Showing posts with label JON FAVREAU. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JON FAVREAU. Show all posts

Monday, 28 September 2026

OUT NOW ACROSS ALL HOME MEDIA FORMATS: 'THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU'

The saga of an unlikely pairing in a dark and dangerous universe continues in the standalone movie that is The Mandalorian and Grogu. Images: Lucasfilm/Disney.

He's been effectively, lethally, taking out Imperial Remnant targets for his Rebel paymasters across the edgy Outer Rim words, but has Din Djarin, the legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter, partnered with his unique Jedi 'child' and business partner in the ever-cute green frog Grogu, now bitten off more than he can chew when caught in the machinations of the late (but not lamented) Jabba the Hutt's equally despicable relations located on the slimy, decayed swamp world of Nal Hutta, intent on having Djarin 'acquire' and bring home the late crime lord's son, Rotta (now a professional intergalactic blood sports fighter in order to escape his family lineage), out of so-called familial concern! Soon enough, the Hutt Twins' nefarious reputation for being ruthless and unforgiving sees our unique chalk and cheese heroes marked for capture, and a potential fate far worse than death once the slugs' true plans for Rotta are revealed...




Making an effective transfer to the home media realms (but also keeping the impressive IMAX aspect ratio intact with selected scenes), Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau's dream movie project in The Mandalorian and Grogu works better away from the cinema, taking the previous heavily anticipated burden off their theatrical experience shoulders. To me, watching its original cinematic run, it always felt like the film's plot was three or four episodes put together of The Mandalorian TV series, though the opening segment of the film, almost pre-titles James Bond meets Star Wars, tries hard to break free from its small screen bounds, proving especially effective and featuring some fun visual 'Easter Eggs' to watch out for. As the Hutt plotline begins, however, the film begins to flounder in certain aspects of its execution and pacing. Thankfully, further accomplished action/creature sequences go on to buoy things up when necessary (notably an inspired arena battle involving Djarin and Rotta against Dejarik holo chess creatures made real!), alongside some nice nods to characters/themes developed from The Clone Wars /Star Wars Rebels animated series now made live-action reality, and The Rise of Skywalker. The combination of star Pedro Pascal (and the deservedly onscreen credited stuntmen also stepping into his shoes for the ambitious action) and the puppeteered, mischievous but loyal Grogu is as fun and lively as ever, but the overall adventure lacks that crucial element needed to take their personal saga to that crucially needed 'next step' in their story arc/character development. Instead, the film plays on existing tropes seen across their three prior TV series. Nonetheless, The Mandalorian and Grogu is still a fun, colourful romp of a movie attached to the ongoing modern Star Wars tradition that Filoni and Favreau have always wanted to see developed within that intriguing 'lost era' of the saga post Return of the Jedi, an Original Trilogy blockbuster whose wild creatures and environments clearly made an impact on them back in their childhood days...


Director Jon Favreau once more brings his love of the saga to the film and its iconic onscreen pairing.


For the Special Features on the 4K/Blu-ray combo release, there's four featurettes available to enjoy across all the main facets of the film's enthused creation and making (especially in regards to the advance in puppetry and creating planetary vistas) but lacking in satisfying duration - a sadly all too common fault for the post Disney Star Wars films on home media - the true definition of what's seen as more often being less! And no deleted scenes, trailers, stills galleries or animatics of any kind that once made the added value packed Lucas era prequel DVDs of their time so good.


The old ways can still be the best ways when it comes to model filming!


In this dream factory, the talent assembled for making Star Wars films and TV in this post Digital Age has never been better, yet there's time given to celebrate and pay tribute to past 'old school' techniques that have equally thrilled us, from the creatives who made the franchise such a success in 1977, and beyond. It's nice to see some of that old guard of the franchise contribute again, like stop motion pioneer Phil Tippett and overall genius John Knoll, back aboard (in true comfort blanket style) for this particular sci-fi western frontier-inspired thrill ride that, as a now standalone production, will surely gain more fan appreciation over time... 



STAR WARS AFICIONADO RATING: 3.5 out of 5 (I've now decided to give the film an extra '.5' for having included Martin Scorsese and Sigourney Weaver in welcome onscreen appearances!) 


In Limited Edition Steelbook.

On Blu-ray.


Get
The Mandalorian and Grogu here:

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray [Region Free]: Amazon.co.uk: Pedro Pascal, Brendan Wayne, Lateef Crowder, Jon Favreau, Pedro Pascal, Brendan Wayne: DVD & Blu-ray

Sunday, 31 May 2026

'SOLO': RIO BLASTS BACK!


