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In George Lucas' pulp sci-fi epic "Star Wars," the innocent farmboy Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and the blowhard smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford) infiltrate the Empire's massive Death Star base to rescue the captured Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) from a jail cell. The breakout doesn't go terribly well, sadly, and the three, along with their space-Sasquatch friend Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), get involved in a dangerous firefight with Imperial soldiers. To flee the conflagration, our heroes escape down a chute in the wall, not knowing where it leads. They find themselves inside a wet, cluttered garbage receptacle, surrounded by smelly machine parts and God knows what else. Gross, trash-eating eels lurk in the water. Well, at least they were no longer in immediate danger. 

Then, shockingly, the walls of the trash room begin closing in. They're not in a receptacle. They're in a compactor! Our four heroes do whatever they can to stop the moving walls,...

The loss of James Earl Jones has shaken Star Wars fans, creators, and the world. The beloved actor passed away on Monday at the age of 93. The legend touched many people across generations. Jones wasn't just beloved by Star Wars fans. He was part of many fandoms from Disney, Simpsons, and childhood classics like The Sandlot. Field of Dreams, Coming to America, and so many other films come to mind. Tributes are pouring in remembrance of this great man.

“James was an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit,” George Lucas said to StarWars.com. “For nearly half a century he was Darth Vader, but the secret to it all is he was a beautiful human being. He gave depth, sincerity and meaning to all his roles, amongst the most important being a devoted husband to the late Ceci and dad to Flynn. James will be...

The world is mourning James Earl Jones, but no one more than the co-stars who loved him along the way, like Mark Hamill.

Star Wars catapulted both Mark and James into film history forever, as they shared the screen during perhaps one of the biggest twists in cinematic history.

Following the news of James’ passing, Mark was among the first to release a statement mourning the loss, not just for himself, but the world at large.

James Earl Jones (R) and actress Cecilia Hart arrive at Fiji Water at 2016 Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Fiji Water) James Earl Jones Dies At 93

A triple threat – a prolific actor in film, TV and theater – James Earl Jones passed away on September 9. He was surrounded by his family at his home in Dutchess County, N.Y., his rep confirmed to Variety,...

George Lucas created one of the most successful film franchises of all time with his 1977 sci-fi film Star Wars. The film introduced viewers to the trio of Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford, with the core cast of the original trilogy proving to be one of the best examples of perfect casting choices in Hollywood franchises.

George Lucas hit the bullseye with the casting for Star Wars (Credit: HBO).

During an interview, Lucas delved deeper into the casting process for the first film. The filmmaker revealed the crucial aspects to consider while casting for a movie. Moreover, Lucas’ comments further prove that Hollywood still hasn’t learned how to rightly cast actors, especially for blockbuster franchises. Here is what Lucas had to say about casting the actors in Star Wars.

George Lucas Discussed Casting For the Original Star Wars Trilogy

George Lucas directed 1977’s Star Wars, which emerged as...

One of the more exciting aspects of The Acolyte for many Star Wars fans was the news that the Disney+ series would introduce a Wookiee Jedi in the form of Master Kelnacca, played by Chewbacca actor Joonas Suotamo (who stepped in to replace Peter Mayhew for the sequel trilogy).

Though the character only made a couple of brief appearances in the first three episodes, the closing moments of last week's instalment indicated that we'd be spending a little more time with the solitary Jedi in self-imposed exile on the jungle planet of Khofar.

As it turns out, Kelnacca's only real function in episode 4 was to die... off-screen!

Though he may still feature in flashbacks, a lot of fans viewed this as a disappointing exit for the character, and it sounds like Suotamo may feel the same.

The actor was asked if showrunner Leslye Headland told him his character would be...

Near the end of Irvin Kershner's 1980 space epic "Star Wars: Episode V -- The Empire Strikes Back," the roguish Han Solo (Harrison Ford), the outspoken Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), the friendly wookiee Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and the persnickety droid C-3Po (Anthony Daniels) hide in the Cloud City mining colony on the planet Bespin, hoping to elude capture by the evil Empire. Han, who has been pursued throughout the film, assumes they'll be safe in Cloud City, as its Baron Administrator, a man named Lando (Billy Dee Williams), is an old friend and gambling buddy. Little do they know, however, that the Empire infiltrated Cloud City before them and Lando struck a bargain to avoid a permanent Imperial occupation.

Lando's betrayal is foreshadowed dramatically when C-3Po walks into a room on Cloud City and reacts fearfully to the individual inside. There is then a zapping sound of a blaster going off,...

