Sci-Fi Storm

It is with great sadness that we learned a few minutes ago that actor Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars saga, passed away in April 30th at home in Texas surrounded by his family.

His family released a statement on Facebook and Twitter:

The family of Peter Mayhew, with deep love and sadness, regrets to share the news that Peter has passed away. He left us the evening of April 30, 2019 with his family by his side in his North Texas home.
Peter was the man behind the mask of Chewbacca in the original Star Wars trilogy, episode 3 of the prequels, and the New Trilogy. He fought his way back from being wheelchair-bound to stand tall and portray Chewbacca once more in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He also consulted on The Last Jedi in an attempt to teach his successor. He put his heart and soul into the role of Chewbacca and it showed in every frame of the films from his knock kneed running, firing his bowcaster from the hip, his bright blue eyes, down to each subtle movement of his head and mouth. But, to him, the Star Wars family meant so much more to him than a role in a film.
The relationships that began then grew into the friends and family that he would love for decades to come. As the films released and became more well-known he had his eyes opened to the possibilities of what he could achieve with his role in the Star Wars universe. For more than 30 years Peter traveled all over the world spending time with his fans and friends. Peter developed lifelong friendships with the other cast members and his fans while on the convention circuit touching the lives of millions. As he realized over the years the impact he could have, he became heavily involved with the 501st legion, Wounded Warriors, Make-a-Wish, and other non-profit organizations.
To this end, he established the Peter Mayhew Foundation, supporting everything from individuals and families in crisis situations to food and supplies for children of Venezuela during their recent road to freedom. He not only provided funds but became personally involved with each individual, family and cause he supported.
As he grew older he continued to “soldier on” as he put it and was completely in his element around his fans and supporters. He grew great strength from the energy of his family, friends and the fans he knew and loved.
He is survived by his wife Angie and three children. His kindness, generosity and care will live on in the Peter Mayhew Foundation with Angie taking the helm as his voice.
There will be a memorial service for friends and family held on June 29th and in early December in Los Angeles there will be a memorial for fans set up with his family in attendance, personal effects, and collection at EmpireConLA.

For additional information, information on the memorials or to offer condolences email ryan@ReelAppearances.com
Rather than gifts and flowers the family asks that you consider donating to the foundation so that they can continue his efforts to help the community. You can donate at http://petermayhewfoundation.org/make-a-donation.php

I met Peter briefly back in 2014, and he was as always gracious and thankful for the fans. He had just a couple weeks ago met up with fans at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago.

Suffering from physical issues owing to his immense frame – he needed knee replacements but had to wait until they built a machine large enough to create the parts large enough – he was often wheelchair bound but managed to stand tall again for scenes in The Force Awakens, but worked as a consultant on The Last Jedi to help train his replacement.

May the Force be with you, Peter…always.

Here it is…and oh, so many questions…is that Kylo Ren’s fighter? And who is the new Skywalker? But…LANDO!

So the nominations for the 91st Oscars are out, and as usual we take a look at where the science fiction/fantasy genre landed – and it’s mostly Disney vs. Disney between Black Panther and Mary Poppins Returns – but neither received any acting nominations, which is disappointing.

Black Panther scored a Best Picture nomination, along with Production Design, Costume Design, Original Score, Original Song for “All The Stars”, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing,

Mary Poppins Returns is nominated for Production Design, Costume Design, Original Score, Original Song for “The Place Where Lost Things Go”,

Avengers: Infinity War, Christopher Robin, Ready Player One, Solo: A Star Wars Story all received one nomination for Visual Effects.

A Quiet Place received one nomination for Sound Editing.

Incredibles 2, Ralph Breaks The Internet and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse all share the Animated Film nomination with Isle of Dogs and Mirai.

Lucasfilm announced today that Pedro Pascal (Narcos, Game Of Thrones, Kingsman: The Golden Circle) will join an all star cast and crew and take the title role of The Mandalorian, the live-action Star Wars series set to debut on the upcoming Disney+ streaming service. The show will follow a lone Mandalorian (Pascal) gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy.

Pascal joins a cast that includes Gina Carano (Deadpool), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), Emily Swallow (Supernatural), Carl Weathers (Predator), Omid Abtahi (American Gods), Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man), and Nick Nolte (Affliction).

Dave Filoni (Star Wars: Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels) will direct the first episode. Other directors to follow include Deborah Chow (Jessica Jones), Rick Famuyiwa (Dope), Bryce Dallas Howard (Solemates), and Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok).

Another live-action series for Star Wars? Yes! Bob Iger, Disney Chairman and CEO, announced today that Lucasfilm is developing a second live-action series (the first being The Mandalorian), which will air through Disney+, the upcoming streaming service.

