Star Wars

Iron Fett? Boba Man? Yeah, Boba Man.

So special effects wizard Stan Winston has a school named after him, aimed at instructing whole new generations in the art of practical movie magic. This image was posted on their Facebook page yesterday. As loathe as I am to entertain the prospect of fanfiction, a sexy drunk playboy bounty hunter is something that could…

Someone’s Made A J.J. Abrams Star Wars Trailer. It Is Perfect.

It’ll be years until we see what Star Trek director J.J. Abrams can do with Star Wars, but in the meantime, artist Gavin Chin has made this fake trailer, cutting the original films into a clip that’s so full of Abrams’ style—and lens flare—that you’d think it was the real thing. Star Wars Trailer by…

This Is How Lucasfilm Convinced J.J. Abrams To Direct Star Wars

After the J.J. Abrams news broke out, a lot of folks were in shock—wait, he’s going to direct both Star Trek and Star Wars? And, more importantly, didn’t J.J. say he wasn’t going to do Star Wars, anyway? What happened; how was he convinced? In a profile about Kathleen Kennedy, The Hollywood Reporter reveals that…

After 35 Years, Star Wars Action Figures Might Actually Be Growing Up

For such a massive series, the standard Star Wars action figures have never exactly set the world on fire. The originals had a range of movement last seen at the Nuremberg Rally, and subsequent ones haven’t improved much. For 2013, though—and perhaps spurred on by Star Wars‘ fresh ownership—Hasbro has pulled out all the stops,…

One Of The World’s Greatest Actors Hated Working With George Lucas

Terence Stamp is one of our age’s great actors. The guy has been everyone from Dracula to General Zod, and been in everything from Young Guns to Halo 3 (he was the Prophet of Truth). One of his most notable roles in recent decades, though, was as Supreme Chancellor Valorum in Star Wars: Episode I.…

The Humble MIDI Is 30 Years Old

The Musical Instrument Digital Interface, or MIDI, turns 30 this week. While it’s used across devices and mediums, for a long time it was crucial to your experience with video games, as it was a popular way of getting electronic music stored on game cartridges and discs, especially in the 1990s. Everyone will have their…

Deadline reports that plans to re-release more Star Wars films in 3D have been scrapped. Phew.

J.J. Abrams: Being A Part Of The Next Star Wars Is ‘An Absolute Honor’

Though it was widely-reported that Star Trek director J.J. Abrams would also go on to direct the next Star Wars, it wasn’t until tonight that Lucasfilm issued an official statement. Included are not only remarks from a very humble J.J, but also industry professionals vouching that the franchise is in good hands. This includes even…

Call Lando, Beijing Is Cloud City

From Silent Hill to Blade Runner, Beijing’s air pollution is helping the metropolis look otherworldly. And this latest batch of photos make Beijing’s skyline look more like Bespin‘s. According to China.org, the smog was especially heavy on January 22 and 23. These photos show Beijing on the morning of the 22nd. Smog is slimy, double-crossing,…

Report: J.J. Abrams Will Direct The Next Star Wars [UPDATE]

Remember when J.J. Abrams said he wasn’t going to direct the next Star Wars? Apparently, that’s not true. According to a report by The Wrap, the Star Trek director will also be our new Star Wars director. Michael Arndy, behind the film Little Miss Sunshine, is said to be writing the script. Remember though: last…

Fine. Stick An Xbox 360 Inside You. You’ll Be Malfunctioning Within A Day, You Near-Sighted Scrap Pile.

If you’ve got the room (and love for Star Wars) to spare, Major League Mods are selling these custom Xbox 360 consoles that stick one of Microsoft’s machines inside a model of R2-D2. It’s not cheap—like, it’s $1300 ($1000 if you provide the Xbox)—but hey, console centrepiece showcases don’t come cheap. For something a little…

These Star Wars Cosplayers Don’t Give A F**K

Not all cosplay needs to be about “realism”. Sometimes humour can carry the day, sometimes bravado can do the job, and sometimes you can combine the two for something really special. I’m having a hard time picking my favourite. Fred Durstwalker is great, yeah, but the “classic dame” C-3PO seems to be channelling the inner…

Report: 300 Director Is Working On A New Star Wars Film Based On Seven Samurai [UPDATE: Report Debunked]

Zack Snyder, the director of blockbusters like Watchmen and 300, is currently working on a new Star Wars film set outside of the upcoming trilogy, Vulture reports Update: Hollywood Reporter says Snyder’s agent has denied the Vulture report. Original story follows: Back in November, the Los Angeles Times reported that Man of Steel and 300…

White House Responds To Death Star Petition: ‘The Administration Does Not Support Blowing Up Planets’

The White House has turned down a popular petition to begin construction on a Death Star in fairly hilarious fashion. “The Administration shares your desire for job creation and a strong national defense, but a Death Star isn’t on the horizon,” writes Paul Shawcross, chief of the Science and Space Branch at the White House…

Princess Leia Is Now An X-Wing Fighter Pilot

There’s a short piece up on Wired about a new Star Wars comic book series. There’s something new in it: Leia is a pilot. Like, an X-Wing pilot, in the orange jumpsuit and everything. Series writer Brian Wood (of DMZ fame, and formerly of Rockstar Games) did a pretty good job of explaining how/why the…

It’s Not Every Day You See Link Stabbing An X-Wing

In fact, it’s usually one of two days. The first being in January 1999, when this issue of German mag Video Games hit news stands, and the second being… today. Video Games [VGJunk]

This Artist Is Paid To Draw Star Wars Pictures All Day Long. So Jealous.

If you’d asked me as a kid what my dream job would have been, getting paid to draw pictures of Star Wars would have been right up there. So yeah, Amy Beth Christenson has quite the day job. A former senior concept at Lucasarts for over a decade, she now works at Lucasfilm, and since…

Aren’t You Guys A Little Short To Be Stormtroopers?

The art you’re seeing today comes from Daryl Mandryk, a freelance concept artist who has worked with EA on games like Need for Speed, Def Jam and SSX, and more recently on the Turok and Tron franchises. You may have seen him on Kotaku previously for that Tron stuff, but today’s gallery encompasses all of…

The Terrible Splendor Of Star Wars: The Old Republic‘s Support-Line Hold Music

The Star Wars orchestra is telling me I’m about about to go on an epic adventure. But I’m not. I’m at my desk, on hold. This morning, I had the realization that every MMO player dreads: My long-since lapsed Star Wars: The Old Republic account had actually been active since I set up a “free”…

Petition to Build the Death Star Gathers Enough Signatures to Rate a Response from the White House

A petition calling on the United States to begin construction of a moon-sized superweapon has achieved 25,000 signatures, which according to the rules of the Obama administration’s feel-good bullshit platform “We the People,” requires a response from the White House. None has yet been made. You might recall all those articles of secession a bunch…