Showing posts with label SKELLIG. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SKELLIG. Show all posts

Saturday, 1 November 2025

'THE FORCE AWAKENS' AT 10: DESTINATION: JEDI!

The mythical Luke Skywalker revealed.

Having resided in isolation and contemplation on the mysterious Ach-To, home to the first unique Jedi Temple, after a terrible experience with his former disciple Kylo Ren that has now left the galaxy in pieces and open to attack and invasion with the arrival of the dreaded First Order, Luke Skywalker has finally been found by the Resistance, of which Jedi-to-be Rey has boldly gone to the mostly water world to recruit his help back in the fight against good and evil..

But will he accept both the return of his father's lightsaber, previously thought lost forever, and newcomer Rey's request for help?  

It's both a story, and a momentous decision, that will be continued in another film...



Great posed shots of Mark Hamill taken at Skellig Island.

Will Luke accept the return of his lightsaber and call to help from Rey and the Resistance?


J.J. Abrams and company film Luke's finale reveal.


Filming the earlier flashback of Luke's sorrow at the destruction of his new Jedi Order.


Monday, 29 May 2023

EPISODE VIII: PASSING THE SABER!


Reunited on the enchanting and dream-like Irish realm of Skellig Island, Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley reprise the mysterious ending of The Force Awakens for The Last Jedi, but with an added difference/continuance that soon proves both unique and controversial to Star Wars and Luke Skywalker fans...

Saturday, 13 January 2018

EPISODE VIII: WHAT HAPPENED NEXT...


SPOILERS! On Skellig Island in late 2015, before The Force Awakens had even been released, its original finale scene between Rey and Luke Skywalker, previously handled by J.J. Abrams, would be partially reshot to create continuity with the start of VIII. Interestingly, a specific prior moment in the VII script with Luke and Rey was removed, at Rian Johnson's request, because it clashed with his upcoming work on VIII, and linked to Luke's Jedi powers. Additionally, Abrams version had BB-8 go to Ahch-To instead of R2, the latter replacing the former via ILM wizadry. This also was changed in request by Johnson- definitely the right creative/character move.

As Rey keenly hold his father's lightsaber out to him, The Force Awakens ends with Luke's face clearly trepidatious, or moved, or at least aware of something. Yet, The Last Jedi doesn't continue from that. In fact, many worldwide die-hard SW fans felt understandably shocked and betrayed when Luke throws the lightsaber so casually over his shoulder-actions which they felt were greatly out of character for the Classic Trilogy hero created by Lucas and brought to life by Hamill...

On location at Skellig Island.

It's also never explained in VIII why Luke is wearing his "Sunday Best" Jedi robes at the end of VII when the island's harsh living conditions went against this in VIII. Unless, speculation-wise, he knew that company linked to the Force, or at least Han or Leia, were coming to visit him...

More on the Luke/Rey scenes for The Last Jedi:

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/star-wars-news-daisy-ridley-reveals-her-issues-with-the-last-jedi-script/123191.htm

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/star-wars-the-last-jedi-mark-hamill-luke-skywalker-rian-johnson-a8129596.html

https://www.geek.com/movies/mark-hamill-rian-johnson-talk-skywalker-differences-more-star-wars-news-1727359/

http://www.jedinews.co.uk/film-music-tv/articles/mark-hamill-reveals-original-force-awakens-ending/



More on the two-day Skellig shoot for The Last Jedi, and other filming in Ireland:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=pa1VP5uE5cU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdYD-dNzjdI

Friday, 1 December 2017

EPISODE VIII: THE LIGHTSABER LEGACY...


Reunited with his father's lightsaber, Luke Skywalker ponders his past, present and future as the mystery figure of Rey appears on that island on the planet Ahch-To to which he has made his self-exiled home for the last five years, as the beginning of The Last Jedi unfolds...

Some great The Last Jedi and Han Solo movie news for US cinemagoers, from Noovie...

An exclusive look at the first day of filming for Star Wars: The Last Jedi is now in a theater near you!

Noovie, National CineMedia’s (NCM) new movie theater pre-show, is now presenting an exclusive look at Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which hits theaters on December 15. Part of the Noovie Backlot series, the piece highlights the exciting first moments on set, and even includes a never-before-seen look at the upcoming film.


A taster of what to expect with the special behind the scenes footage via Noovie.

Rian Johnson and Hamill in Ireland.

Getting ready for the next shot.

Fans should anticipate arriving at their local Noovie theater at least 30 minutes before advertised show time to see the exclusive Star Wars: The Last Jedi content.

Noovie gives audiences a look at “what’s Noovie” in their world, including movies, music, local and more, leading moviegoers to what’s next in entertainment. Reimagined for today’s movie audiences, Noovie replaced NCM’s FirstLook pre-show in top theaters across the country including AMC, Cinemark, Regal Entertainment Group, and 49 other regional and local theater chains. Noovie can be seen on over 20,600 screens in 1,700 movie theaters.


This is only the beginning of cinema-first Star Wars previews in Noovie. As part of NCM’s relationship with The Walt Disney Studios, Noovie will also bring movie audiences an exclusive look at Solo: A Star Wars Story in 2018, before the film opens in theaters on May 25, 2018.


Luke, as seen later-on during The Last Jedi.

Thursday, 1 June 2017

'VANITY FAIR' SPOTLIGHTS 'THE LAST JEDI'

The mystery linked to Luke Skywalker's return continues via this great shoot of Daisy Ridley and Mark Hamill for VANITY FAIR- their latest SW issue out now. All images: Annie Leibovitz/VANITY FAIR.

