World Exclusive: Han Solo And Chewbacca Final Concept Artwork For STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS !!

This is the real deal folks! I received these concept art images directly from my top STAR WARS source and so you know these are absolutely legit. This is the same source that gave us the exclusive information years ago that STAR WARS VII, VIII & IX are coming and that the original cast would be involved. I have complete and absolute trust in this source, so have a look and enjoy!

These are absolutely final iterations of concept art for Episode VII.

I am loving the artwork here. Looks like a gorgeous watercolor (by hand?) with Solo's name in grey at the bottom right and Chewbacca may be a pastel or digitally done. I'll leave you guys to zoom in and do further analysis which I'm sure you will be doing, but Han Solo in particular definitely looks the hero role! And that's an awesome full length coat he's got on! Definitely has a western brown leather feel to it as opposed to his black and white fashions of the original series.

He definitely still has it! There are few actors that can carry a role like Harrison Ford and I can't wait for him to revisit this iconic character. Back behind the wheel of the Millennium Falcon!

Speaking of iconic roles, how about Solo's good ol' buddy Chewbacca? Check him out! I don't see too much in the way of difference with Chewy except for perhaps some aging going on. Maybe some of you eagle eyed Star Wars fans can spot some differences that I'm not.

Chewy does look quite pensive in the artwork. What's on his mind? Looks a little worried about something.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the early look at these pieces of final concept art while you can. I suspect Lucasfilm will want to have these removed soon. Just a guess.

I will have more STAR WARS and AVATAR exclusives coming up soon. You KNOW I will :-) Have a happy holidays everyone! Nothing beats an early gift right?

STAR WARS EPISODE VII: THE FORCE AWAKENS will open on December 18, 2015.

EXCLUSIVE: Source Update On STAR WARS EPISODE VII ! Casting, The Twins And TWO More Indys !!

Here's the latest and greatest about the state of affairs regarding STAR WARS: EPISODE VII ! This all comes from my top STAR WARS source - the one who gave us the news that Lucas was planing a third trilogy in 3D (back in 2009), and that Lucas would not be directing. Quite frankly, I think he's been the top STAR WARS source for advance news for at least the past 5 years.

Here's what my source had to say about some of who will wind up being cast:
"Ian McDiarmid, Harrison Ford (our exclusive story), Carrie Fisher (our exclusive story), Mark Hamill (our exclusive story), Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Warwick Davies, Benedict Cumberbatch and Gary Oldman. I believe Cumberbatch and Oldman were pursued for the same role, but I don't know how that will work out with the script changes, but I'm told they are both involved." 
- So yeah, Cumberbatch and Oldman too potentially. Awesome casting if all goes well. 

"Regarding Harrison Ford, two more Indiana Jones features are in the negotiation stages as per Ford's contract clause on Star Wars, which is the primary reason he didn't 'publicly' or 'privately' commit, or so I'm told." 
- There you go guys - TWO more Indiana Jones movies being planned, not just one. I'll try to get more info on this asap.

"Many Star Wars pre-production issues, an 'inadequate' central story which nobody would stamp off on, a problematic initial release date and an 'indecisive' director (J.J. Abrams) with the hardest gig in the industry. It's not going to be a cakewalk, but it will be a product shipping with the majority of its original parts." 
- Confirmation of the current state of things.


"Ultimately it's about twins, and which will take a path towards darkness and which will follow in their fathers footsteps, or at least that is what it used to be, that may come later as I think changes are being undertaken to bring the original cast into the forefront of the story leading to ramifications that lead up to the next generation of Skywalkers." 
- So we could be seeing an evolution of the story with the availability and willingness of the original cast plus the fact the Abrams is notorious for changing dogma (*ahem* STAR TREK). When Lucas handed Disney the keys to STAR WARS I believe that dogma was intact but now it seems changes may be afoot. We'll see. In the meantime, MarketSaw will continue to be your best site for advance news on the STAR WARS sequels. I have 100% confidence in this source. If he says it's happening, it is happening. Right now. Of course things could change especially with JJ at the helm, but as of this very second - this news is up to date.

