Hey George, don't be jedi mind tricking us about more Star Wars stuff!

We heard last year, or even earlier than that, that there was a ‘made for TV’ live-action Star Wars series in the works. A recent quote from George Lucas himself sparked a media frenzy. Has Lucas already secretly filmed 50 hours of the series and then shelved the project?

George Lucas recently gave the media a big update about the progress of his mysterious live-action Star Wars TV show, which is rumored to be set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. In the interview, with Attack Of The Show, Lucas said:

“We have 50 hours and we’re just waiting to figure out a different way of making movies, a different technology we can use … to make it feasible to shoot the show…When we do figure this problem out it will dramatically affect a lot of movies. Right now it looks like the Star Wars features.”

This quote begat a lot of rumors that Lucas had managed to film 50 hours of live-action Star Wars television. A Lucasfilm PR rep confirmed that Lucas was only talking about 50 hours’ worth of scripts that had been written. Nothing had yet been filmed.

View the full video interview over at G4′s Attack Of The Show.

More Episodes? Yeah, we're scared too.

(MovieWeb) – George Lucas is reportedly plotting future Star Wars movies at his top-secret Skywalker Ranch, reports IESB, who claims this could be more than just a rumor.

IESB is reporting that fans can expect the new trilogy after the entire saga is released in 3D which is expected to be complete around 2015 or 2016. Their source also claims the movies will not be prequels, but sequels. It’s not for certain if they will be the long awaited Episodes 7, 8 and 9 but could instead be Episodes 10, 11 and 12.

Lucasfilm spokesman Josh Kushins has stated:

“This is, of course, is completely false,” Lucasfilm spokesman Josh Kushins wrote to Wired. “George Lucas has plenty of projects to keep him busy right now – including plenty of Star Wars projects – but there are no new Star Wars feature films planned.”

New films or not, the live action Star Wars television series is currently in development, already has over 50 scripts ready to go and plenty of pre-production time and money spent on artwork and storyboards. Once that show goes into production, Lucasfilm hopes to be able to produce at least 100 episodes since that is the threshold for syndication in the United States.

The folks behind Star Wars want you to know that Wicked Lasers are not lightsabers, no matter what you might hear. Lucasfilms, which, let’s face it, has always been eager to pursue legal action when it comes to protecting its trademarks (particularly those of the “Star Wars” variety), has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Wicked Lasers, asking the company to either change or halt production of its Spyder III Pro Arctic Series.

As any properly opportunistic business would, Wicked Lasers has taken the opportunity to use the potential suit to promote its product, sending out a press release titled “Lucasfilms Ltd. Sues Wicked Lasers Over Lightsaber Confusion.” According to Wicked Lasers, the company “has never compared this or any of his products to the Jedi weapon wielded by Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader–not to mention the other obvious differences between the two products.”

What “obvious differences,” you ask? Well, there’s the fact that the lightsaber is a terrific tool for beheading Sith and Jedi alike, whereas the Spyder III couldn’t scramble an egg. That said, I wouldn’t want to be on the wrong end of a lawsuit filed by the company that owns the trademark to Jedi Mind Tricks.

If there’s validity to a suit, it’s not in the use of names (which Wicked Lasers seems to largely avoid) so much as in the product design. As evidenced by the above picture, there is something pretty lightsabery in the design of the device’s handle.

[Full article at www.Gearlog.com]

Story fished out by Coach Pablo Sleeze

During the VGA’s this weekend, one very surprising piece of info came about when the announcers began talking of a new ‘Star Wars’ title being unveiled during the awards ceremony.

At first I actually figured, wow Battlefront III is finally going to be talked about, the leaked trailer in the past year was pretty impressive. It offered some new elements to the game, more heroes and such. And by far, the Battlefront along with Lego Star Wars series has to be Lucas Arts most lucrative and strong selling series.

But….what we got on our hungry Star Wars plate was: FU 2.

Yeah, and I really felt like saying that (FU2 dammit). I can’t understand the logistics in sequalling a game, that really seemed to not carry through with what it was all led up to be. So yeah, let’s make another one. When Battlefront, along with even Renegade Squadron for PSP were really great games, and are over due for a 360/PS3 upgrade.

