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The Force Awakens: John Williams to record score in L.A.

John WilliamsThe big news today is StarWars.com confirming that John Williams will be recording The Force Awakens score in Los Angeles, the first time a Star Wars score has been recorded in the U.S.

But I’ve been sitting on a few other things, so:

→ There was some scuttlebutt about how Oscar Isaac said he would be excited to work with Episode VIII director Rian Johnson, and (of course) the internet jumped on that as proof his character survives Episode VII. Now, I’d be very surprised if Poe Dameron kicks it that early, seeing as we suspect – with very heavy assistance from the trailer – that he’s one of the new Big 3. But for what it’s worth, /Film sought a clarification from him, and there’s your lesson in making hay out of Star Wars news for the week.

→ And now the rumors/spoilers: Making Star Wars had pieces on Kylo Ren and his connection to some earlier concept art, some stuff on Poe Dameron and Finn from early in the film, plus a look how things fit together from there. Then there’s some concept art of Ren and how it may connect to ‘Captain Phasma.’

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New blurb for Dark Disciple teases a Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Vos romance

dark-disciple-coverJedi Bibliothek spotted an extended blurb for Christie Golden’s Dark Disciple at Random House. The Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Vos story is based on unproduced scripts from The Clone Wars

The only way to bring down the dark side’s most dangerous warrior may be for Jedi and Sith to join forces.

In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.

But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force’s power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku’s side still runs deep, Ventress’s hatred for her former master runs deeper. She’s more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos’s quest.

Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don’t compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and at last let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior’s spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.

Well, that’s an unexpected turn for this book. (…Or is it?) Hopefully Golden’s take romance here is less winceworthy here than what we saw in Fate of the Jedi…

Dark Disciple will be out in eBook and hardcover on July 7.

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Team Hondo: Go vote for Hondo, now!

votehondo2015

Your favorite Weequay pirate, Hondo Ohnaka, is back and begs demands that you immediately go vote for him in StarWars.com’s This Is Madness. And then share this message with all your crew members and friends. and even enemies. Hondo will reward you later.

Also, if anyone wants to slice into the This Is Madness server and just declare Hondo the winner, it would save a lot of time and effort.

Anyway, in the Light Side, there are two clones: Rex and Gregor. Rex is a friend of Ahsoka’s, and Ahsoka is a friend of Hondo’s. So Captain Rex it is. He might have to owe me one.

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Rumor: Who’s the frontrunner to direct Episode IX?

starwars-jjabramsAccording to (deep breath) Latino Review, J.J. Abrams may return to direct the final film of the new trilogy. Making Star Wars has a source saying the same thing.

There are also rumblings out and about that Francis Lawrence, who directed the last three Hunger Games movies, is in the running as well.

We’ve previously heard that Episode VIII director Rian Johnson would also script and perhaps direct the third installment as well, but this far out it’s hard to say in any case.

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Hasbro delays one of their few upcoming Princess Leia figures

UPDATE: Apparently the figure is only being delayed “due to a production issue with Princess Leia’s robe.” She’ll be back on shelves “later this year.”

hasbro-yavin-leiaSo hot on the heels of the last dustup over the lack of female figures, Jedi Temple Archive reports that Hasbro has pulled the Ceremonial Princess Leia figures from Wave 7 and Wave 8 of the Black Series, replacing her with… A stormtrooper and a clone trooper.

Yakface, one of the first to bring this to the attention of the wider fandom, started the #whereisleia and #wewantleia hashtags.

Devin Faraci at Badass Digest wrote about looking for action figures for his niece, the latest in a familiar refrain:

The fact that Hasbro is canceling one of its few Leia figures means that they’re only keeping the status quo. Would more girl toys sell now, as the demographics of fandom shifts dramatically? No one can know when the toys don’t exist. I wanted to go and spend my money on female characters for my goddaughter, but I was not offered the opportunity. Young female fans should be able to walk into Toys ‘R Us and find a toy based on the largest and most popular stories in our pop culture that speaks to them. It’s as simple as that, and when the only option is a sexualized and subservient variant – why would they want to buy that? Why would their parents want to buy that for them?

