Tag: Star Wars

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The Bad Batch offers a glimpse of how Emperor Palpatine’s clones were made

As Dave Filoni tries to fill in the rather sizable gaps left by “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” he is using The Bad Batch to fill in one major back story. When the trailers hit for The Rise of Skywalker fans were both excited to find that Emperor Palpatine was returning to Star Wars after believed to be dead. The excitement gave way to questions, questions gave way to misunderstanding, misunderstanding gave way to backlash of the film.

LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 10: A Clone trooper stands on the Red Carpet at the Premiere Of Warner Bros. “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” on August 10, 2008 at the Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Disney +’s Star Wars: The Bad Batch started off feeling like another season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, until roughly three episodes left that is when The Bad Batch escaped the Clone Wars shadow and became it’s own show.

While The Bad Batch Season 1 just concluded it left many unanswered questions. In my opinion that is perfectly fine, after all it was recently announced that The Bad Batch would return for Season 2.

The Kamino cloning facility which first came to the Star Wars universe in “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones” was once again a focal point of Season 1. That is until Grand Moff Tarkin had it annihilated. In part because the Jedi knew where the facility was located.

The finale episode of The Bad Batch revealed just how Emperor Palaptine started experimenting with cloning including on himself, which is evident in The Rise of Skywalker. Make no bones about it Palpatine always had a contingency plan. Remember, Palpatine wanted Anakin to help him find a way to cheat death.

In The Rise of Skywalker we learn of the Sith planet of Exegol. It is there where Palpatine and his legion of Sith Eternals began working on Cloning. The reason was for the Final Order.

When Darth Vader threw the Emperor down the reactor shaft in Return of the Jedi, Palpatine knew he was going to die. Having trained under Darth Plagueis, Palpatine understood he could simply transfer his consciousness to a clone of himself on Exegol. One problem. Clones by virtue of being second hand are not as strong as the templets. Certainly far too weak to host a Sith Lord.

ORLANDO, FL – AUGUST 24: Director Dave Filoni attends the Star Wars Clone Wars Season 5 Red Carpet Premiere at Star Wars Celebration V at Orange County Convention Center on August 24, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)

Back to The Bad Batch where we see Nala Se, who happens to be the pioneer in all things cloning. With just one little tiny scene, Dave Filoni effectively answered a big mystery left by The Rise of Skywalker.

 

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The Book of Boba Fett has wrapped production, The Mandalorian Season 3 to start filming soon

With Star Wars making a comeback in the eyes of many fans through Disney +’s The Mandalorian and The Bad Batch, fans have been waiting to see what is next from the galaxy far far away. It is now known that The Book of Boba Fett has finished production and is set to start airing Christmas Day 2021. We now know The Mandalorian Season 3 will begin production soon.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 13: A general view of atmosphere at the premiere of Lucasfilm’s first-ever, live-action series, “The Mandalorian,” at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. on November 13, 2019. “The Mandalorian” streams exclusively on Disney+. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)

Gincarlo Esposito, who plays Moff Gideon on The Mandalorian and has grown into a fan favorite as he hunts down Mando and The Child, recently let it known that Season 3 is set to begin filming soon.

While many die-hard Star Wars fans are indeed chomping at the bit to see The Book of Boba Fett, The Mandalorian has a huge following and fans are equally as excited for Season 3. As Star Wars is in the midst of all aspects being linked together.

What draws fans to the hit streaming show is the feel of Star Wars that was lacking from the Sequel Trilogy. The Mandalorian came in and in one swoop washed away most of the nervous ticks left from Episodes 7-9.

Throw in the hit streaming show The Bad Batch and Star Wars is riding high again. With the newest Star Wars installs, and the fact that all things Star Wars are being put under one arc fans are happy.

An already ecstatic fan base is not only happy with where the Star Wars franchise is currently but there is also the anticipation of where it is going as new shows and films are in the works.

