'OBI-WAN KENOBI': PARENTAL PROTECTION!

The time that Owen and Beru Lars have dreaded for so long has finally come to realisation, as the dark forces of the Empire arrive at their homestead, ready to take the young orphan Luke Skywalker from their love and protection, during a tense moment from the Obi-Wan Kenobi mini-series final episode. 

With this kind of courage shown in the mini-series, it would be nice to think that Owen and Beru didn't go down without a fight with the later arrival of the Stormtroopers in A New Hope.

EPISODE II: THE ONGOING LEGACY...

Love, duty, honour, evil, war. Whether it's in artistic form here, or in its original live action, the icons and dramatic events of EPISODE II live on, winning new fans every year.

Great art, from 2022, by the talented Lyle Cruse.

'OBI-WAN KENOBI': ALDERAAN BECOMES REALITY!

One of the joys of the Obi-Wan Kenobi mini-series of 2022 was seeing more of the young Princess Leia Organa's life (as delightfully played by Vivian Lyra Blair) on her adopted home world of Alderaan (beyond the small enticing visuals we saw at the end of Episode III) and its society, sequences well captured in these two great behind the scenes images from the opening episodes.

The ILM Stagecraft technique proves impressive.

CLASSIC IMAGE: TECHNOLOGICAL TERROR!

Under secret construction at an unknown location, its parts assembled by slave labour across the galaxy via numerous dummy corporations and sub-sub contractors, the mighty Death Star battle station may be a long time before reaching planet-killing completion, but progress nonetheless remains as swift as can be, especially with the Empire's legion of tireless droid bots hard at work across its surface...

A memorable finale scene to the slow-paced but intriguing first season of Andor. 

'ANDOR': THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS!

His ordered life as a construction supervisor on the Imperial prison facility of Narkina 5 now over with the slaughter of inmates now fully revealed, of which he too could be one of the next victims of overlord injustice, Kino Loy's fiery, committed resistance shines through as he and Cassian Andor lead the ultimate jail break. A great image from One Way Out, a superb episode of heightened drama from Star Wars - Andor's first acclaimed season, of which the upcoming Season Two looks set to continue the quality storytelling some time during 2025.

“Star Wars: Andor” Season 2 Filming To Be Cut Short Due To Actor’s Strike – What's On Disney Plus

Andor Star Andy Serkis Drops Big Hint About His Star Wars Character's Future

Star Wars: Andor Season 2 First Look Debuts at Celebration Convention - Variety

Andor season 2: release date, cast, trailer, and latest news | Radio Times

Andor: Diego Luna Talks Season 2 Pressures – The Hollywood Reporter

'Andor' Costume Designers Break Down Looks of Mon Mothma, Luthen Rael - Variety

Andor Season 2’s Final Three Episodes Cover The Three Days Before Rogue One – Exclusive | TV Series | Empire

'KENOBI': DUELLING NATURES!

We all knew that Hayden Christensen would be returning to the Star Wars saga in Obi-Wan Kenobi to play the post Episode III malevolent form of Darth Vader, and perhaps also for some specific scenes as Anakin Skywalker linked to Order 66, but who wasn't surprised by this excellent additional new flashback sequence of Obi-Wan and his Padawan learner sparring in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. It was both wonderfully nostalgic to see the iconic pair again in action/banter but was also fine storytelling linked to the soon ongoing hatred Darth Vader would show towards his former friend and master, and how Obi-Wan could always beat his young friend thanks to his life experience, balance with the Force, and temperament in conflict.

Will there be more scenes like this should a second season be announced shortly? Let's hope so...

'MERRY CHRISTMAS!' (2022)

They'll soon be back (March 2023) for more thrilling and emotional adventures in that galaxy far, far away. Until then, there's plenty of holiday time for the Mandalorian and Grogu the Jedi to enjoy, as seen in this great fan art.

STAR WARS AFICIONADO wishes all its worldwide readers a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

OUT NOW: 'THE STAR WARS ARCHIVES - EPISODES I - III 1999-2005' TASCHEN 2022 EDITION

Ready to discover the secrets of the Prequel Trilogy? The latest Star Wars Archives book gets a new hardback release. Image: Taschen.

