Star Wars The Force Awakens first official trailer

[Defenestratus]

Does it look like the franchise can be saved? Looks to me like its a lot grittier than 1,2,3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOVFvcNfvE

[energongoodie]

(shouting like a fool) I LOVED IT!!! :D

[White Tiger88]

So its maul talking..........................But i think we might see a Palpatine clone!

[Deadlift]

Goosebumps.

[Mr Mystery]

Fancy flying all round!

Right! Everyone into the BoLs Time Machine very quickly NOW!

[White Tiger88]

Fancy flying all round!

Right! Everyone into the BoLs Time Machine very quickly NOW!

I find your lack of faith........Disturbing.....

[Mr Mystery]

I'm setting the controls for December 2015....

[DarkLink]

I actually like that they don't reveal anything about the plot. Normally I don't care if the trailer has spoilers, but I kinda hope they keep it super vague.

[daboarder]

this is going to be awesome!

love the lightsaber hilt....though only seesm like a good way to lose hands

[DarkLink]

There were a ton of lightsaber variants in the EU, like lightwhips and stuff.

[energongoodie]

Watched it 4 times... I still love it.

[eldargal]

Looks nice. Voice over is realyl corny and a lightsaber with a crossguard looks silly honestly.

[Deadlift]

Looks nice. Voice over is realyl corny and a lightsaber with a crossguard looks silly honestly.

When you see the armour the guy wears with the light sabre it looks cool. Like some sith medieval knight hybrid.

[energongoodie]

Pretty sure that's Benedict Cumberbatch and I think he looks bada$$! :)

[Darren Richardson]

yeah I'm, certain that's his voice we are hearing....

[DarkLink]

It's not. Andy Serkis' voice apparently.

[Arkhan Land]

dumbest name for a star wars movie ever

[eldargal]

It's no worse than some of the others, snappy titles have never been Star Wars strong suit.

https://31.media.tumblr.com/cf6f411a215f705e08d78a6f96739137/tumblr_nfu9sbOFKE1qewacoo1_500.gif
*giggles like an idiot for far too long*

[Deadlift]

It's not. Andy Serkis' voice apparently.

Yeah I read the same, apparently he has a pivotal role in the film. Just hope it's not a cgi one for a change.

[eldargal]

https://38.media.tumblr.com/303bb8ae611c2c56bec64a9284ccda9d/tumblr_nfrsf74Ufk1qbgoyio1_1280.jpg
Baha.

[Gotthammer]

Seen talk the Sith is Gwendoline Christie, based on the fact the cloak is secured at the waist with a wide, high-waisted belt and proportions and her having lots of sword fighting training already amongst other reasons. But I guess we'll see.

[eldargal]

God I hope so.

[Gotthammer]

You and me both.

https://38.media.tumblr.com/7cf4556510c729b8de67bd36b69e3982/tumblr_nftae1IH901qeablwo4_500.jpg

[Rissan4ever]

That trailer looks totally bada$$. I like the new aesthetic of the stormtrooper armor and X-wing pilot helmets. I even like the crossguard lightsaber. I'm looking forward to next December.

[CoffeeGrunt]

That design makes a lot of sense, I quite like it.

Also the new X-Wing design is cool, and the potential for a bit more moral-grey with an Imperial Storm Trooper protagonist is sweet.

[Mr Mystery]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v93Jh6JNBng

[CoffeeGrunt]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v93Jh6JNBng

Oh thank God, I was thinking how empty the original looked.

[Mr Mystery]

I find the lack of neck-bearing, Hipstering and general negativity most disturbing.

Has someone broken the Internet? Should we try switching off and on again? Should we try kicking it?

[eldargal]

Oh there is plenty of that in certain places.

[Mr Mystery]

Just read that John Boyega has had some delightful racist tweets.

How pathetic.

[Erik Setzer]

I think the light "crossguard" works just fine, and isn't as dangerous as people think. Aside from lightsabers being designed to shut off if they leave someone's hands a lot of the time (so this one might have such a safeguard if it shifts position too much), there's also an area above the grip where it goes out a bit before the light "blades" come out, so if the hand slides up there, there's still a good chance there won't be serious injury (and if their hand and sword are moving around that much, they have bigger problems). Meanwhile, it's an interesting additional danger for someone fighting the wielder to worry about, and I hope they get that into the film.

The comments about a black Stormtrooper are all quite daft, not even just the racist ones. They stopped using clones by the time of the original trilogy, they would have needed to hire people to fill out the ranks of the armies anyway. You're talking a military that had 25,000 ISDs, most (if not all) of them loaded with a landing force as well as fighters. Then you add in any on VSDs, SSDs, troop carriers, etc., etc.... that's a LOT of soldiers you need, and it's hard to produce that many clones. And all of that is leaving out the clear point that he might not even be a Stormtrooper, he could be someone wearing the armor (like how Han and Luke did when rescuing Leia), which would also explain why he's scared (trying to evade the Imperials).

But hey, yeah, introducing logic to fandom gripe fests is a moot point.

Glad there's none of that gripe fest here.

[Mr Mystery]

Peeps also need to learn their sword fighting history if they think cross guards were purely defensive.

Murderstrole is a good place to begin.....

[40kGamer]

Just read that John Boyega has had some delightful racist tweets.

How pathetic.

Surely you didn't expect a black Stormtrooper to be ignored by the forward thinking masses. My favorite line is the 'all storm troopers are clones of Jango' stance. Watch the original trilogy people, by this point Stormtroopers are drawn from the population. If you're going to be a nerd raging *** at least try to be accurate with the details of the fictional universe. :p

- - - Updated - - -


I think the light "crossguard" works just fine, and isn't as dangerous as people think.

While I don't hate the new design it did take a moment to get used to it. I wonder if it will turn out to be Luke wielding that wild red lightsaber.


The comments about a black Stormtrooper are all quite daft, not even just the racist ones. They stopped using clones by the time of the original trilogy, they would have needed to hire people to fill out the ranks of the armies anyway.

Absolutely. Love the nerd rage over a nonexistent point.

As for the trailer I personally love the images they shared. Looks to be more gritty then the prequel disaster so I have a great deal of hope for it.

[DWest]

While I don't hate the new design it did take a moment to get used to it. I wonder if it will turn out to be Luke wielding that wild red lightsaber.
That would require Luke to have gained a sense of style and flair between 6 and 7, which would be the most canon-breaking moment of all for me. :P

[40kGamer]

That would require Luke to have gained a sense of style and flair between 6 and 7, which would be the most canon-breaking moment of all for me. :P

Well it has been 30 years, so just maybe... :D

[eldargal]

My issue with the lightsaber isthat it breaks the sleek lines we've always had in lightsabers. They have always had a straight line hilt or a slight curve and then into the blade and it gives a very sleek, futuristic feel to it. The crossguard goes entirely against that.

[Rissan4ever]

My issue with the lightsaber isthat it breaks the sleek lines we've always had in lightsabers. They have always had a straight line hilt or a slight curve and then into the blade and it gives a very sleek, futuristic feel to it. The crossguard goes entirely against that.

I really like cross guard lightsaber, specifically because it's lines aren't clean. The blade twitches and flickers like a flame. It looks unstable, angry, and dangerous. It tells you something about the wielder. For a weapon as intimate and personal as a lightsaber, that's an important feature. I'm looking forward to seeing the raging maniac who carries this thing.

[eldargal]

Oh teh blade is fine, I just meant having the bits stick out of the sides break the lines.

[Rissan4ever]

Once again, that's something that I like about it. It breaks the rules, which is what Sith are supposed to do.

