New Star Wars Rebels Footage Shown at SDCC

The "Heroes of Star Wars Rebels" panel at SDCC has just wrapped up with some fantastic new footage from the show. You can check it out below:

Fans of The Clone Wars will be happy to see Luminara Unduli making an appearance, as well as our favourite pair of intrepid droids.

Star Wars Rebels Extended Trailer Released

Yesterday, StarWars.com released a new extended trailer for the upcoming Star Wars Rebels series. If I'm being honest, I still had a few lingering doubts about Rebels. But all of those disappeared as soon as I saw this. The trailer is absolutely incredible. But don't take my word for it - check it out for yourselves below:

I'm eager to hear what others think of this footage, so be sure to send me your thoughts at relicsoftheforce@gmail.com or tweet them to @Archon_Revuge!

"Force for Change" Video Gives Us Another Glimpse Inside Episode VII

It's the final week of the Force for Change campaign, and J.J. Abrams is wrapping things up with another video giving us a glimpse of Episode VII. This time, we get to see an entirely new - but rather familiar - ship that'll be featured in the film. Check it out below!

If you haven't already, be sure to head on over to the Force for Change website and contribute to this fantastic cause. There are some great rewards on offer, including the chance to be in Star Wars: Episode VII!

Your Guide to Star Wars at SDCC 2014

This week, Comic-Con International: San Diego rolls around for another year. SDCC usually brings a raft of announcements regarding our favourite franchise, as well as giving toy companies like Hasbro an opportunity to show off their latest wares. This year’s convention is no exception, with a number of highly-anticipated Star Wars-themed events taking place. Sites like TheForce.net and Rebelscum.com will be keeping fans posted throughout the four-day event, and below you’ll find a guide for when these updates are likely to start trickling through. All event descriptions are taken from the official SDCC webpage, and times and dates have been converted to New Zealand local time.

The Heroes of Star Wars Rebels [Friday, July 25, 1.00pm – 2.00pm]: The almost 20-year stretch of Star Wars history between Episodes III and IV is a dark time in the galaxy that has never before been explored on screen. The evil Galactic Empire has tightened its grip and only a select few are brave enough to stand against tyranny and ignite a rebellion. Join Star Wars Rebels executive producers Dave Filoni and Simon Kinberg as well as series stars Freddie Prinze, Jr., Vanessa Marshall, Steve Blum, Tiya Sircar, and Taylor Gray for an exclusive preview of what's to come this Fall on Disney XD in this eagerly awaited television series from Lucasfilm Animation.

Star Wars Storyboards: The Original Trilogy [Saturday, July 26, 6.00am – 7.00am]: For the first time, Lucasfilm has opened its Archives to present comprehensive storyboards for the original Star Wars trilogy-the world-changing A New Hope and its operatic sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi—as well as never-before-published art from early conceptual and deleted scenes, in a new book from Abrams: Star Wars Storyboards: The Original Trilogy. Former ILM art director Joe Johnston will discuss the newest addition to the Abrams Star Wars Library and the singular experience of creating the iconic trilogy's storyboards with his stellar art department team. Johnston won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects for his work on Raiders of the Lost Ark and has directed Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, The Rocketeer, Jumanji, Jurassic Park III, Hidalgo, and Captain America: The First Avenger. Moderated by Lucasfilm editor J. W. Rinzler.

Hasbro: Star Wars [Saturday, July 26, 7.00am – 8.00am]: Members of the Hasbro brand and design team including Jeff Labovitz (director, global brand marketing, Hasbro), Bill Rawley (design manager, Hasbro), and others discuss the popular Hasbro Star Wars line. Attendees will also get a sneak peek at upcoming, never-before-seen action figures from the highly anticipated Star Wars Rebels animated series.

Star Wars: Collectibles Update [Saturday, July 26, 8.00am – 9.00am]: Join eFX, Gentle Giant Studios, Kotobukiya, and Sideshow Collectibles for product development insights and exclusive previews of the latest in Star Wars collectibles. Moderated by Anita Castellar of Lucas Licensing.

Star Wars: A New Dawn [Saturday, July 26, 9.00am – 10.00am]: The new era of Star Wars storytelling begins in September with Star Wars: A New Dawn. New York Times bestselling author John Jackson Miller, Shelly Shapiro (editor, Del Rey), Frank Parisi (editor, Del Rey), Jennifer Heddle (senior editor, Lucasfilm), Pablo Hidalgo (Lucasfilm Story Group), Vanessa Marshall (Hera in Star Wars Rebels), and Dave Filoni (executive producer, Star Wars Rebels) discuss the planning and process of Star Wars: A New Dawn and present the list of upcoming Star Wars novels from Del Rey.

Star Wars: The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight [Saturday, July 26, 10.00am – 11.00am]: Ralph McQuarrie's art for the original Star Wars trilogy is introduced to a new generation of young readers in Star Wars: The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight. New York Times bestselling author Tony DiTerlizzi a talks about the conceptualization of this project and the process, challenges, and privileges of writing to the works of a legend; along with Troy Alders (art director, Lucasfilm), J. W. Rinzler (executive editor, Lucasfilm), and Joanne Chan (children's book editor, Lucasfilm).

First Look at Rebels Villains

Over the last week, StarWars.com has posted two new videos that give us some insight into the central villains of Star Wars Rebels: The Inquisitor and Agent Kallus.

Both of these characters seem heavily inspired by the original films, and I for one couldn't be happier. It's going to be fantastic to finally catch a glimpse of the inner workings of the Empire - particularly as they go about tracking down and destroying the remaining Jedi.

What are your thoughts on these Rebels villains? Be sure to send me your thoughts at relicsoftheforce@gmail.com or tweet them to @Archon_Revuge!

Pip Andersen and Crystal Clarke to Join Cast of Episode VII

This morning StarWars.com announced two further additions to the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII - Pip Andersen and Crystal Clarke.

(Image courtesy of StarWars.com)

Both are relative unknowns in the film industry, and were discovered via Lucasfilm and Disney's open casting call last year. Andersen is a particularly gifted parkour practitioner - something which is bound to get speculation going with regards to the character he'll be playing.

Bulk Lot of Episode I 3 3/4" Figures

A short while ago I won an auction on Trade Me for a bulk lot of Episode I figures. They arrived in the post while I was down in Wellington last week, and now I'm back home I've had the chance to unpack and sort through them. I must say, I'm absolutely rapt with this purchase.

Other than a couple of army-building double-ups, these figures are entirely new to my collection. They're all complete and in fantastic condition. Its clear that the previous owner took a great deal of care with these figures, so I look forward to doing the same!