One of the more underrated aspects of the "Star Wars" saga is the sheer number of major characters who don't talk. Well, they do talk, but the audience is never able to understand them. R2D2 speaks in beeps and whistles, and we can only infer what he's saying based on how C3PO responds. It's a delightful bit of worldbuilding, implying so much about the inter-species relationships in this universe while never alienating us to the point where we don't get at the gist of what's going on. 

Chewbacca's another fun example of this: he speaks in growls, but his partner Han Solo always seems to have no trouble understanding him. It's mainly through body language and assumptions that we've come to the conclusion that Chewie's a loyal, kind-hearted character, someone we'd hate to see get blown up in a spaceship or put in chains. He's one of the...

‘The Acolyte’ is a new Star Wars TV series by Leslye Headland, set at the end of the High Republic era. It features Amandla Stenberg and Lee Jung-jae in leading roles. One significant addition to the Star Wars universe in the show is the first Wookie Jedi, Kelnacca, played by Joonas Suotamo, known for his role as Chewbacca, succeeding Peter Mayhew.

Kelnacca, a fresh character for the series, was unveiled by showrunner Leslye Headland at Star Wars Celebration Europe on April 8, 2023. Suotamo shared his enthusiasm about portraying a Jedi during the event.

Now, the character is set to star in his own Marvel comic. Marvel Comics will unveil fresh details about Kelnacca’s backstory in a one-shot called “Star Wars: The Acolyte – Kelnacca #1,” releasing on September 4. Penned by Cavan Scott and illustrated by Marika Cresta, this comic will connect The High Republic novels and comics with the forthcoming Disney+ series “The Acolyte.

‘The Acolyte’ is an upcoming television series set in the Star Wars universe, created by Leslye Headland. It takes place at the end of the High Republic era, before the events of the main Star Wars films. Amandla Stenberg and Lee Jung-jae are starring in the leading roles.

The show will introduce plenty of new things to the live-action and one of the most important ones is the first-ever Wookie Jedi, Kelnacca played by Joonas Suotamo who previously portrayed Chewbacca, taking over the role from Peter Mayhew.

Kelnacca, is a new character created for the show, he was introduced by showrunner Leslye Headland at Star Wars Celebration Europe on April 8, 2023. Suotamo expressed his excitement about playing a Jedi at the event.

Now it seems that the character will be getting his own Marvel comics. Marvel Comics will reveal new information about Kelnacca’s origins in a one-shot titled “Star Wars:...

The galaxy far, far away is expanding in a major way with the debut of “The Acolyte.” The series is the first live-action look the High Republic – a period where the Jedi were spread throughout the galaxy and at the height of their power and influence.

The Dark Side is on the rise for the first time when the series starts as Jedi Masters are being murdered across multiple planets. A team led by a master with connections to the suspected killer are tasked with figuring out the connection between the two.

Here’s everything you need to know about “The Acolyte” Season 1, including release date, cast, plot, and cameo details.

When does “The Acolyte” Season 1 come out?

“The Acolyte” premieres the first two of its eight-episode season on June 4 exclusively on Disney+. New episodes will drop weekly after that. Here’s the full release schedule:

Episode 1 – June 4 Episode 2 – June...

Continuing its legacy of being the gift that keeps on giving, Star Wars introduces another gem to its vast universe with Star Wars: The Acolyte. Among its countless attractions, the show has particularly piqued audience interest for one standout feature, the introduction of a new Wookiee character who happens to be a Jedi.

Star Wars: The Acolyte | Disney

As the character’s first glimpse is revealed, one hilarious burning question clouds the minds of the fans, why does Chewbacca prefer going au naturel while this Wookiee Jedi rocks a striking ensemble?

Meet The Wookiee Jedi in Star Wars’ Latest Offering, The Acolyte

In a groundbreaking moment for the Star Wars universe, the upcoming series The Acolyte will debut the first-ever live-action portrayal of a Wookiee Jedi wielding a lightsaber. Say hello to Kelnacca, a fresh addition to the galaxy’s roster of characters.

SUGGESTEDLeslye Headland Admits One Writer of The...

Cue "Goo Goo Muck" by The Cramps -- because it's time for "Wednesday" fans to get their groove back on. The second season of Netflix's immensely popular "Addams Family" spinoff series is now officially in production in Ireland after being postponed due to last year's extremely necessary dual actors and writers' strikes. Jenna Ortega will once again lead the way as the titular character, who is still her usual unsmiling and morbid self here. Well, except that, in a twist that left a lot of longtime "Addams Family" enthusiasts confused, season 1 transformed Wednesday into a cross between a Veronica Mars-style teen sleuth and a superhero, complete with heretofore unknown psychic powers.