[Gotthammer]

http://36.media.tumblr.com/29620880f10fcf950eb0be3839952450/tumblr_nfzp79qnXy1qb5gkjo1_1280.jpg

http://40.media.tumblr.com/bd243e128aa2782db3c959a4e896dd8e/tumblr_nfzp79qnXy1qb5gkjo2_1280.jpg

http://41.media.tumblr.com/b17d1e6e478e2edd93ef2b0616409f3c/tumblr_nfzp79qnXy1qb5gkjo3_1280.jpg

http://40.media.tumblr.com/7c7beb46794571e3b5a5518fafcda7e7/tumblr_nfzp79qnXy1qb5gkjo4_1280.jpg

http://41.media.tumblr.com/e400503545d84e9b9dc4d82ec8685aad/tumblr_nfzp79qnXy1qb5gkjo5_1280.jpg

http://41.media.tumblr.com/ba689552d5e125b36c252da1ee6a438e/tumblr_nfzp79qnXy1qb5gkjo6_1280.jpg

http://40.media.tumblr.com/6f84b77aa8cfd3ea15d4b1f89b40f423/tumblr_nfzp79qnXy1qb5gkjo7_1280.jpg

http://41.media.tumblr.com/fcb13b2446ebd3876883210377f348f7/tumblr_nfzp79qnXy1qb5gkjo8_1280.jpg

http://40.media.tumblr.com/cf33966f88e0c3c5b1e1728615867eb9/tumblr_nfzp79qnXy1qb5gkjo9_1280.jpg

[Mr Mystery]

Like a boss!

Have also now booked the opening weekend off work....oh yes.

[eldargal]

Yeah people saying the crossguard was impractical or made no sense really need to sit down and think about teh genuine lack of practicality a lightsaber has at the best of times. I don't like the aesthetics of it, but its a huge non-issue as far as what I'm going to think of the film. Especially if it is being wielded by Gwendoline Christie.

[Erik Setzer]

I think it looking less-than-clean really fits the theme of the film according to rumors being put out about the settings. There's a lot of talk that we'll get to see the results of perpetual war all over the place, with wrecked AT-ATs and all that. The original trilogy had some of the ships looking dirty and not so clean to give a feeling of a war that's been going on for a while. By now, you're talking about the Clone Wars (which took a while) and then a rebellion/civil war that's lasted for decades. The amount of resources being poured into all of that has to be putting a strain on things. So being able to build a clean lightsaber, especially without anyone around to really teach that skill, isn't easy.

[eldargal]

I don't mean literally clean, I mean as an object the blade and handle have very clean, sweeping lines from hilt to bladetip and always have (the Rebels inquisitors being the furthest until the crossguard saber and even then it maintained a curved guard rather than having it jut out at right angles.

Like I said its just an aesthetic thing and I have absolutely no problem with it existing, I just don't like how it looks personally.

[Erik Setzer]

I don't mean literally clean, I mean as an object the blade and handle have very clean, sweeping lines from hilt to bladetip and always have (the Rebels inquisitors being the furthest until the crossguard saber and even then it maintained a curved guard rather than having it jut out at right angles.

Like I said its just an aesthetic thing and I have absolutely no problem with it existing, I just don't like how it looks personally.

Yeah, I figured that's what you meant, I just didn't really explain what I meant well (it's been a really busy day).

The aesthetic of the whole thing seems to be "dirty," not so "clean." Even the morality feels less "clean" than before, with some of the rumors. So to switch up a character's lightsaber to not be the typical clean style, but rather a bit of a rough style, keeps in with that. Also, the whole thing with not really having much of anyone around to teach someone how to build a lightsaber. And it might not be easy to get the right crystals to make a perfect blade.

As long as there aren't too many of them, I like it. It's a way to distinguish someone as being outside of the normal system of Jedi and Dark Jedi with their certain look. Also, it might be playing a bit on the Sith in Tales of the Jedi using actual swords to fight (something completely thrown out the window in Clone Wars 3500 BY... uh, I mean, The Old Republic, where they had Naga Sadow's "sword" be a training saber).

[Deadlift]

Some more info on the trailer and some of who's playing what. Gwendolyn's a "Chrome Trooper" and not a sith for starters.
http://www.starwarsunderworld.com/2014/12/exclusive-andy-serkis-force-awakens.html

Andy Serkis’ character basically looks like an old man, zombie like, almost risen from the dead.
He is being referred to as “Uber”, similarly to how Ridley is being called Kira and Nyong’o is being called Rose.

“Uber” has communication with Adam Driver’s Sith character, and a character played by Domhnall Gleeson. Serkis potentially is the Master pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

All three characters are part of the new “Empire” which Gwendoline Christie’s character is also a part of. She is confirmed to be playing a Chrome Trooper.

[Mr Mystery]

Dude! Spoiler Tags!

[Deadlift]

Dude! Spoiler Tags!

Spoiler tags ? You think none of this will be well known in 12 months time ?

[Houghten]

It's not well-known NOW.

[Mr Mystery]

Indeed.

I'm trying to avoid spoilers :)

[Erik Setzer]

Hard to call much of this "spoilers" when it's not actually confirmed and in some cases is clearly being based off of stuff involving code-words (i.e. "Uber" is certainly not a character's real name).

But yeah, I understand wanting to avoid even potential spoilers.

[Faultie]

I'm quite a fan of the practical, multipurpose look of the new lightsabres.

http://p.fod4.com/p/media/undefined/vOwfl08sSm2Ld55gVGM3_Star%20Wars%20Swiss%20Army.gi f

[eldargal]

Those aren't confirmation, those are rumours. There have been like a million 'leaks' of SW VII info already and most of them are contradictory. For example until recently Christie's character was 'confirmed' to be an Imperial officer, then rumoured to be a Sith, then an Inquisitor (force user but not Sith), now 'chrome trooper' whatever the hell that is supposed to be. Not believing any of it until it appears on StarWars.com

[Mr Mystery]

Theory.

Sith dude/dudette there.....pace they're walking at, they look exhausted. I'm thinking quite possibly hunted rather than hunter.

Rumblings of flashbacks being used for the first time.

Ragged look to the Lightsabre, as if it's very old, or an earlier, more primitive design

I think that's a flashback, perhaps to a Sith purge, which lead to the Republic in the first place....bit of scene setting. We've had the fall and rise of the Jedi - why not The Sith as well? We've only had their rise so far.

[eldargal]

Sith fell earlier and went into hiding with Darth Bane (I think?) and the Rule of Two saying there could onl be two Sith at any time to avoid detection.:)

[Mr Mystery]

Who knows how far back we might flash :p

Also - is the Old Republic still proper canon, or now 'Legend' status like the latter EU?

[eldargal]

Technically Legend status but possibly not going to stay that way. They were very clear it was Legends at first but since then they have been refusing to give a straight answer and htere is speculation it might get made canon given that it is 3400 years before the films so can't clash with them at all.

[Mr Mystery]

I guess.

Hmm. Could be a good opening gambit though. Well, I say good. Good if it pays off. To quote The High Aldwyn - Forget all you know, or think you know.

[Asymmetrical Xeno]

I'm not a SW fan at all, but I can appreciate the work put into this film and I think it is really f**king cool they have actually built real props and stuff, rather than going the CGI route as I am definitely more of a fan of practical FX.

I hope all you enjoy the film when it comes out.

[Erik Setzer]

Technically Legend status but possibly not going to stay that way. They were very clear it was Legends at first but since then they have been refusing to give a straight answer and htere is speculation it might get made canon given that it is 3400 years before the films so can't clash with them at all.

While I still play the game and actually enjoy it, this would make me sad. SWTOR mauled a lot of the Tales of the Jedi story (basically just shoves Exar Kun into being nothing of note, has Naga Sadow buried on Korriban, changes Sadow's actual Sith sword to being a freaking training saber, etc.), and they wanted it to be instantly recognizable so it ends up feeling more like you're really playing the Clone Wars than something over 3000 years in the past, especially with the Palpatine Empire where it's such a copy that it includes the prejudice against aliens even when they work for aliens (and some of the "True Sith" know that Sith was a race originally, not humans who happened to use magic instead of the Force). They changed too much to make their own stories more important and make it easy for people to see as Star Wars.

If they make it canon but leave out the awesome stories in Tales of the Jedi (which had a much better aesthetic, IMO, because the ships looked older and not as sleek, and the Sith Empire wasn't a bunch of British humans being led by aliens bickering about those aliens while flying around in Star Destroyers), I'm going to be very sad.

[Kirsten]

Darth Bane

at last we shall reveal ourselves to Batman...

[eldargal]

Explained the whole 'Han Shot First' fuss to my cousins and after long and careful deliberation they have decided 'that is completely stupid'.

