Rumor: Ewan McGregor Back For Episode VII?

star-wars-episode-vii-logoSound the rumor alert again.  The Latino Review is now saying that Ewan McGregor will be back for Episode VII.  The assumption for the rumor is that he’ll be back as a Force Ghost since (spoiler alert) Obi-Wan died in A New Hope.  The rumor also says that McGregor wants his own standalone film.

As per usual, take this rumor with a grain of salt.  We already know that Ewan’s said he’d be happy to play Obi-Wan again if they ask him so it’s plausible but this is a looooong way from confirmed.  However, like others, I don’t think we’d have any objections to an adaptation of Kenobi or a standalone film in general for Obi-Wan.  But until it’s on StarWars.com, it’s just a rumor.

(via ClubJade)

Tosche Station Radio #66: Execute Episode 66

ToscheStationbig

Play in new window | Download

On this episode of Tosche Station Radio: while the hosts are out, the staff writers play.

With Nanci and Brian unavailable to podcast for the rest of August, staff writers Emily and Bria agreed (read: were conned into) to pinch hit as podcast co-hosts!

With a lack of new blog content, the guest hosts kick things off with Fixer’s Flash. Emily’s been up to her eyeballs in dissertation fun, but has found some time to get some Minecraft in. She’s also been reading Chris Kluwe’s Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies. Bria took part in Jaeger Con and found some time to work on a new Leia costume. She also finished reading The Killing Moon and is about to start an ARC of Razor’s Edge.

Deak’s Dirt starts with a bit of comic news as Dark Horse released a trailer for their new series The Star Wars There was no Episode VII news out of D23 (as expected) but we’ll be getting the film in Summer 2015. Rumors that Ian McDiarmid could be in Episode VII hit the Interwebs. Tested.com featured a special making of video of Adam Savage’s Admiral Ackbar costume from ComicCon for GeekWeek last week, and viewers can also find a video featuring the special effects of Wired’s giant robet mecha on tested.com as well.

Guillermo Del toro made an appearance at Jaeger Con. Pemberley Digital is getting ready to start Emma Approved

On Camie’s Concerns, Emily and Bria dive into the topic of live action Star Wars television. What could it be and what would the hosts like to see?

Wrapping up the show, the guest hosts field questions in Ask Us Anything.

Rumor: Ian McDiarmid in for Episode VII?

Our friends over at Jedi News have a source telling them that Ian McDiarmid is on board to rejoin the Star Wars franchise in Episode VII. While the specifics of exactly what role he would have in the film is unclear, the source seemed confident that he would be making a return.

Dunc over at Club Jade speculated what McDiarmid’s role might be, and I’m with her. Not a clone, better chance it’s as a holocron/ghost/vision.

Tosche Station Radio #65: Celebration Europe

ToscheStationbig

Play in new window | Download

This week on Tosche Station Radio, Jedi NewsMark Newbold returns to recap Celebration Europe!

Kicking off the show, the hosts highlight what’s New on the Blog. Friend of the show Amanda wrote about her negative experiences at FandomFest in Louisville, Kentucky. Meanwhile, Bria gushed about KOTOR and claimed the game “doesn’t get any more Star Wars than this.”

In Fixer’s Flash, Nanci’s been reading The Darwin Elevator by Jason Hough. We welcomed Brian to Florida with Cards Against Humanity and Geek Trivia nights, With the “help” of Ikea, we also built a new podcast studio. Brian’s reading through Razor’s Edge, but hasn’t had a whole lot of time to engage in geeky endeavors due to massive amounts of unpacking.

Deak’s Dirt starts with news out of Celebration Europe: John Williams will return for the Sequel Trilogy! We also got some nice tidbits from the Star Wars Rebels panel. Finally, at the closing ceremonies, Celebration Anaheim was announced for April 2015. In the Episode VII corner, along with real news we also got some rumors. Will Episode VII be filming in August? Nope, Lucasfilm says they’re still aiming for filming to start in 2014. This weekend Disney will hold their annual D23 expo, and Lucasfilm will be a part of the live action film panel. IGN’s Eric Goldman recently spoke to ABC president Paul Lee and asked him about the possibility of Star Wars television series.

Camie’s Concerns this week covers Celebration Europe. The hosts are joined by Mark Newbold to recap the events and happenings.

Tosche Station Radio is the official podcast of Tosche-Station.net and a part of Majestic Giraffe Productions. If you like what you hear, please leave a review on the iTunes Music Store. We can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Nanci and Brian are the co-founders and writers of Tosche-Station.net. You can find Nanci on Twitter with the handle @Nancipants and you can find Brian with @LaneWinree.

This podcast has been brought to you in part by Her Universe and Audible.com.

Both Star Wars trilogies to be re-released as Blu-Ray/DVD combo packs

I’ve got a running joke with my friends that George Lucas (now just Lucasfilm) can simply raid my wallet by releasing the Star Wars films in new formats every few years. I used my allowance money to buy the Special Edition VHS tapes and have pretty much purchased every release since. Last purchase? The Blu-Ray pack from a few years back. I figured that would do it for a long while, up until yesterday.

Turns out both trilogies are being released as Blu-Ray/DVD combo sets.

Coming this fall, the power of the Force comes home when the original and prequel Star Wars trilogies are released in the US in Blu-ray/DVD combo packs on October 8, 2013.

