Crystal Clarke and Pip Anderson cast for Episode VII

And from out of left field, another casting development for Episode VII. Announced on the official site, joining the fold are Pip Anderson and Crystal Clarke.

Having hunted high and low for young and undiscovered talent, the filmmakers are delighted to announce that two actors from the open call call have been cast.

Crystal Clarke is an American actress studying in Glasgow, UK, who has both stage and screen acting experience and is soon to be seen in her first feature, The Moon and the Sun (to be released in 2015). British actor Pip Andersen is a skilled practitioner of parkour, a discipline that involves propelling oneself through any given environment with incredible grace and agility. Pip recently demonstrated this remarkable skill in a Spider-Man ad for Sony.

“The Star Wars universe has always been about discovering and nurturing young talent and in casting Episode VII we wanted to remain absolutely faithful to this tradition. We are delighted that so many travelled to see us at the open casting calls and that we have been able to make Crystal and Pip a part of the film,” said producer and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy.

Clarke and Anderson were pulled from the extensive multi-city and online talent search that contained over 37,000 attendees and 30,000 online applicants.

While there’s no indication on what the extent of the roles are, it is good to see the production crew going out of their way to cast another woman of color to appear in the film. While there is still room for improvement, slowly but surely the diversity ratio is improving in the Galaxy Far, Far Away.

Review: Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows

It’s another Vader graphic novel as the collected edition of Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows hits shelves today.  Tim Siedell on script and Gabriel Guzman on art take us on another galactic adventure with the newly named Dark Lord of the Sith… or do they?

Darth Vader’s rampage across the galaxy after the fall of the Republic continues as he seeks out the remaining Jedi and rebels to destroy them.  It’s through the eyes of a deserter clone trooper returned to the fold that we some of this as he comes to serve as one of Vader’s most trusted stormtroopers.

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Star Wars Insider teams up with Nerd Block

Star Wars Insider is teaming up with toy subscription site Nerd Block for a neat promotion this coming July that will net subscribers some special Star Wars swag:

The Force is strong with Nerd Block! A geek tested, nerd approved monthly mystery package that includes toys, collectibles and a limited edition shirt. Nerd Block and Star Wars Insider are teaming up to include 2 epic Star Wars items in July’s classic block!

Visit this link and save 10% of your first month with promo code WICKET! 

Subscribers will also receive copies of Insider with their package. Head to the links above for more details.

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Review: Star Wars: Rebel Heist #3

Another issue of Rebel Heist, another one of our heroes takes the spotlight.  Rebel Heist #3 by Matt Kindt and Marco Castiello arrives in comic stores today as Chewbacca gets to pick up almost literally where Leia let off and get the trooper to his destination.

This go-round, it’s the stormtrooper with a code hidden in his DNA who’s narrating our hero’s adventure.  Unfortunately for him, he’s stuck with Chewbacca as his guide when he doesn’t think much of wookiees or understand of a lick of shyriiwook.  This is clearly not a partnership made in heaven but it’s the only way they’re going to get to this galaxy drive in time to help Han.

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Review: Star Wars: Legacy #16

The last arc of Star Wars: Legacy kicks off today as Legacy #16 hits comic store shelves.  Don’t worry though: Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman are hardly going to just coast through these final few issues and there are always some surprises awaiting readers in Legacy…

This review contains some spoilers.

When last we saw our heroes, Ania Solo had been rescued from her mysterious hunter and also exonerated during her trial.  As is the nature of the galaxy though, Jao Assam was arrested for deserting the Knights.  Clearly Ania will be having none of that so she sets out to try and have him freed only for Jao to seemingly escape.  Nothing’s quite what it seems though from Jao’s escape to the Empress Fel herself.

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Rumor: Rian Johnson to write and direct Episodes VIII and IX

Normally we don’t do rumors, but this one appears to have some legs. Deadline is reporting that Rian Johnson will be writing and directing Episodes VIII and IX.

Johnson will take over the core film franchise, and he’ll get started quickly and this will be his preoccupation for quite awhile. Johnson made his directing debut on the respected indie Brick, and then jumped to mainstream science fiction by writing and directing Looper, an inventive time travel thriller that starred Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis. It would be hard to imagine him taking on a higher profile challenge than two consecutive Star Wars films. I’ll tell you more when I know it. Johnson is repped by CAA.

As mentioned in that snippet, Johnson headed Looper, a time traveling film met with mixed but mostly positive reviews. His indie film resume (as well as some of his work on Breaking Bad) have won him acclaim.

This isn’t confirmed yet, but multiple major outlets are jumping all over this one.

Review: Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir #2

Sidious’s plan to lure Mother Talzin into the open continues right along with Maul’s anger and desire for victory.  Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir #2 by Jeremy Barlow and Juan Frigeri hits comic store shelves today.

There’s no reprieve from battle as Maul’s forces retreat to Ord Mantell.  Mother Talzin sends him a ship full of fierce Nightbrother warriors as reinforcements but will they be enough to withstand the attacks led by Count Dooku and General Grievous?

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Star Wars Insider celebrates 150th issue

star-wars-insider-150-lego-han-soloStar Wars Insider is celebrating a milestone 150th issue with a host of new LEGO themed covers, spreads, and some brand new short fiction.

Star Wars Insider celebrates its 150th issue with LEGO® Star Wars™ themed covers!

This edition is the must-have for every Star Wars fan in the galaxy. There are three LEGO® Star Wars™ themed covers to collect!

On sale now, this anniversary issue kicks things off with an exclusive look at the LEGO® Star Wars™ phenomenon from brick to videogame to TV smash hit! Also, there is an exclusive guide to the final episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and recently announced as part of the new canon, our two-part Blade Squadron story continues. Plus; we reveal an exclusive first look of Hot Wheels’ amazing new Darth Vader car!

Be on the lookout for two newsstand covers featuring LEGO® Star Wars™ Clone Troopers and LEGO® Star Wars™ Han Solo, on sale in all good stores and to order online by clicking below. Also available, an exclusive comic store cover featuring LEGO® Star Wars™ Obi-Wan Kenobi.

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For literature fans, Blade Squadron continues in this issue and is some of the first prose fiction to fall under the new canon umbrella. You can get caught up with this handy PDF right here.

The 150th issue is on sale now.