STAR WARS NEWS
New Trailer for 'Star Wars - The Phantom Menace' 2024 Re-Release
"Fear is the path to the dark side…" Time to return to that galaxy far, far away. 20th Century has revealed a brand new trailer for the 25th anniversary re-release of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace in theaters this May. This highly anticipated prequel in the Star Wars series opened in the summer of 1999, some 25 years ago, and the hype was through the roof. I remember waiting in line just to get tickets, and all the mania waiting for it to open. Then everyone went to see it and did not like it. Now all these years later, is it time for a re-appraisal? In The Phantom Menace, two Jedi escape a hostile blockade and come across a young boy who may bring balance to the Force, but the long dormant Sith resurface to claim their original glory. We're introduced to Anakin, Jar Jar, Qui Gon, Amidala, Shmi, Valorum, and many others in this sci-fi spectacle. Starring Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Pernilla August, & Frank Oz. There are a few exceptional moments in this, mainly the pod race and Duel of the Fates. Will you see it again? "Every generation has a legend…"
Official Trailer for D+'s Animated Star Wars Series 'Tales of the Empire'
"You cannot stop what has begun." Disney+ has revealed the main official trailer for a new animated Star Wars series called Tales of the Empire, officially the follow-up second season of the Tales of the Jedi series from 2022. This is a continuation but with an entirely different focus. Tales of the Empire is also split into two arcs - with one following Morgan Elsbeth (voiced by Diana Lee Inosanto) and the other following former Jedi Barriss Offee (voiced by Meredith Salenger). The new series will launch on Star Wars Day, May 4th, coming soon, featuring six episodes in total to enjoy. The talented voice cast for Tales of the Empire includes Diana Lee Inosanto, Meredith Salenger, Rya Kihlstedt (Lyn, aka Fourth Sister), Wing T. Chao (Wing), Lars Mikkelsen (Thrawn), Jason Isaacs (Grand Inquisitor), & Matthew Wood (General Grievous). This looks pretty damn good! Same style as the Tales of the Jedi and Clone Wars series before it, with darker themes following happenings in the Empire. I'm really digging all of this footage! They got my attention. Especially with Thrawn, General Grievous, Darth Vader, and more characters showing up in here.
First Trailer for 'The Acolyte' Star Wars Series with Amandla Stenberg
"This is about power… and who is allowed to use it." Disney has unveiled the first full trailer for their next Star Wars series titled The Acolyte, set for a streaming debut starting in June this summer. Launching initially with two episodes before new episodes every week. The Acolyte is spearheaded by Bachelorette and "Russian Doll" creator Leslye Headland – who is producing, directing, and showrunning this series. An investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master against a dangerous warrior from his past. The Acolyte is set at the end of the High Republic era in a world of "shadowy secrets and emerging dark side powers", approximately 100 years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999). A former Padawan reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes, but the forces they confront are more sinister than they ever anticipated. Starring Amandla Stenberg as Mae, Lee Jung-jae as Jedi master Sol, with Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Charlie Barnett, Dean-Charles Chapman, Margarita Levieva, & Carrie-Anne Moss as Jedi master Indara, and Joonas Suotamo as Wookie Jedi master Kelnacca. So far so good! I dig it! Check out the trailer below.
Watch: Auralnauts Presents 'Zack Snyder's Star Wars: Part 1' Remix
"I sense something. A presence I've not felt since…" A few days ago, in a YouTube channel not far away, the comedy masterminds known as the Auralnauts released their latest creation. They have revealed a video called Zack Snyder's Star Wars: Part 1 - A New Hope, an amusing remix of Star Wars updating it for more modern Netflix audiences. Just what it needs! Ha. This video takes us through most of the plot of A New Hope in only about 12 minutes. As expected with a Zack Snyder nod, there's plenty of slow motion and epic music rocking the most intense action moments. Even an extensive flashback sequence. There are also some extra voices provided by the creators: Monty plays both Darth Vader and the Emperor, and C3PO is voiced by Auralnauts Craven and Lord Edmund Bryll. This is all just a joke, of course, it's a good one that Auralnauts seems to have put some time & effort into creating. And it's only Part 1 – we'll see Part 2? Right?