COLOGNE, GERMANY – MAY 20: The costume worn by Jeremy Bulloch as Boba Fett is seen during the ‘Star Wars Identities’ Exhibtion Press Preview & VIP Opening at Odysseum on May 20, 2015 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images)

With The Bad Batch Season 1 coming to an end, fans are now going to focus on The Book of Boba Fett which gets them closer to Season 3 of The Mandalorian.

The Force is strong with Star Wars again!

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Star Wars lines and the Bible cross references

While there is no two ways about it Star Wars is chocked full of Eastern Religion. You say no way! I say look no further than Anakin Skywalker who is the definition of the Yin Yang Chinese philosophy. The philosophy is that of the concept of dualism. Yet, there is some biblical truth to some of the most famous Star Wars lines and quotes. Let’s dive in.

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 28: A man reads scripture from the Bible as members of the public wait in line to view the casket of Christian evangelist and Southern Baptist minister Billy Graham as he lies in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda February 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. A spiritual counselor for every president from Harry Truman to Barack Obama and other world leaders for more than 60 years, Graham died on 21st February at the age of 99. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

In 1999’s Star Wars; The Phantom Menace, Yoda tells us that “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” That is so true on many levels. Nothing gets us riled up more than fear. Fear comes in all forms. Go to God and ask Him to take all fear from you.

The Bible tells us “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” Proverbs 10:12 . This also is so true. Sometimes our emotions can get out of whack. We need to take thoughts captive and choose to love at all times.

Also, from the Phantom Menace comes one of my favorite Star Wars lines ever. Qui-Gon Jinn tells a young Anakin Skywalker “Your focus determines your reality.” Also very true.

The Bible presents it this way, “Be careful how you think, your life is shaped by your thoughts.” Proverbs 4:23. If we are focused on God and the things of God then we can better take our thoughts captive to the obedience Christ.

In 1977 Star Wars, (before it was subtitled “A New Hope”) the film that launched a franchise, Darth Vader gives perhaps the most powerful quote from Star Wars when he says “I find your lack of faith disturbing.” WOW!  I often wonder if God says this to me or about me?

LONDON – MAY 04: The original costumes for Star Wars character Darth Vader stand on display at ‘Star Wars: The Exhibition’ at County hall on May 04, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by MJ Kim/Getty Images)

The Bible gives very clear direction on faith and the lack of it. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.

In Rogue One: a Star Wars Story, Chirrut Îmwe (who is blind) says “I am one with the Force and the Force is with me.” Let’s say for a moment the Force represents God.

The Bible gives us comfort “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8. Grab a hold of this God promise.

There are more famous lines from Star Wars. I could go on and on. But I pray you get the point. I also hope that when watching movies with friends and family, those who are Christ followers would begin to have open conversations as you look for Christian themes in the movie you are watching.

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Opinion: Kylo Ren should have taken the Skywalker name

For a movie with some good potential Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, turned out to be mostly disappointing. Not only was it disappointing as a film but to the end of the Skywalker arc. For me the most disappointing moment and one that quite frankly irritated me the most was this scene right here:

Rey Skywalker. REY SKYWALKER!!! What in the world! While it may make some sense it did not make total sense. In my opinion it should not have happened. If anyone should have taken the Skywalker name it should have been Kylo Ren, aka Ben Solo.

My reasoning for Kylo Ren who became Ben Solo during the course of the movie and became redeemed like his grandfather Darth Vader for taking the Skywalker is because it was his bloodline.

The story was the Skywalker families. Not a person who took a name that she had no connection to. Ben Solo who was the child of Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa, who as it turns out was a Skywalker, it would have helped the story to have Ben Solo take the Skywalker name.

Even if Ben Solo still died he would have done so a Skywalker like his grandfather before him. This would have better connected the story as well as have Ben Solo embrace his true self.

Taking the Skywalker name would have had a deeper impact had a redeemed Kylo Ren taken it as his own name. I think this would have helped the Sequel Trilogy that turned out to be a bit of a mess.

It also would have be better to take for the Star Wars fan base and not help send it into a fury of anger and disappointment. For a movie that had a pretty solid opening scene Rey taking the Skywalker name was the final nail in the coffin to the Trilogy that most fans want to forget.