The epic Vandor heist of Coaxium from the Imperials hasn't gone smoothly for Beckett's gang, of which crack pilot Rio Durant is especially fighting for his life now against Enfys Nest's oncoming boarders of their escape craft. A memorable but sad moment from Solo - A Star Wars Story. We were great fans of the character, and Jon Favreau's fun voicing.

CGI development.


Friday, 22 May 2026

THE 'AFICIONADO' REVIEW: 'THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU' - NOW IN CINEMAS!

Together again for the big screen, in friendship and danger!

Today at 12.15p.m. I settled down in a lovely comfy seat at the Odeon Leicester Square and saw The Mandalorian & Grogu, the first Star Wars film of the Disney era since 2019, in a gorgeous Dolby Atmos sound and picture presentation (my preferred choice in seeing blockbuster films these days). I enjoyed a lot of the film, seeing it as a fun adventure within the confines of the George Lucas created vision of the saga, for families to especially enjoy (notably kids between the ages of 6 and 9). It was by no means one of the great Star Wars cinematic adventures, however, due to a thin story (which may, or may not, have been culled together from the scrapped fourth season of The Mandalorian TV series) full of unmined potential over 2 hours and 12 minutes (of which an appearance from the much-missed Gina Carano could have been a major boost), and despite the many lively action set pieces (notably the pre-title sequence, featuring twenty minutes of James Bond-esque knockdowns by our duo against an escaping Imperial remnant) and a cast of creatures that would keep fans of Return of the Jedi's and the Prequel era's weird and wonderful grotesques dizzyingly happy.




And The Mandalorian and Grogu has been made by top-tier talent, many of them returning veterans after seven years away from the big screen (including the likes of John Knoll and Phil Tippett), of which there's some fine motion control model work and lovely production design, though I felt that the CGI was of varying quality (notably with the Hutt villains and Rotta the cage fighter, the latter all grown up and rather a nice chap caught in a bad scenario). Adding a further plus, Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Goransson brings another innovative score. In front of the camera, selivering the drama and humour, the guest cast of the film are fine if a little under-used (special mention to Sigourney Weaver, who looks great piloting a New Republic fighter), and there are some fun cameos here and there (Martin Scorsese finally joins the Star Wars universe - now its Coppola's turn!) in a fun alien cameo that's perfect for the edgy, diminutive director! The primary focus of the film, however, is the delightful relationship between the Mandalorian (played once again by Pedro Pascal, as well as other stunt men who are deservedly credited) and cute Grogu (still expertly puppeteered). But this emotional quality between them that would make the early seasons of The Mandalorian such a success sadly remains the same from what's been previously established - there's no further growth between them when this film really needs more impact in their unique character arc. Perhaps their ongoing potential is being saved for future tales in film and/or TV. but the idea of a Mandalorian & Grogu film bringing its unique universe of characters together (like Avengers Assemble) now seems unlikely - a shame, really, as this was what we should have had in the first place, cinematically!



All-in-all, there's some great visual flourishes from Favreau, lovely cinematography, and some fun Easter Eggs (enjoy the Dejarik fight made real!), but the film ultimately can't shake away its TV roots, try as it might (there's at least three episodes pulled together). But don't let that TV translation problem  put you off from seeing it. Favreau and Dave Filoni are not hacks (as they've often unfairly been called by some critics during the run-up to this film's release) - they love the Star Wars legacy that they grew up with, and they are clearly having a great time bringing this film to audiences. There's a lot in this film that works well, despite not earning classic status... 


AFICIONADO RATING: It's not perfect, it has a bit of an eclectic mixing of elements at times, but if you get a chance to see the film on a big screen, take it. It's overall worth the trip, and better than the majority of episodes within the prior TV series' under-whelming third season. 3 out of 5


Art by Paul Shipper, but where were the TIE fighters in the film?


Tuesday, 12 May 2026

OUT THIS MONTH - 'THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU'

Latest official movie poster.

We're only a few weeks away until the latest Star Wars Disney movie arrives in cinemas, of which its stars have been eagerly travelling the world so as to promote it. 

Here's some of the latest images and footage...


Can our TV heroes lure viewers back to the cinema?

On the wild streets, and back in danger!

Jon Favreau talks Mandalorian!

Taking on the AT-AT convoy!

Sigourney Weaver jumps franchises!

Grogu meets the Anzellans.

A fractured Empire wants revenge!

Expanded art by Matt Ferguson.









Tuesday, 17 May 2022

OUT NOW - 'VANITY FAIR' INVESTIGATES THE 'STAR WARS' TV EMPIRE....