Force Unleashed 2 story seems to be as follows: Marek (the apprentice) is alive. However, The former Sith now appears to be a Jedi, as he wields their distinctive blue light sabers to slay a towering, Rancor-eating monster. The trailer features voiceovers from both Darth Vader and Yoda talking to Marek, perhaps indicating that he will be torn between the Light and Dark Sides of the Force.

On whatever level, I really do hope the devs make up for some of the short comings of this title. It was indeed lacking, and full of repetitive monotone gameplay. I had more fun playing the downloadable demo than the complete game itself.

Us Star Wars gaming fans need our fix, and we need it bad. Unleash it, bring it, deliver it and stop the fails. Or we’re sending Mace Windu at your ass, and he’s one bad mf’er.

Find more FU2 info at The official Force Unleashed 2 Web site www.unleashed2010.com.

-Crutchboy out

And this is an attention getter!

I met Matt Busch at Star Wars Fan Days in late October. Fan Days is great for the Star Wars fan. There are celebrities to meet, collectables to buy, and artwork to get from Star Wars sanctioned artists. One such artist was Matt Busch who impressed us with his “Learn to Draw Star Wars DVDs??? and Zombie themed SW prints. Matt took some time from his schedule to hang and chat with us… here’s the result of that.

BG: So how’s Fan Days going for you so far?
MB: Fan Days is rocking. I’m having a blast, last year was my first year I had fun then and I’m having even more fun this year. I love Texas, love the show, I’m having a blast.

BG: So this is your second year?
MB: It is. The show is great the folks that run the show, Ben Stevens in particular who runs the show, Mark Walters, they really treat the artists like royalty. I like the program they do with the sketch cards I think it’s really neat. It’s a neat way for fans to be able to afford an original piece of official art. It’s really kick ass that people can take advantage of that. Collectables are great I think it’s awesome. I’m a collector myself I think it’s cool to have a show like this.

BG: You know I talk to a lot of artists at things like this. Some artists say sometimes the prints are the bigger sellers, sometimes the original art. What do you think is your biggest seller?
MB: Gosh. I think for me, kinda what’s been my blessing is that I’ve been a jack of all trades, master of none. Honestly it’s been a sampling of art, sketch cards, DVDs, books of my work, it’s been a pretty random sampling this year.

Matt Busch and BG's Timothy Danger at Star Wars Fan Days III

BG: Let’s talk about the “You can draw Star Wars??? DVD you have here… can you tell me about it?
MB: Sure. It started as a book that was written by Bonnie Burton, I did some of the artwork, Tom Hodges who is also here did some of the artwork…and there was an opportunity to make video episodes for star wars.com and their website and it really kind of started from that. Then I had 7 episodes for the 1st season for a limited edition DVD, I did another season that was collected on DVD, I’m about to start the 3rd season I’m starting work on that right now, it’s been blast. They are a pretty big hit online. I love it. They are real educational for people who want to learn how to draw I mean what cooler thing than drawing Star Wars for learning how to draw. I mean they are the books and DVDs I didn’t have as a kid. Well I didn’t have any DVDs as a kid because they didn’t exist yet… but you know it’s all the stuff I wish I had when I was a kid. The ability to make some of that stuff and inspire children of all ages from ages 4 to 81 it’s a dream come true it’s been a lot of fun.

BG: I have to ask… who’s your favorite to draw?
MB: Well the easiest to draw is stromtroopers there isn’t a lot you know they are all white. The hardest to draw is either C3PO or Darth Vader. Darth Vader is easy to paint but he’s hard to draw.

BG: That’s interesting… You mentioned painting what’s your favorite type of medium to use?
MB: Normally most of my painted work is acrylics with a little bit of color pencil on top for details. Here at the show I have some color markers to touch up sketch cards. Otherwise I like all the mediums really I think it keeps me from getting bored to pull out a different medium you know pull out charcoal pencils or pen and ink to keep from getting in a rut and have everything look the same.