[Mr Mystery]

Explained the whole 'Han Shot First' fuss to my cousins and after long and careful deliberation they have decided 'that is completely stupid'.

Did you include that Han did not in fact 'shoot first', but simply 'shot', on accout Greedo was killed by the one and only shot. So singular was said shot, it was not the first of anything, just the only.

[eldargal]

Yup, explained the whole thing properly to them. They think Han shooting Greedo (whom they call Fried Guy) without being shot is much cooler, but think the fact people are still arguing about it is completely stupid.

[Mr Mystery]

Yup.

I am agree.

It's more odd that Greedo missed at point blank range when he had his prey completely cold, yet has survived long enough for Han 'tough as old boots' Solo to know who he is, let alone get hired by Jabba 'not known for his tolerance of incompetence' The Hutt!

[Charistoph]

It's more odd that Greedo missed at point blank range when he had his prey completely cold, yet has survived long enough for Han 'tough as old boots' Solo to know who he is, let alone get hired by Jabba 'not known for his tolerance of incompetence' The Hutt!

Well, he did move his head, just like that X-Wing pilot in the "Lucas-updated" trailer...

Which is still stupid because you need the head to prove the kill.

[Erik Setzer]

It's more odd that Greedo missed at point blank range when he had his prey completely cold, yet has survived long enough for Han 'tough as old boots' Solo to know who he is, let alone get hired by Jabba 'not known for his tolerance of incompetence' The Hutt!

I'll never understand that change, or many of the others Lucas made... even ones so minor as putting the Jabba scene they shot into A New Hope and just making it so Han carelessly walked on Jabba's lower body with no consequence, something that makes absolutely no sense. I guess he didn't want Han to seem too lacking in moral fiber, but seriously, I see nothing wrong with shooting a guy who's pointing a gun at you threatening you before he can pull the trigger.

[MarneusCalgar]

AMAZING teaser!

And without the classical cast

[DWest]

I'll never understand that change, or many of the others Lucas made... even ones so minor as putting the Jabba scene they shot into A New Hope and just making it so Han carelessly walked on Jabba's lower body with no consequence, something that makes absolutely no sense. I guess he didn't want Han to seem too lacking in moral fiber, but seriously, I see nothing wrong with shooting a guy who's pointing a gun at you threatening you before he can pull the trigger.
There's a bit of a difference with the two scenes- the scene with Han and Jabba was actually filmed in 1977, they just couldn't figure out how to animate a decent-looking Hutt until 1983, so they never went back and finished the scene for A New Hope. I personally think it's kinda cool that they went back and finished something the original team wanted to do.

Changing the encounter in the bar, however, has always bugged me simply because it was done badly. It looks like a cheap n' dirty Photoshop move that wouldn't scrape passing marks in a first-year college course, let alone a big-time movie. There's an argument to be made that Han should shoot first because it establishes him as not a nice guy (which I agree with), but the change would have been much more tolerable if it had been done well.

[eldargal]

Actually originally Jabba was going to be a human gangster and they filmed the scene with the guy, then it was cut and later for RotJ they decided to make him a Hutt. So when they rejigged the scene for the special edition they added that old footage back but instead of Solo walking around a human gangster he walked over a hutt so they made it so he stepped over Jabba's tail.

I do agree the shooting scene was done badly and I totally headcanon that Han was the only one that shot, but I think my ickle cousins are correct that people arguing about it to this day is kind of silly. I don't mean discussing it like we are now but full on nerdrage online battles about it, its ridiculous.

[Psychosplodge]

By having any situation other than only Han shot you lose the image of just how ruthless he can be.


Names leaked (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30445082)

[Mr Mystery]

Hardly leaked. It was an official thing.

But cool all the same!

[Psychosplodge]

True, but I'm sure the headline read leaked earlier

[Mr Mystery]

So glad the bloke with the Lightsaber isn't actually called 'Über'.


That just smacked of internet nonsense!

[Deadlift]

So glad the bloke with the Lightsaber isn't actually called 'Über'.


That just smacked of internet nonsense!

I think the Uber name was just a reference to the characters importance to the plot. Like a working title. But there is nothing to say that the Sith in the trailer is the character that's been referred to as Uber. That's been rumoured to be Andy Serkis and they not be him.

[Mr Mystery]

Possibly.

But the name just doesn't sit right. Not particularly Star Wars!

[Erik Setzer]

Actually originally Jabba was going to be a human gangster and they filmed the scene with the guy, then it was cut and later for RotJ they decided to make him a Hutt. So when they rejigged the scene for the special edition they added that old footage back but instead of Solo walking around a human gangster he walked over a hutt so they made it so he stepped over Jabba's tail.

Well, here's the thing that gets me about that... Why couldn't they just have Jabba turn to look at Han as he walked around behind him? Obviously you couldn't turn the guy who was originally Jabba, but they were putting CGI in that scene anyway, it could have been facing any direction they wanted it to. Having Han stepping on Jabba's "tail" just seems like Han is careless or directly flipping the bird at a guy threatening his life, which comes off as less "badass" and more "suicidal/disrespectful idiot."

[Mr Mystery]

Probably harder to code than have Han do a very Han thing and step on him.

Remember, this was pre-1997 software they were using.

Anyways. I've been poking my nose around Star Wars Wikis and the EU stuff that followed Return of the Jedi - overall, a lot of it seems quite lazy in terms of names and designs. SteathX - yeah, it's a Stealth X-Wing, but with a really, really god awful name.

So looking forward to the new film! 353 days to go!!!

[Erik Setzer]

Anyways. I've been poking my nose around Star Wars Wikis and the EU stuff that followed Return of the Jedi - overall, a lot of it seems quite lazy in terms of names and designs. SteathX - yeah, it's a Stealth X-Wing, but with a really, really god awful name.

To be honest, a lot of the EU stuff *was* pretty bad, especially by the end. They were just pushing out so much stuff, and it was getting contradictory. Timothy Zahn did a nice trilogy to get the ball rolling, but Kevin J. Anderson's post-RotJ stuff was always the same tired formula of superweapons and Luke being a Super Saiyan Jedi. It all just snowballed from there.

I think my favorite stories were the Tales of the Jedi series of comics (where KJA actually did a solid job), and the X-Wing series by Michael A. Stackpole and Aaron Allston. (Holy smokes, went to check Allston's last name spelling and noticed he died this year. That sucks!) The TotJ series didn't have the Jedi being overly peaceful zen masters, they weren't black and white and they knew how to lead a battle, and the aesthetic was pretty cool.

The X-Wing series was great because of its "realism" (yeah, with a sci-fi series, it's hard to say that without using quotes). The first four books centered on a new Rogue Squadron that was great fighter pilots who had other useful skills. The way they took Coruscant was infiltrating the criminal underground and working their way into a position to take down the planetary defenses. When they had to go after an enemy with a fleet that had a Super Star Destroyer, two Imperial SDs, and a Victory SD, they did it bit-by-bit, taking out the VSD, convincing one of the ISD captains to switch sides, tricking the other ISD into sitting out the final battle, and finally taking their X-Wings, the one ISD, and dozens of small ships with linked torpedo launchers, and shooting the SSD over and over until it was a blasted mess that could barely keep itself running (while the small ships suffered a LOT of casualties and the ISD got shot up bad itself). Aaron Allston did three books about "Wraith Squadron," which was a bunch of castoffs with good skills who could be made decent pilots (think Dirty Dozen converted into fighter pilots). He was even crueler than Stackpole with killing off beloved characters, and kept it going with the fights being tough battles where it took sacrifices to win. There were two or three other stories written by those two. And Isard is still one of my favorite Star Wars villains.

But too much stuff was just silly, over the top, conflicting, a big mess. I don't think it's a bad thing they wiped the slate clean.

Can't wait for next December!

[Psychosplodge]

yes, post rotj stackpole and zahn, and to a lesser extent allston produced the best stuff.

