Thursday, December 24, 2015

100 Questions about Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.

Star Wars Episode VII:  The Force Awakens is now in theaters.  I'm not going to review it here, I'm just going to ask 100 questions about this movie.  The average moviegoer will love this movie.  It sets up a new direction for the franchise and kicks things off with a lot of familiarity and fun.  I don't know who said it first... but it is true that 'Everything that is old, is made new again.'

I am not going to state whether I like this movie or not, just that there are a lot of questions about what happens before, during, or after the setting of the movie.  I'm excluding anything that might have been written in any of the new books, so if it's already been printed somewhere, feel free to mention in the comments.  This is just based on what we see in the movie.
SO...
These are in NO PARTICULAR ORDER...
If you haven't seen the movie, you should not go any further.  No... seriously... don't read this if you haven't seen it because it WILL RUIN your movie going experience.

****SPOILERS***                  ***SPOILERS***

;******((((SPOILERS below))))*******;

1) Where does the First Order come from?  - Essential question ... I understand this is really just the Empire renamed, but if it is... why is it renamed and is there any significance to it?
2) Why is there a Republic and a Resistance?  - Is the Resistance like the CIA or UN?  or are these two really just the same thing with the Resistance arm being a little more militant?
3) Was that the Republic that was just blown up? - What does that mean to intergalactic politics?
4) Why is there a map to Luke Skywalker when he is in hiding? - Who made this map??
5) Why does R2-D2 all of a sudden decide to wake up and show the map? - I've heard people say it's because of his proximity to BB-8 or Rey... but you'd have to make a pretty big leap since it's never even hinted at in the movie that Rey or BB-8 would be of any significance to R2.
6) Who is Lor San Tekka (Max Von Sydow's character name according to IMDB)? - Why is Max Von Sydow in this movie for 5 seconds?
7) How did Kylo Ren know Lor San Tekka? - He certainly knew he looked old, which implied he knew him from something prior.
8) Why does he give Poe the piece of the map that R2 apparently doesn't have? - So this is like an old school pirate map that is broken up so only a combined effort will pay off?  really?
9) Where did Poe come from? - Can we get someone named Antilles in the next move?
10) Who is Rey's family? - I imagine this will be explored in future movies.
11) How did Rey learn to pilot a ship? - Apparently ANY ship.
12) How did Rey learn how to fix a ship? - Or any of the other ship related things she could do?
13) How did Rey learn to use a lightsaber? - She could use a staff pretty well also... hmmm...
14) Who was that she left with as a little girl? - Was that Unkar Plutt? That might explain some of her skills, but brings into question her parents sanity.
15) Was her vision past, present, future, all rolled into one? - Looked like some of Luke's past and other words directed at her future.
16) How did she manage to score living alone in a downed AT-AT? - Seems like someone would have challenged her for that prime location?
17) Why is Rey squeezing drops of water out of a canister when there is clearly a huge pool of it for the giant hog-beast? - Boil that up or something... Finn didn't seem to have any ill effects from getting in there.
18) Why is FN-2187 (Finn) the only stormtrooper that has a conscience?
19) If Finn and Poe crash in a ship on a flat sand planet, how do they not see each other? - Poe just vanishes and pops up later.  It looks like Finn was quite a good distance away from the crash, so perhaps he just took awhile to get there and Poe didn't wait around.
20) How did Poe get off Jakku? - Did he just give up on finding BB-8 then after insisting that they go back to Jakku for him?  Did he hear that BB-8 had left the planet with Rey and some other guy?
21) Why did Teedo just give up BB-8 to Rey? - Didn't he have just as much right to it as her?
22) Are white and orange BB droids really odd? - Everyone appeared to notice that he was THE DROID everyone was looking for. Poe did say he was one of a kind... and we didn't see any others...
23) Was BB-8 finding Rey an accident? - Why was Poe on the same planet as Rey?  Why was Lor San Tekka on the same planet as Rey?
24) Does BB stand for Beach Ball? - When he was bouncing around, he kinda sounded like one.
25) Finn was a stormtrooper that worked in sanitation? - OK... that brings up 100 more questions.
26) LIKE:  Everyone just throws all their chips in on this stormtrooper deserter knowing how to take down the shields without even so much as checking his credentials?
27) OR: Why is a stormtrooper that works in sanitation on planet with an elite group headed by Phasma?
28) Why was Finn about to get as far away as possible and then, after seeing her taken by Kylo, decide he was going to lead the group back to Starkiller Base? - That's a long way to go for a girl you just met.
29) Will Finn come out of the coma the same as he was before? - Or will we see some cybernetics possibly? I realize it was his back, but he may need something to get back on his feet.
