Latest news with #Maul
USA Today
5 days ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
How to see behind the scenes at RV manufacturing plants
The Midwest is the epicenter of America's recreational vehicle (RV) industry. Airstream is headquartered in western Ohio, and 80 percent of the nation's RVs are produced in northwest Indiana, earning it the title of 'RV Capital of the World.' If you own a recreational vehicle or are simply curious about the craftsmanship employed by teams of skilled artisans, an RV manufacturing plant tour offers a behind-the-scenes look. AirstreamJackson Center, Ohio Inside Airstream's spacious, 750,000-square-foot production facility, shiny aluminum trailers glisten like giant pieces of jewelry. Approximately 500 skilled workers craft eight towable travel trailer models in 45 floor plans for the domestic market and three models for the European market. Located 56 miles northeast of Dayton, Airstream employs 1,300 people and hosts nearly 10,000 visitors annually who join free, hour-long guided tours of three manufacturing facilities producing the brand's iconic travel trailers, touring coaches and Basecamp units. Visitor experience coordinator Dan Maul facilitates all tours, as well as manages the company's archives and Heritage Center. 'Around 200 craftspeople, between parts manufacturing and a completed trailer build, are involved in the production of each travel trailer, which takes approximately 350 hours total,' Maul says. Along the 40-section production line, workers buck rivet each trailer's curved, aluminum outer exterior and interior. From a viewing platform above the factory floor, visitors watch production line craftspeople install electrical wiring, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, solar panel hookups, propane tanks and other components. Most of Airstream's cabinetry, windows and doors are made onsite, as are window treatments and some upholstered pieces. Lastly, quality control staff conducts a 1,600-point inspection before shipping trailers to 70 dealers across the U.S. and Canada and another 12 internationally. 'Our design team consistently monitors trends, tech developments, and consumers' interests in not only the RV market, but in the boating and home design industries to ensure we are creating a more comfortable and inviting travel trailer experience,' Maul says. The Heritage Center displays restored Airstreams presented in a walkable timeline. The collection's newest addition is a 1936 Airstream Clipper, the first all-aluminum, riveted travel trailer ever made. JaycoMiddlebury, Indiana There are nearly 70 RV production plants, parts suppliers, service and repair facilities in Elkhart County, Indiana, and a dozen more operate in neighboring LaGrange County. Northwest Indiana hosts many of the nation's biggest RV rallies and is home to the third-largest Amish community in the country, with many of working in the RV industry. Thor Industries, the world's largest RV manufacturer and Elkhart County's biggest employer, owns and operates Jayco, Inc. in Middlebury, about 130 miles southeast of Chicago. Jayco produces 357 models of travel trailers, fifth-wheels, Class A and Class C motorhomes and Class B camper vans at a 720-acre campus employing 2,700 people. Free 90-minute tours of the motorhome and luxury fifth -wheel plants start at Jayco's visitors center, a renovated 1880s Amish farmhouse adjacent to a grassy lot displaying the latest models that guests walk through. A brief film covers the history of the company, which started in 1968 when Mennonite couple Lloyd and Bertha Bontrager built the first Jayco-branded, canvas-sided, fold-down camper trailers in their farm's barn. A vintage trolley ride takes you to the manufacturing plant, where craftspeople assemble insulated sidewalls, wood floor frames and Magnum Truss Roof System roofs, sew window treatments and upholster furniture. Sounds of beeping forklifts and whirring, popping power tools fill the brightly lit luxury fifth wheel plant. Sleek Pinnacle, North Point, and Seismic Toy Hauler models, hand-built by 160 craftspeople, roll down the 36-station production line. It takes an average of three days to build a fifth wheel RV. Woodworkers on the plant's mezzanine level mill all hardwood cabinetry. Final production steps include a thorough cleaning, inspection of 29 system functions and a rain test (motorhomes get road tested) before Jayco ships to more than 400 dealers in the U.S. and abroad. 'Starting in May each year, tour guests watch skilled workers hand-build the next year's models,' says John MacDonald, Jayco's corporate brand ambassador. RV/MH Hall of Fame At Elkhart's national RV/MH Hall of Fame complex, a collection of 50 camper cars, trailers, vans, and motorhomes trace the RV industry's evolution beginning in the 1920s. View actress Mae West's 1931 Chevrolet House car and the 1935 Bowlus Road Chief Trailer. Historic RV brands' units exhibited include Jayco, Coachmen, E-Z Kamper, Kit Teardrop, Shasta, GMC, Airstream and Winnebago. RV enthusiasts will love browsing the library's periodicals and archives.
