Latest news with #Lucasfilm
Geek Tyrant
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Rian Johnson Defends Snoke's Death and the Direction of STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI — GeekTyrant
Few scenes in Star Wars have stirred as much debate as the moment Kylo Ren slices Supreme Leader Snoke in half during The Last Jedi . The mysterious big bad introduced in The Force Awakens , rumored to be Darth Plagueis or some other ancient Sith mastermind, was built up with ominous weight, only to be suddenly and shockingly killed off halfway through Episode VIII . Now, writer-director Rian Johnson is revisiting that controversial choice and doubling down on why it was the right move. In a new profile with Rolling Stone, Johnson addressed not only the backlash surrounding Snoke's death, but also the misconception that he made The Last Jedi in isolation, with no coordination with J.J. Abrams. Johnson said: 'We communicated. We met and I spent days with him and was able to get into his head and all the choices he had made. That having been said, I communicated and I went and made the movie. And he was in the middle of Force Awakens. 'Ultimately, I feel like the choices in it, none of them were born out of an intent to 'undo' anything. They were all borne out of the opposite intent of, how do I take this story that J.J. wrote, that I really loved, and these characters he created that I really loved, and take them to the next step?' For Johnson, the goal wasn't to shock for the sake of it or to wipe Abrams' work clean. He says he took Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy's request seriously when she asked him to craft the Empire Strikes Back of the sequel trilogy. 'Kathy [Kennedy] said, 'We're looking at someone to do the Empire of this series.' I took that assignment very seriously. Maybe more seriously than someone would have liked. 'I guess to me that didn't mean making something that just had nods to Empire — that meant trying to genuinely do what Empire did.' So when it came time to deal with Snoke, Johnson saw an opportunity, not to remove a villain, but to elevate another one. 'That was, in reading J.J.'s script [for Force Awakens], and watching the dailies, and seeing the power of Adam Driver's character. The interrogation scene in the first movie, between Rey and Kylo, was so incredibly powerful. 'Seeing this complicated villain that's been created, I was just so compelled by that. This is all a matter of perspective and phrasing, but to me, I didn't easily dispense with Snoke.' Instead, Johnson says he used Snoke's death as a deliberate turning point to push Kylo Ren into full villain mode. 'I took great pains to use him in the most dramatically impactful way, which was to then take Kylo's character to the next level and set him up as well as I possibly could. 'I guess it all comes down to your point of view. I thought, 'This is such a compelling and complicated villain. This is who it makes sense going forward to build around.'' Of course, Abrams later pivoted back to the old school by bringing back Emperor Palpatine in The Rise of Skywalker , revealing that Snoke was merely a puppet of the Sith Lord all along. Rey was also retconned as Palpatine's granddaughter, backtracking the idea that she was 'nobody,' another creative decision that divided fans. Still, love it or hate it, Johnson's vision for the middle chapter wasn't about playing it safe or satisfying every theory. It was about shifting power, challenging expectations, and, for better or worse, surprising the audience.
Gizmodo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Rian Johnson Aimed to Make the ‘Empire Strikes Back' of the ‘Star Wars' Sequels
When talking about his time in Star Wars, Rian Johnson often says that he'd like to return to that world one day, at least once he stops making murder-mystery movies and TV shows. But while fans continue to hope he'll make that once-planned trilogy one day, others can't quite get past the seeming disappointments contained in his franchise entry, The Last Jedi. In a new interview, Johnson recalls what he was told when he came aboard the Lucasfilm project. Speaking to Rolling Stone, Johnson addressed the notion that he and J.J. Abrams—who made the first and third films in the sequel trilogy, The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker—didn't communicate enough about their 2015 and 2017 Star Wars films, leading to a disjointed feeling between the two. That's not the case, Johnson said. 'We met and I spent days with him and was able to get into his head and all the choices he had made. That having been said, I communicated and I went and made the movie. And he was in the middle of Force Awakens. Ultimately, I feel like the choices in it, none of them were born out of an intent to 'undo' anything. They were all [born] out of the opposite intent of, how do I take this story that J.J. wrote, that I really loved, and these characters he created that I really loved, and take them to the next step?' An authority stepped in for some guidance at this point, Johnson said. 'Kathy [Kennedy, the president of Lucasfilm] said, 'We're looking at someone to do the Empire [Strikes Back] of this series.' I took that assignment very seriously. Maybe more seriously than someone would have liked. I guess to me that didn't mean making something that just had nods to Empire—that meant trying to genuinely do what Empire did.' Whether or not Johnson's interpretation of Empire pleased fans (some people don't mind The Last Jedi!), it's clear that coming into the franchise to make the middle film in the series was no easy task. That became even tougher when Johnson tried to put his own stamp on the story so far—including, as Rolling Stone uses as an example, doing away with Snoke, the big bad set up with much fanfare in The Force Awakens. Turns out Johnson just thought Kylo Ren was a 'more compelling and complicated villain.' 'To me, I didn't easily dispense with Snoke. I took great pains to use him in the most dramatically impactful way I could, which was to then take Kylo's character to the next level and set him up as well as I possibly could. I guess it all comes down to your point of view.' And really, what would Star Wars be without heated fan debates over the choices made, on-screen and off? Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Geek Tyrant