› Posted on January 12 in Comedy, Star Wars, To Watch | Comments
Watch: Recreating the First ILM in 'Voice of a Star Wars Fan' Short Film
"I'm not exaggerating when I say that… my life was the Millennium Falcon." A Japanese Star Wars fan spent a few years making a remarkably detailed, perfectly accurate recreation of the original ILM workshop FX studio that made the first Star Wars movie. There's an entrancing 20 minute short doc about it online that is absolutely worth a watch. It is the story of Hiroshi Sumi, a big-time Star Wars geek who grew up with a deep fondness for the "behind-the-scenes" work of ILM, and a powerful love for the precise details in all of the hand-made FX models. Especially the Millennium Falcon, which he has a special connection to. I found this thanks to John Gruber and I think his post really captures what makes it such a fascinating story: "An homage and loving look back at the earliest days of Industrial Light and Magic… It speaks to the power of obsession." Any & every Star Wars fan will appreciate Hiroshi's admiration for this beloved movie series.
› Posted on December 4 in Documentaries, Short Film, Star Wars, To Watch | Comments
A Couple More Kick Ass Trailers for Rosario Dawson's 'Ahsoka' Series
"Once a Rebel, always a Rebel." Disney & Lucasfilm have debuted another new 45-second teaser trailer for the Ahsoka series - launching for streaming this August. This live-action spin off takes the character first created for the animated The Clone Wars series and brings her to life on screen, after her appearance in "The Mandalorian" Season 2. The full trailer from last month is incredible - looks like it's going be awesome. She's not the only character featured - others including Sabine, Hera, Thrawn, and the droid Chopper are also in this. Rosario Dawson stars as Ahsoka, a former Jedi Padawan, who was once Anakin's apprentice. Savannah Steyn plays a young Ahsoka. The series also stars Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine, Hayden Christensen as Anakin, Eman Esfandi, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera, Ivanna Sakhno, and Ray Stevenson (RIP). I'm 100% sold on this already - don't even need to see any more new footage! I'll be watching as soon as it drops. Hoping this is as badass as it looks from all these trailers. What do you think?
Astonishing Full Trailer for 'Ahsoka' Series - Starring Rosario Dawson
"I've spent most of my life fighting a war… that's why I'm trying to convince you to prevent another one." This looks AMAZING!! Whoa. Disney & Lucasfilm have unveiled the full-length main trailer for the Ahsoka series. This live-action spin off takes the character first created for the animated The Clone Wars series and brings her to life on screen, continuing with her first appearance in "The Mandalorian" Season 2. She's not the only character featured - others including Sabine, Hera, Thrawn, and the droid Chopper are also in this. And apparently Anakin Skywalker himself will show up. Rosario Dawson stars as Ahsoka Tano, a former Jedi Padawan, who was once Anakin's apprentice. Savannah Steyn plays a younger Ahsoka. Along with Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine, Hayden Christensen as Anakin, Eman Esfandi, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera, Ivanna Sakhno, and Ray Stevenson (RIP). Thanks to Dave Filoni piloting this, it looks incredible. I'm in awe. Cannot wait to watch this - finally a kick ass Jedi vs Sith series coming up soon.
› Posted on July 11 in Star Wars, To Watch, Trailer | 11 Comments
Enjoy: 'Journey To Ahsoka' Behind-the-Scenes with Rosario Dawson
"Perhaps it is time to begin again…" Disney has unveiled a quick new featurette for the upcoming Ahsoka series in the Star Wars universe. This live-action spin off takes the character first created for the animated The Clone Wars series and brings her to life on screen to explore the depth of her story, continuing with her first live appearance in "The Mandalorian" Season 2 (in "Chapter 13: The Jedi"). Rosario Dawson stars as Ahsoka Tano, a former Jedi Padawan, who was once Anakin Skywalker's apprentice. Savannah Steyn will play a younger Ahsoka. The full cast also includes Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Hayden Christensen, Eman Esfandi, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ivanna Sakhno, and Ray Stevenson. The video only features footage from the first teaser with a look back at the story of Rosario getting the role, and Dave Filoni finally bringing her to live-action for the brand new series. I'm excited for the potential of this! "It's time that she came into her own in a way that we've never seen her before." And now the awesome full trailer is available.
