EPISODE IX: LATEST NEWS (EARLY MARCH 2018)

EPISODE IX- the future lies with the next generation...

Spring is almost here, and so too comes the dawn of EPISODE IX.

Latest news on IX and beyond:

Abrams' return: https://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2018/02/j-j-abrams-confirms-that-star-wars-episode-ixs-script-is-finished.html

Abrams and Johnson's work on VII and VIII in the lead-up to IX:

www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/star-wars/55771/star-wars-rian-johnson-scrapped-jj-abrams-episode-viii-script

John Williams will retire from STAR WARS after IX:

https://heroichollywood.com/john-williams-episode-ix-last-star-wars/

And it looks like another Anthology movie is indeed in the works, from REBELS veteran Simon Kinberg:

http://deadline.com/2018/03/warner-bros-sets-up-logans-run-with-hunger-games-writer-peter-craig-1202280867/

And now, Jon Favreau makes a full return to the franchise: http://www.starwars.com/news/jon-favreau-to-executive-produce-write-live-action-star-wars-series

PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY WRAPS ON 'SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY'

Congratulations to Ron Howard and the cast and crew of SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY in wrapping up the film's principal photography stage at Pinewood. We look forward to seeing more teaser images, and, hopefully, a Christmas or New Year trailer showcasing our favourite Corellian scoundrel.

http://www.starwars.com/news/official-name-for-the-untitled-han-solo-film-revealed

Compiled news: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/han-solo-movie-news-trailers-151520530.html

'HAN SOLO' MOVIE UPDATE - JANUARY 2017

No stranger to the horror and fantasy genre, Woody Harrelson joins the cast of the new Han Solo film. Image: via STARWARS.COM

Filming starts shortly and some big news today:

Woody Harrelson Signs On for Young Han Solo Film | StarWars.com

Han Solo's meet prior to filming. Image: Nico Sotomayor/Twitter.

Other recent online info:

Han Solo Film Starts Shooting in February - ComingSoon.net

Alden Ehrenreich - Page - Interview Magazine

Emilia Clarke Joins the Han Solo Stand-Alone Film | StarWars.com

Han Solo Movie Will Be Unexpected, Teases Bradford Young | Collider

RUMOR: 'Han Solo' Film Is Getting A New Release Date! NEWS— eastcoastmovieguys

Lando 'has to be cool' in the Han Solo movie, Donald Glover explains why that's harder than you think | GamesRadar+

http://www.joblo.com/movie-news/donald-glover-jokingly-laments-his-diet-preparations-for-han-solo-movie-134-02

CELEBRATION 2016: RE-INTRODUCING 'HAN SOLO'!

Rising star for STAR WARS: Alden Ehrenreich. Image: STARWARS.COM

It was the worst kept secret in Hollywood for months, but London ultimately became the place where STAR WARS fans were finally give the official LUCASFILM confirmation that Alden Ehrenreich had beaten out thousands of hopefuls and been selected to play Han Solo in the so-far untitled action adventure with humour/origins story for Han Solo's early years, and the start of his unique friendship with Chewbacca, from the pen of Larry Kasdan and his son. As the pre-production phase begins, STAR WARS AFICIONADO sends out congratulations to Alden and the movie team and wishes them success with what's to come- all of them must surely feel a huge weight and responsibility to get this one dead right story-wise and tonally.

An early teaser shot on the Falcon set, presumably from the screen test. Image: Chris Miller/TWITTER.

Introducing Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo at Star Wars Celebration 2016 - YouTube
Alden Ehrenreich welcomed to role of young Han Solo with Star Wars Celebration Europe appearance - YouTube
Han Solo Movie Directors Chris Miller & Phil Lord Interview - Star Wars Celebration 2016 - YouTube

At the Celebration 2016 event's Future Filmmaker's Panel.

Star Wars Celebration Future Filmmakers Panel Part 1 Highlights (Episode VII & Han Solo Movie) - YouTube
Star Wars Future Filmmakers Panel Part 2 Highlights - Star Wars Celebration 2016 - YouTube
HAN SOLO MOVIE Panel Highlights - Star Wars Celebration - YouTube
The Han Solo Movie Script Is "By Far The Best Star Wars Script"

UPDATES (JULY 27th, 2016):

EXCLUSIVE: Disney planning trilogy with Han Solo prequel - NY Daily News
Han Solo & Hayden Christensen Will Not Appear In 'Rogue One' | The Star Wars Underworld

ROGUE ONE: THE COMING OF THE DEATH TROOPERS!