More when I get it! And thanks again - you know who you are :-) Click here for all of our Star Wars coverage over the years.


STAR WARS: EPISODE VII is slated for release on December 18, 2015.

JJ Abrams: STAR WARS Script Is Done!

Here's an update that director J.J. Abrams gave on STAR WARS EPISODE VII recently to media during the TCA Press Tour for his TV series BELIEVE.

The biggest news out of the session is that the script is in hand for the movie which opens the door to the next phases of pre-production including casting. Further is Abrams insistence on using film for the movie. Meanwhile, Paramount has totally thrown film out the window and distributed THE WOLF OF WALL STREET completely by digital distribution. Only 8% of all theaters remain film only projection. Fox is also due to stop film distribution as is Disney and Lionsgate.

Disney is investing a TON of money into first of all buying Lucasfilm, but secondly in the new franchise movie budgets. Why would you invest top dollar into a dying, and in fact dead (in some studios) medium? The Abrams and Nolans in the world do carry significant sway obviously but we are talking hundreds of millions of dollars here.

What are your thoughts on film vs. digital distribution? You know where I stand...

Here's the Q and A:

Are you close to finding a director for Star Trek 3?

Abrams: I’m just focusing on Episode VII, right now. That’s the focus.

Where are you on Star Wars? Is the script done?

Abrams: Yeah. We’re working really hard. We’ve got our script and we’re in deep prep. We’re full steam ahead.

Since you’re going to have to start production soon, when might we hear announcements about cast?

Abrams: When the announcements happen. But, we’re working really hard on it and it’s quite a thrill.

What are the craziest rumors you heard?

Abrams: God, there have been so many of them, honestly. I don’t know. But, it’s amazing to see how many there are. It’s really remarkable. But, it’s sweet because it shows that there’s an interest in this movie that we all obviously know is there. It is an incredible thing to see how many crazy things get thrown out that people then often write commentaries about how happy they are or how disappointed they are about something that’s completely false. But, it’s a lot of noise, frankly.

Was the Jesse Plemons report accurate?

Abrams: He is one of the actors that we’ve talked to, yeah. It’s not often that I read about actors that I’m going to be meeting. I get to read articles about actors who were going to come in, so I get to see someone and say, “Oh, I read that I was going to see you. It’s very nice to see you.” It’s usually agents talking to people about what’s happening. It’s just a lot of noise.

Would you like to shoot it in IMAX, at all?

Abrams: In the right situation, I’d like to use IMAX again. The problem with IMAX is that it’s a very loud camera. It’s a very unreliable camera. Only so much film can be in the camera. You can’t really do intimate scenes with it. It’s slow. They break down often. Having said that, they’re working on digital versions of that, so there may be a version one day. But, we’re going to be shooting this next movie on film.

More STAR WARS news when we get it...

Exclusive Update: Alfonso Cuaron Lining Up For STAR WARS Ep VIII? Simon Pegg Going STAR WARS On Us?

You all know by now that we have some great sources embedded in key franchises - one of which is the mighty STAR WARS universe. Well the same source that gave us the exclusive that the third STAR WARS trilogy is going to happen, in 3D, without Lucas directing, that it will focus on the Skywalker offspring, and that the trilogy will follow in the original trilogy's tone is back.

So what's cooking now? How about Alfonso Cuaron getting up close and personal? I mentioned Episode VIII, but it could be Episode IX as well (or both for that matter). I would LOVE to see a STARS WARS movie directed by Cuaron. So many people are going to have the light turned on as to how brilliant a director he is after they see GRAVITY this year.

Anyway, I won't further spoil the spy info - so read on and we'll discuss afterwards!

READ ON...

As far as I know Episode 7 was then, and is now, focusing on the Skywalker's offspring. As I told you before, I believe duel personalities develop, akin to Anakin and Obi Wan, and Luke and Vader in the first trilogies, which as far as I am aware, is the driving force behind the new trilogy. Things may change however, but I doubt it, this has been long in the making.