30) Does Finn have force powers? - He handled the lightsaber pretty well overall.  Probably had some training with that sort of thing as a trooper.
31) Why would Luke abandon everything and hide? - Shame? Fear? What drove him there?  An event at his academy is mentioned, but giving up seems rather unlike Luke the Jedi Master.
32) So Luke trained new jedi at an academy, but all of them were killed? - Hope we get that story eventually.
33) How long has Luke been gone? - Supposedly this movie is set 30 years after ROTJ, and Luke spent some time training some new Jedi, so has he been missing 20 years?  10 years?
34) Who is Maz Kanata really? - Han apparently has known her for awhile.
35) Why does Maz have Luke's lightsaber? - Where did she get it?
36) Han manages to take Rey directly to the place where she will find Luke's lightsaber? - How convenient.
37) How did Han Solo find them on the Falcon so quickly? - I'm guessing his ship was programmed to alert if the falcon's signature came across at any time... and he happened to be in just the right part of the galaxy?
38) How long had Han been without the Falcon?
39) AND...Why is Han Solo, hero of the rebellion, back to a (fairly poor) smuggler?  I get that he's also 'hiding' in his own way from the fact that his kid's a jerk, but does he really need the money?  Child support?  What?
40) Was Chewbacca more understandable in this movie? - It seemed like maybe he learned a little English syntax in his years with Han.
41) What happened to C-3PO's arm? - Makes little difference, but still curious?
42) What is the deal with the giant holographic Supreme Leader Snoke?  Is he really big, or does he have little man syndrome?  Wizard of Oz anyone?
43) Why would you have mocap guru Serkis play a character that could have been done (and perhaps done better) with makeup?
44) How did Snoke get his injuries? - Maybe he's messed with Luke before?
45) Why was Captain Phasma so quick to comply with a traitor and his group in shutting down shields? - Seems a pretty big waste of a character really.
46) Starkiller base was a planet with a gun through it's core? - Anyone care about science in a science fiction movie?  This planet gun had atmosphere and trees and syphoned stars... is that right?
47) How far could that gun beam travel and how fast and split multiple times too? - Anyone care about science in a science fiction movie?
48) How does a superweapon have such relaxed security?  Han, Chewbacca, Finn, and Rey are all just wandering about Starkiller Base with very little concern really from anyone.
49) Is Kylo Ren dead now? Is Phasma? - I understand that Phasma and Hux are not and assume that Kylo also is not, but it looks like their gun planet blew pretty quickly.
50) Why did Kylo go bad? - Another on this list that I think we'll discover eventually.
51) How did Kylo end up with Vader's helmet? - It feels like a lot of important information is missing in between Ep VI and VII.
52) Kylo Ren... Knights of Ren... is that what we saw in Rey's vision? - I imagine that was the Knights of Ren, but I feel like I missed something?
53) Still don't know what's with Kylo's crossguard? - But we know it can sting a bit. Apparently it's exhaust?  Does that mean it's a poorly constructed saber?
54) What is up with Kylo's temper tantrums? - Angst is one thing, but sheesh.
55) Why were so many of the scenes in the trailers not in the movie (or as in the Knights of Ren... barely)? - This was irritating to me when it was all said and done.
56) Why no B-wings, A-wings, U-wings... ?
57) Why no Tie-Advanced or other model Ties? - Hasbro must be livid.
58) Why are there so few recognizable species from the original trilogy in this movie? - I saw a Sullustan and a Mon Calamari... did I miss something?
59) No Twi'leks?????????????
60) Are Rey and Finn a thing?  Frey?  Rinn?
61) Is Coruscant still a thing? - The planet that blows up is not Coruscant, but is there still some government there?
62) Are there any other Jedi out there? - Apparently there are still some force sensitives at least at the time Luke was actively looking and training.
63) Are the Knights of Ren all ex-Jedi? - Did Kylo end up with a group that followed him instead of Skywalker?  Are they still around or is Kylo the only one left?
64) Stopping blaster beams in mid flight is a power now? - Apparently Vader didn't know that one.
65) Can't Jedi sense other Jedi? - Kylo couldn't sense Rey's ability until he tried to mind-read her?  I guess there is precedence for this in the old EU, but who knows what is and isn't now that they've wiped that slate clean. Force powers have always been rather arbitrary.
66) Speaking of EU... Why use Ben Solo when the EU had a Ben Skywalker and a Jacen/Jaina Solo?  Jacen became a bad guy in the EU, and he was Han and Leia's kid...  Seems part of The Force Awakens' storyline was just lifted off of the Solo and Skywalker kids.
67) I get why they ditched the EU (don't like it), but was it really so impossible to write a story that didn't throw out the EU? - Repeating Ep IV with some twists wasn't that original of a story really.
68) Why did Han Solo have to die?  Was it just to give Kylo some more angst? He needed more angst?