While our own review wasn't keen on season 1, "Wednesday" broke out in a major way with the youths, not least of all thanks to characters like Wednesday's bubbly werewolf roommate -- and, should all the "Wenclair" shippers get their way,...

There are some interesting mysteries in the "Star Wars" franchise. For example, what the heck is M-Count? How did the Millennium Falcon make the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs when a parsec is a unit of measurement, not time?  And why does Chewbacca tilt his head to the side so often, particularly when he hears something that might be confusing? It's a movement reminiscent of one that dogs make when they hear something interesting and are trying to parse it out, tilting their heads from side to side in curiosity, so one might think that's it. After all, Chewie even has the luscious locks of an Irish Setter and a nose reminiscent of a Pekingese, so it would make sense.

Sadly, Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew died in 2019 at the age of 74, but before he passed away he shared a tiny tidbit about Chewie's classic head tilt, and it turns...

Star Wars’ most legendary Wookiee, Chewbacca, is many things – a loyal friend, a stellar co-pilot, a great shot, and a guilty devourer of Porgs, among others. But he’s not exactly Jedi material. His impulsiveness and propensity for guttural growls are two of the reasons he’s so beloved by fans – even though those traits are hardly the Jedi way. But in The Acolyte, for the first time in live-action, Star Wars will bring us a lightsaber-wielding Wookiee Jedi in full flow. Meet Kelnacca, an all-new walking carpet, and “another Star Wars dream come true” for actor Joonas Suotamo – the man who picked up the Chewie baton from Peter Mayhew on the sequel trilogy and Solo.

“Ever since [I was] five years old, I've been fantasising about being a Jedi, like every kid,” Suotamo tells Empire. “When the word ‘Jedi’ was first mentioned [in talks for The Acolyte], I felt really excited – like a little kid who...

After Zack Snyder kickstarted his Snyderverse with Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel, fans witnessed two iconic DC characters, Batman and Superman going against one another in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Believe it or not, it’s been 8 years since its release, making the movie more special with fans of live-action and comics alike.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

To commemorate the eighth anniversary of Snyder’s cinematic spectacle, an X account has shared the movie’s concept art. It shows an interesting take on the main trio, particularly Gotham’s Caped Crusader.

Early Concept Art of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Shows Batman With Machine Gun

It’s finally been 8 years after the release of the iconic Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice featuring a face-off between the titular characters. To celebrate the cinematic project’s 8-year release, HeroesUnbound shared the concept art for...

Star Wars‘ is truly trailblazing in visual sense, but John Williams’ music for Episode IV: A New Hope marked the beginning of something fresh. The legendary composer has created music for the adventures of dinosaur-filled islands (Jurassic Park), the intense realities of war (Saving Private Ryan), and the magical realms of wizards (Harry Potter) but nothing compares to his music for epic space battles (Star Wars).

Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Peter Mayhew, and Derek Lyons in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Williams was requested to compose music for a film that would forever alter the landscape of filmmaking. The skilled composer matched director George Lucas’ vision with an opening theme that perfectly set the tone, grabbing viewers’ attention right from the start. But he would have almost made the same mistake as many Star Wars fans in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.

1 Fatal Mistake...

Anthony Daniels is parting with his head, and he’s feeling a little hesitant.

The actor, who has played the intergalactic robot C-3Po in numerous Star Wars movies and TV shows spanning over 40 years, is unloading his entire collection of Star Wars goodies in an auction thrown by memorabilia specialists Propstore that will be held next week in Los Angeles.

One of the centerpieces of the Anthony Daniels Collection is a screen-matched light-up head that Daniels wore in 1983’s Return of the Jedi. The object, consisting of a faceplate, backplate and neck-ring, could fetch anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million. (At a similar auction involving Daniels last November, another C-3Po head gaveled for almost $850,000.)

C-3Po is central to Daniels’ identity as an actor, and that head is in some ways the mask he presents to the world. “It is not only the prop that I wore, but it was...

"Star Wars" creator George Lucas can be notoriously picky about updating and tweaking his work, as demonstrated by the additions he made to the original trilogy for their 1997 theatrical re-release. But when it came to "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back," he truly went above and beyond. During the film's initial limited theatrical run before going nationwide, Lucas decided he wanted to go back in and tweak the film a little more. That's right — even though "The Empire Strikes Back" was already in theaters, he wanted to make even more edits. This could have been a potential logistical nightmare, but the folks at Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic (Ilm) somehow pulled it together.

In a retrospective for the 40th anniversary of "The Empire Strikes Back" for StarWars.com, Ilm general manager Tom Smith and Ilm effects cameraman Ken Ralston recalled the director's zany requests to change things after the movie was already in theaters.

