ROGUE ONE: DEADLY NEWS FROM FAR AWAY...

At the asteroid belt location of commerce, danger and vice that is the Ring of Kafrene outpost, Rebel Intelligence operative Cassian Andor will soon recieve disturbing and terrifying news from an old acquaintance of a new Imperial terror machination...

A lovely effects shot of this new location within the STAR WARS universe, as seen in this recent TOPPS widevision card linked to the film.

'STAR WARS REBELS': NOGHRI DAWN!

Image: DISNEY XD.

On his efficient speeder bike, the determined and deadly alien bodyguard to Grand Admiral Thrawn, the Noghri known as Rukh, has a mission of death to keep, making his welcome surprise premiere appearance, and finally existing beyond Expanded Universe once canon, in the recent trailer for Season Four of STAR WARS REBELS, airing soon in the US. Voiced by longtime STAR WARS British fan favourite Warwick Davis, we can't wait to see what subtly malevolent intrigue, action, danger and character he brings to the DISNEY XD series in its finale run.

Don't forget, the action-packed STAR WARS REBELS: The Complete Season Three also comes to Blu-ray and DVD States-side this month (29th August, 2017).

EPISODE VIII: REY THE JEDI?

Whether or not these have already fully appeared online I don't know, but here's two great costume reference/marketing shots nonetheless of the new look Rey, as played by Daisy Ridley, looking cooler and more Jedi-like than ever in the face of her ongoing encounter with the mysterious and emotionally haunted Luke Skywalker, for the upcoming The Last Jedi.

Recent links to Entertainment Weekly's exclusive magazine coverage of EPISODE VIII:

http://www.jedinews.co.uk/film-music-tv/articles/ew-last-jedi-coverage-wraps-kylo-ren-phasma-chewbacca-maz-kanata/

http://ew.com/movies/2017/08/11/star-wars-last-jedi-kylo-ren-dark-side/ 

CLASSIC IMAGE: MAKING THE CONNECTION!

On the harsh and dusty Outer Rim desert world of Geonosis, lone Jedi Obi-Wan prepares to send a vital message from his starfighter, aided by droid R4, in a scene filmed in later UK re-shoots for EPISODE II -note the wig Ewan is wearing after having previously shaved his hair for the Ridley Scott action drama Black Hawk Down.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A STROLL BEFORE DINNER!

Han, Leia and Chewie get the full Lando experience as he takes them on a tour of the Art Deco stylings of Bespin, before their planned "refreshments" turns into a nightmare, in this great 1980 B/W image from THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

EPISODE VIII: THE NEW 'ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY' COVERS DEBUT!

Looking decidedly very Alec Guinness-y, Mark Hamill's bearded and cloaked Luke Skywalker makes an atmospheric and no doubt ominous appearance whilst gracing the first of two covers for Entertainment Weekly's start-up proper coverage of The Last Jedi, out today on US newsstands, of which the second cover features the heroic, ready-to-take-a-stand lightsaber wielding figure of Daisy Ridley's Rey, in her latest outfit, also on the remote and mysterious island world of Ahch-to, likely home to the original Jedi of generations past.


Check out the web coverage and the newly released film images for EPISODE VIII here:

http://ew.com/movies/2017/08/09/star-wars-last-jedi-ew-fall-movie-preview-cover/

https://ew.com/movies/star-wars-the-last-jedi-exclusive-new-images/the-last-jedi-exclusive-images

OUT NOW IN THE UK: 'STAR WARS - REBEL RISING'

A time for survival for Jyn Erso, in Rebel Rising, out now in the UK. Cover art by Brian Rood.

Between the time she was eight years old, at first left alone and orphaned on Lah'mu though ultimately taken under the protective wing of extremist Rebel leader Saw Gerrera, and her eventual rise to womanhood in becoming a key, if at first unwilling, member of the Rebel Alliance in capturing the plans to the devastating Death Star super weapon, a lot, a helluva lot, happened to the courageous Rogue One heroine/icon that was Jyn Erso, as played onscreen with gusto by Felicity Jones. Discover her key events of discovery, adventure and personal tragedy, in this well written, genuine page-turner from bestselling author Beth Revis that is Rebel Rising, available from EGMONT UK paperback. It's certainly one of their best STAR WARS novel adventures released so far, and a worthy tie in to previous Rogue One related novels from Alexander Freed and James Luceno.

