) NAVY!


The presence of a single Imperial Star Destroyer is formidable enough, but its size and firepower is nothing, truly nothing, in comparison to the immense super weapon battle station the Death Star, of which it and many others of its kind are acting as its protective custodians- the immense space moon now at its final stages leading to operational status by the events of ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY.

The original three-foot model seen in the original STAR WARS.
The new model with additional detail and lights seen with THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.
One of the Star Destroyers of ROGUE ONE.
Comparison shots. Left EMPIRE Star Destroyer. Right ROGUE ONE version.

The Star Destroyer seen above top keeps to the continuity of the original vessel seen with 1977's STAR WARS, yet also fuses in the details and depth of the Star Destroyers seen with THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. In many ways, the Star Destroyers of ROGUE ONE are the best of both worlds.

Check out ILM legend John Knoll's original talk about the Death Star and Star Destroyers of ROGUE ONE from London's CELEBRATION 2016 event: Star Wars Archaeology Panel | Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016 - YouTube


CLASSIC IMAGE: MEET JAR JAR!


Gaining a little local knowledge is always helpful, as Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi eventually discover when newly arrived on Naboo, encountering that unique Gungan Jar Jar Binks, in this early scene from EPISODE I.

Saturday 26 November 2016

ROGUE ONE: LATEST TRAILERS AND FOOTAGE

Another of the gorgeous US IMAX mini-posters for ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY.

New snippets here and there, especially linked to Director Krennic and the dry K-2SO:

With new footage: Rogue One A Star Wars Story ABC Sizzle Reel - Celebration Extended Version - YouTube

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Trust" - YouTube

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY TV Spot #14 - Trained To Fight (2016) Sci-Fi Movie HD - YouTube

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Exclusive Look | Disney Holiday Celebration - YouTube

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY TV Spot - Call Sign (2016) Sci-Fi Action Movie HD - YouTube

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Dream" TV Spot - YouTube


The latest issue of the UK SCI-FI media magazine GEEKY MONKEY is out now, celebrating ROGUE ONEGeeky Monkey | Facebook

ROGUE ONE: INTRODUCING SAW GERRERA!


Its been a long and blood-soaked war for extremist Rebel leader Saw Gerrera, in hiding from his multitude of Imperial enemies on the cold desert world of Jedha, whose occupied people's have kept him safe and stayed devoted to his charismatic presence. He's suffered the loss of family, friends and fellow fighters of the cause, and paid an extreme price for his bold though not always clear cut efforts of liberation- the emotional and physical scars clear to see, losing his legs in the conflicts he's waged across the universe, kept alive through willpower and anger, alongside artificial machines likely not too dissimilar to those encasing Darth Vader. Unlike the black-hearted Vader, though, and despite the same kind of anger and intense aura about him, Gerrera's dream for peace- a liberated universe - remains at the very nexus of his being- the kind of freedom fighter needed by raw recruit Jyn Erso to bring the Rebels truly together as a genuine and sustained alliance in order to steal the Death Star plans and deliver a major bloody nose to the Empire.

Asiatic character poster. Image: via MAKINGSTARWARS.NET

One of America's finest actors, his onscreen character scenes kept to an enigmatic minimum so far in early trailers, we can't wait to see Forest Whitaker's and Saw Gerrera's ultimate contribution to the STAR WARS universe with ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY.

Star Wars Celebration 2016 Rogue One - Forest Whitaker - YouTube

Star Wars: Rogue One: Forest Whitaker's character revealed | EW.com

Forest Whittaker Talks About the Evolution of Saw Gerrera from 'The Clone Wars' to 'Rogue One' | The Star Wars Underworld

Rogue One: Forest Whitaker says Saw Gerrera shares 'similarities' with Darth Vader | EW.com

BEHIND THE SCENES: STREET PATROL!


A patrol of six Imperial Stormtroopers on the streets of Mos Eisley spaceport are soon quickly surprised by the sight of the unauthorised Millennium Falcon blasting out of Docking Bay 94, in a sequence filmed on location in the small Tunisian town of Adjim (Ajim), Djerba, for the original STAR WARS, circa 2nd April, 1976.

Shot of the troopers as they turn to see the Falcon (ILM added in post) blast away.

