EPISODE VIII: LATEST NEWS (LATE APRIL 2017)

The teaser trailer, featuring heroine Rey developing her Force abilities with or without the guidance of the mysterious Luke Skywalker, has already smashed the thirty million hits mark online, confirming that we all just can't get enough of The Last Jedi.


Here's the latest news round-up:

Official Site trailer analysis: http://www.starwars.com/news/swco-2017-5-highlights-from-the-star-wars-the-last-jedi-teaser 

CELEBRATION panel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL9fRNEpErI

Rian Johnson on the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdBPpeJvQjo 

Mark Hamill speaks! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc1z2fbm9Yo

More on Mark/EPISODE VIII: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b__d0GRsGrM 

ABC TV exclusive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It_olylT42I 

Daisy Ridley chat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiPqSW9k6T0

http://www.jedinews.co.uk/film-music-tv/articles/high-resolution-image-last-jedi-teaser-poster/

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/apr/20/oscar-isaac-on-star-wars-guatemala-and-his-dylan-esque-backstories

 https://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2017/04/oscar-isaac-reveals-filming-intense-scene-with-carrie-fisher-for-the-last-jedi.html

And on future films of the saga and standaloners:

http://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-ix-and-next-indiana-jones-get-release-dates 

https://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2017/04/meetings-for-future-star-wars-spin-offs-and-an-episode-ix-table-read-will-happen-soon.html

OUT NOW IN THE UK: THE CLASSIC TRILOGY AND 'TFA' JUNIOR NOVELS!

Just in time for the 40th Anniversary of George Lucas's inspired opus mythology, with each title blessed with a specific character lightsaber (a lovely nod to one of the early teaser posters to Return of the Jedi), young UK readers can join in the celebratory fun and relive in young novel form, courtesy of EGMONT/DISNEY, the three films that started it all via their Special Edition adapted personas, from that talented literary imagineer and longtime LUCAS BOOKS collaborator Ryder Windham, bringing the stories of A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, to blistering, fast paced form, whilst also giving additional perspectives and character oversights to all our main heroes and villains. A pleasing reprint tribute for the continuing book collection.

2015's The Force Awakens junior novel from Michael Kogge, a satisfying telling with additional scenes, also gets a reprinting from EGMONT in this anniversary format, with Kylo Ren's fiery cyberpunk-esque lightsaber gracing that book's cover.


Get them here: 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Hope-Junior-Novel/dp/1405285427/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493209554&sr=8-1&keywords=star+wars+ryder+windham

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Empire-Strikes-Junior/dp/1405285435/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493209554&sr=8-2&keywords=star+wars+ryder+windham 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Return-Junior-Novel/dp/1405285443/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1493209554&sr=8-5&keywords=star+wars+ryder+windham 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Force-Awakens-Junior/dp/1405287438/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493210312&sr=8-2&keywords=the+force+awakens+junior+novel

OUT NOW IN UK PAPERBACK: 'AFTERMATH: LIFE DEBT'

Easily the best of Chuck Wendig's interesting and often quite adult and hard-hitting official continuance of the Classic STAR WARS saga post Return of the Jedi, Life Debt, the second of the intriguing and officially approved Aftermath trilogy combining film heroes with all-new characters, comes with an added explosive finale twist to shock and surprise, out now in UK paperback from ARROW. The plotline concerning Han and Chewbacca's bid to free the Wookiee slaves of Kashyyyk proves itself as the most confident and standout section of the book by far.

Review: http://starwarsaficionado.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/aficionado-review-aftermath-life-debt.html

Get it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Aftermath-Life-Debt/dp/1784750050/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493208369&sr=8-1&keywords=star+wars+life+debt+paperback

EPISODE VII: INFORMATION RECEIVED...

Han and Leia know that their relationship problems of the past will have to be put on the back burner for a while, now that information has come through to the Resistance on D'Qar about the First Order's devastating weapon, Starkiller Base, in this scene from THE FORCE AWAKENS.

ILM CLASSIC IMAGE: BACK TO BASE!

A great image from an early stop motion animatic placer guide of Han Solo and his Tauntaun entering one of the hangar bays of the Hoth Rebel base, from THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

As seen in the film.

CLASSIC INDY: 'RAIDERS' WHIPS THE UK!

The lovely British poster quad art by Amsel that introduced to cinemas audiences unexpecting and quickly delighted with a new adventurer created by George Lucas, brought to life by star Harrison Ford and director Steven Spielberg in the best 1930's cliffhanger tradition: Indiana Jones!

The rest, as they say, is history!

Indiana Jones Theme • John Williams - YouTube
Behind the scenes: the Indiana Jones films | BFI

INDY V latest news:

Steven Spielberg confirms that a MacGuffin has been selected for Indy 5!
John Williams Returning To Score Indiana Jones 5

EPISODE VIII: LATEST NEWS (APRIL 2017)

Stunning teaser poster debuted at Celebration Orlando 2017.