Every TV boy's fantasy!

BG: Things like your drumsticks here… is that something you thought on your own?
MB: No I was actually contacted by a company called pinup sticks that wanted me to illustrate some hot ladies and make some sexy drumsticks. I Had a lot of fun doing that. So far the three that are available are METAL MISTRISS, BUILT FOR POUNDING (my personal favorite), and SOUTHERN BELLE, and the other one coming out is PERCUSSION CONCUSSION.

BG: So the work you do is it mostly freelance?
MB: Yea it’s mostly freelance I think I prefer that to having a full time job where I’m working on the same kind of stuff all the time. You know for years and years paid my dues where I basically said yes to every job. Even if it was things like Kibbles and Bits storyboards. Now I’m at the point where I can pick and choose. I’m been blessed and really lucky I can do the stuff I love I get paid to draw stuff that I got in trouble for in grade school It’s pretty wild.

BG: Do you have any tips for aspiring artists trying to break in?
MB: The biggest tip I can give is to stay with it. I believe there is enough work for everyone. I think if you stay with it, don’t give up I truly believe there is enough work for everyone I think you need to find your niche and find where that is. But as soon as you give up obviously you’ll never get any work. Everytime you send out your work to another company you just increased your chances by 100 percent. Stay with it practice makes perfect. In addition to sending your work out there always refine your skills try to see what you can do to get better. You know I’m a student for life I don’t know it all I am continually learning and evolving and enjoying the process I think that kind of attitude will help me grow.

BG: so Matt Busch dot com?
MB: Yeah I mean I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace but the easiest is www.mattbusch.com, Busch is spelled like the beer not like the shrub.

BG: nice.. and do you have anything we should be looking out for?
MB: Well right now the most recent thing is the SW zombie posters I am showing here, they seem to be a big hit. I’m working on Planet of the Apes stuff. I’m all over the place.

BG: Well hey Matt, thanks for talking with us, we appreciate it…
MB: Sure… No problem thanks for sharing the love.

See artwork for sale, galleries and blog info for Matt at www.MattBusch.com. Matt appeared at Star Wars Fan Days III in Plano, Texas courtesy of Lucas Arts where this interview was conducted.

Here’s some Star Wars facts about me:
1. I once kicked a girl I was dating out of my apartment because I wanted to show her STAR WARS at my place on our 3rd date. She said the movie was “dumb??? after an hour of watching it. It never would’ve lasted.

2. When other kids were playing “Cowboys and Indians???, my brother and I were playing “Rescue Han from Carbonite”.

3. My first action figure was C3PO.

4. I was invited to an advanced screening of Episode III and a girl I was seeing tried to forbid me to go so I broke up with her. The theatre was showing the movie 4 days before America got to see it.

5. I was a boy in a small Texas farm town… and Star Wars changed my life.

So when we found out that “Star Wars In Concert” was coming to Texas, we were intrigued. And once we looked up the info on the internet and played the preview trailer that advertised it, we knew we had to go.

On October 23rd, 2009, in a vehicle displaying the Imperial symbol, Crutchboy and I took off to Dallas, Texas to watch the spectacle. What is Star Wars in Concert? Well, it’s just what it sounds like… but more. It’s a concert. With a complete professional orchestra and chorus. They play music from John Williams epic Star Wars movie scores which alone is worth the ticket price to see… but there is more. The folks at SW In Concert have expanded this concept into an all encompassing experience that really submerges you in the magic of these movies. Along with special scenes from ALL six movies, the show (hosted by Anthony Daniels of C3PO fame) moves to tell the story of Star Wars. Along with laser lights, pyro effects, and more the show is around 2 hours long but literally doesn’t feel like it. If anything it felt like the time wasn’t enough.

Along with the show is a travelling exhibit which shows props and models from all six movies. In addition to the concert, this was also very cool to see. About 9 years ago, the Smithsonian did a travelling exhibit showing various Star Wars props and models that made its way to Texas, this one was very cool because it showed a lot of stuff from the prequels we had never seen. Also on hand were tons of Storm troopers courtesy of the 501st and various other costumed fans.