69) We didn't need a funeral or a hero ceremony, but didn't it seem like they glossed over the death of a MAJOR character pretty quickly? - Han Solo DIED!!!!  HAN SOLO... That's like killing Harry Potter in the first Harry Potter movie.
70) Is Rey going to travel with Chewie now? - So Rey is the new Han and Luke combined?  What does that make Finn, the new Leia?
71) Death Star IV coming soon? - Since Episodes IV, VI, and VII had Death Stars, should we assume that VIII won't, but IX will?  Roman numerals are weird.
72) How DO you get a Rathtar in a cargo hold? - This was the least Star Wars thing I've seen in any of the Star Wars movies.
73) Are we going to see more of the Kanjiklub and Guavian Death Gangs? - I'm hoping for more of these guys in an 'Underworld' TV show.  Heard rumblings... perhaps rumors.
74) What was that bread stuff that Rey made? - I wish I had some of that.
75) Did I see a Jawa on Jakku? - I really think I did, but they were all covered in robes, so it was hard to tell.... they could have all been like that little metal faced guy that yelled at Rey.
76) Where was Constable Zuvio? - This guy has 2 different action figures and then isn't in the film?
77) Where was Sarco Plank? - I saw Goss Toowers, PZ, Unkar's Thug, and Teedo, albeit briefly.  Seems many of the action figures didn't fare so well in the final cut.
78) Where were the speeder bikes? - Another thing made as a toy that seemed set to appear, but did not.
79) How fast can BB-8 go? - He seemed to move pretty well when he wanted to!
80) How come Poe gets a BB-series droid and it seems everyone else got an R-series? - I saw several droids including R2-KT (YEAH)!  but only one BB.
81) Why didn't General Leia get a better wardrobe? - Seemed pretty drab for a former princess.
82) Why is Leia hugging Rey at the end of the movie and not Chewie? - She doesn't even know Rey (or does she?)
83) Does Rey go back to see if her family may have shown up before joining whole-heartedly with the Resistance? - She seemed pretty intent on going back, but Maz may have made her see the truth.
84) Does Luke have a ship on that island? - How does he eat?
85) Is Luke crazy or evil or just sad now? - His look said a lot, but it is difficult to know the direction this will take now that he's been found.
86) Is there a reason they are searching for Luke, or just because he's powerful and they could use his help? - The first line of the crawl is "Luke is missing".  The movie wasn't really about finding Luke though... it was about finding the missing piece of the map.
87) Phasma seems to have been disgraced... is she going to be the new Boba Fett then? - Could be fun right?
88) A lot of First Order guys got blown up.  Is there a lot more somewhere? - We saw one Star Destroyer and the big Starkiller Death Star.  We should assume there is more, right?
89) How does Rey understand BB-8 and Chewbacca? - It seems it's not uncommon to understand either, others like the nurse at the Resistance base understand Chewie.  So maybe the question is, Why doesn't Finn understand? This must be an experience thing.
90) Will there be more clones in coming movies? - Clones are mentioned by Kylo
91) Will we get a mother (Mara Jade?) onscreen for Rey? - assuming Luke is her father... could it be that Mara Jade will make an appearance?  This would soften the blow of losing Han!
92) What happens with the Resistance and the Republic after Ep VII? - Assuming there still is a Republic... and that the Resistance is still going to fight the First Order.
93) How is Luke going to turn the tide against the First Order? - He's powerful, but how powerful?  Will he train Rey and possibly others?
94) That's actually a great question... in the 30 years since ROTJ, just HOW POWERFUL has Luke become? - Will he have to work his way back, or will he be up to it from the moment he comes back into the world?
95) Will C-3PO and R2-D2 have expanded roles now? - R2 went with Rey and Chewie to find Luke.  I'm assuming C-3PO stays with Leia.
96) Will BB-8 go back to being just another astomech working with Poe or have a new role? - R2 saved everyone in almost every movie... I hope BB-8 continues to shine in the next few.
97) Will we have to wait until Ep IX to get a lot of answers? - The Force Awakens has opened things up, but what kind of spin will the next one take?  I hope answers to some of these questions come eventually.
98) Any chance we'll see a 4 hour director's cut of this movie on Blu-Ray? - Just from reading stuff that has come out of JJ and other people's mouths, it seems like a lot was cut and some of it might be very worthwhile adding back in.  A little explanation can go a long way... especially in that big gap between VI and VII.
99) Is this the last time we see Han Solo? - OK... so he's pretty dead, but I've seen some pretty dead characters in many movies come back.  I'm assuming he'll be in some flashbacks or I guess I HOPE they'll explain a little of what we've seen in the next movie.
100) **Saw someone else post this one** Why was Mark Hamill at that first table read photo? - I imagine originally had had a line or two but somehow they managed to cut his part down to nothing.  Must have been strange for Hamill to find out he's not really in this one... 