The Rian Johnson directed odyssey for our heroes old and new gathers momentum, and looking better than ever with the release of the stunning first teaser trailer:

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Official Teaser - YouTube

More news...

Every Plot Detail Revealed About Star Wars: The Last Jedi at Celebration 2017 - IGN

Introducing the planet Crait: New Star Tours Adventure Revealed at Star Wars Celebration | Disney Parks Blog

Kathleen Kennedy Says Carrie Fisher Will Not Be In Episode IX - Jedi News - Your Daily Star Wars News Resource

SWCO 2017: First Look at Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi Covers and More Reveals from Lucasfilm's Writers Roundtable Discussion | StarWars.com

Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Three iconic locations rumoured to appear | The Independent

Laura Dern on Wilson, Star Wars: The Last Jedi & Twin Peaks | Collider

Star Wars: The Last Jedi's Laura Dern won't tell anyone - not even her kids - who she's playing | GamesRadar+

Disney won't digitalise Carrie Fisher's image in new Star Wars film

Disney CEO Bob Iger teases 15 years of 'Star Wars' stories yet to come - ABC News

OUT NOW IN UK HARDBACK: 'THRAWN'

Move over Ben Stiller/Derek Zoolander, there's only one guy out there who has that true 'Blue Steel' visage down to an art form, and that's the resourceful, adaptive,coldly calculating and strategically brilliant alien from the planet Chiss, the villain whom we all love to hate: Grand Admiral Thrawn, created by Timothy Zahn as the first and best Expanded Universe villain to worthily take on our Classic Trilogy era heroes back in the 90's, and now deservedly an official player in the modern DISNEY controlled STAR WARS universe, mentally terrorising our new heroes of the STAR WARS REBELS animated series in their final two seasons.

Leading into the events of REBELS, Thrawn's distinctive and memorable rising up the ranks quickly history within the machinations of the Galactic Empire, and the solidifying of his reputation as the uniquely first alien soldier/warrior to capture the approval of the dreaded Emperor himself, is revealed in the officially recognised new novel from his creator, THRAWN, published in UK hardback via Century Books, and has quickly received race reviews and acclaim as the must-have original SW novel of the year so far.

Get it here: Star Wars: Thrawn: Amazon.co.uk: Timothy Zahn: 9781780894843: Books

Timothy Zahn on His Novel Thrawn, How to Pronounce the Grand Admiral's Full Name, and More | StarWars.com

Image: DISNEY XD.

UK fans of Grand Admiral Thrawn will finally get to see his epic fight against the Ghost crew in the spectacular hour finale to STAR WARS REBELS Season Three, Zero Hour, on Saturday 22nd April, 2017, on DISNEY XD.

OUT NOW: 'ROGUE ONE' - JUNIOR NOVEL ADAPTATION

Giving us a fast paced, always page turning adaptation of the action, intrigue, loyalty, bravery and danger experienced by the resolute Rebel heroine Jyn Erso and her loyal team in stealing the plans to the fearsome Death Star battle station from right under the very noses of their Imperial enemy, Matt Forbeck can be commended for his sterling work with this new Junior Novel, out now from DISNEY/EGMONT, that proves a worthy edition to the modern and fresh appealing STAR WARS printed realm for readers 9+.

Get it here: Star Wars: Rogue One: Junior Novel: Amazon.co.uk: Matt Forbeck: 9781405285681: Books

Note: Sadly, the UK edition of the book does not come with the colour photo section publicised with the American edition.

OUT NOW: NEW CLASSIC TRILOGY BOOKS FROM TOPPS

It's a bumper month for all lovers of the classic TOPPS STAR WARS cards and stickers series of the 70's to 90's, as TOPPS' long-time editor/writer and keeper of the STAR WARS card universe collective Gary Gerani, once more happily aligned with ABRAMS BOOKS, present their collection of the much beloved 1995 card set devoted to the original version of STAR WARS in its premiere showcase 'widevision' format, featuring images specially selected and telecine captured from the unaltered original 1977 movie, at a time before the film was widely available to see in its full aspect ratio- so successful and fan acclaimed was this launch set that it became the opening salvo to an outstanding run of STAR WARS cards and imagery presented in this special size, in presentations that have continued to this day as a release tradition up to The Force Awakens. Adding welcome completism, the book also comes with the later 1997 Special Edition card set of the film,  that was specially focused on all the love them or hate them editorial, optical and effects changes made to the film by George Lucas and ILM for a new cinema watching generation in the saga's then 20th Anniversary year. RANCHO OBI-WAN's Stephen Sansweet returns to bring his editorial comments and behind the scenes information to bear on this particular and also visually impressive set.

