Star Wars is now one of the biggest franchises of all time. Whether it is the movies, TV shows, toys, or comics, the franchise has now become a part of popular culture and will undeniably remain so, for decades to come. Yet, the first-ever Star Wars movie was plagued with development and production issues, so severe were these issues that George Lucas nearly had a heart attack.
George Lucas via Star Wars/Youtube
In the middle of these issues, Lucas decided to screen the rough cut of the movie to some of his industry colleagues. While auteurs like Steven Spielberg struggled to understand it, even the movie’s editor, Paul Hirsch was unable to make heads or tails out of it.
Star Wars‘ Rough Cut Was So Bad That Even its Editor Did Not Understand it
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope | Disney+
Almost every Star Wars fan knows...
George Lucas via Star Wars/Youtube
In the middle of these issues, Lucas decided to screen the rough cut of the movie to some of his industry colleagues. While auteurs like Steven Spielberg struggled to understand it, even the movie’s editor, Paul Hirsch was unable to make heads or tails out of it.
Star Wars‘ Rough Cut Was So Bad That Even its Editor Did Not Understand it
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope | Disney+
Almost every Star Wars fan knows...
- 5/22/2024
- by Maria Sultan
- FandomWire
Star Wars is a film that is a very important part of cinematic history. George Lucas’ third film and his greatest success in his cinematic career, Star Wars stands as one of the most influential film series in Western cinema. However, it is no secret that the film took a significant toll on Lucas’s health, something that landed the visionary director in the hospital.
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
Star Wars: Episode IV put the director in the hospital, which caused everyone to panic because no one was sure what the film was actually about. Lucas’ then-wife, Marcia Lucas, was responsible for cutting the film to size, majorly contributing to the film being recognized as the masterpiece that is. Star Wars ended up being made without any severe harm to Lucas’ health, but it does not mean that the director did not suffer during the film’s production.
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
Star Wars: Episode IV put the director in the hospital, which caused everyone to panic because no one was sure what the film was actually about. Lucas’ then-wife, Marcia Lucas, was responsible for cutting the film to size, majorly contributing to the film being recognized as the masterpiece that is. Star Wars ended up being made without any severe harm to Lucas’ health, but it does not mean that the director did not suffer during the film’s production.
- 5/14/2024
- by Anuraag Chatterjee
- FandomWire
Exclusive: Noah Hawley has named Michael Garcia as President of 26 Keys, his Austin-based production banner. Hawley has additionally brought on Maddy Bilder as Project Director at the company. Garcia and Bilder join 26 Keys as Hawley continues to grow and build the company’s overall slate of film and television projects.
Garcia will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company. Working closely with Hawley and Garcia, Bilder will project manage the company’s film and television projects through development, script, prep and production phases. She will also oversee external projects and events for 26 Keys across Hollywood, Austin, and global filmmaking communities.
Garcia joins 26 Keys from Lucasfilm Ltd., where he was Vice President of Live Action Series. While at Lucasfilm Ltd., he was in charge of developing and producing Star Wars content for Disney+ as well as documentary films and series including serving as Co-Producer on the series Star Wars: Andor and...
Garcia will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company. Working closely with Hawley and Garcia, Bilder will project manage the company’s film and television projects through development, script, prep and production phases. She will also oversee external projects and events for 26 Keys across Hollywood, Austin, and global filmmaking communities.
Garcia joins 26 Keys from Lucasfilm Ltd., where he was Vice President of Live Action Series. While at Lucasfilm Ltd., he was in charge of developing and producing Star Wars content for Disney+ as well as documentary films and series including serving as Co-Producer on the series Star Wars: Andor and...
- 4/25/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
An early Star Wars: Episode IV script, left in a London flat by Harrison Ford in 1976, has sold at auction for £8,500.
Entitled The Adventures Of Luke Starkiller As Taken From ‘The Journal Of The Whills’, an early draft of what would become Star Wars: A New Hope has recently sold at auction for £8,500 – or nearer the £10,000 mark once you add on buyers’ fees and the like.
The sale is significant not just because it’s a rare artefact from the Star Wars saga’s formative years, but also because of its provenance. The script – hand-typed and with some pages missing – once belonged to Han Solo himself, Harrison Ford. According to Excalibur Auctions, based in Hertfordshire, the script was left by Ford in a flat he was renting during Star Wars’ shoot in 1976.
The auction house’s description sounds like a corking premise for a historical drama, or perhaps a sitcom.
Entitled The Adventures Of Luke Starkiller As Taken From ‘The Journal Of The Whills’, an early draft of what would become Star Wars: A New Hope has recently sold at auction for £8,500 – or nearer the £10,000 mark once you add on buyers’ fees and the like.
The sale is significant not just because it’s a rare artefact from the Star Wars saga’s formative years, but also because of its provenance. The script – hand-typed and with some pages missing – once belonged to Han Solo himself, Harrison Ford. According to Excalibur Auctions, based in Hertfordshire, the script was left by Ford in a flat he was renting during Star Wars’ shoot in 1976.
The auction house’s description sounds like a corking premise for a historical drama, or perhaps a sitcom.
- 2/19/2024
- by Ryan Lambie
- Film Stories
"Star Wars" was only the third feature film that George Lucas ever directed and it was easily more ambitious and expensive than "Thx 1138" and "American Graffiti" — the $11 million budget for "Star Wars" is equal to about $65 million today. Handling that kind of money, and spending it on a film whose absurdity invited dozens of ways to fail, strained Lucas' mental wellbeing.
It didn't help that the film suffered from a production that was anything but smooth, with constant effects problems and trailing behind schedule. Not all the actors (Harrison Ford included) had faith in Lucas' vision while they were shooting it. It's a matter of filmmaking legend now how "Star Wars" didn't come together until Marcia Lucas (one of the film's three credited editors and George's then-wife) cut it into shape in her editing bay; before that, Lucas was concerned he'd bitten off more than he could chew.