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Star Wars: Darth Plagueis

To die hard Star Wars fans they know exactly who Darth Plagueis is a Sith Lord who craved immortality. To the casual Star Wars fan they may not have the needed information on this rather pivotal character. Yet the casual fan remembers this iconic scene from Star Wars:  Revenge of the Sith………..

Plagueis, believed the secret to everlasting life laid in science. So he worked hand and hand with his apprentice, Sheev Palpatine. The two worked endlessly to be able to  manipulate midichlorians to create life.

Palpatine was hand picked by Plagueis as a human from Naboo. He felt Palpatine would be an excellent apprentice. It was under the teaching of Plagueis that Darth Sidious was born anew as a Sith.

It was during the time working together that Palpatine learned the rule of two. So that is something happened to the master there was a backup ready to step into the leader role.

What should be noted about the Sith is they crave power. Not just power but to be sole ruler and not share with anyone else. It could be possible the Palpatine knew Plagueis would come for him on Naboo and began to plan to overthrow the legendary Sith Lord early on.

Plagueis did learn the trick to life that does not end as we find in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Palpatine took the teaching and survived his own death in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

Darth Plagueis’s impact on the Star Wars universe can not be under or over stated. It started a long time ago and continues to this day in the universe. My hope is that Disney/Lucasfilm gives Plagueis his due and offers a film or streaming show.

He is such a captivating figure and has a deep reaching impact on all of Star Wars.

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Star Wars Father’s Day gift ideas

It’s coming this Sunday. Father’s Day, if your like me the celebratory day for dad’s sneaks up on you. Perhaps it is because Father’s Day comes on the heals of Memorial Day. Perhaps it is because life is busy and I and others simply lose track. Whatever the reason, there is no need to stress or freak out. If your dad is a Star Wars fan you really have time.

PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 21: A guest wears a white t-shirt with a picture of Star Wars print, , outside Berluti, during Paris Fashion Week – Menswear Spring/Summer 2020, on June 21, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

While T-Shirts have replaced the tie as “THE” Father’s Day gift, there are other options for dad’s. I means sure a shirt is nice. How about instead of just a T-Shirt thrown in a gift bag try maybe getting a Star Wars coffee mug and rolling the shirt up and putting it in the mug is a better presentation of your love for your dad or father figure.

What to do if dear old dad does not like coffee and has so many T-Shirt’s his dresser drawer barely closes. Maybe pick up a nice Star Wars print. This would look good in dad’s office or his mancave. If mom allows maybe even a small spot somewhere in the house. He may need to use a Jedi mind trick for that to happen.

What may make dad feel special is have a Star Wars bobblehead head made with his likeness. What you say? Is that possible? It is and it’s a pretty cool idea. While it is a little pricy, maybe a brother or sister or both can help chip in. Or take it to mom and hope the Force is with you.

Darth Vader poses for photographers at the end of the screening of US director George Lucas’ film “Star Wars : Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”, 15 May 2005 at the 58th edition of the Cannes International Film Festival. The seminal sci-fi saga “Star Wars” comes to a rousing close 15 May when the final episode in the six-part series gets its international premiere at the Cannes film festival. The Cannes film festival, the world’s top showcase of cinema, started 11 May with a slew of veteran auteurs lining up for the prestigious Palme d’Or prize, and Hollywood muscling in to promote this year’s blockbusters.
AFP PHOTO PASCAL GUYOT (Photo by Pascal GUYOT / AFP) (Photo by PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images)

If your like me then art is the way to go. Star Wars offer many different art of books. These books bring Star Wars to life in a different way. The books also offer insight to the thinking of design concepts and show the evolution of going from the drawing board to the big screen.

There are many other Star Wars gift ideas I did not even approach. So relax, you’ve got this. Get dad something he likes and show him some love.

