The second half of the day brought all sorts of star Wars Expanded Universe goodness. Authors Timothy Zahn, Mike Stackpole, and Aaron Allston were on hand to discuss everything from the writing process to Star Wars. Highlights below the jump!
Star Wars Party Ideas
I was going to say that I want to have a Star Wars party like this someday for my kids. Then I thought, forget the kids! We should have this party NOW! I mean, it features a homemade R2-D2, and a Wampa Cave Cake. In fact, I think this woman needs to write the next edition of the Star Wars Cookbook.
Make sure you check out her links to the previous year’s party as well and check out the garbage masher cake too.
Iron Man 3 pics!
I won’t go into detail or post any of the pictures in the interest of those of you who want to remain spoiler free, but the first two pictures from this Yahoo! Stars on Set gallery come from the set of Iron Man 3 and give us the first look at the film’s villain.
I think I’m already excited!
Origins Day One – Morning Update
After getting through the adventure that was Origins Event Registration, I managed to actually get into the convention to do a bit of exploring. Some morning highlights from day one!
- If you’re looking to relive your high school years (I know, hang with me here), you should look at a game called Rise of the Cliques. Select your personal clique, earn popularity points, and stab your friends in the back. What’s not to like? It’s actually a fairly amusing, quick to pick up game for 3-5 individuals. Very much a social game that allows you to form alliances or just resort to blatant deception. Fun game, quick rating of 3.5/5.
- The exhibitor showroom is truly a sight to behold. Collectibles, all sorts of games being demonstrated. One of the coolest things I saw was a huge 32 inch touchscreen slate for dungeon masters that allows a lucky DM to quickly cycle through game notes, documents, and other useful features. If I had an extra chunk of change sitting around, I’d be sorely tempted to get one and start DMing again.
- The most amusing find so far: The Vampire Diaries trading card game. There’s something here for everyone, folks.
Panels with authors begins at 1PM Eastern today, so stay tuned to our Twitter account for details from them. At 4PM will be a Star Wars EU panel with Timothy Zahn, Mike Stackpole, and Aaron Allston.
Tosche Station Radio #18: Cut Short
It’s a brief episode of Tosche Station Radio this week, but the hosts still pack in the snark.
The show kicks off with a bit of housekeeping. First, Nanci recorded a guest spot on the Star Wars Beyond the Films podcast, so listen for her on a future episode. The Replace Mara’s Catsuit contest has also gotten an extension to August 15th to give costumers enough time to put an outfit together for convention season.
On the blog this week, we received two art entries for the contest from Victoria and a costume submission from Blizz. We asked for your snarky suggestions on what the new Star Wars videogame franchise that will be unveiled at E3 might be. Shane discussed the stagnation of technology in the Star Wars universe. But the big news, however …
On Wednesday, June 6th, Tosche Station Radio will be interviewing Expanded Universe author Aaron Allston! Be sure to send us your questions.
We Dreamed a Dream!
And it is nearly a reality!
Cameron Macintosh has released the first trailer for the upcoming film adaptation of the Broadway musical Les Miserables. Those of you who listen to the podcast know that this is my most-anticipated movie of the year – yes, even above The Hunger Games and Prometheus and all those other movies everyone else is freaking out about. You see, I was a drama nerd in high school, and thanks to my teacher, I fell in love with this musical. I’ve seen it five or six times, and I’ve always wanted to see it turned into a film. (The version with Liam Neeson just did not do it for me.) Also, the idea that Hugh Jackman, one of my favorite actors, is playing the role of Jean Valjean fills me with absolute glee.
The trailer features Anne Hathaway’s version of “I Dreamed a Dream,” and, let me tell you, I got chills. Chills, people. I’m not a huge fan of Fantine (Eponine is my favorite character by far, with my favorite song of the show being “On My Own”), and I wondered how well Anne would portray the role, but now I’m completely convinced. And everything else looks absolutely amazing – the scenery, the costumes, the actors. Man, I cannot wait for this movie. Is it Christmas yet???
(Thanks to the Big Shiny Girlcast for the link!)
Origins Game Fair Coverage This Week
The Origins Game Fair in Columbus is this weekend and as it so happens, I’m going to be there. Keep an eye here on the blog and on our Twitter account for news, tidbits, and fun from the convention.
Notable guests in attendance include actors Wil Wheaton and Felicia Day. There’s also a host of great authors in the lineup such as Bryan Young, Timothy Zahn, Michael Stackpole and Origins Guest of Honor Aaron Allston. All of them will be holding reading sessions to show up new and upcoming books and will also be part of several panels throughout the event.
Dear Nanci: Snarky Advice for Geeks
Sometimes, my brain works in odd ways. Earlier, Emily posted about the Droid Factory at Hollywood Studios and entitled her entry “Dear Nanci.” When I first saw her post, my mind immediately flashed to “Dear Abby” and all those other advice columns in newspapers and magazines. And then I thought, what would a geeky advice column be like?
Well, now is your time to find out, because that’s what I’m starting! Once a week, on Tuesday nights, I will answer (with large doses of snark, of course) your geeky questions about love, life, and fandom. So leave a question in the comments below, tweet us a question, or post on our Facebook page.
It’ll be fun – I hope! May the Force be with me!
Dear Nanci-
Please go to the Droid Factory the next time you go to Hollywood Studios and then mail one to me. One with Mickey Mouse ears.
Seriously, though, how did I not know about this? I just have this vision of a shelf full of little astromech droids going up against my friend’s shelf full of Daleks. Hmm. Dalek versus R2-D2. Who wins?
Personally, I’m thinking R2. He’s sneaky.
Ninth Batch of ‘EG to Warfare’ Endnotes Talks Baron Fel
Author Jason Fry released the ninth set of endnotes from Essential Guide to Warfare this morning. This week he discusses being in the Empire’s Service and dives into the War Portrait of Baron Fel as well as what went into the Han Solo section of the book.
Fel’s one of the more interesting EU characters, and I struggled with how to do justice to him, worried that a recitation of his career would be flat and dull compared to Dark Horse’s X-Wing #25, which I think is one of the greatest tales of the EU. I cracked the puzzle – or at least I hope I did — with the by-now-familiar tactic of taking a step back and seeing him through other eyes. Wedge was the logical choice to tell Fel’s story, as he’s not only a fellow pilot but also a fellow Corellian.
For more, head on over to Jason Fry’s Tumblr.