The focus is on the original trilogy in regards of reverence and tone. Remember I told you before that the tone was important, well I believe they are really taking that seriously. From everything I know, they're focusing on that directly. Remember everything has the ability to change drastically, as Star Wars right now apart from the twin trilogies is a huge blank canvas. However, the trilogies ongoing narrative will continue to focus on that particular branch, whereas the stand alone movies, will fill and expand the voids in between in multiple timelines, and have potential to then be franchised themselves in regards to the worlds they open up.

Yoda, Palpatine, Jabba, Boba, Plagueis etc.

I believe they are very clued into what fans would and wouldn't like, and considering Mr Ford himself may not be done with his character yet, I wouldn't start picketing Lucasfilm about young Han Solo movies being made just yet. Which I was led to believe couldn't be further from how they want to move forward creatively anyway.

Harrison Ford has been approached, he has not turned it down, and is from everything I hear, very interested in returning to the role of Han Solo again, but is not signed as was reported recently. Negotiating may be a better choice of words right now. Hope it shakes out.

Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher were also approached a long time ago, as was ford, and a few other key players. I would all but guarantee, they will be in Episode 7, and I would be confident that Ford will return too. If the universe aligns correctly.

J.J. Abrams name was brought up to me numerous times, but only in reference to re-brand and ground up respect for world building that the franchise was looking to take back then. Very sneaky. Interesting to see he was offered the most coveted and feared gig in cinema history. Ultimately he is the perfect choice to direct episode 7, and set up the franchise to steward through the first trilogy. The names I mentioned to you before, remember them (EDITOR'S NOTE: my source's director list can be found here). Alfonso Cuaron especially. Trust me.

J.J. Abrams mystery cube or whatever he is calling it today, is in full effect, Star Wars news is going to be very thin on the ground for the foreseeable future, but expect Simon Pegg to be involved in some capacity. Can't say why, but lets just say I have a strong feeling about that.

Star Wars fans, Kathleen and J.J have your interests at heart.

So, very interesting!! And what is Simon Pegg doing with STAR WARS? Ideas? Is he jumping with Abrams in some fashion? Clearly he is deep in STAR TREK but being the miracle worker that Scotty is, apparently Pegg is needed in the STAR WARS universe as well!

And Cuaron? Hopefully that happens. As of right now it is in the works, so fingers crossed! More exclusive STAR WARS, AVATAR and HOBBIT info when I get it!

Further Confirmation Of Our Exclusive: Mark Hamill Says Original Cast In Talks...

Yes - Mark Hamill has chimed in on the story we broke back in November that the original cast will be back for the third trilogy, the real possibility of including the Skywalker offspring as characters and that the tone of the new trilogy will be much closer to Ep IV, V and VI then I, II and III.

I've been paying very close attention to franchise developments especially since we broke the story that there will indeed be a new STAR WARS trilogy and that it will be in 3D. In fact, Steve Sansweet even had the gall to to call our story ignorant and stupid. One of the beautiful things about the Internet is that it never forgets :-)

Anyway, Hamill had a few things to say on the subject:
(On whether he will appear in STAR WARS VII):  "They're talking to us. George [Lucas] wanted to know whether we'd be interested. He did say that if we didn't want to do it, they wouldn't cast another actor in our parts – they would write us out. … I can tell you right away that we haven't signed any contracts. We're in the stage where they want us to go in and meet with Michael Arndt, who is the writer, and Kathleen Kennedy, who is going to run Lucasfilm. Both have had meetings set that were postponed -- on their end, not mine. They're more busy than I am."

(On the tone he would like to see used with STAR WARS VII): "I said to George that I wanted to go back to the way it was, in the sense that ours was much more carefree and lighthearted and humorous – in my opinion, anyway. And another thing I'd want to make sure of is are we going to have the whole gang back? Is Carrie and Harrison and Billy Dee and Tony Daniels, everybody that's around from the original [returning]? I want to make sure that everybody's on board here, rather than just one. I guess I'll have to tune into your show to figure out who's on board."

