EPISODE IX: LANDO'S RETURN!

He's been away from the live-action Star Wars universe for far too long, now Billy Dee Williams returns to the role he was always born to play- suave businessman, savvy Sabaac player, all-round ladies man and top pilot, Lando Calrissian, for The Rise of Skywalker. And, in a nice link to Donald Glover's younger portrayal of Lando from Solo: A Star Wars Story, wearing the same yellow/black costume. The cape is back too, with an added walking stick adding to the character and actor's refined distinction- still the 'old smoothy'!

Back in his beloved Millennium Falcon.

EPK interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wd56pK_vnU

Convention interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRBwvkBIhPk

More:
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/lando-calrissian-rise-of-skywalker

EPISODE VIII: A SECOND ANNIVERSARY!

It remains a divisive entry for fans, but EPISODE VIII nonetheless has a striking big budget movie debut from writer/director Rian Johnson, who gives us a film that has its own unique style as well as some superb camera work. The Last Jedi celebrates its second anniversary UK release today as part of the Star Wars universe, its action and characters well captured in this great TOPPS Cards composition.

Original UK press conference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSt5bvtZMSw

EPISODE IX: LATEST FOOTAGE (2)

Hugh Fleming's exclusive poster art for EPISODE IX's Australian release.

Barely a week to go until The Rise of Skywalker concludes the story of our Star Wars heroes and their epic and emotional battle against the ultimate evil...

Here's the latest clips, trailer footage and interviews to enjoy in this final lead-up to release...

New Trailer 4:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rungSN-5MiI

Clip: Kylo Ren meets an old foe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssGXzh4MAYM

TV spot: 'She':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=15&v=b0O4Thfe4Q4&feature=emb_logo

BTS footage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpzTwoa9d1w

Amazon 'Special Look':

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIoLqwvHg7A

Cast and crew in the Asian leg of the EPISODE IX worldwide promotional tour.

New 'The Star Wars Show' cast interviews:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIYb0mfl5R4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx04g8yqgDw

Josh Gad and Daisy Ridley:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_hnqcqyYxU

J.J. Abrams interviews:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KgMMqVC2Xw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al5ve3pvhfE

Adam Driver:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhMFqEboiZk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06uViALTd_8

New TROS poster homage to the 1977 teaser.

Press interviews various:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmtSq3Uioxc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5MKcLPYKU0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfL6DiBz3QY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRiF0vB5EV0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqAT74k9raI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqgmVNunvQk

Other online material:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-victoria-mahoney-became-first-female-star-wars-director-guest-column-1260385?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

Inside The Writing of 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' - Rolling Stone

EPISODE IX: COMING SOON - THE ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK

Returning one last time to the musical galaxy he has created so gloriously for George Lucas's saga from 1977 onwards, the magical maestro that is John Williams gives us the rousing epic, character theme rich finale that is The Rise of Skywalker, available on soundtrack CD from Walt Disney Records this month in the UK from December 20th, 2019 onwards...

EPISODE IX interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZfdpggIX18

Behind the scenes of EPISODE IX (including Williams conducting):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Et5GVuprMI&feature=youtu.be

Here's the official publicity info:

The legend that is John Williams.

PRESS RELEASE:

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK FROM OSCAR®-WINNING COMPOSER JOHN WILLIAMS

DIGITAL SOUNDTRACK SET FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 18

PHYSICAL ALBUM AVAILABLE DECEMBER 20

PRE-ORDER AVAILABLE NOW

BURBANK, Calif., Dec. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Walt Disney Records is set to release the original motion picture soundtrack for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The album features a new score conducted and composed by five-time Academy Award®-winning composer John Williams. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker digital soundtrack is set for release on December 18 and the physical album will be available on December 20 as the film opens in U.S. theaters nationwide.

From the physical album’s liner notes, director J.J. Abrams said, “Once again, John has come up with an utterly stunning soundtrack, creating brand new, gorgeous, frightening, mysterious, epic and intimate themes while also revisiting some of his greatest, classic melodies. My gratitude toward John Williams cannot be overstated — not just for elevating every scene in this film, but for providing us all with soundtracks that elevate our lives.”

John Williams stated in the album’s liner notes, “More than 40 years ago, George Lucas introduced to the world his singular imagination, his ingenuity and his creative genius. He also gave me an opportunity never before enjoyed by an operatic or film composer…the chance to work continually for four decades on a single project, and with each film, to add to a collection of musical themes which I hope will be seen as parts of a singular, organic whole.”

