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Archived News-December 2005
Week 2
Friday December 09,
2005 |
Homing Beacon
#151 |
The latest Homing Beacon has
arrived, and today we get to talk about Jimmy Smits as Bail Organa. Thanks to
the DVD release of Episode III, viewers have been able to see more of Bail
Organa in his historic role as co-architect of the Rebel Alliance. Though his
part in Episode III's theatrical cut is substantive -- being the adoptive father
of Leia and Yoda's getaway speeder driver are nothing to be balked at -- there
was originally more Bail in Revenge of the Sith.
The demands of the
personal tragedy of Anakin Skywalker meant that the political tragedy of the
Republic ended up considerably trimmed. "I knew going in that this politician
would go through some transformation," says Jimmy Smits, reflecting on his role.
"This character has scenes that have that political tenor, but he's much more
conspiratorial and suspicious and wanting to be more active."
The
politics behind Imperial ascension is a story told many times throughout
history, and writer George Lucas distills many real world precedents in
Palpatine's rise, particularly events in ancient Rome. Though the Republic
backroom politics were largely edited out of Episode III, their impact can still
be felt in the movie, says Smits.
"George is really quite eloquent about
the whole demise, about how you start as a Republic, and without the proper
checks and balances, total power can corrupt totally," Smits says. "Those are
chords that run deep in the film without hammering in that this is a
philosophical point."
Helping Smits get into the role of Organa were
such accomplices as the intricate wardrobe of the character, and the exotic and
varied colleagues he surrounds himself with. "Trisha Biggar is incredible, what
she has done with all the costumes. They make you feel regal and noble, walking
around in them. It totally puts you into what that character is supposed to be,"
he says. "Also, you're working with this international cast. You have accents
from different places, which is what you'd find in another universe with all
these characters from different worlds. All of that comes together."
Bail Organa -- Viceroy of the Royal House of Alderaan, father of
Princess Leia, founder of the Rebellion -- these are the makings of a very
important character in the Star Wars mythos. But to Smits, the role's
significance was far closer to home and heart.
"To be involved in
something that I saw as a young person, in terms of watching the films, and
having my children see the subsequent Star Wars films, was really cool for me."
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Friday December 09,
2005 |
Path to the Force
- Episode 35 |
Today we have Episode 35 of Star
Wars Galaxies-Path to the Force which has been created by Nathan Ciprick. You
will be able to access these stories through the Comics
section. Check out the latest episode!
Star Wars Galaxies-Path to the Force-Episode
35
Be sure to join us next week for the thirty-sixth episode of Star
Wars Galaxies-Path to the Force. Then join us every week as we continue to
follow the adventures of the Wookiee E'nac from the Star Wars Galaxies videogame
in the form of Gamics! |
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Thursday December
08, 2005 |
Official Site
Databank Update |
The Official Star Wars Site has
provided a few new entries in their databank. After long years of scattered
combat, the Clone Wars are finally coming to a close. After trading victories
and defeats and repeated stalemates, the Republic engages the Separatists in the
Outer Rim Sieges. This leaves Coruscant vulnerable to a most brazen attack, as
General Grievous stabs at the capital world. This action was dramatized earlier
this year in the second volume of the Clone Wars micro-series. Be sure to go read these interesting new entries. |
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Thursday December
08, 2005 |
March 2006
Comics |
The Official Star Wars Site has provided a look at what Dark Horse
Comics has in store for Star Wars fans in March. The month begins with Star
Wars: Boba Fett -- Overkill, a one-shot by Thomas Andrews, Francisco Ruiz
Velasco, with cover art by Adam Hughes. Boba Fett rockets onto the scene with
blasters blazing in this stand-alone story. Summoned to settle the score between
two warring factions, Fett quickly shows his employers the importance of always
choosing the right tool for the job, and the folly of underestimating just how
much damage and chaos a single Mandalorian can inflict. Once unleashed, Fett's
drive to finish the job is unshakable, and both groups quickly realize they're
dealing with a bigger and much deadlier mutual problem -- one that must be
stopped before it obliterates everything!
Don't miss this essential piece
of the Boba Fett mythos, due out on March 1st.
Tag and Bink are back...
somehow. The title of their last outing, Tag & Bink Are Dead may have had
some doubting their inevitable return to Star Wars comics, but the faithful are
rewarded with a new two-part caper penned by Kevin Rubio and illustrated by
Lucas Marangon.
This hapless pair of Rebels have somehow stumbled past
the worst Imperial perils with their limbs intact. In The Return of Tag &
Bink -- Special Edition, the duo set out to rescue a certain smuggler trapped in
carbonite with the help of Lando Calrissian. One thing leads to another, and
they manage to subdue the deadliest bounty hunter in the galaxy on their way to
infiltrating the Hutt palace... and into familiar territory as the bumbling pair
weave their way into Return of the Jedi. Look for guest appearances of favorite
characters on the way to the Sarlacc pit, the Death Star, and Endor! Star Wars:
The Return of Tag & Bink -- Special Edition #1 is due out on March
22.
Jump back four millennia to a time of ancient Jedi and Sith. Zayne
Carrick never expected to go far in the Jedi Order. A Padawan of modest skill,
the most he ever hoped for was to attain the rank of Jedi Knight and to serve
the galaxy in his own humble way. Mysterious is the will of the Force, however,
and extraordinary circumstances have made Zayne a fugitive, isolated and on the
run from the very order he once swore to uphold. Now, Zayne and his unlikely
ally -- a criminal entrepreneur called the "the Gryph" -- have been forced into
the planet Taris' dangerous Under-city, where the only thing more deadly than
the Jedi pursuing them are the desperate cutthroats waiting to greet
them!
Read more in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #3, by John
Jackson Miller, Brian Ching, Michael Atiyeh and Travis Charest.
The Clone
Wars continue in hyperkinetic, stylized all-ages action in the fifth installment
of Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures. This digest-sized trade paperback presents
four more pulse-racing tales of knock-down, drag-out action and adventure, all
told in the same stripped-down stylization as Cartoon Network's micro-series.
Featuring the talents of Matt Jacobs, Matt Fillbach, Shawn Fillbach, Rick Lacy
and others, this 96-page issue is due out on April 12. |
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Tuesday December 06,
2005 |
Movies Section
Update |
Today I have updated the Movies Section with the newly added
The
Empire Strikes Back Figures and Vehicles section. The first TV Commercial
features the break apart C-3PO action figure. In addition, it also features the
Han Solo in Bespin gear with Princess Leia in Hoth gear. Enjoy!
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Tuesday December 06,
2005 |
Clone Wars Volume
2 DVD Released |
Don't forget that the Clone Wars
Volume 2 DVD hits the store shelves today! Get yours while they are hot.
Star Wars Clone Wars Volume 2 $13.99
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Monday December 05,
2005 |
Path to the Force
- Episode 34 |
Today we have Episode 34 of Star
Wars Galaxies-Path to the Force which has been created by Nathan Ciprick. You
will be able to access these stories through the Comics
section. Check out the latest episode!
Star Wars Galaxies-Path to the Force-Episode
34
Be sure to check back later this week for the thirty-fifth episode
of Star Wars Galaxies-Path to the Force. Then join us every week as we continue
to follow the adventures of the Wookiee E'nac from the Star Wars Galaxies
videogame in the form of Gamics! |
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