Here at Geek Girl Cantina we’ll be wrapping up the week in Star Wars news. Han First Shot, Billy Dee Williams talks about his lunch with Donald Glover, The 501st grant wishes and more. Let’s play some sabbac and get into.
Billy Dee Williams Talks Lando Lunch
A photo surfaced online of Donald Glover speaking with Billy Dee Williams in a restaurant. Not unlike the image a few months ago of Alden with Harrison. THR interviewed Billy to talk about his role in the upcoming Lego Batman movie but also the new Lando. I’ll share a portion because they ask him many questions about it, so definitely read the whole interview.
THR: You recently had lunch with Donald Glover. What’d you talk about?
Williams: He’s a very delightful young man, I must say. We had a very nice lunch and we talked for a very long time and it was very easy. He had questions about [Lando]. I guess he was doing what normal actors do, they just want to find out what direction they want to take so they gather their information. So, we just sat and talked, and I didn’t want to impose on anything he wanted to do — he’s got his own ideas, I would imagine. I know he has his own ideas. He’s a very talented young man. In fact, I was listening to some of his music [Childish Gambino, Glover’s musical alter-ego] and it’s pretty good stuff.
THR: You had also recently said that the Star Wars producers should leave the character of Lando alone. Did you change your mind after speaking with Glover?
Williams: I don’t know. To me, I guess what it is that I identify so much with Lando. I mean, Lando has been very much a part of my life for over 30 years. When I go out and do conventions and stuff like that, even though people know me from all the other things that I’ve done, certainly [Lando] takes precedence. I just never thought of anybody else being Lando. I just see myself as Lando.
THR: Are you going to be making a cameo in the upcoming Han Solo stand-alone film?
Williams: I don’t know. It depends if they ask me to. I wouldn’t mind doing it.
I understand that William’s doesn’t want to give up Lando. It’s the character that continues to make him money and get him out there. I appreciate that he’s finally relenting a bit and not being so angry about it. Speaking of the Han Solo film…
Han Solo Begins Shooting!
That’s right! On Monday January 30th, the untitled Han Solo spinoff film begin principal shooting. You can see our coverage of it here. There had been confusing as to when it would start but we’re in! Director Chris Miller shared a photo indicating the first ever shot of the new film, the very beginning of filming and the title all in one. It’s a very funny production name too! What are you most looking forward to?
Where Was Wedge In Rogue One?
StarWarsNewsNet shared this story and it’s almost funny how much thought goes into the smallest details. Apparently some fans were confused as to where Wedge was. Pablo Hidalgo had previously stated that they were preserving Wedge’s line from A New Hope. And now the Skywalker Sound member Matthew Wood has his two cents as to where Wedge is during the battle of Scarif.
Wedge (voice of @DavidAnkrum1 ) is on Yavin 4, announcing to flight personnel to report in & redirect to Scarif, MTFBWY. He stays on Yavin.
— @matthewood (@matthewood) January 28, 2017
So there you have it, inquiring minds! Wedge is still on Yavin 4 and not out with Red Squadron for this run.
Rogue One Wins BFDG’s Best Production Design!
Way to go team! Rogue One has won the British Film Designer’s Guild award for Best Production Design in an International Studio Film. Woo that was a mouthful. Production designer Neil Lamont and set designer Lee Sandales accepted the award in a night that appreciates the behind the scenes men and women who put their heart into their art. Pinewood Studios is one of the best examples of that passion. So congratulations are in order!
Rogue One Costume Designer and Concept Artists Q&A
StarWarsHyperdrive attended a Q&A with the costume designers and concept artists of Rogue One to talk about The Art of Rogue One book and answer questions. They collected a lot of little facts so I’ll only list out a few. Check them out to see the full list.
- Saw Gerrera was supposed to be on another planet. There was an icy planet (designs showed Snowtroopers) supposed to be shot in Iceland as well as a different (?) jungle planet (as seen in the very first teaser)
- Gareth Edwards worked very closely together with the concept artist.