In...
It didn't help that the film suffered from a production that was anything but smooth, with constant effects problems and trailing behind schedule. Not all the actors (Harrison Ford included) had faith in Lucas' vision while they were shooting it. It's a matter of filmmaking legend now how "Star Wars" didn't come together until Marcia Lucas (one of the film's three credited editors and George's then-wife) cut it into shape in her editing bay; before that, Lucas was concerned he'd bitten off more than he could chew.
In...
- 2/18/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
In Irvin Kershner's 1980 sci-fi epic "The Empire Strikes Back," the Rebel hero Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) travels to a distant planet called Dagobah to hone his nascent mental powers with the gnome-like sage Yoda (Frank Oz). During his training, Luke learns about the Force, the godlike spiritual energy that binds the universe together. He learns to better move objects with his mind, and also to see vaguely into the future. Yoda warns Luke that directing one's Force-inspired powers toward violence and selfish desires can lead one toward the Dark Side, a corrupting, demonic facet of the Force that encourages evil.
As a demonstration of the Dark Side, Luke has a vision in a cave. He sees a ghostly imprint of Darth Vader (David Prowse), the fascist warlock who killed one of Luke's old friends. Luke has a slow-motion duel with the masked Vader, and, in a fit of murderous anger,...
As a demonstration of the Dark Side, Luke has a vision in a cave. He sees a ghostly imprint of Darth Vader (David Prowse), the fascist warlock who killed one of Luke's old friends. Luke has a slow-motion duel with the masked Vader, and, in a fit of murderous anger,...
- 12/18/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment is partnering with Wattpad Webtoon Studios to develop a feature adaptation of Love Advice from the Great Duke of Hell, the hit comic from the creator known as Unfins, which has thus far garnered more than 160 million views on digital comic publishing platform, Webtoon.
Attached to script the live-action take is Cody Blue Snider, a veteran of the commercial and music video worlds, who is best known for his award-winning shorts All That Remains and Fool’s Day. Imagine will produce alongside Wattpad Webtoon Studios, with Karen Lunder and Allan Mandelbaum overseeing for Imagine, and Aron Levitz, David Madden and Lindsey Weems Ramey overseeing for Wattpad Webtoon.
Unfins’ Ringo Award-nominated comic tells the story of Paul, a hapless high schooler madly in love with “the girl next door.” After mistakenly summoning The Great Duke of Hell, Astaroth, Paul offers his soul...
Attached to script the live-action take is Cody Blue Snider, a veteran of the commercial and music video worlds, who is best known for his award-winning shorts All That Remains and Fool’s Day. Imagine will produce alongside Wattpad Webtoon Studios, with Karen Lunder and Allan Mandelbaum overseeing for Imagine, and Aron Levitz, David Madden and Lindsey Weems Ramey overseeing for Wattpad Webtoon.
Unfins’ Ringo Award-nominated comic tells the story of Paul, a hapless high schooler madly in love with “the girl next door.” After mistakenly summoning The Great Duke of Hell, Astaroth, Paul offers his soul...
- 11/20/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
In George Lucas' 1977 sci-fi/fantasy film "Star Wars," the roguish smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford) claimed to have the fastest starship in the galaxy. Named the Millennium Falcon, the ship was said to have "made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs." Clearly, Lucas hadn't yet grasped that a parsec is a measure of distance (about 19 trillion miles) and not time.
When it comes to its design, the Millennium Falcon is more or less a flying saucer. It carries a radar dish on its dorsal region, two fork-like protrusions on its bow (called loading arms), and its cockpit rests protruding from its starboard side. Otherwise, it's flat and plate-shaped. Like many of the vehicles in "Star Wars," it is encrusted with textured plating and scads of ineffable machinery that only the most devoted Starwoids could accurately explain. It's a small ship, too, only able to house about a half dozen people comfortably.
When it comes to its design, the Millennium Falcon is more or less a flying saucer. It carries a radar dish on its dorsal region, two fork-like protrusions on its bow (called loading arms), and its cockpit rests protruding from its starboard side. Otherwise, it's flat and plate-shaped. Like many of the vehicles in "Star Wars," it is encrusted with textured plating and scads of ineffable machinery that only the most devoted Starwoids could accurately explain. It's a small ship, too, only able to house about a half dozen people comfortably.
- 11/4/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2023 Emmy Predictions:
Outstanding Documentary of Nonfiction (Series) “Harry & Meghan” was directed by Liz Garbus.
Weekly Commentary: A tight race ensues for acclaimed documentaries. Ken Burns’ powerful “The U.S. and the Holocaust” which premiered at Telluride 2022 before hitting television screens, is a favorite in the category.
Read: Variety’s...
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2023 Emmy Predictions:
Outstanding Documentary of Nonfiction (Series) “Harry & Meghan” was directed by Liz Garbus.
Weekly Commentary: A tight race ensues for acclaimed documentaries. Ken Burns’ powerful “The U.S. and the Holocaust” which premiered at Telluride 2022 before hitting television screens, is a favorite in the category.
Read: Variety’s...
- 8/28/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Imagine Entertainment has struck a pre-emptive film rights deal for Whalefall, the next anticipated novel from best-selling author Daniel Kraus. The deal for the book option was reached ahead of its August 8 publication by MTV Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.
Agreements of the sort are not frequently come upon these days, amid the SAG-AFTRA and the WGA strikes. The idea here is, of course, to develop Whalefall for the big screen, at the point when Hollywood is again back up and running. No development will be done and no writing services will be rendered here until new guild contracts are struck.
Already generating critical acclaim from early readers and immense buzz within the world of publishing, the book is described as The Martian meets 127 Hours. The story follows a scuba diver in search of his deceased father’s remains who gets swallowed by an 80-foot, 60-ton sperm...
