Tag: Star Wars

John Williams Will Score Star Wars: Episode VII

At the Star Wars Celebration in Europe, it was announced that John Williams would return to score the music for Star Wars Episode VII. There really was little doubt that the legendary composer would be returning to the galaxy far, far away, but there were very few out there (me) that was holding out a little hope that J.J. Abrams collaborator, Michael Giacchino, would get a shot at bringing something new to the franchise.

Don’t get me wrong, I am glad to have Williams back on board, it just would be nice to get some new blood infused in the franchise. With Disney planning at least four more Star Wars movies, maybe there is plenty of film to go around for other composers.

Williams can’t do all of them…can he?

Here is Williams talking about returning to the franchise:

July 28, 2013
Hollywood In 2015: Something’s Gotta Give

We are all used to big summer movie seasons. It is a part of movie culture and it is one of the few reasons to actually get excited about sweating your balls (or other various parts) off in the baking sun. But is Hollywood headed for a year of heartbreak? Two years from now will be the biggest movie year in history. Not just summer, but for 365 days we will be given a deluge of big-budget extravaganzas like we have never seen before in such a short period.

This would indicate that Hollywood should reach their highest box office total ever, but with so many huge event and franchise movies in such a short time will we get burned out? Chances are that a few of these offerings will either not meet lofty expectations or completely bomb altogether just because of the competition releasing so close together.

So now, let’s look in our crystal ball (which oddly looks like a box of Gobstoppers) and see what franchises are sure things and which ones may be left out to wither and die.

Note: These movies are for the entire calendar year of 2015, not just the summer season.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

As close as you will get to a sure thing to make a billion dollars. Even if the story ends up being weaker than the first, people will show up in droves.

Bomb Factor- 0/10

Batman/Superman

Completely off the radar until last week’s Comic-Con. Zack Snyder returning to direct and Christopher Nolan executive producing. Just don’t screw up the Batman casting and watch the money flow in.

Bomb Factor- 0.5/10

Star Wars: Episode VII

Disney is going to run this franchise into the ground with yearly movies, but this first one by J.J. Abrams should be a massive hit and hopefully set up a new trilogy well.

Bomb Factor- 1/10

Independence Day 2

It will be 19 years between the original and the sequel when this hits. No Will Smith may hurt, but Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman are returning and if they can cast some good new leads this could work. Will people still care after so long?

Bomb Factor- 4/10

Jurassic Park 4

The fourth dino adventure will return to the original island. Jurassic Park 3 made its money back but failed to live up to the first two. Depending on release date, this may get lost in the shuffle.

Bomb Factor- 5/10

Assassin’s Creed

Michael Fassbender is starring in and producing this adaptation of the Ubisoft video game. I am excited about the prospect, but fear that this may fall into the John Carter or Prince of Persia bunch when it releases.

Bomb Factor- 7/10

Fantastic Four Reboot

The first two FF movies made plenty of money against their budgets, but were bashed by critics. Better casting and and early spring release should help the new team reach better heights.

Bomb Factor- 5/10

Pirates of the Caribbean 5

On Stranger Tides was the first Pirates to not break $300 million domestically yet it was a huge hit worldwide being the first one in the franchise to cross $1 billion. Even if some are tired of Jack Sparrow, the rest of the world box office will make him a hit again.

Bomb Factor- 3/10

Terminator 5

Arnold is returning and there are rumors that The Rock may be circling. He revitalizes franchises, of that there is no doubt, but is this one too far gone to rehab?

Bomb Factor- 6/10

The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 2

Mocking Jay is not a large book so making two movies out if it may be a stretch. Let’s hope they don’t sacrifice quality for quantity.

Bomb Factor- 3/10

Finding Dory

Pixar has had a case of sequel-itis for a few years now and I have still not gotten my Incredibles 2. Finding Nemo is one of the most beloved of all the Pixar offerings so I think people will embrace this more than Cars 2 or even Monsters University.

Bomb Factor- 2/10

Ant-Man

As Marvel pulls farther into their hero pool, their gambles get bigger. Guardians of the Galaxy will put their muscle to the test next year. Ant-Man will have the distinction of being the first Marvel movie after Avengers 2 and Edgar Wright will easily make the movie entertaining. Will people embrace it?

Bomb Factor- 5/10

Bond 24

Skyfall was not only the most successful Bond movie ever it was also in talks as being possibly the best movie in the series. Daniel Craig is locked up for at least two more films and Sam Mendes is returning to direct 007’s next adventure. It may not hit the heights of Skyfall, but it will not fall very far.

Bomb Factor- 2/10

Inferno

Ron Howard and Tom Hanks are returning to the Robert Langdon character for a third film from Dan Brown’s book series. Has the Dan Brown craze train left the station? Most likely.

