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Looking ahead to San Diego Comic-Con 2011

Still more than a month out, and news about Comic-Con 2011 in San Diego is starting up. The New York Times examines to see how studios are reassessing the role of Comic-Con in promoting their upcoming films and TV shows – some studios are pulling back on movie offerings after realizing that big con buzz doesn’t always equal box office gold (lookin’ at you, Scott Pilgrim & Tron: Legacy). Other Comic-Con tidbits announced:

  • Yes, there will be a Twilight panel from Summit, to promote Breaking Dawn – Part 1. This probably means that the next Twilight-free Comic-Con won’t be until 2013. Cross your fingers.
  • Jon Favreau has announced that the world premiere of Cowboys and Aliens will be at Comic-Con, to thank the fans who have supported him.

Meanwhile, Bonnie Burton (author of The Star Wars Craft Book and other Star Wars awesomeness) will be on a panel entitled “Oh, You Sexy Geek!” Looking at sexiness, geekiness, and fangirls and – boys – including “What is up with all the Slave Leias?” Moderated by Action Flick Chick Katrina Hill, the panel will also include Top Model and Star Wars fan Adrienne Curry, Team Unicorn’s Clare Grant, and Clare Kramer, Kiala Kazebee, Jill Pantozzi, Jen Stuller and Chris Gore.

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The fandom minute: First step towards a real speeder bike

Australian engineer Chris Malloy has built himself a Hoverbike. Can speeder bikes be far behind?

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Rick McCallum: “Three or four years” to Star Wars live-action series

Producer Rick McCallum, in an interview with Czech Position, says that the live-action series is several years away.

“The TV series is on hold, but that has nothing to do with the Czech Republic; it has to do with [the episodes being] so ambitious,” McCallum told Czech Position. “We have 50 hours of third-draft scripts, but the problem we have is there is a lot of digital animation; we don’t have the technology yet to be able to do them at a price that is safe for television. Since we would be financing them, it would be suicide for us to do this [now]. So we are going to wait three or four years,” he said.

In addition to giving us a tentative production timeline, he reiterates a few things about the basic premise of the series.

“Basically, it is like ‘The Godfather’; it’s the Empire slowly building up its power base around the galaxy, what happens in Coruscant, which is the major capital, and it’s [about] a group of underground bosses who live there and control drugs, prostitution,” McCallum said.

So… By Celebration VII, then? Maybe.

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EUbits: Zahn will have Heir bookplates for con season, Riptide mini-excerpt

Checking in with the Zahns. Since the anniversary edition of Heir to the Empire is coming out too late for summer con season, Del Rey has made Tim Zahn some bookplates to sign. (He’ll be at SDCC and Dragon*Con this year, among others.) Don’t count on getting any through the mail yet, though.

And don’t forget there’s a new Lando short story in the latest Insider, which is apparently arriving to subscribers now. (I don’t have mine yet, though. Look for it to show up in bookstores in a week or so.)

Mini-excerpt. Star Wars Books gave Facebook fans a quick peek at Paul S. Kemp’s Riptide yesterday.

Interviews Sean Williams talks about The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance at Suvudu.

Podcasts. The new Jedi Journals is out. Chris and Jay talk reboots and more.

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Sad news: Sue Rostoni is retiring

LucasBooks Executive Editor Sue Rostoni is retiring, the official site says today. She’s been working for Lucasfilm as an editor since (at least) the launch of the modern publishing program in the early 90’s with the Thrawn trilogy.

“I have enjoyed the best job in the world with the most wonderfully creative people,” said Rostoni. “I’m so grateful to have been a part of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones programs these past years — it’s been the most challenging and rewarding time of my life.”

This isn’t a total surprise – Rostoni stepped back from socializing with fans a few months back, and her final message had a touch of finality to it that led to some fans speculating that her retirement was indeed forthcoming.

Regardless of one’s opinions about the books at the moment, we can’t deny that Rostoni was a important figure in the creation and guidance of the Expanded Universe. She was always gracious and forthcoming with fans, and for that she has my gratitude. Club Jade wishes her a long, happy, and most importantly, stress-free retirement!

There’s no word on who will replace Rostoni as Executive Editor, but it certainly does put a new spin on that job listing for Senior Editor.

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Lucasfilm looking for a senior fiction editor

A Lucasfilm job listing for a Senior Editor has been kicking around. The position involves both adult fiction and comics, which sounds like it would give one a guiding hand in the future of the expanded universe.

I can’t say for sure, but it should be noted that Sue Rostoni is Executive Editor, so I believe this listing is for someone who reports to or works with her, NOT her replacement. Or perhaps not: It was announced 6/9 that Rostoni is retiring.

The position requires a BA, several years of experience and knowledge of Star Wars fiction.