Agreements of the sort are not frequently come upon these days, amid the SAG-AFTRA and the WGA strikes. The idea here is, of course, to develop Whalefall for the big screen, at the point when Hollywood is again back up and running. No development will be done and no writing services will be rendered here until new guild contracts are struck.
Already generating critical acclaim from early readers and immense buzz within the world of publishing, the book is described as The Martian meets 127 Hours. The story follows a scuba diver in search of his deceased father’s remains who gets swallowed by an 80-foot, 60-ton sperm...
- 8/1/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
May the Force be with… Emmy voters? Disney Plus amassed an impressive 40 Emmy nominations this year (up from 34 last year) thanks to its stable of “Star Wars” saga hits, which accounted for more than half of the mouse house’s total haul of 23 bids — nine for “The Mandalorian,” eight for “Andor,” five for “Obi-Wan Kenobi” and one for docuseries “Light & Magic.”
Although “Mandalorian” nabbed nine bids, the real success story this year is “Andor,” scoring a Best Drama Series nomination for its debut season plus writing and directing bids and five Creative Arts noms. The latest live-action series in the Disney-era “Star Wars” franchise, “Andor” serves as a prequel to “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016) and also by extension to the original Oscar-winning classic “Star Wars” (1977).
Diego Luna reprises his “Rogue One” role as the titular interplanetary thief-turned-Rebel spy Cassian Andor and also serves as an executive producer on the series,...
Although “Mandalorian” nabbed nine bids, the real success story this year is “Andor,” scoring a Best Drama Series nomination for its debut season plus writing and directing bids and five Creative Arts noms. The latest live-action series in the Disney-era “Star Wars” franchise, “Andor” serves as a prequel to “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016) and also by extension to the original Oscar-winning classic “Star Wars” (1977).
Diego Luna reprises his “Rogue One” role as the titular interplanetary thief-turned-Rebel spy Cassian Andor and also serves as an executive producer on the series,...
- 7/30/2023
- by Rob Licuria
- Gold Derby
She's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs. She can outrun Imperial starships. She's fast. She is the Millennium Falcon, and while she may not look like much, she's got it where it counts. As for why she looks like, per Luke Skywalker, "a piece of junk," that's a surprisingly convoluted story born out of Joe Johnston's literal kitchen sink.
It's also a reminder of why George Lucas' "Star Wars" became a zeitgeist-capturing blockbuster the likes of which hadn't been seen since "Gone with the Wind." Lucas combined his love of Westerns, Akira Kurosawa's samurai films, and hot rods to make a sci-fi fantasy with a lived-in aesthetic. He wasn't trying to blow audiences away with sleek, futuristic design work. He wanted his space opera to feel like a world ravaged by conflict. This meant his spacecraft had to look beaten to crap.
So...
It's also a reminder of why George Lucas' "Star Wars" became a zeitgeist-capturing blockbuster the likes of which hadn't been seen since "Gone with the Wind." Lucas combined his love of Westerns, Akira Kurosawa's samurai films, and hot rods to make a sci-fi fantasy with a lived-in aesthetic. He wasn't trying to blow audiences away with sleek, futuristic design work. He wanted his space opera to feel like a world ravaged by conflict. This meant his spacecraft had to look beaten to crap.
So...
- 7/29/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Despite all the musical superstars who entered this year’s Emmy competition, only one – Ed Sheeran – managed to score when the 75th annual Emmy Award nominations were announced Wednesday.
Sheeran was nominated (along with co-writers Max Martin and Foy Vance) for the song “A Beautiful Game” for the season 3 finale of “Ted Lasso,” one of two songs from the popular Apple TV+ series that made it into the music-and-lyrics category.
Emmy’s 550-member music peer group ignored the original songs entered by Dolly Parton, David Byrne, Steve Martin, Kid Cudi, Donald Glover and Lainey Wilson, as well as those from such Oscar-winning tunesmiths as Alan Menken, Steven Schwartz, Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez.
Among the seven music categories, a surprising number of first-time nominees was recognized, and more than one-fourth of all the nominees in the five composition and songwriting categories are women, another positive sign of change in the Hollywood musical landscape.
Sheeran was nominated (along with co-writers Max Martin and Foy Vance) for the song “A Beautiful Game” for the season 3 finale of “Ted Lasso,” one of two songs from the popular Apple TV+ series that made it into the music-and-lyrics category.
Emmy’s 550-member music peer group ignored the original songs entered by Dolly Parton, David Byrne, Steve Martin, Kid Cudi, Donald Glover and Lainey Wilson, as well as those from such Oscar-winning tunesmiths as Alan Menken, Steven Schwartz, Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez.
Among the seven music categories, a surprising number of first-time nominees was recognized, and more than one-fourth of all the nominees in the five composition and songwriting categories are women, another positive sign of change in the Hollywood musical landscape.
- 7/12/2023
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
Three months from now, the Weeknd might just have an Emmy to place alongside his four Grammys and his Oscar nomination.
That’s because he joins a dozen other music superstars — including Dolly Parton, Common, Ryan Tedder, “Weird Al” Yankovic and Meshell Ndegeocello — who have entered work in this year’s Emmy competition.
Voting began yesterday in the seven music categories. Approximately 550 members of the Academy’s music branch will cast ballots, although viewing the hundreds of entries before voting ends on June 26 is an impossible task, Academy officials privately concede.
The Weeknd, aka Abel Tesfaye, is among the 19 entries in the Music Direction category. He submitted “The Weeknd Live at Sofi Stadium,” an HBO special that aired in February. If nominated, he’s likely to be up against such past winners as Adam Blackstone and Rickey Minor (“The Oscars”).
Most of the big-name performers have entered the song category...
That’s because he joins a dozen other music superstars — including Dolly Parton, Common, Ryan Tedder, “Weird Al” Yankovic and Meshell Ndegeocello — who have entered work in this year’s Emmy competition.