“This experience has been one of the highlights of my professional life, bringing me so much joy in working with some of the world’s greatest orchestras and musicians. I stand before the now completed nine Star Wars films with pride and gratitude for the gift of this extraordinary journey.”

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Original Motion Picture soundtrack will be available to stream and download on December 18. The physical album will be available on December 20 and is now available for pre-order.

About John Williams

Legendary composer Williams is well known for scoring all nine of the Star Wars saga films to date, beginning with 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope for which he earned an Academy Award for Best Original Score. His scores for The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Last Jedi were each nominated for Best Original Score.

Williams has won five Academy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, seven British Academy Film Awards, five Emmys and 24 Grammy Awards. With 51 Academy Award nominations, Williams is the Academy’s most nominated living person and the second most-nominated individual in history, after Walt Disney. In 2005, the American Film Institute selected Williams’ score to 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope as the greatest American film score of all time. The soundtrack to A New Hope also was preserved by the Library of Congress in the National Recording Registry, for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Williams was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl’s Hall of Fame in 2000, and he received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2004, the National Medal of Arts in 2009, and the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2016. Williams has composed the scores for eight of the top 20 highest-grossing films at the U.S. box office (adjusted for inflation).

About “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”

Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.

The film stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong‘o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, with Ian McDiarmid and Billy Dee Williams.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams and Michelle Rejwan. Callum Greene, Tommy Gormley and Jason McGatlin serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Chris Terrio & J.J. Abrams and the story is by Derek Connolly & Colin Trevorrow and J.J. Abrams & Chris Terrio, based on characters created by George Lucas. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in U.S. theaters on December 20.

Enjoy Star Wars with the official Star Wars radio on Apple Music Radio now. All Star Wars music on repeat, 24 hours day: http://smarturl.it/starwarsradio.

For more information on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, please visit http://www.starwars.com/. For more information on Walt Disney Records’ releases, like us on Facebook.com/disneymusic, follow us at Twitter.com/disneymusic and Instagram @disneymusic For more information on Disney Music Emporium, please visit,DisneyMusicEmporium.com, become a fan atFacebook.com/disneymusicemporium or follow us at Twitter.com/DisneyMusicEmp.

SOURCE Walt Disney Records

Get it here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Skywalker-John-Williams/dp/B082BXFMGH/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?keywords=the+rise+of+skywalker+official+soundtrack&qid=1576325287&sr=8-2-fkmr1

EPISODE IX: REY vs SEEKER!

Image: Jonathan Olley/Lucasfilm/Disney.

Following in the Jedi traditions, Rey refines her growing powers in the Force, training with a bolt-firing seeker drone ball within the jungle regions of an unknown world, to be seen in the upcoming The Rise of Skywalker.

More on Rey in the film:

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/rise-of-skywalker-new-force-powers

https://ew.com/movies/2019/11/19/daisy-ridley-rise-of-skywalker-parents/

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/reylo

Jimmy Fallon Star Wars saga rap:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx2jIjv5g-M

Various Daisy Ridley TV publicity interviews:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es29fL8ihkI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HclaTxjeneU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eoj_mKBuhmg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYZh32wHzoQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR_PSONwslo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTlH48WubfQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRqkPdFUU8c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1-ENbkQaUI

EPISODE IX: INTRODUCING JANNAH!

Image: Jonathan Olley/Lucasfilm/Disney.

The sequel films have been blessed with some of the best and brightest young British acting talents in key roles, forefront most notably Daisy Ridley and John Boyega. Now, Naomi Ackie joins that special roll-call for The Rise of Skywalker, playing the so far origins-shrouded survivor, soon Resistance fighter and spirited heroine Jannah, joining our regular heroes (proving especially well-teamed with Finn) by the adventure's all-out finale.

More on Jannah:

https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-meet-naomi-ackie-s-jannah-and-keri-russell-s-zorii-bliss/?fbclid=IwAR08x8HifIgZGkbnsu97vmlrpPsCoFuw9f56ONYsVXks6FJZYqOvxYYjnnM

Finn and Jannah witness a tense scenario playing out.