Vanity Fair magazine's always extensive, gorgeous photo-packed coverage of the live-action Star Wars universe is back with a bang via their July 2022 TV issue, celebrating and revealing the exciting secrets of the universe-building realms of the saga's hugely successful TV empire vis Disney+. Iconic photographer Annie Leibovitz returns to deliver some spectacular new pictures covering the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka, The Mandalorian, and Andor event series.

The new issue of Vanity Fair is out later this month.


The main trio characters of Obi-Wan Kenobi, and a superb first proper look at the Vader costume.

Gathering for the cover.

Ewan and Hayden - back in duelling action rehearsal.

Grogu and Jon Favreau.

Custodians of the former Lucas empire.

And more TV Star Wars to come...






Saturday, 27 February 2021

AVAILABLE NOW: 'THE ART OF STAR WARS - THE MANDALORIAN (SEASON ONE)'

"This is the way." Cover art by Doug Chiang.

Undoubtedly one of the trailblazing success stories of the all-new franchise era stewardship now tightly held by Disney, The Mandalorian, created by Jon Favreau, has captured not only the hearts of die-hard fans but also those of the general audience watching it across the Disney+ channel's excusive airings, many of whom had likely never experienced the saga's potential and expanded shades of grey realms in quite so much fascinating depth beyond the original three Luke Skywalker character starring films created by George Lucas. 

As well as the quite wonderful onscreen pairing between the seasoned bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), one of the nomadic Mandalorian warrior tribes, and The Child, an emotionally scarred and withdrawn former Jedi that he has taken under his protective wing (a magical relationship slowly developing to new heights of emotional bonding), the Emmy-winning series outstanding production design, hugely referencing yet building on a mixture of two trilogies, as well as foreshadowing elements to come with the post 2015 sequels era, has proven itself another vital component to the evolving format's accomplished success. 

Led by veteran Doug Chiang, who brought such visual freshness to the opening Prequel films (and provides an informative foreword to this new book), The Mandalorian's behind the scenes art team has proved itself yet again as one of the most accomplished and respected groups immersed within the evolving world of film and TV fantasy action entertainment. Their love of Lucas's established universe unabated, the marvellous and innovative conceptual/production artwork they've spellbindingly concocted is in-depth charted and celebrated once more by artist/historian Phil Szostak, within an overall continuing series origins/development format featuring key contributions from Favreau, series co-writer/director Dave Filoni, and other enthused directors from the show's striking opening year. Out now - the latest must-have official book via ABRAMS: The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Season One). 

Here's the official release details

This official behind-the-scenes companion to the Disney+ Star Wars series The Mandalorian features exclusive concept art, character and costume sketches, and vehicle and creature designs. 

The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian takes fans behind the scenes of the first ever live-action Star Wars television series. Filled with concept art, sketches, and interviews with key cast, crew, and creatives, including executive producer/showrunner/writer Jon Favreau and executive producer/director Dave Filoni, The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian will provide readers with an exclusive look at a whole new universe of Star Wars characters, locations, and vehicles. 

Premiering in November 2019 as a key launch title for Disney+, The Mandalorian follows the adventures of galactic gunslinger Din Djarin and the Child as they traverse the outer systems of the galaxy and evade remnants of the Empire. Readers will encounter early visual and conceptual ideas for these new characters and unexplored frontiers, filled with crime syndicates, bounty hunters, and smugglers. The gritty, lived-in cantinas and spaceports are populated by a talented cast that includes Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones), Werner Herzog (Fitzcarraldo, Grizzly Man), Nick Nolte (48 Hours), Gina Carano (Haywire, Deadpool), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), and Carl Weathers (Rocky).

https://www.space.com/star-wars-art-concept-book-phil-szostak

https://www.looper.com/308951/the-truth-behind-the-mandalorians-different-types-of-armor-exclusive/

https://www.looper.com/312274/why-making-the-mandalorian-is-more-challenging-than-the-movies-exclusive/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=twitter

Get it here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Star-Wars-Mandalorian-Season/dp/141974870X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=THE+ART+OF+THE+MANDALORIAN&qid=1614357896&sr=8-1

 

Saturday, 26 September 2020

THE PATH OF TWO! 'THE MANDALORIAN' RETURNS...

The epic television journey continues. Image: Lucasfilm/Disney+.

The enigma and cool physicality of the race via its showcased star would have been enough to win audiences over, but the additional surprise introduction of 'Baby Yoda' to the mix added critical acclaim, creative inspiration and pop culture-making freshness to the incredible success enjoyed by The Mandalorian during its premiere season on Disney+. Now, creatives Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau looks set to build on what they've prior achieved with the upcoming Season Two debuting next month, with lots of surprises and special appearance to come within their storytelling, set in that troubled era post the galaxy-changing events of Return of the Jedi...

https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a30360981/the-mandalorian-season-2/

Friday, 6 September 2019

CAPTURE REPORT! MORE ON 'THE MANDALORIAN'


The first look at the opening chapter of Star Wars live-action television dominion continues.