Voting began yesterday in the seven music categories. Approximately 550 members of the Academy’s music branch will cast ballots, although viewing the hundreds of entries before voting ends on June 26 is an impossible task, Academy officials privately concede.
The Weeknd, aka Abel Tesfaye, is among the 19 entries in the Music Direction category. He submitted “The Weeknd Live at Sofi Stadium,” an HBO special that aired in February. If nominated, he’s likely to be up against such past winners as Adam Blackstone and Rickey Minor (“The Oscars”).
Most of the big-name performers have entered the song category...
- 6/17/2023
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
“Poker Face” has captured the hearts of viewers week after week on Peacock, but Episode 8 — titled “The Orpheus Syndrome” and co-written and directed by Natasha Lyonne — is a true love letter to a specific field of cinema: special effects artists.
Rian Johnson’s ingenious new mystery series follows a young woman named Charlie (Lyonne) with the almost supernatural ability to tell when someone is lying. After getting into some hot water at the casino where she works in Reno, Charlie takes off on an odyssey across the United States, running from a dogged mob enforcer (Benjamin Bratt) and helping to solve mysteries wherever she turns – everything from murderous regional theater performers to a pair of aging hippies out for revenge. And this week’s episode is the show’s most audacious and original hour yet.
Charlie finds herself working as the assistant to a cantankerous stop-motion animator (played by Nick Nolte...
Rian Johnson’s ingenious new mystery series follows a young woman named Charlie (Lyonne) with the almost supernatural ability to tell when someone is lying. After getting into some hot water at the casino where she works in Reno, Charlie takes off on an odyssey across the United States, running from a dogged mob enforcer (Benjamin Bratt) and helping to solve mysteries wherever she turns – everything from murderous regional theater performers to a pair of aging hippies out for revenge. And this week’s episode is the show’s most audacious and original hour yet.
Charlie finds herself working as the assistant to a cantankerous stop-motion animator (played by Nick Nolte...
- 2/23/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Emmy-nominated actress Naomi Grossman, best known as fan-favorite “Pepper,” the first multi-season crossover character from Ryan Murphy’s hit television series “American Horror Story,” has announced a “raucous, irreverent love letter to AHS fans and the dubious art of self-compromise” in this limited theatrical run of her new solo show, “American Whore Story.”
The four-week engagement at the Skylight Theater in Los Angeles begins June 1, 2023. Tickets are now on sale at www.americanwhorestory.com.
“I still get fans telling me they thought ‘Pepper’ was a real person. Those who think I’m some monosyllabic grunter are in for a surprise!” Grossman laughs. “My comedic sensibility is probably my most obvious, defining characteristic, yet it’s something horror fans don’t necessarily know about me. This story wouldn’t exist without AHS, or its fanbase. They made me, so I made this for them. It’s my love letter to AHS fans,...
The four-week engagement at the Skylight Theater in Los Angeles begins June 1, 2023. Tickets are now on sale at www.americanwhorestory.com.
“I still get fans telling me they thought ‘Pepper’ was a real person. Those who think I’m some monosyllabic grunter are in for a surprise!” Grossman laughs. “My comedic sensibility is probably my most obvious, defining characteristic, yet it’s something horror fans don’t necessarily know about me. This story wouldn’t exist without AHS, or its fanbase. They made me, so I made this for them. It’s my love letter to AHS fans,...
- 2/14/2023
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
The impact of "Star Wars" on popular culture and Hollywood filmmaking cannot be overstated. Many directors have commented on how George Lucas' 1977 film personally influenced their lives and careers. For Ridley Scott, however, experiencing "Star Wars" would not only change his own direction, but would also result in one of the only films that comes close to rivaling the legacy of "Star Wars" itself.
When Scott saw "Star Wars" on opening night in 1977, he had a strong and immediate reaction. Prior to the release of his first feature film, "The Duellists," at Cannes Film Festival, where it would win "Best Debut Film," Scott traveled to Los Angeles to pre-screen the movie. There, he got an opportunity to see "Star Wars" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre with his producer and friend, David Putnam. "The theater was positively boiling with expectation," Scott said in a 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, and when the curtains opened,...
When Scott saw "Star Wars" on opening night in 1977, he had a strong and immediate reaction. Prior to the release of his first feature film, "The Duellists," at Cannes Film Festival, where it would win "Best Debut Film," Scott traveled to Los Angeles to pre-screen the movie. There, he got an opportunity to see "Star Wars" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre with his producer and friend, David Putnam. "The theater was positively boiling with expectation," Scott said in a 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, and when the curtains opened,...
- 10/7/2022
- by Walter Roberts
- Slash Film
Ron Howard will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Directing at the 25th annual Scad Savannah Film Festival on Sunday, Oct. 23.
Recently, Howard directed and produced the biographical survival feature, “Thirteen Lives,” starring Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell and Joel Edgerton. Based on the Tham Luang cave rescue in 2018, the film revolves around a team of divers and their mission to rescue twelve boys and the coach of a Thai soccer team who are trapped in a system of underground caves. “Thirteen Lives” will be screened at the Scad Savannah Film Festival, followed by an in-person conversation with Howard about his career.
The largest university-run film fest in the U.S., Scad honors professional and student filmmakers and welcomes a wide array of industry pros including directors, writers and actors over its eight-day run.
The Scad Savannah Film Festival will take place from Oct. 22 to 29. The complete festival line-up will be announced on Oct.
Recently, Howard directed and produced the biographical survival feature, “Thirteen Lives,” starring Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell and Joel Edgerton. Based on the Tham Luang cave rescue in 2018, the film revolves around a team of divers and their mission to rescue twelve boys and the coach of a Thai soccer team who are trapped in a system of underground caves. “Thirteen Lives” will be screened at the Scad Savannah Film Festival, followed by an in-person conversation with Howard about his career.
