Star Wars: Resistance (New Animated Series)

Announced on StarWars.com, a new animated series is coming to the Disney Channel this fall, Star Wars: Resistance.

Here's a snippet from starwars.com about the new show:

"production has begun on Star Wars Resistance, an exciting new animated adventure series about Kazuda Xiono, a young pilot recruited by the Resistance and tasked with a top-secret mission to spy on the growing threat of the First Order"

Resistance is set in the era just prior to Episode VII: The Force Awakens and along with plenty of new characters, will feature some familiar faces as well; like BB-8, Poe Dameron, and Captain Phasma.

Fans of previous Star Wars animated shows The Clone Wars and Rebels will also be thrilled to know that Dave Filoni will also be at the helm of Resistance.

For more information on Star Wars: Resistance Click Here

How do you guys/gals feel about this announcement?

-GJ

Deviantart Spotlight - Phraggle (Nick Bondra)

Came across these wonderful pieces while searching Deviantart; to see more pieces like these, make sure to check out deviant Phraggle (Nick Bondra).

Boba Fett	Seventh Sister
Rapheal	Skeletor

-GJ

Small Round Up Of Star Wars SDCC Action Figures

Black Series

Black Series Tie Fighter and Elite Tie Fighter Pilot

Just an FYI, this Tie Fighter is freakin' huge! And will retail in at around $169.99.

Star Wars: Rebels

New Inquisitor

Old Rex

Tamashii Nations Ronan Boba Fett

Hasbro Fan Choice Results

Winner

Bonus Figure

Conclusion: Our wallets will be very unhappy with us this year.

-GJ

Star Wars Black Series Ahsoka Tano Revealed

Ahsoka Tano fans rejoice, Hasbro has just unveiled a new 6 inch Black Series Ahsoka Tano action figure!

This Ahsoka Tano figure depicts her appearance from the new animated series Star Wars: Rebels and is expected to hit store shelves in 2016.

We look forward to seeing the final product for this one.

-GJ

Recap: Star Wars: Rebels NYCC Panel

Here's a quick run down of the Star Wars: Rebels panel from NYCC 2013; but first we'd like to thank the following people for live tweeting the event and providing us with this valuable information!

• Amy Ratcliffe
• Aaron Goins
• Rebels Report
• Stitch Kingdom

Highlights

• Rebels premiere is still about a year out; will premiere with an hour-long episode on Disney Channel and then move to half hour segments over on Disney XD.
• Simon Kinberg is writing the hour long premiere episode.
• Dave Filoni was not in attendance due to the fact that he is in Asia working with the animation team.
• Rebels will take place 14 years after Revenge of the Sith.
• The planet Lothal will be one of the principal locations for the show.

[Planet Lothal of the Outer Rim]

[An alley on planet Lothal]

• Animation style is distinct enough that they were unable to reuse anything from The Clone Wars. (Which is okay since we weren't really a fan of the animation style.)
• Episodes will be shown in chronological order and follow the same group of characters. (Looks like the SW franchise is finally trying something new here.)
• Stormtroopers will not be Clones! They instead will be regular citizens who "volunteer" to join the Imperial forces.
• Some Clones will go on to train the new Stormtroopers while others will be disgruntled; per Lucas' notes.

[Stormtrooper Concept Art]

[Imperial Propaganda Poster]

• No confirmation on who, but some TCW characters will make appearances; were questioned specifically about Ahsoka, but received no answer.
• Series will focus mainly on the Empire and struggling Rebel forces, there will also be a prominent Bounty Hunter presence and limited Jedi (who are still being hunted by the Empire).
• New Villain! The Inquisitor! Hired to help hunt down Jedi in the name of the Empire.

[Inquisitor with Stormtroopers and double-bladed lightsaber]

[Inquisitor pointing]

• No soundtrack has been announced, however Dave Filoni does listen to specific John Williams tracks while animating.
• Rebels is being developed much quicker than TCW because of the team's past experience on TCW.
• A great deal of Rebels is being based off the work of Ralph McQuarrie.

[AT-DP Trooper Concept Art]

[AT-DP Concenpt Art]

[AT-DP Interior Concept Art]

[Tie Fighter Interior Concept Art]

[Speeder Bike Concept Art]

[Imperial Freighter Concept Art]

[Imperial Trooper Transport Concept Art]

Does this get you excited for Star Wars: Rebels or what! Look for more news and hopefully a new trailer in the near future.

-GJ

The Future of Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Dave Filoni talks about the future of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and even shows a clip of what's still to come.

-GJ

The Death of Jar Jar Binks - The Phantom Edit

This would have made Episode I: The Phantom Menace so much better!

Now though, if they would let me write an episode of the animated series The Clone Wars, my entire episode would be killing Jar Jar over and over and over again. All of which would be made possible by Palpatine who had Jar Jar cloned for just this kind of circumstance.

