'ANDOR': INTRODUCING THE NEW 'BAIL'!

It was great that the second season of the acclaimed Andor brought back such an important character from the Prequel Trilogy as Princess Leia Organa's adopted father of Bail Organa of Alderaan, becoming a welcome part (again) of the saga's dramatic political storytelling aspects. If the character hadn't been seen linked to the critical senatorial scenes, and Mon Mothma, in the events leading up to the dissolution of the Republic Senate by the Emperor, then it would have been a real waste. Jimmy Smits may sadly not have been available to reprise his role due to scheduling conflicts - to me he was perfect casting back in the day - but Hollywood film and TV veteran Benjamin Bratt nonetheless proved a fine successor to the role, bringing an extra layer of realism and toughness to a role caught in disturbing, dark times.

'ANDOR': THE LEGACY OF LUTHEN RAEL...

Living on the edge, fighting tyranny: Luthen Rael, from Andor.

Though we all enjoyed the dedicated and fiery performance of Diego Luna as the series titular star, for me the absolute acting highlight of both Andor seasons had to be Stellan Skarsgard as the tough, resourceful Rebel spy and efficient fighter Luthen Rael, mostly working solo for the building Alliance cause, hiding deep within plain sight inside the upper circle elitism of the Galactic Empire (but always watching his back wherever possible), via his unique shop of rare antiquities located deep in the luxuriant quarters of Coruscant. His character in some ways reminded me, in an even tougher personal style, of Paul Darrow's classic anti-hero Kerr Avon, from the hit British Sci-Fi classic of resistance against the evil Federation, Blake's 7.

Skarsgard has always had a unique edge and simmering anger, even deep down violence restrained, to his screen performances, of which he is quite rightly regarded as one of the world's finest character actors, always in demand. And with Andor, he certainly had some great scripts and character development to enjoy realizing, especially in the latter stages of Season One and across Season Two, when he found the Empire finally closing in on him. And let's not forget those several super, now iconic, speeches given to Rael revealing his dedication to the cause, and the personal costs it will ultimately bring him, delivered with the kind of filmic intensity that only Skarsgard could truly deliver.

Personally, I'd bring Rael and Skarsgard back for a separate spin-off series within this unique TV storytelling from the Star Wars universe...

The mysterious look for the series early character posters!

Costume design for the character.

As seen in Season One.

A secret meeting with Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly).

'ANDOR': THE FACE OF FREEDOM!

On the eve of fully joining the Rebel Alliance as its leader against the Galactic Empire, the bold Mon Mothma delivers her greatest speech yet within the confines of the Senate, about the Emperor's tyrannic threat to the Galaxy and its people, and how he and his minions must be repulsed at all costs. She's shown courage and bravery in doing this, but, now vulnerable, will she survive long enough to escape Coruscant? 

A classic scene from Andor's second season, part of a massive improvement on the show's opening run, and one that fully utilises the talents of actress Genevieve O'Reilly as Mon Mothma.

Looking back on Mon Mothma.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" (2025)

Our Original Trilogy heroes prove that they're not just great at fighting the Empire, they also know how to sing for Christmas!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO wishes all its worldwide readers a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

more

'THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU' - THE FIRST TRAILER DEBUTS!

The official teaser poster art composition by Daniel Landerman.

It's been a while now, but that dedicated Mandalorian Din Djarin and his beloved intergalactic foster child in Grogu are back for more diverse adventures, alien encounters, and battles against various Imperial Remnants within realms post Return of the Jedi. The first new Star Wars movie since 2020, this early trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu certainly looks like a fan pleaser after the underwhelmingly received third season of The Mandalorian, but fingers crossed that it will also attract the all-important general audiences worldwide at the same time...

Mandalorian & Grogu Trailer: Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver Star Wars Film

CLASSIC ART: 'STAR WARS' BEGINS...

The classic Hildebrandt Brothers poster that debuted in the UK at the end of 1977/early 1978.

As a rare and pristine condition British release print of the original 1977 version of Star Wars makes for a special screening (originally housed by Rank back in 1979, and later donated), for the first time in decades in the UK, launching this year's BFI Film on Film festival in London (12th to 15th June, 2025), here's a look back to that time when George Lucas's (at first one-off) film launched across the world in 1977 and 1978, promoted via these gorgeous adventure-fuelled posters that soon captured our hearts, minds and imaginations like never before...

Early US teaser poster with the original SW logo before the 'W' was changed.

US teaser poster.

American release poster.

Tom Jung's early poster, at first primarily used for the US, then appearing in various merchandising.

Tom Jung's version of the Hildebrandt original.

Some international posters mixed the Tom Jung art with the Hildebrandts.

Three Japanese posters from 1977/78.

Photo montage mixed with the Hildebrandt art.

Other Japanese rarities.

Italian art my Michelangelo Papuzza.

The 'Dirty Dozen' poster art for the UK and US from 1978, by Tom Chantrell.

Australian 'Daybill' poster. 

Hong Kong release poster - 1978.