Summer 2017 Vanity Fair Magazine

Starting with The Phantom Menace in 1999, it's become something of a tradition for Vanity Fair (and the photographic genius of Annie Leibovitz) to provide us with our first behind-the-scenes glimpse of each new Star Wars film. Following on from their fantastic coverage of The Force Awakens in 2015, the summer 2017 issue of Vanity Fair has now lifted the lid on The Last Jedi.


Featuring interviews with a number of the cast and crew, the magazine gives a unique insight into the process and direction that the production is taking, along with a few tantalising hints of just how dark this film might be. In truth however, this feature isn't so much about The Last Jedi. Instead, it's an epitaph for one of the saga's greatest legends - the late Carrie Fisher. The magazine includes often heartbreaking insights from those who knew her best, as well some gorgeous photography of Carrie - particularly alongside her daughter Billie Lourde and long-time friend and on-screen brother Mark Hamill.

The summer 2016 issue of Vanity Fair is available in most booksellers and magazine stores, and comes in four alternate cover designs.

Ron Howard Replaces Phil Miller and Chris Lord as Director of Upcoming Han Solo Film

After the sudden departure of Phil Miller and Chris Lord as directors of the upcoming Han Solo standalone film, Ron Howard has stepped in to fill the creative vacuum.

(Image Courtesy of StarWars.com)

It's certainly worrying to see such a massive change in direction so far into production. That being said, things could have worked out far worse than this. It seems that Miller and Lord's departure was based on creative differences with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy - and, call me naive, but Kennedy's production portfolio (E.T., Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park) causes me to have faith that she's made the right call. Further, I'm more than a little excited that Howard (the director behind some favourite films of mine including Willow, Apollo 13, and Rush) will get to leave his stamp on the Star Wars universe.

For now, the release date of the Han Solo film remains May 2018, but we'll be sure to let you know if that changes!

What are your thoughts on this directorial change for the upcoming Han Solo film? Be sure to let us know via Facebook or Twitter, or by sending an email to relicsoftheforce@gmail.com!