There had been online rumours that it's expected publication wasn't going to happen, but to the delight of Star Wars Prequel fans everywhere worldwide, Taschen books 2021 lavishly produced The Star Wars Archives: Episodes I- III 1999 -2005, written and compiled by respected media favourite and long-time Taschen favourite British author Paul Duncan, has finally made its way into a brand-new compact and gorgeous smaller-sized edition, where it will no doubt sell very well indeed this Christmas, and especially following a positive time this year when the Prequel era set likes of Disney+ TV series Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor have helped cement and heighten fan respectability to George Lucas's brave-in-the-telling pre- A New Hope era that started over twenty years ago. 

As with his previous acclaimed must-have tome covering the Original Trilogy, Duncan's expansive and enlightening interview with film legend George Lucas continues, and is once more fascinating and compelling to read- the writer/director, always thinking outside the box, revealing the impetus and struggles to get the Prequel saga out of his imagination and onto both celluloid and digital, and how he fought the marketeers and critics (as well as some of his own company members and friend/colleagues) in telling the stories he ultimately wanted to tell, during an incredible and controversial time when a filmmaking revolution had been ushered in with the pioneering dawn of CGI, and how these new technique's increased use and development would enhance and increase Lucas's sensibilities and play tool box for generating epic visual storytelling, adding to the overall legacy of the Star Wars saga and its already encompassing pop culture legacy and mythology. 

Alongside all those remarkable insights and revelations (there's definitely some all-new surprises in here!), feast your eyes on a wealth of superb stills and on set photography (especially from The Phantom Menace, which had the most practical sets and locations for filming across the Prequels), gorgeous concept art (from the likes of veteran art talents Doug Chiang, Ryan Church and Eric Tiemens) beautifully re-scanned and printed to show incredibly rich detail, and rare behind the scenes information/script pages that haven't been made available anywhere else culled from months of exhaustive research work deep in the hallowed and mysterious halls of the Lucasfilm Archive by the dedicated author. Hey, it's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it for our benefit!

Complete your Star Wars Archives collection with this wonderful chronicle of three bold, colourful films that are deservedly becoming re-evaluated (slowly but surely) with their legacy, and whose spirited, evolving conceptual history proves both an intriguing read and a veritable visual goldmine of storytelling beauty and innovation. The titles are a worthy and formidable continuance/compliment to those previously acclaimed Making of books crafted for the George Lucas side of the Star Wars filmmaking universe, compiled with equal care and dedication, by the late, much-missed J.W. Rinzler.

Aggressive Negotiations: A Star Wars Podcast: Issue 240: Paul Duncan: The Star Wars Archives: 1999-2005 on Apple Podcasts

Find out more about the book, and purchase it here:

The Star Wars Archives. 1999–2005. 40th Ed. - TASCHEN Books

 

'INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY' - THE TEASER TRAILER IS HERE!

Adventure is still his name! Welcome back, Indiana Jones!

Official film synopsis, as revealed on the US version of Disney+.

SMALL WONDERS, LARGE ADVENTURES! 'WILLOW' RETURNS, ON DISNEY+

The time for heroes has returned, in the all-new Willow TV series. Image: Disney+

Thirty-four years on from his enthusiastic and spirited playing of the role that established his acting career beyond being a beloved Ewok in Return of the Jedi, versatile all-round nice guy Warwick Davis returns to the role of the diminutive hero with lots of courageous heart and enthusiasm, Willow Ufgood, for an all-new eight-episode fantasy adventure continuance based on George Lucas and Ron Howard's 1988 sword and sorcery fusion cult hit Willow, airing exclusively on Disney+ from today (30th November, 2022).

Talented writer/producer Jon Kasdan, son of the legendary Hollywood icon Lawrence Kasdan, takes the reins of this new franchise with both confidence and a clear passion for the project, which has been several years in the making. Taking a leaf out of the The Force Awakens storytelling motifs, the new Willow series brings together characters old (not just the now more enlightened Willow (certainly the Yoda of his universe) but also the fun return of Joanne Whalley as warrior now queen Sorsha) with many diverse new unlikely hero characters (from international casting backgrounds) as they take on an ominous dark force threatening the lands of the force field barrier protective realms beyond Tir Asleen and the realm of Andowyne (once again brought to the life within the gorgeous scenery of Wales). As such evil builds, led by some grotesque new monsters, Willow's powers for good are needed more than ever. But what happened to that scoundrel swordsman Madmartigen (originally played with such charisma and zest in the film by Val Kilmer)? And what is the destiny of the once enchanted, prophecy-given child Elora Danan, whose identity has been kept such a closely guarded secret across the years?

