Salon.com > Star Wars http://www.salon.com Fri, 24 May 2013 01:55:23 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 “Star Trek Into Darkness”: Who made J.J. Abrams the sci-fi god? http://www.salon.com/2013/05/15/star_trek_into_darkness_who_made_j_j_abrams_the_sci_fi_god/ http://www.salon.com/2013/05/15/star_trek_into_darkness_who_made_j_j_abrams_the_sci_fi_god/#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 18:31:00 +0000 http://www.railrode.net/?p=13298750 Apparently I missed the papal conclave. Not the one with Pope Francis and the Argentine torture scandals; I heard about that. I’m talking about the high-level secret meeting in the super-secret sub-orbital space fortress where J.J. Abrams was elected sole curator, conservator and monarch of three generations’ worth of nerdy pop culture history. Seriously, people, how does one guy end up in charge of both the “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” reboots? Give me a break! Isn’t that kind of nuts and megalomaniacal and wrong and just too much of the same flavor of peppermint hazelnut chip ice cream from that one summer in Connecticut, when “Alligator Woman” was on the radio every single day? (We can discuss this another time, but if I could create a world in which Joss Whedon had taken on “Star Trek,” and given Abrams the freakin’ “Avengers,” I’d do it in a heartbeat.)

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/05/15/star_trek_into_darkness_who_made_j_j_abrams_the_sci_fi_god/feed/ 140 J.J. Abrams and Jon Stewart debate “Star Trek” versus “Star Wars” http://www.salon.com/2013/05/14/j_j_abrams_and_jon_stewart_debate_star_trek_versus_star_wars/ http://www.salon.com/2013/05/14/j_j_abrams_and_jon_stewart_debate_star_trek_versus_star_wars/#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 12:49:00 +0000 http://www.railrode.net/?p=13298069 In a two-part interview on "The Daily Show," science fiction director J.J. Abrams and Jon Stewart debate the societal impact of "Star Wars" and "Star Trek." Abrams, who by directing both "Star Wars" and "Star Trek" movies has realized every nerd's dream, says "They are fundamentally different," calling "Star Wars" a "samurai movie western." But "I couldn't get into it," Abrams says as of "Star Trek." "The goal was to make a movie for movie-goers, not just for 'Star Trek' fans."

"The interesting thing to me was I stopped listening to when said you didn't like 'Star Trek.' I know you what happened cause your mouth was moving after that. So I'm assuming you apologized," joked Stewart.

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/05/14/j_j_abrams_and_jon_stewart_debate_star_trek_versus_star_wars/feed/ 0 Return of the anti-Muslim bigots http://www.salon.com/2013/05/10/return_of_the_anti_muslim_bigots/ http://www.salon.com/2013/05/10/return_of_the_anti_muslim_bigots/#comments Fri, 10 May 2013 13:12:00 +0000 http://www.railrode.net/?p=13294357 "These are not the droids you're looking for." One reason that Obi Wan Kenobi quote is so well known and so often invoked with a wink is because it succinctly captures American politics' most favorite bait and switch: the tactic whereby partisans deny the existence of a phenomenon that's there for everyone to see, all so that the phenomenon can continue unabated. This "Star Wars"-ism, indeed, is a perfect way to understand the way Islamophobia works in America, and not because of Tatooine's Arabian aesthetic (it was filmed in Tunisia), but because the way so many seem intent on pretending anti-Muslim sentiment doesn't exist, all to make sure it continues to flourish.

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/05/10/return_of_the_anti_muslim_bigots/feed/ 200 $100 to play Star Wars trivia with a congressman http://www.salon.com/2013/05/07/100_to_play_star_wars_trivia_with_a_congressman/ http://www.salon.com/2013/05/07/100_to_play_star_wars_trivia_with_a_congressman/#comments Tue, 07 May 2013 20:33:00 +0000 http://www.railrode.net/?p=13291992 There's a reason the White House Correspondents Dinner is often called "nerd prom" -- Washington is full of them -- so perhaps it's no surprise that a congressman is holding a Star Wars-themed fundraiser, complete with cocktails local to Tatooine and a soundtrack provided by a the Max Rebo Band, the fictional alien ensemble that performs in Jaba the Hutt's Palace.

And in case that's not nerdy enough, the fundraiser for upstate New York Democratic Rep. Dan Maffei this month also features a "Galactic Trivia Battle." "A long time ago in a galaxy far far away," the invitation reads, "rebels and imperial soldiers gathered for an epic battle that would determine the fate of the universe."