When it premiered in 2014, "Star Wars Rebels" introduced us to a slew of new "Star Wars" characters. One of them was former Lasat honor guard member-turned-Rebel-pilot Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios (voiced by Steven Blum). He's a bit gruff and closed off at the beginning, having dealt with the horror of the Empire massacring his people, but it's impossible not to love him. Seeing him in live-action (also played by Steven Blum) and drinking with Captain Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) in "The Mandalorian" was a huge treat for fans of "Rebels."

Zeb's character functions in much the same way as Chewbacca does in the films. He's a large and loyal friend and the muscle of the group. Zeb's look was even based on the original concept art that Ralph McQuarrie did for Chewbacca. However, Chewbacca actually changed the way "Star Wars Rebels" wrote the character of Zeb, according to a...

"Star Wars" fans of a certain age sat through it on television. Younger fans had to hunt for it on the Internet. It was the debut of Boba Fett, and there was an excruciatingly long Wookiee domestic scene without any dialogue but plenty of grunts and groans. Yes, friends, I'm talking about the "Star Wars Holiday Special." Carrie Fisher sings while high as a kite, Mark Hamill wears an astonishing amount of makeup, and Harrison Ford is clearly unhappy to be there. 

It's full of all sorts of weirdness, like Chewbacca's (Peter Mayhew) wife Malla watching a cooking show while her hairy paws cook food without gloves (eww), and Chewie's father Itchy watches soft porn in the form of a VR recording of a singing Diahann Carroll. His kid Lumpy watches some sort of variety show acrobats ... it's a mess. 

It wasn't just a disaster to watch. It was actually...

Wouldn’t a romantic affair with Santa’s son himself make your Christmas magical? The film Catch Me If You Claus brings out a romantic relationship that develops between Avery and Chris, Santa’s son himself. The magic element in the film has been beautifully portrayed under the able direction of Bradley Walsh. The cast includes renowned actors like Italia Ricci and Luke Macfarlane. The romance-comedy build itself on magic realism, adding to the festive vibe of the season! Will Chris and Avery be able to help each other out? What circumstances will make them fall in love? We are yet to find the answers to these questions!

Spoiler Alert

How Do Chris And Avery Meet?

While Avery is preparing to become a famous news anchor like her mother, Sophie Ashburn, she comes across an unexpected guest at her house. He is not the usual kind of visitor that one would expect,...

Star Wars fans will truly get to feel A Disturbance in the Force when a documentary about the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special — which debuted 45 years ago today, on CBS — is released.

Having premiered back in March at the SXSW Film Festival, A Disturbance in the Force will be released on digital and Blu-ray on Tuesday, Dec. 5, our sister site Variety reports. The 86-minute docu will also play in select theaters across the U.S. ahead of its digital release.

More from TVLineThe Late Ray Stevenson Was Terrific on Disney+'s Ahsoka Series - But Now His Role Should Be...

Forget Wookiees. Ewoks are the best! No one throw blue milk at me, but as much as I love Chewbacca, having Ewoks, led by Wicket (Warwick Davis), as the furry creatures in the climactic battle of "Star Wars: Episode VI -- Return of the Jedi" was perfect. If you were a kid when that film came out, adorable angry teddy bears with spears who maybe eat people were just about perfect. Wicket was the first Ewok audiences got to meet when he ran into Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) on the moon of Endor after she crashes.

The thing that worked so well in that very first scene was how animated Wicket looked. He was a fully-realized character, despite the fact that the face of the costume didn't really move any better than something you'd pick up at Party City. From his bouncy walk as he joins Leia on a fallen...

Perhaps no other film has shaped Hollywood like "Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope" has since 1977, which is not bad for a movie whose crew regarded it as a joke during production. George Lucas' epic saga of space wizards, space fascists, and plucky everyday heroes long ago in a galaxy far, far away was ground-breaking in its VFX, yet its story looked to the past. Drawing from a myriad of sources across different cultures and genres, Lucas wove a fairy tale as elemental as any in its depiction of the eternal war between the forces of darkness and light.

Due to its success, the cast of "Star Wars" would forever be associated first and foremost with their roles in the film, sometimes to the chagrin of the actors who had led long and illustrious careers before that. For the likes of Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels,...

We’ve all dreamt of what taking an adventure worthy of cinema would be like. Exploring depths unknown, defeating evil at impossible odds, meeting and making lifelong friends…you get the picture.

It’s why adventure remains a popular entertainment format even today. And the genre doesn’t seem to be slowing down either…

Capturing moviegoers’ imaginations, the 2023 releases of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” affirms this trend conclusively.