The largest university-run film fest in the U.S., Scad honors professional and student filmmakers and welcomes a wide array of industry pros including directors, writers and actors over its eight-day run.
The Scad Savannah Film Festival will take place from Oct. 22 to 29. The complete festival line-up will be announced on Oct.
- 9/30/2022
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art announced on Tuesday that the institution, which is now under construction in Los Angeles’s Exposition Park, will open in 2025.
In 2017, Los Angeles won the location sweepstakes over San Francisco for George Lucas’ one-of-a-kind museum, which will house art from films including Lucas’ own “Star Wars,” as well as photography, Renaissance paintings, and ancient Roman mosaics. When construction began in 2018, it was expected to open in 2022, then was delayed to 2023.
Sandra Jackson-Dumont, director and CEO of the museum, shared the “significant progress” already made on the five-story, 300,000-square-foot building, which will be surrounded by a park and gardens on its 11-acre campus.
Also Read:
Actor and Activist Omar Sharif Jr. Takes on New Role at Holocaust Museum LA (Exclusive Photos)
She also told The Hollywood Reporter that the museum, which will include two 299-seat movie theaters, will house the Lucasfilm archive.
“It’s humbling...
In 2017, Los Angeles won the location sweepstakes over San Francisco for George Lucas’ one-of-a-kind museum, which will house art from films including Lucas’ own “Star Wars,” as well as photography, Renaissance paintings, and ancient Roman mosaics. When construction began in 2018, it was expected to open in 2022, then was delayed to 2023.
Sandra Jackson-Dumont, director and CEO of the museum, shared the “significant progress” already made on the five-story, 300,000-square-foot building, which will be surrounded by a park and gardens on its 11-acre campus.
Also Read:
Actor and Activist Omar Sharif Jr. Takes on New Role at Holocaust Museum LA (Exclusive Photos)
She also told The Hollywood Reporter that the museum, which will include two 299-seat movie theaters, will house the Lucasfilm archive.
“It’s humbling...
- 9/21/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Phil Tippett is one of the unsung heroes of modern cinema. Though not everyone knows his name, everyone knows his work: the At-at in "Empire Strikes Back," the titular dragon from "Dragonslayer," the robot sequences in "RoboCop," and some of the dinosaurs in "Jurassic Park."
Tippett helped revolutionize visual effects and stop-motion, as we recently saw in the excellent Ilm doc "Light and Magic." That documentary series shone a light on the artists behind the scenes that made the biggest movies of the past 40 years by mixing old-school techniques with cutting-edge technology, innovating at every turn. Though the documentary follows many people over the course of decades, one narrative stands out — that of Phil Tippett, his rise to the top, and then his fall once CGI starts dominating the visual effects industry.
Though we haven't seen Tippett's name featured prominently in movie credits for a while, he finally made the comeback he was due.
Tippett helped revolutionize visual effects and stop-motion, as we recently saw in the excellent Ilm doc "Light and Magic." That documentary series shone a light on the artists behind the scenes that made the biggest movies of the past 40 years by mixing old-school techniques with cutting-edge technology, innovating at every turn. Though the documentary follows many people over the course of decades, one narrative stands out — that of Phil Tippett, his rise to the top, and then his fall once CGI starts dominating the visual effects industry.
Though we haven't seen Tippett's name featured prominently in movie credits for a while, he finally made the comeback he was due.
- 9/20/2022
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
In this edition of Star Wars Bits:
"The Book of Boba Fett" Season 2Favreau & Filoni on The Mandoverse"Star Wars: Visions" Volume 2Marvel's Upcoming "Star Wars" ComicsAnd More!The Book Of Boba Fett Season 2
There are rumors swirling about a second season of "The Book of Boba Fett." Scooper Daniel Richtman aka @DanielRPK recently revealed via his Patreon that Season 2 is currently in development. Given the show's impressive viewership numbers, and the popularity of the character, this seems like a no-brainer.
As Star Wars News Net points out, actress Ming-Na Wen, who plays bounty hunter Fennec Shand in the series, is hopeful for a second season as well. At Fan Expo Boston, Wen was asked about what's next for her and had this to say:
"Second season of The Book of Boba Fett, I hope! ... I never count my chickens before they hatch, because in this business, you just never know.
"The Book of Boba Fett" Season 2Favreau & Filoni on The Mandoverse"Star Wars: Visions" Volume 2Marvel's Upcoming "Star Wars" ComicsAnd More!The Book Of Boba Fett Season 2
There are rumors swirling about a second season of "The Book of Boba Fett." Scooper Daniel Richtman aka @DanielRPK recently revealed via his Patreon that Season 2 is currently in development. Given the show's impressive viewership numbers, and the popularity of the character, this seems like a no-brainer.
As Star Wars News Net points out, actress Ming-Na Wen, who plays bounty hunter Fennec Shand in the series, is hopeful for a second season as well. At Fan Expo Boston, Wen was asked about what's next for her and had this to say:
"Second season of The Book of Boba Fett, I hope! ... I never count my chickens before they hatch, because in this business, you just never know.
- 8/19/2022
- by Adam Frazier
- Slash Film
In this edition of Star Wars Bits:
"Andor" Updates Marvel's Upcoming "Star Wars" Comics Rian Johnson Headlines Podathon 2022 Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Updates And More!
Check out the new trailer for "Andor," the upcoming Disney+ series, above. "Andor" will now premiere September 21 with three episodes, with the remaining nine episodes following every Wednesday.
"Andor" is set five years prior to the events of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" and features Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, Genevieve O'Reilly as Mon Mothma, Forest Whitaker as Saw Gerrera, and Stellan Skarsgard as Luthen Rael.
In "Han Solo & Chewbacca" #5, written by Marc Guggenheim and illustrated by David Messina, with a cover...
