Long Lost Empire Strikes Back Documentary Surfaces

In 1979, French filmmaker Michael Parbot made a documentary about the making of The Empire Strikes Back. Then, of course, only known as the sequel to Star Wars.

For over three decades, this documentary was thought lost. It had aired only once in December of 1981, with only snippets being preserved in recordings. A condensed version was made part of the complete Blu-Ray set of the saga in 2011

Fortunately, the whole documentary has been recently found, and is presented here in its entirety for the first time in almost 37 years.

“Solo” deleted scene shows Han flying a TIE Fighter

The upcoming home video release of Solo: A Star Wars Story will be packed with at least one deleted scene. In it, Han is shown piloting a TIE Fighter in a mission that doesn’t end well. He then is punished for insubordination and placed in infantry duty, which is where he encounters Tobias Beckett and company.

No word yet on other deleted scenes making the cut, but this particular scene shows the Corellian with plenty of his signature snark.

Solo: A Star Wars Story hits home video on September 25th.

This Week In Geek News September 3, 2018

In the latest chapter in the ongoing controversy for Guardians Of The Galaxy 3, the movie is reported to be on hold after Disney made the decision to not reinstate director James Gunn. Dave Bautista has stated that he isn’t sure he wants to return.

“They’re putting the movie off. It’s on hold indefinitely. To be honest with you, I don’t know if I want to work for Disney.”

Meanwhile, Gunn has reportedly been approached by several other studios for projects.

Warner Bros. is making not one, not two, but at least three movies involving The Joker.

1. Suicide Squad 2 has been announced for some time, but no release date, writer, or director have been revealed. Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, and Will Smith are all slated to return.

2. Also part of the DC Movie Universe will be an as of yet untitled Joker/Harley movie that would further explore the relationship between Joker and Harley Quinn. Leto and Robbie would likely return for that film that has been described as “When Harry Met Sally On Benzedrine”.

On top of that, an untitled Joker origin movie with Joaquin Phoenix and produced by Martin Scorsese. Set for an October 9th, 2019 release with a budget of $55 million dollars, it will be unrelated to any of the previous DC movie incarnations. Todd Phillips of The Hangover fame is set to direct. Alec Baldwin had been announced as Thomas Wayne, but reportedly backed out a few days later. Will this confuse fans like it did when Rogue One was released?

Also on the docket, a possible Birds Of Prey movie. Margot Robbie has reportedly expressed desire to portray Harley in her own standalone film. Birds Of Prey has been a title for DC that involved an all-female cast in various incarnations over the years. Harley has been part of the group in the comics since her turn as a more anti-hero type character. Cathy Yan (Dead Pigs) is set to direct off a Christina Hodson (Bumblebee) story. It is yet to be announced whether the film will feature Leto as Joker.

As mentioned during the show, Vin Diesel has quite the affinity for Dungeons And Dragons.

All this and more in another fun filled Geekville Radio!

This Week In Geek News August 20th, 2018

Zandrax and Crazy Train are back with four main topics in the news.

First off, Mark Hamill has been cast in the second season of Knightfall. He will portray Talus, and will debut in the second season.

“a battle-hardened Knight Templar veteran of the Crusades, who survived captivity for ten years in the Holy Land and is tasked with training the new initiates to the Order”

No premiere date is listed as of our recording, but presumably the second season will premiere late this year.

Disney has released the first glimpses of the Resistance animated series with this trailer

This is quite the departure from the 3D CGI animated of the previous two series. Does this look like another can’t miss? Or is it less appealing that the previous shows.

Marvel has teased the full blown Iron Fist costume in the teaser for Season 2.

Both Zandrax and Train liked the trailer, and any fan of Iron Fist comic will probably be happy with what’s teased.

In DC news, Watchmen has been picked up for a full season on HBO. Jeremy Irons leads the cast for the series that will be set in present day, 30 years after the events of Watchmen took place.

What did you think of these trailers? Or any of the other news? Sound off below!

Disney/Fox Merger, San Diego Comic-Con Panels

One of the biggest stories in all of geekery finished another chapter. The merger of Disney with 20th Century Fox properties has been approved by stockholders. This brings us another step closer to Disney having control of Fox material. This has obvious effects on two major properties

Marvel

  • How would this affect the MCU?
  • Could we get Hugh Jackman back?
  • What could be airing on the upcoming Disney streaming service?

Star Wars

  • Will we get a Disney produced box set?
  • What about the 3D releases?
  • Will we finally get the original Unaltered Trilogy?

In other Star Wars news, Lucasfilm has officially announced that Carrie Fisher will be appearing in Episode IX via unused footage from The Force Awakens. Plus, two more names have been announced in Richard E Grant and Naomi Acke.

And of course, Episode IX looks to be the final Star Wars movie in the Skywalker saga. Does this mean the end of the “Episode Format”?

AMC has reinstated Chris Hardwick as the host of Talking Dead, after being suspended last month. Plus, Disney has fired director James Gunn from Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3.

The second half of the show is devoted to panels from San Diego Comic-Con. Mainly the Arrowverse shows, but there’s a little bit of Wonder Woman and Shazam talk. The panels are linked below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpAaaZx4Ycw

Shazam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SCphPyHpL4

Aquaman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqiJ0TKF1vc

Wonder Woman

Arrow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkDZ_kgUih4

The Flash

Supergirl

Legends of Tomorrow

Are there any panels that interested you at San Diego Comic-Con? Sound off below!

