Sci-Fi Storm

Yes, you read that title right – the official title of Episode 7 is now Star Wars: The Force Awakens! That announcement came today along with word that principal photography on it has been completed – which means we might see a teaser sometime soon…

Does the title give us a hint at the plot? Some post-Empire Jedi rebuilding by Luke with a new foe?

Warwick Davis, the actor who got his start as the Ewok Wicket in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and returned for several roles in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, will return once more to the franchise and will appear in an unknown role in Star Wars Episode 7.

Let’s let him tell you how it happened…kinda…

Star Wars Rebels did gangbusters in its debut on Disney Channel, with the special movie, “Spark of Rebellion” taking in 6.5 million viewers…but that’s not enough, apparently, as the broadcast arm of Disney, ABC, will re-air the special on Sunday, October 26th at 7pm ET (hmm…the traditional time slot of The Wonderful World of Disney?)

But to make it a bit suped-up, ABC is getting a bonus: an added scene not only featuring the franchise’s iconic Bad Guy – Darth Vader – but he will be voiced by none other than the voice of Vader, James Earl Jones!!!

Don’t get too excited, though – this is currently just a cameo appearance and there are currently no plans to make him appear again.

It seems like the great people at Lucasfilm behind Star Wars: The Clone Wars, despite getting ready for the debut of Star Wars: Rebels, aren’t quite ready to let go of their previous saga just yet. With six seasons, a novel, a comic and more, and the “lost episodes” released on Netflix, it seems they still have some stuff left over.

StarWars.com has now release 3 unfinished stories plus another short story reel that have “proxy” animation (one of the intermediate steps before the full animation is rendered) but the voices and story are in place. Check them out here, along with the “Clone Wars Legacy”, about how they story, and the untold stories, fit into the Star Wars Saga.

From StarWars.com:

Continuing the epic tradition of the legendary Star Wars saga, an exciting animated one-hour movie Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion is set to premiere Friday, October 3 (9:00 p.m. ET/PT in the US) on Disney Channels around the world, ushering in the highly anticipated series Star Wars Rebels on Disney XD. In the US, Star Wars Rebels episodes will debut Monday nights beginning Monday, October 13 (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on Disney XD. Worldwide, the series will air in 33 languages across 163 countries in over 400 million households.

Leading up to its global television debut, Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion will be available on Disney Channel SVOD and to verified users beginning Monday, September 29, on WATCHDisneyXD.com and the WATCH Disney XD app.

Set between the events of Star Wars: Episodes III and IV, the story unfolds during a dark time when the evil Galactic Empire is tightening its grip of power on the galaxy. Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet and are ruining the lives of its people. The motley but clever crew of the starship Ghost — cowboy Jedi Kanan, ace pilot Hera, street-smart teenager Ezra, the “muscle” Zeb, warrior firebrand Sabine, and cantankerous old astromech droid Chopper — is among a select few who are brave enough to stand against the Empire. Together, they will face threatening new villains, encounter colorful adversaries, embark on thrilling adventures, and become heroes with the power to ignite a rebellion.

At the Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion Fan Event at San Diego Comic-Con this year, the movie garnered rave reviews from fans who found the story and look akin to the classic trilogy of films. The series’ designs are influenced by the work of original Star Wars concept artist Ralph McQuarrie.

Star Wars Rebels is created by Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Sherlock Holmes), and Carrie Beck. The Lucasfilm Animation production is also executive-produced by Filoni and Kinberg as well as Greg Weisman (Gargoyles).

The talented voice cast includes Freddie Prinze Jr. as Kanan, Vanessa Marshall as Hera, Steve Blum as Zeb, Tiya Sircar as Sabine, Taylor Gray as Ezra, David Oyelowo as Agent Kallus, and Jason Isaacs as the Inquisitor.

The multi-platform schedule in the US is:

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion one-hour movie will be available on Disney Channel SVOD and to verified users on WATCHDisneyXD.com and the WATCH Disney XD app for smartphones and tablets.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3

Television premiere of one-hour movie Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on Disney Channel.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4

Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion will be available for purchase through Apple iTunes, Amazon Prime, Google Play, and Disney XD VOD.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6

Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion (8:00 p.m. ET/PT) premieres on Disney XD.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13

Star Wars Rebels (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) series premieres on Disney XD.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14

Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion will be available on DVD in retailers nationwide.

Check out the extended trailer for Star Wars Rebels, the new animated series that will air on Disney XD starting in October.

While most of the attention has focused on next year’s release and current production of Star Wars Episode VII, there is still another production that is only a few months away from hitting the smaller screen…Star Wars Rebels debuts on Disney XD in October…
(continue reading…)

Check out the video below from J.J. Abrams – not just for a peek at what is the next generation X-Wing fighter that will be appearing in Star Wars: Episode VII, but also for the message…there are only 4 days left to participate in Star Wars: Force for Change to help raise funds for UNICEF, and in doing so you not only can get some nice Star Wars swag, but also get entered for a chance to win a trip to London as J.J.’s VIP guest and even be in a scene from the movie! You are also entered to win a private showing of Episode VII in your home town!

I’m a Force for Change…are you?

Not a real surprise, but the production of Star Wars: Episode VII has scheduled in a two-week hiatus next month after shifting the schedule around to accommodate among other things Harrison Ford’s rehabilitation for his broken leg. No effect is expected in the completion of production in time for the December 18th, 2015 release.

In the meantime, two new cast members have been announced, but as usual their roles have not been specified: Crystal Clarke and Pip Anderson. Both are relative newcomers, with Clarke to appear in the Pierce Brosnan-led fantasy The Moon and the Sun.

Andy Serkis is really getting around – although you may still not see his face. Andy told Sci-Fi Now that his motion-capture company Imaginarium is involved in all the upcoming Star Wars projects, and he himself will have a role in Episode VII – but he isn’t say who – or what.

And now, in an interview with Variety, he said, “The Imaginarium is the performance capture consultant, and I’m playing a role (in both films [In reference to Star Wars as well]). On ‘The Avengers,’ I’ve been working closely with Mark Ruffalo.”

He’s working with Ruffalo to help further develop his mo-cap performance as The Hulk. “Performance capture was used on the previous ‘Hulk,’ but not to the same extent Mark is using it now,” he said. “There are tools and ways of working with an actor that makes them feel that they own the character. And a character the size of the Hulk needs ownership, which Mark has now.”