Relive those halcyon special days of specialist card collecting, here: Star Wars Widevision: The Original Topps Trading Card Series, Volume One (Topps Star Wars): Amazon.co.uk: Gary Gerani: 9781419724497: Books

Continuing the fun and celebrations, also available via ABRAMS, comes the TOPPS compilation book featuring these earliest merchandise collectibles linked to the Classic Trilogy in sticker form, reprinting 250 of the classic sticker images that first showcased the 1977 adventure's memorable characters and action (and mostly in their original release size for this new publication), worthily just in time for the saga's Fortieth Anniversary. The title also comes with eighteen bonus stickers mixing 'Legacy' heroes and villains with the new stars of The Force Awakens, plus five pullout backgrounds to create your own sticker posters on one side, or display a recreation of the classic Topps STAR WARS puzzle poster on the other. A colourful, nostalgic treat, indeed.

Get it here: Star Wars Topps Classic Sticker Book: Amazon.co.uk: The Topps Company: 9781419727115: Books

OUT NOW: 'DARTH VADER AND FAMILY' BY JEFFREY BROWN

Jeffrey Brown's acclaimed cute and colourful reimagining of the STAR WARS saga in children's universe form continues to surprise and delight fans young and old - his latest striking and memorable work out now from CHRONICLE BOOKS: Darth Vader and Family Colouring Book,

Darth Vader and Family Coloring Book: Amazon.co.uk: Jeffrey Brown: 9781452159232: Books

ROGUE ONE: SENSING THE DARK SIDE...

He may not be a Jedi, but Chirrut Imwe's sense of the Force and its shifting between light and dark aspects is unnervingly accurate, as seen on Eadu, when he soon notes the building darkness surrounding Cassian Andor and his "mission" linked to Galen Erso.

A tense moment from ROGUE ONE, and another great character moment for Donnie Yen.

EPISODE VII: A LEGEND RETURNS....

She may have some rust here and there, and some interlopers have put some undesirable linkages and components to restrict her operating systems over the years, but when the Millennium Falcon takes flight once more, its a beautiful thing, proving her worth to new flyers Rey and Finn in maneuvering from TIE Fighter pursuit across the skies and deserts of Jakku, in this great composite image for THE FORCE AWAKENS...

CLASSIC IMAGE: SALACIOUS SIDEKICK!

Keeping his watchful eyes and snout on proceedings within Jabba the Hutt's Palace on Tatooine, Salacious B. Crumb was very much the STAR WARS equivalent of Peter Lorre (if a lot smaller) to Jabba's bulky and intimidating Sydney Greenstreet, during the beginning of RETURN OF THE JEDI.

This shot was one of numerous images sent as reference to KENNER back in 1982 when the ROTJ toy line was in preparation.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A LEADER TO THE END...

With the command centre having taken a direct hit, Han Solo has commendably come to check on the princess, but doesn't exactly get a welcome reception in response, in a classic moment from THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

BEHIND THE SCENES: A WOOKIEE IN THE BUILDING!

Soon back on set for EPISODE III on the soundstages of the Australian FOX Studios, Peter Mayhew, now wearing an all-new wookiee costume, alongside make-up talents Dave and Lou Elsey, get to visit George Lucas and receive his seal of approval. Chewbacca is indeed back, like eighteen years hadn't passed at all!

CLASSIC IMAGE: "THE WAR HAS BEGUN..."

With prior Separatist/Republic instability now leading to full-scale Galactic war, and the nobel Jedi now swamped in their duty whilst also becoming unwilling leadrrs to a Clone Army not of their making, the dark deeds of the returned Sith, and slow revenge on their sworn enemies, are coming to fruition by Darth's Sidious and Tyranus as EPISODE II'S cinematic storytelling comes to a close.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A SITH SNEAK ATTACK!

Knowing that he must protect the Queen from this mysterious new Force using attacker, Qui-Gon takes his opponent into the nearby sand dunes, in this fast but intense lightsaber duel action moment from EPISODE I.

THE CLONE WARS: LEGENDS OF THE FORCE!

True STAR WARS hero legends stand ready for action in this lovely composite image for the later seasons of THE CLONE WARS animated series. With three uncompleted seasons of animatic material and scripts that can still be mined, let's hope the first Lucasfilm STAR WARS animated series continues to appear in comics and book form for the not too distant future.

ROGUE ONE: A PARADISE... OF DANGER!

In their stolen cargo shuttle now codenamed Rogue One, our heroes arrive at the security heavy installation- a world of rich paradisical beauty caught in the stranglehold of Imperial technology, in this lovely effects shot from ROGUE ONE.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: "I CARE.."

With his seeming greed and callous nature, Han Solo hasn't won over Princess Leia's thanks and admiration (well, not yet!), but young Luke Skywalker is clearly besotted by the girl of his adventurous dreams and clearly gets jealous when Han deliberately riles him about her, in a nice character moment pause between intense action in STAR WARS.

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: DELETED SCENE (UPDATED): FALCON DUDES!