Willow’s World: Nature & Place • Lucasfilm

Disney+ was kind enough to invite Star Wars Aficionado to a preview of the series opening episodes in London a few weeks back. So what did we think? Well, with a first episode weighed down somewhat from re-establishing the past events of the 1988 movie whilst also stetting a new tone for the ongoing series (best described as a family friendly Lord of the Rings in scale mixed with the kind of light and flippant humour enjoyed by another cult classic, The Princess Bride), alongside necessary exposition and the need to bring in the many new characters, it's really from the second episode that Willow Mark II gets a chance to properly breathe and start hitting its potential groove (and watch out for a notable scene-stealing appearance from Warwick Davis's acting daughter, Annabelle, who gives a genuinely heartfelt performance as Willow's concerned daughter), with even darker apocalyptic dangers to be faced...

Warwick Davis with the main Willow series cast and production team in London - November 16th, 2022. Image: Disney+

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, as the saying goes, and I think modern audiences will greatly enjoy this special comeback kid of a franchise, the assured return of Davis as Willow, and the series overall potential fantasy adventures to come... 

New episodes every Wednesday.

Watch Willow | Full episodes | Disney+

‘David Bowie had seven pairs of socks down his tights’: Warwick Davis on reboots, relationships and rock stars | Television | The Guardian

Willow: Jonathan Kasdan Talks the Series’ Origin, Solo Regret – The Hollywood Reporter

OUT THIS MONTH: 'THE ART OF STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC (VOLUME ONE)'

Surely the most successful multi-media franchise tie-in since the beloved Shadows of the Empire in 1996, Star Wars - The High Republic has become a smash-hit with modern all-age fans of the pre-prequels-set saga, showcasing multi-layered adventures and relationships of a truly diverse group of powerful and dedicated Jedi Knights fighting for justice across the galaxy. To say that its devoted readership have taken this non-Lucas created saga into their hearts would be an understatement. And with such acclaim in books and comics, surely an animated series must be in the future offing from Disney?

Charting the evolutionary course of the well-planned storytelling concept, the clever mix of characters and the equally zestful universe of aliens, droids and worlds the Jedi encounter, highly-enthused journalist/ Lucasfilm multimedia custodian and official StarWars.com associate Kristin Baver takes fans on a dedicated exploration of the intense and rewarding creative and artistic behind the scenes work of bringing The High Republic to such expansive and popular life.

Once again another classy essential must-have coffee table book form ABRAMS, The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic is out this month.

Here's the official release blurb:

Featuring exclusive concept art, character and costume sketches, and vehicle and creature designs by the Lucasfilm art department, this official companion to Star Wars: The High Republic (Phase One) offers fans a definitive, behind-the-scenes look at an ambitious new era of Star Wars storytelling.

The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic takes fans behind the scenes of Phase I of Lucasfilm Publishing’s massive crossover story. Collecting the very best concept art of the new characters, worlds, ships, and creatures of The High Republic―designed jointly by the Lucasfilm Visualists and a team of legendary comic book and Star Wars artists, including Phil Noto, Iain McCaig, and Ryan Church, among many others―and presented alongside development materials and interviews with High Republic architects Claudia Gray (Star Wars The High Republic: Into the Dark), Justina Ireland (Star Wars The High Republic: A Test of Courage), Daniel José Older (Star Wars The High Republic: Race to Crashpoint Tower), Cavan Scott (Marvel Comics’s The High Republic), and Charles Soule (Star Wars The High Republic: Light of the Jedi), The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic is an essential guide to the creation, design, and realization of a new era of Star Wars storytelling.

The High Republic Phase I: Light of the Jedi finds the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic at the height of their respective powers, but following the events of “The Great Disaster,” the Jedi, led by Jedi Knights Avar Kriss, Loden Greatstorm, Keeve Trennis, and Stellan Gios and joined by a diverse group of Padawans and Jedi Masters, are confronted by the looming threat of the Nihil―a marauding group of Outer Rim anarchists who stand opposed to all the Galactic Republic represents. 

