CLASSIC IMAGE: THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF A FARM BOY...

March 1976. At the Tunisian Troglodyte dwelling turned Hotel Sidi Driss turned Lars Homestead for STAR WARS, Mark Hamill is filmed in an exterior establishing shot as Luke Skywalker that's ultimately not used in the final movie.

CLASSIC ART: THE TIE's THEY ARE-A-CHANGING!

On an unknown Imperial world, a new design of TIE fighter, with unique foldable wings on landing, is ready to assist others from a previous incarnation, in this terrific concept art idea by Doug Chiang, from a time when The Force Awakens was still in its early genesis and everything was up for grabs to inspire the upcoming storytelling.

One of Chiang's memorable newTIE designs would eventually make it into the saga's past, within the Classic Trilogy universe of Rogue One.

EPISODE VIII: REY THE PROTECTOR!

Alone but formidable, Rey goes on a war footing!

Ready to protect the lives of the humble Ahch-To island Caretakers, Rey rushes to their shore dwellings, heeding Luke Skywalker's words to her that the innocent creatures will soon be receiving a visitation. But is all what it seems? And has Luke told her the whole truth?

A deleted scene from The Last Jedi that will not only be appearing on the film's Blu-ray/4K release (expected at the end of March), but also appearing in the pages of the equally-awaited book adaptation from STAR WARS writing veteran Jason Fry, available in UK hardback from CENTURY this March 8th, 2018. (Available in the US from March 6th, 2018).

Rey's relationship with Luke seems more fragile than ever in this tense deleted scene.

But this will be more than just a novelization. Exciting news from LUCAS BOOKS:

**Written with input from director Rian Johnson, the official novelisation of Star Wars: The Last Jedi expands on the film to include scenes from alternate versions of the script and other additional content**

" It has been announced that The Last Jedi official novelisation will be an ‘expanded edition'. In an interview with The Star Wars Show, Rian Johnson revealed that he helped New York Times bestselling author Jason Fry develop "some interesting deleted scenes from the film.”

"Rian Johnson and I had an amazing conversation," says Jason Fry. "We got to write entirely new scenes for the book: Han Solo's funeral, Rose and Paige Tico together, and further explorations of the fascinating world of Canto Bight, to name just a few."

Check out the latest edition of the online THE STAR WARS SHOW for more info:

www.starwars.com/video/the-last-jedi-novelization-to-feature-deleted-scenes-star-wars-day-at-sea-and-more

Get The Last Jedi - Expanded Edition here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Jedi-Expanded-Star-Wars/dp/178089841X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1517175640&sr=1-1&keywords=the+last+jedi+novel

For more on the UK released books of STAR WARS, head over to TWITTER:

@StarWarsBooksUK

Available March 6th, 2018 in the United States.

ROGUE ONE: THE TRUTH ABOUT 'LIANA HALLIK'!

In the main command chamber of the Rebels' secret base on Yavin IV, Captain Cassian Andor of Rebel Intelligence has all the information at his disposal on the captured Jyn Erso, during a moment not seen in the final cut of Rogue One.

A behind the scenes look at the unseen data pad with info on Jyn Erso/

EPISODE VIII: WHEN OSCAR MET DAISY (AND GARY!)

Image: TWITTER.

Backstage at Pinewood Studios during an intense early to mid-summer 2016 filming The Last Jedi, Oscar Isaac and Daisy Ridley get to enjoy some backstage quality larks with the late Carrie Fisher's sweet dog, Gary.

More laughs on the Millennium Falcon set.

Despite the potential onscreen chemistry of Rey and Poe Dameron seen at the end of The Last Jedi, Miss Ridley isn't sure a future romance for her character is necessarily the right creative move as the saga heads towards the upcoming IX.

www.nme.com/news/film/daisy-ridley-star-wars-romance-rey-2216996

EPISODE VIII: ASSEMBLING FOR BATTLE!

On the Crait wastelands near their base entrance, dwindled Resistance forces get ready for the battle of their lives against the First Order, in an unused moment originally shot on location in Bolivia for The Last Jedi.