"I'm assuming, because I haven't talked to the writers, that these movies would be about our offspring -- like my character would be sort of in the Obi-Wan range [as] an influential character. ...'Well, I'm going to wind up like Sir Alec [Guinness]. I'm going to be a lonely old hermit living out in some kind of desert igloo with a couple of robots.'"

"I hope they find the right balance of CGI with practical effects. I love props, I love models, miniatures, matte paintings -- I'm sort of old school. I think if you go too far in the direction of CGI it winds up looking like just a giant a video game, and that's unfortunate. … If they listen to me at all, it'll be, 'Lighten up and go retro with the way it looks."

So a fair amount of things to say with the end result being bang on with what we presented. I'll have more information on the new trilogy and hopefully the spinoffs when I get in touch with our magnificent source with knowledge of the situation!

Source: ETOnline

MarketSaw Exclusive Gains Traction!! You Heard It Here First - Harrison Ford Circling STAR WARS: EPISODE VII

Well if you are a MarketSaw reader than you know that we had this story a LONG time ago in a post far, far away. But going back even further to October 21, 2009 we were the first to break the story that the STAR WARS franchise will have Episodes VII, VIII and IX *AND* that they were going to be in stereoscopic 3D *AND* that George Lucas would NOT be directing.

All of that has been been proven correct and verified by Lucasfilm (eventually - they denied it at first of course) and Disney.

Let's skip ahead to November 2, 2012 now, when we broke yet another exclusive story that the third trilogy (EP VII, VIII and IX) will in fact bring back the original stars including Harrison Ford as Hans Solo. Yeah, this is old news. Ford may be close to signing something, but the fact that the story involves him and that he may have already been approached is MarketSaw's story.

It's nice to know that all of our STAR WARS exclusives are coming true (just like all of our AVATAR and HOBBIT exclusives) but it does irk me that other sites claim to have the exclusives on these things. Not by a long shot.

Keep checking back with us if you want to be the first to know, months if not YEARS before other sites. More STAR WARS and AVATAR news soon!!

Source: Ford close to signing via Latinoreview 

 

CONFIRMED: J.J. Abrams Taking Reins Of STAR WARS: EPISODE VII

Finally we have word (via The Wrap) that J.J. Abrams has accepted the helm of STAR WARS: EPISODE VII! This after turning down the opportunity back in December.

Apparently ARGO director Ben Affleck was being seriously considered as well, but an aggressive Kathleen Kennedy and Disney nabbed the STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS director Abrams.

By the time he starts lensing EP VII Abrams will be well versed on the requirements of shooting with an eye toward a 3D conversion. I was hoping for native 3D but will we see this from Abrams? Most likely not unfortunately. But a great conversion will suffice - along the lines of Marvel have been doing lately will bring a smile to my face.

What do you think of this selection? Personally I think Affleck would have been better, but I've been warming to Abrams of late. I just think Abrams style is better suited to STAR TREK which always seemed a bit lighter to me than STAR WARS.

Source: The Wrap | Confirmed by the LA Times

Does STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Have It's Writer? Spielberg To Review Treatment??

Things are developing fast to get STAR WARS: EPISODE VII fully written and in the hands of would-be directors. Apparently Disney and Lucasfilm have found a writer they have confidence in to at least be involved in fleshing out the full storyline, if not the main writing contributor. Using George Lucas' existing material of course.

And that writer is Oscar winner Michael Arndt (TOY STORY 3, OBLIVION, THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE,  LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE) a so-called STAR WARS expert. Further, Arndt's 40-50 page treatment that he has supposedly already churned out will be read by none other than Steven Spielberg (on our list already), Brad Bird (an interesting potential choice) and J.J. Abrams (I really have to say I hate this idea).

All this speculation comes from Vulture and it's all the more powerful as they do collaborate our exclusives that are already out there, namely Spielberg's interest and that the studios want the top line cast from the original STAR WARS to return. FirstShowing seems to back up Arndt as the guy too.


Hit the jump to read what Vulture's source had to say:

More Spotlight On The Potential Director Of STAR WARS: EPISODE VII: Matthew Vaughn !!