[eldargal]

Most of the EU was rubbish and what wasn't oftn had problematic elements. X-Wing series spent a whole lot of time introducing and then killing off female characters while the same stale, boring cast of generic male characters got all the glory. You had Ysanne Issard who was a complete badass in one book trilogy then so poorly written and characterised in her next appearance they had to retcon the second one to be a clone. It just got worse as it went on too, the Yuuuzhan Vong invasion being the last straw. You have a whole ****ign galaxy to write stories in and come up with compelling villains and you had to introduce ****ing intergalactic space bug people.

[Mr Mystery]

Only ones I read were the Tales Of series - very good, and Courtship of Princess Leia, which I also enjoyed.

I did try 'Truce at Bakura' but it just screamed 'Oh Wars, I thought you said Trek.

[eldargal]

Tales of was pretty good, had a decent number of wimmins in them too from memory.

[Mr Mystery]

Yarp.

Can't list them all, but good number of wimmins in there.

[eldargal]

The Bounty Hunters one had a whole story about Toryn Farr (rebel communications lady from Hoth base) and Jabba's Palace had Oola and her chum and Dengars girlfriend and some others.

OH that reminds me, new episode of Rebels up on Disney XD and it's a good 'un.

[Mr Mystery]

Not on the UK one. This makes me sad.

Also the Tahnaka Sisters from the Cantina. They had a story. And that weird worm thing from the same, which was a lass.

[Erik Setzer]

Most of the EU was rubbish and what wasn't oftn had problematic elements. X-Wing series spent a whole lot of time introducing and then killing off female characters while the same stale, boring cast of generic male characters got all the glory. You had Ysanne Issard who was a complete badass in one book trilogy then so poorly written and characterised in her next appearance they had to retcon the second one to be a clone.

They introduced and killed off a lot of male characters, too. Heck, the one character whose death I can actually remember (admittedly, it's been a long time, so I can't even remember the name) was the doctor who died while staring up at Iron Fist in the sky.

As for Isaard's appearance after The Bacta War, I'm just a bit annoyed they brought her back, even if it involved a clone. She was a nasty villain, awesome, braver than the guy she had commanding the Lusankya, but it took some real effort to kill him, and having that mean nothing feels a little cheap. More so than bringing the Emperor back over and over (especially as in his case they explained it with the Dark Side corrupting his body and him needing fresh ones, not just wanting to have spares for "reasons").

[eldargal]

Yeah but there were more male characters to begin with. If you have 8 guys and 2 girls and kill off one of each and then replace them and kill those off etc. which is basically what the EU did then it's worse for female representation than for male. You had Wedge Antilles, Coran Horn, Wossname Celchu etc. who were never going to be killed off and apart from Antilles were boring as ****.

Well she was only presumed ded the first time, I'm fine with her bringing her back if she had maintained her almost Thrawn like threat level, but it was a complete disaster, terribly written.

[Erik Setzer]

IIRC, it was a one-off book, that almost felt like they used her name and all in order to sell another book for Isard fans, which is just cheap.

Hey, at least on the plus side, the upcoming movie has the Jedi child of Han and Leia being a young woman. And there's some other female characters, who sound more interesting than Amidala/Padme turned out to be.

[Mr Mystery]

Is she Han and Leia's sprog though? Not at all convinced the internet is accurate on that one.

[Erik Setzer]

Is she Han and Leia's sprog though? Not at all convinced the internet is accurate on that one.

I'm certain she is. They want to do a "new generation" and "passing of the guard" and all, and Luke isn't married so it's basically up to Han and Leia. Also, isn't the character's last name Solo?

[Mr Mystery]

Internet claimed she's called Kira Solo - except the 'trading card' reveal shows she's not called Kira. She's called Rey.

[Erik Setzer]

Internet claimed she's called Kira Solo - except the 'trading card' reveal shows she's not called Kira. She's called Rey.

Thought the name "Kira" came from somewhere official.

Eh, guess we'll see. Regardless of the name, I'd go with the idea of her being their kid, for the reasons I mentioned. Just helps keep the theme going with the Skywalker family (since Leia is a Skywalker).

[Mr Mystery]

Facebook account using the actress' face was put up as Kira Solo.

[Erik Setzer]

Eh, guess we'll find out for sure when the movie opens.

Point is, major character in the new movies is a young woman, so it's certainly not going to be a sausage fest. Huzzah!

[Cap'nSmurfs]

Waited until I was in the cinema to see the trailer (before the Hobbit, which is good). Blown away. I kind of have the comedy hates for Abrams, but this is very promising indeed.

[DarkLink]

I'd definitely take the official card's name over a random facebook page that could be fan-made.

[Mr Mystery]

Just been listening to the Cantina Band on Youtube.

Really hope there's something like that in the new films - it was one of those things that really made A New Hope such an ace film!

[Mr Mystery]

Casting rumours for the first non-saga installment (http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-wars/33738/star-wars-casting-rumours-for-2016-standalone-movie)

Rumourage suggest it's a pre-IV heist movie.

Death Star plans perhaps?

[Psychosplodge]

Then it better have Bria Tharen in then :D

[Mr Mystery]

Whoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo?

[eldargal]

Han Solo's first girlfriend in the EU, who was totes amaze and joined the rebellion and ended up dying to ensure hte death star plans were stoled.

[Psychosplodge]

Why do you think he didn't want to join the rebellion Mystery? :D

[Mr Mystery]

Why do you think he didn't want to join the rebellion Mystery? :D

Because he was a self interested smuggler. Duh!

[eldargal]

It's actually a really good book trilogy that gives her and Han a heap of character development and ends up making him the more passive partner in the relationship really and even has her death come after three books of aforementioned development and doesn't do it just to give Han feels. But that's what you get when you let an excellent female author write your books.:p

[Psychosplodge]

Because he was a self interested smuggler. Duh!



There was some of that sure, but also his previous dealings with it.
I recommend that trilogy (han solo trilogy, the paradise snare, the hutt gambit, rebel dawn) they are some of the better EU books, I've probably reread the third nearly as many times as I've read the bacta war (my favourite xwing book :D)

[eldargal]

Yup, up there with the Thrawn trilogy and some of the better X-Wing books and way above most of the EU stuff.

[Psychosplodge]

The Thrawn trilogy is the standard against which all others are judged...

[Charistoph]

Personally, I've always been a fan of Wraith Squadron, yub yub.

[Psychosplodge]

Yeah i like them, but I prefer the Stackpole ones.

[Aenir]

Personally, I've always been a fan of Wraith Squadron, yub yub.

You know on some planets its a felony to wear an Ewok Puppet...

[Erik Setzer]

You know on some planets its a felony to wear an Ewok Puppet...

That will never get old.

- - - Updated - - -


nearly as many times as I've read the bacta war (my favourite xwing book :D)

The Bacta War was great. They actually went through some serious steps to take out the enemy, it wasn't some typical deus ex machina stuff or "Jedi did it."

I was a little surprised when the Lusankya showed up in Crimson Empire. Must have cost a fortune to rebuild the thing. You had to re-arm it, rebuild the entire front fifth of the ship, put new engines on it, shield generators, large amounts of the rest of the structure, and strip and replace the dungeon parts of it. So, basically, you had to build a new Super Star Destroyer, with a bit of the original left, just so they could use the name as a symbol.

[Psychosplodge]

You know on some planets its a felony to wear an Ewok Puppet...

Fly, fly while performing an ewok puppet show

Though we're probably both wrong, unless you actually looked :D






The Bacta War was great. They actually went through some serious steps to take out the enemy, it wasn't some typical deus ex machina stuff or "Jedi did it."

I was a little surprised when the Lusankya showed up in Crimson Empire. Must have cost a fortune to rebuild the thing. You had to re-arm it, rebuild the entire front fifth of the ship, put new engines on it, shield generators, large amounts of the rest of the structure, and strip and replace the dungeon parts of it. So, basically, you had to build a new Super Star Destroyer, with a bit of the original left, just so they could use the name as a symbol.

I've not read Crimson Empire, but I'm pretty sure it being rebuilt was mentioned at end of The Bacta War?

[Erik Setzer]

I've not read Crimson Empire, but I'm pretty sure it being rebuilt was mentioned at end of The Bacta War?

Don't recall, to be honest. I don't think I have my novels still. I'll have to check at home. (If not, I'm pretty sure that the used bookstore near my workplace has copies of them, so I can just rebuild the set.)