For $100 a person or $1,000 for a PAC (about 50 and 500 Galactic Standard Credits, respectively), you too can use an Obama-esque "Jedi mind-meld" to propel your team to victory.

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/05/07/100_to_play_star_wars_trivia_with_a_congressman/feed/ 5 Disney announces schedule for “Star Wars” movies http://www.salon.com/2013/04/18/disney_announces_schedule_for_star_wars_movies/ http://www.salon.com/2013/04/18/disney_announces_schedule_for_star_wars_movies/#comments Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:21:00 +0000 http://www.railrode.net/?p=13275020 Get used to hearing "Star Wars" rumors. Information about the next "Star Wars" franchise will continue to trickle out for the next six years, as Disney CEO Bob Iger has announced that a new film will come out every year between 2015 and 2019. And you can guarantee that Disney will generate hype and mystique around every single one.

From EW:

Confirming a strategy of aggressive franchise expansion, Disney announced today at CinemaCon that they are planning to release a new Star Wars movie every year, starting with the J.J. Abrams-powered Episode VII in summer 2015. The plan is to release a standalone spinoff the following year — probably one of the projects focusing on Boba Fett or Young Han Solo — and alternate between numerals and spinoffs from there.

Assuming the films are successful, this means the total number of Star Wars films will nearly double by summer 2019. Presumably, Disney is hoping that each of the spinoffs will form their own franchises, much like X-Men and The Avengers.

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/04/18/disney_announces_schedule_for_star_wars_movies/feed/ 2 Patton Oswalt improvises 8-minute “Star Wars” rant on “Parks and Recreation” http://www.salon.com/2013/04/17/patton_oswalt_improvises_8_minute_star_wars_rant_on_parks_and_recreation/ http://www.salon.com/2013/04/17/patton_oswalt_improvises_8_minute_star_wars_rant_on_parks_and_recreation/#comments Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:15:00 +0000 http://www.railrode.net/?p=13273798 Comedian Patton Oswalt has been all over TV lately, playing cameos in "Portlandia" and "The Simpsons," and, tomorrow, he'll make an appearance on NBC's "Parks and Recreation" as an angry Pawneean who wants to block Leslie Knope's proposal to amend the outdated laws in the town charter. Using his public platform at a town hall, Oswalt's character launches into a filibuster to prevent the vote.

On set, the producers asked Oswalt to "ramble a bit about whatever subject he wanted." The result: an improvised, impassioned and totally bizarre 8-minute proposal for the plot of "Star Wars: Epsipode 7," which somehow merges Marvel comics and a pantheon of gods into the Jedi world.

Only a few parts of the monologue made it into the episode, "Article Two," which will premiere on Thursday night, but NBC has released the full clip below:

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/04/17/patton_oswalt_improvises_8_minute_star_wars_rant_on_parks_and_recreation/feed/ 11 J.J. Abrams on “Star Wars” vs. “Star Trek”: “The worlds could not be more different” http://www.salon.com/2013/03/25/j_j_abrams_on_star_wars_vs_star_trek_the_worlds_could_not_be_more_different/ http://www.salon.com/2013/03/25/j_j_abrams_on_star_wars_vs_star_trek_the_worlds_could_not_be_more_different/#comments Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:06:00 +0000 http://www.railrode.net/?p=13251217 Now that legendary sci-fi director J.J. Abrams, along with stars of the franchise's original cast, has joined Disney's continuation of the "Star Wars" franchise, fans are getting hints of the direction Episode 7 is headed in. And there's more to come as Abrams, whose "Star Trek Into Darkness" comes out this spring, is shifting focus to the Disney project.

He recently told Empire that his expectations for the project are high:

"There are infinitely more questions than answers right now, but to me, they’re [the two films] not that dissimilar. Though I came at these both from very different places, where they both meet is a place of ‘Ooh, that’s really exciting.’ And even though I was never a 'Star Trek' fan, I felt like there was a version of it that would make me excited, that I would think ‘that’s cool, that feels right, I actually would want to see that."

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/03/25/j_j_abrams_on_star_wars_vs_star_trek_the_worlds_could_not_be_more_different/feed/ 4 Disney to trot out “Star Wars” trio for sequel http://www.salon.com/2013/03/08/disney_to_trot_out_star_wars_trio_for_sequel/ http://www.salon.com/2013/03/08/disney_to_trot_out_star_wars_trio_for_sequel/#comments Fri, 08 Mar 2013 12:21:00 +0000 http://www.railrode.net/?p=13222784 NEW YORK (AP) — It appears the Force is still strong with Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher.

