Club Jade

January 28, 2013March 26, 2013

Cartoon Network announces LEGO Star Wars specials… but nothing on The Clone Wars

Cartoon Network has put out their lineup for the 2013-2014 season, using a multi-city road tour for the next few weeks to promote their new and returning shows. Most notably, they are hyping three quarterly specials for LEGO Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles, and saying nothing about the return of The Clone Wars. Does this mean that The Clone Wars is leaving Cartoon Network for the fall? Or just that it is still in negotiation (ie, they can’t announce anything yet)? They list their returning shows, and the adventures of Skyguy and Snips aren’t on it.

But here’s the description of The Yoda Chronicles:

LEGO Star Wars returns in epic style with THE YODA CHRONICLES, a thrilling, funny and action-packed new LEGO Star Wars story told in three animated TV specials! Set in the “Prequel” Star Wars timeline, THE YODA CHRONICLES stars the one and only Yoda—the Jedi Master who has seen it all, done it all, and taught generations of Jedi Knights—in an all-new adventure. With the help of a fresh class of Padawans, Yoda leads the Jedi in a desperate fight to stop Darth Sidious and his minions from creating a new super-weapon that could crush the Republic and win the war for the forces of Evil.

Some of those news articles are claiming that the Yoda Chronicles are set in the original trilogy timeframe – I think this definitively says “prequel era” with such keywords as Republic.

Back to The Clone Wars: Is this the end of the show, or will Disney XD (or another Disney channel) be picking it up? We know that they have been working on season six, and perhaps a network change has prevented them from talking about it much officially.

And also coming back: The Powerpuff Girls in a new special!

EDIT: While the list of returning shows (and new shows like Teen Titans Go! and Total Drama All Stars) is primarily for their prime-time lineup on weeknights, there is also the lack of their DC Nation block of cartoons (Green Lantern, Young Justice, etc.), which follows The Clone Wars on Saturday mornings. Is the Saturday morning crowd just not big enough to mention in their release? However, other shows which have been aired on Saturdays are listed in their returning shows: Beyblade: Metal Fury and Pokemon: Black and White – are they being bumped up to primetime, or are they anchoring the Saturday morning timeslot. What does this also mean for the DC Nation shows? Just like Clone Wars, are they not important enough to list, still in negotiation, or not coming back? It seems that most comic books sites are calling Green Lantern and Young Justice as cancelled.

January 28, 2013January 28, 2013

So we have Abrams… What does it mean for Star Wars?

Naturally, it seems like everyone has thoughts on J.J. Abrams directing Episode VII. Overall, I’m pleased – I think he has the specific skill set that Star Wars needs to go forward – but I’m no expert on the man or his works, so let’s ahead on to the links.

Or: Sick of analysis already? The Internet Photoshoppery Guild has been busy.

io9’s Charlie Jane Anders asks if Abrams can – or should – do for Star Wars what he did for Star Trek. “Abrams reliably brings a lot of energy and a sense of fun to whatever he tackles, along with a commitment to personal drama in the middle of huge set pieces. I’ve never been bored watching something Abrams was directly involved in. Even if you hated Abrams’ Trek, you have to admit it packed in some powerful emotional moments, and was way more entertaining than the best moments of the last two TNG movies put together.”

HitFix’s Drew McWeeny on why Abrams is the right choice for Star Wars, and ponders on what he thinks might have made him change his mind.

Author John Scalzi has a nice (if reluctant) rundown of the qualities that make Abrams a good choice for the job.

Entertainment Weekly’s Darren Franich has 14 things we can expect, while Vulture’s Margaret Lyons and Gilbert Cruz go beyond the lame lens flare jokes for seven things. Listacles. Whoo.

Over at Tosche Station, Emily gives us a Trekkie’s take on why Abrams will be good for Star Wars.

Tricia Barr thinks the Abrams’ resume means good things for those hoping for more diverse protagonist.

Kevin Smith is very excited. Of course.

And Hollywood.com’s Christian Blauvelt talked to Bonnie Burton, TFN’s Eric Geller and me about the choice.

Whatever your opinion, I have to admit I’m relieved to have one of the big questions answered, but there’s one thing we can count on, from a man who won’t even reveal the name of his next movie’s villain – there will be no lack of big secrets going forward.

January 27, 2013January 28, 2013

Classic Doctor Who coming to BBC America, BSG Blood & Chrome coming to Syfy

Because we do cover more than just J.J. Abrams on this site!