I know Booster kept the ISD he captured, and the one captain turned his ISD over to the New Republic. But the Lusankya was being described as having the entire first fifth of the ship blasted off, all of its weapons had been destroyed (and that's a LOT of weapons), its shields were obviously gone, and the engines were so wrecked that they were barely able to stay in orbit. You have to assume that to get to that point it'd also taken a lot of other damage. And, of course, they wouldn't want to keep the dungeon in there.

In Crimson Empire, the Lusankya shows up in a system with Wedge commanding it, and it's in pristine condition with two giant New Republic crests painted on it (tack on even more money). Looks like Crimson Empire is set four years after The Bacta War, so that's time enough to get the job done. But still, that cost... yikes! Makes it little surprise that in Crimson Empire III, they mention that the New Republic and Empire both are pretty much broke from fighting the war.

[eldargal]

There were a lot of inconsistencies like that in the EU.

[Psychosplodge]

It might have been in one of the wraith squadron books. *shrugs* doesn't really matter anyway :D

[eldargal]

Still, it's not inconceivable. I mean the big shipyards like Kuat Drive Yards had shipyards big enough to look like a planetary ring, given industry on that scale refitting an SSD might only take a year or a few months. Ehy they would spend the money on it when finances were tight is another matter. Also I thought Mon Mothma decided no SSDs in the New Republic fleet as a symbolic thing because of their symbolism as an Empire super weapon?

[Psychosplodge]

I think the refitting is just a matter of will to do it.
IDK about the Mon Mothma thing about not having them, but I vaguely remember a bit where I think Wedge was talking about how they are expensive to maintain and can be beaten by a significantly smaller force at a high cost to said force, so weren't seen as economical to build.
I think they'd happily use ones they'd acquired even if they refuse to build them, especially still at that point when the warlords were still running round.

[eldargal]

Yup, that's why they used ISDs, but I could have sworn there was a line about not using SSDs, possibly in specific relation to Lusankya.

[Charistoph]

It might have been in one of the wraith squadron books. *shrugs* doesn't really matter anyway :D

That was the Iron Fist, I believe. Most of their series was focused on taking it down, partly by taking down its support structure.


Still, it's not inconceivable. I mean the big shipyards like Kuat Drive Yards had shipyards big enough to look like a planetary ring, given industry on that scale refitting an SSD might only take a year or a few months. Ehy they would spend the money on it when finances were tight is another matter. Also I thought Mon Mothma decided no SSDs in the New Republic fleet as a symbolic thing because of their symbolism as an Empire super weapon?

Considering how many Imperial and lesser Star Destroyers they continued to use, that is realpolitik for you.

Especially when you consider an ISD loaded with X-Wing, A-Wing, and B-Wing squadrons is a far more dangerous proposition than an ISD loaded with TIEs.

[Psychosplodge]

Yeah They never captured the iron fist, or do you mean the refurbed Lusankya made an appearance in it?
Cause most of the on ship fleet action was on the Mon Remonda wasn't it?

Edit: It the books reappears in the X-wing:Isards revenge.

[Erik Setzer]

Still, it's not inconceivable. I mean the big shipyards like Kuat Drive Yards had shipyards big enough to look like a planetary ring, given industry on that scale refitting an SSD might only take a year or a few months. Ehy they would spend the money on it when finances were tight is another matter. Also I thought Mon Mothma decided no SSDs in the New Republic fleet as a symbolic thing because of their symbolism as an Empire super weapon?

Time isn't the issue, especially with four years between the ship getting shredded almost into oblivion and then showing up later. It's that they spent so much money on something basically serving as a symbol. I think the Lusankya would be the one SSD they'd actually allow, given that it used to be something horrible and its name (when people thought of it as a place, anyway) brought fear to people, and now it could be used as a symbol of hope to bring peace (through superior firepower). But it's still questionable when you could probably build a few MC-90s (or whatever variant they were up to by then) with the money and likely be more effective.

(SPOILERS FROM X-WING SERIES... GO READ THEM IF YOU HAVEN'T!)
It's good Kuat could build SSDs at a decent clip, given that in the span of four books, three of them were taken out. Well, actually, I guess five books... In The Bacta War, they went after the Lusankya and wrecked it. In Iron Fist, they went after a new SSD Zsinj was trying to capture (from Kuat, IIRC) and blew it into oblivion (because it had no crew). And then in Courtship of Princess Leia, they finally tracked down the Iron Fist and killed it (I forgot for a moment that it fled at the end of Solo Command, they thought they blew it up but it was really pieces of the SSD they trashed in the last book reassembled with bombs to make it look like the Iron Fist was destroyed).
(END SPOILERS)

I seriously need to find those books and read them again, I forgot how much superior they were to Jedi Jedi Jedi Luke Jedi Jedi Jedi superweapon Jedi Jedi Jedi, which it seems the majority of the EU ended up being. So many deus ex machinas and superweapons, yuck.

[Aenir]

That was the Iron Fist, I believe. Most of their series was focused on taking it down, partly by taking down its support structure.



Considering how many Imperial and lesser Star Destroyers they continued to use, that is realpolitik for you.

Especially when you consider an ISD loaded with X-Wing, A-Wing, and B-Wing squadrons is a far more dangerous proposition than an ISD loaded with TIEs.

TIE Avenger/Defender Backed up with Assault Gunboats......

[Psychosplodge]

Erik you might want to colour that chunk of text white and add spoiler tags, just in case someone wants to read the xwing series :D It's a bit more twist/plot heavy than owt else said so far...

[Erik Setzer]

Erik you might want to colour that chunk of text white and add spoiler tags, just in case someone wants to read the xwing series :D It's a bit more twist/plot heavy than owt else said so far...

Okay, edited with appropriate commentary. If people like Star Wars novels and haven't read the X-Wing series, they need to rectify that ASAP.

I don't care if it's all non-canon now, it was a good read. (Though I appreciate them wiping out all the other nonsense in the EU. It was getting to be a convoluted mess.)

[Mr Mystery]

Okay, edited with appropriate commentary. If people like Star Wars novels and haven't read the X-Wing series, they need to rectify that ASAP.

I don't care if it's all non-canon now, it was a good read. (Though I appreciate them wiping out all the other nonsense in the EU. It was getting to be a convoluted mess.)

Too many cooks do you reckon?

I've only read Courtship and the Tales From, and to be honest, that was plenty for me.

[Psychosplodge]

Tales from are far too hit and miss. Courtship wasn't bad. But I'd recommend the Han Solo trilogy, the Heir to the empire trilogy, and the x-wing series previously mentioned(at least 1-8). Everything else is hit and miss, but most requires some knowledge of previous books.

[eldargal]

I was quite happy to see the EU go non-canon, especially since their continuity is maintained under the Legends brand so it's not like it's going anywhere. So much of it was utter **** I just don't care.

[Psychosplodge]

I'd like them to keep several characters, but we know it won't happen.

[eldargal]

Yeah there are a few characters I'd like to see reintroduced to canon too. I do tihnk Ysanne Isard will happen, her father is canon now so it's not much of a stretch. Apart from her Daala, Mara Jade and Thrawn.

[Psychosplodge]

Jaina Solo, maybe Kyp Durron.
Some of the Rogues, maybe the wraiths as well....

[eldargal]

Jaina Solo as an ideal child = ideal.:p Or with a sister...

[Charistoph]

Too many cooks do you reckon?

If anyone thinks Star Wars EU was bad, they at least tried to keep things consistent.

Don't even get me started on how bad Star Trek's books were. It's almost painful.


Yeah there are a few characters I'd like to see reintroduced to canon too. I do tihnk Ysanne Isard will happen, her father is canon now so it's not much of a stretch. Apart from her Daala, Mara Jade and Thrawn.


Jaina Solo, maybe Kyp Durron.
Some of the Rogues, maybe the wraiths as well....

Indeed. They could probably leave Thrawn and Daala out, aside from reference, in the new movie, but if they leave out Mara Jade, it would be like a million voices crying out in rage, and never silence. The intervening books are another story, though.

