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Star Wars 'The Mandalorian' image, list of directors revealed
A day after we learned the name of the first live-action Star Wars TV show destined for Disney's unnamed subscription streaming service, the official website has posted this image of The Mandalorian. It's written and executive produced by Jon Favreau, and is expected to premiere next year. We still don't have any details on this Boba Fett-like "lone gunfighter" other than their time period (between the fall of the Empire and before the rise of The First Order) and location on the outer reaches of the galaxy. What has been revealed is an interesting list of directors. While Dave Filoni (Clone Wars) will helm the premiere, others including Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok, What We Do In The Shadows), Rick Famuyiwa (Dope), Bryce Dallas Howard (Solemates) and Deborah Chow (The High Cost of Living, Better Call Saul, Man in the High Castle) are also in the queue. That level of talent aligns with what we'd heard about the show's $100 million+ budget, but until the service launches next year we're probably looking at a continual slow-drip of information.
Jon Favreau's streaming 'Star Wars' series is 'The Mandalorian'
We still don't know the name of Disney's subscription streaming service, but we do have some details for a live-action Star Wars show that will appear on it. Jon Favreau announced on Instagram that The Mandalorian is set "after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order," with a "lone gunfighter" emerging in the tradition of Jango and Boba Fett on the outer reaches of the galaxy. Reports have indicated that the series could cost as much as $100 million to make, so the expectations are high. Other live-action shows that we could see when it launches next year are ones focusing on Marvel Cinematic Universe characters like Loki or Scarlet Witch (presumably Favreau is too busy to star in an Iron Man spin-off). We're also expecting new episodes of Star Wars: Clone Wars, so even if some of the older films aren't available right away, fans should have a few reasons to be interested when it arrives.
'Ant-Man and The Wasp' will be the last Marvel movie to hit Netflix
Sometime after Ant-Man and the Wasp finishes its theatrical run, it will stream on Netflix. But that's the last Marvel Studios movie that will appear on the service, the New York Times reports. Starting with Captain Marvel, all Disney movies will land on the Mouse House's upcoming streaming platform instead. So, Marvel fans will have to head to theaters find out the resolution to that Avengers: Infinity War cliffhanger, or catch the fourth Avengers movie on home video or Disney's own streaming platform.
Leia is in 'Star Wars: Episode IX' thanks to old Carrie Fisher footage
Star Wars: Episode IX will begin production on August 1st, Lucasfilm announced today. The film will also feature a surprising cast member: Carrie Fisher will reprise the role of Leia, using footage she previously shot for The Force Awakens. We heard that Lucasfilm would potentially use Fisher's old material last year, but producer Kathleen Kennedy shot those rumors down, claiming at the time that Leia wouldn't be in the next film. But of course, that was before we knew J.J. Abrams would be returning to direct and re-write the film (together with Chris Terrio), following Collin Trevorrow's ousting.
Boba Fett 'Star Wars' movie is in the works
Just as the latest Star Wars Anthology movie, Solo, hits theaters, The Hollywood Reporter says that a movie featuring Boba Fett is in development. James Mangold, who directed The Wolverine before serving as writer and director on Logan will write and direct this movie, while both THR and Deadline report that Logan producer Simon Kinberg is still linked to the project. Fett's character became a fan favorite after briefly appearing in Empire Strikes Back with his jetpack, blaster rifle, grappling rope and distinctive armor before more of his story was revealed during the prequel trilogy. In case it's unclear -- the parade of Star Wars content will not stop. In addition to at least one TV show headed for Disney's upcoming streaming platform, the company also has other movies in the works outside of the main series including one about Obi-Wan Kenobi and a film series planned with the team from Game of Thrones.
Movies Anywhere link unlocks a score-only 'The Last Jedi' extra
If you watched Star Wars: The Last Jedi and thought "this would be better if we just removed all the words and sound effects" then we have a treat for you John Williams fans. Now that the movie is out for home viewing on digital services (the 4K Blu-ray and other disc versions go on sale March 27th), director Rian Johnson revealed buyers have access to a silent film-style score-only version of the movie. It's not the first time we've seen something like this (having one might have improved the Tron: Legacy home release, but that movie's director made sure there was a score-only version included with his next movie, Oblivion), but there is an extra wrinkle: Movies Anywhere.
