.Mac.

adywan said:

2 new pictures of the Millennium Falcon; The full scale set piece and the CG version.

http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/395547-new-photo-of-the-millennium-falcon-in-star-wars-the-force-awakens#/slide/1

I could be misinterpreting what the article reads here, but aren't both pictures of a CG Millenium Falcon?

Regarding the one where it looks like Iger is in front, it reads:

Lucasfilm’s special effects division, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), worked with Fortune to create both the cover and opening photograph in the story, an inside look at the innovative technologies used across Disney’s diverse businesses and brands. The collaboration started with our photo shoot with CEO Iger earlier this month in New York. The photos were then turned over to ILM to, well, work their magic. Not surprisingly, the secretive division was mum about the exact process for creating the realistic shot of Iger standing right on set, casually leaning against a chunk of metal (the image seen in the opening pages of the story).

I hope everyone had a great holiday and ready for the new year!

Very good to hear that Padme will survive through ROTS.

While on this topic, I'd even say Padme should not be seen giving birth to the twins in ROTS:R. I think it was intended to be another surprise in ROTJ when we find out Luke has a sister (not as big of a bombshell as Vader to Luke in ESB, but a surprise nonetheless). If we see the birth of twins, even if their names weren't given, by ANH the audience will know who Luke is and likely predict who that sibling is early on - not good.

I wonder if Anakin's last name will even be mentioned in the PT:R.

So ideally, I believe it is best for Padme survive through ROTS:R and have it implied that she is pregnant with only 1 child, who we find out by the next episode is Luke (but in fact there were separated twins, one sent to Tatooine and the other to Alderaan for their safety).

77FN said:

By the way, anybody know how makingstarwars.net get all their information? Seems a bit odd they haven't been shut down by the powers that be - they post so much behind the scenes stuff - unless items are deliberately leaked of course... Does Jason Ward have links with Lucasfilm?

 I have often been wondering the exact same thing.

SilverWook said:

I've long thought Vader's look was based on ancient Sith armor. Palpatine did not just pick it at random or make up something scary on his own.

I have the feeling you just bulls-eyed a womp rat right there - I don't think it's coincidence there's a resemblance either.

It's real. Action figure collectors have to wait for next Christmas to get them though ;)

So does this mean that Ronster owes asterisk8 $100? ;)

Seriously though, if there's something we should know about Ady's habits: He likes to tinker with his vids some more even after they've been uploaded  (unless he says otherwise), so it's possible he has some more touchups planned, we don't know what, but the terrain you pointed out could very well be one of them, Ronster - it isn't a bad idea after all, really.

I loved watching that latest clip btw. My favorite enhancements were the added trench line seen from inside the AT-AT's cockpit and the subtle camera shake when the AT-AT crushes the speeder - both looked amazing and really do add to the excitement.

That still of Dagobah looks awesome as well. The lighting effect signifying where the X-Wing crashed through the trees is a very nice touch. And of course the knobby white spider and eggs were a very cool addition - that really is the best place for seeing it - McQuarrie would have been proud :) Well done, Ady.

Everyone have a Merry Christmas!

walking_carpet said:

the head looks to small compared to the face

the one in bob iger's selfie looks more like him

It's possible it isn't Peter Mayhew in costume (in either the clip or Bob Iger pic), but I think it's really because of the darker lighting in the clip and his fur is slicked down that may have his head appear small compared to the Bob Iger pic. That's got to be Chewie though, whether or not it's the exact same OT bandolier - that style of bandolier is what identifies him. I'm not betting on this but it isn't likely that JJ will stick a bandolier that looks anywhat similar to Chewie's on any other Wookiee.