Geek Tyrant
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Badass First Look at Darth Maul in STAR WARS: MAUL – SHADOW LORD Animated Series — GeekTyrant
Lucasfilm Animation has released the first look at the return of Darth Maul in the upcoming animated series Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord , which brings Sam Witwer back to voice the iconic Star Wars villain. In the image, you can see that Maul is clearly ready for a good ol' fight to the death in an interesting-looking location. Set in the year following The Clone Wars (around 19 BBY), Maul – Shadow Lord picks up after the fall of the Jedi and the rise of the Empire. According to Lucasfilm's official synopsis, the show follows Maul as he attempts to rebuild his criminal empire on a remote planet untouched by Imperial control. Witwer previously talked about the series saying: 'It's about bad guys vs worse guys. This isn't going to be a show where you find out Maul is a real teddy bear, man … We're not doing that. But is he as bad as Sidious or Vader? Actually no. 'From the Sith perspective, this guy has flaws ... [there's] humanity that seeps in at various points because of things that have happened to him.' Witwer also teases that Maul's growing discomfort with the new galactic order plays a key role in the story: 'Maul will question whether creating the Empire was a good idea. [Maul's] like, 'Is that what [Sidious] had in mind? This is a little scary. 'Maul comes from a time of swords, sorcery, magic and knights, and now all of that color of the universe is being sucked out of this mechanized Empire. And Maul's like, 'Is this right? Is this the universe we were trying to build?'' Maul's journey through the Star Wars canon has been interesting. He started as a near-silent enforcer in The Phantom Menace , got cut in half by Obi-Wan, then reemerged angrier and outfitted with metal legs in The Clone Wars . He built a criminal syndicate, tangled with Mandalorians, and even returned in Solo: A Star Wars Story as the leader of Crimson Dawn. I'm very excited about this new series and I'm looking forward to seeing how Maul's arc continues to play out. Source: Star Wars
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How to get Darth Maul's Lightsaber and Force Throw in Fortnite's new update
Fortnite's ongoing Star Wars: Galactic Battle crossover is in full swing, and this time it brings back one of the franchise's most iconic villains - Darth Maul. Whether you're looking to channel the Dark Side in battle or simply want to slice through enemies with his signature red lightsaber, Chapter 6 Season 3 offers a variety of ways to experience the Sith Lord's return. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Darth Maul hologram appears randomly on the map In the Battle Royale mode, Darth Maul appears not as a traditional NPC but as a hologram. He doesn't spawn in a fixed location but can be found at random points on the island, usually after the first storm circle has formed. Players can locate him via a special red lightsaber icon with a black-and-red background on the map. Interacting with the hologram grants access to a Rift Gate, leading to a cutscene where players unlock Maul's Sith Apprentice Lightsaber and Force Throw ability. While the lightsaber can sometimes be looted from other players, the Force Throw skill - allowing users to lift and launch rocks - is exclusive to those who complete Maul's training. The ability, when used effectively, can deal significant area damage. Activated by holding block and tapping attack, it offers both crowd control and destructive potential with a cooldown of around 15 seconds. Darth Maul bundle and LEGO skin Alongside the in-game powers, Epic Games has also added Darth Maul to the Item Shop. His standalone skin is priced at 1,500 V-Bucks, while the full Darth Maul Bundle is available for 2,200 V-Bucks. The bundle includes his iconic outfit, the Sith Probe Droid back bling, Maul's Poleaxe pickaxe, the Sith Infiltrator glider, and a themed weapon wrap. Players can also access a LEGO Fortnite version of Darth Maul, complete with his double-bladed lightsaber in charming brick form. This adds a unique visual twist to his otherwise menacing presence. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now From hologram interactions to stylish cosmetics, Darth Maul's addition is among the highlights of Fortnite's latest crossover. While reactions from the community vary, the new mechanics and customisations offer something fresh for both casual players and dedicated Star Wars enthusiasts. Whether you're training with the Sith or just flaunting the red and black look, now's the time to embrace the Dark Side.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Maul returns! New Star Wars series to explore Sith lord's criminal empire
Lucasfilm is taking fans deeper into the galaxy's criminal underworld with two new animated Star Wars projects—Tales of the Underworld, now streaming on Disney Plus , and the newly announced Maul – Shadow Lord. Both shows spotlight morally complex characters like Asajj Ventress , Cad Bane, and Darth Maul , signaling a shift toward exploring the franchise's darker corners. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India much better equipped to target cross-border terror since Balakot India conducts maiden flight-trials of stratospheric airship platform Pakistan shuts ports for Indian ships after New Delhi bans imports from Islamabad Released on May 4, Tales of the Underworld is a six-part animated anthology featuring separate arcs for bounty hunter Cad Bane and fallen Jedi Asajj Ventress. Their stories dive into heists, betrayals, and uneasy alliances, shedding light on what lies beyond the Jedi-Sith binary. Nika Futterman returns to voice Ventress, while Corey Burton reprises Cad Bane, both earning praise for adding emotional weight to their characters. Critics have noted that while the animation is visually rich, the storytelling sometimes feels rushed. In a surprise announcement at Star Wars Celebration Japan , Lucasfilm also unveiled Maul – Shadow Lord, an upcoming animated series that will pick up Maul's story after the Clone Wars finale. The new series is set to chart Maul's rise as a criminal kingpin after his escape during Order 66, a moment that left Ahsoka Tano torn between saving her friend Captain Rex and stopping the former Sith. Sam Witwer will reprise his role as Maul, continuing a fan-favorite portrayal. