Star Wars

STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE 3D Interview with Joel Aron (CG Supervisor THE CLONE WARS)

by Steven Shaw    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 6:33 pm

With the release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D this weekend, Twentieth Century Fox recently hosted a press junket at Skywalker Ranch and Lucasfilm.  In an effort to promote the experience for the next generation, my seven year-old daughter, Cyan, interviewed four people who helped bring George Lucas’ vision to life.  Her final interview was with Joel Aron, CG Supervisor for Star Wars: The Clone Wars the animated series.  They discussed how Darth Maul could come back if he’d been cut in half, the most rewarding part of working on Star Wars, who his favorite character is, his Sith name, and more.  Hit the jump to watch.

George Lucas Addresses Changes to STAR WARS; Maintains Greedo Shot First

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 2:24 pm

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace opens yet again this Friday, and the film is destined to make even more money because all the marketing for the 3D re-release has been aimed directly at kids. Even the junket interviews were conducted by children (you can watch our interviews here, here, and here). George Lucas hasn’t given too many interviews regarding the 3D release, but one hit today that’s sure to grind fanboy gear. During the discussion, Lucas defends the edits he’s made to the Star Wars saga, and specifically addresses CGI Yoda and why Greedo shot first. Hit the jump to see what he had to say.

STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE 3D Interview with Supervising Sound Editor Matthew Wood

by Steven Shaw    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 1:45 pm

With the release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D this weekend, Twentieth Century Fox recently hosted a press junket at Skywalker Ranch and Lucasfilm.  In an effort to promote the experience for the next generation, my seven year-old daughter, Cyan, interviewed four people who helped bring George Lucas’ vision to life.  Her third interview was with Matthew Wood, a supervising sound editor with Skywalker Sound who worked to secure Academy Award nominations for Best Sound and Best Sound Effects Editing for The Phantom Menace.  In Episode I, he is the voice of all the droids and in Episode III and The Clone Wars animated series he is the voice of General Grievous.  Hit the jump to watch the interview.

STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE 3D Interview with Stunt Coordinator ObiShawn; Plus Lightsaber Training

by Steven Shaw    Posted: February 7th, 2012 at 6:07 pm

With the release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D this weekend, Twentieth Century Fox recently hosted a press junket at Skywalker Ranch and Lucasfilm.  In an effort to promote the experience for the next generation, my seven year-old daughter, Cyan, interviewed four people who helped bring George Lucas’ vision to life.  Her second interview was with ObiShawn, a lightsaber stunt coordinater with Lucasfilm.  After a lightsaber battle, they talked about what martial arts he studied, which fight sequence was the most difficult, and what other training a Jedi would need.  Hit the jump to watch.

STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE 3D Interview with John Goodson; Talks PODRACING, Destroyer Droids, Concept Models, and More

by Steven Shaw    Posted: February 6th, 2012 at 7:15 pm

With the release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D this weekend, Twentieth Century Fox recently hosted a press junket at Skywalker Ranch and Lucasfilm.  In an effort to promote the experience for the next generation, my seven year-old daughter, Cyan, interviewed four people who helped bring George Lucas’ vision to life.  Her first interview was with John Goodson, a digital artist with Lucasfilm who worked as a concept model artist on The Phantom Menace.  They talked about the kind of training he needed to become a concept artist, his favorite creation, podracing, his favorite Star Wars character, Destroyer Droids, and more.  Hit the jump to watch.

Tack on a Mos Eisley Cantina in Volkswagen’s New STAR WARS Super Bowl Ad

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 1st, 2012 at 7:35 am

Last year, Volkswagen released on the most popular Super Bowl ads by dressing up a kid in a Darth Vader outfit and have him try to use force powers on various items.  So what’s they’re Super Bowl ad strategy in 2012?  Star Wars plus dogs.  It’s quite ingenious since everyone loves dogs (unless you’re one of those wretched “cat people”) and we’ve already shown you one of the company’s Star Wars/dog ads.  Now the other one has gone online and it doesn’t seem like they were even trying.  They basically had a 30-second spot featuring a dog, someone came along and said, “Add Star Wars“, and this was the result.

Hit the jump to check out the TV spot.  We’ll be posting all of the ads from this year’s Super Bowl, which airs this Sunday at 6:30pm EST.

