Month: March 2010

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The Star Wars live-action series has not been forgotten

Yeah, not so much.In the wake of yesterday’s rumor, I was being all depressive about the live-action show on Twitter. (As you do.) But today, miracle of miracles, the Chicago Tribune’s Maureen Ryan has a post on the live-action show! Here’s the money shot:

“They are working with writers on scripts,” a Lucasfilm representative said in response to a query. “They won’t set a production date [for Season 1] until the scripts are done.”

But work on the unnamed show’s scripts appears to be at an advanced stage — which isn’t surprising, considering the writing of the live-action show began two years ago.

Casting will begin once the scripts are done as well.

Sure, from what we know so far (bounty hunters, eww) it probably won’t appeal all that much to me, but it feels like the franchise is getting more and more kid-centric on a daily basis so I’m just happy to hear that the thing hasn’t been swept under the carpet in the name of indoctrinating the young. (Hey you kids! Get off my lawn!)

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Friday afternoon news sweep: Dave Filoni, John Jackson Miller and the Squishies are starting a band

There’s been an absolute barrage of news today and I haven’t much time, so you’re getting most of it in roundup forum. Aren’t you lucky?

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Rumor: Another Star Wars cartoon, because you can never sell too many toys

IESB is claiming that there will be a second Star Wars cartoon based on the Galactic Heroes toys, with a working title of ‘Squishies.’ The toys are cute and all, but I’m hoping this turns out to be bunk. I can see it easily taking the franchise to new lows of ridiculously transparent pandering, but I’m neither a child, a parent or (more to the point) a toy executive.

I’m pretty sure we’ve heard something along the lines of this before, but I can’t find a post about it… Take that as you will. (Via Big Shiny Robot, who is far more excited than I.)

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Review: Karen Miller’s Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth

Karen Miller’s high regard and curiosity concerning Obi-Wan Kenobi is quite charming. In her second Star Wars book, Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth, every character has a lot to shoulder in the war, even (and especially) Obi-Wan.

Ahsoka has more to consider as Anakin’s Padawan than the teachings of the Jedi Order. She cares for his well-being and has learned how to read her Master’s emotions to help herself navigate and deal with his temperament. Anakin struggles with the responsibilities of being the Chosen One. What he feels they should do, what he should do as such a prominent figure, conflicts often with the wider doctrine of the Jedi, not to mention how delicately he juggles his forbidden relationship with Padmé. Obi-Wan still wrestles with his misgivings as a teacher and his emotions over the health of a dear friend. It’s clear, though, that as Bail Organa brings a frightening new element in the war to the Jedi’s attention, this cast of extraordinary beings have rather ordinary problems.

All things considered: Obi-Wan and Anakin, for as much as they remain larger than life figures, symbolic of the Jedi Order and its potential, are still forced to deal with their very human emotions and drama. After a harrowing skirmish on Kothlis, Anakin and Obi-Wan are forced to realize they both need some much needed rest. Obi-Wan is still running a bit ragged from his encounter on Zigoola; Anakin and the entire galaxy agree. The pair are sent to Lanteeb anyway–a planet of no consequence until recent Separatist actions pique the Republic’s curiosity. Their physical wounds may be healed, but Anakin and Obi-Wan learn the hard way: some scars never go away. Continue reading “Review: Karen Miller’s Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth“

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Poll: Weigh in on Fate of the Jedi: Backlash

The triumphant return of not only Fate of the Jedi, but our book polls! No doubt you’ve been looking forward to it. (Okay, maybe not the poll.) In any case, the fourth Fate of the Jedi book, Allston’s Backlash, came out last week, so now it’s time for you to cast your vote. Head below the cut to play (and don’t forget to check out Erika’s review!) Continue reading “Poll: Weigh in on Fate of the Jedi: Backlash“

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Review: Aaron Allston’s Fate of the Jedi: Backlash

Luke and Ben seemed to have abandoned their mission to uncover the murky truth of Jacen’s turn to the Dark Side during the third FOTJ book, Abyss, when a weird new tribe of Sith caught their attention. In Backlash, the adventure continues.

Luke’s on the prowl, metaphorically sniffing out Vestara Kai like some crazy bad ass Jedi hunting dog. With his blood splattered on her person after a lightsaber battle that ended with the death of her Master, Vestara is unaware she’s even being tracked, but you can bet she’s looking for a place to hide. Ben, aware of his father’s exhaustion and despite Luke’s protests, elicits the help of the Jedi via an encrypted, sneaky, and very under-the-radar message intended to make absolutely clear it isn’t Luke who’s asking (which would violate the terms of his parole.) Eager to help and reminding us the “good thing about the Solos and Skywalkers” is they “never run out of things to do” (p. 6), Han and Leia pack Allana and her pet nexu aboard the Falcon and head to the place Luke and Ben guess is the most likely location Vestara would land: Dathomir. And here, ladies and gentlemen, is where the fun begins. What follows is a witty and wild adventure in which Daala realizes she’s in over her head, Han gets a flamethrower, and a nexu manages to elicit more pathos out of me than Allana ever will. Continue reading “Review: Aaron Allston’s Fate of the Jedi: Backlash“

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EUbits: Catching up with Karen Miller’s Gambit

Gambit: Stealth cover teaseStealthiness. Our pal Mandy at TheForce.Net interviewed author Karen Miller this week, touching on the writing life, tie-ins and (naturally) subtext.

On that note, while I’d like to start doing review roundups for the books, but they can sometimes prove difficult. Witness: Even at almost a month out, I was only able to find two for Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth. NJOE’s MizzeeOH found that she enjoyed the book, but not as much as Wild Space; Hendel D’bu found it engaging, and especially praises the battle sequences. There’s always the review thread on the TFN boards if you’re dying for more.

More interview. Star Wars Books catches up with John Jackson Miller

Fanboy games. StarWars.com has a peek at Pablo’s Head to Head, pitting Chewbacca up against a wampa.

The Old Republic is starting up a new webcomic and adding Belsavis, aka the planet from Children of the Jedi. Random!

Poll. io9 asks which expanded universe is most unnecessarily. I suppose it depends on what you consider necessarily… I mean, I can’t for the life of me get excited about some nice-sized chunks of the Star Wars EU, but I could also care less about BSG or Lost outside of their primary formats. To each their own, I suppose.

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Sunday reader: An interview with Roger Christian

I’m not sure how strange it is that I’ve never heard of Black Angel, a short film by Roger Christian, the art director of Star Wars, given that the short film apparently ran in from of The Empire Strikes Back and was an influence on another beloved movie, Excalibur. In any case, this interview is an interesting read on something that, apparently, been mostly forgotten. Until now, anyway! (via)