The post Star Wars Bits: Andor, Rian Johnson, Light & Magic, Galaxy's Edge, The High Republic, Lego Star Wars Summer Vacation, and More! appeared first on /Film.
"Andor" Updates Marvel's Upcoming "Star Wars" Comics Rian Johnson Headlines Podathon 2022 Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Updates And More!
Check out the new trailer for "Andor," the upcoming Disney+ series, above. "Andor" will now premiere September 21 with three episodes, with the remaining nine episodes following every Wednesday.
"Andor" is set five years prior to the events of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" and features Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, Genevieve O'Reilly as Mon Mothma, Forest Whitaker as Saw Gerrera, and Stellan Skarsgard as Luthen Rael.
In "Han Solo & Chewbacca" #5, written by Marc Guggenheim and illustrated by David Messina, with a cover...
The post Star Wars Bits: Andor, Rian Johnson, Light & Magic, Galaxy's Edge, The High Republic, Lego Star Wars Summer Vacation, and More! appeared first on /Film.
- 8/5/2022
- by Adam Frazier
- Slash Film
Imagine Entertainment announced that it has signed a multi-project deal for scripted television with Emmy-winning writer/producer Jason Katims and his True Jack Productions banner. Together, they have three projects in the works. The deal reunites Katism with Imagine, where he made the “Friday Night Lights” and “Parenthood” series. The announcement was made by presidents Tony Hernandez and Lilly Burns.
“Jason Katims is behind some of the best television series of our time. His ability to tap into the American zeitgeist and create characters that touch our hearts and souls is unparalleled.” said Kristen Zolner, Head of Imagine Television, in an official statement. “We are beyond thrilled to be partnering with Jason and excited for what’s to come.”
“I am thrilled to reunite with Imagine, who have been my partners on two of the best creative experiences of my career,” said Katims in an official statement.
Also Read:
Connie Britton...
“Jason Katims is behind some of the best television series of our time. His ability to tap into the American zeitgeist and create characters that touch our hearts and souls is unparalleled.” said Kristen Zolner, Head of Imagine Television, in an official statement. “We are beyond thrilled to be partnering with Jason and excited for what’s to come.”
“I am thrilled to reunite with Imagine, who have been my partners on two of the best creative experiences of my career,” said Katims in an official statement.
Also Read:
Connie Britton...
- 8/4/2022
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Are you ready to find “Lost Ollie?”
The upcoming Netflix series, which debuts August 24, is based on a story by William Joyce, whose stories have been adapted into “Robots,” “Meet the Robinsons” and “Rise of the Guardians.” It follows a lovable, hopelessly lost toy rabbit named Ollie (voiced by Jonathan Groff) as he searches for his young owner (Kesler Talbot).
His search sees him traversing many dangers in a surprisingly naturalistic deep south, as he teams up with a clown doll named Zozo (Tim Blake Nelson) and a battle-hardened bear (Mary J. Blige). And you can watch the trailer (above).
Also Read:
‘Light & Magic’ Director Lawrence Kasdan Explains Why He Made a Docuseries About the History of VFX
“Lost Ollie” is directed by Peter Ramsey, who directed “Rise of the Guardians” and was one of the directors behind “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and created by animator Shannon Tindle. The...
The upcoming Netflix series, which debuts August 24, is based on a story by William Joyce, whose stories have been adapted into “Robots,” “Meet the Robinsons” and “Rise of the Guardians.” It follows a lovable, hopelessly lost toy rabbit named Ollie (voiced by Jonathan Groff) as he searches for his young owner (Kesler Talbot).
His search sees him traversing many dangers in a surprisingly naturalistic deep south, as he teams up with a clown doll named Zozo (Tim Blake Nelson) and a battle-hardened bear (Mary J. Blige). And you can watch the trailer (above).
Also Read:
‘Light & Magic’ Director Lawrence Kasdan Explains Why He Made a Docuseries About the History of VFX
“Lost Ollie” is directed by Peter Ramsey, who directed “Rise of the Guardians” and was one of the directors behind “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and created by animator Shannon Tindle. The...
- 8/2/2022
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
As a writer, Lawrence Kasdan has crafted stories that would be impossible to tell without the groundbreaking visual effects house Industrial Light & Magic. Kasdan, who co-wrote “The Empire Strikes Back” (and several other “Star Wars” projects), “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Dreamcatcher” (which he also directed), has always been in close proximity to Ilm. But his latest project, a six-part documentary series called “Light & Magic,” goes deep into the history and pedigree of the company, which was created to work on the first “Star Wars” and has transformed the industry, again and again.
In 2019 Kasdan and his wife Meg made a short documentary called “Last Week at Ed’s,” which chronicled the closure of a beloved West Hollywood diner. (The Kasdans frequented it.) “In the process of making that documentary, I fell in love with docs,” Kasdan said. “I love the process. I love not knowing what the story was at the beginning.
In 2019 Kasdan and his wife Meg made a short documentary called “Last Week at Ed’s,” which chronicled the closure of a beloved West Hollywood diner. (The Kasdans frequented it.) “In the process of making that documentary, I fell in love with docs,” Kasdan said. “I love the process. I love not knowing what the story was at the beginning.
- 8/1/2022
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Disney+’s new six-part series “Light & Magic” takes audiences inside the magic and history of Industrial Light & Magic, starting with George Lucas’ vision for “Star Wars” and covering how their innovative StageCraft suite of virtual production changed the game in filmmaking.
Speaking with Variety, Janet Lewin, Senior VP of Lucasfilm Visual Effects and General Manager of Ilm, fondly recalls the first time she saw “Star Wars.” “I was 7 years old and was completely blown away. I literally thought there were galaxies like that, far, far away,” she remembers.
Years later, Lewin worked as visual effects producer on “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith,” and oversaw all aspects of the visual effects and animation business for Lucasfilm and Ilm.