Sure, there’s that Ahsoka figure coming and it seems like Boushh disguise Leia is still on, but canceling any of the few Leia figures they were hyping just over a month ago isn’t exactly fostering good faith in their intentions.

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Team Hondo: Day 2: Hondo is not happy

team-hondo-2014It’s your pal, Hondo, the only pirate to capture Jedi and Sith at the same time. The results of the first day of This Is Madness are up, and I am not pleased. Not pleased with any of you. I told you to vote for Hera Syndulla and the Inquisitor. And look who won – Leia and Grievous. Okay, Leia is fine with me. But that rusty robotic thorn in my side? Never!

Anyway, onto day two. On the light side, we have Yoda and Qui-Gon Jinn. Qui-Gon got himself killed by that horn-headed Maul, who also once trashed my base. So he can’t be all that great of a Jedi. Then again, Obi-Wan was his apprentice and I have some respect for that guy. Then again, I also captured him. Yoda, on the other hand, seems to be a pretty powerful fellow, winning the first year and all. I’ll go Yoda.

On the dark side, there is Jango Fett and Greedo. Greedo gets my sympathies since he speaks Huttese and all, but seriously, he’s not much of a bounty hunter. Jango can at least shoot first. Jango Fett.

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Journey to The Force Awakens: Aftermath cover, Wendig officially revealed

jtfa-aftermathEditor Jennifer Heddle introduces officially introduces Aftermath and author Chuck Wendig at StarWars.com today. She reveals for the first time that the book is first of a trilogy that “that begins to bridge the Star Wars timeline between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens:”

Obviously I wish I could tell you more about the story, but I can’t just yet. What I can reveal is that you will be introduced to a sweeping new cast of characters, along with a fan favorite from the films. And who knows what other familiar faces will pop up along the way? And once you’ve seen The Force Awakens in movie theaters, you may find that certain names and places in Aftermath have a relevance you never knew–so keep your eyes wide open!

Will Wendig write the next two books in this trilogy? (We have reason to suspect they won’t be coming before TFA… But who knows?) Hopefully we’ll find out soon. Aftermath is due out September 4.

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Team Hondo: This Is Madness begins!

team-hondo-2014Welcome to you! It’s your old pal, Hondo, and once again, the dashing folk at the official website have started up their This Is Madness bracket game again. And once again, Hondo Ohnaka, scourge of the space lanes, will reign supreme. Never mind that they show Yoda and Obi-Wan as past winners. It’s all lies, I tell you.

Watto has got some good tips on the competition. But don’t listen to that flying gasbag; let me tell you who to pick. Because if you do for Hondo, someday I might let you live instead of kicking you out of an airlock.

Anyway, the first match for the Light Side: Princess Leia vs Hera Syndulla. Both of them are those pesky Rebels you keep hearing about. But a princess and former senator? Ransoming her would bring more credits in. Then again, if I captured Hera, I’d probably also get her ship. And I could always use another good ship. Hera Syndulla.

On the Dark Side: General Grievous vs the Inquisitor. That four-armed cyborg once trashed my base. I’m still not over that. Pick the Inquisitor!

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Catching up with The Force Awakens: Oscar Isaac and Domhnall Gleeson (almost) talk Star Wars

Oscar Isaac and Domhnall Gleeson have been making the rounds at SXSW for that other sci-fi film they’re in, Ex Machina, and basically being adorable dorks.

At MTV, Gleeson “almost has a stroke” when the interviewer says ‘Poe Dameron,’ AND we learn how to pronounce ‘Domhnall,’ which will certainly come in handy. With E!, they talk about stepping onto set for the first time.

→ One Episode VII crew worker is putting up his special cast and crew gear to help raise funds for his daughter, Elise, who has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Care for Elise donations are accepted through Go Fund Me, and anyone who donates has a chance to win the gear.

→ Making Star Wars has a report on The Force Awakens editorial process, which is actually pretty safe for the spoiler-free among us. Just don’t click anywhere else, like their attempt at decoding the teaser shot-for-shot or this speculative piece on Poe Dameron’s X-wing.