Exclusive: Storyboards from Never-Before-Seen STAR WARS: EPISODE I – THE PHANTOM MENACE Battle Sequence

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 27th, 2012 at 1:37 pm

We’re only a few weeks away from the 3D re-release of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace in theaters. The event hopefully marks the beginning of the theatrical re-release of all the films in the Star Wars saga (given that the first few are financially successful), and in anticipation of the theatrical exhibition, Star Wars Insider Magazine is releasing a celebratory issue. The magazine has been kind enough to provide Collider with an exclusive preview at what they have in store, giving us a peek at some never-before-seen storyboards from Episode I involving a battle sequence between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn and a slew of droids. Hit the jump to take a look.

Fan-Made Feature Length STAR WARS UNCUT Movie Now Streaming

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: January 25th, 2012 at 3:18 pm

If you’re tired of seeing Star Wars re-released with nothing other than out-of-place digital creatures or gimmicky 3D, then perhaps Star Wars Uncut is more your cup of tea. Amateur filmmakers from around the world recreated their own version of George Lucas’ 1977 classic film Star Wars: A New Hope in uniquely conceived 15-second clips. After tons of submissions poured in, Casey Pugh and the team at www.starwarsuncut.com painstakingly spliced together their favorite interpretations to make a feature-length Director’s Cut. The project won a 2010 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media and the individual clips had been available on their website. Recently, Pugh made the director’s cut available to stream in its entirety. Hit the jump to check it out (before a team of intergalactic lawyers descends).

AMC Theaters to Offer Podracer 3D Glasses and Fighter Pod for Upcoming STAR WARS: EPISODE I – THE PHANTOM MENACE 3D Release

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 23rd, 2012 at 9:45 am

As the 3D re-release of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace looms closer, Lucasfilm is pulling out all the stops to ensure that fans burned by their first Episode I viewing experience will happily fork over more money to see the movie again. It’s already known that Episodes IV, V, and VI won’t be re-released in 3D unless Episodes I, II, and III are successful, and now they’re throwing Star Wars 3D glasses at us. AMC Theaters announced today that during opening weekend, fans will received an all-new Hasbro Star Wars Fighter Pod with the purchase of each 3D ticket, while supplies last.

Furthermore, 10 AMC theaters across the country will be hosting event screenings at which fans will receive exclusive Anakin Skywalker Podracer 3D glasses with each ticket purchase. These 10 theaters will also play host to a LEGO feature area, Darth Maul face-painting (at last!), and more. Hit the jump to find out which theaters will be holding the event screenings. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace opens in 3D February 10th.

Volkswagen Combines Dogs and STAR WARS in New Commercial to Create Awesomeness by Way of “The Bark Side”

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 20th, 2012 at 8:42 am

I never thought I’d say this, but I’ve been won over by a commercial for a commercial. One of the most memorable—and best—commercials last year was Volkswagen’s “Mini Darth Vader”, which combined the cuteness of children and the power of The Force to create an adorable Star Wars nod. Volkswagen has gone Star Wars again this year, and they’ve released a trailer for their upcoming Super Bowl commercial. Yes, your cynicism probably kicked in at “trailer for a commercial”, but if you enjoy dogs and Star Wars then your hollow, tin chest will be warmed over by the fantastically cute clip after the jump. The full commercial will air during the third quarter of the Super Bowl on February 5th. Keep an eye out for the AT-AT.

Producer Rick McCallum Talks RED TAILS and Live-Action STAR WARS TV Series; Describes Show as “EMPIRE STRIKES BACK on Steroids”

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 18th, 2012 at 11:40 am

Opening this weekend is director Anthony Hemingway‘s World War II action-drama Red Tails.  Produced by George Lucas and Rick McCallum, the movie is based on the real-life story of the first all African-American squadron and their fight to defend our country.  They were given second-hand planes and the most dangerous missions, and it makes their story all the more incredible. Red Tails stars Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Bryan Cranston, Brandon T. Jackson, Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelly, Tristan Wilds, Cliff Smith, Rick Otto, Daniela Ruah, and Michael B. Jordan.