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 90s Icon: A Look at Her Today I Am Famous Undo While Maul's death was already shown in Rebels, Shadow Lord aims to fill the unexplored chapter between The Clone Wars and Rebels, detailing how Maul built the Crimson Dawn syndicate. These two projects reflect a growing appetite for complex antiheroes in the Star Wars universe—characters who operate in the grey and often shape galactic events from the shadows. Live Events
Irish Daily Star
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Star
Star Wars Darth Maul actor with huge role in a second massive franchise
Star Wars isn't short of iconic villains. Darth Vader might be top dog but you've also got grotesque gangster Jabba the Hutt, bounty hunter Boba Fett, and the wicked Emperor Palpatine, to name just a few. And when the first of the prequel trilogy - The Phantom Menace - was released in 1999, fans were introduced to a striking new villain. Darth Maul was a terrifying figure with his red and black face paint and crown of horns - and of course his iconic double-bladed lightsaber. This was a breakthrough role for Ray Park, the Scottish actor behind the grim visage, who had previously competed in martial arts tournaments, and had been a member of the British national wushu team. He had also worked as a stunt double, including in 1997's Mortal Kombat Annihilation, and was Christopher Walken's body double in 1999's Sleepy Hollow. He even added a couple of personal touches to the character. Eagle-eyes viewers will spot Maul only blinks once in the entirety of his screen time in The Phantom Menace. While this adds to his horrifying persona, Ray reportedly made this decision as the red and yellow contact lenses he had to wear made it very uncomfortable to blink . Maul also has a piercing in his upper left ear - reportedly because Ray forgot to take his own piercing out when he went into make-up. But this wasn't his only appearance in a major film franchise. Just one year after the release of The Phantom Menace Ray appeared in the first X-Men film as Toad, the acrobatic mutant sidekick to the villainous Magneto. The role even included a nod to his appearance in a galaxy far, far away, when he wielded an iron bar in a similar manner to how he had brandished his fearsome lightsaber. Ray Park as Toad in a scene from the 2000 film X-Men (Image: 20th Century-Fox/Getty Images) The climactic lightsaber duel in The Phantom Menace, which ends with Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn dead and Darth Maul sliced in two by the young Obi-Wan Kenobi, is regularly ranked by fans as one of the best fights in the franchise - in no small part due to Ray's kinetic acrobatic movements. He also showed off his physical prowess as Toad, and later in the two G.I. Joe films in 2009 and 2013 as the silent assassin Snake Eyes. Although his apparent death at the end of The Phantom Menace was the last time Maul was seen in the prequel trilogy, later animated shows revealed he actually survived, gained a pair of robot legs, and set out on a relentless quest for revenge against Kenobi. And, when Disney bought the Star Wars franchise in 2012 and announced plans for a new series of movies, Ray said he would be keen to return. Speaking to in 2013 he said : 'I was excited about the possibility of the new Star Wars, but I didn't once think about me coming back. "Talking to everybody, now I'm getting excited. I'm practicing my two-sided lightsabers in hopes that I [will] be asked. I would love to do it. I would love to come back as Maul and take the top off and do the whole tattoo body and robot legs. It [would] be fun.' And in 2018 the dream came true as Ray made a surprise return as Maul in a cameo in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Speaking to Forbes, the Scottish actor revealed the moment he was asked to return : "I got the phone call from Lynne Hale from Lucasfilm. And it was really nice of her, because she said to me 'Ray, we're just calling to see if you would like to do it.' And I went 'Yeah. Do you want me on the plane now?'' Ray Park, pictured in 2015 (Image: Getty Images) In 2020 he also performed motion capture for a fight featuring Maul in animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which was met with an enthusiastic reception by fans. Speaking in a behind-the-scenes video , the show's creator Dave Filoni said: 'I wanted this fight to be big, and it got me thinking — and I've known Ray for a while — but why don't we bring Ray in and do some motion capture? He could be Maul one more time, physically fighting." Speaking during a rehearsal session in the video, Ray said: "It's amazing to play Darth Maul again. We've just been hitting it hard, coming up with some new stuff. It's been really nice, we're trying to do as much as we can - butterfly twists and flips and corkscrews, it'll be fun." Although Toad did make brief appearances in subsequent X-Men films, including in last year's Deadpool & Wolverine, Ray did not reprise the role. And there's another role Ray would like to have another crack at. He told Forbes he'd like to reprise the role of Snake Eyes - one of the most popular characters in the G.I. Joe franchise. "I'm in a different state in my life now then I was before," he said. "I'm a lot fitter, I'm older, I'm wiser I think, and I'd like to bring that to Snake Eyes." He added: "I was signed on for three movies, and I would like to do the third one. I'd like to finish it."