Friday, August 14, 2015

Top 100 Star Wars Expanded Universe Moments

I see lists all the time with what will be lost with the discarding of the Star Wars Expanded Universe.  In my opinion, we aren't losing it... it's still there... it's just a shame that more isn't going to be considered part of the mainstream movie universe.  There truly was a LOT that did not have to be thrown away.  A LOT of work by very good writers has been marginalized.  Hopefully parts of this amazing body of work will be used in some way... it could be fun to one day do a blog about all the stuff that was used in the new trilogy that came from the EU.

What I have here is a list of the Top 100 Moments, Events, or just Pieces of Awesome from the Star Wars Expanded Universe.  I tried to give a small amount of info on these where it was needed... and the main book/comic/other where this is located is included in the right column.
These are in NO PARTICULAR ORDER...



*** SPOILERS *** If you haven't read much of the Star Wars Expanded Fiction, you may want to go to one of my other blog entries on what to read... This blog post will give away some important parts of really good books so just be aware!*** SPOILERS

1) Cloned Emperor returns - One death is not enough for someone who planned the CLONE wars.
Dark Empire
2) Ood B'nar defeats Executor Sedriss - This one started 5,000 years before Luke.  You'll have to go to the Tales of the Jedi comics to get the start of this story.  Dark Empire II
3) Mara Jade marries Luke - From Emperor's Hand to Jedi Grand Master's Hand... Star Wars: Union
4) Vergere is a Jedi? Or Sith? - Vergere is one of the most enigmatic and possibly misunderstood characters of the whole universe, but a great character arc. New Jedi Order: Star by Star
5) Ganner's last stand - One of the all time best moments of redemption for a wishy-washy character.  You will dislike this character and then cheer out loud. New Jedi Order: Traitor
6) Jaina trains with Boba Fett - You read that right... Han's kid trained to go after Han's other kid. Legacy of the Force: Revelation
7) Han works with Fett to get Thracken - More family issues with the Solo clan.  Loved the idea of Solo and Fett working together on this one. Legacy of the Force: Bloodlines
8) Anakin Solo becomes one with the force - One of the most wrenching and unbelievable moments in one of the top 5 EU books.  Disparage the NJO series all you want, but this one is a downright gem! New Jedi Order: Star by Star
9) Raynar Thul is found as the Joiner King - A very cool/disgusting way to connect to a prior event. Like if the Star Trek Borg were bugs.... ick. Dark Nest I: The Joiner King
10) D'Harhan blasts the Shell Hutts - So few know about this guy.  5 words ... Replaced Head With Laser Cannon. The Bounty Hunter Wars Book 1: The Mandalorian Armor
11) Exar Kun almost takes down the Jedi Academy - Exar Kun is another one you'll have to go back to the Tales of the Jedi to learn about, but his attempted takeover of the galaxy from beyond the grave was really cool. The Jedi Academy Trilogy
12) Ahsoka leaves the Jedi Order - Unexpected and unresolved.  Made for a great end to a GREAT series. Last Episode Clone Wars Season 5
13) Enter Lumiya, Dark Lady of the Sith - Lumiya came back to haunt the Skywalkers much later... which adds to an already cool character Star Wars Marvel Comics
14) K'Kruhk survives… again - No list of cool EU is complete without K'Kruhk.  Does his hat have special power?  He lives! Clone Wars microseries - Legacy: Ghosts 
15) Quinlan Vos wakes up with no memory - One of the best additions of the entire EU.  He went from background character in Ep I, to comic legend, to Clone Wars canon.  If something was to survive in the EU, Vos and Aayla are good choices. Star Wars Republic: Twilight
16) Cantina Patrons get backstories - Read this book and then rewatch the movie with new eyes. Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina
17) Jabba's Palace gets backstory - Read this book and then rewatch the movie with new eyes. Tales from Jabba's Palace
18) Kir Kanos takes down Carnor Jax - You always wondered what those Imperial Guard guys in red cloaks could do... just admit it! Crimson Empire
19) Jacen Solo's captivity with the Vong - Say what you want about the Vong technology, but you could feel Jacen's time with them and you changed along with him. New Jedi Order: Traitor
20) Grand Admiral Thrawn begins his domination of the galaxy - Thrawn.  If you are here you know that name. Heir to the Empire
21) Baron Fel joins Rogue Squadron - Another cool concept in the EU.  An Imperial Ace Pilot that joins the ultimate Rebel Fighter Squadron. X-wing Rogue Squadron: The Making of Baron Fel
22) Aayla Secura defeats Aurra Sing - Aurra Sing deserves a mention on any Star Wars list.  These two had opposite paths to legitimacy.  Aayla was a minor comic character that made it big on the screen.  Aurra was a background character that made a big splash in the comics.  Plus hot chicks fighting... Jedi: Aayla Secura
23) Assaj Ventress battles Anakin on Yavin - The Clone Wars Microseries made Star Wars cool again. Clone Wars microseries  
24) General Grievous' first appearance - (See previous) Lucas should have taken some notes on Grievous in this microseries... he was awesome here. Clone Wars microseries
