'ANDOR': THE LEGACY OF LUTHEN RAEL...

Living on the edge, fighting tyranny: Luthen Rael, from Andor.

Though we all enjoyed the dedicated and fiery performance of Diego Luna as the series titular star, for me the absolute acting highlight of both Andor seasons had to be Stellan Skarsgard as the tough, resourceful Rebel spy and efficient fighter Luthen Rael, mostly working solo for the building Alliance cause, hiding deep within plain sight inside the upper circle elitism of the Galactic Empire (but always watching his back wherever possible), via his unique shop of rare antiquities located deep in the luxuriant quarters of Coruscant. His character in some ways reminded me, in an even tougher personal style, of Paul Darrow's classic anti-hero Kerr Avon, from the hit British Sci-Fi classic of resistance against the evil Federation, Blake's 7.

Skarsgard has always had a unique edge and simmering anger, even deep down violence restrained, to his screen performances, of which he is quite rightly regarded as one of the world's finest character actors, always in demand. And with Andor, he certainly had some great scripts and character development to enjoy realizing, especially in the latter stages of Season One and across Season Two, when he found the Empire finally closing in on him. And let's not forget those several super, now iconic, speeches given to Rael revealing his dedication to the cause, and the personal costs it will ultimately bring him, delivered with the kind of filmic intensity that only Skarsgard could truly deliver.

Personally, I'd bring Rael and Skarsgard back for a separate spin-off series within this unique TV storytelling from the Star Wars universe...

The mysterious look for the series early character posters!

Costume design for the character.

As seen in Season One.

A secret meeting with Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly).

'AHSOKA' - THE SEASON TWO TEASER TRAILER

Fresh from the latest Disney D23 event, here is the eagerly awaited trailer for the new season, featuring action, mystery and galactic conflict galore, as well as lots more Anakin Skywalker!

Arriving on Disney+ January 20th, 2027, launching the Fiftieth Anniversary of the saga.

‘Ahsoka’ Season 2 Officially Sets Disney+ Release Date

EPISODE IX: PAST AND PRESENT AS ONE!

With one of the Resistance's only Blockade Runners in the background, hidden at their base on Ajan Kloss, young Rey discovers the truth about Luke Skywalker's investigations into the Dark Side of the Force, in this terrific photo showcasing the great set design from The Rise of Skywalker.  

WHEN SITH'S COLLIDE! THE 'SHADOW LORD' MEETS HIS MATCH!

He's back, and badder than ever in Maul - Shadow Lord's gripping opening season finale.

It was the showdown worldwide Star Wars fans always wanted to see made a reality away from prior comic interpretations, as a non-speaking Darth Vader, a Sith Lord with slaying on his mind, menacingly took on the renegade Darth Maul, now out to build a new criminal enterprise for himself across the galaxy, and his reluctant fugitive comrades (including two runaway Jedi), all of them trapped within the jungle outskirts of the planet Janix, a world to which there now looked like no escape from. The confrontation/unleashing of Vader, returned to welcome animation form, was a big surprise and it proved a stunning action sequence to watch, certainly earning its place in the Saga's pantheon of classic scenes. It was a fine and exciting finale to Maul - Shadow Lord (one clearly acting as a tribute to a similar, if smaller in number, duel partaken by Vader against Luke and Leia on Mimban during the climax to 1978's Splinter of the Mind's Eye novel - the first Expanded Universe tale), whose opening season I thought started off quite dull, littered with mostly uninteresting supporting characters (who could have been in any bland police procedural drama ) and a thin overall story arc. Thankfully, as ever, Vader knows how to save the day and the streaming ratings! 

I'm sure the majority of fans will completely disagree with my assessment of the show as it so far stands. Nonetheless, as we all await the eventual second season, I hope it will ultimately prove more inventive in further showcasing one of the Prequel saga's greatest villains beyond the small-time criminality prior watched, and more of his fight against his once Sith Master whilst his own so far struggling empire builds further. Will there possibly be a Vader re-match? 

Scene Breakdown: Darth Vader Duels Maul | StarWars.com

One against many, but Vader will always get the upper hand!

Duelling in the forest of doom.

'

To slay a Jedi!

The clash continues!

The grip of evil!

Great character poster art promotion for the season finale.

REBELS IN PERIL!

Within the control centre/briefing room area of one of the Yavin IV temples being used by the Rebel Alliance, a concerned Princess Leia with General Dodonna (Alex McCrindle) and a key Rebel technician (Burnell Tucker) will soon monitor their Gold and Red Squadrons' flight to the Death Star, in a memorable photo from Star Wars.

I was sorry to hear the news that accomplished British/Canadian actor Burnell Tucker passed away earlier in the year at the age of 91. Tucker was a mainstay of all the mid-seventies blockbusters made in the UK whenever a supporting player was needed for an American role, including such greats as Rollerball, The Omen, Superman the Movie (plus Superman II), Flash Gordon, and, of course, returning as a Rebel for The Empire Strikes Back. Sadly, I'm not aware of the late Mister Tucker ever doing any signings, appearances or interviews for some unknown reason. Regardless, R.I.P., and thank you for your contributions to both Star Wars and movie history.

EPISODE III: READY FOR LANDING?

Anakin Skywalker's legendary piloting skills are certainly being put to a formidable test as the wrecked Invisible Hand prepares to crash-land on Coruscant, of which Artoo and the rescued Supreme Chancellor Palpatine are likely very stressed accompanying passengers, in this interesting screen combination from Episode III.

CLASSIC ART: TO ESCAPE AN APOCALYPSE!

The Empire has been defeated, the Death Star is ready to destroy itself, and a son, who has prior rescued and helped redeem his late father from darkness, rushes to escape with his armoured body, in this superb art celebrating the emotional ending to Return of the Jedi, in 1983. An emotional death scene that brought the cinema houses down with tears worldwide.

A super art piece by Michael Heath.

EPISODE VIII: CRASH DOWN!

They say any crashlanding you make that you can walk away from is a good one, so well done Finn for surviving this and the Battle of Crait, as seen in this great conceptual art by Nick Ainsworth for The Last Jedi.

EPISODE II: CAPTURING AN ASTEROID PURSUIT!

                                           

It's a busy time for Obi-Wan Kenobi on film as he chases after the bounty hunter Jango Fett. And it's a busy time filming the scene for actor Ewan McGregor too, in this great behind the scenes image from Episode II.

DELETED SCENE: PROBOT vs WAMPA!

The ice planet Hoth is not only dangerous for its inhospitable weather conditions, but also for the deadly creatures that reside there. For example, the deadly Wampa, who prey on and attack from their snow camouflage anything they think they can eat. Unfortunately, one such wild beast becomes easy prey to another type of creature, an Imperial Probe Droid, which finds its icy lair and soon destroys it before moving on in its search for any signs of human Rebel activity.

A storyboard to a deleted scene from The Empire Strikes Back that was partially filmed on location in Norway with the Probot prop back in March 1979 (the Wampa likely changed to a rodent). The scene can also be found in the original Donald Glut novelisation of the film, released in 1980.