Well it seems that Matthew Vaughn MAY be the director of choice for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII for a couple of reasons:

1. You heard it hear first that MarketSaw's own proven STAR WARS source included Vaughn as a definite possibility for the coveted role right here.

2. My friend Steve Weintraub over at Collider now has a source that now says that Vaughn is in talks with Lucasfilm / Disney for the directorship and that is why he has dropped out of the X-MEN sequel. The timing of the fact that Vaughn dropped out and that he is being considered for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII was speculated in the comments section of the various sites that picked up our news - it definitely makes sense and lends credibility to substantiate this.

Hit the jump for more...

EXCLUSIVE: More Secret Details Revealed From My Original STAR WARS Source! SKYWALKER Returns Again!!

Ok guys, by now you know of my history with this particular source and the stellar information that has been given us about STAR WARS way back in 2009. We remain in touch to which I am deeply grateful. Again this source has spoken up about what we can now expect from the Disney / Lucasfilm tandem in the coming years, and it is all very, VERY exciting.

Here is what my source has told me, some segments and some word for word, from his email I just received:

"Disney now has the power to make STAR WARS films, and everything else in the Lucasfilm archives. The movies I told you about are indeed the primary focus. Luke Skywalker is a primary focus, as are many of the original trilogy cast. Disney also realised that George Lucas and STAR WARS are one and the same, so George will certainly have a voice on any angle taken, in fact I believe it's one of many stipulations. However he will no longer have creative control, and as I said before George was already looking at other creative talents to bring his canon to life back before Disney and Lucasfilm really started negotiating (or at least to the best of my knowledge)..."

Hit the jump for more...

MarketSaw Exclusive Confirmed: STAR WARS 7, 8 And 9 Tabled. 3D Announcement Coming... DISNEY HAS BOUGHT LUCASFILM!!

Just as we said all along. STAR WARS 7, 8 and 9 are definitely coming starting in 2015 and then every 2 or 3 years. Not only that - and mark my words - they will be 3D movies too. We also said that Lucas would NOT be directing them. Boy, did we get some flack for passing along that story to the masses (almost as much as when we broke the exclusive that Peter Jackson's legal issues with new Line have been settled, he will be directing not just 1, but 3 Hobbit movies and that they will be shot in native 3D), but in the end we were right on both stories.

MarketSaw also had the story that the existing STAR WARS library would be converted as well.

$4 billion dollars later and Disney owns Lucasfilm, complete with STAR WARS 7, 8 and 9 in development already. Nice job! Add in Pixar and Marvel with Disney's already burgeoning resources and wow, what a modern media company!

Hit the jump for more...

Release Date Change: Star Wars Eps II & III Now Slated for Fall 2013

Tim here. In a surprise announcement out of Orlando, where the Star Wars Celebration VI event is taking place, Lucasfilm announced that Star Wars Episodes II Attack of the Clones in 3D and Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith in 3D will be released in theaters back to back in fall of 2013. The second and third prequel will be arriving September 20th and October 11th, respectively. No reason was given for the back to back release.

The dates were revealed in a very amusing manner: Via a video of The Emperor himself, Ian McDiarmid, saying the date, only for George Lucas – who it turned out was sitting beside him – to tell him to repeat what he said, “Faster and more intense.”

Earlier this year Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace in 3D was released in theaters. The original plan was to release the next 5 each year after that. Menace was released in February, and the push back to September for Clones may be to help the conversion, but as IGN reported earlier this weekend the footage shown at Celebration VI was impressive. You can read that full article here.

Some highlight impressions from IGN reporter Eric Goldman's experience (emphasis mine): "In the opening sequence of the Naboo cruiser arriving on Coruscant, the ship truly seemed to be coming out of the side of the screen. And there was a lot of cool 3D visuals in the footage we saw of Anakin and Obi-Wan’s speeder chase through Coruscant – especially when Anakin leapt from the speeder down towards Zam Wesell, and Anakin himself appeared to be a physically present figure, falling away from the viewer into the distance."

