Disney has finally released the debut trailer for its highly anticipated Star Wars: The Acolyte, along with its premiere date.
The new Disney+ series, which takes place long before the franchise’s prequel trilogy, stars Amandla Stenberg, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae.
The series is from Leslye Headland, who is the co-creator of Netflix’s “Russian Doll. It is set to stream on Disney+ June 4.
Here is the official synopsis:
“In The Acolyte, an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems.”
In 2023, Marvel’s Black History Month celebration will extend to a galaxy far, far away. February will see the debut of ten variant covers by superstar cover artist Mateus Manhanini that highlight Black heroes from throughout the Star Wars franchise, including characters from Star Wars films as well as original Star Wars characters that debuted in the pages of Marvel Comics.
Known for his breathtaking covers for Marvel’s current Wakanda limited series, Manhanini brings this collection of beloved icons, fan-favorite characters, and upcoming stars to life in his bold, eye-catching style. The covers will grace all of Marvel’s Star Wars comics releases in February, giving fans a chance to collect them each week.
Here is a list of the characters that will be spotlighted:
Lando Calrissian, legendary character who first appeared in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Mace Windu, revered Jedi and member of the Jedi High Council known for his epic feats throughout the prequel trilogy
Finn, former First Order stormtrooper turned hero of the resistance from Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Jannah, former First Order stormtrooper turned freedom fighter from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Greef Karga, the Bounty Hunters Guild leader from Star Wars: The Mandalorian
Sana Starros, the breakout character from Marvel’s Star Wars comics who will headline her first solo series in February
Phel Starros, Sana’s brother who will make his first appearance in the Star Wars: Sana Starros comic series
Keeve Trennis, the young Jedi who starred in Marvel’s first Star Wars: The High Republic comic series
Oliviah Zeveron, the Jedi Knight who will play a major role in Marvel’s current Phase II Star Wars: The High Republic comic series
Lt. Haydenn, Imperial officer under the command of Darth Vader who recently debuted in Marvel’s Star Wars: Bounty Hunters comic series and is on track to have a dramatic showdown with Beilert Valance in upcoming issues
Following Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters and Star Wars: Crimson Reign, writer Charles Soule will complete his trilogy of game-changing Star Wars comic book epics this November in Star Wars: Hidden Empire.
The five-issue limited series will continue to spotlight the breakout character from Solo: A Star Wars Story, Lady Qi’ra. Since her comics debut, the criminal leader has had a tremendous impact on Marvel’s Star Wars comics storytelling, and Star Wars: Hidden Empire will see Qi’ra set her bold overarching plan in motion: ridding the galaxy of the Sith.
The series will be drawn by artist Steven Cummings, who also worked on Star Wars: Crimson Reign. In addition, Cummings has crafted a stunning connecting piece that will adorn all five issues. These variant covers show some of the stars of the saga including Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, the Knights of Ren, and more key characters who will take sides in the upcoming conflict.
“Hidden Empire is set between Episodes V and VI. So, there are things this story can do and things it can’t,” Soule explained to StarWars.com. “That said, I think it will deliver a deeply satisfying conclusion to Qi’ra’s arc here, and readers will understand how her choices in this story impacted events all across the Star Wars galaxy at this time.”
“As with many of the comics and novels and ancillary stories beyond the films, the idea is to deepen the experience and understanding of the characters. There are direct connections here to both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi — and beyond — and I think the fans will be very happy.”
Earlier today at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim, fans got a good look at what’s to come in Phase II of Star Wars: The High Republic.
The highly-acclaimed publishing initiative will begin an all-new era of interconnected stories told across novels, children’s books, and of course, comics! Marvel Comics’ Star Wars: The High Republic sagas is set to return this fall with a new ongoing Star Wars: The High Republic comic series and a new limited series titled Star Wars: The High Republic – Thee Blade.
Launching in October, Star Wars: The High Republic #1 will see writer Cavan Scott and artist Ario Anindito reunite after their mega successful run on volume 1.