I do like the twins, too. If Kyp's in there, shouldn't Corran Horn be in there, too? Or is he a little too much?

[Erik Setzer]

If anyone thinks Star Wars EU was bad, they at least tried to keep things consistent.

The consistency was, IIRC mostly the work of Lucy Wilson trying to keep stories from tripping over each other where possible. She eventually left those duties behind and then retired entirely. Not a surprise things went a bit further downhill from that.

Continuity *was* something of an issue at times. Never mind the obvious stuff like Boba Fett's origin (never will forgive Lucas for making that so boring). I lost it with Star Wars: The Old Republic, the MMORPG, which technically is still part of the EU. I didn't really get a chance to play the KOTOR games, so I didn't see how badly Bioware was doing prior to SWTOR. One of the series I loved (comic series, granted) was Tales of the Jedi, especially the arcs with Exar Kun and Ulic Qel-Droma. And then I was playing SWTOR, and suddenly there's no mention of Kun (despite it being not that far removed from his time), hardly any of Qel-Droma (actually, I think his mention was the same as Kun's, just named gear in-game), way too much about Revan, Revan, Revan, Naga Sadow was suddenly buried on Korriban and his sword wasn't a real sword (so much WTF)... But it was the aesthetic and especially the Empire that bugged me. It was like playing Clone Wars with Palpatine's Empire. There were Star Destroyers, all the Republic ships looked the same as the movies, the Republic troopers wore Clone Trooper style armor, the vehicles looked the same. But I just about lost it when I was in the main "Sith" Empire base talking to an officer. Bad enough they took the logo and outfits and British accepts from the Palpatine Empire. But then this guy starts bashing aliens. The freaking Sith are aliens! His bosses - especially the true Sith - are aliens! He's ragging on the powerful guys he works for who can kill him in an instant because the "Sith" Empire was such a clone of Palpatine's Empire that it even copied over the anti-nonhuman sentiment. My immersion was wrecked at that point. Bad enough to change the aesthetic from the awesome older look of ToTJ so that everything looks like it stood still for thousands of years, but then making the two Empires clones? Bleh. (Oh, and they recently referred to Sadow as "Darth Naga Sadow" on their Facebook page.)

Okay, sorry, that's a touchy subject for me. One of the cooler eras, and they just completely ROFLstomped the look, the history, everything, just to have games people could "relate" to, with their own bad guy being much more important. Meh.

[Psychosplodge]

Indeed. They could probably leave Thrawn and Daala out, aside from reference, in the new movie, but if they leave out Mara Jade, it would be like a million voices crying out in rage, and never silence. The intervening books are another story, though.

I do like the twins, too. If Kyp's in there, shouldn't Corran Horn be in there, too? Or is he a little too much?

I was including him as a Rogue...

[Psychosplodge]

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/star_wars.png

[Deadlift]

http://www.starwarsunderworld.com/2015/01/rumor-michael-fassbender-frontrunner.html


Yes please.

[Mr Mystery]

Dunno about that one.

I like the idea of Boba Fett being akin to Batman - an idea, rather than a person.

But even so....

On the bright side, we're another day closer to the guaranteed awesomosity of The Force Awakens.

Why guaranteed? 1) It's Star Wars 2) II and III were actually decent films, but marred by their inglorious predecessor. And Vader's bowlcut 3) It's Disney in charge. They proven they can deliver non-schmaltzy action films by dint of the 10 (and counting!) excellent entries to the Marvel Universe. 4) That trailier......

[Mr Mystery]

Leis is getting a five issue comic series.

[Gotthammer]

http://i.somethingawful.com/u/garbageday/2015/Phriday/Taylor_Swift/KingOfTheTramps_02.gif

[Mr Mystery]

I don't get it.

Taylor Swift I suspect....but I don't get it.

[eldargal]

Lol that's great. I approve of Taylor Swift.

[Gotthammer]

http://i.somethingawful.com/u/garbageday/2015/Phriday/Taylor_Swift/R.S._Gumby_03.gif

[Erik Setzer]

Still better than Lucas's edit to the end of RotJ... I want to *****-slap the man for some of the changes he made.

Not sure where that Taylor Swift clip is from or what the context is, but pasted into the "ghost scene," it looks like she's directing attention to her "magical lady bits" and Luke and Ben are both looking on in approval in a manner that feels slightly creepy.

[Mr Mystery]

Star Wars Rogue One title announced

And Episode VIII out May 2017

[Psychosplodge]

I hope that's a Wedge Antilles film.

[Deadlift]

I don't get it.

Taylor Swift I suspect....but I don't get it.

me neither, its not even remotely amusing. A bit like Taylor Swift....pointless.

[Gotthammer]

https://i.warosu.org/data/biz/img/0005/21/1413677560560.jpg

[eldargal]

me neither, its not even remotely amusing. A bit like Taylor Swift....pointless.

You mean apart from being one of the most popular and successful feminists on the planet, not to mention an extremely talented singer. I guess people should just making humorous gifs with a point, like a thousand different over top lightsaber hilts or something.

Rogue One only has an actress cast so far, hope she is the lead. **** Wedge, he's a minor character that's been fell ated over by EU writers enough as it is.

[Psychosplodge]

not to mention an extremely talented singer


subjective, I personally don't find her any different to the bland middle of the road pop the charts are full of.





Rogue One only has an actress cast so far, hope she is the lead. **** Wedge, he's a minor character that's been fell ated over by EU writers enough as it is.

You really hate the EU don't you?
For most of the EU Rogue squadron was led by Antilles, followed by Celchu, followed by Darklighter...
It would make sense for it to be one of those three.

On the otherhand it could be nothing to do with Rogue squadron.

[eldargal]

Talent isn't subjective, liking something is subjective. She has talent whether or not you like her music, and she isn't some manufactured pop band.

I don't hate it, I just don't love it. Bits of it like the Han Solo trilogy and the Thrawn trilogy were superb, some bits like the Rogue Squadron books were decent to good, most of it was mediocre to terrible fanfic. The new canon novels are already betteer than most of what the EU did and they do better with representation too. Antilles was weird in that he was a minor film character that some EU writers loved and they made him into an EU superstar. There is no guarantee at this point that will be transferred to the new canon nor any compelling reason to do so given that the people who are big fans of that character in the EU most likely won't appreciate having all that character development undone in the new canon.

[Psychosplodge]

Its your opinion shes talented, I'm saying I find her no more talented than the identipop she sounds no different from.

I'm sticking to there's only three starwars films for the forseeable future :D

[Path Walker]

subjective, I personally don't find her any different to the bland middle of the road pop the charts are full of.


I'm not a pop fan by any stretch, but objectively, Taylor Swift isn't anything like bland or middle of the road pop, her music is extremely well done pop music, shes an extremly talented and savvy musician/songwriter.




You really hate the EU don't you?
For most of the EU Rogue squadron was led by Antilles, followed by Celchu, followed by Darklighter...
It would make sense for it to be one of those three.

On the otherhand it could be nothing to do with Rogue squadron.

For most of the EU, Rogue squadron was boring and dumb.

[Psychosplodge]

For most of the EU, Rogue squadron was boring and dumb.

heresy

[Path Walker]

Corran Horn was the worst part of it though.

[Psychosplodge]

He was a bit whiney at times, but Mirax beat that out of him...

[Path Walker]

The problem was he was too good at everything

[Psychosplodge]

Except levitation? :D

[Deadlift]

You mean apart from being one of the most popular and successful feminists on the planet, not to mention an extremely talented singer. I guess people should just making humorous gifs with a point, like a thousand different over top lightsaber hilts or something..

For me she's just another "tick all the boxes" pop artist. Feminist or not doesn't make her by the numbers music any more individual. I'm not big into her kind of pop music, and she's just as bland as the next "only signed for pretty face and mediocre voice" pop star to be churned out next.

It's humorous that you mention she's one of the most popular and successful feminists like it makes her music any better.

Swift may be many things boring, overly twee, and an opportunist who capitalizes on her "approachability" but shes no great talent.

[eldargal]

Not liking someones music =/= lack of talent.

You said she was pointless, I pointed out she is a feminist icon for millions of young women in an industry that actively encourages such stars to avoid identifying as feminist.