Last week I did an exclusive phone interview with McCallum. During our wide ranging conversation we talked about LucasFilm’s two decade quest to make Red Tails, how advances in technology helped make the film possible, the 11.1 sound mix, and what being a producer really means.  In addition, with McCallum producing the live-action Star Wars TV series (Star Wars: Underworld), he talked about what fans can look forward to, why it’s still not filming, and revealed “It’s Empire on steroids.”  Finally, we also talked about Lucas’ future as a director, what props he owns, whether or not the 3D release of The Phantom Menace is the same cut that’s on the Blu-ray, if we’ll ever see the original trilogy on Blu-ray without any corrections, and so much more.  Hit the jump to either read or listen to what he had to say.

George Lucas Claims He’s Ready to Retire from Blockbuster Filmmaking; Producer Rick McCallum Says Lucas is Taking a Break

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 17th, 2012 at 1:51 pm

George Lucas is ready to retire, again. Though he previously threatened retirement before launching into the Star Wars prequels, the director’s 20-year passion project Red Tails is finally hitting theaters this month, and with that Lucas says he’s basically done:

“I’m retiring. I’m moving away from the business, from the company, from all this kind of stuff.”

That “stuff” would be blockbusters, and Lucas seems to be taking a page out of Francis Ford Coppola’s book and says he’s ready to move on to more personal material. Hit the jump for more, including what Lucas had to say to critics of his Star Wars tampering.

TOP 5: New STAR WARS Live-Action Series Details, CONTRABAND, WARM BODIES, Cinemath, Our TCA Winter Press Tour Coverage

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 14th, 2012 at 11:35 am

I have to say that I can’t wait to check out Steven Soderbergh‘s actioner Haywire. Everything I’ve seen from it thus far has looked great and the positivity pouring out from early reviews only supports my belief that the entire pic will deliver. Whether it be the stellar cast, the proclaimed breakout performance from Gina Carano, or Soderbergh’s top-notch action sequences, I fully expect to be talking about Haywire right here again next week in a little “Before & After” discussion. In the meantime…

…This week’s “Top 5″ brings you some new details regarding the long-gestating Star Wars live-action television series, Contraband interviews with Mark Wahlberg, Giovanni Ribisi, and more, the first official images from Jonathan Levine‘s (50/50) Warm Bodies, a “Cinemath” feature that analyzes the 2011 box office, and all of our coverage from the 2011 Television Critics Association (TCA) Winter Press Tour. Hit the jump for brief recaps and links to each.

New Posters for STAR WARS: EPISODE I – THE PHANTOM MENACE 3D, GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGANCE and WEST OF MEMPHIS

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 12th, 2012 at 3:54 pm

We’ve got quite a few new posters to share with you today. First up are five new posters for the 3D re-release of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. They’re pretty fantastic, as a few of them run off the theme of a lightsaber. The Darth Maul lightsaber one is sufficiently badass, though there’s a quote-laden one highlighting Maul’s face that kicks considerably less ass. We’ve also got a new international poster for Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance that puts star Nicolas Cage on full display.

Finally, we’ve got the poster premiere for Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh’s West Memphis Three documentary West of Memphis. Though the three wrongly convicted men are now free, Jackson and Walsh are working hard to bring justice to the case and solve the 18-year-old triple murder. The poster is excellent and brings their message across loud and clear. West of Memphis will screen at the Sundance Film Festival. Hit the jump to check out the posters.

Rick McCallum Talks Tone and Logistics of Live-Action STAR WARS TV Series; Describes it as “EMPIRE STRIKES BACK on Steroids”

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 11th, 2012 at 6:42 pm

Everybody knows the name George Lucas. Whether you love or hate the guy, his name is instantly recognizable and sends off the first few notes of John Williams’ Star Wars score in your head. Another name you may or may not know is Rick McCallum. McCallum’s relationship with Lucas began on the early 1990s TV series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, after which Lucas tapped McCallum to produce the three Star Wars prequels. Steve recently talked with McCallum to discuss the World War II action-adventure pic Red Tails (which Lucas and McCallum produced), and while we’ll have the full interview up closer to the film’s release, we wanted to share a few tidbits with you today.

McCallum talked at length about the long-in-the-works live-action Star Wars TV series, discussing the show’s tone, the logistics of doing an effects-heavy series on television, how soon the show might come to fruition, and a lot more. Hit the jump to see what he had to say.

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