Rogue One director Gareth Edwards (left) makes a fun cameo.

Writer/director Rian Johnson talks about the film's development and the conception of the red visual theme so inherent within it, specifically the under surface of Crait:

http://www.slashfilm.com/rian-johnson-interview-highlights/

CLASSIC ART: THE FIGHTING CYBORG!

One of EPISODE III's finest moments, as Generals Kenobi and Grievous clash lightsabers on Utapau, rendered in great art for young novel readers by Tommy Lee Edwards, in a film tie-in title published just prior to III's 2005 release.

THE CLONE WARS: WAVE OF TERROR!

They may not be marching into battle, but the Droidekas are certainly rolling into it, unleashing their weapons on Yoda and his surviving Clone Troopers in The Clone Wars animated TV series opening episode, Ambush.

BEHIND THE SCENES: GETTING THAT 'SCOUNDREL' LOOK!

At Elstree Studios in February 1982, on a packed set surrounded by human and alien-masked extras, Harrison Ford receives some camera angle filming advice from Richard Marquand, as busy shooting on Return of the Jedi continues.

Behind the scenes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc2dqz_sBgQ

BEHIND THE SCENES: WHO'S THE BOSS?!

If there's one unique creature in the universe other than a Krayt Dragon capable of keeping the Sandpeople in order, then its their creator George Lucas, posing with two of the armed desert nomads of Tatooine behind the scenes at FOX Studios Australia, in 2000, for Episode II.

A UNIVERSE OF SCOUNDRELS! MORE 'SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY' NEWS...

Alden Ehrenreich from mid-2017 Pinewood Studios filming for Solo: A Star Wars Story. 

Ron Howard has recently said it won't be long now until the first trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Story debuts. In this important run-up, here's a few more bits of news:

http://metro.co.uk/2018/01/16/this-is-why-the-han-solo-movie-trailer-is-delayed-7234841/

https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/907246/Han-Solo-trailer-Star-Wars-movie-release-date-BLACK-PANTHER-Super-Bowl

A look at the French LEGO releases:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ4tttDvrKg&feature=youtu.be

http://www.fanthatracks.com/news/film-music-tv/solo-a-star-wars-story-epk-footage-garners-great-review/

Ron Howard and friend make new use of an abandoned Astro Droid on set. Image: Ron Howard/Twitter.

http://whatculture.com/film/han-solo-movie-5-reasons-to-be-excited-and-5-to-be-worried

Our deepest condolences go to the cast and crew, family and friends of the late Rogue One and Han Solo movie producer Allison Shearmur, whose enthusiasm for the STAR WARS saga was clear to see in behind the scenes footage:

Allison Shearmur on the Rogue One set with cast and Kathleen Kennedy.

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/allison-shearmur-producer-of-rogue-one-and-solo-has-died-at-the-age-of-54/news-story/346d13a852d64e73b0adc49322ca200f

http://www.starwars.com/news/remembering-allison-shearmur-rogue-one-and-solo-producer?cmp=smc%7C1311545683

Something AFICIONADO missed from the original filming of May 2017, but worth a look regardless:

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4527146/Alden-Ehrenreich-channels-Harrison-Ford-Hans-Solo-set.html

Another environment soon to be revealed... Image: Ron Howard/TWITTER.

UPDATE 30/1/18:

https://movieweb.com/incredibles-2-han-solo-movie-super-bowl-2018-commercials/

https://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2018/01/three-planets-from-solo-a-star-wars-story-confirmed.html

http://comicbook.com/starwars/2018/01/26/star-wars-han-solo-movie-title-change-china/

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY!

He brought down one of the Empire's juggernaut Walkers, but Luke fails to see the Scout Walker in the background, heading towards the Rebel Base, in a brief but terrific visual moment from The Empire Strikes Back.

CLASSIC IMAGE: ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!

