CLASSIC ART: SYMBIOTIC JEDI!

The unique bond between Master and Apprentice Jedi in the Force has never been better exemplified nor more conflicted on screen than the one between the charismatic veteran Qui-Gon Jinn and his dutiful student in the raw, Obi-Wan Kenobi, during the exciting and tragic events of EPISODE I.

The duo are well rendered here by the ever-popular, and much-missed artist and talent, John Alvin.  

Liam Neeson says Star Wars magic is being diluted by its spin-offs | EW.com

Liam Neeson is back as Qui-Gon Jinn in new Star Wars show Tales of the Jedi | GamesRadar

'ATTACK' AT 20: INTRODUCING HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN...

"(I) couldn't define for myself what I was feeling when I found out that I got the part (of Anakin Skywalker). It was a week of just sheer bliss and I got to work." 

HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN UPON GETTING THE NEWS THAT HE’D WON THE ROLE OF ANAKIN SKYWALKER. INTRNET QUOTE - 2000 - SOURCE UNKNOWN 

“Hayden was really cast for the next movie (EPISODE III), not this movie. What attracted me to him was the fact that he had this underlying kind of James Dean angst going on. Obviously, the fun one is the next one. Because the next one is where it really pays off.” 

 GEORGE LUCAS - PREMIERE MAGAZINE -JUNE 2002

“Anakin is overly confident, and too sure of himself. A part of his mentality is if he is the greatest Jedi ever why does he have to follow everyone’s guidance? It’s that confidence that makes for the propulsion towards the Dark Side. I thought it was very well justified how he’s going to go bad. I thought in many ways it kind of paralleled how any human being would gradually, through their reaction to certain happening, actually go bad.” 

HAYDEN - STAR WARS UK FAN CLUB – JEDI JOURNAL ISSUE 3.2 - SUMMER 2002

THE CLONE WARS: PADAWAN BATTLE PARTNERS!

Not yet enemies, Jedi Padawans Ahsoka Tano and Barriss Offee are at the spearhead of space battle against enemy forces in this cool image from The Clone Wars Season Four image, Darkness on Umbara.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: A PADAWAN DEBUTS!

"It's funny, because there are so many good bits about it (playing Obi-Wan Kenobi). The idea of being in it in the first place. I met the casting director (Robin Gurland) about a year and a half before we started filming, then met her again a year later. Then it was becoming more realistic, that it actually might be made. The nearer we got, the further down the line I got in the casting process, the more tantalizing it became. But just to be in it, and having been that little six-year old kid watching it in Scotland in 1977... then to be on set with R2-D2 and stuff... Every day there was a Star Wars moment. "Bloody hell," you say to yourself. "I'm in a Star Wars movie!" It was mad. And choosing my lightsaber. I got to choose my lightsaber handle..."

Ewan McGregor talking to Entertainment Tonight Online - 1999

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: INTRODUCING ANAKIN SKYWALKER

'What if dreams came true. And you could be who you wanted to be. You could do what you wanted to do. And you could help who you wanted to help.

What if dreams came true, and the world opened up. And you were never, ever afraid.

What if dreams came true. But dreams do come true. Don't they?'

From the tone poem 'One Dream':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TodHWgzPlUc

THE CLONE WARS: TO NURSEMAID A HUTT!

Their mission to raid the once enemy-held monastery on Teth a success, little Rotta the Hutt, despite illness and an odour problem, has been recovered from its former captors by Anakin Skywalker and his new Padawan learner in gutsy Ahsoka Tano (aka 'Snips'). But we all know that it won't be long before the Separatists spring the next phase of their trap, using our heroes to anger the mighty Jabba the Hutt himself. A soon-important scene from The Clone Wars animated movie.

Behind the scenes: https://www.starwars.com/news/designing-star-wars-ahsoka-tano

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE 'SABER AND THE VALIANT!

Posed publicity image for Lucasfilm by Mathew Rolston.

Bringing enthusiasm and a then youthful modern vibe to the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi, yet also respectful to the past work established for the Classic trilogy by Sir Alec Guinness, Ewan McGregor made the part of the emerging, youthful Jedi Padawan his own for The Phantom Menace, and quickly won the appreciation of STAR WARS fans worldwide, especially children, soon in awe of his well-honed lightsaber-wielding skills against Darth Maul.