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The Book of Boba Fett will incorporate flashback scenes

Veteran Star Wars actor Temuera Morrison who in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy portrayed Bounty Hunter (and clone templet) Jango Fett and now stars on The Mandalorian as fan favorite Boba Fett. The character is returning this December in the hotly anticipated Book of Boba Fett on Disney +. Morrison gave a hint at what the show will feature.

BERLIN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 15: Actor Temuera Morrison is photographed for Self Assignment on February 15, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Nicolas Guerin/Contour by Getty Images)

As with anything Star Wars actors and actresses are not allowed to give out much details if any at all. That is unless given permission by the right people. The Book of Boba Fett has fans waiting anxiously.

When Temuera Morrison let the cat out of the bag that the show will feature flashbacks all the way back to The Empire Strikes Back and will lead up to where fans first saw him in Season 2 of The Mandalorian.

While that was a nice wet the appetite boarding juicy detail, it still leaves a lot of questions. The main questions Star Wars fans have is will a flashback show the legendary Bounty Hunter fly out of the Sarlaac Pit in which he fell into in Return of the Jedi.

What fans need to remember about Boba Fett, is that he fell out of love with the Empire after they left him for dead which has been hinted at on The Mandalorian. Much like Darth Maul who fell out of love with the Sith, so much so he ditched the Darth and went by just Maul.

It will be interesting to see what details are in the flashback scenes and just how far they go back. Not to mention how they link together with the present when we first see Fett.

MADRID, SPAIN – DECEMBER 15: A Boba Fett figure is exhibited at the ‘Star Wars Exhibition’ at Telefonica flagship store on December 15, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Eduardo Parra/Getty Images)

Boba Fett goes on to run a successful Bounty Hunter syndicate which I believe is what was set up when Fett sat on the thrown of Jabba the Hutt. Let’s hope that is how the show goes because then it opens the door for Star Wars characters like Asajj Ventress.

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In a new rumor George Lucas is taking back creative control of Star Wars

The Sequel Star Wars Trilogy was supposed to reignite the Star Wars fans base. In the end, the highly anticipated set of films divided and angered fans. In a recent interview Sequel Trilogy director JJ Abrams said he should have had a direction for the Trilogy. Star Wars creator, George Lucas also chimed in that he expected to have more say in the films.

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – OCTOBER 15: Director George Lucas (R) and Darth Vader onstage during Spike TV’s “Scream 2011” at Universal Studios on October 15, 2011 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

George Lucas is said to have been upset with the way original Star Wars characters, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia were handled by Disney in the Sequel Trilogy. Lucas was also upset at the lack of direction the films had.

In what came as somewhat of a surprise, George Lucas said that he had actually began to write a Star Wars Sequel Trilogy in which Princess Leia was “the chosen one” and Darth Maul’s apprentice Darth Talon was the main villain.

Fans began to wonder if Lucas was indeed returning to Star Wars when he showed up on the set of the smash hit “The Mandalorian.” Lucas also has a writing credit on “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” upcoming prequel streaming show “Andor.”

Now there is strong rumor that Lucas himself is fronting money for a new Star Wars Trilogy. If this rumor is in fact more than a rumor that means Lucas is taking creative control away from current Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. When he sold Lucasfilm to Disney, there was a clause that he could return to Star Wars if he wanted to. It now appears he does.

It is just a rumor at this time, yet it has teeth. Neither Lucasfilm or The Disney Company have confirmed or denied the rumor. While there is no known story development for George Lucas’s rumored new Star Wars Trilogy it has been confirmed he was writing one. Given how Disney mishandled legendary characters, Lucas may have to go a different route if his plan included one of them.

Actors dressed as Star Wars characters pose for the media during the opening ceremony for Lucasfilm Ltd.’s Sandcrawler building, home to Lucasfilm’s Singapore unit, in Singapore, on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. Lucasfilm Singapore, which is working on movies including Transformers 4 and Avengers 2, is expanding as it increases its workforce in the city-state, the only location outside the U.S. where the San Francisco-based company has a regional headquarters, it said. Photographer: Nicky Loh/Bloomberg via Getty Images

This would be a good move by George Lucas if he is taking control back. It would be wise of Disney/Lucasfilm to give him more control.