Set 150 years before Phase 1, Phase II of Star Wars: The High Republic will center around Jedha, a planet rich in its connection to the Force and the focus of every major faith in the galaxy. The new flagship comic series will introduce Jedi Vildar Mac, who arrives as Jedha’s fragile peace begins to crumble and a nameless terror arrives. Continue reading →
David Prowse, best known for playing the original Darth Vader in the Star Wars movies, has passed away on Sunday, his management company announced. He was 85.
Prowse suffered from Alzheimer’s. According to his daughter, he had been in the hospital for two weeks. He passed away due to coronavirus complications.
“It’s with great regret and heart-wrenching sadness for us and million of fans around the world, to announce that our client DAVE PROWSE M.B.E. has passed away at the age of 85,” Bowington Management said on Twitter Sunday.
David played the role of Frankenstein’s monster in Casino Royale (1967) which marked his debut, and the Hammer horrors The Horror of Frankenstein (1970) and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974).
Prowse also appeared in Stanley Kubrick’s classic dystopian crime film A Clockwork Orange (1971) which many consider as his breakthrough role. In the film, he played as gang member and Frank Alexander’s manservant and bodyguard Julian. It is in this role that he was noticed by George Lucas, who wrote and directed the Star Wars films. He was originally offered two parts, the first one was that of Chewbacca before eventually landing the role of the iconic villain Darth Vader.
As Darth Vader in Star Wars, Prowse wore the iconic black suit and helmet while actor James Earl Jones provided the voice. Standing at a staggering height of 6’7”, Prowse’s physicality made him appear instantly threatening and provides a striking contrast to the rest of the cast and characters in the trilogy.
“I said I wasn’t too interested because I didn’t want to wear a mask. I wanted to play a part where people could see my face.” David said about the role of Chewbacca. “But I never realized the villain would also be wearing a mask!”
“David brought a physicality to Darth Vader that was essential for the character,” Star Wars creator George Lucas said in a statement posted on StarWars.com. “He made Vader leap off the page and on to the big screen, with an imposing stature and movement performance to match the intensity and undercurrent of Vader’s presence. David was up for anything and contributed to the success of what would become a memorable, tragic figure. May he rest in peace.”
A bodybuilder and weightlifting champion, Prowse also had a hand in helping Christopher Reeves achieve his physique for the 1978 superhero film by Richard Donner “Superman”, having trained Reeves for six weeks. “He was fantastic. He was a very lovely person,” Prowse said of Reeve. “We were like brothers, we got along so well together. And during the course of the period I had him, I took him from 170 pounds when we started and he was 212 [pounds] when he went into the suit.”
Just two weeks after its Disney+ debut, “The Mandalorian” has officially become the most in-demand television series in the U.S. across all streaming platforms, this according to Parrot Analytics, a company that measures television viewing demand.
The Mandalorian garnered over 00 million demand expressions during the week (from November 17 to November 23), ending Stranger Things‘ 21-week reign. The Netflix series had 81 million demand expressions, followed by DC Universe’s Titans, with 71.2 million.
“While demand is a metric that should not be confused with subscriber numbers, this is a strong indication that the ‘Star Wars’ series is driving a lot of sign-ups to the recently-debuted Disney+ service,” a Parrot Analytics representative said.
The Mandalorian is also garnering great reviews, currently receiving a 90% rating on RottenTomatoes, and a 95% audience rating.
Demand for the show should intensify further with the release on December 20 of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the third installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
Director J.J. Abrams has released the very first trailer “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” during Star Wars Celebration in event in Chicago on Friday, April 12, giving fans the first look of the highly anticipated final entry in the epic saga.
Abrams, who also directed the first installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy The Force Awakens (2015) were in attendance for the announcement, along with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, and some of the film’s cast Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, and Naomi Ackie.
The trailer shows Daisy Ridley’s character Rey, standing alone in an unknown desert planet, wielding her light saber at an incoming starcraft.
“We’ve passed on all we know,” Luke Skywalker says in the background. “A thousand generations live in you now. But this is your fight.”