The time has come for Anakin Skywalker to leave Tatooine and start the new life he's always dreamed of. Bot not without first saying goodbye to his 'great pal' in the re-constructed droid C-3PO, during a fun moment from EPISODE I.

CLASSIC IMAGE: "THAT'S NO MOON..."

The Death Star space station looms through deep space ready to do the Empire's bidding in this great 1977 image from the original Star Wars, used as key visual reference by John Knoll and ILM for the later Rogue One.

It's nice to know that the legacy of the Death Star and its power for destruction continues to resonate in the modern saga, what with Finn referencing the First Order's use of old Empire weaponry linked to the station, if on a smaller scale, during The Last Jedi's Battle of Crait sequence.

With thanks to Chris Baker for the image.

THE SEQUELS: LATEST NEWS (JANUARY 2018)

The future of the STAR WARS saga continues on...

VIII NEWS:

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/the-last-jedi-news-director-explains-decision-behind-reys-parents/123884.htm

https://www.forbes.com/sites/markhughes/2018/01/19/star-wars-the-last-jedi-heads-toward-final-global-total-of-1-3-billion/#1b9ec0ba4a56

http://www.nme.com/news/film/joseph-gordon-levitt-defends-star-wars-last-jedi-2000-word-essay-2222059

https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/star-wars-last-jedi-empire-podcast-spoiler-special-rian-johnson/

http://www.starwars.com/news/we-had-such-a-great-time-rian-johnson-on-the-path-to-star-wars-the-last-jedi

http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/star-wars/news/a847975/star-wars-last-jedi-rian-johnson-explains-luke-skywalker-hand/

Hamill and Billie Lourd talk about Carrie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uot4xcCr1zk&feature=youtu.be

http://acupuncturecentral.net/2018/01/mark-hamill-admits-he-didnt-like-his-character-in-the-last/

http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/star-wars/news/a847691/star-wars-the-last-jedi-ending-scene-broom-boy/

http://www.slashfilm.com/star-wars-the-last-jedi-4dx/

One of the last international posters released for The Last Jedi.

IX NEWS:

https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/902634/Star-Wars-9-fired-director-Colin-Trevorrow-Rey-Daisy-Ridley-Episode-9-Bobby-Moynihan

http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/movies/movie-news/new-star-wars-movie-shoot-scotland-1118394.html

http://www.film-news.co.uk/news/UK/51345/Ridley-Scott-I-m-too-dangerous-to-direct-a-Star-Wars-movie

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/star-wars-episode-ix-plot-news-franchise-director-suggests-reys-parentage-could-still-change/123061.htm

EPISODE VIII: SPARKS OF HEROISM AND HATRED...

Legacies old and new are gathered together for this great character composite of The Last Jedi's core heroes and villain - different takes from the earlier 'Crait Red' poster campaign released during the last quarter of 2017.

EPISODE VIII: LET THIS BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD...?

SPOILERS! Despite great heroism, the Resistance has failed in its brief skirmish conflict against the overwhelming First Order on Crait. But all is not lost- the last spark of hope against evil reignited by the 'presence' of Luke Skywalker, seemingly ready to take on his former pupil, Kylo Ren, in this terrific visual moment from The Last Jedi.

https://www.thewrap.com/rian-johnson-luke-skywalker-last-jedi/

EPISODE VIII: TORCHING THE PAST, PASSING THE TORCH...

SPOILERS! He may have become a unique Jedi Master in his own right, but to Master Yoda - newly Force-emerged on Ahch-To to bring-in the destruction of the thousands of years old Jedi Tree - Luke Skywalker will always be the petulant youngster with his head too far in the clouds dreaming of adventure and excitement. Their on-screen master-apprentice relationship during The Empire Strikes Back was often quite challenging, but also magical to witness. So it was nice to see that special pairing back, with Yoda still delivering wisdom to Luke even after all this time apart, for The Last Jedi.