The prequel trilogy (including Blu-ray and DVD versions of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom MenaceStar Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith) and original trilogy (including Blu-ray and DVD versions of Star Wars Episode IV: A New HopeStar Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi) collections will feature brand new cover artwork created exclusively for this release.

Internationally, DVD-only trilogies will be available.

New cover art? Shiny. The big selling point is an updated set of DVDs. Since Blu Ray discs won’t work everywhere, a refreshed set of DVDs that will work in just about any device will be great to have.

So congratulations, Lucasfilm. You got my money. Again.

Harrison Ford joins “The Expendables 3”

Harrison FordIn what will be the newest addition to a franchise in which no one understands a word anyone says, Harrison Ford will likely come as a breath of fresh air and an unexpected blast of actual enunciation, as Sylvester Stallone tweeted this afternoon that Han Solo would be joining the cast in lieu of Bruce Willis, who has bowed out in some sort of fractious encounter.  The Wrap has independently confirmed Ford’s involvement with Ford’s reps, since Stallone has been posting possibilities for the movie on Twitter for months without confirmation one way or another.

Ford will be playing a new character in the film, rather than stepping into Bruce Willis’ vacated role as Church.

The Expendables 3 is due to hit theatres 15 August 2014.

KOTOR: It doesn’t get any more Star Wars than this

KOTOR logoIt’s been ten years since the first Knights of the Old Republic game was released and after playing it through again recently for the first time in years?  I can happily report that it still holds up awesomely.  The game is just as enthralling to me now in my early 20s as it was when I was in my teens.  A lot of that has to do with how distinctly Star Wars the game is despite being set thousands of years before anyone named Skywalker was of any relevance to the galaxy.  Obviously it has all the superficial markings of Star Wars like the name, lightsabers and Jedi, spaceships, and such but it’s the overall feel of the epic tale that makes it so very obviously a part of the galaxy far far away.

Let’s take a look at some of what not only make this game pure Star Wars but makes it an excellent example for other stories told within the galaxy.

Note: Obviously one of the neatest things about the game is that you make your own choices through your own character and therefore the game could go any number of ways.  I’m writing this piece assuming a light side Revan which is technically canon.  This piece will also have a heavy bias towards playing with a female Revan which sadly isn’t canon but that’s my preferred storyline so canon can deal for the duration of this piece.

It’s a mission to save the galaxy

While it’s hardly a trope unique to the galaxy far far away, it is one of its pillars.  Your character is just an ordinary person (or so you think) who, through a series of circumstances, has to go on a quest through the galaxy to find pieces of the Star Map to help win the war against the Sith.  Along the way, you pick up a number of companions with whom you build friendships and you also often help others out even if they have nothing to do with your main quest.  At the end of the day, you save the day by defeating the evil Sith leader and destroying the space station that was giving them the edge in battle.

Does any of this sound familiar?

Although a story doesn’t always have to have galactic ramifications to be one where good triumphs, that’s a part of what makes this game so good.  The fate of the galaxy is literally in your hands.  You choose whether to be a good guy or a bad guy and whether or not you’re going to save the Republic or take back the Sith Empire for yourself and rule and galaxy.  Granted, the galaxy sort of falls to pieces five years later anyways but the Ebon Hawk and her crew still saved the day!

Continue reading

ABC discussing Star Wars television series

IGN’s Eric Goldman recently had the chance to sit down with ABC president Paul Lee during the Television Critics Association’s press tour. One of the questions asked: Is a live-action Star Wars television series a possibility?

At the TCA (Television Critics Association) press tour today, I asked Disney president Paul Lee about the possibility of Star Wars on ABC. While Lee wouldn’t give any specifics, he did say, “I certainly have a glint in my eye. They have a lot on their plate when you look at the features that they’re planning on rolling out for the next few years, but we’ve started conversations with them.”

Nothing’s a guarantee, but it’s certainly not outside of the realm of possibility now that Disney has a stake in the franchise. If they’ve figured out a way to turn the Marvel film universe into a TV series, it’s certainly possible Star Wars could make the medium leap as well. Will this be the McCallum series that’s been in flux since 2005? I doubt it, especially given that he left Lucasfilm earlier this year. Still, more Star Wars is an exciting possibility.

Lucasfilm part of D23’s live action film panel

Hold on to your butts. Maybe this means news is coming, or maybe it’s a whole bunch of nothing, but it appears Lucasfilm will be a part of the live action film panel at Disney’s D23 Expo.

Let the Adventures Begin: Live Action at The Walt Disney Studios

Go behind the scenes at The Walt Disney Studios with this revealing look at our upcoming roster of live-action adventures from Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. Fans will enjoy exclusive video clips, filmmaker discussions, and star appearances at this session hosted by Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn, Disney Live Action Production President Sean Bailey, and Marvel Studios President and Producer Kevin Feige. With Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Disney’s MaleficentSaving Mr. BanksTomorrowland, and Muppets Most Wanted, coming down the pike, make sure to claim your spot for the total package—surprises included! Cell phones, cameras, and all recording devices will be checked for this presentation.

Don’t get too excited yet. This could simply be some Lucasfilm folks talking up Star Wars and not revealing any new details. Of course, with the lack of major news from Celebration (beyond John Williams returning), perhaps Disney and Lucasfilm decided to save things for the Mouse House’s big convention. Stay tuned!