There’s good news for fans of reel epics filled with breathtaking journeys and heart-stopping escapades. With platforms like IMDb, uncovering the crème de la crème of adventure films is a mere click away.

Based on the democratic verdict of millions of viewers on IMDb, we bring you the most revered adventure movies of all time. These films often glitter with accolades, embodying the zenith of cinematic exploration and adventure.

Related: 10 Best Movie Remakes of All Time,...

The term "alien" is a funny one to use in the context of "Star Wars." So far as we know, none of the humans in a galaxy far, far away are from Earth, so technically every "Star Wars" character is an alien. Conceivably, this could also mean that just about everyone in "Star Wars" can have sex and reproduce with each other, assuming they're not subject to the same biological laws that govern us Earthlings. (We here at /Film only ask the important questions about pop culture.) 

It's canon that humans and Jawas have hooked up, and we've already seen hybrid-species characters introduced under the watchful eyes of the House of Mouse, most notably Jacen Syndulla (Kanan Jarrus and Hera Syndulla's son in "Star Wars Rebels"). "The Acolyte," the upcoming live-action series that takes place about a century before the Skywalker Saga, will also feature what Empire referred to in...

Star Wars Celebration is happening right now in the U.K. and we are learning an awful lot about the future of a galaxy far, far away, both on the big and small screen. The opening day panel was all about the future of "Star Wars," and those in attendance were treated to a first look at the upcoming series "The Acolyte," which is set in The High Republic era, long before the beginning of the prequels. We're going back hundreds of years in the timeline, and the furthest back we've ever seen in live-action.

/Film was in attendance at the panel, and we've got all the details shared by the cast and crew, as well as a description of the footage that was shown. Showrunner Leslye Headland stepped out on stage to share what she could about what they're cooking up. "This is when the bad guys are outnumbered,...

Star Wars Celebration 2023 is in full swing, and fans have gathered worldwide to experience the latest happenings in galaxies far, far away! Early in the event’s big presentation, exciting details about the upcoming Star Wars series, The Acolyte, forced its way onto the stage. At the exhibition’s top, The Acolyte director Leslye Headland walked out to deafening screams of excitement.

Headland says The Acolyte is a story told from the villains’ perspective in the Star Wars Universe. The tale takes place between the High Republic and the prequels, with aspects of the show taking inspiration from many martial arts films and stories, including wuxia and samurai. The Acolyte features a Wookie Jedi character fans will come to love. Joonas Suotamo, the body double for Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and replaced Mayhew after the iconic Star Wars actor passed away, is thrilled to...

Star Wars fans are paying tribute to Angie Mayhew, the wife of actor Peter Mayhew.

As the wife of the Chewbacca star, who died in 2019, Angie would regularlu attend conventions alongside her husband, and was embraced by the fandom.

After his death, Angie would regularly update Star Wars fans via the Peter Mayhew Foundation, who announced news of her death on Sunday (2 April).

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved Angie Mayhew,” the statement read.

“After complications from a double heart valve replacement surgery, she has joined her beloved, Peter Mayhew, in the stars. Her kindness, love and generosity will always be remembered.”

Angie recently spoke out against the selling of her late husband’s Star Wars memorabilia that was found in his attic after he died.

“When we moved out of this house, Peter’s movement challenges made it impossible for him...

Before "Star Wars" came out in 1977, no one could have anticipated the change it would make to the entertainment landscape. The simple hero's story about a young man named Luke Skywalker set in space became as ubiquitous as sliced bread, and you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone in the world who hasn't at least heard of the franchise. More than four-and-a-half decades later, we have multiple films, TV series, toys, video games, comics, and more. 

Mark Hamill starred as Skywalker in six of the films (and a very odd episode of "The Muppet Show"). In the first three, he went from a kid working on his uncle's moisture farm to a padawan to a Jedi, learned that his father was Darth Vader, lost a hand, discovered Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) was his twin, formed a bond with rogue pilot Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and his buddy Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and saved the galaxy.

As someone who has been a "Star Wars" fan since I saw the first film as a little girl, I've been part of many debates about the original series. Years before the first prequel, "The Phantom Menace," came out in 1999, I was arguing for and against characters with my friends, defending the Ewoks (I was just the right age), and trying to figure out why so many characters couldn't keep their arms attached to their bodies.

The Ewoks were a big argument, though, which has often led to a debate on who exactly the films were made for. Were the "Star Wars" films for children? I'd always thought so — at least for the first trilogy. Often the argument was that the idea of a murderous father was too awful for kids. My defense was always that "The Hobbit," assorted fairy tales with parents who leave their children in the woods...