Bomb Factor- 7/10

Warcraft

The long-in-development Warcraft is finally going to make it to the big screen thanks to Moon director Duncan Jones. World of Warcraft has almost 10 million subscribers that pay $15 a month to play so if a good portion of those pony up $10 a ticket it will have a decent opening weekend. The problem comes in convincing the general public to take the trip to Azeroth.

Bomb Factor- 5/10

July 23, 2013
Rumor: Is J.J. Abrams Dropping Out Of Star Wars: Episode VII?

Right now this is the biggest of rumors (thus the name of the article), but there are rumblings that J.J. Abrams is considering dropping out of the next film in the Star Wars saga.

The reason: his family.

Abrams has been very vocal about not wanting to shoot the film in England and be away from his family for so long, but Disney has put the kabosh on any argument and said that England is where it is happening. This has put Abrams in a bit of a bitter place and may have him thinking about leaving the project.

Like I said before, these are complete rumors. One would think Abrams would and should have known the commitment in taking on such a large movie.

July 22, 2013
Is This The Script To Star Wars: Episode VII?

Bad Robot tweeted out this picture of a red-paged script with the Bad Robot logo on the front asking if people could guess what is behind the cover. Could this possibly be the finished script for the J.J. Abrams directed Star Wars: Episode VII which is scheduled to start production next January? Our magic 8-ball says “YES” unless it is either a secret sequel to [amazon_link id=”B004EPYZQ2″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Super 8[/amazon_link] or that long lost Felicity movie that we have all been waiting on.

Hot off the presses. Can you guess what's behind the cover? #FoundAtBR #MysteryScript pic.twitter.com/VFvoxedpqC

— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) July 17, 2013

July 18, 2013
Literary Nerdery- July 3, 2013

Photo courtesy portlandmonthlymag.com

1. [amazon_link id=”1594746370″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]William Shakespeare’s Star Wars[/amazon_link]- Ian Doescher- $14.95

Return once more to a galaxy far, far away with this sublime retelling of George Lucas’s epic Star Wars in the style of the immortal Bard of Avon. The saga of a wise (Jedi) knight and an evil (Sith) lord, of a beautiful princess held captive and a young hero coming of age, Star Wars abounds with all the valor and villainy of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. ’Tis a tale told by fretful droids, full of faithful Wookiees and fearstome Stormtroopers, signifying…pretty much everything.

2. [amazon_link id=”B009NFHF0Q” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Ocean at the End of the Lane[/amazon_link]-Neil Gaiman- $25.99

Read our review here

3. [amazon_link id=”0345511425″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Star Wars: Crucible[/amazon_link]- Troy Denning- $27.00

When Han and Leia Solo arrive at Lando Calrissian’s Outer Rim mining operation to help him thwart a hostile takeover, their aim is just to even up the odds and lay down the law. Then monstrous aliens arrive with a message, and mere threats escalate into violent sabotage with mass fatalities. When the dust settles, what began as corporate warfare becomes a battle with much higher stakes—and far deadlier consequences.

4. [amazon_link id=”0425255700″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Affliction[/amazon_link]- Laurell K. Hamilton- $28.95

Some zombies are raised. Others must be put down. Just ask Anita Blake. Before now, she would have considered them merely off-putting, never dangerous. Before now, she had never heard of any of them causing human beings to perish in agony. But that’s all changed. Micah’s estranged father lies dying, rotting away inside from some strange ailment that has his doctors whispering about “zombie disease.” Anita makes her living off of zombies—but these aren’t the kind she knows so well. These creatures hunt in daylight, and are as fast and strong as vampires. If they bite you, you become just like them. And round and round it goes Where will it stop?
Even Anita Blake doesn’t know.

5. [amazon_link id=”1937068447″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Grimm’s Fairy Tales Omnibus[/amazon_link]- Ralph Tedesco, Joe Brusha- $59.99

Experience the uniquely twisted fairy tales from the minds of Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco! Follow the heroine Sela as she uses the classic tales of old to lead modern day men and women to the right choices while combating the lure of evil. Collecting issues #1-50 of the hit independent series.

6. [amazon_link id=”0785153942″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Pacific Rim: Tales From Year Zero[/amazon_link]- Travis Beacham- $24.99

Don’t miss this exciting sci-fi prequel graphic novel of the highly anticipated Warner Bros. & Legendary motion picture, Pacific Rim directed by Guillermo del Toro! Chronicling the very first time Earth is menaced by incredible monsters known as Kaiju, these inhuman beasts rise from the ocean depths and threaten to extinguish all mankind! Witness the race to develop massive robot fighting machines called Jaegers, each one controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. This action-packed tale features many of the key characters from the film as we follow them in their early careers. Witten by Pacific Rim screenwriter himself, Travis Beacham, and with del Toro’s hands-on supervision, this volume is beautifully illustrated by Sean Chen, Yvel Guichet, and Pericles Junior; inks by Steve Bird and Mark McKenna; and fully painted cover by superstar artist Alex Ross.

