EPISODE IX: JAGGED EDGE!

An incredible and frightening sight. Top pilot Poe Dameron's single Resistance X-wing fighter against a score of malevolent enemy Star Destroyers? I don't reckon the Empire/ First Order's chances, regardless, in this great teaser poster art for The Rise of Skywalker released in US Dolby Cinemas and Real D 3D Cinemas and IMAX this past Christmas and New Year.

'Final Battle' TV spot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG42Hlm2B6I

EPISODE IX: A REY OF LIGHT IN THE DESERT!

The first hints of Rey's true background with the Force emerge as she and her friends pick up the mantle of a prior stalled search for the Sith Homeworld, via an important clue on the desert world of Pasaana.

A lovely specially posed image of Daisy Ridley as Rey in the striking Wadi Rum location in Jordan, during 2018 filming of The Rise of Skywalker.

Daisy Ridley/EPISODE IX related video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C55sn0hYOJY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSCFw8c0WzY

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo-hi98Sqko

Online interviews:

https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/daisy-ridley-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-interview


https://www.stylist.co.uk/people/daisy-ridley-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-saga-rey-interview/334018

INTRODUCING 'STAR WARS' GREATEST AMBASSADOR!

Photoplay magazine introduces Star Wars to UK readers!

Growing up as a seven-year old within a family of major-league cinema and Hollywood celebrity addicts, the regular issue of the UK/US magazine Photoplay was a must-have purchase event each month. It was with the September 1977 issue, bought one Sunday at the local newsagent, that I saw the first coverage (to me at least!) of the then eagerly-anticipated-in-the-UK movie that was Star Wars. The moment I saw the first marvellous B/W picture of the movie, used full page to promote its then current mega-success in America, and especially showcasing the unique droids themselves in the human-like C-3PO and the squat but strangely cute R2-D2 (what did those names of theirs truly signify, I wondered...?), then turned the next few pages after to see more incredible visual wonders the likes of which I'd never seen before, I knew I was totally, immediately hooked!

The full version of the classic 1977 publicity image.

This wasn't just one of a series of firsts for me linked to the soon-impact of Star Wars, though. With regards to the all-important man bringing Threepio uniquely, and so evocatively, to life in talented British actor Anthony Daniels, he would have the unique distinction of being the first actor officially hired to work on the film, and be the first actor making regular visits to the Lucasfilm/FOX-hired Elstree Studios at the unique start of the project's late 1975 post production cycle and the urgently needed creation of the droids. When "The Star Wars" started rolling on location in Tunisia by Spring 1976, it was also Daniels who had his first major scene filmed at the Lars Homestead Droid Auction- of which iconic cinema and cinema character history was made, and whose publicity images taken therein would soon make him (and comrade Artoo) the original, ultimate visual identity ambassador for the franchise...

Discover more about Anthony Daniels incredible involvement in the saga over forty-two unforgettable years, from extraordinary beginnings to satisfying closure with 2019's The Rise of Skywalker, via his hugely enjoyable new autobiography which reveals the on screen genesis of the protocol droid's life in the saga, and the many incredible life journeys and incidents that the man inside him has been involved with thanks to that golden alter-ego best friend of his. I am C-3PO - The Inside Story is out now from DK Books and has deservedly received rave reviews for its playful humour, candour and vintage reminisces, and it includes a lovely selection of accompanying colour imagery across his incredible contributions linked to the saga.

Anthony Daniels with his best friend.

Book audio excerpt:
(12) I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story, by Anthony Daniels Audiobook Excerpt - YouTube

Related interviews:

(12) Anthony Daniels: "I am C-3PO: The Inside Story" | Talks at Google - YouTube
(12) Anthony Daniels Extended Interview | The Star Wars Show - YouTube
(12) Anthony Daniels Shares His C-3PO Memories | Studio 10 - YouTube
(12) Anthony Daniels on C3PO’s Last Day on ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ - YouTube

Get the book here (also available in Kindle and Audiobook):
I Am C-3PO - The Inside Story: Foreword by J.J. Abrams: Amazon.co.uk: Anthony Daniels, J.J. Abrams: 9780241357606: Books

EPISODE IX: WOOKIEE WONDER!

On set at Pinewood Studios in 2018, a happy J.J. Abrams goes through a scene with Joonas Suotamo, back in the wookiee suit for a fourth (and hopefully not last) time as the faithful hero Chewbacca. For me, Suotamo delivered one of the most genuinely well-played emotional moments in not just The Rise of Skywalker but also the entire sequel saga, when a heart-felt Chewbacca reacts to the devastating news of a loved one's passing. I certainly wasn't the only person getting teary-eyed in the cinema, that's for sure!

EPISODE IX character card image.

'Star Wars': New Details on Chewie's 'Force Awakens' Snub Revealed by Joonas Suotamo | Hollywood Reporter

At the London filming, Joonas has fun on set with his son. 

Video interviews:

(12) Joonas Suotamo On Playing Chewbacca In ‘Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker’ - YouTube

(12) Joonas Suotamo: Rise of Skywalker - YouTube

(12) Joonas Suotamo | Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - YouTube

(12) Joonas Suotamo talks about playing Chewbacca - YouTube

EPISODE IX: FORCE FIGHTERS!