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Rian Johnson Is Totally Chill About J.J. Abrams' STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER — GeekTyrant
Star Wars fans are pretty familiar with the tug-of-war narrative surrounding The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker . Was J.J. Abrams actively undoing everything Rian Johnson built? Was it a creative clash? A lightsaber tug-of-war between two opposing visions? According to Johnson himself, it's not that dramatic. In fact, he's fine with how it all played out. While speaking with Rolling Stone about the second season of Poker Face , Johnson said he had no hard feelings watching The Rise of Skywalker . He explained: 'When I saw the movie, I had a great time watching it. Again, this is all about point of view. I never approach this as, like, a territory I'm carving out for my thing. 'In my perspective, J.J. did the same thing with the third that I did with the second, which is not digging it up and undoing – just telling the story the way that was most compelling going forward. That means not just validating what came before, but recontextualizing it and evolving and changing as the story moves forward. I didn't feel resentful in some way.' Johnson went on to add: 'But you're talking about a movie made by my friends, with my friends in it. I sit down to watch a movie, and it's a Star Wars movie. It's all stuff I love. I'm not the one to come to for a hard-hitting critique. You can go to YouTube for that.' Despite The Last Jedi drawing a wave of online backlash back in 2017, Lucasfilm clearly had faith in Johnson's vision. He was even handed a brand-new Star Wars trilogy. But then Knives Out happened, and then its sequels, and Poker Face . And now Wake Up Dead Man drops this December. He's busy, he's thriving, and he's not losing sleep over lightsabers. Still, he hasn't ruled out a return to the galaxy far, far away. If that trilogy ever gained traction again, he'd jump on it.
Business Upturn
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
The Mandalorian Season 4: Latest updates on renewal status and everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on July 14, 2025, 19:30 IST Last updated July 14, 2025, 13:48 IST Hey, fellow bounty hunters! If you're as obsessed with The Mandalorian as I am, you're probably itching for news about Season 4. The adventures of Din Djarin and his adorable sidekick, Grogu (aka Baby Yoda), have kept us glued to Disney+ since 2019. But with a new movie, The Mandalorian & Grogu , set to hit theatres in 2026, what's the deal with Season 4? Is it happening, or are we headed to the big screen instead? Let's break down the latest updates and everything we know so far. Is The Mandalorian Season 4 Happening? The short answer? It's complicated. Back in February 2023, show creator Jon Favreau confirmed he'd already written scripts for Season 4, saying, 'We have to know where we're going to tell a fully formed story.' Pre-production was reportedly underway, and Din Djarin's body double, Brendan Wayne, even teased, 'See ya next season!' That got fans hyped for more small-screen adventures. But then, in January 2024, Lucasfilm dropped a bombshell: a feature film, The Mandalorian & Grogu , is coming to theaters on May 22, 2026, directed by Favreau himself. This announcement left fans wondering if the movie would replace Season 4. Reports from The Hollywood Reporter in October 2024 suggested Disney might be pivoting to the film instead, especially after the 2023 Hollywood strikes disrupted production plans. However, there's hope yet! A December 2024 report from The InSneider claimed Season 4 is still 'in development' at Disney+, though the movie will come first. This aligns with earlier posts on X suggesting the show could lead into the film, possibly as a six-episode season. So, while nothing's officially confirmed, it seems Season 4 isn't entirely off the table—it might just be delayed or reimagined. For now, Lucasfilm is keeping things hush-hush (classic move), so we'll likely get clarity closer to the movie's release. Our guess? If The Mandalorian & Grogu is a box office hit, it could pave the way for more seasons or sequel films. Either way, Din and Grogu aren't done adventuring yet! When Will Season 4 Release? Since Season 4 hasn't been officially greenlit, there's no confirmed release date. Originally, fans speculated a late 2024 or early 2025 premiere, based on the show's typical production timeline (Season 3 took about a year from filming to release). But the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes threw a wrench in those plans, and the focus on The Mandalorian & Grogu has pushed things back. If Season 4 does happen, filming would likely start after the movie wraps production, which is already underway as of mid-2025. Assuming a similar post-production timeline, we're looking at a potential release in late 2026 or 2027—possibly August or September, following the pattern of previous seasons. But with Ahsoka Season 2 and Andor Season 2 also on Disney's slate, it could be even later. For now, mark your calendars for The Mandalorian & Grogu on May 22, 2026, and keep your fingers crossed for Season 4 news after that! Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Ancient forest that's 'most magical place on Earth' is just 40 minutes from Cardiff