In The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic, readers will discover the origins of the fan-favorite new characters taking on this threat, as well as exciting new Lightsaber and weapon designs, beautifully rendered environments, and detailed models of Starlight Beacon―the shining symbol of hope in the Republic.The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic is the only book to explore all facets of the design and artistic direction of a story that spans comic books, novels, and young adult books, taking Star Wars fans of all ages on a deep dive into the development of the New York Times bestselling series.

Get the book here: 

The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic: (Volume One) : Baver, Kristin, Kennedy, Kathleen: Amazon.co.uk: Books

OUT THIS MONTH: 'THE HIGH REPUBLIC - CONVERGENCE'

A continuing all-new novel franchise diversion that so far hasn't put a creative foot wrong for its dedicated audience base, The High Republic saga continues with ambition and zest in its latest fast-paced adventure, Convergence, from popular Brooklyn Brujas young adults series creator Zoraida Cordova, available in UK Del Rey Hardback from 22nd November, 2022.

Official release blurb:

It is an age of exploration. Jedi travel the galaxy, expanding their understanding of the Force and all the worlds and beings connected by it. Meanwhile, the Republic, led by its two chancellors, works to unite worlds in an ever-growing community among near and distant stars.

On the close orbiting planets of Eiram and E'ronoh, the growing pains of a galaxy with limited resources but unlimited ambition are felt keenly. Their hatred for each other has fueled half a decade of escalating conflict and now threatens to consume surrounding systems. The last hope for peace emerges when heirs from the two planets' royal families plan to marry.

Before lasting peace can be established, an assassination attempt targeting the couple tilts Eiram and E'ronoh back into all-out war. To save both worlds, Jedi Knight Gella Nattai volunteers to uncover the culprit, while Chancellor Kyong appoints her son, Axel Greylark, to represent the Republic's interests in the investigation.

But Axel's deep distrust of the Jedi sparks against Gella's faith in the Force. She's never met such a puffed-up, privileged party boy, and he's never met a more self-serious, relentless do-gooder. The more they work to untangle the shadowy web of the investigation, the more complicated the conspiracy appears to be. With accusations flying and potential enemies in every shadow, the pair will have to work together to have any hope of bringing the truth to light and saving both worlds.

Get it here:

Star Wars: Convergence (Star Wars: The High Republic, 5): Amazon.co.uk: Córdova, Zoraida: 9781529150117: Books

INDY V: THE COVER STAR IS BACK...

The official teaser trailer is imminent, but in the meantime the UK's Empire film magazine has the first world scoop on Indy V, as seen in this great atmospheric image of Harrison Ford, comfortably back as 'the man in the hat' once again...

The new issue, full of blockbuster scoops, is available from Thursday 24th November, 2022.

Indiana Jones 5 Will Pit Indy Against Nazis Again, In 1969 – Exclusive | Movies | Empire

Indiana Jones Is Back! ‘It’s Full Of Adventure, Laughs, And Real Emotion,’ Says Harrison Ford – World-Exclusive Image | Movies | Empire

Phoebe Waller-Bridge Is Indy’s Goddaughter Helena In Indiana Jones 5: ‘She’s A Mystery And A Wonder’ – Exclusive Image | Movies | Empire

Indy in New York alternate subscriber's cover art

'OBI-WAN KENOBI' - THE VENGEANCE OF VADER!

Flanked by his forces, Darth Vader searches for the newly surfaced Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Now receiving the reactivated Force signature of his former friend now deadly enemy Obi-Wan Kenobi, the relentless Darth Vader, like a shark fixatedly hunting for distressed fish, renews his need for revenge against his former master.

Fans worldwide (including this writer) were thrilled beyond words to see Hayden Christensen finally return to the saga as both Anakin Skywalker, and, for selected sequences, back in the intimidating black armour of Vader, as seen in the recent Obi-Wan Kenobi TV series, still playing exclusively on Disney+,

Darth Vader’s Voice Emanated From War-Torn Ukraine | Vanity Fair

James Earl Jones Retires From Voicing Darth Vader - Variety

Enjoy this selection of great Vader images from the acclaimed series...

The new Vader suit, built to reflect the time period before both Rogue One and A New Hope.

Superb behind the scenes image of Vader in his meditation chamber.

Vader's terrifying attack on a weak and emotionally haunted Obi-Wan Kenobi.

A fiery reunion with Obi-Wan.

Never tolerating failure!

Grounding an escaping rebel transport with his powers.

Expecting betrayal from the Third Sister!