The return of a 'little green friend': 
http://ew.com/movies/2017/12/16/the-last-jedi-spoiler-yoda-star-wars-surprising-return/2/

Recent Frank Oz online chat: 
https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/7o6bxv/im_frank_oz_film_director_and_performer_ask_me/

EPISODE VIII: AN ORDER FOR MURDER!

Within the main hangar of the First Order flagship Supremacy, two Executioner Stormtroopers wielding laser axes zealously step forward, preparing to follow Captain Phasma's orders in executing traitor FN-2187 and his accomplice Rose Tico, in a tense moment from The Last Jedi.

EPISODE VIII: NEXT MOVE - SURVIVAL!

Supposedly safe in hyperspace within the Resistance cruiser Raddus, General Leia Organa considers her, and her dedicated freedom fighters, next steps for survival, as well as contemplating the price they've paid so far. A quiet and effective character moment for the much-missed Carrie Fisher, during The Last Jedi.

Rian Johnson on 'that' space scene:

http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/star-wars/news/a847782/star-wars-last-jedi-rian-johnson-justifes-princess-leia-moment/?utm_content=buffere423a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=maintwitterpost

Going through the scene with Rian Johnson.

Find out more about Fisher's new character wardrobe for VIII, in this interesting interview with costume supremo Michael Kaplan:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/13/fashion/michael-kaplan-costume-designer-star-wars-jedis-princesses-kylo-ren-pants.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8fui_dYsQQ&feature=youtu.be

EPISODE VIII: CLEARING A PATH!

Another great action shot from The Last Jedi showing Poe Dameron's X-wing speeding across the surface of the First Order dreadnought Fulminatrix, taking out its layers of laser cannons.

One of the great things about these new sequels has been the way we've seen both the X-wing and TIE fighters displaying further agility and adaptability in flight and combat, during some very cool visual moments. Full credit to the filmmakers and ILM.

More on how the incredible visual effects work was done for VIII: http://www.artofvfx.com/star-wars-the-last-jedi-ben-morris-overall-vfx-supervisor-industrial-light-magic/

https://vfxblog.com/2018/01/05/ten-things-i-learned-from-ilm-about-the-last-jedis-space-battles/

EPISODE VIII: THE BUSINESS OF WAR!

On the stolen Libertine space yacht, Finn and BB-8 discover just how shady their host in rogue hacker 'DJ' (as in 'Don't Join') really is, in a tense scene from The Last Jedi that briefly but effectively showcases the greed and corruption that war brings- a very real shades of grey morality issue branching into the STAR WARS universe form our own real and troubled world.

EPISODE VIII: SPOT THE SCANLAN!

A happy Neal Scanlan, UK Creature and Special Make-ups Effects Creative Supervisor for The Last Jedi, enjoys the people and alien patrons of the Canto Bight casino (200 of which were created and costumed in all by Michael Kaplan), as seen in this fun image taken for VANITY FAIR's preview of the film from mid-2017, by acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Lens legend Annie Leibovitz directs the Canto Bight shoot for VANITY FAIR.

Mark Hamill makes a fun vocal cameo as a CGI alien with slot-machine interests in BB-8.

Find out more about the film's cameos and Easter Eggs here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p09c0MXDxto

Don't forget, The Last Jedi spin-off short story book Canto Bight is still available in hardback worldwide, and in the UK from Century Publishing.

Get it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Canto-Bight-Star-Ahmed-Saladin/dp/0525480366/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1516032911&sr=1-1&keywords=star+wars+canto+bight

EPISODE VIII: A LINE DRAWN...

She'd been warned by Luke on Ahch-To of the dangers of going to Kylo Ren, and of thinking he could be turned back to the light. Now, as Rey prepares to leave Crait in the Falcon, she is aware of Ren's true ambitious presence, turning her back on him and his offer to rule the universe together once and for all.

The future of the Force, the galaxy, awaits their eventual and surely final meeting in EPISODE IX...

Rian Johnson on Rey and Ren:
http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/why-last-jedis-rian-johnson-doesnt-really-think-you-can-let-the-past-die?__source=Blastr_True_Anthem_Blastr_Twitter&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=5a5e25079ebbef0007b3fba1&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

EPISODE VIII: A LAST BID FOR SURVIVAL!