CONFIRMED! Carrie Fisher will appear in FINAL Star Wars Episode IX

Ever since Carrie Fisher’s untimely passing in December 2016, fans have been wondering how her character Leia Organa will be handled in Star Wars Episode IX. Well, the official Star Wars website has confirmed that Fisher will be appearing as Leia in the as yet untitled film via unused footage shot for The Force Awakens. Director JJ Abrams had this to say about the decision:

“Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.”

It’s also worth noting that the press release lists Episode IX as the final installment of the Skywalker saga, and that Mark Hamill is among the returning cast.

This Week In Geek News 7/20

First off, BREAKING NEWS that Disney has revived Star Wars The Clone Wars for new episodes. The teaser was unveiled at San Diego Comic Con, check it out here.

Seth starts the show solo to express his delight at the show getting a proper revival. Could this be a lead in to Revenge Of The Sith?

Crazy Train joins for the rest of the show to talk the news that Billy Dee Williams is indeed reprising the role of Lando Calrissian for Star Wars Episode IX.  Could Seth and Train be any happier about this? Hint: No.

In other Star Wars news, the long rumored Obi-Wan Kenobi movie may start filming in April 2019. An article from a Belfast Ireland publication states that Ewan McGregor will return as Obi-Wan for the yet unnamed spin-off. Seth raises some questions as to why Ireland was chosen to make an Obi-Wan movie.

In Marvel MCU news, the Black Widow movie has taken a major step towards getting made with the news that Australian filmmaker Cate Shoreland will be directing the film. Could this be an origin story? Or something current?

In the last segment of the show, Seth and Train pay tribute to the late great Steve Ditko, who passed away last week at the age of 90. Ditko had a hand in creating one of the greatest rogue’s galleries of any superhero.

As an added bonus, Crazy Train made this Spotify Playlist with the theme of US Geography. Probably one of the only playlists you’ll find with Broadway Musical songs, Country Music, and Hip-Hop Rap.

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All this and more in another fun-filled Geekville Radio! Let us know what you think. Sound off below!

Obi-Wan Kenobi Movie Filming In April?

With the news coming out a few weeks ago that Disney may be putting the standalone Star Wars films on hold, one question seemed to be asked a lot throughout the community. Will we still get the rumored Obi-Wan Kenobi movie?

An Irish publication called The Belfast Telegraph has reported that the spin-off movie is set to film in April 2019, with Ewan McGregor reprising the role.

As Sunday Life exclusively revealed in February, Star Wars creator George Lucas visited Northern Ireland before Christmas to seal the deal for the new standalone film.

The movie will centre on the life of Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi, with Ewan McGregor reprising the role he first played in 1999’s Star Wars prequel The Phantom Menace.

This does raise a couple questions about the production, should this information be accurate.

  1. What part or parts of Obi-Wan’s life would be depicted? Fans assumed any Obi-Wan movie would revolve around the years he spent on Tatooine waiting for Luke Skywalker to come of age. Well, Belfast Ireland doesn’t exactly scream “Desert Wasteland” when it comes to environment. Perhaps this will be a story that takes place over may years in Kenobi’s life, and thus take place in different parts of the galaxy?
  2. If George Lucas has no more involvement with Star Wars, why was he needed to seal the deal? Perhaps it was only a formality? Or will Lucas be more involved in this movie? According to reports, Lucas was planning a Han Solo movie before even selling to Disney in the first place.

What do you think? Should an Obi-Wan Kenobi movie focus on Tatooine? Or should it showcase other times in the Jedi Master’s life? Sound off below and let us know!

Billy Dee Williams Is Returning As Lando Calrissian For Episode IX

The question had been asked since the announcement of new Star Wars movies: Will we see Billy Dee Williams back as Lando Calrissian?

The rumors ran rampant for the last few months, but Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Lando will finally return to the big screen in Episode IX. While Williams had reprised the role in several video games and animated productions, he did not appear in the last two proper Star Wars movies. This will mark the first time since 1983’s Return Of The Jedi that he will appear as Lando in a Star Wars film.

While the exact part the gambler turned politician will play has yet to be revealed. However, there were rumors which we mentioned in a recent episode of Geekville Radio (at approximately 12:45), that Lando may replace the role Leia would have played in Episode IX.

The Ninth Episode of The Star Wars Saga will be released on December 20th 2019, and will be directed by JJ Abrams.

What do you think about Billy Dee Williams back on the big screen as Lando Calrissian? Sound off below and let us know!

Ant-Man And The Wasp Review, Plus News

The latest Marvel MCU movie is here with Ant-Man And The Wasp. Seth and Crazy Train give a near 60 minute discussion (including SPOILERS) about the film, and where it fits in the Infinity War story. The review begins at about 25:30.

The first part of the show talks news, including the rumor that Keri Russell may be joining the cast of Star Wars Episode IX. What kind of part will she be playing? Somebody is going to be Rey’s parents sooner or later…

In the Marvel world, Kevin Feige has announced that there will be three Marvel MCU movies per year from now on.

It’s one of the reasons we’ve expanded to three films a year, is so that we could do the sequels to films that people have responded to — because we love to make continuing stories with characters people have responded to — but also keep doing the stuff that nobody’s ever heard of, and people go, ‘Why are you doing that?’ That’s fun.

News has also broken that in the next MCU Movie, Captain Marvel, Samuel L Jackson will be digitally de-aged for the entire movie.

All this and more in another fun-filled edition of Geekville Radio!

As an added bonus, Crazy Train made this Outlaw Country Spotify Playlist.

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