Behind the scenes, the film's original Script Supervisor Ann Skinner took a so far not seen by the public continuity colour Polaroid of this filming- a wide shot similar to the above top image, with a costume technician attending to one of the near middle left troopers. The Stormtroopers were played by Tunisian locals, whom the late Stunt Coordinator Peter Diamond recalled were difficult to liaise with, as they didn't speak a word of English.

With thanks to Ann Skinner and the BFI.

Friday 25 November 2016

ROGUE ONE: US TRAILER THREE DEBUTS

The exclusive new ROGUE ONE poster giveaway for the Hollywood El Capitan cinema.

Timed for the US Thanksgiving TV audience, here comes trailer three: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Trailer #3 (2016) | Movieclips Trailers - YouTube

Rogue One tickets go on sale this Monday - The Verge

Felicity Jones, and how ROGUE ONE was made GREAT in Britain.

Rogue One: Made GREAT In Britain - YouTube

ROGUE ONE promotional tour begins in Mexico:

Felicity Jones stuns at Rogue One: A Star Wars Story fan event in Mexico City | Daily Mail Online

The 'Rogue One' Press Tour Has Begun In Mexico City | The Star Wars Underworld

Conferencia de Prensa Rogue One México - YouTube

Rogue One: Mafe entrevistó en exclusiva a Diego Luna - YouTube

Coleccionables en Acción: Rogue One Black Carpet México - YouTube

STAR WARS - ROGUE ONE - CONFERENCIA DE PRENSA COMPLETA - MEXICO - YouTube

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Director Gareth Edwards Mexico Movie Premiere - YouTube

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Felicity Jones "Jyn" Mexico Movie Premiere - YouTube

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Diego Luna "Cassian" Mexico Movie Premiere - YouTube

One of the newly released US IMAX mini-posters for the film.

Latest ROGUE ONE news:

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Home | Disney

LA Times - Exclusive reveal of El Capitan's limited 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' poster

'Rogue One - A Star Wars Story' - Rogue One - A Star Wars Story - 15 new photos! - EW.com

Rogue One composer Michael Giacchino describes music of Star Wars standalone | EW.com

Star Wars Rogue One EW cover: New film will reshape the venerable franchise | EW.com

‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’: Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy Dishes | Variety

‘Rogue One’ Box Office: ‘Star Wars Story’ Set to Open to $130 Million | Variety

Rogue One: the rebels assemble on Empire’s exclusive Star Wars covers | News | Movies - Empire

Rogue One exclusive: Ben Mendelsohn talks Director Krennic | News | Movies - Empire

Rogue One: two exclusive images show Bodhi, Chirrut and Baze | News | Movies - Empire

EPISODE VII: DESERT DESTINIES...


In a desert region of battle-scarred Jakku where everybody knows everybody, the sudden arrival of the mysterious droid BB-8 on a singular mission soon draws young scavenger Rey into its company, and the start of an amazing journey of emotion and discovery for her, as THE FORCE AWAKENS begins...

Our new friends at Madame Tussauds London.

If you're in the UK or Germany, don't forget to see the new heroes in special displays at Madame Tussauds, as part of their respective STAR WARS experiences.

Madame Tussauds - Star Wars

Thursday 24 November 2016

ROGUE ONE: BATTLE FOR A BEACHHEAD!


As the Battle of Scarif continues, a U-wing fighter and its military force lands in the middle of the beach war zone, whilst two AT-ACT Walkers move towards their targeted prey. A super effects shot seen in a recent ROGUE ONE trailer.

Another great image from a recent trailer.

New ROGUE ONE TV spots:

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY TV Spot #9 - Protect (2016) Sci-Fi Movie HD - YouTube

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY Extended TV Spot #10 - Jyn & Cassian (2016) Sci-Fi Movie HD - YouTube


CLASSIC ART: CARRIE AND THE 'FEMME FATALES'


A true cover star in every sense of the word, Carrie Fisher and her STAR WARS alter ego in Princess Leia Organa remain all-time favourites, deserving her place of honour in an exhaustive career tribute feature that was part of a terrific issue of the popular celebration of all cult film, TV and media ladies that was FEMME FATALE magazine. This well-timed issue, from 1999, would make the most of the then recently released STAR WARS SPECIAL EDITIONS and the newly arrived Prequels. Its a shame the magazine is not around now to cover the great and varied new heroines of the sequel and anthology universe.