Online interviews:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZoovLImO_E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU7pRW47vuk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_okRUiggwxg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3aBkolWVmM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQolFlpsWKg

Naomi Ackie the fashionista, at the April 2019 Star Wars Celebration event. Image: STARWARS.COM

Posing with her unique costume at the recent EPISODE IX US press conference. Image: STARWARS.COM

EPISODE IX: UNCOVERING AN EPIC FINALE WITH DK BOOKS!

One of the deadly Knights of Ren is the cover star to the all-new Pablo Hidalgo written The Visual Dictionary for the upcoming The Rise of Skywalker. Once more, another must-have title linked to this exciting film's release, as the latest Star Wars publishing cycle from the stalwarts at DK BOOKS begins this December 20th, 2019.

Here's the official low down on the three key all-new books for readers of all ages to enjoy:

An authoritative companion to the climactic final chapter in the new Star Wars trilogy, this essential visual guide to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker explores the world of Episode IX in unparalleled detail.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary features the fascinating characters, planets, vehicles, and aliens that the heroes of the Resistance will encounter in their battle to defeat the First Order. Produced in close collaboration with Lucasfilm, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary delves into the backgrounds of the new characters seen in the movie, as well as providing in-depth, updated character profiles of beloved Star Wars heroes, such as Rey, Poe, and Finn. The book also contains a handy visual recap of the events of Episodes VII and VIII, and stunning cross-section artworks of key vehicles!

Get it here: Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker The Visual Dictionary: With Exclusive Cross-Sections: Amazon.co.uk: Pablo Hidalgo: 9780241357699: Books

This fun-filled Star Wars sticker book contains more than 300 colourful stickers, and is packed full of fun facts from the new Star Wars movie, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Kids will love joining Rey, Poe, Finn, and the Resistance for many thrilling adventures. Meet many new Star Wars characters, complete fun sticker jigsaws, and create amazing sticker scenes of your own. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: Amazing Sticker Adventures is illustrated with action-packed images from the movie, accompanied by fun, easy-to-read reference text. Join the heroes and villains as they plan missions, explore new planets, perform daring escapes, and battle the evil First Order.

Get it here: Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker Amazing Sticker Adventures: Amazon.co.uk: David Fentiman, DK: Books

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Galactic Guide is a 96-page informative guide to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker for younger fans, revealing the characters, creatures, droids, locations, and technology from the new film. Packed with images and information, it's the perfect companion for those who want to relive the movie outside of the theatre.

Get it here: Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker The Galactic Guide Star Wars the Rise of Skywalkr: Amazon.co.uk: Matt Jones, DK: Books

EPISODE IX: DESTINATION - PASAANA!

From Jakku to Takodana, from Ahch-To to Crait, the Millennium Falcon has certainly been a busy planet-hopper during the sequel trilogy. A fact that continues with The Rise of Skywalker, as the desert world of Pasaana is added to the visiting list, as seen in this scene from a recent trailer.

EPISODE IX: FIGUREHEAD OF EVIL!

On the storm-battered exterior wreck of the second Death Star, the complex villain that is Kylo Ren prepares to do battle once more with his counterpoint in the Force, Rey, in an action-packed sequence from The Rise of Skywalker...

More on Adam Driver/EPISODE IX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pxAjStgxJw

https://ew.com/movies/2019/12/05/adam-driver-kylo-ren-rise-of-skywalker/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTSn0-yZmxM

https://ew.com/movies/2019/12/05/adam-driver-kylo-ren-rise-of-skywalker/

EPISODE IX: MORE FOOTAGE REVEALED...

Lovely good versus evil character merchandising poster art.

New behind the scenes official featurette - 'Friendship':
(12) Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | Friendship Featurette - YouTube

Cast and crew US press conference for EPISODE IX:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hNCB25GYPU

The cast with fans at a publicity launch in Brazil. Image: StarWars.com

More TV spots with additional footage:

(12) Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | “Fate” TV Spot - YouTube (12) Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | "Forever" TV Spot - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qphC39PJf4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=1qphC39PJf4
(12) STAR WARS: The Rise of Skywalker TV Spot "SITH DAGGER" (NEW FOOTAGE) - YouTube
(12) Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker TV Spot Trailers 21 - 24 - YouTube
(12) Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker TV Spot Trailers 25 - 26 - YouTube

Other Saga official featurette:

(12) Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker | Featurette - YouTube