Get it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rogue-One-YA-Character-Novel/dp/1405285079/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1502366285&sr=1-1&keywords=star+wars+rebel+rising

Look out for the AFICIONADO review soon...

OUT NOW IN THE UK: 'STAR WARS: GUARDIANS OF THE WHILLS'

Chirrut and Baze- together again. Art by Diogo Saito.

Spiritual and battle hardened defenders of the faith and the mysterious Force to the end, exiled former Guardians of the Whills Chirrut Imwe and Baze Malbus played a key and memorable role in the Rebel Alliance's ultimate success at the Battle of Scarif- their noble sacrifice saving the lives of billions against galactic tyranny and earning them instant and well deserved cult status with worldwide fans of the STAR WARS cinematic universe and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Now, relive some of their earlier previously unrevealed adventures in the Holy City of Jedha, at a time no less crucial and enlightening in their lives, of which their abilities and long-time friendship forged in courage and adaptability against evil shines through anew: Star Wars: Guardians of the Whills, out now in UK paperback from Egmont, written by Greg Rucka, and featuring terrific cover and inside B/W spread art scenes by Diogo Saito.

Their former status as Guardians may now have been denied them, but their dedication to the protection of Jedha's innocent people, especially the orphans whose lives have been torn apart by building Imperial occupation, remains undiminished. The arrival of steadfast and boldly brutal Saw Gerrera and his extemeist Rebel band, to whom the duo will add their allegiance from time to time, intensifies the situation still further as the bridging to Rogue One begins (we even find out the story of that street-crashed black and white X-wing fighter- a nice touch!). Author Rucka weaves a pleasing tale full of action that truly captures the personalities of the two quirky cinematic heroes: the spiritually enlightened and ready for action Chirrut, and the loyalty of his lovably gruff, stormtrooper killing friend/comrade-in-arms that is the long suffering Baze Malbus. 

AFICIONADO Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Get the exciting adventure here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Guardians-Greg-Rucka/dp/140528501X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1502365922&sr=1-1&keywords=star+wars+guardians+of+the+whills

OUT IN PAPERBACK THIS MONTH: 'AFTERMATH - EMPIRE'S END'

The history-making events of the Journey to The Force Awakens conclude with ARROW UK's latest paperback release charting the epic finale battle between the regrouped Empire (led by the mysterious acolyte to the Emperor in Gallius Rax) against a determined Rebel Alliance, of which one of our forces of good's best and brightest, former pilot turned Imperial hunter Norra Wexley, is out for payback and emotional closure, as Chuck Wendig's acclaimed and galactic events sweeping Aftermath book series successfully draws to a close with Empire's End.

Read our original review here: https://starwarsaficionado.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/aficionado-review-aftermath-empires-end.html

Get the book here (from August 24th, 2017): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Aftermath-Empires-End/dp/0099594293/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502364841&sr=8-1&keywords=star+wars+empire%27s+end

The weighty paperback edition also comes with the enjoyable and relevant short story that previously appeared in Star Wars Insider issue 172 (from 2017): Blade Squadron Jakku, authored by David J. Williams and Mark S. Williams.

'THE LAST JEDI' - UPCOMING BOOKS AND TIE-INS...

Now inheriting Luke Skywalker's lightsaber, a haunted Rey stands alone, in a concept piece revealed in The Art of The Last Jedi, coming later this year.

The lack of new footage and enthused cast and crew for The Last Jedi at the recent San Diego Comic Con may have been a severe disappointment, but DISNEY's overall STAR WARS presence with regards to upcoming books and comic tie-ins was certainly never more abundant nor more scintilating- with some stunning covers showcasing upcoming releases for the rest of the year, for many returning recognized names penning sequel related endeavours and pre-bridging adventures.We're looking forward particularly to the novelisation, the Art of via ABRAMS, and DK's Incredible Cross-sections.


http://www.starwars.com/news/new-star-wars-the-last-jedi-books-and-more-revealed-at-sdcc-2017

Rose joins Rey and Finn to be Heroes of the Galaxy.

Other EPISODE VIII news:

http://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-the-last-jedi-props-and-costumes-on-display-at-sdcc

http://www.jedinews.co.uk/film-music-tv/articles/lots-action-coming-finn-last-jedi/