Entertainment Weekly Feature:
https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/05/inside-the-mandalorian-star-wars/

https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/jon-favreau-the-mandalorian-variety-entertainment-and-technology-summit-1203324693/

Going into battle against some Trandoshans!

Publicity interviews:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYvIkC--61A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5-zI-7cqkg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JsFWi-a_Ks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r60UJbLp_s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3O7FtnbrW4

Friday, 21 December 2018

'THE MANDALORIAN': AND HELL FOLLOWED WITH HIM...!

Have blaster, will travel for The Mandalorian. Art by Phil Noto.

The post Return of the Jedi history of the Star Wars saga is about to become embellished with further storytelling riches via the upcoming Disney+ series The Mandalorian, with the excellent confirmed casting news of Pedro Pascal as the no doubt complex, dangerous and formidable lead character of the title. With all the talent involved in front of and behind the camera, the omens are very good for this first live-action TV series from writer/creator Jon Favreau.

https://www.starwars.com/news/pedro-pascal-revealed-as-the-mandalorian
https://geektyrant.com/news/the-mandalorian-star-pedro-pascal-shares-an-original-sketch-of-his-character-by-dave-filoni
https://www.starwars.com/news/ludwig-goransson-to-compose-score-for-the-mandalorian


George Lucas visits director Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau, as filming began on the series. Image: TWITTER.

SPOILER ALERT: https://makingstarwars.net/2018/12/classic-star-wars-bounty-hunters-will-appear-in-star-wars-the-mandalorian/

Lovely weapon referencing to Boba Fett's The Holiday Special appearance. Image: Jon Favrea/TWITTER.

Thursday, 17 May 2018

'SOLO': INTRODUCING RIO DURANT!


Confidently taking the control reins of an Imperial Hauler vessel, the good-natured Ardennian alien mercenary/pilot Rio Durant (a terrific character name conceived by the Kasdans that wouldn't look out of place in a classic Humphrey Bogart B/W movie, for sure!) plays his part in the Conveyex transport heist, in a scene from the upcoming Solo: A Star Wars Story.

At home on and off screen as an actor and director, and now TV producer for an all-new STAR WARS live-action series for the not too distant future (set a short time after the events of Return of the Jedi),  of which he'll also be penning half the episodes, the ever-talented and highly likeable Jon Favreau brings a fun simian-toned voice to Durant as seen in early teaser footage.

Monday, 12 March 2018

'SOLO' - LATEST NEWS (MID-MARCH 2018)


That feisty and clever smuggler-to-be of spice and chrome will soon be with us. And here's some of the latest news compiled on Solo - A Star Wars Story:

https://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/films/solo-star-wars-story-new-characters/345191


www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/solo-a-star-wars-story-han-ron-howard-director-phil-lord-chris-miller-why-a8206411.html

More on Michael K. Williams original involvement in Solo prior to the re-shoots:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFz3v3l1JUc

Scoring gets underway March 2018, at the famous Abbey Road Studios.

Composer John Powell at Abbey Road.

Scoring underway:

comicbook.com/starwars/2018/03/12/solo-a-star-wars-story-score-john-williams-john-powell/

Mark Hamill on 'Solo':

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQYou9xSKys

The latest announced cast addition:

http://ew.com/movies/2018/02/16/solo-star-wars-jon-favreau-alien/

All the new books and comic tie-ins: 

http://ew.com/movies/solo-star-wars-book-connections/solo-but-far-from-alone/

More on the Lando Calrissian comic tie-in: 

www.theouthousers.com/index.php/news/140113-solo-a-star-wars-story-tie-ins-include-a-new-lando-solo-comic.html


Jon Favreau with Ron Howard and Lawrence Kasdan. Image: Twitter.

Toy news:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/video/solo-a-star-wars-story-millennium-falcon-lego-set-unveiled-thr-news/vp-BBJ8Mne

http://uk.ign.com/articles/2018/02/15/first-solo-a-star-wars-story-action-figures-revealed

Saturday, 10 March 2018

Friday, 18 January 2013

THE CLONE WARS: REVENGE SERVED COLD


That dreaded Mandalorian warrior Pre Vizsla is back, once more voiced by Jon Favreau, and the bloody fires of hell are coming with him, as he and his wayward band of outcasts joins forces with those other dark renegades, Darth Maul and Savage Opress, to begin their ambitious plan of revenge against Obi-Wan Kenobi and Duchess Satine, as well as instigating the wrath of a very annoyed Darth Sidious, in the first of an all-new, surely bigger than epic action adventure, beginning with the episode Eminence, starting tomorrow on the US CARTOON NETWORK.