25) Boba Fett blasts out of the Saarlac - You can't eat Boba Fett. The Bounty Hunter Wars Book 1: The Mandalorian Armor
26) Kit Fisto battles underwater (lightsaber lit) - The Microseries again... it was able to capture the imagination 3 minutes at a time. INCREDIBLE genius work. Clone Wars microseries
27) Jaina battles Jacen - Hard to read if you followed these characters from when they were born. Legacy of the Force: Invincible
28) Full scale Clone Wars battle in "Landing at Point Rain" - What the Clone Wars aspired to be but didn't really get into in the movies. The Clone Wars season 2
29) Corran Horn vs. Shedao-Shai - It's the 'fight me man-to-man and leave everyone else alone' plot.   New Jedi Order: Dark Tide II: Ruin
30) Chewbacca has a moon land on him - This is something the new movies reverse that I am excited about.  I didn't read this book for awhile when I heard they had killed Chewie.... how could that happen? New Jedi Order: Vector Prime
31) Borsk Fey'lya's Sacrifice - Weasel politician causes so many problems... AND TOTALLY REDEEMS himself. New Jedi Order: Star by Star
32) Mandalorians battling on Mandalore - Boba Fett was cool even though he was in the movie for like 8 seconds... More Mandos please. The Clone Wars season 5
33) Prince Xixor tries to best Darth Vader - Xixor was a Falleen with pheromone powers over women... look out Leia. Shadows of the Empire
34) Starkiller unleashes the force - The video game was fun... the full story was ok.  The idea of Vader having a secret apprentice was really interesting. The Force Unleashed (VG and Comic)
35) Boba Fett tracks down Jodo Kast - Just go read it... widely agreed on as one of the best moments. Boba Fett: Twin Engines of Destruction
36) Darth Krayt is who? - I'm not telling, but he's on this list elsewhere. Star Wars Legacy Comics
37) Winter protects the solo children - Winter is one of the most underrated characters in all the EU.  She factors in several stories and is always cool. Vol 3 of the Jedi Academy Trilogy: Champions of the Force
38) Republic Commandoes roll out - The video game was fun... the stories written about them were very intriguing. Republic Commando (VG) & Republic Commando: Hard Contact
39) Tenel Ka has a daughter - Allana we hardly knew ya. Dark Nest II: The Unseen Queen
40) Darth Bane establishes the 'Rule of Two' - Bane gave us a side to the EU that was incredibly dark and we liked it. Darth Bane: Rule of Two
41) Durge pulls himself together - LITERALLY pulls back together and probably is still. Clone Wars microseries
42) Obi Wan in The Box - Bounty hunters are great... Obi Wan playing bounty hunter- even better. The Clone Wars season 4
43) C-21 Highsinger does his thing - This one wouldn't make a lot of lists, but his quick moment made me 'WHOA'... and that was enough for me. The Clone Wars season 4
44) Death Troopers - Zombie Stormtroopers, c'mon. Death Troopers
45) D-Squad - R2 was already a hero... now he leads his own astromech squad? The Clone Wars season 5
46) Assaj Ventress becomes a bounty hunter - New novel just came out that expands on this character and Quinlan Vos together - Dark Disciple.  Can't wait to read that. The Clone Wars season 4
47) Last Stand on Jabiim - The poor Padawan pack.  Great looking characters... that were doomed from the start. Star Wars: Republic Comics
48) Zombie Sith - Immediately read this one after reading Death Troopers (or before) Red Harvest
49) Vader Remembers C-3PO - Just a quick panel or two but very nicely done. Star Wars Tales 6
50) Darth Plagueis trains Sidious to take power - 'Darth Plagueis the wise' - Only Star Wars gives a setup like that in an opera house and then knocks it out of the park with a great book to tell the tale. Darth Plagueis
51) The Death of Mara Jade Skywalker - Almost as shocking as Chewie's death.  Mara held on to point out the guilty. Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice
52) Luke succumbs to the Dark Side. - Luke as a dark jedi is something you've always wanted to see... you know it. Dark Empire
53) Cade Skywalker vs. The One Sith - Descendant of Skywalker vs. what looked like descendants of Darth Maul... mix and serve. Star Wars Legacy Comics
54) Corran Horn rescues his wife Mirax - Just a great book. I, Jedi
54) Hutt Council - Cartoony, but it was a cartoon after all. The Clone Wars Season 3
55) Clone Trooper Fives journey - A clone unlike the others. The Clone Wars Seasons 1-6
56) Star Wars Infinities (What if) - Lots of 'what if' moments are indulged here... cool alternate story telling. Star Wars Infinities
57) Darth Revan is what? - Revan quickly became a fan favorite. KOTOR video game
58) Obi Wan and Anakin track down Darth Sidious - VERY underrated book with immediate ties to Revenge of the Sith Labyrinth of Evil
60) Corran Horn escapes the Secret Lusankya Prison - This one's more about the prison ship ripping itself out of Coruscant's buildings.   X-Wing:  The Krytos Trap
61) Wedge reforms Rogue Squadron - We all needed more Rogue Squadron after Wedge manages to survive both Death Stars! X-Wing:  Rogue Squadron
62) Ulic Qel-Droma is disgraced and redeemed - Did you know the Force could be ripped away from you? Tales of the Jedi