Looks like the latest video for the UNICEF is online and it reveals a noticeably older Chewie! Unlike that image a while back we thought he'd look like (in there I didn't think he was "aged" enough), here his eyes look aged with more white around on his face, just like how an older dog would show age - I think he looks perfect now.

http://www.slashfilm.com/j-j-abrams-thanks-star-wars-force-awakens-set/

Turns out the rumors long ago were true, Maisie Richardson-Sellers will be in TFA. I think it's great. After reading the Q&A, she seems like a humble, smart, and talented incoming actress.

http://www.refinery29.com/2014/12/79576/maisie-richardson-sellers-star-wars-interview

Wonder if we will soon be seeing a Trading Card for "Captain Phasma"

SilverWook said:

I'll take Ewoks over Gungans any day of the week. Ewoks throw better parties anyway. ;)

As long as you aren't the main course of a banquet ;)

Hal 9000 said:

And the metal part that covers part of the side-blades could prevent the weilder's own hands from slipping and getting sliced.

 Yep exactly right.

Bread Mustache said:

Colbert tackles the new lightsaber controversy and it's hilarious:
http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/umsrnb/lightsaber-controversy

I saw that and was going to post it here. You beat me to it :)

That is frankly the best defense for the contraversial lightsaber I've seen. It makes far more sense now that the blades would originate from one focal point inside the hilt, not from 3 separate emitters. So as he says, even if a blade does cut through a side emitter, the blade itself will still be underneath to deflect it. That's the theory I'm willing to buy ;)

I thought this was an interesting read

http://comicbook.com/2014/11/28/lucasfilm-responds-to-leaked-star-wars-the-force-awakens-trailer/

So I have Lucasfilm's promise that nothing will be leaked unexpectedly ;)

SilverWook said:

So, does the trailer drop at midnight, or later?

Good question. It'd make sense if they allowed the theaters to have their run at showing the teaser before it was put online, giving more incentive to seeing it in theaters, but we'll see... and when we do we'll be ready :)

I listened to Ady's interview last night and enjoyed it immensely.

SilverWook said:

This calls for a song! ;)

http://youtu.be/DPVTl9K0lqc

Tobar said:

You're a monster.

 This may or not be the cure for that ;)

Well I am very happy they've officially announced when and where the special screenings will be for TFA teaser. Was afraid we'd all have to guess-n-check.

On my way back from a Thanksgiving dinner, I will definitely stop by the Regal in Seattle and go see Interstellar (again), will be worth it! :)

@unamochilla2, what I meant was whoever created that gif possibly extracted the exact same firing blasts from the Slave I in AOTC (proving it is indeed a fake). I'm not sure though.

Has anyone compared those laser blasts in that GIF to the Slave I's in AOTC where it's firing directly at the camera too? From memory, they both look the same, but are they?

I will be 'thankful' if the teaser will in fact be appearing as soon as next weekend, I can hardly wait now ;)

If there's truth to the rumor and it does debut somewhere other than in theaters, I'll (try to) refrain from watching it until it is in theaters. I want to see it for the first time with a huge screen and big speakers so that, as emanswfan mentions, it'll feel more special... after that, then I'm watching it countless times online of course :)

Ah, the increased size of the AT-AT's foot is a huge improvement! The background looks better too. Comparison

Looking forward to seeing the whole segment in motion by Christmas :)

I fail to understand how anyone could be complaining about the title already, as if they already know the plot of the movie and what title suits it best.

And as for the word "Awakens" in the title, of course it's a metaphore and not to be taken literally. The continual puns about the Force having been asleep aren't getting any funnier.

Fang Zei said:

At the most we'll get a "Han shot first" joke, a wink to the audience.

I will actually be a little bummed if we don't :)

Wow! I am surprised the title is revealed to us already, even before the very first teaser trailer... but it makes complete sense if they are wanting us to begin thinking in terms of titles (OT) and not just episode numbers (PT). That's a good way of thinking.

"The Force Awakens", I'm liking it! It sounds like both a beautiful and troublesome circumstance.

Maybe, in his 30 years of solitude, Luke has become so powerful and actually discovers/"awakens" the true nature of the force. Something that even Master Yoda hasn't done to this degree before. Does this mean we'll see brand new force abilities? I sure do hope so.

Which btw...

Verboten said:

http://makingstarwars.net/2014/11/star-wars-episode-vii-state-luke-skywalker/

I'll be happy with that, if true.

I'd also be happy with this version of Luke, rather than the previous rumors where he's surprisingly the main villain all along.