She is, people just assume she isn't talented because she is also a pretty young woman, and obviously thy don't have talent. You don't have a song be number one in the top 100 for seven weeks running without talent.

[Psychosplodge]

xfactor would suggest otherwise.

[eldargal]

Nope, people just like to sneer at talent if it comes through reality teevee (which I loathe with a fiery passion). It's still talent. Funnily enough the link between success on the charts, commercial success and talent was never questioned until women started doing better in them. Same for art actually, commercial success was THE measure for an artists importance until female artists started being commercially successful in the early 20th century. Now it's all snobbish 'oh no, it's just popular with the masses and what do they know'.

[Psychosplodge]

Shrugs, it still just sounds like the manufactured crap to me

[eldargal]

Hipster.:p

[Psychosplodge]

:p

Not quite :D

[Path Walker]

I just don't understand how you could listen to Taylor Swift and see it as the same as asinine "maunfactured" pop music. I guess if you didn't know much about music that helps...

[Kirsten]

Taylor Swift is awesome

[Mr Mystery]

I like Star Wars.

Can we chat about Star Wars now?

[Path Walker]

You couldn't listen to Speak Now and come to the conclusion that she's not an amazing artist.

Taylor Swift should be in Star Wars.

[Gotthammer]

Taylor Swift should be in Star Wars.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e9/b5/91/e9b591cbc645f39170597c1ce8a29d3e.jpg

:p

[eldargal]

Awesome.:p

[Path Walker]

Thread back on track

[Gotthammer]

Remember even Yoda agrees:


Musical taste matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my taste, do you? Hmm? Hmm. And well you should not. For my ally is Taylor Swift, and a powerful ally she is. Life creates her, makes her grow. Her energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel Taylor Swift around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the land and the ship.

[eldargal]

Bahahaha.

[eldargal]

Forbes are confirming Felicity Jones as the lead of Rogue One (http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/03/12/first-star-wars-stand-alone-rogue-one-will-have-female-lead/)! Checked some other places and they are too.

Can we talk about how great Disney-Lucasfilm is being at the moment? They get criticised for a lack of female cast in epVII so they announce a heap more bringing the ratio much closer to 50/50. They get flak for having a black Stormtrooper, they give no ****s and confirm female Stormtroopers as canon, they make a high ranking lesbian Imperial officer, they have the leader of the Rebel cell in Rebels a woman and now the second officially confirmed new Star Wars film has a female lead. which is even bigger when yo uconsider the other films are more of an ensemble cast setup. Hell at the time of it's release Star Wars will officially be doing better with diversity than the MCU with one 1/7 female led compared to 1/19 by the time Captain Marvel is released.

[Kirsten]

excellent

[eldargal]

Yep, I am very excite.:) also hoping they make her a twi'lek but they probably won't.:p

[Psychosplodge]

But do we know wtf its about yet?

[Mr Mystery]

Yep, I am very excite.:) also hoping they make her a twi'lek but they probably won't.:p

You could try hanging from her earlobes, shrieking Twi'Lek over and over and over? Once they're good and floppy, half of makeup's job is done?

[eldargal]

But do we know wtf its about yet?

Nope.

[Psychosplodge]

I mean it could be a Rogue Squadron film like we discussed. It could be first fallen of the new jedi, it could be a most wanted rebel stormtrooper....

It could be something else....

[eldargal]

Given that the Rogue One designation is canon from ESB I would imagine it is most likely going to be a Rogue Squadron film.

[Mr Mystery]

http://cdn-static.denofgeek.com/sites/denofgeek/files/styles/insert_main_wide_image/public/2/71//stormtrooper.png?itok=0TKu1rIt

Aaaaaaaaand first image of the new Stormtrooper armour.

I am approve. Expect more pics as they day goes on, because it's Star Wars Celebration today.

Oh, and only 8 months and 2 days to go!

[eldargal]

Nice, look forward to the action figure. Also wimmins wearing it.

[Mr Mystery]

Pow!

[Erik Setzer]

Those definitely look like Stormtroopers. And with flamethrowers, too?

It has a Star Wars aesthetic to it all, certainly. I like that. Staying true to the universe.

[Charistoph]

Pow!

I know masks are supposed to make an air of mystery, but man, do they like to put in on the Sith. Vader, Revan, Malak (sort of). Even with Maul under his tatoos and Sidius under the cloak of his hood.

[Erik Setzer]

I know masks are supposed to make an air of mystery, but man, do they like to put in on the Sith. Vader, Revan, Malak (sort of). Even with Maul under his tatoos and Sidius under the cloak of his hood.

If you're including Revan, that opens up the whole EU. Which includes a lot of them who didn't wear masks, like the entire original Sith, Exar Kun, Freedon Nadd, or even some in the movies like Darth Tyrannus (Count Dooku). A lot of the Sith in SWTOR aren't wearing masks. I think Revan wore a mask because of the way that character came about, where IIRC it was discovered that the PC was Revan in KOTOR 1, so they like to use the mask so you can imagine it's still your old character under the mask.

Masks are useful for a suspenseful reveal. I imagine that's what they're aiming for here.

[Mr Mystery]

Second trailer is out!!!


https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=37&v=ngElkyQ6Rhs

[Mr Mystery]

And what have my Elf-eyes seen? Nowt, because I'd foolishly removed them from his pointy head.

So used me own....

Stacked X-Wing in the foreground of the stacked ISD. Luke appears to have a new hand (assuming it's him), Vader's saber - or possibly Anakin's retrieved from Cloud City, some more fancy falcon flying.....and that's aboot it!

[Erik Setzer]

The Falcon flying through the wrecked Star Destroyer looked pretty cool. Lots of nice flashes of stuff. The "Chrometrooper" actually looks pretty cool. A lot of the aesthetic seems to match the original movies, just with crisper resolution and effects.

I feel like the concept of a lengthy war makes a lot more sense than the strange way things went in the EU, where it seems like they took a lot of ground including Coruscant, then lost Coruscant, then gained it again, the Empire broke into warlords, then came together, then broke apart, then there were factions who fought with the New Republic, factions who allied with the New Republic... and you never got the sense that there was any serious fighting done, like all the battles were won with talking or just fights in space that left no debris. The only time I remember distinctly seeing the effects of fighting was the opening of Dark Empire, with all the debris around Coruscant.

[Mr Mystery]

BB-8 effing rules!

http://www.polygon.com/2015/4/16/8431295/star-wars-the-force-awakens-bb-8-puppet-jj-abrams

[eldargal]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngElkyQ6Rhs

- - - Updated - - -

Oh my god:
http://www.rebelscum.com/2015-Celebration-Anaheim/Celebration-Anaheim-2015-Hasbro-6-Inch-Ahsoka-Tano/Celebration-Anaheim-2015-Hasbro-6-Inch-Ahsoka-Tano-001.jpg
6" scale Ahsoka action figure. *sleepy flails*

[Mr Mystery]

Nice!

Also, caught some of the live panel (because I can only stand whooping and cheering for so long) and lots to say about adding female characters. They're very keen to introduce more. Which is nice.

[eldargal]

Haven't watched the panel yet, working through the livestream 'cos they talk to Ashley Eckstein.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UY64GfyovE

Oh and the desert world in the trailer isn't Tatooine, so nice to see everything not revolving around Tatooine for once.

[eldargal]

http://i.imgur.com/IjD0wEs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BRo8p2W.jpg

[energongoodie]

Went to the Empire Leicester Square to watch the panel on the big screen. It was fun but would have liked more questions + answers and less whooping :) but I can't blame em.

Saw the trailer twice on the big Imax screen and I can not wait to see the movie!!!!!!

I was nervous a few years ago when it was first whispered they were doing it but JJ Abrams is fast becoming my new hero!!!

[CoffeeGrunt]

We're sitting here at work trying to work out how the heck they even built BB8. Looking forward to seeing the design of him, as it's a pretty excellent build!

Also that Ahsoka looks all grown up...a hint at something in the future, perhaps? I'm still hopeful that they bring her back. :P

[eldargal]

Consensus on BB8 seems to be they used magnets.