63) The Rakghoul plague - This followed all the way from Ancient times to Skywalker's decendents KOTOR comic
64) Valance has his true self revealed - Sometimes you hate what you are. Star Wars Marvel Comics
65) Young Han Solo has to make his way in the universe - The whole trilogy is awesome, but fleshing out some of Han's motivations is priceless. The Han Solo Trilogy: The Paradise Snare
66) The Jedi Temple was built on a Sith shrine? - Interesting revelation here. Tarkin
67) Palpatine takes matters into his own hands - Darth Sidious gets his hands dirty. Lords of the Sith
68) Leia becomes a full Jedi - Leia's path to becoming a jedi was done in fits and starts, but she gets there and whether you like it or not, she is a Skywalker. Dark Nest II: The Swarm War
69) Outbound Flight is destroyed - The folly of master Jorus C'Boath Outbound Flight
70) Joruus C'boath is a mad clone - C'boath was one of the first new jedi we'd seen in a Star Wars novel and we find out he's crazy... and a clone of himself. Heir to the Empire
71) Darth Maul dismantles Black Sun - Just a fun look at what Darth Maul did outside of menacing Jedi and getting cut in half. Star Wars: Darth Maul
72) Warriors riding Rancors - Self explanatory I think The Force Unleashed (VG)
73) Onimi is in control - Twist that few would have seen coming  New Jedi Order: The Unifying Force
74) Yoda talks down Count Dooku - One of few novels that look at Master Yoda. Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
75) Luke is not afraid of the Dark - The master Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor
76) Darth Vader purges a jedi conclave - We knew about the jedi 'Dark Times' and this was a good way to show Vader at the height of his power. Star Wars: Purge comic
77) Nute Gunray becomes the Trade Federation Leader - Misdirection leads to Clone Wars... Gunray became a big piece of the beginning of that war. Cloak of Deception
78) Solo's Eleven - A heist story that is full of great twists, just love this team. Star Wars: Scoundrels
79) A Gamorrean in Wraith Squadron - PIGGY! X-Wing: Wraith Squadron
80) The Tusken Jedi - Another great character that became even greater. Star Wars Republic: Outlander
81) Darth Malgus destroys the Jedi Temple - Go watch The Old Republic: Deceived Trailer RIGHT NOW if you don't know what this is.  Deceived - Star Wars: The Old Republic
82) Darth Talon and Darth Nihl - Hands of the Sith Emperor Star Wars Legacy Comics
83) Eight for Aduba - I don't care if you don't like Jaxxon... this Akira Kurasowa tribute to the Seven Samurai is a great tale. Star Wars Marvel Comics
84) The 'death' of Shira Brie - An emotional time for young Skywalker Star Wars Marvel Comics
85) Dash Rendar sightings? - Did he or didn't he die? Shadows of the Empire and Shadows of the Empire: Evolution
86) Enter Cad Bane - One of the best new characters from The Clone Wars cartoon that I hope we see more of. The Clone Wars Season 1
87) Embo, Sugi, and the Star Wars Seven Samurai - Another Seven Samurai tale... this time played out on screen instead of in a comic.  AND Embo! --- like the Snake Eyes of the Star Wars universe. The Clone Wars Season 2
88) Hondo Ohnaka's Weequay pirates - Hondo was another of the fantastic additions to Star Wars from The Clone Wars.  Loved his pirate gang. The Clone Wars Season 1
89) A Life Debt to remember (Han meets Chewie) - The story of how Han met Chewie is layered when you read the WHOLE Han Solo Trilogy. The Han Solo Trilogy: The Hutt Gambit
90) What happened right before the first movie took place? - Everyone loves a lead in story, right?  Why was Han at the Cantina? The Han Solo Trilogy: Rebel Dawn
91) Zayne Carrick escapes the Jedi Covenant and Padawan Massacre - From the very beginning, this comic series grabbed you. Knights of the Old Republic
92) Vector - The ambitious crossover event that spanned the millenia Dark Times, Rebellion, KOTOR, Legacy
93) What happened after Vader got blasted by Han in Episode IV? - We knew he didn't die since he was back in Empire... Star Wars: Empire comics
94) Kyp Durron and the Sun Crusher - Kyp possessed by Exar Kun pulls the Sun Crusher weapon off of the surface of a Gas Giant planet... Sounds impressive right? The Jedi Academy Trilogy
95) Han and Chewie escape the Spice Mines of Kessel - The Kessel run and the Spice Mines of Kessel should ring a bell... both were spoken in the original trilogy. The Jedi Academy Trilogy
96) Sith Lineage of Naga Sadow, Freedon Nadd, and Exar Kun - Kun again... the Tales of the Jedi gave a great backstory to the Sith. Tales of the Jedi
97) Alema Rar is taken apart piece by piece - Shoulder, Lekku, foot... this all takes place in different novels and she just keeps coming. Dark Nest I: The Joiner King - Legacy of the Force: Fury
98) Mara Jade - The Emperor's Hand - If you are ranking characters, she'd beat out most of the main characters for popularity and a lot of that is due to her time as a 'bad girl' Heir to the Empire
99) Noghri Bodyguards for Lady Vader - The Noghri became a part of the family and when they were gone it was felt. And they called Leia Lady Vader... sweet. Heir to the Empire
100) Han and Leia get hitched - So this was not a shock... but it wasn't easy to get these two together. The Courtship of Princess Leia 