Deep in one of the hangar bays of the Raddus, the last surviving members of the Resistance prepare for swift evacuation to Crait within cramped transport shuttles, hopefully under the protection of cloaking devices, in a busy scene from The Last Jedi.

Find out more about these all-new vehicles to the saga with the latest must-have Incredible Cross-Sections book from DK- specifically dedicated to The Last Jedi, definitively written by Jason Fry and always blessed with stunning artistry from Kemp Remillard.

Get it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-JediTM-Incredible-Cross-Sections/dp/0241281075?pd_rd_wg=WX2Uj&pd_rd_r=ced79bb8-4729-46bc-bc0b-b3eba759e372&pd_rd_w=WBzha&ref_=pd_gw_simh&pf_rd_r=8TW3WSGTPDQQZ0RQZEE7&pf_rd_p=deaa5746-571c-5b3b-8d1e-7cd67d79768f

EPISODE VIII: D FOR DELETED...

Rey rushes across the Ahch-To shoreline on a mission to rescue the Caretaker community supposedly from attacking sea bandits, in a scene filmed but cut from The Last Jedi that looks set to surface on the upcoming Blu-ray deleted scenes. Though ultimately only two hours of Special Features for the release? C'mon Disney, that is very disappointing!

Rey's 'Force running' in a scene briefly shown in the first TLJ teaser trailer.

http://www.gamesradar.com/a-massive-luke-skywalker-scene-and-4-other-star-wars-the-last-jedi-deleted-scenes-coming-soon-to-the-home-release/

https://movieweb.com/last-jedi-deleted-scene-rey-third-lesson-luke-skywalker/

www.indiewire.com/2017/12/star-wars-last-jedi-deleted-scene-luke-rey-jedi-training-1201910208/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkDG8HfkeGI&feature=youtu.be

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/12/star-wars-last-jedi-luke-skywalker-character-change?mbid=nl_CH_5a3c12ddf23f9530d4dbaff4&CNDID=36338303&spMailingID=12621131&spUserID=MTMzMTgyNzc3MDM4S0&spJobID=1302069314&spReportId=MTMwMjA2OTMxNAS2

Here's a few other shots below that might be linked to deleted scenes...

Finn in fighter pilot costume. Perhaps a costume test or a deleted scene?

Chewbacca filmed a scene on the Raddus, likely after delivering Rey to the enemy.

A lighting test for Kelly Marie Tran? We never saw Rose by the Falcon.

A key online marketing image. A lighting test perhaps?

EPISODE VIII: SEARCH AND RESCUE!

Having taken out the en masse pursuant TIE fighters, the Millennium Falcon now skims the surface of Crait looking for Resistance survivors, in this lovely visual from The Last Jedi.

EPISODE VIII: LIVING THE DREAM!

Image by Rian Johnson.

I don't think there's a die-hard fan out there who wouldn't like a cameo in a STAR WARS movie - imagine the fun of playing a Stormtooper, or a quirky alien, or, even better, one of those brave battle-hardened fighters pilots of the Rebellion or Resistance. For this lucky group of UK extras filming The Last Jedi in 2016 at Pinewood, photographed on set by writer/director Rian Johnson, their dreams came true big time...

To find out more about the onscreen Resistance heroes of VIII- its key and diverse human and alien members, pilots and technicians, as well as their ships, fighters and key tech, head over to the all-new Star Wars: The Last Jedi - The Visual Dictionary, published by DK, out now in book stores and online.

Get it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-JediTM-Visual-Dictionary/dp/0241281091?pd_rd_wg=NeOQD&pd_rd_r=75feb3e0-b958-49ee-a716-ef27d0c577cd&pd_rd_w=CyxTH&ref_=pd_gw_simh&pf_rd_r=TGNJKHPRT5F31H0X5N2A&pf_rd_p=14f91171-0541-58ad-938b-3aec945f4cb7