Darth Vader is one of Time magazine’s people who mattered for 2005, the only fictional character on the list.
In other honors, Revenge of the Sith has been shortlisted as a pre-nominee for the Visual Effects Oscar.
Mainstreaming science fiction?
John Scalzi on science fiction outreach. Star Wars may basically be fantasy with a crunchy SF shell, but I’m pretty sure we have quite a few CJers who read the hard stuff.
I’m pretty much a fantasy reader, mainly because I enjoy books that are more character-oriented and I haven’t had much luck finding that in pure science fiction. As readers, what are your thoughts? Are there any contemporary authors who are writing SF for the masses?
The parody you’ve been waiting for
Star Wars in 30 seconds, re-enacted by bunnies. With outakes!
Free Variety!
Maybe you have to be a news blogger to get excited about this kind of thing, but Hyperspace members now have access to Variety archives and subscriber content.
Meanwhile on the blogs, Paul lets us know that ROTS is up for USA Today’s “Best of 2005.”
Two tickets to Jupiter, please
Virgin Galactic announced plans for a $225m spaceport in New Mexico. Virgin has a deal with the SpaceShipOne folks to build five spacecraft for ‘space tourism, ‘ and 38,000 people have already paid a deposit for seats. The flights are expected to start in 2008 or 2009 out of California, with the New Mexico facility open by 2010.
Fans flee Galaxies
Changes made to Star Wars Galaxies are alienating the games’ long-term fans. Among other things, the game redesign took place two weeks after the release of the Trials of Obi-Wan expansion pack, which promised upgrades to several character classes that ended up being terminated. Harsh.
Sith pirate pleads guilty
StarTrek.com a goner?
Paramount Digital Entertainment, which is responsible for the site, will be shut down at the end of the year, leaving the official Star Trek site in limbo. (via Fanthropology.)
Merry Freaking Life Day
It’s that time of year again – when the fanboys fancy turns towards the Star Wars Holiday Special. Mock ye well, merry gentlefolk! Here’s some links to get you in the spirit:
- StarWarsHolidaySpecial.com
- Mike Streeter’s Holiday Special fan site
- Wookieepedia:The Star Wars Holiday Special
- Holiday Special Technical Commentaries
- Cinematical’s Low Points of the Star Wars Xmas Special
Only three days left to enter our Nativity Contest!
From the blogside
Imadra_blue rants on fandom perceptions of Anakin and Mace.
Lazypadawan isn’t fond of the theory that the Sith created Anakin.
Jaded_skys defends Padme, and Cadesama posted notes on the Padme/Anakin pairing.
An essay by Abel G. Peña is being published as part of an e-book.
Also on blogs.starwars.com, Paul ponders who else was being held on the Death Star’s detention level, Pablo calls out Fox News for not doing their homework and Bonnie finds Indiana Jones mash-ups.
I am indebted to the fine folks at Jedi News from linking to some of the Livejournal posts.