Friday, May 8, 2015

100 Rumors for The Force Awakens


SPOILERS but not entirely sure any of this is real...
DON'T READ if you don't want to hear any potential spoilers... and some sorta confirmed stuff.
Since we know very little about this new movie, SPOILERS and rumors become one and the same. This list is simply a collection of rumors that I've seen or heard. We'll see if any of these are accurate. Some don't really even seem to make sense, but here we go. 

1) Han Solo is killed - I think this is coming from the fact that Harrison Ford wanted to kill off Han in the Original Trilogy.

2) Chewbacca gets a prosthetic arm. Not making this stuff up. - was shot, but not off.
3) Luke is killed. And becomes a force ghost.
4) Anthony Daniels is done with Star Wars.  What does this mean for 3PO?
5) Rey is Luke's daughter
6) Rey is Han's daughter
7) Luke has a son and it's Domhnall Gleeson's character - going to call this as FALSE
8) Domhnall Gleeson plays "The General" and is not a "good guy"
9) Adam Driver's character is Han's son - I know... Kylo Ren... but Anakin Skywalker doesn't use his real name as Vader either.
10) Han Solo killed Kylo Ren's father
11) Max Von Sydow plays an old Kanan Jarrus. The resemblance in some pics I've seen is pretty remarkable
12) Assaj Ventress makes an appearance.
13) There is a Mara Jade- like character ... but it's not Mara Jade
14) Sith Witches - will there or won't there be more than one (or two) villains?
15) Jar Jar's bones will be shown in the movie - not so much a spoiler as a statement from Abrams?
16) Luke is in hiding and won't be seen for much of the movie
17) Luke has gone mad and the move will be a 'Search for Luke' sort of movie - at least Half True
18) Luke destroyed Tatooine and can't control himself
19) Luke's lightsaber (and/or hand) from Empire Strikes Back will be a major plot point
20) The Millenium Falcon gets blown up - rumor which i pray is false
21) Andy Serkis plays multiple alien creatures - not sure... he definitely plays one, but that was obvi
22) One of those characters played by Serkis will be the embodiment of the force. - What is Snoke???
23) Luke is a 'bad guy' - preposterous... or is it?
24) The Chrome Trooper is Capt. Phasma - can that name be a rumor... please?
25) Lupita Nyong'o is playing a CG character (sorta confirmed) that has the lightsaber
26) A relative of Grand Moff Tarkin is in the movie
27) Ezra Bridger is Kylo Ren - both have black hair so why not?
28) Luke kills Han - perhaps his force awakened too early on a Monday.
29) Han kills Luke - Luke allows it ala Obi Wan
30) There is a cyborg villain in this movie - could be someone we've seen becomes the cyborg
31) Max Von Sydow is a cyborg but not the main villain
32) Sydow is crazy, but is lucid enough to recognize Luke's lightsaber
33) Luke is the evil cyborg
34) Luke uses the costume of a cyborg to move around unnoticed in the galaxy
35) Mandalorian(s) will be in the movie - fan yank? but it will probably happen
36) Rey and Poe have a 'thing' - romance in Star Wars good or bad?
37) Chrome Trooper (Capt. Phasma) can cloak herself - as in invisible?
38) Finn and Poe end up in 'the brig' together. - sort of true... Finn was in for a reckoning at least.
39) Finn and Poe steal a Tie Fighter
40) Max Von Sydow's character has ties to the Clone Wars - assuming this means a connection to the cartoon
41) Some bad guys in the movie are called 'Jedi Hunters'
42) Martial artists have been secretly cast - calling this one true as there were some stunts
43) Daniel Craig playing a stormtrooper? - this may have been ruled out already, but I don't know?
44) There are flamethrower troopers now?
45) There is an "evil castle" that plays a part - how is the castle evil exactly?
46) Who is "Fat Cat" - besides a name on a rumor list - Grummgar???
47) Princess Leia is a "Queen" in this movie... her planet was blown up... so... hmmm