Annie Leibovitz and her magic camera eye returns to the behind the scenes realms of the new sequel universe, her latest gorgeous showcase for VANITY FAIR magazine on The Last Jedi, featuring four stunning character covers to collect, out now worldwide.





The inside feature images also showcases the film's striking new guest cast: the always enigmatic Benecio Del Toro as the decidedly crafty 'DJ', and dedicated new Resistance leader Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo, as played by Laura Dern.

Details here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxJZQJL4SHg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cub4znLiU0

Other EPISODE VIII news:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2017/apr/19/the-last-jedi-star-wars-rian-johnson-mark-hammill

http://www.empireonline.com/movies/star-wars-last-jedi/star-wars-last-jedi-new-look-cast/

https://dorksideoftheforce.com/2017/05/31/rian-johnson-addresses-concerns-last-jedi/

https://www.wired.com/2017/05/cantina-talk-35/

 http://lrmonline.com/news/star-wars-lego-sets-confirm-rumours-for-the-last-jedi

http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/799783/Star-Wars-8-Last-Jedi-news-romance-Rose-Finn-Kelly-Marie-Tran

Thursday, 6 October 2016

EPISODE VII: AT THE POINT OF TRANSITION...


It's the end and the beginning for Rey- the end of her old life as a scavenger waiting for a family that will likely never come back for her, to the beginning of a new life within a new family- part of the all-important Resistance, and (hopefully) as the first of Luke Skywalker's new Jedi Knights, in this terrific finale scene to EPISODE VII, captured on film at the unique Skellig Island location in Ireland.

EPISODE VII on Collector's Edition Blu-ray, out 31st October, 2016. 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Collector's Edition Blu-ray 3D Region Free: Amazon.co.uk: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, J.J. Abrams: DVD & Blu-ray

Sunday, 24 April 2016

EPISODE VII: HISTORY IN THE MAKING (ALL OVER AGAIN!)


Celebrating the spectacular release of THE FORCE AWAKENS on stunning HD, Blu-ray and DVD, STAR WARS AFICIONADO presents a selection, mostly in no particular order, of some of our favourite behind the scenes images from the making of this all-important first new entry in the STAR WARS Sequels cycle, and the first of the new films from LUCASFILM under the DISNEY inheritance. These pics are a super time capsule of an innocent and exciting period, especially for its two new superstars-to-be in Daisy Ridley and John Boyega- clearly having the same kind of fun and exuberance that Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher shared back in the day on the original 1976 shooting for STAR WARS. This photo selection is a celebration of the hard work and dedication of the worldwide team in making this now beloved film- a worthy continuation of the saga created by the much-missed George Lucas.

Enjoy!

The original cast read through of EPISODE VII at Pinewood Studios.
John Boyega and Daisy Ridley have fun at the costume tests, prior to location filming.
A new adventure in Abu Dhabi.
John Boyega braves the heat.
Picturesque but not comfortable filming.
Filming Daisy's first scene as Rey in Abu Dhabi.
The "peanut" duo. An on and off set chemistry is cemented.
"The garbage'll do!"
A wonderful image captured on location.
"Chewie, we're home!"
Bridging the sagas. The new cast enjoy the return of Mister Ford.
Getting ready to pose for Annie Leibovitz and VANITY FAIR magazine.
Filming the Rathtar sequence.
Stormtroopers attack the Jakku village exterior sets at Pinewood.
Inside the Star Destroyer Bay, which did have green screen!
BB-8 pauses between filming.
The recreated Falcon interior in all its visual glory.
J.J. has fun in the armoury at Pinewood.
STAR WARS veterans Norman Reynolds and Robert Watts visit the set.
J.J. and Peter Mayhew celebrate the latter's filming completion.
Early filming of Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa. Note the unseen on screen long hair.
Anthony Daniels is back as Threepio.
"Who are you?" Rey has an important moment with Lupita Nyong'o as Maz Kanata.
The Resistance has arrived at Greenham Common airbase.
Filming the superb Falcon exterior at Greenham Common.
Boyega and Oscar Isaac share the nostalgia.
Time to dance!
The striking Gwendoline Christie enjoys her Captain Phasma photo shoot with Stormtroopers for VANITY FAIR. This image was never used.
A dramatic scene for John Boyega as Finn at the Pinewood backlot.
Shooting a top secret moment with Luke and the remote operated Artoo.
Duel in the snow. The lightsaber filming continues with new lit sabers.
Harrison Ford- clearly having a great time.
That horrific, game-changing moment.
A bemused Harrison signs John Boyega's Han Stormtrooper doll, in a priceless image.
Welcome back, Mark Hamill!
Stunning location filming at Skellig Island.
Weighty decisions await the recluse Luke Skywalker.
In Los Angeles, the music scoring begins.
The only man who can create STAR WARS music: John Williams.
A clearly in-awe Daisy enjoys the recording of Rey's theme.
Signing off with the Scanlan monster team at the bar set on Pinewood.

Check out the large array of behind the scenes footage on THE FORCE AWAKENS Blu-ray Special Features disc. Get it here: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Limited Edition Dark Side Artwork Sleeve Blu-ray 2015: Amazon.co.uk: Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Andy Serkis, Mark Hamill, Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels, Domhnall Gleeson, Lupita Nyong'o, Kenny Baker, Gwendoline Christie, J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, Kathleen Kennedy: DVD & Blu-ray