Check out a clip here from USA TODAY: Exclusive clip: 'Clone Wars' - Darth Maul

Friday, 4 May 2012

COMING SOON: 'THE CLONE WARS' SEASON FIVE

More trouble and carnage from Darth Maul and Savage Opress.

The brief, but promising, first trailer: StarWars.com | The Clone Wars Season 5 Teaser

Red lightsabers galore!
Getting ever nearer to the technology of EPISODE III.
Katee Sackhoff returns as Bo-Katan, along with the rest of  Death Watch.
As does Jon Favreau as their leader, Pre Vizsla.

Roll on, September in the US, most likely 2013 in the UK....

Saturday, 24 December 2011

AFICIONADO REVIEW: "COWBOYS & ALIENS" EXTENDED EDITION ON BLU-RAY

Defending the Earth, Cowboy style. COWBOYS & ALIENS, now on Blu-ray and DVD. Images: PARAMOUNT.

Both lassoing and blasting its way past the $100 million dollar worldwide box office, the western/sci-fi blend of COWBOYS & ALIENS makes its exciting debut on Blu-ray and DVD in the UK from PARAMOUNT DVD on December 26th-the perfect Boxing Day/Christmas aftermath family action/adventure movie to settle down with, to be accompanied, of course, by tons of mouth immersive popcorn. Put your mindset purely into cinematic blockbuster entertainment mode and you'll have a dependably great time, headed by two of the movie industries most popular stars of the adrenalin kind: Han Solo/Indiana Jones himself, Harrison Ford, and continuing James Bond star Daniel Craig, who make a fine pairing of character opposites ultimately going way beyond their lives in the American West in helping the town of Absolution survive an onslaught attack of aliens from another universe, in this criminally under-rated movie from Summer 2011 and which I strongly recommend purchasing in its Triple Play edition.

Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig) takes on the aliens in this cool poster art.

Check out STAR WARS AFICIONADO's original theatrical review here:STAR WARS AFICIONADO MAGAZINE: AFICIONADO REVIEW: "COWBOYS & ALIENS". The new extended cut of the film (available only on Blu-ray, whilst the original version is on the DVD) adds nearly twenty minutes of material to the film and improves it greatly, giving the story much more subtlety and room to breathe. Most welcome is the fact that we also get to see a bit more of the film's fine supporting actors, like Clancy Brown, Adam Beach and Sam Rockwell, whilst action and gore buffs will enjoy the extended, and more violent, action scenes of man versus alien.

Lonergan and Dolarhyde prepare to confront the alien menace.

Harrison Ford is as good as ever as the crusty hero Woodrow Dolarhyde.
Olivia Wilde continues her impressive film career playing the mysterious Ella.

Originally made on film-a deliberate choice by Favreau-as all classic westerns are made in the format-and mercifully not released in 3-D (although several tests scenes were shot in the format), COWBOYS looks absolutely fantastic in its digital Blu-ray transfer, with sharp detail that brings the dedicated production/costume design and gorgeous cinematography to life, alongside crisp and terrific sound design that really comes out to hit you on your sofas. This is the best you'll ever see the film: the bigger the television you have the better the experience. There's also some solid, if hardly comprehensive extras, including a nice behind the scenes look at the film (split into five different sections) involving all of the films main stars and behind the scenes talent-all of whom clearly enjoyed making the film, interviews by Favreau with the cast and crew (including producers Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg and Brian Grazer) conducted after the movies completion, and an intriguing audio commentary from the IRON MAN director who lives and breathes movie knowledge across all genres, especially sci-fi and westerns, and loves to use the advanced film-making tools and special effects at his disposal to aid rather than hinder character on the ambitious hybrid genre movie. The only shame is that the film's skillful trailer campaign and the 2011 cast/crew footage from COMIC CON (which famously had Harrison Ford escorted onto the stage in handcuffs by the police) don't make inclusion.

Director Jon Favreau with the COWBOYS & ALIENS cast at COMIC CON.
Ford, Wilde and Craig pose for publicity at COMIC CON.


AFICIONADO OVERALL RATINGS FOR TRIPLE PLAY EDITION:

Extended Movie 8.5 out of 10


Special Features: 7 out of 10


Check out our previous comprehensive COWBOYS & ALIENS coverage here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO MAGAZINE: COWBOYS AND ALIENS