7. [amazon_link id=”1401241891″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus[/amazon_link]- Jerry Siegel, Joel Shuster- $75.00

The earliest adventures of Superman, from his 1938 debut through 1940, are collected for the first time together in one massive hardcover. In these early stories, Superman battles social injustice and political corruption, fighting for the common man. Includes the origin of Superman and the first appearances of Lois Lane and Lex Luthor.

July 3, 2013
Vague Casting Breakdown For Star Wars: Episode VII Leaks

J.J. Abrams has gone on record saying that the production of Star Wars: Episode VII would not be a super secret ordeal and this may be the beginning of the truth.

Bleeding Cool has uncovered what they are calling a 100% accurate casting call for the return to the galaxy far, far away. Take a quick look.

-Late-teen female, independent, good sense of humour, fit.

-Young twenty-something male, witty and smart, fit but not traditionally good looking.

-A late twentysomething male, fit, handsome and confident.

-Seventy-something male, with strong opinions and tough demeanour. Also doesn’ t need to be particularly fit.

-A second young female, also late teens, tough, smart and fit.

-Forty something male, fit, military type.

-Thirtysomething male, intellectual. Apparently doesn’t need to be fit.

Now rumors have been heavy that the next film will focus on Han and Leia’s twins, Jacen and Jaina Solo. Does this casting call give you those impressions? Give us your best guesses as to who these possible people could end up being in the comments below!

June 19, 2013
DICE Developing New Star Wars: Battlefront Title

Photo courtesy videogamenostalgia.com

The hours I spent killing Ewoks and suicide flying fighters into starships in Star Wars: Battlefront I & II are easily some of the best times I had as a gamer. So it was with enormous raindrop like tears and arms wide open that I watched the teaser trailer for the new Star Wars: Battlefront like a long, lost love had returned home and things were going to be alright.

Am I over selling this a bit? God I wish I was because it would be less embarrassing.

June 11, 2013
John Noble On Star Wars: “Not Beyond The Realm Of Possibility”

Photo courtesy hitfix.com

Among the many rumors swirling around J.J. Abrams Star Wars Episode VII my favorite is easily the one that involves the director wanting his Fringe star John Noble to play a part. In a recent interview with IGN, the former Walter Bishop was asked about said rumor and Noble was more than willing to venture into the galaxy far, far away.

“That would just be epic doing something like that. And it’s not beyond the realm of possibility. I have a terrific relationship with J.J. Abrams and Bad Robot, I really do. So it’s not beyond the realm of possibility. It’s awhile away yet.”

Noble was then asked what it would be like joining up with a franchise as big as Star Wars especially given his work in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

“Well, I mean Star Wars. If you’re going to do one, do Star Wars. I mean seriously, if you’re going to pick one to do, do that one. Because that’s basically a cultural revolution. It reset pop culture in some ways. So if I had to choose one, it would be that one.”

Look, you can bring back your Hans, Lukes and Leias all you want, as of right now I basically have two requirements for Episode VII.

1. Billy Dee Williams

2. Walter Bishop, Sith Lord

After that, everything else is gravy.

May 29, 2013
Disney Partners With EA On Star Wars Games

Photo courtesy videogamesheaven.net

Last month Disney shuttered LucasArts and laid off 150 employees effectively ending the company’s 30 year history. Now Disney has struck a deal with EA to bring future Star Wars games to consoles and other platforms. The closing of LucasArts was definitely a sad day in the video game world, but this should excite fans of the galaxy far, far away because it means that all of EA’s studios like Bioware, DICE, etc. can now develop new Star Wars titles.

All I ask is that I get a proper KOTOR III….or revive Battlefront.

“The Walt Disney Company (DIS) and Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) today announced a new multi-year exclusive licensing agreement to develop and publish globally new games based on Star Wars characters and storylines.

Under the agreement, EA will develop and publish new Star Wars titles for a core gaming audience, spanning all interactive platforms and the most popular game genres, while Disney will retain certain rights to develop new titles within the mobile, social, tablet and online game categories.

“Every developer dreams of creating games for the Star Wars universe,” said EA Labels President Frank Gibeau. “Three of our top studios will fulfill that dream, crafting epic adventures for Star Wars fans. DICE and Visceral will produce new games, joining the BioWare team which continues to develop for the Star Wars franchise. The new experiences we create may borrow from films, but the games will be entirely original with all new stories and gameplay.”

