'BLADE RUNNER: 2049' COMES TO 'TOTAL FILM' MAGAZINE

It's a meeting of men and Blade Runners, as Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling pose amidst the darkness of a Los Angeles dystopian nightmare, for the upcoming BLADE RUNNER 2049 cover showcase of the UK's TOTAL FILM magazine, out now on UK newsstands.

https://www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/film/total-film-magazine-back-issues/total-film-october-2017-issue-263/

New trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgank1Rk32E

Jared Leto is showcased in Nexus Dawn, a new web drama on Youtube.

UPDATE: New three episode short story web series linked to BLADE RUNNER: Story one - Nexus Dawn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgsS3nhRRzQ 

THE 'HAN SOLO' MOVIE: LATEST NEWS (AUG 2017)

Image: Ron Howard/TWITTER.

Watching a monitor starring a certai wookiee, a happy Ron Howard looks more comfortable than ever in the director's seat with his takeover of the directorial reins for the Han Solo movie. And who could blame him. Surely, it's one of the best jobs in the world!

Latest news:

https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/star-wars-han-solo-movie-news-cast-rumors-trailer/

https://dorksideoftheforce.com/2017/08/19/ron-howard-tweets-set-photos-chewbacca/ 

http://screenrant.com/han-solo-movie-emilia-clarke-character-name/

http://www.jedinews.co.uk/film-music-tv/articles/donald-glover-wrapped-work-han-solo-film/

http://deadline.com/2017/08/michael-k-williams-han-solo-movie-roll-cut-reshoots-1202153750/

UPDATED (SEP 2017)

http://www.empireonline.com/movies/star-wars-group/ron-howard-offers-another-han-solo-spin-tease/

http://www.jedinews.co.uk/film-music-tv/articles/paul-bettany-part-young-han-solo-film-cast/

http://www.jedinews.co.uk/film-music-tv/articles/ron-howard-shares-new-set-photo-han-solo-film/

http://www.jedinews.co.uk/film-music-tv/articles/ron-howard-posts-shot-intense-action-scene-han-solo-set/

CLASSIC IMAGE: A TIME OF JOY... AND APPROACHING DARKNESS!

Happily reunited with his secret wife padme Amidala on Coruscant, after months away from the Galactic Core fighting in the Outer Rim Sieges, Jedi hero Anakin Skywalker is even more surprised and delighted by the news that she is carrying their upcoming child, in this memorable scene from EPISODE III.

BEHIND THE SCENES: NEW ADVENTURE, NEW WOOKIEE!

At his magical make-up emporium at Elstree Studios in early 1982, the legendary and mush-missed Stuart Freeborn continues his dedicated work for RETURN OF THE JEDI, his production slate ambitious enough with all-new characters like Jabba and the Ewoks, but always making sure he kept his key input into the continued crafting and developing of previously established favourites, as seen here, where he's putting fine detail to the latest wookiee mask for the beloved Chewbacca.

'BLADE RUNNER 2049': TRAILER FOUR

When Deckard met Officer K! Image: WARNER BROTHERS. 

It's two months to go before the Replicant Revolution of Earth begins, with the self-exiled Rick Deckard caught in the middle of it all, as the latest International Trailer for the eagerly-awaited BLADE RUNNER 2049, starring Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling, arrives online:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlBrEl84Poc

To get UK viewers in the mood for the return of a sci-fi classic: http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/philip-k-dicks-electric-dreams

ROGUE ONE: ON A SINGULAR PATH...

A heroine truly cut from a different cloth to previous strong females seen in the cinematic STAR WARS saga, not raised in the relative protective shelter of a Royal family or blessed with an Ambassadorial heritage, and with a difficult past and formative years in the build up to the Rebel Alliance against the Empire proving different to anything expeineced by the under no less hardship Rey on the frontier wilderness of Jakku, Jyn Erso's status as a franchise power player icon to be admired and saluted is cemented with Rogue One. In addition to her recent animated appearances in Forces of Destiny, let's hope that the character will sooner rather than later reappear in other substantial areas of the franchise, be they books, comics or a potential pre Rogue One appearnce for the talented Felicity Jones in a standalone movie.

For more on Jyn's captivating and emotional backstory on the path to Rogue One, I recommend the enjoyable page-turner Rebel Rising, a novel by Beth Revis, published in the UK by DISNEY/EGMONT.

Get it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Rising-Beth-Revis/dp/1484780833/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1503578781&sr=1-1&keywords=star+wars+rebel+rising

CLASSIC IMAGE: IN DUTY TO THE REPUBLIC!

Bail Organa, adoptive father-to-be of Princess Leia, is finally revealed in the cinematic universe during the opening scenes of EPISODE II, a strong leader amidst a Senate locked in problems with the growing anger of the Separatists, of which the casting of Jimmy Smits couldn't have been more spot-on. It was truly great to have Organa/Smits back in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, via a worthy appearance successfully bridging further the Classic and Prequel Trilogies timelines.

'STAR WARS REBELS': X-WINGS INCOMING!

A glorious sight in the new trailer for the upcoming STAR WARS REBELS 16-episode 'darker, funnier' fourth season, coming soon (fall 2017) to DISNEY XD: a squadron of X-wing fighters make their welcome debut, ready for action, in an episode airing presumably near the series finale?

The acclaimed Season Three now comes to the UK on DISNEY region free Blu-ray from 2nd October, 2017.

Get it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Rebels-Season-Blu-ray/dp/B074V7RBJY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503576621&sr=8-1&keywords=STAR+WARS+REBELS+SEASON+3+BLU+RAY

CLASSIC INDY: WATERY CONFLICT!

The once peaceful tourist attraction canals of Venice are soon the venue for a perilous high speed boat chase, as Indiana Jones fights a mysterious group intent on his not getting the information needed to find his missing father, in this memorable action scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

BEHIND THE SCENES: A VIEW TO A KILL...

At Pinewood, John Boyega and Daisy Ridley film their scenes as Rey and Finn within the First Order complex of Starkiller Base, powerlessly separated in watching their friend Han Solo take the costliest risk to his life, in a pivotal scene from THE FORCE AWAKENS, still a chart busting Blu-ray and DVD hit.

CLASSIC IMAGE: WE SURRENDER!

Furry firepower has won the day, and with thanks to some ingenuity from Han Solo, as the impenetrable 'back door' to the Imperial shield generator finally opens and its legion of soldiers are surprised and captured by Endor's indigenous species, in this rare B/W image originally sent out to KENNER for toy reference back in 1982/83 for RETURN OF THE JEDI.

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 complete trilogy - out now in Century Paperback.