Star Wars: The Clone Wars returns tonight with ‘Darkness on Umbara’, the first in a four-part story taking place on the dark world of Umbara. As the clones face deadly orders from Jedi General Pong Krell, tensions starts to mount. As I mentioned when season four started, I’m intrigued and really looking forward to this story arc, especially since Dee Bradley Baker was “bothered” by what his characters had to go through in the Umbara story.
Wacky merchandise: Star Wars wallpaper
Looking for the perfect wall treatment for your Star Wars room? ThinkGeek is now selling Super7’s Imperial Forces Wallpaper. Hand-screened and flocked, this paper is officially licensed and ready to go. And, best of all – from a distance, who can tell? That’s class.
Don’t trust Amazon on book news: A cautionary tale
Or rather, a reminder. The other day Roqoo Depot discovered a listing on British Amazon for Star Wars: Big Trilogy no 1 (Hardcover) written by Alex Irvine. Today, someone took that news to the Star Wars Books Facebook (without attribution or any of RQ’s context, sigh) and posted as if it was a fact – only to be struck down in a comment from editor David Pomerico:
We’re not sure why Amazon.co.uk is listing a Star Wars trilogy from Alex, but it’s simply not the case. He does have a book coming out with us, scheduled for Fall 2012, but it’s a stand-alone adventure.
This isn’t the first time that Amazon.co.uk has been wrong about something like this: I myself took a jump on something similar (‘Star Wars 7 book series no 1′) back in December. It turned out to be the U.K. edition of Choices of One. (See the comments from Ewan for a possible explanation.)
There’s little doubt in my mind that ‘Star Wars: Big Trilogy no 1’ will turn out to be Irvine’s already-scheduled book, Mandorla.
Listings that appear on Amazon are fed from the publishers – and some are more specific than others. The Star Wars U.K. publisher, Century, is responsible for both the incidents related above. Their titles are probably meant for internal use only. (See today’s comment from Ewan for more detail. I bow to his expertise.)
We have discovered news from (U.S.) Amazon before: The first inklings of The Clone Wars novels from Karen Traviss and Karen Miller back in ’08. But such incidents are very rare – and we soon found the same listings on Random House’s own catalog, which tends to be more trustworthy.
I know the various fansites and regular news gatherers don’t need this reminder, but everyone else: Please exercise caution when dealing with early listings on Amazon, particularly the U.K. version – it’s highly unlikely to see a listing for a brand-new book appear in the U.K. before we’re clued in by the powers that be – particularly now, with folks from Del Rey in direct contact with fans.
Jennifer Heddle is Lucasbook’s new Senior Editor
The new hire in San Francisco is former Simon & Schuster editor Jennifer Heddle. She previously worked with media tie-ins (among other things) at Pocket/Gallery Books. From the Suvudu annoucement:
“I vividly remember buying Heir to the Empire as soon as it was released and to now be a part of that tradition is both an exciting adventure and a serious responsibility,” says Heddle. “And since I’m also a lifelong comic book fan, I’m really getting to explore the best of both worlds.”
Heddle’s main duty will be overseeing the adult fiction program, which works with Del Rey and Dark Horse. These were previously the duties of Executive Editor Sue Rostoni, who retired earlier this year.
By the way… Heddle is on Twitter.
All-prequels in the news with Samuel L. Jackson, Ewan McGregor, and Peter Serafinowicz
Records. The Guinness Book of World Records has named Samuel L. Jackson the world’s highest-grossing actor. His films – which include not only the prequels but other blockbusters like Jurassic Park, The Incredibles and Iron Man 2 – have brought in a staggering $7.42 billion dollars.
Strange saberfellows. Noel Gallagher of the band Oasis was a neighbor of Ewan McGregor when he got the part of Obi-Wan – and he was the first to teach Ewan how to fight with a lightsaber. “I just happened to have two of those lightsaber toys, so I said, ‘Come on – in the back garden.'”
Uh-oh. Peter Serafinowicz – the original voice of Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace – told Digital Spy that he didn’t think the film was very good. “”But it was certainly an extremely exciting thing to be a part of,” he goes on to say.
Technology. Learn a little more about Prime Focus, the company doing The Phantom Menace’s 3-D conversion, from India’s Economic Times
Warner Bros. to put Harry Potter in the vault
Taking a page from the Disney handbook, Warner Bros. announced that they will stop shipping all the Harry Potter films on December 29, 2011 – less than two months after the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 and the 8-film collection on November 11.
Marketing ploy? Sure. But is Warner Bros. sacrificing long-term sales for a blockbuster holiday season? Or will we see the next release just in time for the 2012 holidays? One interesting sign of the times – the moratorium will not include digital methods of delivery.
Wacky merchandise du jour: Artoo mints
Curiously geeky? British site Play.com is offering mints in containers shaped like R2-D2, Darth Vader, a stormtrooper and the Death Star. But, let’s face it: The Artoo is best.
Out this week: Riptide, The People vs. George Lucas and Crimson Empire III
We’ve got quite the variety of things coming out this week. First up, on Tuesday, is the latest from Paul S. Kemp, Riptide. He regards it as his best Star Wars novel, and shares a bit more with Suvudu.
Also being released tomorrow is the DVD of the fan documentary The People vs. George Lucas, which should be an interesting watch.
And finally, Wednesday brings the long-awaited Crimson Empire III: Empire Lost #1. Have at it, fanboys.
Vote for EU characters in the latest Hasbro poll
Hasbro and the Star Wars Insider have teamed up for yet another Fan’s Choice poll to pick a character to be added to the action figure line. The EU selections in this round includes several classic EU folks: Gilad Pellaeon, Joruus C’baoth, Guri, and Mara Jade Skywalker. Cast your vote today!
Joss Whedon does Shakespeare?
Buffy/Angel/Firefly/Dollhouse creator Joss Whedon apparently managed to be sneaky and just finished principle photography with a bunch of his friends on Much Ado About Nothing.
Included in the cast are several famous Whedon alums, including Nathan Fillion, Sean Maher, Amy Acker and Alexis Denisof.
And that’s about all we know. But if Whedon’s doing Shakespeare? This could be awesome.