Why not, right? Warning: Uses that awful earworming LMFAO song. (via)
Alternative: I’m Elmo and I Know It
I Am Legend director offered Catching Fire
Lionsgate has selected Francis Lawrence to helm The Hunger Games sequel, says the The Hollywood Reporter. It’s not a sure thing quite yet – just an offer – but this is quick work for the studio, which failed to come to an agreement with Gary Ross earlier in the month.
Lawrence, no relation to star Jennifer Lawrence, is no stranger to adaptions: He directed Water for Elephants (2011,) I Am Legend (2007,) and the much-lamented Constantine (2005.) More in his favor for the world of Hunger Games may be his work the short-lived NBC drama Kings, aka the TV show that Ian McShane did not swear in.
He also directed Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance video. How strangely appropriate…
Open thread: Ask Dunc anything
It’s looking like another slow news day around these parts, so let’s chat. Ask me anything. (Even if it’s not Star Wars! Why the hell not!) Share something cool. Discuss. Whatever! Let’s chill.
Wacky merchandise: Jedi Training Remote Alarm Clock
We’ve had a run of absolutely ridiculous and obscenely priced ‘wacky’ merchandise, so here’s something that really is just silly: An alarm clock based on the training remote from A New Hope. You throw it to deactivate the alarm, which is probably safer than swinging at it with a lightsaber. Or so I hope. (via)
State of the Star Wars Insider short stories
Editor Erich Schoeneweiss gives us the full roster of upcoming short stories for the Star Wars Insider, including a Jag and Jaina story from Christie Golden. And if you don’t see anything you like, they are asking what you’d like to see…
EUbits: What a long, hard Fate it’s been
The blogside. Over at Tosche Station, Brian has a two-part retrospective of Fate of the Jedi. The series has garnered some mixed reviews, but overall I have to agree with some of Brian on this one, particularly regarding Luke/the Jedi, the arc-welding in Abeloth’s backstory, and the overall issues with Denning. Brian’s also revised his review of Apocalypse.
Warfare fallout. Jason Fry has posted his endnotes for The Essential Guide to Warfare in three parts, while his co-author Paul Urquhart writes (naturally) about the wackier side of the book at Suvudu.
Interviews. EU Cantina talks to comic writer Tom Taylor about his upcoming Darth Maul mini-series, Invasion, and Boba Fett is Dead. Meanwhile, Newsarama has John Ostrander to discuss Dawn of the Jedi in some detail.
Whoops! I caught the release date change for Lost Tribe of the Sith: The Collected Stories last week, but not that it had changed formats from paperback to trade paperback. Guess someone likes the Sith…
WTF of the week. Kevin J. Anderson invented the Killiks. Of course he did.
Reviews. James enjoys the unexpected trickery in Knights of the Old Republic – War #4 and is satisfied (sort of) by the big ending of Agent of the Empire – Iron Eclipse #5.
Sorry, nerds: Tupac hologram at Coachella was not actually a hologram
A lot of George Lucas jokes have been made over a ‘hologram’ performance by dead rapper Tupac Shakur at the Coachella music festival on Sunday, but it wasn’t a hologram at all.
Coachella’s Tupac was a 2-D creation of Digital Domain Media Group, who won a visual effects Oscar for aging Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. And it was projected using technology dating from the 19th Century:
The effect relies on an angled piece of glass in which a “ghostly” image is reflected. “A piece of glass can be both transparent and reflective at the same time, depending on how it’s situated relative to the audience,” said Mr. Steinmeyer, pointing out the secret.
In the Victorian version of the trick, the glass reflected an actual actor, situated out of sight in near the orchestra. On Sunday night, the image was projected on a piece of Mylar—a highly reflective, lightweight plastic—stretched on a clear frame.
A similar effect was used in 2003 to project an image of Frank Sinatra. Virtual Tupac may go on tour later this year with other (living) hip-hop stars
Documentary explores the world of Star Wars toys
Given the overwhelming focus on merchandising in Star Wars – and fandom’s continuing fascination with it – there’s no surprise that it’s now inspired a documentary. Plastic Galaxy: The Story of Star Wars Toys is directed by Brian Stillman and will be on DVD in November. (Yes, despite the teaser saying August.) The film will feature “interviews with former Kenner employees, experts, authors, and collectors” and look at history, influence and the current state of collecting. (via)
Out this week: Dawn of the Jedi #3
Just one new release this week: Dawn of the Jedi #3, though also shipping are reprints of #1 and #0.
The next book release is coming up next week, with Jeff Grubb’s Hutts-and-Jedi tale Scourge available on the 24th. Oddly, the Star Wars Books folks are having a chat for the book this week… I don’t think we’ll be recapping it, though we’ll be sure to link you to someone who does.
Don’t Trust the Bib in Booth 23: Best #StarWars and #SWEU tweets for the past week
If the “B” in “Don’t Trust the B_ in Apartment 23” stood for “Bib Fortuna,” then MAYBE I would watch it.
— Damon Lindelof (@DamonLindelof) April 11, 2012
Watching West Coast Customs build a Darth Vader car for Lucasfilm. Can’t help but think @jediagent would have loved this.
— Allison C. (@keyofmgy) April 16, 2012
Can’t wait to see this…
Hate visiting my Rodian cousin. He smells funny, never shuts up, and always insists on shooting first #SecondaryWorldProblems #StarWars
— Squiddy Attack (@Shael_no_7) April 15, 2012
#SecondaryWorldProblems is THE hashtag from this weekend that you need to check out. Great stuff in there.
BREAKING: North Korea’s rocket has failed. Farm boy in X-Wing spotted fleeing scene. #StarWars
— Death Star PR (@DeathStarPR) April 13, 2012
Current event tweet of the week! Unless you count Monday’s episode of How I Met Your Mother…