'Solo: A Star Wars Story' trailer reveals Han's roots
Wondering how Lucasfilm and Disney would handle that long-in-the-making Han Solo movie? You now have an idea of what to expect. They've released the full teaser trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Story... and it's definitely Han. Alden Ehrenreich may not sound that much like Harrison Ford, but the clip otherwise gives a good feel for how the iconic smuggler got started -- yes, he was always an overconfident troublemaker saved by his talent, luck and good intentions.
Here's your full-length 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' trailer
The next Star Wars film won't hit theaters until December 15th, but there's a new trailer that just aired during Monday Night Football. Star Wars: The Last Jedi brings Luke Skywalker back into the story -- along with the final appearance of Carrie Fisher as Leia -- and should answer some of the questions that have been eating at us ever since the credits rolled on The Force Awakens two years ago. If you're trying to come into this flick clean but just can't resist taking a peek at the trailer, don't worry -- director Rian Johnson feels your pain. Tickets are already on sale from a number of providers (IMAX, Fandango, Cinemark, AMC, Alamo Drafthouse, Atom Tickets, MovieTickets.com), but check below for the trailer in case you need a little more convincing. Oh, and if you just need more time in the universe, don't forget that EA just announced an extension to the Star Wars Battlefront II open beta. Update (11/1): Tonight during Game 7 of the World Series Disney/Lucasfilm released another, shorter, trailer, and while some of the earlier shots are repeated, we did spot some new bits in there. You can watch it below.
Sphero’s R2-Q5 ‘Star Wars’ droid is basically a goth R2-D2
Sphero just announced a new app-controlled robot a few days ago, the Mini, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have anything else in the works. The company has now revealed the latest member of its Star Wars family, R2-Q5, the Empire's version of the beloved R2-D2 character. As is the case with all of Sphero's toys, you can take charge of R2-Q5 via its Droids app for iOS and Android, where you'll be able to drive it, hear it make sounds and use it to play various mini games. You'll need to act fast if you want one for yourself: Sphero says the number of R2-Q5 numbers made is in the "low thousands," and Best Buy has an exclusive on it in the US, while John Lewis has that honor in the UK. Pre-orders are open now for $200/£200, with shipping expected to happen November 5th.
NASA channels 'Stars Wars' for its 2017 ISS mission patch
The International Space Station's mission patch for 2017 will look very familiar if you're a huge fan of that galaxy far, far away. CASIS or the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, the organization that oversees all the experiments aboard the ISS, has teamed up with Lucasfilm to design the space station's Star Wars-themed annual mission patch for 2017. Since the patch is supposed to stand for all the scientific payloads already aboard and headed to the ISS within the year, Star Wars designer and concept artist Doug Chiang chose three of the franchise's newest droids to represent "the ideas of adventure, science and hope."
Meet R2-D2 and BB-9E, Sphero’s new ‘Star Wars’ toys
It's been nearly two years since Sphero introduced its app-controlled BB-8, a replica of the cute rolling droid that first appeared in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. That toy quickly became one of the most coveted by fans of Disney's franchise, and it wasn't long before the company followed it up with a Battle-Worn Edition, designed to look as rugged as the character does in film. And today at IFA 2017, Sphero announced it is expanding its connected-toy universe with two more Star Wars droids, R2-D2 and BB-9E. Naturally, Sphero worked closely alongside Lucasfilm to bring these to life, just as it did with BB-8. The idea, as you might expect, is to make them as close to the real thing as possible.
Disney will shun Netflix for its own streaming service in 2019
Today during an earnings report, Disney announced that it plans to no longer stream its content on Netflix. Instead, it intends to launch its own streaming service sometime in 2019. This comes just a little over a year after the company made Netflix the exclusive streaming service for Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm and Pixar movies, which brought a lot of new films to the service just last September. Disney, which some have suspected for some time was looking to buy Netflix, will part ways with the company at the beginning of the 2019 theatrical slate.