Behind-the-Scenes of 'Star Wars: Visions' Volume 2's Animated Shorts
It's May 4th!! In celebration of Star Wars Day 2023, Lucasfilm has debuted their latest selection of animated shorts featured in Star Wars: Visions Volume 2. All of these really look wonderful. The official trailer launched a month ago, now they've released a featurette to go along with it - and remind everyone these are now available to watch on Disney+. This latest set includes nine new shorts from nine celebrated animation studios from different countries. Including new Star Wars films from these outstanding animation houses: Guiri (Spain), Cartoon Saloon (Ireland), Punkrobot (Chile), Aardman Animation (United Kingdom), Studio Mir (South Korea), Studio La Cachette (France), 88 Pictures (India), D'art Shtajio (Japan) in collaboration with Lucasfilm in the US, and finally Triggerfish (South Africa). There's not a lot of behind-the-scenes footage shown in this, it's mainly footage of various producers talking about how excited they are about working with these various animation studios from around the world. Give me an entire doc on these.
Watch: Star Wars by Wes Anderson - 'The Galactic Menagerie' Trailer
"With a star-studded ensemble featuring the galaxy's most eccentric cast, The Galactic Menagerie is the most delightfully off-beat Star Wars adventure yet." Have fun with this amusing A.I. generated trailer for The Galactic Menagerie - created by the YouTube channel "Curious Refuge". What if Wes Anderson made a Star Wars movie? That was the prompt they put in to Midjourney A.I. to make this. It has all the usual hallmarks of his distinct style – pastel colors, static frames, quirky costumes, hipster characters, and more. As others have already pointed out, this borrows from an SNL sketch years ago that also riffed on Wes Anderson's style for a horror movie trailer. Someone also made a trailer for "Wes Anderson's Harry Potter" using A.I., and the results are quite similar. Just to be clear - this is for fun, not to be taken seriously. And if you hate all these A.I. creations, all good, this is only for a laugh. Though I would totally watch this movie…
Disney is Re-Releasing 'Return of the Jedi' in Theaters Again in April
"You underestimate the power of the Dark Side. If you will not fight, then you will meet your destiny." The end of the original trilogy is returning to the big screen once again. In celebration of the sci-fi sequel's 40th anniversary, Disney is re-releasing the Star Wars classic Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi in theaters nationwide starting at the end of April. The announcement was made at the Star Wars Celebration event in London this past weekend. In the US, Return of the Jedi will be playing again on the big screen in theaters from April 28th until May 4th (Star Wars Day) this spring. In the UK, it will run for one week as well. Check your local listings around April 28th to see if it's showing nearby. The epic grand finale of the original trilogy first opened in theaters on May 25th, 1983, becoming an instant hit. Even if you don't like the Ewoks or anything on Endor, it's still an awesome finale, with so many triumphant moments from Luke, Han, Leia, Chewie, and the whole gang. Vader even finally gets his redemption! Is it one of your favorites?
› Posted on April 10 in Movie News, Star Wars | 3 Comments
Stellar Trailer for Vol. 2 of 'Star Wars: Visions' Animated Short Films
"We cannot choose where our calling takes us. Only whether or not to answer." Let's rock!! Lucasfilm has unveiled the first official trailer for Star Wars: Visions Volume 2, the second selection of short films created by nine different animation studios around the world. The first series launched last summer, with the original selection of Star Wars: Visions featuring mostly Japanese anime studios creating new work. This latest set includes nine new shorts from nine celebrated animation studios from different countries. Including new shorts from these outstanding animation houses: Guiri (Spain), Cartoon Saloon (Ireland), Punkrobot (Chile), Aardman Animation (United Kingdom), Studio Mir (South Korea), Studio La Cachette (France), 88 Pictures (India), D'art Shtajio (Japan) in collaboration with Lucasfilm in the US, and finally Triggerfish (South Africa). Not only do we get an Aardman stop-motion short, but we also get a lovely Cartoon Saloon film, from the makers of Song of the Sea & Wolfwalkers. All of these look amazing!! I love love love so many new stories and styles and ideas being explored in these shorts. Cannot wait to watch.
› Posted on April 10 in Animation, Short Film, Star Wars, To Watch, Trailer | 2 Comments
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