The Scottish actor made a terrific surprise appearance for SW fans during a 2017 screening marathon in California:

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-5179723/Ewan-McGregor-grins-crowd-Star-Wars-screening.html

AFICIONADO continues to cross its fingers that a standalone Kenobi 'Anthology' film will eventually happen...

THE CLONE WARS: FEMALES OF THE FORCE!

An inexperienced Padawan learner she may be, but young Ahsoka Tano proves she's got what it takes to be a Jedi when standing her ground against the ruthless Sith assassin Asajj Ventress on the far off world of Teth, in this great international poster art for the one and only THE CLONE WARS movie, celebrating its original release anniversary today.

THE CLONE WARS: PADAWAN PRESERVATION!

Before ultimately becoming an outcast Jedi, framing poor Ahsoka Tano for murder in Season Five of THE CLONE WARS, misguided former healer Barriss Offee would show her mean streak with a lightsaber in an altogether different kind of attack on the Togrutan female, under the possession of a deadly Geonosian worm, during Season Two's memorable Invasion of the Body Snatchers-esque episode, Brain Invaders.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE LUCAS JEDI!

He may have had only a brief cameo in the Jedi Temple library in EPISODE II, but George Lucas's son Jett soon had a chance to shine as Padawan Zett Jukassa during the battle of ORDER 66, witnessed in REVENGE OF THE SITH. Alas, brave Zett didn't survive his battle with the Clone Troopers, but it was still a cool little sequence, supervised by Stunt Coordinator Nick Gillard.

Jett Lucas will be doing a signing at the LONDON FILM AND COMIC CON event this October. Details here: Jett Lucas - London Film and Comic Con

CLASSIC IMAGE: GENERATION JEDI!

As is his prerogative, from over 900 years of experience, Jedi Master Yoda always takes a keen hand in the training and shaping of the future Jedi Padawans of the Order, as seen in a memorable sequence involving Obi-Wan, from EPISODE II.

THE CLONE WARS: THE VIRUS IS LOOSE!

In a secret underground enemy lab on Naboo, a poison infected Ahsoka Tano, with Captain Rex and his soldiers, and assisted by Padme Amidala and Jar Jar Binks, push on in their efforts to stop the deranged Separatist scientist Dr. Nuvo Vindi from destroying all life on the planet, in THE CLONE WARS exciting Season One episode: Mystery of a Thousand Moons.

The petition to SAVE THE CLONE WARS is still ongoing. Check out this lovely tribute/open letter to DISNEY: Dear Disney... - YouTube

AOTC AT TEN: A LITTLE PRACTICE...

In the serene and enlightened environment of the Jedi Temple, Master Yoda enjoys some quality time teaching the younglings in a scene from EPISODE II.

It looks like the next animated TV series coming from LUCASFILM after the quirky STAR WARS: DETOURS will be one for younger THE CLONE WARS viewing fans, dedicated to Ahsoka and Jedi younglings and Padawans, titled Young Jedi, which apparently had a positive reaction from those who saw several episodes of it at Celebration VI. More here: TheForce.Net - Latest News - CVI: TCW "Young Jedi" Arc Previewed

Though I wish the new endeavour success (as if it isn't going to be a hit!), on a more personal note of disappointment, I would have much preferred to see a well-made and exciting Classic Trilogy animated series instead of another show set during the CLONE WARS era (and how much longer does the 2008 created series actually have to run? My guess is Season Seven will be the last, of which Young Jedi will kick in by the time it's penultimate year stars). The classic and iconic adventures of Luke and our heroes now seem to be considered ancient history by their creator and LUCASFILM these days, treating it only for pure merchandising and comedy value in projects like DETOURS...

CLASSIC IMAGE: JEDI DASH!

Within the plasma power generator complex underneath the Naboo city of Theed, Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi makes a fateful run to assist his lone Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, now separated and taking on the fearsome Sith Lord, Darth Maul. But Obi is cut off from his final destination by the interior's many protecting energy shields and soon watches helplessly as his friend and mentor is cut down before his eyes...

UK fans of EPISODE I: 3D can catch a twenty minute special on the film event on the SKY FAMILY MOVIES channel (SKY CHANNEL 306, VIRGIN 406) at 11.20 am tomorrow (Saturday).