Defying a Dark Lord!

In pursuit of Obi-Wan.

The classic image recreated.

A superbly crafted second conflict, but this time Obi-Wan Kenobi has the advantage.

The tragic and shocking reveal of the once Anakin Skywalker.

Back on Mustafar conversing with the Emperor, and solidifying his future power base.

Vader's lightsaber, in a special TV series promotional image.

Showcased once again on the cover of Star Wars Insider.

Hayden Christensen with Vader at a recent series launch event.

With a couple of friends celebrating his well-deserved Saturn Award in October 2022.

BEFORE 'THE CLONE WARS', THERE WAS 'TALES OF THE JEDI'...

 

Origins of light and dark, journeys of good and evil will be tantalizingly revealed, as the all-new animated series Tales of the Jedi debuts its six-episode shorts from October 26th, 2022, only on Disney+. We've always been curious and wanting to onscreen discover the triggers that made the young Count Dooku eventually choose to abandon the Jedi Order whom so respected him by the time of EPISODE II, and how his intriguing Padawan relationship with a very young Qui-Gon Jinn sustained itself through difficult times. Equally, for the worldwide legions of fans of Ahsoka Tano, her origins from birth to youngling will surely prove equally captivating.

'STAR WARS - ANDOR' NEWS (OCTOBER 2022)

Newly released series promo art by Hugh Fleming.

Receiving great reviews and overall acclaim for its gritty, often non Star Wars-esque socio-political drama, Star Wars -Andor continues its exclusive run on Disney+.

Here's a round-up of current news on the series and its star, Diego Luna.

The principal creative movers of the series: Tony Gilroy on location with Diego Luna.

Andor Creator Tony Gilroy, Diego Luna, and Cast - Feature | StarWars.com

All the Andor Easter Eggs You’ve Missed

'Andor' Production Design Highlighted in New National Geographic Featurette - Star Wars News Net

Andor star Diego Luna: ‘I thought I could do whatever I wanted after Rogue One. I was naive’ | Television | The Guardian

Andor Recap: Season 1 Episode 4 — Mon Mothma Intro, Cass Joins Heist | TVLine

'Andor' Season 2 Adds 'Gears 5' Scribe Tom Bissell To Write Three Episodes - Star Wars News Net

Andor: Stars Denise Gough and Kyle Soller on Their Star Wars Characters – The Hollywood Reporter

Diego Luna spotted filming 'Star Wars' show 'Andor'

'INDY V' NEWS - SEP 2022

Back for an all-new quest in Indy V.

A burst of news on the upcoming final live-action adventure for Indiana Jones, as personified by Harrison Ford, but I think we're all kinda disappointed that the new adventure doesn't have an evocative sub-title beyond that of its hero's name. Adding further pangs of annoyance, can anything be more unfair to dedicated Indy fans that only insiders attending the recent Disney Expo event got to see the exiting teaser trailer that would soon be mouth-wateringly described online...?

Ford and Waller-Bridge welcome the teaser trailer at the D23 Expo.

Ford, Kennedy, Mangold and Waller-Bridge at the D23 Expo. Image: Frank Marshall.

Ford reunited with Ke Huy Quan backstage.

Here's the latest rundown...

Harrison Ford says the upcoming Indiana Jones film will be his last | Daily Mail Online

'Indiana Jones 5': Harrison Ford Shows New Footage at D23 - Variety

John Rhys-Davies Returning To His Fan-Favorite Role

Indiana Jones 5 producer reveals exciting detail about Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character | Virgin Radio UK

Indiana Jones 5: John Williams Debuts Helena's Theme at Hollywood Bowl

Everything we know so far about 'Indiana Jones 5'

Mads Mikkelsen Says Indiana Jones 5 Is 'Going Heavily Back' to the Feel of Raiders and Temple of Doom

Indiana Jones 5 Is Going To Make You Cry (& That's Perfect)

Boyd Holbrook Talks ‘Badass’ Indiana Jones 5, Calls Harrison Ford ‘The Best Type of Crazy’

Indiana Jones 5 Star Hypes Up The Scale Of Harrison Ford’s New Sequel | Cinemablend

Exhibits, designs and production paintings from the recent Disney D23 Expo. Images: Patrick Giroud/Facebook.

Mads Mikkelsen costume design.

A chase in Morocco.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge costume design.

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