In an interview posted online Thursday, George Lucas said the trio from the original "Star Wars" trilogy will reprise their iconic roles of Hans Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia in the new "Star Wars" film.

Lucas told Bloomberg Businessweek that all three were signed for the new "Episode VII" film in advance of Lucasfilm's $4 billion purchase by Disney.

"We had already signed Mark and Carrie and Harrison — or were pretty much in the final stages of negotiation," Lucas said.

He added: "Maybe I'm not supposed to say that. I think they want to announce that with some big whoop-de-do."

In an interview posted Wednesday with Florida's Palm Beach Illustrated, Fisher said that she'll be coming back as Princess Leia.

Disney's Lucasfilm was coy in response. In a statement, a spokesperson for the company said, "George couldn't say whether they were signed or not and neither can we. As Yoda said, 'Always in motion is the future.' Stay tuned."

The Walt Disney Co. is producing a new "Star Wars" trilogy to take place after Lucas' original three space epics. J.J. Abrams is directing the first film. The 70-year-old Ford, the 61-year-old Hamill and the 56-year-old Fisher are expected to play smaller, supporting roles.

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/03/08/disney_to_trot_out_star_wars_trio_for_sequel/feed/ 5 Despite “Jedi” flap, Obama still has nerd cred http://www.salon.com/2013/03/01/slideshow_obama_u_nerd_ed_states_president/ http://www.salon.com/2013/03/01/slideshow_obama_u_nerd_ed_states_president/#comments Fri, 01 Mar 2013 22:11:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13216270 In a press conference Friday, President Obama outraged nerds everywhere when he mixed up his "Star Trek" and "Star Wars" references and referred to a "Jedi mind meld." The comment quickly took hold of the Internet (and spawned the hashtag #ObamaSciFiQuotes). Even the White House riffed on the mix-up with a tweet that (probably) intentionally confused the two franchises again:

[embedtweet id="307584535976112128"]

Despite this, Obama has pretty strong nerd cred. Here's a look back at the best of those moments:

[slide_show id=13216194]

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/03/01/slideshow_obama_u_nerd_ed_states_president/feed/ 13 Slideshow: Nerd Obama http://www.salon.com/2013/03/01/slideshow_nerd_obama/ http://www.salon.com/2013/03/01/slideshow_nerd_obama/#comments Fri, 01 Mar 2013 20:02:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13216194 http://www.salon.com/2013/03/01/slideshow_nerd_obama/feed/ 1 Obama’s “Jedi mind meld” mixes up “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” http://www.salon.com/2013/03/01/obamas_jedi_mind_meld_mixes_up_star_trek_and_star_wars/ http://www.salon.com/2013/03/01/obamas_jedi_mind_meld_mixes_up_star_trek_and_star_wars/#comments Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:30:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13215955 In his press conference today, President Obama said he was unable to perform a "Jedi mind meld" with Republicans in Congress in order to convince them that they ought to trim spending and avert the sequester. However, the president -- with much else on his mind -- has conflated two sci-fi franchises.

In the "Star Wars" films, a "Jedi mind trick" is a way of using hypnosis -- perhaps accompanied by a subtle hand gesture -- in order to convince someone of something contrary to fact. Most famously, Obi-Wan Kenobi convinces Darth Vader's stormtroopers, about to steal C-3PO and R2D2, that the two fleeing robots "aren't the droids you're looking for."

A "mind meld," in "Star Trek," is performed by Vulcans in order to convey history, thoughts and information, as well as to learn about the subject's motivations. In "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," Spock mind-melds with two humpback whales in order to tell them that the passengers of the "Enterprise" wanted to help them save Earth.

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/03/01/obamas_jedi_mind_meld_mixes_up_star_trek_and_star_wars/feed/ 14 Mark Hamill in talks to be in the upcoming “Star Wars” trilogy http://www.salon.com/2013/02/21/mark_hamill_in_talks_to_be_in_the_upcoming_star_wars_trilogy/ http://www.salon.com/2013/02/21/mark_hamill_in_talks_to_be_in_the_upcoming_star_wars_trilogy/#comments Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:55:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13207334 "Star Wars" news just keeps getting better: Not long after Joss Whedon was tapped as its director, Mark Hamill has revealed that he and some of the original "Star Wars" cast members are in talks to appear in Disney's upcoming trilogy. Hamill told ET of the spin-off, "It's all very, very exciting and so unexpected." He explained: "George [Lucas] wanted to know whether we'd be interested. He did say that if we didn't want to do it, they wouldn't cast another actor in our parts – they would write us out."