-GJ

Image of the Day: Boba Fett Spartan

Today's image provided by Deviantart user: Dreekzilla

-GJ

Thoughts On Disney's Purchase Of Lucasfilm

First we must start off by saying that we never thought Disney would go out and buy Lucasfilm, nor did we expect them to do it for only $4 billion either. And with any major company buying another there are always pros and cons (or in this case more like concerns).

The biggest concern for many was that Disney, a company that mainly focuses on producing content for children, now owns Lucasfilm, the company that brought us Star Wars. For many of us, after a very long deep breath, we came to realize that every things going to be okay and that this isn't the first time Disney has bought a company that made people cringe. Remember back in 2009 when Disney bought Marvel (also dropping $4 billion then too)? There was panic then; but since then we've seen many great Marvel films, which included a fantastic Avengers movie, and the comics and toys have remained at the same standard that they were prior to Disney's purchase. So now relax Star Wars fans, remember these guys have produced many successful live-action films which not only include multiple Marvel films, but also several Pirates of the Caribbean and National Treasure films.

The other concern is that Disney immediately dropped the bombshell that there will be an Episode 7, 8, 9, and more to follow every 2-3 years. Of course you can't help but be a little excited by this news, but then that feeling of dread starts to sink in; where in the timeline do these films take place? Are the original characters going to return? Will 7 through 9 be based off of Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy or some other set of books from the Expanded Universe?!?!

Well here's what we know so far...

• These movies will not be based off the Thrawn trilogy - we are sad about this, but on the other hand glad that Hollywood doesn't have a chance to destroy a fantastic piece of literature.
• Films will still revolve around Luke Skywalker - would have preferred a new hero; and location for that matter, say something maybe in the Corporate Sector outside of Republic and Imperial space.
• George Lucas met with Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher back in August prior to the sale and both seem ready to jump on board with Episode VII - problem is Harrison Ford isn't on board yet and there isn't anyone else that can fill his shoes as Han Solo (and Disney better not even try).

The only real major con with the entire Disney acquiring Lucasfilm and the Star Wars name, is what will these future films do to the currently established Expanded Universe? Seriously folks, the prequel films tampered with the Expanded Universe and The Clone Wars animated series almost completely destroyed all novelizations put into place between Episode II and Episode III; can you image what the destruction could end up looking like for the Expanded Universe? We shudder just thinking about it.

But alas there are some positives to the madness (other than of course the major fact that we get more Star Wars films).

• Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm also comes with Lucasarts - there are no worries for anything already in development like Star Wars 1313, but hopes rise that with new eyes looking at things, maybe somebody over at Disney will once again green light the Battlefront III project.
• Star Wars comics will remain under contract with Dark Horse for the time being - as an avid comic reader and one who enjoys multiple titles produced via Dark Horse this is great news; but obviously once their contract expires, Marvel (remember owned by Disney) will take over. Not a bad thing of course and for many comic book readers you may remember that Marvel once had the rights to do Star Wars comics.
• The Clone Wars animated series has probably been saved for at least another season - with Cartoon Network moving the show from Friday night to Saturday morning, and after witnessing the abrupt, no warning, no apology removal treatment of DC's action block, many were starting to wonder if an end was near (including show producer Dave Filoni as well). But since Disney has their XD channel, it makes good sense that after season 5 finishes up (or is pulled) on Cartoon Network, Disney XD will gladly air at least another full season (and anything pulled) to drive their ratings higher.

Though we fear for the Expanded Universe, and probably always will, we are still very excited for what will come out of Disney and Lucasfilm in the future and look forward to trying to acquire the thousands of action figures that are sure to follow. People say change is good, well folks we have change, so let us prepare for the good.

Feel free of course to drop a comment below and tell us how you feel about this new endeavor of Disney's; what you look forward too, what you fear will take place, or anything else that comes to mind.

-GJ

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Season 5 Episode 1

Warning: The Following Review Contains Spoilers

Finally the new season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars is upon us!!!

Episode 1, "Revival", opens with brothers Savage Opress and Darth Maul still out on the loose wreaking havoc on our favorite galaxy far far away; and they seem to have an evil plan up their sleeves.

Unfortunately for Savage, Maul decides to let him in on some very valuable Sith knowledge, which leaves him sprawled on his back and Maul's saber in his face; they are now no longer brothers, but Master and Apprentice.

The rest of Maul's plan consists of building a pirate army to assist in his evil deeds. And where does one get pirates? Well he steals them from Hondo of course.

Now while Maul and Savage build their pirate army (and plan their attack on Hondo himself), Jedi Masters Obi-Wan Kenobi and Adi Gallia enter the system responding to a distress call and hot on the trail of our two infamous Sith.

When Kenobi and Gallia catch up with Maul and Savage they quickly find themselves outnumbered, and have to resort to contacting Hondo to see if he needs, and is willing to provide, assistance.