A duel begins in the recently released Chinese poster for EPISODE IX.

As the combined forces of the First Order and the Empire prepare to take the galaxy, Rey and Kylo Ren square off on the remains of the second Death Star, in the memorable Asian/International territories poster for The Rise of Skywalker.

Behind the scenes info recently revealed for EPISODE IX:

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Writer Chris Terrio on Major Spoilers | IndieWire

Intent Behind The Rise of Skywalker Opening Crawl Explained by Co-Writer

Star Wars 9 Editor Reveals 3 Scenes Added During Reshoots

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-visual-effects-secrets-revealed-200000081.html?guccounter=1

EPISODE IX: FINN MANS THE QUAD!

Their secret meeting with a Resistance informant successful but quickly compromised, Finn mans the Millennium Falcon belly quad cannon once more against the First Order, only this time with more confidence and battle experience, in a scene from The Rise of Skywalker.

More John Boyega/EPISODE IX related articles:

Video clips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkB6LfJAJg0
https://hypebeast.com/2019/11/john-boyega-star-wars-episode-ix-the-rise-of-skywalker-script-ebay

Online:

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-finn-origin
John Boyega Won’t Do a ‘Star Wars’ Disney Plus Show – Variety
John Boyega on whether Finn still has a crush on Rey in The Rise of Skywalker | EW.com
https://uk.yahoo.com/movies/john-boyega-didnt-agree-with-the-choices-in-star-wars-the-last-jedi-091120106.html
John Boyega on Star Wars Flaws, Disagreeing With The Last Jedi | IndieWire

EPISODE IX: SEAT OF POWER, SEAT OF DESTINY

Rey faces her destiny, and what could also be her final battle, against the returned evil of Emperor Palpatine, preparing for the ultimate dominion of the Sith, in Dan Mumford's final poster art for worldwide IMAX/AMC screenings of The Rise of Skywalker.

https://movieweb.com/the-rise-of-skywalker-emperor-palpatine-backstory/

EPISODE IX: SCAVENGER STOPOVER!

Always on the lookout for their next profitable exercise in salvage hunting (as seen with their splendid appearance in the second episode of The Mandalorian), the scavenger Jawas make a stopover in the desert environs of Tatooine for this great post-Classic Trilogy release created painting from the much-missed Ralph McQuarrie. A lovely scenescape homage to it recreated in live-action - a special tribute to the important artist and his cherished SW work by Lucasfilm/ILM/J.J. Abrams - during the emotional Lars Homestead finale to The Rise of Skywalker.

OUT NOW IN THE UK: 'THE MOVIEMAKING MAGIC OF STAR WARS: SHIPS + BATTLES'

Following on from the success of their 2018 released examination of the saga's beloved creatures and aliens, Abrams Books for Young Readers releases the second of its highly-detailed, visually immersive Cinemagic books devoted to The Moviemaking Magic of Star Wars, this time focusing on the many ingenious and iconic Ships + Battles across the franchise's entire filmic landscape. New to the range author Landry Walker goes to town charting the incredible and inspiring behind the scenes developments and landmarks that would change the face of cinema and pop culture history forever, alongside many very rare images, storyboards and art pieces from the Lucasfilm Archive that are effectively showcased. The detailed tome even gets to include a brief, picture-focused sneak-peek at some memorable moments from the newly-released The Rise of Skywalker.

Here's the official book blurb:

Go behind the scenes on the Journey to The Rise of Skywalker in this interactive book to see how favorite vehicles from the Millennium Falcon to Imperial AT-ATs were created and used in legendary scenes like the Battles of Endor and Hoth

Go behind the scenes of the biggest movie franchise of all time in this immersive and interactive book to see how the most iconic vehicles in the galaxy from the Millennium Falcon to X-Wings and TIE fighters to AT-ATs and the Death Star were created and used in the films of the Star Wars saga. This collectible book includes special interactive elements, including six-page booklets, accordion folds, and flaps that reveal the magic behind the movies with concept sketches, molds, digital imagery and more! Plus, get a sneak peak at some of the vehicles from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker!

Get The Moviemaking Magic of Star Wars: Ships + Battles here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moviemaking-Magic-Star-Wars-Battles/dp/1419736337/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=star+wars+ships+and+battles&qid=1577547929&sr=8-1

Also available: The Moviemaking Magic of Star Wars: Creatures + Aliens:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moviemaking-Magic-Star-Wars-Creatures/dp/1419728199/ref=sr_1_1?crid=264OHIP15PJT3&keywords=moviemaking+magic+of+star+wars+creatures+%26+aliens&qid=1577884217&sprefix=moviemaking+magic+of+star+wars%2Caps%2C350&sr=8-1

EPISODE IX: 'THEY FLY NOW!'

Our on-a-quest young heroes face dedicated pursuit across the Pasaana landscape by high-speed, high-flying First Order forces, as seen in the penultimate art piece from Dan Mumford celebrating the IMAX/AMC cinematic release of The Rise of Skywalker.

Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWDPjVT51Q0