Watch Rebels.:p

[eldargal]

Ooh EFX collectibles will be selling a full scale RC R2.

[Mr Mystery]

Also spotted a 'concept art' of Finn (John Boyega's character) where he has a lightsaber on his belt.

I'm really thinking there is some kind of 'wakey wakey' type force disturbance, hence the title.

[eldargal]

Yup, but things can change from concept to final execution so it won't necessarily follow that he is a Jedi for Force Sensitive but will be cool to find out. There is also speculation that Lupita N'yongo will be playing Luke and someonees daughter which would be nifty.

[Mr Mystery]

Quite so.

As for Luke's speech? Lifted from RotJ I'd wager, rather than new dialogue. Hence 'My Father has it' present tense.

Also....

http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/704/mcs/media/images/82381000/jpg/_82381984_357ab473-d318-4c60-99e1-85dba87031bd.jpg

[Erik Setzer]

That lightsaber up there looks pretty battered and almost jury-rigged. But it does seem functional, at least.

I think it's interesting to see the dirty, battered look of so much stuff, and then you have the Empire with their clean ships, polished armor, parade lines, perfect banners... Creates a stark contrast. But I think the original films were like that, where you had the dirty old Millennium Falcon, X-Wings, Corellian Corvette, etc., and then there's the Imperials with everything looking so perfect.

[Gotthammer]

I'm really thinking there is some kind of 'wakey wakey' type force disturbance, hence the title.

Harmonic convergence - also makes all the ladies start loving ladies #fact

[eldargal]

Harmonic convergence - also makes all the ladies start loving ladies #fact

Totes accurate. And they did just add their first canon lesbian to the canon recently.:p

[Mr Mystery]

13707See this?


That's not an ISD that.

That's a Super Star Destroyer.

Superstructure extends out over the main engine block.

[Gotthammer]

Totes accurate. And they did just add their first canon lesbian to the canon recently.:p


As it should be

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6xat44Voy1r91bgy.gif

[eldargal]

13707See this?


That's not an ISD that.

That's a Super Star Destroyer.

Superstructure extends out over the main engine block.

Yup.:) Also too big to be an ISD in comparison to the Falcon when you look at shots of it agaisnt the ISDs in ESB.

As it should be

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6xat44Voy1r91bgy.gif

Totes.

[Mr Mystery]

You can also see the other engine blocks to the left and the right. Silly Internets, getting it all wrong and claiming it's a mere ISD.

So, ladies...who wants me? :p

[eldargal]

http://www.aeroaces.com/boxstockracer_files/trooperarmormd.jpg
:p

[Gotthammer]

See above re: ladies loving ladies :p

[eldargal]

See above re: ladies loving ladies :p

http://lawrencerspencer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/OLD_EMPIRE_POSTER-333x500.jpg
;)

[Mr Mystery]

At least someone wants me like.

[Kirsten]

http://lawrencerspencer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/OLD_EMPIRE_POSTER-333x500.jpg
;)

I haven't watched the trailer but I will take a good look at that pic.

[eldargal]

You should watch the trailer, it's great.:) Rey is cute and the rumours have Gwendoline Christie as the Chrometrooper who has more swagger and badassery than the Sith.

I had a really high res version of that pic somewhere...

[Gotthammer]

...
;)

https://33.media.tumblr.com/92408df8c102b60ca2a39e3827db6bb3/tumblr_ndp4hmui4i1t3q4j0o2_500.gif

[Mr Mystery]

Time for a bit cold shower in this thread. It's getting far too saucy.

http://www.denofgeek.com/games/star-wars/35022/star-wars-battlefront-new-image-release-date-leaked

Next Battlefront game is coming soon! Yayayayayayay!

[Kirsten]

I will watch it at some point, I just don't much care. I don't do trailers generally, and the film isn't even out for another eight months.

[CoffeeGrunt]

*Shipping intensifies.*

[Erik Setzer]

The Internet thinks it's an ISD because they show a wrecked ISD at the start of the trailer.

It's hard to really know for sure. Guess we'll see when the movie gets here!

[Mr Mystery]

The Internet thinks it's an ISD because they is stupid in the face, and totes lack nerd credentials.

I couldn't have said it better myself!

[Erik Setzer]

I couldn't have said it better myself!

I almost showed my "nerd credentials" with a lengthy post on how it could be this or that, but got distracted by coworkers taking me to lunch, and figured when I got back that it was just a moot point, given that we just don't know. Heck, it could be the wreckage of multiple ships, for all we know. We got a two second glimpse at part of some wreckage.

I don't care whether it's ISD or SSD, it's a darned cool scene, and that's good enough for me!

[Mr Mystery]

No way, buttmunch.

SSD ALL THE WAY!!

[Erik Setzer]

I feel the hate flowing within you. Good, good... Give in to your hatred. Strike me down with it and take your destiny as a true Dark Jedi!

[Mr Mystery]

I dunno dude.

I think I fell to the dark side when I farted on my mate the other night, then giggled like a child,

[Gotthammer]

https://41.media.tumblr.com/a254aa426f6037c6cd7ed45b9818d890/tumblr_nmzrup0Kyn1r64vl3o1_1280.png

[Erik Setzer]

I dunno dude.

I think I fell to the dark side when I farted on my mate the other night, then giggled like a child,

I switched from IT to Marketing. It wasn't even an accident with me, I just leapt into the Dark Side with both feet.

[eldargal]

https://41.media.tumblr.com/a254aa426f6037c6cd7ed45b9818d890/tumblr_nmzrup0Kyn1r64vl3o1_1280.png

Aw adawbs hehe.

[Mr Mystery]

splooooosh! (http://www.polygon.com/2015/3/30/8312225/square-enixs-version-of-star-wars-isnt-messing-around)

[CoffeeGrunt]

Oooooh, pretty! Though it has to be said it just feels like they've 'modernised' the armour design to fit the Halo/Crysis era of power armour aesthetics.

[eldargal]

https://41.media.tumblr.com/1e03afd425f0409ed86dca8eda52d4be/tumblr_nnlbslZwbT1qg10guo1_540.png
https://41.media.tumblr.com/e35b44a3658bdf5cd9d43bf2338cb7c3/tumblr_nnlbslZwbT1qg10guo2_540.png

[Mr Mystery]

I'll just pop these here, yeah?

[eldargal]

Rey is too cute.><

[Mr Mystery]

I'm most excite about the alien group shot meself. Nice to see the feel of Star Wars back again!

[eldargal]

That was also good.

[Mr Mystery]

Two more.

[eldargal]

All them little white dots are CGI marker thingies I think, so wonder what they are doing to her face...

[Mr Mystery]

Defo motion capture of some kind.

Still hoping Ventriss!

[Mr Mystery]

Captain Phasma = Brienne,

[CoffeeGrunt]

Looking forward to seeing Gwen as one of the Big Bads in this. She's got real stature and presence in Game of Thrones, plus judging from the interviews from that show, she's insane enough to make the role fun.

[eldargal]

Captain Phasma = Brienne,

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=13942&d=1430764140
<3

[Mud Duck]

I'm not sure on the whole chrome armor look. It screams "I'm special! Shoot me first!" Plus having to buff it out every time you wear it. The cost in Brasso alone would bankrupt the Empire.

[DarkLink]

It's so her slain enemies can see the fear in their own eyes as she beats them to death... or is that too dark for a Disney movie?

[Morgrim]

This is a series that had a monster who would torture you for years as it slowly digested you, and a major character dismembered and dropped into lava to slowly and painfully burn alive. That's light and fluffy in comparison.

[eldargal]

I'm not sure on the whole chrome armor look. It screams "I'm special! Shoot me first!" Plus having to buff it out every time you wear it. The cost in Brasso alone would bankrupt the Empire.

That's not unprecedented, the Romans actually equipped officers with fancier, less protective armour as a way of discouraging heroics.

[Psychosplodge]

I thought they were supposed to lead from the front?

[Gotthammer]

https://40.media.tumblr.com/f80d618f156f64b7969ee622acde330d/tumblr_nnwn5wedVa1qb3xp3o1_540.png

[eldargal]

Omigosh lol.:p

[Psychosplodge]

Does he still know nothing?