Liam Neeson wouldn’t mind returning to Star Wars. He’s not sure how it would happen – spinoff? – but he’s willing. And, naturally, he has concerns about the broadsaber.
EUbits: Insider #124 brings Kemp short story, news of yet another Old Republic comic
Another Old Republic comic is coming. The new Insider contain news of a mini-series called The Lost Suns. Game writer Alexander Freed will be doing the writing honors, with the team from Blood of the Empire on art. Head on over to NJOE and/or Star Wars Universe for the full image and details.
This is the same issue that features Paul S. Kemp’s ‘The Third Lesson,‘ a Darth Malgus short story, so if you’re a fan of the era it’ll no doubt be worth picking up. On that note, Kemp is giving away a Deceived audiobook or two.
Also upcoming… Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff reveals a new tentative title for her and Reaves’ Coruscant Knights followup: The Last Jedi.
More on the Dark Side: Scott Allie talks more with MTV Geek about Qui-Gon Jinn’s adventures in the upcoming comic Star Wars: Jedi – The Dark Side. Without revealing whether Qui-Gon is the one to cross over to the dark side, Allie talks about developing a story about the Jedi’s imperfect judgment, with a plot that is flashbacked to in the YA books, and describes Qui-Gon’s role here as a “powerful Jedi out on the rim of the galaxy, angry and alone, like a hero from the Clint Eastwood western.”
Recent releases. John Jackson Miller has notes for Knight Errant.
Nonfiction. J. W. Rinzler tweets about a new Star Wars Art installment.
Learn something. In his latest blog entry, Drew Karpyshyn writes about how a book makes it from outline to novel.
Coming in the back way. A prequel fan’s review of Heir to the Empire. He liked it!
EUbits: Allie talks Qui-Gon comic, Del Rey to reissue novelization, Shadow Hunter for TPM 3-D
Comics. Writer Scott Allie talks about the Qui-Gon Jinn comic Jedi: The Dark Side with CBR. He reveals that the series will take place 20 years prior to The Phantom Menace, that the focus of Dark Side will be a personal story, and talks a bit about Xanatos. Yoda, Mace Windu and even Dooku will make appearances in the mini-series.
Releases. Del Rey will be reissuing The Phantom Menace novelization and Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter next year to tie-into the first 3-D release. Both books will feature new original short stories for the occasion.
Events. Authors John Jackson Miller and Paul S. Kemp and Del Rey’s Erich Schoeneweiss will talk about Star Wars books at a panel at Chicago’s C2E2. The schedule isn’t up yet, but the panel will be Friday, March 18. (Question: Is C2E2 worth a vacation day and a 4-hour drive in the days of social media? I’ll have to think about it.)
History lesson. Tor.com’s Emily Asher-Perrin takes a slightly snarky (yay!) look back at the evolution of Star Wars galaxy maps. In retrospect, that first one was probably the only reason at all to be excited about Vector Prime. I must admit I do still like the old-timey calligraphy look it has.
The blogside. Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff reveals that one of the locations for Shadow Games (née Holostar) is Bannistar Station.
Kids. The folks behind The Strange Case of Origami Yoda will be back with Darth Paper Strikes Back in the fall.
Pernilla August returns in tonight’s Clone Wars
Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka head off to Middle-Earth Mortis in tonight’s ‘Overlords.’ The episode not only brings back Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon, but Pernilla August as Shmi Skywalker. Force visions for everyone?
New Star Wars comic revealed: It’s Qui-Gon in Jedi – The Dark Side
MTV gets the exclusive scoop that the new Star Wars comic coming out from Dark Horse in May is called Star Wars: Jedi – The Dark Side and features Qui-Gon Jinn.
Written by Scott Allie with artwork by Mahmud Asrar, it features Qui-Gon going to prevent a civil war on the planet of one of his former padawans, Xanatos. Yep, they’re bringing in stuff from the Jedi Apprentice series. The article has a full interview with Allie on the series, which will start off with a five-issue arc, and may become ongoing.
Liam Neeson to voice Qui-Gon on The Clone Wars
Liam Neeson returns to the GFFA to voice Qui-Gon Jinn on upcoming episodes of The Clone Wars. The Jedi Master will appear in visions to Obi-Wan.
Neeson tells EW he wanted to return to Star Wars because he felt that “these characters resonate…even after all these years.” He adds, “Growing up, my heroes were cowboys; they were strong and mysterious, and it seemed like they always rode off into the sunset. For kids today, Star Wars has that same kind of magic. I really wanted to be a part of that.”
The episodes featuring Qui-Gon will air Jan. 28 and Feb. 11.
UPDATE 1/22: Dave Filoni has posted a note on Facebook about this development:
I understand that Qui-Gon’s appearance in The Clone Wars has many implications, and that some of you are asking “how can this be ” especially in light of the scene between Obi Wan and Yoda at the end of Revenge of the Sith where they speak about Qui-Gon. These upcoming episodes, more than any other to date, will spark curiosity and discussion. I only ask that you be patient and watch them. I look forward to hearing from you after they air. For now trust me when I say Christian Taylor (writer) and I, along with George Lucas, are very aware of the continuity surrounding Qui-Gon Jinn. George in particular, is especially conscious of it.
Hallmark’s Star Wars ornaments for 2009
It’s May, so of course the Dream Book is out, because nothing says spring like planning out your Christmas tree. This year’s Star Wars selections are include The Phantom Menace duel (above,) Han in Stormtrooper gear, Luke’s landspeeder, and a Clone Wars twofer of Anakin and Ahsoka.
Also of interest: Indiana Jones, Star Trek, Harry Potter, Ghostbusters and my personal grinchy favorite, the Wicked Witch of the West.
(Thanks, Rach!)
Fan Art: Bring on the snark!
The Avalanche Software Art Blog does it again – this time around, with a Stoopid Star Wars characters prompt. So far: Qui-Gon, Fode and Beed, Bib Fortuna and Bail Organa ( “…probably had the least amount of screen time as any other character, therefore I hate him the least.” Sporfle!)