Star Wars with occasional sarcasm
Because the character was kept under wraps for so long, we’ve all been assuming there won’t be any Baby Yoda merch this year… But CNBC says some may launch as soon as tomorrow – and in fact there’s already a t-shirt on Amazon. But will there be a plush? Galaxy’s Edge has already improvised with the existing Yoda toys, but will it pass muster?
Continue reading “The Mandalorian: We might get some Baby Yoda merch after all”Rian Johnson and (eventually) Mark Hamill showed up at SXSW for The Director and the Jedi, and you can watch their Q&A, or check out The Hollywood Reporter’s article, which highlights my favorite Rian Johnson quote re: Luke. (The post-screening Q&A is this way.)
If you’re waiting for the Blu-ray, here’s a few more clips: Luke’s struggle, above, plus Mark Hamill and Frank Oz reunite, Paige Tico and the bomber attack and the gorilla walkers. Meanwhile, also check out Mike Ryan’s observations on Johnson’s commentary.
StarWars.com has an interview with puppeteer Brian Herring, one of the BB-8 operators, who also worked with the porgs in The Last Jedi.
Continue reading “Rian Johnson, Mark Hamill on The Last Jedi behind-the-scenes”
You know it’s Oscar time, as ILM has posted a look at how the effects for The Last Jedi’s bombing run was produced.
Despite some faint hopes, there were no real Star Wars surprises in the Oscar nominations. The Last Jedi is up for four: Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects and an Original Score nod for John Williams, his 51st.
Director Rian Johnson shared a video of Williams conducting the movie’s opening fanfare:
Continue reading “The Last Jedi gets Oscar nods for John Williams, VFX, sound”
Disney has posted a few new The Last Jedi things on their award site, including several new stills, an extended score, production notes and the BAFTA Q&A with Rian Johnson and the cast.
Rian Johnson talks to People about how they filmed the “Force connection” scenes between Rey and Kylo Ren. Remember those paparazzi shots of Adam Driver flying into Ireland with Daisy Ridley and Mark Hamill, and all those rumors of a big fight scene with the Knights of Ren? Jokes on us. Johnson has another wide-ranging interview over at the Daily Beast. He also explains Snoke’s big scene and the Kylo shirtless scene.
The NYT takes a look at the women behind Lucasfilm’s story group, mainly Kiri Hart. It’s not just Pablo!
You’ll never guess what from the Legends EU made it into the movie. Sort of. Hey, at least it’s not something Courtship of Princess Leia this time.
On that note, there’s a ton of meta happening on Tumblr. I’m reblogging a lot of it and hope to do a roundup of the highlights here, but for the moment, an analysis of “the sacred Jedi texts.” (There’s plenty more coming – the fandom is prolific and I have a ton of backlog in the drafts folder.)
Tech corner: Neal Scanlan on how they built the film’s creatures, and again | Visual effects supervisor Ben Morris on creating Crait and the Earth equivilants | How Yoda was rebuilt | The movie’s sound design | The creation and science of that silent hyperspace scene.
And now that we’ve all had a chance to take the movie in, the behind-the-scenes stuff has started flowing in… There are several Rian Johnson interviews out and about, with the best perhaps being at the Los Angeles Times. There he talks about introducing new Force powers, Rey and Kylo, and the whole purpose of the shirtless scene. Also: Business Insider, a Variety podcast and The Director’s Cut podcast.
Continue reading “Behind The Last Jedi: Story, effects, costumes, and more”
The New York Times takes a look at the women behind the scenes at Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light & Magic.
ABC’s Nightline takes a look at how Grand Moff Tarkin and Princess Leia were recreated for Rogue One.
John Knoll discusses the choice to and methods of resurrecting Peter Cushing’s Grand Moff Tarkin for Rogue One with the New York Times.
ILM has posted a new VFX reel for The Force Awakens, giving us new look behind the (digital) scenes of the film.