The subject? Rogue One‘s resident rebel spy, Cassian Andor, who will be played once again by Diego Luna. The series will deal with the early era of the Rebellion and the events prior to Rogue One. “Going back to the Star Wars universe is very special for me,” said Luna. “I have so many memories of the great work we did together and the relationships I made throughout the journey. We have a fantastic adventure ahead of us, and this new exciting format will give us the chance to explore this character more deeply.”

According to StarWars.com, the rousing spy thriller will explore tales filled with espionage and daring missions to restore hope to a galaxy in the grip of a ruthless Empire. A release date for the series has not yet been announced. Stay tuned to StarWars.com for the latest updates.

We finally have some details – and a title – on the upcoming Star Wars live-action series from Jon Favreau, thanks to the director himself.

The Mandalorian will be the title, and as you might guess it follows a Mandalorian – but not one of the few we’ve met so far. “After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. We follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic,” according to Favreau’s Instagram post.

Still no idea when the series may premiere, but it will be on Disney’s new streaming service, which won’t kick off for about another year.

The Doctor is going to appear in Star Wars! Well, not exactly, but DWXI himself, Matt Smith, is reportedly joining the cast of Star Wars for the final epic installment. We have absolutely no information on his role other than it is “key”, and hopefully not in prosthetic makeup, total costume, or CGI…

The official cast announcements have been made – and Carrie Fisher WILL appear in Star Wars: Episode IX.

All the expected actors will return, and as expected, Billy Dee Williams will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian. Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant are also joining the cast, along with Keri Russell, who was expected to appear but was left off the list because she hadn’t finished the paperwork. Filming begins August 1st at Pinewood Studios in London.

Fisher, who died in 2016, will appear as Leia by using unsused footage from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. “We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” said director J.J. Abrams. “Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie [Lourd, who has appeared in the last two films alongside her mother], we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.” In addition to Lourd’s approval, Fisher’s brother Todd Fisher said he “couldn’t be more personally thrilled and happy that our Carrie will reprise her role as Princess Leia in the new and final Star Wars Episode IX using previously unreleased footage of her shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Mark Hamill also weighed in on Twitter, “It’s bittersweet facing my final chapter without her-She is simply irreplaceable. I’m finding solace in the fact that she won’t BE replaced & would love the worldwide outpouring of affection from those who loved her when they heard the news.”

It's bittersweet facing my final chapter without her-She is simply irreplaceable. I'm finding solace in the fact that she won't BE replaced & would love the worldwide outpouring of affection from those who loved her when they heard the news.#CarrieOnForever pic.twitter.com/7ueMqBxQwa

— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) July 29, 2018

In what turned out to be a very surprising announcement during a low-key panel at San Diego Comic Con to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, producer Dave Filoni and guests hit everyone with a Death Star-sized announcement – Clone Wars is coming back! While we await more specific word on the fate of the franchise beyond Episode IX, we may have something to tide us over…12 new episodes will be produced and air on Disney’s upcoming direct streaming service – availability dates yet to be determined – and help close the story that was left open after five seasons and a few extra “lost episodes”.

Filoni himself didn’t think they would get to tell the rest of the story. On getting it finished, he told StarWars.com, “Personally, it’s very rewarding. Any opportunity to put the final pieces of the story in place is meaningful as a storyteller. I’m happy for the opportunity to define these things and the end of this part of the Clone War. It also makes me reflect on all the people that I got to work with over the years. It reinforces the things I learned from George. It reminds me of the important elements that go into making Star Wars. So, it’s nice on several levels, and I think for the crew that’s still here that worked on Clone Wars, they feel that, as well.”

Beyond the 12 episodes we don’t know much more yet, but we DID get a trailer, and we see a favorite character returning…

First, the exciting news – according to sources close to the production say Billy Dee Williams will appear as Lando Calrissian in the final Star Wars saga film. Rumors on this really heated up last week when Williams canceled a September convention appearance in Canada due to a “film schedule conflict”, which everyone immediately believed to be Episode IX. Some suave is coming!

In the meantime, on life beyond IX, things may not be quite as dire for the anthology films as first thought. According to the Belfast Telegraph, the Game of Thrones prequel series will be filmed at the Paint Hall studios in Belfast – AFTER the next installment of Syfy’s Krypton and, apparently, the Obi-Wan film in April 2019. This may not mean much, only that studio space is still booked, but it is at least a positive sign.

Perhaps at the other end of the hope spectrum, James Mangold responses to a tweet about his supposed involvement in the Boba Fett movie:

Look what I got from a self-proclaimed "lover of life"! Seriously Blackbird, chill. I'm making a period car racing movie w/ Christian Bale & Matt Damon. No Mandalorians involved. Stop reading so much gossip.

Oh, and in my opinion: children in cages = worst idea ever. https://t.co/e7zAa6GmCk

— Mangold (@mang0ld) July 7, 2018

So it appears that the film lacks a director still – which makes me wonder about when these films might get released or it what order – but Disney does not have any Star Wars films on the docket for the next couple years at present after IX.