Ancient forest that's 'most magical place on Earth' is just 40 minutes from Cardiff This ancient woodland was used in a Star Wars movie and is also thought to have inspired Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean (Image: David Broadbent ) About 40 minutes from Cardiff, the Forest of Dean is an ancient woodland that is so surreal it looks like it stepped straight out of a fantasy film script. And in many ways, it has. Welcome to Puzzlewood, a fantastical forest where twisted trees tangle above mossy rocks and narrow ravines dip into shadow. No surprise, then, that it's starred in everything from fantasy epics to sci-fi sagas, drawing in directors, location scouts, and storytellers in search of a bit of movie magic. This spellbinding forest landscape is so unique that Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm (known for the legendary Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises), has even declared it 'the most magical forest on the face of the earth!' It's easy to see why Puzzlewood has been a favourite location for filmmakers. Its surreal landscapes provided the perfect backdrop for productions like Merlin, Star Wars, and The Secret Garden (2020). The mysterious forest is known for being a key filming location for Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). A scene from Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Image: Dumfries Standard ) Article continues below The Star Wars crew transformed ancient woodland into the lush, green forest world of Takodana, where pivotal scenes from the sci-fi saga unfold. Among these is the dramatic lightsaber battle between Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Puzzlewood's natural, mystical atmosphere made it the perfect setting for this iconic scene. Star Wars location manager Martin Joy described the forest as 'like nowhere else, it's an otherworldly space'. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here What is in the forest? Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean (Image: Adam Fradgley / Exposure ) Puzzlewood is open daily from 10am and tickets are £9.90 for adults and £8.50 for children. Across its 14 acres, paths twist through trees, dip into gullies and cross old wooden bridges. Some lead to quiet lookout points, others disappear into the undergrowth. The woodland's 14-acre expanse has miles of meandering pathways that guide visitors through its most serene spots, down steps and over bridges into lookout areas. As you wander, you'll encounter rocky ravines carpeted with moss, bridges that seem to lead to nowhere, and lookouts that offer glimpses into the dense, mysterious forest beyond. Puzzlewood is said to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. A frequent visitor to the area, Tolkien may have drawn from Puzzlewood and the Forest of Dean when he created the Old Forest, Mirkwood, Lothlorien, and other places in his Middle-earth, which includes descriptions of dense forests, ancient trees, and eerie atmospheres that resemble Puzzlewood's unique landscapes. Puzzlewood is in the Forest of Dean (Image: Kirsty Bosley ) While Puzzlewood's forested beauty is undoubtedly its main draw, there's much more to discover beyond the twisting paths and ancient trees. Scattered throughout the forest are a series of intriguing features, including bridges, lookouts, and even a few dead ends, that add an element of mystery to your forest walk. Once you've had your fill of forest adventures, there's still plenty to explore. Kids can say hello to Highland cows, donkeys, ducks and chickens on a mini woodland safari with a farmyard twist. There's a playground for burning off any leftover energy, plus picnic tables if you've packed lunch. Or, skip the prep and grab something from the on-site café, which serves up hot drinks and snacks perfect for a post-hike recharge. Don't forget to pop into the gift shop on your way out because who doesn't love a souvenir? Accommodation and events at Puzzlewood Scattered throughout the forest are a series of intriguing features, including bridges, lookouts, and even a few dead ends, that add an element of mystery to your forest walk (Image: ) Puzzlewood offers charming accommodation options within the forest to extend your stay. Puzzlewood Patch and Puzzlewood Cottage are perfect for smaller groups. Each sleeps four people, while Puzzlewood House can accommodate up to eight guests. Staying in these cosy cottages allows you to experience the forest at different times of day, from the soft light of dawn to the quiet of the evening, when it takes on an even more magical quality. Puzzlewood also hosts various annual special events that add a layer of fun to your visit. From seasonal celebrations like Easter egg hunts and Halloween trails to festive activities during Christmas, there's always something happening in the woodland for families. For photography lovers, Puzzlewood offers photography workshops and residential courses, where keen snappers can learn from a professional wildlife photographer. Where to stay in the Forest of Dean In the wider Forest of Dean area, there are a range of Airbnb properties, guest houses, and hotels in Chepstow to suit your travel style and budget. Weekend Candy has a range of unique stays in the field of Dean, from luxury Glamping and Yurts to cosy holiday cabins. Further afield is the charming Tudor Farmhouse, which is about a 20-minute drive from Chepstow. This boutique hotel is a former working farm that has been stylishly converted into a country getaway with rooms, cottages, and suites. Make sure to also dine at Tudor Farmhouse, where the head chef ensures that quality, locally sourced ingredients are used in their seasonal dishes. Article continues below Farmhouse meets upscale dining here with flickering candles, exposed stone walls, and slightly hushed tones. This contrasts beautifully with the scent of homemade food wafting through the dining room.