But no one has signed contracts, yet, according to Hamill. "We're in the stage where they want us to go in and meet with Michael Arndt, who is the writer, and Kathleen Kennedy, who is going to run Lucasfilm."

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/02/21/mark_hamill_in_talks_to_be_in_the_upcoming_star_wars_trilogy/feed/ 5 First two “Star Wars” spinoffs to be about Han Solo and Boba Fett http://www.salon.com/2013/02/06/first_two_star_wars_spin_offs_to_be_about_han_solo_and_boba_fett/ http://www.salon.com/2013/02/06/first_two_star_wars_spin_offs_to_be_about_han_solo_and_boba_fett/#comments Wed, 06 Feb 2013 22:37:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13192708 Disney has been teasing us for months now. First, the company worried loyal "Star Wars" fans by announcing a new trilogy back in 2012.  After everyone begrudgingly accepted the idea, Disney actually got us excited about it, naming the legendary J.J. Abrams director. Then, everyone got upset again when yesterday Disney CEO Bob Iger announced a stand-alone character spinoff series. (Rumors suggested the first one might be about Yoda.).Today, people are excited again: Entertainment Weekly reports that the first two spinoff films will follow a young Han Solo and another will tell the tale of mysterious bounty hunter, Boba Fett.

Entertainment Weekly reports on the Han Solo project:

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/02/06/first_two_star_wars_spin_offs_to_be_about_han_solo_and_boba_fett/feed/ 3 J.J. Abrams to direct next “Star Wars” movie http://www.salon.com/2013/01/24/j_j_abrams_to_direct_next_star_wars_movie/ http://www.salon.com/2013/01/24/j_j_abrams_to_direct_next_star_wars_movie/#comments Thu, 24 Jan 2013 22:50:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13181230 The search for the next "Star Wars" director is over. TheWrap reports that sci-fi director J.J. Abrams will take on Disney's highly publicized, highly controversial project, "Star Wars: Episode VII." And an insider has confirmed the news with Deadline as well, saying, "It's a done deal with J.J."

The news comes as a surprise, especially since Abrams was one of the first directors to announce he would pass on the role -- and because he already has an allegiance to rival nerd franchise, "Star Trek." He told Empire Magazine:

“There were the very early conversations and I quickly said that because of my loyalty to ‘Star Trek’, and also just being a [‘Star Wars’] fan, I wouldn’t even want to be involved in the next version of those things.”

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/01/24/j_j_abrams_to_direct_next_star_wars_movie/feed/ 20 White House rejects “Death Star” petition http://www.salon.com/2013/01/13/white_house_rejects_death_star_petition/ http://www.salon.com/2013/01/13/white_house_rejects_death_star_petition/#comments Sun, 13 Jan 2013 15:59:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13169609 Forced to respond to a petition pushing for the federal government to  "Secure resources and funding, and begin construction of a Death Star by 2016," the White House dashed the dreams of the 34,000-plus Star Wars fans' who signed it: "The Administration shares your desire for job creation and a strong national defense, but a Death Star isn't on the horizon."

The response, by Paul Shawcross, Chief of the Science and Space branch of the OMB, wrote that the White House will not be building a Death Star, for several reasons:

  • The construction of the Death Star has been estimated to cost more than $850,000,000,000,000,000. We're working hard to reduce the deficit, not expand it.
  • The Administration does not support blowing up planets.
  • Why would we spend countless taxpayer dollars on a Death Star with a fundamental flaw that can be exploited by a one-man starship?

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/01/13/white_house_rejects_death_star_petition/feed/ 6 Guillermo del Toro will not direct “Star Wars VII” http://www.salon.com/2013/01/07/guillermo_del_toro_will_not_direct_star_wars_vii/ http://www.salon.com/2013/01/07/guillermo_del_toro_will_not_direct_star_wars_vii/#comments Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:46:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13163670 The number of prominent Hollywood directors willing to take on Disney's controversial project "Star Wars: Episode VII" is quickly falling. "Star Trek's" J.J. Abrams and "Mission Impossible's" Brad Bird took themselves out of the running since Disney made the announcement this past fall, as have Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino and Zack Snyder. Now, Guillermo del Toro, known for "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Hellboy," has reportedly passed on the role as well. The director told the Playlist, "It was just a phone call, it didn't go past that, it was very nice to be asked, but believe it or not, I'm busy enough. It was very flattering." He added, "I think the fans deserve somebody that is just going to immerse themselves completely. As a geek, I would have loved to see Brad Bird take it."

But as Salon notes, there are still plenty of directors who could be considered and might be able to do the film justice, including Joss Whedon, Christopher Nolan and David Fincher. In the meantime, you can probably stay tuned for more announcements of who the director for "Star Wars" will not be.