Disney will show the sights, sounds and smells of 'Star Wars' in VR
Disney is teaming up with virtual reality gaming centre The Void to launch an immersive Star Wars experience at two of its sites. Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire lets you step inside the intergalactic world of the hit films through a VR headset. You'll also be able to touch, feel, and even smell your surroundings (which may not bode well if you end up chilling with Yoda on Dagobah). Built in collaboration with Lucasfilm, the new experience hits Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort this holiday season.
Lenovo made an augmented reality headset for 'Star Wars' games
Here's something you probably weren't expecting out of a Disney fan event: a Star Wars augmented reality headset. Lenovo and Lucasfilm have teased headgear that uses your smartphone to bring the space epic into the real world. There's precious little to know about the hardware (not even a release date), but we already know a bit about the games you'll play. Lenovo and Disney are teasing holochess, for a start, but there's also a real-time ground battle game and Jedi Challenges, which will (naturally) have you wielding a lightsaber. In short: you're about to live out a lot of Star Wars fantasies.
'Star Wars: Episode IX' ends the trilogy on May 24th, 2019
Modern Star Wars movies have had a bad habit of slipping into December, but that isn't stopping Disney and Lucasfilm from wanting the space epic to become a summer blockbuster once again. The two have announced that Star Wars: Episode IX will debut on May 24th, 2019 -- just three and a half years after The Force Awakens first hit theaters. You might not want to base your schedule around that date knowing the history of previous delays, but it might come as a relief if you're tired of freezing in lineups for midnight showings.
'Star Wars Battlefront II' invites you to the dark side in November
The winners write the history books. When the second Death Star explodes over Endor in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, the Rebel Alliance rejoices. It's a thrilling moment of victory after eons of interstellar military adventuring: Forests full of weary Ewoks, droids and soldiers burst into cheers, throwing their arms in the air. But what did members of the Galactic Empire do? How did the Imperial soldiers on Endor feel as they watched their dreams of a stable galaxy burst into flames, right in front of their eyes? What did they think as they watched their friends die? This is where Star Wars: Battlefront II begins.
The first trailer for 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' is here
The 2017 "Star Wars Celebration" has been going on for the last day or so -- and now those of us who aren't there are getting what's likely to be the most exciting thing coming out of the event. That's right, the first trailer for Star Wars: The Last Jedi was just shown off to attendees and it's now online for all to enjoy.
'Star Wars Battlefront II' trailer leaks out a few days early
EA promised to reveal a trailer for its Star Wars Battlefront sequel on April 15th during the Star Wars Celebration event, but it appears to have popped up online a bit early. The 30-second teaser clip shows "game engine footage," with hints at what we can expect from both its single- and multiplayer experience. It appears that the story mode will have players taking on the role of a young woman fighting on the side of the Empire in a post-Return of the Jedi storyline attempting to "avenge your emperor."
Carrie Fisher will be in 'Star Wars: Episode IX' without use of CG (update: no)
Lucasfilm swore that it wouldn't create a digital version of the late, great Carrie Fisher for future Star Wars movies, but that doesn't mean she'll be cut out entirely. Her brother Todd has revealed that Disney still wants to include Carrie in Episode IX, but that it plans to use recent footage of the actress instead of relying on a computer generated facsimile. Both Todd and Carrie's daughter, Billie Lourd, have granted permission to use the shots.
Lucasfilm says it has 'no plans' for a digital Carrie Fisher
Given the recent release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story featuring an actor who died in 1994, and the recent passing of actress Carrie Fisher, perhaps it was inevitable there would be rumors she would get the same treatment. Lucasfilm has responded to murmurings that it is in negotiation to use her likeness, telling fans of the franchise that "Lucasfilm has no plans to digitally recreate Carrie Fisher's performance as Princess or General Leia Organa." The use of the technology introduces some new questions about whether it should be used, and if so, when, but there may not be easy answers. In this case, however, it appears that Fisher's existing performances (and scenes already shot for the upcoming Episode VIII movie) will stand alone without any posthumous additions.