In documenting the rise of Ilm, the series follows the pioneers and VFX trailblazers behind the magic such as Phil Tippett and Dennis Muren.
Tippet is a legend of the VFX world.
Speaking with Variety, Janet Lewin, Senior VP of Lucasfilm Visual Effects and General Manager of Ilm, fondly recalls the first time she saw “Star Wars.” “I was 7 years old and was completely blown away. I literally thought there were galaxies like that, far, far away,” she remembers.
Years later, Lewin worked as visual effects producer on “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith,” and oversaw all aspects of the visual effects and animation business for Lucasfilm and Ilm.
In documenting the rise of Ilm, the series follows the pioneers and VFX trailblazers behind the magic such as Phil Tippett and Dennis Muren.
Tippet is a legend of the VFX world.
- 7/30/2022
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
As a young writer, Lawrence Kasdan made a name for himself scripting three of the most beloved cinematic spectacles of all time: “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and “Return of the Jedi.” When he moved into the director’s chair, however, his best work tended toward modestly scaled humanist dramas and comedies like “The Big Chill,” “The Accidental Tourist,” and “Grand Canyon,” films more concerned with asking deep philosophical questions about how we live our lives (and why) than with pyrotechnics or heightened acts of heroism.
With his latest work, the six-part Disney+ documentary series “Light & Magic,” Kasdan has reconciled the two sides of his filmmaking sensibility to tell a sweeping story of spectacular technology through a personal lens. The show follows the evolution of the most influential special effects house in the history of cinema, Industrial Light & Magic, through an expertly assembled combination of...
With his latest work, the six-part Disney+ documentary series “Light & Magic,” Kasdan has reconciled the two sides of his filmmaking sensibility to tell a sweeping story of spectacular technology through a personal lens. The show follows the evolution of the most influential special effects house in the history of cinema, Industrial Light & Magic, through an expertly assembled combination of...
- 7/29/2022
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
Disney+ recently released "Light & Magic," a six-part documentary series chronicling the rise of Industrial Light & Magic, the visual effects house created by George Lucas and the company that took us to a galaxy far, far away, welcomed us to "Jurassic Park," and took "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial" to the skies.
Ilm is the place where movie magic is made, and for years, the visual effects giant has been under the guidance of Senior Vice President and General Manager, Janet Lewin, who oversees all aspects of the visual effects and animation business for Lucasfilm and Ilm. Lewin also oversees the company's...
The post Industrial Light & Magic's SVP Janet Lewin on the Evolution of StageCraft, VFX Challenges & More [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
Ilm is the place where movie magic is made, and for years, the visual effects giant has been under the guidance of Senior Vice President and General Manager, Janet Lewin, who oversees all aspects of the visual effects and animation business for Lucasfilm and Ilm. Lewin also oversees the company's...
The post Industrial Light & Magic's SVP Janet Lewin on the Evolution of StageCraft, VFX Challenges & More [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
- 7/29/2022
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
When you see “We Met in Virtual Reality” director Joe Hunting’s avatar in the virtual reality platform VRChat, he’s holding a little camera that lets other avatars around him know he’s filming. And it’s a good thing, because he filmed a lot.
“We Met in Virtual Reality,” an Xtr film that debuts via HBO Documentary Films on Wednesday night, is a cinema vérité documentary feature shot entirely in VR. It’s a film that explores the lives and relationships of a handful of people who spend much of their time within the world and many communities of VRChat.
And just when you think Hunting is about to pull back the curtain and finally introduce us to the avatar’s real-life counterparts, he never does. Because no matter how many of the film’s subjects resemble anime teens with wild pink hair and dragon tails, blocky and colorful robots,...
“We Met in Virtual Reality,” an Xtr film that debuts via HBO Documentary Films on Wednesday night, is a cinema vérité documentary feature shot entirely in VR. It’s a film that explores the lives and relationships of a handful of people who spend much of their time within the world and many communities of VRChat.
And just when you think Hunting is about to pull back the curtain and finally introduce us to the avatar’s real-life counterparts, he never does. Because no matter how many of the film’s subjects resemble anime teens with wild pink hair and dragon tails, blocky and colorful robots,...
- 7/27/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Just days after Marvel confirmed release dates for a bevy new projects over the next three years, many of us may need a little reminder of just how magical movies can still be. Luckily, there’s Disney+’s latest docuseries, “Light & Magic,” which is now streaming. Sure, it’s still part of the Walt Disney empire, and some might consider it Disney propaganda, but boy is it a nice time.
“Light & Magic” documents the history of Industrial Light and Magic, the visual effects company founded by George Lucas when he was making “Star Wars: A New Hope.” Over six episodes, the docuseries compiles interviews with current and former Ilm employees and collaborators to piece together as complete a chronicle of the story as possible, starting with the miniature models and matte paintings created back in the 70s and ending with “The Mandalorian’s” revolutionary mix of practical sets...
“Light & Magic” documents the history of Industrial Light and Magic, the visual effects company founded by George Lucas when he was making “Star Wars: A New Hope.” Over six episodes, the docuseries compiles interviews with current and former Ilm employees and collaborators to piece together as complete a chronicle of the story as possible, starting with the miniature models and matte paintings created back in the 70s and ending with “The Mandalorian’s” revolutionary mix of practical sets...
- 7/27/2022
- by Lauren Piester
- The Wrap
When George Lucas (above) set out to make 1977’s Star Wars, no special effects company could do the work. So he built one! Some 49 Oscars later, Industrial Light & Magic’s brilliance shines in this six-part series. Here are highlights: The iconic design of the Millennium Falcon was born when artist Joe Johnston noticed stacked dirty dishes in his sink! “It’s nickname was the pork burger,” said original Ilm chief John Dykstra. “I [had] no idea how to melt a face!” recalled Raiders of the Lost Ark director Steven Spielberg. “So I [left] it to the geniuses at Ilm.” The solution? Apply heat to a dental molding material. Ilm’s many firsts include a computer-generated liquid metal assassin in 1991’s Terminator 2, which had actor Robert Patrick walk through prison bars. Spielberg was so “blown away” by these shots, he gave Ilm its next challenge: 1993’s Jurassic Park. Light & Magic, Docuseries Premiere,...