The sound was great, the orchestra was top notch, Anthony Daniels was a great host, and the live experience was a sensory overload from free wheeling R2 units to cheering fans.

Besides the show’s physical features, there is one thing that they don’t advertise. That’s the feeling of being 6 years old again. When I was a kid, we didn’t have VCRs or DVDs. When my parents took me to the movies to see Star Wars, it was once maybe twice. The movies made such an impact, I memorized every scene in my little elementary school brain. I took those scenes and imagined a galaxy far, far away. I was reminded of this when I looked around and saw kids, hundreds of them dressed in Star Wars costumes. They were so happy to be there, they marveled at everything the old folks did, and appreciated it all the more. They had lightsaber battles in the aisles and they never missed a moment to revel in the fun.

This concert took me back to those days. For two hours, I was that little boy again. I knew I was going to age instantly when the experience ended, but for that moment, it was magic. That alone is worth the ticket price.

-Timothy Danger

For more information and touring dates on Star Wars in Concert, visit the official site at www.starwarsinconcert.com.

Even better than Talk Like a Pirate Day!

How has the legendary pirate Guybrush Threepwood done you wrong? Enter the Tales of Monkey Island contest, and your words could appear in an upcoming episode!

(Press Release) – What’s your opinion of that scoundrel, Guybrush Threepwood, Mighty Pirate? Telltale is announcing the unique chance to put your words into the mouths of pirates in an upcoming episode with the Tales of Monkey Island dialogue contest that begins today.

To enter, flex your funny bone and send Telltale a one-liner that explains how Guybrush Threepwood, Mighty Pirate, wronged you in some way. The funniest and most imaginative entries will be submitted for consideration to be recorded by Tales of Monkey Island voice talent and inclusion in an upcoming game episode.

Tales of Monkey Island is a brand-new pirate adventure told across five months, set in the universe made famous in LucasArts’ popular Monkey Island game series. Telltale is bringing all the drama, intrigue, and swashbuckling adventure of Monkey Island to today’s gamers in this five episode saga, which premiered last week at www.telltalegames.com/monkeyisland for PC.

In the series’ first chapter, “Launch of the Screaming Narwhal,” Guybrush washes up on the shores of Flotsam Island after a heated and unsuccessful battle with his arch-nemesis, the demon pirate LeChuck. His quest: to rescue his wife Elaine, to clear up the voodoo pox that’s infecting pirates across the Caribbean, and to finish off LeChuck once and for all. But first, he’ll have to find his way off an island plagued by winds that always blow inward, while giving the slip to a maniacal scientist who keeps trying to cut off Guybrush’s pox-infected hand. And that’s only the beginning of the Mighty Pirate’s five-month adventures! The dialog line from the contest winner may appear in a pivotal scene within the penultimate chapter of the saga this October.

In addition to featuring the winning entries in an upcoming episode, contest winners may appear in the game credits and be eligible for other great prizes. The contest kicked off July 14, 2009 at noon PST, and runs through midnight PST, August 10, 2009.

Additional contest details can be found at http://www.telltalegames.com/monkeyisland/contest.

Software development company “Free Radicals”, previously associated with Lucasarts, apparently went bankrupt during the play-testing of an ‘unnamed’ project which appears to be Star Wars : Battlefront III. Upon the company’s closure, a video has leaked out depicting game play of the new under going Star Wars project (featured above).

The video shows footage of lightsaber duels, force powers, aerial combat, well choreographed cut scenes, and multiple views of a first/third person shooter style game. A lot of familiar characters are shown as playable, even the annoying Jar Jar Binks and an Ewok (Ooh my).

According to Gamespot.com, the status of Star Wars Battlefront III is unclear. Unconfirmed reports have it being taken over by Rebellion Software, maker of Star Wars Battlefront : Renegade Squadron for the PSP.

Either way, I pray to the Gods above that it is much more enjoyable than the most anticipated ‘Star Wars : Force Unleashed’. Which was more equivalent to a force unleashed from someones butt. Yeah I just said that.

-Crutchboy Out

[Source]