The terrific cover art is by David Voigt, who contributed many pieces not just to FEMME FATALES but also sister filmmaking magazine CINEFANTASTIQUE. Let's hope someday this piece becomes available as an art poster.

1977 UK interview promoting the original film: BBC Arts - BBC Arts, Carrie Fisher on Star Wars


From recent online revelations, I think Carrie's upcoming book focusing on her original STAR WARS filming diaries, The Princess Diarist, is going to sell like hot cakes!

Star Wars: Carrie Fisher reveals Harrison Ford affair | EW.com
Carrie Fisher spills details of affair with Harrison Ford on London set of Star Wars | Daily Mail Online
Carrie Fisher Now Regrets Revealing ‘Star Wars’ Affair With Harrison Ford [Video]
'The Princess Diarist' by Carrie Fisher: EW Review | EW.com
Carrie Fisher Draws From Her Personal Journals In 'The Princess Diarist' : NPR

Get it here: The Princess Diarist: Amazon.co.uk: Carrie Fisher: 9780593077566: Books

Wednesday 23 November 2016

'STAR WARS: AHSOKA' - OUT NOW IN THE UK!

Padawan no more! Ahsoka Tano's post- Jedi life begins in STAR WARS: AHSOKA, out now.

Ahsoka Lives!

Never have two words been more emotionally important, nor more crowd-rousing, to dedicated fans of THE CLONE WARS animated series than with their acknowledged and moved event witnessing of young Padawan Ahsoka Tano, female role model for all ages, departing her once beloved Jedi Order, in front of her shocked master and friend in Anakin Skywalker, which concluded the show's complete fifth season and its official run. What happened to Ahsoka between the time she descended those fateful Jedi Temple steps and eventually boarded the blockade running Ghost freighter nearly twenty years later, revealing herself as a Rebel operative in the fight against the fearsome Empire, can now finally be revealed in the critically acclaimed, STAR WARS history-making, revelation-packed storytelling that is New York Times bestseller hit AHSOKA, by E.K. Johnston, now finally reaching the UK shores via DISNEY BOOKS.

On her own and seeking a new existence on Coruscant. Art images: Dave Filoni, via STARWARS.COM

Everything previously hinted at in three sadly never-completed animated story arcs, online conversations, behind the scenes featurettes, and events described by her co-creator in THE CLONE WARS Supervising Director Dave Filoni to voice actress Ashley Eckstein at the lively Ahsoka's Untold Tales panel from London's CELEBRATION 2016, is finally unified and given substantive form by Johnston, detailing the former Jedi's life-changing, extraordinary evolution in adapting to new challenges with the fallout of the Galactic War, the initiation of the blood-soaked ORDER 66 that would kill so many of her friends, coming to terms with the building darkness around her and garnering a new life whilst hiding in plain sight of her enemies, leading to her ultimate heroine rebirth as part of the Rebel Alliance in Season Two of THE CLONE WARS animated successor, STAR WARS REBELS. All this, and much more (watch out for some subtle ROGUE ONE linkage!), will entertain and illuminate STAR WARS fans and Ahsoka Tano fans everywhere with this officially approved and canon young reader's novel - a must-have for Christmas and beyond, part of a franchise publication cycle that has been in ever-popular ascendance this year, and which will also help to satiate the fans' new wait for Ahsoka's eventual destiny beyond her extraordinary lightsaber confrontation with Darth Vader, on the Sith world of Malachor. Now more than ever to her fan family, Ahsoka still lives!

Leading the charge to take back Mandalore from Darth Maul- the massive event to have taken place before EPISODE III.

Ahsoka’s Untold Tales Panel | Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016 - YouTube

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: CELEBRATION 2016: AHSOKA LIVES!

SWCE 2016: Ahsoka's Untold Tales Panel Liveblog | StarWars.com

I Am No Jedi: Talking Ahsoka with E.K. Johnston | StarWars.com

All the Star Wars Secrets Hidden in the New Novel Ahsoka

Get STAR WARS: AHSOKA here: Star Wars: Ahsoka: Amazon.co.uk: E.K. Johnston: 9781484705667: Books