- 7/26/2022
- TV Insider
Phil Tippett, the Ilm visual effects supervisor during the making of the first Star Wars trilogy accidentally came up with the name for Jabba's sidekick, Salacious Crumb. Watch the story he told at the Star Wars Celebration about the happy accident. Trippett reveals more behind-the-scenes fun facts in the 'Light & Magic' documentary on Disney+.
- 6/1/2022
- by luperhaas@cinemovie.tv (Lupe R Haas)
- CineMovie
Disney has officially announced ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,’ starring Jude Law and ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ director Jon Watts as executive producer on the series.
Revealed at Star Wars Celebration, the series will follow a group of 10-year-old kids from a small planet who get lost in that galaxy far, far away and must try to find their way home. The story will take place after ‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi’ and will fit within the timeline ‘The Mandalorian’ and Ahsoka take place in.
Watts and Ford had been using the code name ‘Grammar Rodeo.’
Also in news – Obi-Wan Kenobi Press Conference: Ewan McGregor, Moses Ingram & director Deborah Chow on the new series
Watts was on hand at the Star Wars Celebration expo yesterday to reveal the show’s official title and Law’s casting. He says the series “stars four kids but is not a kids show” and...
Revealed at Star Wars Celebration, the series will follow a group of 10-year-old kids from a small planet who get lost in that galaxy far, far away and must try to find their way home. The story will take place after ‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi’ and will fit within the timeline ‘The Mandalorian’ and Ahsoka take place in.
Watts and Ford had been using the code name ‘Grammar Rodeo.’
Also in news – Obi-Wan Kenobi Press Conference: Ewan McGregor, Moses Ingram & director Deborah Chow on the new series
Watts was on hand at the Star Wars Celebration expo yesterday to reveal the show’s official title and Law’s casting. He says the series “stars four kids but is not a kids show” and...
- 5/27/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Jon Watts and Chris Ford’s upcoming Star Wars series now has a title and a lead actor.
Teased by Vanity Fair earlier this month, the live-action series will be titled Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, with two-time Oscar nominee Jude Law set to star, it was announced Thursday during the Star Wars Celebration 2022’s Lucasfilm Studio Showcase.
More from TVLineObi-Wan Kenobi Recap: A Depressed Jedi, a Rescue Gone Wrong and a Pint-Sized Twist -- Grade the PremiereTVLine Items: Willow Teaser, L&o: Oc Names New Showrunner and MoreThe Mandalorian Season 3 Set for February 2023 Premiere
The series comes from Spider-Man:...
Teased by Vanity Fair earlier this month, the live-action series will be titled Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, with two-time Oscar nominee Jude Law set to star, it was announced Thursday during the Star Wars Celebration 2022’s Lucasfilm Studio Showcase.
More from TVLineObi-Wan Kenobi Recap: A Depressed Jedi, a Rescue Gone Wrong and a Pint-Sized Twist -- Grade the PremiereTVLine Items: Willow Teaser, L&o: Oc Names New Showrunner and MoreThe Mandalorian Season 3 Set for February 2023 Premiere
The series comes from Spider-Man:...
- 5/26/2022
- by Keisha Hatchett
- TVLine.com
The adventures of the Mandalorian and Grogu will resume in February 2023, when Disney+ releases Season 3 of its flagship live-action Star Wars series.
The premiere timetable was announced on Thursday afternoon as part of the Star Wars Celebration 2022’s Lucasfilm Studio Showcase.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Willow Teaser, L&o: Oc Names New Showrunner and MoreJude Law to Lead New Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Series From Spider-Man Franchise's Jon Watts and Chris FordAndor: Disney+'s Rogue One Prequel Series Gets Premiere Date, First Teaser
This news comes ahead of the Ewan McGregor-led Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s highly anticipated Disney+ premiere, this Friday,...
The premiere timetable was announced on Thursday afternoon as part of the Star Wars Celebration 2022’s Lucasfilm Studio Showcase.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Willow Teaser, L&o: Oc Names New Showrunner and MoreJude Law to Lead New Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Series From Spider-Man Franchise's Jon Watts and Chris FordAndor: Disney+'s Rogue One Prequel Series Gets Premiere Date, First Teaser
This news comes ahead of the Ewan McGregor-led Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s highly anticipated Disney+ premiere, this Friday,...
- 5/26/2022
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
We spy a premiere date and a first teaser for Andor, Disney+’s fourth live-action Star Wars series.
The spy thriller/Rogue One: A Star Wars Story prequel series, in which Diego Luna reprises his role as Cassian Andor, will debut Wednesday, Aug. 31 (with its first two episodes), it was announced today as part of the Star Wars Celebration 2022’s Lucasfilm Studio Showcase.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Willow Teaser, L&o: Oc Names New Showrunner and MoreJude Law to Lead New Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Series From Spider-Man Franchise's Jon Watts and Chris FordThe Mandalorian Season 3 Set for February 2023 Premiere...
The spy thriller/Rogue One: A Star Wars Story prequel series, in which Diego Luna reprises his role as Cassian Andor, will debut Wednesday, Aug. 31 (with its first two episodes), it was announced today as part of the Star Wars Celebration 2022’s Lucasfilm Studio Showcase.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Willow Teaser, L&o: Oc Names New Showrunner and MoreJude Law to Lead New Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Series From Spider-Man Franchise's Jon Watts and Chris FordThe Mandalorian Season 3 Set for February 2023 Premiere...
- 5/26/2022
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
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