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/01/07/guillermo_del_toro_will_not_direct_star_wars_vii/feed/ 4 “Star Wars” creator George Lucas engaged http://www.salon.com/2013/01/04/star_wars_creator_george_lucas_engaged/ http://www.salon.com/2013/01/04/star_wars_creator_george_lucas_engaged/#comments Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:32:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13161770 LOS ANGELES (AP) — "Star Wars" creator George Lucas is engaged.

A spokeswoman for Lucasfilm Ltd. says the 68-year-old director is engaged to 43-year-old investment firm president Mellody Hobson. No other details were provided.

Hobson serves as chairman of DreamWorks Animation and is a financial contributor to ABC's "Good Morning America."

Lucas helped to launch the modern blockbuster age with his "Star Wars" sagas and "Indiana Jones" adventures. The original "Star Wars" still stands as the No. 2 film in terms of tickets sold domestically, behind only "Gone with the Wind."

Lucas has three children: Amanda, Katie and Jett. He was previously married to film editor Marcia Lucas from 1969 to 1983.

Disney completed its acquisition of Lucasfilm and the "Star Wars" franchise from Lucas for $4.06 billion in cash and stock last month.

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/01/04/star_wars_creator_george_lucas_engaged/feed/ 2 J.J. Abrams will not direct “Star Wars VII” http://www.salon.com/2012/12/26/j_j_abrams_will_not_direct_star_wars_vii/ http://www.salon.com/2012/12/26/j_j_abrams_will_not_direct_star_wars_vii/#comments Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:16:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13155276 Ever since Disney announced its acquisition of Lucasfilm and plans for "Star Wars: Episode 7," rumors have been flying about who will be involved in the project. Legendary science fiction director/producer/writer J.J. Abrams, who directed 2009 and 2013's "Star Trek" films, has announced that he will not be in the running, it seems. He recently told told Empire Magazine:

“There were the very early conversations and I quickly said that because of my loyalty to ‘Star Trek’, and also just being a [‘Star Wars’] fan, I wouldn’t even want to be involved in the next version of those things.”

Abrams is sticking to the "Star Trek" franchise, it seems -- Vulture reports that he's committed to another "Star Trek" movie after the upcoming 2013 film.

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2012/12/26/j_j_abrams_will_not_direct_star_wars_vii/feed/ 7 We don’t need another “Star Wars” movie! http://www.salon.com/2012/12/19/we_dont_need_another_star_wars_movie/ http://www.salon.com/2012/12/19/we_dont_need_another_star_wars_movie/#comments Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:32:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13124164 Two weeks ago, on Dec. 4, federal antitrust regulators cleared a $4 billion deal for Disney to purchase Lucasfilm and all of its properties. Disney first announced the deal in October and said it would begin work on relaunching the "Star Wars" franchise, at one time the most beloved -- and still among the most popular -- series of movies in the history of film. But it would seem that the Disney studio heads have been so preoccupied with whether they could bring back "Star Wars" that they didn't stop to think if they should. (Actually, I'm sure they just thought about which expanded universe novelization has the most action figure potential.)

I would love to love a new "Star Wars" film, and maybe Disney will dazzle me with a truly surprising choice to take over the series. But I strongly suspect that the best we can hope for is blandly competent entertainment that rehashes the same themes of the film and looks like a cut scene from "Final Fantasy XIV." I think it goes without saying that the prequels disabused me of much of my fondness for the saga, though I suspect the last thing the Internet needs is another screed on that topic. But my lack of interest goes deeper than that.

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2012/12/19/we_dont_need_another_star_wars_movie/feed/ 56 Weird news: White House must respond to petition to build a Death Star http://www.salon.com/2012/12/13/weird_news_white_house_must_respond_to_petition_to_build_a_death_star/ http://www.salon.com/2012/12/13/weird_news_white_house_must_respond_to_petition_to_build_a_death_star/#comments Thu, 13 Dec 2012 22:48:26 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13124373 As of today, the White House will have to take the petition to build a Death Star (somewhat) more seriously. According to the White House's policy, petitions that "reach 25,000 signatures within 30 days" require a response. The Death Star petition was opened Nov. 14, 2012 and passed 25,000 signatures today, just making the cut off.

If we do get our Death Star, then perhaps Americans will wage an intergalactic war with the hundreds of thousands of Jedi still using the Force in England.

Continue Reading...

]]> http://www.salon.com/2012/12/13/weird_news_white_house_must_respond_to_petition_to_build_a_death_star/feed/ 2