Prepare for carnage!

SPOILER ALERT! As "All-Hell" breaks out at the Imperial stronghold island containing the schematic plans of the almost completed Death Star, the Emperor's sinister Weapons Director dispatches a squad of cruelly efficient, best-of-the-best Death Troopers (or possibly renamed Shadowtroopers) against the surviving under-siege Rebel party, whose escape plan has been blown- literally!

Bearing strong Ralph McQuarrie design echoes in their helmet visage, these characters are also rumoured to appear earlier in the story beyond the finale close-quarters action, apparently with a cool and brutal lead-in introduction via character flashback (teased in the above image from the trailer). We can't wait to see these new Stormtroopers in combat- hopefully they'll be a lot better shots, too!

Other recent and archive held ROGUE ONE news:

The now classic Instagram shot, previously posted by star Donnie Yen, on the new and old Stormtroopers of ROGUE ONE.

Doctor Who's Spencer Wilding to play Darth Vader in Rogue One A Star Wars Story | Metro News
Rumor: Description of Storyboards of Darth Vader Action Scenes in 'Rogue One' | The Star Wars Underworld
Shadow Peter Cushing to be digitally recreated in Star Wars spin-off Rogue One | Daily Mail OnlineTrooper character seeking trademark deal | Daily Mail Online
Sources: Christopher McQuarrie Came In To Fix STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE | Birth.Movies.Death.
Alan Tudyk Almost Had To Turn Down His 'Rogue One' Role | The Star Wars Underworld
Mads Mikkelsen confirms ‘iconic’ Star Wars characters for Rogue One | Celebrity News | Showbiz | London Evening Standard
Mads Mikkelsen Drops A Couple Of Hints About New Star Wars Film
Rogue One's 'realistic' aliens will play a part in the film's main mission | GamesRadar+
Rogue One ILM Chain Reaction - YouTube
Rogue One: Eunice Olumide to be immortalised as Star Wars toy - Edinburgh Evening News
Rumor: New 'Rogue One' Character Names and Cast Members Revealed | The Star Wars Underworld

ROGUE ONE: THE POWER OF THE DEATH STAR!

"A major weapons test is imminent. And we need to know what it is and how to destroy it..."

The Galactic Empire's greatest and most powerful technological tool for tyranny and destruction is almost complete, as the Death Star's immense primary weapon dish, protected by the Imperial Starfleet, is lowered slowly and ominously into place- a scene from the recent ROGUE ONE teaser trailer that might be from either the beginning or the end of the film.

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY Official Teaser Trailer - YouTube

Recent ROGUE ONE news:

Star Wars: Rogue One Previewed At Disney Shareholders Meeting
Rumor: Peter Cushing to Be Digitally Recreated for Scenes in 'Rogue One' | The Star Wars Underworld
Star Wars: Rogue One – the first teaser trailer | Den of Geek
'Rogue One' Aliens Will Bring Way More Realism To The 'Star Wars' Universe - MTV
Riz Ahmed says Rogue One is a little bit different to the other Star Wars movies | GamesRadar+
Which Star Wars: Rogue One Character Might Have A Robotic Leg - CINEMABLEND
Composer Alexandre Desplat confirms he's still scoring Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - YouTube
Star Wars Exclusive: Rogue One’s Darth Vader casting revealed
Marvel to Launch 'Star Wars: Rogue One' Comics in October - Hollywood Reporter
Star Wars - Rogue One toys hint at a possible surprise villain | News | Movies - Empire

'ROGUE ONE - A STAR WARS STORY' - TEASER TRAILER

Capitalising on the publicity of THE FORCE AWAKENS on Blu-ray/DVD in the US, the upcoming lead-in to the original STAR WARS, ROGUE ONE, launches its first teaser in nostalgia (past and future) and action-packed style. Enjoy!