48) Qui Gon has a voice in this movie
49) Adam Driver's character has a melted Vader helmet
50) Capt. Phasma has a lightsaber?
51) The new X-wings use BB droids - apparently they CAN.....
52) X-wings back on Yavin?
53) Han and Leia are not together
54) Han and Leia haven't seen each other in awhile, but are married
55) Leia is still a leader of the "Rebels" - All 3 are technically TRUE
56) The "Rebels" have what is referred to as a "Sledgehammer" weapon
57) This Star Wars will have flashbacks 
58) Rey and Kylo were students of Luke's  -  I think this is probably true to an extent... but hmmm
59) A Jedi Academy is seen in a flashback
60) Almost all of the students at the academy are killed in some sort of accident - not really an accident I think...
61) A "catapault" weapon at the "evil castle" is a big part of the movie
62) At some point Rey and Finn are piloting the Falcon
63) The character Lupita Nyong'o is playing is named Rose (now Maz Kanata appears to be most recent)
64) The character Max Von Sydow is playing is nicknamed "The Vicar"
65) Lupita Nyong'o is a Yoda-like character and uses the force -- ???  - gotta call this false for now
66) Finn turns away from being a stormtrooper when his good friend is killed
67) Maisie Richardson-Sellers is playing Korr Sella
68) Maisie Richardson-Sellers is "The Emissary"
69) "The Emissary" is working for Leia on a secret mission
70) There is a Hutt Council in this movie - sorta like the Clone Wars episode
71) Kylo Ren is hunting the lightsaber - not necessarily, but true enough
72) Kylo Ren finds Luke guarding something (a tomb?)
73) Pirates in Star Wars?  - wouldn't be the first time if you still count EU or Clone Wars
74) Referred to as "The Seven" are 6 pirates and a leader - Knights of Ren I'm guessing, but not called "The Seven" as far as I know.
75) Finn uses a lightsaber at some point -- a Stormtrooper with saber skills... probably can't shoot straight.
76) Weequay and Rodian Stormtroopers - oh my!
77) Female Stormtroopers also - finally
78) Capt. Phasma, once beautiful is now physically scarred and evil
79) Leia is not a politician, but a martyr, a symbol being protected
80) Rey and Ren are brother and sister and have a big fight scene - Big fight yes... other part ???
81) Rey and Ren are actually code names for Jacen and Jaina Solo - some are still clinging to the EU
82) Rey has avoided the force, while Ren is obsessed with it
83) Finn Calrissian?
84) "The Vicar" has been watching Rey at Han's request (suggesting that she's his daughter)
85) Death Star III - it's been said... again, I'm not making this stuff up
86) "Hall of Mirrors" is a location. - sounds interesting
87) Han and Chewie will be piloting a Star Destroyer (or Super Star Destoyer)
88) Chewbacca pulls an arm off ... this I gotta see  - apparently this was cut... BOOOOO
89) Chewbacca is referred to as a "Rug"
90) Vader will be back as a force ghost - or at least his voice?
91) Vader will be seen in a flashback sequence
92) Han gets to use a lightsaber again - this I gotta see 2
93) Mon Calamari (see Adm. Ackbar) are in the movie front and center
94) We'll see a Chiss onscreen - another fan yank.. but would be cool
95) We'll see a Bothan (FINALLY) onscreen
96) WWE wrestler Sheamus is playing Darth Vader in the movie - totally debunked by Sheamus... but was that just to throw us off?
97) Carrie Fisher's daughter is in this? - would support the flashback talk - not in a flashback though
98) Ian McDiarmid is in this film - flashback?  or other character?
99) The Sith will be fully resurrected in Episode VIII
100) A new core of Jedi will destroy them in Episode IX


I would imagine that Warwick Davis finds his way into a background role as well, but who knows???
We'll see how many point we hit on?  We threw enough darts that it's inevitable we hit something.