At the preview ILM’s Dennis Muren (Visual Effects on all six Star Wars films) and John Knoll (Visual Effects Supervisor on the Special Editions and the prequels) discussed the conversion process with the collected audience. They spoke about how meticulous and time-consuming it is— about a year-long in total for each film. As you all know it involves going through the entire film frame by frame to separate the elements and making sure the 3D looks correct while giving objects the proper amount of depth. In some cases, the shift in perspective in a scene has led to new digital work needing to be done. An example was shown from the end of Attack of the Clones... the scene where Palpatine and the politicians look down on the Clone Troopers and their ships. As the 3D caused a slightly different angle with blank spaces on the background which needed to be filled in. ILM had to use use the original matte paintings and backgrounds in order to fill that blank space in.

Since this whole process involves going back into a lot of the digital elements, Knoll admitted, “We might have archived things a bit differently if we knew we were coming back to it,” noting with Phantom Menace, they were dealing with elements from “13, 14 years ago. The backups only last so long. Sometimes the priorities on what you back up change over the time.” Knoll said the process had been easier on Attack of the Clones than Phantom Menace because, "The newer the film is, the easier it is to go into the archives and recover things." This makes a lot of sense.

During the closing ceremonies, the sizzle reel for Attack of the Clones 3D was shown again, along with a new addition – the first moments of the space battle over Coruscant that begin Revenge of the Sith, converted into 3D. IGN's Goldman says, "this tease of that scene from Sith – which was always visually stunning – was pretty spectacular, hinting that Sith, like Clones, has undergone a very impressive 3D conversion that is far superior to the one The Phantom Menace had."

I'm excited for the conversions of these movies. Although I wasn't a fan of the prequels, and have doubts the issues I have with them will be resolved from a 3D upgrade, I'm still interested. I'm most excited for the Original Trilogy to get the 3D treatment. However, I might add that the conversion on those could be more difficult because there are less digital elements.

The original IGN Article can be read here.

STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE Passes $1 Billion - Achieves #10 All Time

THR reports that STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE has passed the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office! MENACE has accumulated $73.4 million thus far in it's 3D re-release format ($35.8m domestically / $37.6m overseas) to reach $1,000.4 billion on Wednesday.

MENACE passed THE DARK KNIGHT to become the #10 all time box office earner when it picked up an additional $1.5 million this week.

Congratulations to the STAR WARS team! Looking forward to seeing the entire series converted ASAP!!

3D Geek Alert: AMC To Supply Podracer 3D Glasses, Darth Maul Face Painting And More!

Clearly some deep thought has gone into the marketing of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE 3D by not only Lucasfilm but the AMC Theater chain.

What's a pure STAR WARS fan truly want to remember a special event? Collectibles! During opening weekend, all 3D ticket holders for MENACE will receive a new Hasbro STAR WARS Fighter Pod. While supplies last.

Further, a select 10 AMC Theaters will host activities, giveaways and interactive experiences:
- Exclusive Anakin Skywalker Podracer 3D glasses (these look awesome!)
- A LEGO feature area
- Darth Maul face painting! What does YOUR Sith look like?
- Special character appearances for photos
- Demos of the upcoming STAR WARS game using Kinect technology

Here are those 10 special AMC locations - have a look:
Atlanta: AMC Southlake 24
Boston: AMC Loews Liberty Tree Mall 20
Chicago: AMC South Barrington 30
Denver: AMC Highlands Ranch 24
Los Angeles: AMC Tustin 14 at The District, AMC Ontario Mills 30
New York: AMC Empire 25, AMC Garden State 16
Phoenix: AMC Mesa Grand 24
San Francisco: AMC Emeryville Bay Street 16

STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE 3D hyperdrives into theaters on February 10.

MUST SEE: New STAR WARS EP I: THE PHANTOM MENACE 3D Posters!

Check out the new posters! Let's face it, there are some pretty good moments in the film. Some not so good, but I am really looking forward to this!!

Click to enlarge.

STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE opens February 10.

3D Geek Alert: Hungry? How About A Dark Vador Burger!