- Some of them made appearances as extras.
- The costume designers have a huge archive with of army surplus and other stuff they use to create that classic Star Wars feeling mixing otherworldly and worldly designs
- The Ring of Kafrene design is inspired by Bladerunner.
- At first they wanted to use CRAB-ATs, transport vehicles resembling crabs, on Scarif, but then decided against it in favor of the more familiar looking AT-ACT. They spoke about the danger of going overboard with the designs, so they made a conscious not to pack too many new designs into the movie.
- They worked for 2 months on the citadel tower on Scarif and then completely changed and redesigned it in 2 hours.
- Most of them worked on The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
And there you have it! A nice little Q&A.
Miss last week’s Geek Girl Cantina? You can check it out here!
Star Wars Battlefront Sequel Will Feature Multiple Eras!
During a conference call with investors, EA has made many announcements including their Battlefront franchise. It appears that fan’s cries have been heard and they’re addressing the single-player campaign and the multiple eras feature that has been in other installments.
We’re thrilled to bring a new Star Wars Battlefront game to fans worldwide in the 2017 holiday season. In the past two years, Rogue One and The Force Awakens have opened new storylines and captured the imagination of hundreds of millions of Star Wars fans. We’ve listened closely to our passionate Star Wars Battlefront community, and expanded our existing game with more great content and experiences since its launch. As that game continues to thrive, we have also heard our players’ desire for even more depth and progression. Our next Star Wars Battlefront will be even bigger, taking players into more locations, and allowing them to play with more heroes and characters across multiple Star Wars eras. There will be new ways to play, including an all-new single-player campaign, and much, much more that we are excited to share with our players in the months ahead. To build a game of this magnitude, we’ve brought together three great studios – DICE, Motive, and Criterion – and aligned their areas of expertise to deliver an amazing experience in the next Star Wars Battlefront.
Personally, I still haven’t played Star Wars Battlefront. And before you throw garbage at me, I am excited they’re adding these features. While it’s unclear just how many eras will be included, it’s at least a feature they’re working on.
The Star Wars Show
Back in full swing, The Star Wars Show shares exclusive posters from the final Aftermath book, more Rogue Reports with Pablo Hidalgo and more! Check it out (and also check out Andi’s cardigan cause I want it)
Make-A-StarWars-Wish
While things aren’t going so great in the world, it’s stories like this that keep our faith in humanity. A young boy got a nice send-off before his Disney cruise vacation. According to WKYC, “Bo Velarde-Chan has an extremely rare illness called Microvillus Inclusion Disease, which is life-threatening. His intestines don’t work properly, and he has to have all his hydration and nutrition pumped directly into his heart through a port.” While at the airport, some Star Wars characters greeted him, took pictures with him and even had lightsaber battles with him. Mark Hamill caught wind of it and tweeted out his support.
All my best wishes to Bo Verlarde-Chan- The Force Is With YOU Bo, & Will Be Always! (Is that "Star Warsy" enough for ya?) Your Pal, mh https://t.co/4bF57lomcA
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) February 5, 2017
Members from the Great Lakes Garrison and their Rebel counterparts spent about 30 minutes with him. The boy was so excited he hoped that Star Wars characters would be on their Disney Cruise as well. May the Force Be With You, Bo!
Josh Gad Continues To Ask The Hard-Hitting Questions
Last week we had Josh Gad asking Daisy who the last Jedi is. This week he’s back, asking even more questions we all want to know. The age old, who are Rey’s parents, still asking if she’s the last Jedi, and is Finn paralyzed from the waist down. I genuinely hope the two of them continue this series cause it’s so funny. You can see our coverage of the new video here. A fan even made a picture of Olaf in distress over the question. Maybe one day Daisy will answer his questions! And this is your weekly funny.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQBwvFZFXM8/
And that’s it for this week! Did we miss anything? Let us know and be sure to come back next week for more Star Wars.
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