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY Official Teaser Trailer - YouTube

Image gallery: | StarWars.com

Related observations from across the web:

Star Wars Rogue One trailer premieres with the return of Darth Vader | Daily Mail Online
'Rogue One' Teaser Analysis: Hope of a Subversive 'Star Wars' Prequel - Hollywood Reporter
Rogue One trailer: fans spot Canary Wharf tube station in Star Wars prequel teaser | News | Culture | The Independent
Rogue One Trailer: Star Wars Welcomes Yet Another New Generation | Vanity Fair
The New Star Wars Trailer: A Comprehensive GIF Analysis | WIRED
Rogue One trailer: Star Wars story focuses on Death Star takedown team | EW.com

Official teaser poster for ROGUE ONE.

STAR WARS - ROGUE ONE: THE FIRST OFFICIAL CAST IMAGE

Image: LUCASFILM/DISNEY

As the Empire plans its final measures to control the galaxy once and for all, a do-or-die mission emanating from a small and struggling against the odds group of rebels, from a fledgling alliance of systems, will undergo the most incredible of missions: to steal the plans to the greatest weapon for evil and tyranny ever created: codenamed Death Star!

This is the journey of Rogue One and her team - some battle hardened, some raw recruits - each contributing their own vital talents to one of the greatest never before fully revealed stories from the STAR WARS saga.

Rogue One—The Daring Mission Has Begun: Cast and Crew Announced | StarWars.com

Prepare for a new year announcement of the return of several classic characters, in varying roles, to the upcoming film, from both the Original and Prequel Trilogies. And not just the rumoured cameo of Darth Vader!

NOW FILMING IN THE UK: 'STAR WARS ANTHOLOGY - ROGUE ONE'

There's been no official confirmation word yet from LUCASFILM because of their prior "Gentleman's Agreement" with PARAMOUNT PICTURES over publicity for MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE- Rogue Nation, but the first in the new series of STAR WARS ANTHOLOGY movies, directed by Gareth Edwards, has apparently been shooting for at least three weeks at STAR WARS new filming home at Pinewood Studios, London. STAR WARS AFICIONADO's version of the Bothan Spies have informed us that some new jungle exterior sequences, involving a massive air/ground bombardment, have been filmed at the studio (inside and out), including one key part of an action sequence involving star Felicity Jones (fresh from weeks in and out of the gym in preparation for the action heavy role), plus some kind of scene-setting on board the original Death Star, with sets for The Force Awakens re-dressed alongside some familiar and new areas of the Battle Station specifically designed to have fans agog. Pinewood Studios legendary water tank facility looks set to be used, too, but not necessarily in the way you think. Beyond the UK, prior location scouting in America (Florida) and Venezuela for specific types of land mass and plantations has also been indicated.

More news as and when we get it...

STAR WARS ANTHOLOGY: ROGUE ONE. FIRST DETAILS REVEALED!

The Death Star awaits.

Rogue One: ILM Effects genius John Knoll's previously top secret idea behind the first STAR WARS spin-off movie- launching the newly christened Anthology series- has had a brief but fascinating plot synopsis officially revealed on this, the final day of the landmark CELEBRATION ANAHEIM convention. Intended as a gritty and realistic version of STAR WARS, set between EPISODEs III and IV, the story concerns the fledgling Rebel Alliance's bold move to capture the data tapes linked to the construction of the Empire's fearsome battle station, the Death Star, before it can become fully operational. This is the plotline that pretty much every STAR WARS fan has always waited to see.

A grim horizon on a far off world...

▶ Rogue One Teaser Trailer - YouTube
▶ Star Wars Rogue One Interview - Gareth Edwards - YouTube
▶ Star Wars Rogue One Interview - Kiri Hart - YouTube
Rogue One Details Revealed at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim | StarWars.com
Lucasfilm President Was Hesitant to Make 'Star Wars: Rogue One', Plus More Info | Rope of Silicon

Directed by GODZILLA's UK rising star Gareth Edwards, the recently cast Felicity Jones will play one of the top Rebel soldiers involved in this dangerous mission, some of whose action sequences, done in the style of classic war movies but given a unique STAR WARS flavour, will take place on a jungle world that keeps a motif flavour not too dissimilar to Endor's being the custodial home to the second Death Star as seen in RETURN OF THE JEDI. The movie is due out in 2016, with filming beginning this Summer worldwide, and at London's Pinewood Studios- the new regular home for the STAR WARS saga for the foreseeable future.

SWCA: Conversation with Gareth Edwards Panel Liveblog | StarWars.com