As part of the build-up to the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, BBC America will be airing some classic Doctor Who story arcs, starting tonight (January 27)! Catch up with the First Doctor in ‘The Aztecs’ after the first in a series of specials on all the Doctors (The Doctors Revisited) at 9 pm Eastern. This classic Who will have to hold us over until our current Doctor returns, with his new Companion, on March 30.

Also, the webseries Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome will finally be airing on TV: Syfy will be airing it on February 10 with scenes not available in the online version. Then it will be put out on video on Feb 19. A prequel to the Syfy series that had trouble finding an outlet, Blood & Chrome focuses on a young William Adama during the Cylon War.

January 27, 2013January 27, 2013

Episode VII: Abrams says snagging Star Wars is “an incredible thing;” Could release date get pushed back?

J.J. Abrams plays it close. E!Online caught up with the newly minted Episode VII director last night at the Producers Guild Awards, where he shockingly failed to give them any details about the original cast returning. He did say that getting the job was “an incredible thing” and “wildly surreal.”

Release date shenanigans? Comic Book Movie noticed a key line in The Hollywood Reporter’s Abrams story: “Episode VII is set for release in 2015, but sources say Abrams has not committed to that release date, meaning the date could be changed if the development process requires it.” There’s quite a crowd of other blockbuster-calibur films set for 2015, most notably the Avengers sequel, but personally? I rather hope we can go the full symbolism route and shoot for a 2017 release. (Or, maybe I’m just a fandom masochist.)

Bullet dodged? Slashfilm says that in-the-running Matthew Vaughn may have pitched Chloë Moretz (Hugo, Kick-Ass) as lead for Episode VII. I don’t dislike Moretz, but I can’t picture her in Star Wars. (Obligatory reminder: CJ is a fancasting-free zone!)

Speaking of dodgy… The Daily Mail is claiming that “battle scenes” may be filmed at an old quarry outside a shopping center in Kent. The quarry has been used in two episodes of classic Doctor Who, once standing in for the planet of – get this – Solos. But obviously, this one goes straight into the ‘shameless rumormongering’ basket.

January 26, 2013January 27, 2013

CONFIRMED: J.J. Abrams is directing Episode VII

And just like that, it’s official: StarWars.com confirms that J.J. Abrams will be directing Episode VII. He’ll also be producing, with partner Bryan Burk and Bad Robot along for the ride.

“To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor,” J.J. Abrams said. “I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid.”

Also on board as consultants – half confirming another rumor – are Lawrence Kasdan (The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi) and Simon Kinberg. As always, Lucasfilm head honcho Kathleen Kennedy is Episode VII’s executive producer, while George Lucas is a creative consultant.

The frenzy began Thursday when The Wrap reported that the Star Trek director had the job. Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The New York Times and Entertainment Weekly and pretty much every news outlet you can think of quickly followed suit. “J.J. Abrams and “Episode VII” were even trending on Twitter.

His resume as a film director also includes Super 8 and Mission: Impossible III. He was also the mastermind behind the TV shows Felicity and Alias. But it’s almost certainly his take on Star Trek – which owes no small debt to Star Wars – which has most informed the reaction.

Abrams is an admitted Star Wars fan. He’s dropped multiple Star Wars references over the years, including a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it R2-D2 in Star Trek.

Abrams won’t be leaving the Trek fold entirely – Paramount’s Rob Moore told Hero Complex yesterday that Abrams is still under contract to at least produce a third Star Trek film.)

And I do feel for Star Trek in this – I don’t think there’s any real (non-petty) reason one can’t work in both franchises, but Star Wars talk is almost certainly going to dominate at least some of the press for Star Trek Into Darkness now.

January 25, 2013January 26, 2013

J.J. Abrams is still not confirmed for Episode VII

Abrams UPDATE: NOW he is! But please remember the lesson of this post for next time!

No, J. J. Abrams still hasn’t been confirmed as the Episode VII director. No matter how many sites are reporting it, we still haven’t heard from any of the people who do have the power to confirm the rumor: Not Lucasfilm, not Disney, and not Abrams’ people. No one has gone on the record yet.

And with good reason. Over at Fandom Apocalypse, Austin lays out the case for why we shouldn’t count Abrams in just yet:

Why hasn’t Disney or Lucasfilm made any official announcement yet, while the rest of the entertainment world is acting like this is a done deal? Because until Abrams puts his signature on that contract, there is no guarantee. The man could be sitting in a conference room with every big wig from Lucasfilm and Disney, plotting out the entire production process, but until he puts his John Hancock on that paper, there won’t be an official confirmation.