Yes, it's spelled wrong to those of us in North America, but the French have known Darth Vader as Dark Vador since 1977 due to the translation.

As far as in-your-face marketing is concerned, this is definitely in-your-face and your mouth potentially.

The burgers are from France and is helping to merchandise the upcoming re-release of STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE 3D. They will be available for purchase until early March and come in three different takes: The Dark Burger which is the choice of the red meat loving Darth Maul, The Jedi Burger which seems to have Quebec poutine type cheese curds and white sauce and of course the aforementioned Dark Vador Burger which will attack the taste buds of any Darth Vader lovers. Yes, the Dark Vador Burger has an ALL BLACK BUN. Don't know that if you choke on it you sound like Vader trying to breathe.

You should read the comments section about this restaurant chain in France - apparently it's not a large leap to imagine choking on it!

HuffPo offers up the translations for the ads: "...the top asks onlookers to decide which side of The Force they want to align themselves with, while the bottom encourages them to eat more than five servings of fruits and vegetables a day."

Let's face it, these burgers are in a restaurant far, far away. So, in a battle to save your galaxy, which burger would you choose? Or would you abstain and take the easy way out? :-)

Thanks for the info on France's naming of Darth Vader and on the Quick hamburger chain HDVision!

Source: HuffPo

STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE 3D Trailer Pre-rolls With THE THREE MUSKETEERS!

Well it seems like it has taken forever as George Lucas was waiting for a bar to be reached in total number of 3D screens deployed. But that day arrived over a year ago and he has been hard at work converting the six STAR WARS films to 3D since.

Now comes word that the STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE trailer will pre-roll in front of Paul W.S. Anderson's THE THREE MUSKETEERS when it parries into action on October 21.

About the only things about the two that they have in common is that they are 3D and the use of long handheld swinging weapons, but do we care? Not all that much - I just want to see this trailer after all this time!

Oh and Darth Maul did NOT die in Episode I apparently as he is in THE CLONE WARS in the spring of 2012. Here's the "bionic" statue of Darth Maul from our friends at Sideshow Collectibles, so perhaps we can expect that transition.

STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE hits screens February 10, 2012.

Source: USAToday

STAR WARS EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE Finished Conversion? Apparently So!

Apparently Bleeding Cool spoke with Prime Focus' Matt Bristowe about STAR WARS EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE and Bristowe confirmed that they have finished the conversion and the George Lucas himself has signed off on it.

It's rare that a conversion house will talk about a project before it has been officially announced as completed by their client so this is a rare treat. MANY will tell me things in confidence but I am sworn to not reveal the details to anyone, let alone publicly.

Of course I'm looking forward to seeing all these movies in 3D - and when we finally hear about the next trilogy in the STAR WARS universe I'll be even more happy :-)

George Lucas Talks STAR WARS 3D!!

Have a listen!! Can't wait for these to hit the theaters!




More when I get it!!

STAR WARS: EPISODE I THE PHANTOM MENACE Coming To 3D Theaters February 10, 2012!!!

YES!!! Finally we have a release announcement on the 3D conversions of STAR WARS and thanks to all that forwarded me the news. I was a bit surprised by the later date as I thought it would be around the holidays, but no matter. What counts is we are finally seeing the classics we know and love being converted to 3D in a loving fashion.

Here's the official press release (emphasis is mine):
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (March 3, 2011) – Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox announced today that the 3D theatrical launch of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace now has an official release date – February 10, 2012! Set against the thrilling and exotic backdrop of a “galaxy far, far away,” Star Wars is perfectly suited to the immersive 3D theatrical experience, and Episode I delivers some of the Saga’s most stunning and spectacular sequences – from the Naboo invasion to the Tatooine Podraces to the climactic lightsaber battle between Darth Maul and the Jedi. Supervised by Industrial Light & Magic, the meticulous conversion is being done with utmost respect for the source material, and with a keen eye for both technological considerations and artistic intentions.

Stay tuned for more STAR WARS conversion news and of course our exclusive coverage on a third trilogy set in the STAR WARS universe that is in the works. Follow all our STAR WARS news right here.