An epic ground battle breaks out between the Sith and their hired pirates versus the Jedi, Hondo, and his faithful band of men. In the opening onslaught Jedi Master Adi Gallia falls to Savage Opress and Hondo and his men are forced to retreat into a cavern.

Kenobi tells Hondo that he will lead the Sith away while his men set up a trap for his former crew mates. The ensuing battle between Kenobi and the Sith costs Savage an arm and he and Maul are forced to retreat.

Meanwhile Hondo convinces the traitors to once again work for him and they head off to plunder the Sith's ship.

Upon everyone exiting the cavern the pirates find themselves face to face with the Sith. After a verbal exchange between Maul and Hondo it becomes a race to the Sith starship. While trying to run away, Maul takes a perfectly placed blaster bolt to the leg and has it cleanly blown off.

With the use of the force Maul is able to grab hold of the Jedi starship and bring it crashing down off the cliff it was perched creating the needed distraction for the Sith to reach their ship and to escape.

The episode ends back on Coruscant with several of the Jedi Council talking with Chancellor Palpatine in regards to the Sith. Palpatine advises the Council to leave the Sith be since they aren't posing a threat to the Republic and only want to hang out with pirate scum. We end with a close up of Palpatine sitting at his desk and a smile creeping across his face.

Overall this was a really good episode; it contained plenty of action, and a good balance of humor.

There was however one thing that sticks out from the episode that we weren't too happy about; the death of Jedi Adi Gallia. Yes she does die during the Clone Wars, but this was not supposed to be it. The original story had her death happening on the planet Boz Pity and at the hands of General Grievous.

But other than that a good episode and a great way to start off the new season. We can't wait to see the next episode.

-GJ

Back-Story Rewrite: Kitster is Dengar

Yes, the famous Kitster from Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace has an official back-story according to Wookieepedia, but that doesn't stop people from bugging The Clone Wars Animated Series producer Dave Filoni about where Kitster is, and it doesn't stop us from providing another alternative to his whereabouts.

Also we are aware that bounty hunter Dengar already appears in The Clone Wars in season 4, but our idea still works.

First let's go with Kitster being freed from slavery and leaving Tatooine to become a smuggler. While out on a run there is a terrible accident that leaves him broken and a little deranged; in his mind this is the day that Kitster dies, and his alter ego Dengar is born. He cheated death as a smuggler, so of course now he feels invincible as a Bounty Hunter.

See, and now Dave Filoni has a where Kitster story.

What, they changed Boba Fett's back-story so why not give this a try?!?

-GJ

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Expected Character Appearances

The following are characters that we, and many others, hope to see before Star Wars: The Clone Wars comes to an end.

Han Solo

One of the biggest characters of the franchise must have an appearance, and it doesn't have to be big or even be very significant to the episode. In fact with the addition of the following character there is a simple scene that would make many Star Wars fans happy.

Lando Calrissian

Pair Han and Lando together, place them in a cantina, add a sabaac game and the bet of the Millennium Falcon, and you have the perfect scene to appear in a Clone Wars episode. See that's all it takes to make us happy.

Natasi Daala

Fans of the Expanded Universe have read a lot about Natasi Daala, and one thing we've come to learn from all that reading is that she was the former lover of one Grand Moff Tarkin. Since Tarkin already appears in The Clone Wars, it only makes since that Daala should make an appearance too.

Gilad Pellaeon

Pellaeon is another Expanded Universe favorite; well if you have a love for the Empire he is anyways. A nice little arc involving Pellaeon, Daala, and Tarkin could be done. Not only would this give fans of later novels in the Expanded Universe timeline a chance to see younger versions of these characters and their first interactions, but opens them up to a younger generation who may not yet know of them.

Zuckuss

The Clone Wars does already feature a good number of Bounty Hunters, many of whom were created just for the show, but Zuckuss is one from the movies that would be cool to see messing with Fett's and Bossk's plans.

Mitth'raw'nuruodo (Thrawn)

If you've ever read any Star Wars book by Timothy Zahn that involved Thrawn, then this no doubt makes sense. Thrawn is not only the best Imperial officer of all-time, but he is around during the Clone Wars era; as seen in Zahn's novel Outbound Flight.

These are just some of the Star Wars characters we'd love to see make an appearance in The Clone Wars animated series. Who would you like to see?

-GJ

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 5 Trailer #2

-GJ

Star Wars Celebration VI Day 4 (Pictures)

The final day of Celebration VI, and we got to attend!

Our Badge

Our New Favorite Wookiee

This custom figure has a Star Trek body with Ackbar head

Old Republic Scrubber Droid participates in the Mouse droid races

Mouse Droid Winners! (1st Green Shirt, 2nd Red Shirt)

A blurry shot of Dave Filoni over at The ForceCast

This is as close as I'll ever come to an Old Republic Trooper

Same can be said for Starkiller & Sha Vizla

Next year's packaging

\

This one was for the wife

-GJ