We then see shots of characters new and old including Finn, Poe, Lando Calrissian, C-3PO, BB-8, Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, and of Princess Leia, played by the late Carrie Fisher. We also see a poignant shot of what looks like the Medal of Bravery which Leia gave to Luke and Han Solo at the end of “Star Wars: A New Hope.”
Towards the end of the trailer, we see Rey and company, then we hear Luke once again. “We’ll always be with you. No one’s ever really gone,” Luke said. Then, the big surprise at the end, we hear a familiar creepy laugh of Ian McDiarmid’s Emperor Palpatine while the title appears.
In many ways, the trailer is perfect. It offers enough nostalgia, with minimal details but enough glimpses of the characters to whet our appetite until the next trailer arrives.
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” is scheduled for release on December 20, 2019.
Lucasfilm Animation has released the latest trailer for its upcoming anime-influenced series Star Wars Resistance. The trailer dropped Friday on Disney’s YouTube channel. See trailer below.
The series starts out before the events that took place in The Force Awakens. It features fresh new character including Kazuda Xiono, a young pilot recruited into the Resistance to spy on the First Order.
“Can you imagine what it’s like to be an ace pilot?” Kaz says.
Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie are also reprising Dameron and Captain Phasma, their characters in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
“Star Wars Resistance” is set to premiere on Disney Channel on October 7, 2018 and then later on Disney XD.
Boba Fett in Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi, 1983 (starwars.com)
With all the attention Han Solo is getting this week, Lucasfilm and Disney is already lining up its next Star Wars character spin-off in the form of Boba Fett, this according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“Logan” writer and director James Mangold is apparently doing double duty again, both helming and writing the script for the film about the bounty hunter and cult favorite among fans. Mangold’s Logan collaborator Simon Kinberg is said to be working with Mangold as co-writer and producer.
Boba Fett first appeared in “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) and then again in “Return of the Jedi” (1983) as a bounty hunter for the Galactic Empire and has since become a fan favorite. That said, there’s not a lot of backstory revealed around the character in the Star Wars film series.
Although in Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002), it was reveled that he is an unaltered clone, with Jango Fett being his father and genetic template for clone soldiers of the empire. Where the planned Boba Fett film fits into Star Wars timeline or the recent anthology films Rogue One and Solo remains to be seen.
There is also the book based Fett stories including “Star Bounty Hunter Wars,” a trilogy of novels by K.W. Jeter which supposedly serves as Return of the Jedi sequel.
Mangold brings plenty of good reputation to the film. Logan, the third and final Wolverine solo film, was boxoffice and critical success last year. He also helmed “Walk the Line”, “3:10 to Yuma” and “Knight and Day”.
Following the movie’s star-studded world premiere Thursday in Los Angeles, the first reactions are starting to trickle out, may of which has been shared on social media.
Fans can now breathe a sigh of relief, as most reactions so far has been positive. Many are praising Alden Ehrenreich’s own take of the iconic titular hero, the supporting cast including Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian and Ron Howard’s solid direction.
We are sure to get more reactions in the coming days at it continues to roll out including a screening at the prestigious Cannes Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2018, ten full days before its official release in the United States on May 25, 2018.
Directed by Ron Howard and produced by Lucasfilm from a screenplay by Lawrence and Jon Kasdan, the film is an origin story of the iconic character and focuses on his adventures. Alden Ehrenreich is playing the younger version of the title character, while also in the film are Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Joonas Suotamo.
Here’s a few that has been going around the web world so far:
#SoloAStarWarsStory: It takes a bit for it to find its feet and for AE to turn on enough charm to make you forget he’s not HF. But once it kicks into its hey-let’s-make-a-crew and yes-also-do-a-heist stuff, it totally flies.
I figured if @DisneyStudios was willing to show 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' a few weeks before release it must be good and it absolutely is. Film is a blast and a welcome addition to the Star Wars universe. @RealRonHoward you did a great job. Congrats. pic.twitter.com/1pkWH2y6qE
Alden Ehrenreich is the real deal, Thandie Newton is who I want to be when I grow up, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s L3… well we’ll talk about that later. 😃 #SoloAStarWarsStory