May 7, 2013
Literary Nerdery- Week Of May 7, 2013

-[amazon_link id=”1595829946″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Art of Bioshock Infinite[/amazon_link]- $39.99

In The Art of BioShock Infinite, delve deeper into the city of Columbia-the fabled floating metropolis that serves as a beacon of technology and achievement for the early 1900s! This deluxe hardcover features production designs and concept illustrations focusing on main characters Booker DeWitt, Elizabeth, and Songbird from the highly anticipated BioShock Infinite video game. See the evolution of the Heavy Hitters, the populace of Columbia, the Sky-Hook, vigors, airships, and much more! This deluxe hardcover also features an introduction from BioShock Infinite Creative Director Ken Levine!

–[amazon_link id=”0345541936″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi: Into The Void[/amazon_link]- Tim Lebbon- $27

On the planet Tython, the ancient Je’daii order was founded. And at the feet of its wise Masters, Lanoree Brock learned the mysteries and methods of the Force—and found her calling as one of its most powerful disciples. But as strongly as the Force flowed within Lanoree and her parents, it remained absent in her brother, who grew to despise and shun the Je’daii, and whose training in its ancient ways ended in tragedy.

Now, from her solitary life as a Ranger keeping order across the galaxy, Lanoree has been summoned by the Je’daii Council on a matter of utmost urgency. The leader of a fanatical cult, obsessed with traveling beyond the reaches of known space, is bent on opening a cosmic gateway using dreaded dark matter as the key—risking a cataclysmic reaction that will consume the entire star system.

-[amazon_link id=”193700788X” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Dead Ever After (Sookie Stackhouse #13)[/amazon_link]- Charlaine Harris- $27.95

THE FINAL SOOKIE STACKHOUSE NOVEL

There are secrets in the town of Bon Temps, ones that threaten those closest to Sookie—and could destroy her heart….

Sookie Stackhouse finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back at Merlotte’s. After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed. But her relationship with Eric Northman is not so clearcut. He and his vampires are keeping their distance…and a cold silence. And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated.

Then a shocking murder rocks Bon Temps, and Sookie is arrested for the crime.
But the evidence against Sookie is weak, and she makes bail. Investigating the killing, she’ll learn that what passes for truth in Bon Temps is only a convenient lie. What passes for justice is more spilled blood. And what passes for love is never enough…

-[amazon_link id=”140123027X” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]World of Warcraft: Dark Riders[/amazon_link]- Michael Costa, Neil Googe- $24.95

A stalwart mage searches for a powerful artifact, stolen by dark riders, only to find his son accused of murder. A righteous priest, driven by a mysterious fervor, investigates a savage Wolf Cult. As the paths of these two men join, a fantastic adventure emerges! Supported by a cast of brave heroes, the two find out just how dangerous the wolf cult and dark riders are.

-[amazon_link id=”0805096175″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Prophet of Bones[/amazon_link]- Ted Kosmatka- $27

Paul Carlson, a brilliant young scientist, is summoned from his laboratory job to the remote Indonesian island of Flores to collect DNA samples from the ancient bones of a strange, new species of tool user unearthed by an archaeological dig. The questions the find raises seem to cast doubt on the very foundations of modern science, which has proven the world to be only 5,800 years old, but before Paul can fully grapple with the implications of his find, the dig is violently shut down by paramilitaries.

Paul flees with two of his friends, yet within days one has vanished and the other is murdered in an attack that costs Paul an eye, and very nearly his life. Back in America, Paul tries to resume the comfortable life he left behind, but he can’t cast the questions raised by the dig from his mind. Paul begins to piece together a puzzle which seems to threaten the very fabric of society, but world’s governments and Martial Johnston, the eccentric billionaire who financed Paul’s dig, will stop at nothing to silence him.

-[amazon_link id=”0765306115″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Tunnel Out Of Death[/amazon_link]- Jamil Nasir- $25.99

Heath Ransom, former police psychic turned machine-enhanced “endovoyant” private investigator, is hired to find the consciousness of the rich and comatose Margaret Biel and return it to her body. Tracking her through the etheric world, he comes upon a strange and terrifying object that appears to be a tear in the very fabric of reality. He falls into it—and into an astonishing metaphysical shadow-play.

For Margaret is a pawn in a war between secret, ruthless government agencies and a nonhuman entity known only as “Amphibian.” Their battlefield is a multi-level reality unlike anything humankind has ever imagined. When Heath learns to move back and forth between two different versions of his life, and begins to realize that everyone around him may be a super-realistic android, that is only the beginning of a wholesale deconstruction of reality that threatens more than his sanity….

May 6, 2013