The Star Wars franchise boasts a whole lot of rogues, from Han Solo (Harrison Ford) to Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), but none can hold a candle to Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) in the charm department. From the first moment we meet him in "Star Wars: Episode V -- The Empire Strikes Back," the man oozes charisma from every pore. Part of it is Williams' natural charisma (which was carried on beautifully with Donald Glover's portrayal in "Solo: A Star Wars Story"). Part of it is the delivery of lines like, "Everything you've heard about me is true." A very big part of it is that cape he always has on. Williams swirls that thing around and wears it like he was born in it. 

For a quick refresher -- not that anyone could forget Lando -- this gambler and con man-turned General of the Rebellion met Han Solo...

There was a disturbance in the Force on Nov. 17, 1978. Eighteen months after Star Wars became a phenomenon, CBS aired the Star Wars Holiday Special, one of the more infamous chapters in the franchise’s lore. Now, a new documentary seeks to explain what really happened.

The Hollywood Reporter has the trailer for Disturbance in the Force, ahead of the doc’s debut at South by Southwest on March 11.

The Star Wars Holiday Special, seen by 13 million people, starred the original cast and centered on Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) flying to the Wookiee home planet to celebrate a holiday called Life Day.

The special was so reviled that it never aired again and was denounced by Star Wars creator George Lucas, who was only minimally involved. As he said a year later at an Australian convention, “If I had the time and a sledgehammer, I would track...

Aptly named for the acidic smell of deteriorating film, Vinegar Syndrome made an auspicious debut in 2013 with its inaugural release, The Lost Films of Herschell Gordon Lewis. In the decade since, they have unearthed, restored, and distributed hundreds of cult, exploitation, horror, action, and adult films.

Popping in a new Vinegar Syndrome disc is a bit like cinematic Russian roulette. It’s always interesting, but you never know if you’re going to get an obscure masterpiece, a campy B-movie, a so-bad-it’s-good slice of fun, or a dud. The unknown is half the fun, and discovering those diamonds in the rough makes it worthwhile.

In celebration of their anniversary, I’m highlighting 10 hidden gems from Vinegar Syndrome’s first 10 years.

To narrow the choices, I’m ignoring the heavy hitters like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 and The Amityville Horror, box sets like Forgotten Gialli and Home Grown Horrors,...

As the middle chapter of George Lucas' original "Star Wars" trilogy (the "Ot"), "The Empire Strikes Back" was designed to leave moviegoers wanting more. Unlike the first movie, the sequel paid homage to the serialized cliffhanger style of storytelling that inspired the saga -- but quite unlike those Saturday matinee serials, the next installment wasn't a week away. When viewers walked out of "Episode V," they were facing a three-year wait for the trilogy's resolution.

And many of them were steamed.

Lucas played particularly rough with his newfound fanbase in "Empire." Darth Vader dished out a lightsaber whuppin' to the saga's Jedi-in-training protagonist, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), slashing off the youngster's hand and informing him that he is, in fact, his father. But Luke got off relatively easy compared to Harrison Ford's Han Solo. The interstellar rogue got placed in suspended animation via carbonite, and was ferried back to...

When Peter Mayhew died in 2019, the actor best known for his “Chewbacca” role in several installments of the Star Wars series left behind an attic full of memorabilia.

The items included an original Star Wars script and a call sheet. Health problems prevented Mayhew from retrieving them from his attic when he moved, so the house’s new owners took custody.

Time passed, and the abandoned merchandise was recently put up for auction. That’s when the late actor’s wife, Angie Mayhew, got word of the potential sale and tweeted her dismay that the items were to be sold.

Auctioneer Angus Ashworth stepped in.

“I was approached by a lovely older couple who were clearing their attic a quarter of a century after moving into their property,” Ashworth said in a statement, per the BBC. “The contents of the attic included a bag of Star Wars memorabilia, which I...

Harrison Ford is one of the biggest movie stars of all time. He went from the "cool big brother" in roles like Han Solo and Indiana Jones, then graduated to "America's Dad" in the Jack Ryan movies and "Air Force One." What kid in the '80s didn't want to be Ford, and what kid in the '90s didn't want to be raised (and rescued from terrorists) by him? As an '80s and '90s kid, I'm well-versed in Ford's filmography, having seen almost all of his movies. Yes, even the obscure ones like "The Frisco Kid." Okay, I've missed a lot of his 2000s and 2010s run, but let's be honest, Ford's choices have been pretty inexplicable ("Cowboys & Aliens?"; "Extreme Measures?"; "Morning Glory?"). No, I prefer prime Ford.

Rather than be smothered by Captain Solo and Dr. Jones, Ford used his most famous roles to craft...