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Sorry Jar Jar Binks fans, he will not be appearing on the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” show

When the announcement was made that Disney + was developing an Obi-Wan Kenobi show and that Ewan McGregor (Kenobi- in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy) was reprising his role as the beloved Jedi Master, Star Wars fans turned their attention to another possibility the return of Jar Jar Binks.

GARDEN CITY, : A figure of the character called Jar Jar Binks (C) from the new Star Wars movie The Phantom Menace sits next to a figure of Princess Leia (R) from the original Star Wars trilogy in a display at FAO Schwartz 07 May 1999 in Garden City, NY. FAO Schwartz filled an entire room with toys from both the new movie as well as the original series when the new figures were released 03 May 1999 . AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images)

Jar Jar Binks, played by Ahmed Best (again in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy) was met by mixed reviews from the Star Wars fan base. Some fans hated the character, some fans loved the character, while others had no formed opinion or at least they did not voice them.

Jar Jar Bink provided some comic relief in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Given the character backlash at the time his role was scaled back in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.

Still the moment Disney announced the Kenobi (one season) streaming show, fans began to talk and actually hope for the return of Binks. Time will do that to a person. Soften to the point that a once vilified character is seen through kinder eyes.

As fans talked about a possible reunion between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jar Jar Binks, Ahmed Best took to social media to squash any thought, hopes and rumor.

Actor Ahmed Best, who plays Jar Jar Binks, arrives for the Royal Premiere of Star Wars: Episode 1, The Phantom Menace at the Odeon Leicester Square, London. He is wearing a suit by Prada. (Photo by Michael Crabtree – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)

“Thanks for the love, but I will not be in this series. As much as I would’ve loved to be a part of it. But I’m ecstatic to see folks who I love dearly back together doing great things.” Best posted.

So there it is. It is hard to refute any other thought when it comes from the main source. Still, it seems that Star Wars fans would be open to a Jar Jar Binks appearance at some point as Star Wars now has a bright future.

Will it happen? Perhaps. Disney has gotten better at giving fans what they want. We shall see at some point.

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Disney +’s “The Book of Boba Fett” is rumored to be multiple seasons

When Boba Fett entered Jabba the Hutt’s palace and sat down on his throne, at the end of Season 2 of Disney +’s smash hit “The Mandalorian” fans drooled with anticipation as “The Book of Boba Fett” was announced. The main question surrounding the announcement was would the new Star Wars offering be a one and done show like the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi show? A new rumor says no.

Boba Fett, one the the most beloved Star Wars characters in the Star Wars universe made his triumphant return to the Star Wars scene in this past season of “The Mandalorian.” How was this possible you may ask?

According to the old Star Wars Legends  book (which were not considered cannon) Fett used his jetpack while inside the Sarlaac Pit in which he had fallen into during the sail barge incident in “Return of the Jedi.”

Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni allowed that to become cannon when the old Bounty Hunter returned. The “Book of Boba Fett” show is working under the title of “Buccaneer” the crew was given some stickers for working on production.

Notice the sticker that reads “Star Wars, The Book of Boba Fett,” also reads Season 1 under the heading. Hinting that there will be more than one season. The news was joyful to Star Wars fans.

Not only did a popular character return. Not only was he getting his own spinoff show. But now it appears that show will be more than one seasons. How many seasons? That is the million dollar question. But for now knowing it will be more is good enough.

LONDON – MAY 16: Intergalactic bounty hunter, Boba Fett, is pictured outside the Empire cinema to celebrate the London premiere of the final part of the Star Wars series, and the first ever screening of the entire six-film Star Wars saga, in Leicester Square on May 16, 2005 in London, England. The Empire Leicester Square’s Celebration Day starts with a screening of “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope”, followed by “Empire Strikes Back”, “Return Of The Jedi”, “Phantom Menace” and “Attack Of The Clones”, before tonight’s UK premiere of “Revenge Of The Sith”. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)

“The Book of Boba Fett” is set to begin streaming Christmas Day 2021.