Club Jade

Well, sort of. Watch it for the Stewart facepalm! (via)

“The longer we stay here, the stranger it gets,” says Ahsoka Tano in last week’s episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, ‘Overlords’. I think this applies to us as viewers as well as the show tackles one of the most important notions of Star Wars and takes it in a new direction, as well as bringing back some prequel characters (and their actors). And helping to show Anakin Skywalker’s slow slide toward the dark side, he confronts past guilt but in the end, chooses the path of selfishness. (more…)

Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka head off to Middle-Earth Mortis in tonight’s ‘Overlords.’ The episode not only brings back Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon, but Pernilla August as Shmi Skywalker. Force visions for everyone?

Liam Neeson returns to the GFFA to voice Qui-Gon Jinn on upcoming episodes of The Clone Wars. The Jedi Master will appear in visions to Obi-Wan.

Neeson tells EW he wanted to return to Star Wars because he felt that “these characters resonate…even after all these years.” He adds, “Growing up, my heroes were cowboys; they were strong and mysterious, and it seemed like they always rode off into the sunset. For kids today, Star Wars has that same kind of magic. I really wanted to be a part of that.”

The episodes featuring Qui-Gon will air Jan. 28 and Feb. 11.

UPDATE 1/22: Dave Filoni has posted a note on Facebook about this development:

I understand that Qui-Gon’s appearance in The Clone Wars has many implications, and that some of you are asking “how can this be ” especially in light of the scene between Obi Wan and Yoda at the end of Revenge of the Sith where they speak about Qui-Gon. These upcoming episodes, more than any other to date, will spark curiosity and discussion. I only ask that you be patient and watch them. I look forward to hearing from you after they air. For now trust me when I say Christian Taylor (writer) and I, along with George Lucas, are very aware of the continuity surrounding Qui-Gon Jinn. George in particular, is especially conscious of it.

Since it’s big movie December and it seems people are only capable of talking about Avatar, let’s take a look at the many trailers which debuted this week! (Yes, I do actually have a movie news post to do. Shush.)

Making the most waves is Iron Man 2. It has snark and lightsaber whips, and I still haven’t seen the first one. (HBO is too busy with Marley and Me to show it.)

Tim Burton does his thing with Alice in Wonderland. Can someone tell him that you don’t need a ton of crazy makeup on Johnny Depp? The man is perfectly capable of acting. I believe he’s rather known for it.

And then there’s Robin Hood, which looks awfully familiar. Can Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe capture the Gladiator magic? We certainly know their cinematographer can! (I don’t know how they managed it, but bonus points for upgrading Marian from Sienna Miller to Cate Blanchett.)

Yeah, yeah, Titans will clash. We know. (Hi Liam! We love the line about the kraken, pity he looks like something out of Spawn.)

“Titans. Will. Clash.” Really, trailer? Was that necessary, or have we devolved into self parody already?

Okay, seriously, this makes the movie look like 300 2: This Time We Could Afford Shirts And Sets.

TFN spotted this amusing novelty product at – where else? – Thinkgeek. Taunt your pets and coworkers with them for a mere $14.99.

In less wacky and far more pricey lightsaber news, a Master Replicas saber signed by George Lucas, Samuel L. Jackson, Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor and Nick Gillard is being auctioned on eBay to raise money for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.

Zeus was truly a man before his time. Did you see the picture of Liam Neeson all Zeused up for the Clash of the Titans remake in Entertainment Weekly, a few weeks back? (It’s all very Excalibur.) There are a couple more pictures (though no Neeson) over at Empire, where genre up-and-comer Sam Worthington takes the name of Harryhausen in vain. Tisk tisk: Doesn’t anyone teach these kids film history anymore?

The biggest Trek of all. J.J. Abram’s Star Trek has beat its predecessors at the box office, TrekMovie found. Not too shabby for a near-dead franchise.

Aww hell, why not. Bryan Singer is up for a return to the X-Men. If only he’d thought that way before inflicting that tedious Superman flick upon us all.

Something new and exciting! Roland Emmerich on why there wasn’t an Independence Day sequel. Because really, how many chances does one get to painstakingly destroy major monuments and… Oh.

Okay then. Jon Favreau will not be directing The Avengers and Beyonce is not going to play Wonder Woman.

Last night we got word that Natasha Richardson has succumbed to her injuries. The family released a brief statement:

Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.

Appreciations for Richardson’s work and career have come from all quarters, including Entertainment Weekly, the Los Angeles Times and director Ken Russell. EW also has a gallery of her key roles.

Our sympathies to Neeson, their sons, and their friends and family.

Reports emerged yesterday that actress Natasha Richardson has been seriously injured in a ski accident outside of Montreal. She was flown into New York in the afternoon and The New York Times has confirmed that she is in very serious condition… Other reports have claimed brain damage or swelling. Others report that friends and family are gathering in New York to “say goodbye.”

Richardson and Neeson have been married since 1994 and have two sons. She has played a variety of roles on both screen and stage, winning a Tony in 1998 for her Sally Bowles.

In any case, our thoughts go out to Richardson, Neeson and their family…