Peter Mayhew‘s wife, Angie Mayhew, is raising concerns about an upcoming auction that includes her husband’s Star Wars memorabilia. Mayhew, of course, is the actor who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars Universe. The actor passed away in 2019, though his memory lives forever through generations of Star Wars fans and his many appearances as the war-hardened Wookie. According to reports, Ryedale Auctioneers will sell Star Wars scripts, call sheets, and items found in Mayhew’s attic after his death. Angie Mayhew, who is against the things going up for auction, says the circumstances of the sale “really breaks [her] heart.”

“When we moved out of this house, Peter’s movement challenges made it impossible for him to get into the attic to get the rest of these memories,” Angie wrote on Twitter. “It really breaks my heart to see our belongings auctioned off like this by [auction house founder] Angus Ashworth and Ryedale Auctioneers.

Angie Mayhew, the wife of the late “Star Wars” actor Peter Mayhew, is speaking out against an upcoming auction in which Peter’s “Star Wars” memorabilia will be sold. Ryedale Auctioneers is selling “Star Wars” scripts, call-sheets and more that were discovered in Peter Mayhew’s attic after his death. Peter starred as Chewbacca in George Lucas’ original “Star Wars” trilogy. Angie took to Twitter to say the auction “really breaks [her] heart.”

“When we moved out of this house, Peter’s movement challenges made it impossible for him to get into the attic to get the rest of these memories,” Angie wrote. “It really breaks my heart to see our belongings auctioned off like this by [auction house founder] Angus Ashworth and Ryedale Auctioneers.”

“It was one of Peter’s and my biggest regrets that we had to leave these items behind,” Angie added. “His knees and joints had gotten to be so...

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who think Han Solo (Harrison Ford) is the best "Star Wars" character and those who are wrong. This article is tailor-made for the former, but it may sway folks from the latter view. Regardless of your position on scoundrels, there is little doubt that Han has had a ton of memorable moments across the four "Star Wars" films he's been in. This article delves into the best of those.

One scene you won't see included is Han shooting Greedo (first!) before the Rodian can kill him. If we had easy access to the original cut, this scene would be a no-brainer, as it firmly establishes who Han is right from the beginning. It is rare indeed to start a heroic character's arc with a murder, justified or not. Since the Special Editions edited out this scene, we're reluctantly leaving it off our list.

Have you ever wondered what R2-D2 is saying with the little beeps and boops and whirring that he does? Is he quoting the galaxy far, far away's version of William Shakespeare? Could he be making a great argument that Luke and Leia really shouldn't be kissing each other? Is he waxing philosophical about the steps that led the galactic government to become the Empire? Perhaps he is commenting on the prequels? Nope. As it turns out, he's just telling everyone to f*&@ *^. 

This little astromech droid has a long history in the "Star Wars" universe. We first saw him in "Star Wars: Episode IV -- A New Hope" as Princess Leia gave him data tapes with her message to Obi-Wan Kenobi. We saw his escape from a starship to Tatooine with his bestie, the protocol droid C-3Po, and his befriending of future jedi Luke Skywalker. Later, we learned...

Lightsaber combat is an integral part of Star Wars DNA. The franchise is an amalgamation of many different genres, and a "laser sword" combines the futurism of science fiction with the chivalry of medieval knights. Even if it doesn't feel as exciting today as it was in 1977, Obi-Wan Kenobi's (Sir Alec Guinness) duel with Darth Vader (David Prowse) in "Star Wars: Episode IV⁠ — A New Hope" established a key aspect of the saga. Luke Skywalker's (Mark Hamill) battles with Vader in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" are more epic, and conclude with shocking plot twists. Lightsaber combat grew more exciting thanks to the Star Wars prequel trilogy, where Jedi Knights wielded their weapons when they were supposedly at the height of their powers.

The Star Wars sequel trilogy found the right balance between the ways that the previous trilogies depicted lightsaber duels. Although the highly-coordinated...

It's no secret that George Lucas took inspiration from a particular animal for the design of every "Star Wars" fans' favorite Wookiee, Chewbacca. No, it wasn't the Sasquatch. But that doesn't mean there isn't a missing link between the Millennium Falcon co-pilot and the ape-like creatures rumored to live in isolation throughout the forests of North America. Enter Haden Blackman, writer and "The Force Unleashed" project leader, who wrote a short comic in 2004 that cleverly intertwined the "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" universes.

Titled "Into The Great Unknown," the comic sees the Millennium Falcon crashing down on Earth, stranding Chewbacca on our planet...

The post Why Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew Needed Protection While Filming Endor Scenes appeared first on /Film.

A new Wookiee entered the Star Wars scene with a warm welcome from Angie Mayhew, the widow of Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew.