Might it have been deliberately leaked that negotiations were in progress? Sure. But the fact remains: It’s not confirmed.

No one is saying this isn’t true, or won’t turn out to be true in time: We’re just saying that it’s not confirmed. It’s not for sure. The big players will only chime in when all the deal is done. If it’s done. But that’s not something we can count on… Yet.

January 25, 2013January 25, 2013

Struzan clarifies: He hasn’t been officially approached by Disney for Episode VII art

Artist Drew Struzan is adding some context to his remarks from earlier in the week about Disney and Star Wars. On Facebook, he says there’s been nothing official, only chats with friends at the company:

“Disney” has said nothing to me and I expect nothing. That a couple of friends were wishing is only an expression of the hope that many are sharing but says nothing regarding the Studio itself. Even if ‘they’ did ask, which Disney has not, I’d rather leave the new films to the next generation to interpret. I’ve had my time and they were exceptional blessings for which I will forever be grateful.

Disappointing, but the man is retired, after all. Still, I hope Lucasfilm and Disney continue the trend of painted artwork for the primary movie posters – even if it is with a different artist. I’m sure there are plenty of worthy contenders out there who’d love the chance.

January 25, 2013January 28, 2013

The Clone Wars continues Maul’s machinations with ‘Shades of Reason’

Darth Maul has assembled his army from the underworld, and his next step is to help Pre Vizsla take over Mandalore from Duchess Satine, in this week’s episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars – ‘Shades of Reason’. Interesting title for a storyline about the action-heavy Sith Lord. Once viewed as an instrument of rage, he’s now taken on the mantle of mastermind. In the clip above, he spells out his plan to his allies. Satine gets upstaged by Pre Vizsla when publicly addressing the crisis manufactured by Maul, in the clip below.

Continue reading “The Clone Wars continues Maul’s machinations with ‘Shades of Reason’”

January 24, 2013January 28, 2013

J. J. Abrams to direct Episode VII? (Yes, he is.)

UPDATE: Confirmed!

The Wrap is reporting that J. J. Abrams will be directing Episode VII, despite several denials. They say that Kathleen Kennedy “has been courting” the Star Trek director for the job.

For something slightly more solid, frequent Abrams co-producer Roberto Orci says the rumors are true. And the official Twitter of the Kennedy/Marshall Co. – Kathleen Kennedy’s production company – tweeted a link to Rolling Stone’s Abrams article. But I’m still waiting for that Death Star to sing.

The Wrap’s source, “an individual with knowledge of the production,” says that Ben Affleck (Argo) was also in the mix.

Variety is also reporting that Lucasfilm “is closing the deal” with Abrams. The Hollywood Reporter‘s sources also say that negotiations are in progress. The New York Times and Entertainment Weekly also seem pretty sure about it.

Will this pan out, or has April Fools come early this year? Stay tuned, and remember nothing is confirmed until we hear it from StarWars.com.

In any case, prepare for a slew of lame Star Wars vs. Star Trek lens flare jokes.

January 24, 2013January 24, 2013

And the mystery novel is… Darth Maul in prison

Of course it’s a Darth Maul novel.

Just announced over at io9: Joe Schreiber (Death Troopers) returns with Maul: Lockdown, a new novel featuring Darth Maul. They’re pegging it as a “follow-up to last year’s Darth Plagueis.” Here’s the blurb:

In a tale of retribution and survival set before the events of The Phantom Menace, Darth Plagueis and Darth Sidious dispatch Sith apprentice Darth Maul on a secret mission to infiltrate a criminal empire operating from inside Cog Hive Seven-a hidden prison teeming with the galaxy’s most savage criminals. There, he must contend against the scummiest and most villainous in gladiatorial death matches while carrying out his masters’ clandestine commands. Failure is not an option; success will ignite the revenge of the Sith against the Jedi Order.

io9 says it’ll be out “at the end of 2013,” which I suspect means a post-holiday spot similar to Plagueis and Scoundrels.

James interviewed Schreiber back in 2011, after the release of his second Star Wars book, Red Harvest.

This must be our mystery novel, and while I can’t say it’s something that appeals to me, it takes all kinds. While he’s been all over The Clone Wars lately, Maul hasn’t headlined a novel for adults since Michael Reaves’ Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter back in 2001.