On Wednesday Angie Mayhew tweeted a “warmest Wookiee welcome” to Carey Jones, who plays the “fierce Black Krrsantan” in Disney+’s The Book of Boba Fett. Jones’s Black Krrsantan, who first appeared in the series’ second episode, is the latest Wookiee following in the steps of the late Mayhew’s Chewbacca.

“You have some giant shoes to fill, welcome to the Wookiee family,” Angie Mayhew tweeted via the Peter Mayhew Foundation’s official Twitter account. “Peter would have loved seeing a Wookiee truly unleashed!”

Carey joins Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen in the Disney+ spinoff series. The Book of Boba Fett, which premiered on Dec. 29, finds legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett and mercenary Fennec Shand navigating the galaxy’s underworld when they return to the sands of...

What’s Wookiee for “Attaboy”?

The widow of Peter Mayhew, the 7-foot-2 Brit who famously originated the role of Chewbacca in the original Star Wars trilogy, has extended a warm welcome to The Book of Boba Fett‘s Carey Jones, who in Episode 2 of the Disney+ series made his first appearance as the gladiator-turned-bounty hunter Wookiee named Krrsantan.

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SAG-AFTRA’s unclaimed residuals fund has grown to roughly $76 million – up 60% from $48 million six years ago. According to the union, the fund now contains 124,000 separate accounts for members and others, living and dead, that it can’t locate. That’s up from 96,000 accounts in 2016.

“The funds may be unclaimed for a variety of reasons including a bad address or as a result of mail returned for other reasons; unresolved estate issues, or the funds may be in trust for an inactive or dissolved loan out corporation,” a spokesperson for the union said. “Most often, residuals may be waiting for a recipient or their agent to formalize a change of address or submit the appropriate paperwork to claim the funds. The union uses a number of tools to locate and get money to those individuals due unclaimed residuals including mail, email and telephone outreach to last known address and telephone number,...

“I’m beginning to accept the fact that I’ll probably never do another movie that gets its own day,” Mark Hamill tweets

The force will be with you, always, but it’s especially strong today. Star Wars Day is upon us once more, and “May the 4th Be With You” began trending almost immediately on Tuesday. While there are some pretty great fan tributes on this day, it’s the posts from the actual “Star Wars” cast members that pulled on heartstrings the most.

Unsurprisingly, the O.G. “Star Wars” crew were on top of their game early in the day. As always, Mark Hamill was a bit self-deprecating in his tweet, saying, “I’m beginning to accept the fact that I’ll probably never do another movie that gets its own day.”

I'm beginning to accept the fact that I'll probably never do another movie that gets its own day.

Kelly Marie Tran, Billy Dee Williams and Anthony Daniels are venturing back to a galaxy far, far away for “The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special.” The animated adventure will debut on Disney Plus on Nov. 17.

Tran (Rose Tico), Williams (Lando Calrissian) and Daniels (C-3Po) have joined the voice cast of “The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special” and will reprise their roles from the venerable film franchise. “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” actors Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker), Tom Kane, James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), and Dee Bradley Baker (clone troopers) are also lending their voices for the special.

“The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special” sees Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewie, Rose and the droids as they celebrate Life Day, a joyous celebration on Chewie’s home planet of Kashyyyk that was first introduced in the 1978 “Star Wars Holiday Special.” Set after the events of 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,...

One of the most infamous events in “Star Wars” history is getting resurrected on Disney Plus, through a lens made of Lego.

“The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special” will debut on the streaming service on Nov. 17. Set after the events of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” the special continues the partnership between Lucasfilm and Lego of making playful, tongue-in-cheek animated versions of “Star Wars” stories using Lego figures and blocks.

The 45-minute special will follow Rey as her further investigation of the Force launches her and Bb-8 across the history of the Skywalker Saga — as Finn, Poe, Rose, and Chewbacca prepare for the “Star Wars” holiday Life Day on Chewie’s home planet of Kashyyyk.

A rep for Lucasfilm tells Variety that a few “Star Wars” actors will reprise their roles for the special, but it’s still unclear whether Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, or Kelly Marie Tran are returning.

The newest baby Bacca has arrived!

Joonas Suotamo and his wife Milla Pohjasvaara have welcomed their second child together, a little girl.

The Star Wars actor shared the happy news on Instagram Friday, invoking his character Chewbacca in the announcement.

“We have some exciting news: we were blessed to welcome the newest member of our family!” he wrote in a caption accompanying a photo of the “little princess.”

“Our little princess (or senator, or general, or whatever she wants to be!) was born this week and is doing great,” he continued, going on to thank the hospital staff that helped his daughter enter the world.