OFFICIAL CASTING NEWS!!!

Look, I know this isn't a news site, but I have to share the news, just like the rest of the Internet is doing right now...

LUCASFILM & DISNEY HAS FINALLY OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED THE CAST OF EPISODE VII!

Here is the announcement, word for word, as it appeared on StarWars.com...

The Star Wars team is thrilled to announce the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film. 

Director J.J. Abrams says, "We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud." 

Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, and John Williams returns as the composer. The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.

Okay, here are my first impressions...

Glad to see Kenny Baker on the list!  I didn't think he got enough Artoo time in Eps II & III.

John Boyega - I enjoyed Attack The Block.  I think this is all I have seen him in.  Gonna rewatch it tonight!

Daisy Ridley - A complete unknown to me.  She was in an episode of Mr Selfridge, a show my wife watches, so I may have seen her there.  Maybe.

Adam Driver - We knew this was coming.  I love the show Girls more then a respectable 40something father of two should, and I am familiar with his work there.  He can play dark.  I look forward to seeing what he does in the new film.

Oscar Isaac - I've seen a few of his films, but the films I've seen him in, he wasnt really a lead role.  This will make me get around to finally watching Inside Lleywn Davis.  I do remember his interview on The Daily Show last year.  He came across as an interesting guy in that interview.

Dom Gleeson - I love this guy!  I enjoyed his work on Black Mirror and About Time.  He doesn't seem like an action hero type, at least from those roles.  Certainly more of a farm boy type.  Is he playing Luke's son?  Cant wait to find out.

Max von Sydow - Yes!  Fucking Yes! My only fear is, well, the guy is in his 80's.  If his part is to last through the whole trilogy, well, I hope he doesn't die.  I hate when they have to replace actors.  (I'm looking at your Dumbledore!)

Andy Serkis - This was the biggest surprise to me on the list!  I think we all assume he is going to play some CGI character.  We he be the new Yoda, or the new Jar Jar?

And as for the rest of the classic cast returning, well, we already knew that, didn't we?  ;-)

EPISODE SIX - James Cole, from The Plo-Kool Podcast

My guest this week is James Cole, half of the team behind The Plo-Kool Podast on YouTube.  James is a young guy who I had fun speculating with about the future of Star Wars.  You can find James' work online at these location...

PLO-KOOL PODCAST

PLO-KOOL CAST on FACEBOOK
STAR WARS LIVE - YouTube page for the Plo-Kool livecast.

LEGO MASTER COLE 583 - James' personal YouTube channel.

FACEBOOK - James' personal page.

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I CHANGED MY MIND

Hey There-  Remember how, in the last show, I said I had three interviews this week, and so I was going to release more then episode this week.  Well, I changed my mind.  I am going to bank the extra episodes, so if a week comes along where I don't have a show ready to go, I will still have something to release.

I will release the shows in the order they were recorded, to be fair to my guests, but for now, you'll have to wait for the weekends to listen to new shows.

Sorry for any confusion or problems this may cause.  Let me know if you have any questions, complaints or comments.  I am always open to your feedback.  Thanks!

EPISODE FIVE - Daniel East, YouTuber & Toy Collector

After a long week away, I sat down and spoke with Daniel East.  Daniel is a YouTuber who has some very funny Star Wars action figure review videos.  I've posted some below, and you can find his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/danieleast1000.  Have a listen and enjoy!



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FAMILY NEWS

I'm sorry, there will not be an episode this week.  My father-in-law passed away on Monday.  As you can imagine, I've had more important things to do this week.

I did try to put together an show this weekend, once things had calmed down a bit, but I my heart wasn't in it.

However, the show must go on, and I will be back next week.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

ps - To help spread the show around, I have begun posting them on YouTube.  There isn't anything special about the video, it's just the show logo with the audio of that weeks episode playing.  But it's there, in the hopes that more people will stumble upon the show. (I really need to figure out iTunes.)

EPISODE FOUR - Erich Shafer, 501st Member

After a week off due to MORE technical issues (I'm not as thought as I smart I was!), Episode Four is up and ready to go!

This week I talk with Erich Shafer, a very active member of the 501st New England Garrison, and the only guest I've had so far that I have actually met in person.  We talk about his 201 troops, cannon vs non-cannon costuming, and of course, his thoughts on Episode VII.  You can find out more about Erich on his site, Podcast.RebelLegion.com. Enjoy!

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That's Erich in the center.

Erich, the center X-Wing Pilot once again.

Erich on the far left, and I am on the far right in my Stormtrooper armor.

Group photo.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

If you are hardcore about staying away from ANY kind of Episode VII spoilers, then dont read this post!  You've been warned!


Are you familiar with this classic xkcd comic...

Well, that's the kind of day I've had!  See, I have a Google Alert set up for "Star Wars".  Everyday I receive an email with all the top stories about Star Wars.  Today, some of the news stories where about Episode VII filming locations.  Here are two of the head lines...

'Star Wars Episode VII' Will First Shoot in Morocco --- /Film
Report: Star Wars Episode VII May Return to Tatooine --- The Escapist

These headlines grabbed my eyes.  I think many fans have assumed that Tatooine would be in the sequels, but it was cool to get word that this idea may be one step closer to reality.

From the headlines, I was kinda sad to see Morocco listed, and not Tunisia, but it's understandable.  From what I've read in the news, after the Arab Spring, Tunisia still isn't as secure as it used to be for westerners.  I've also read that Tunisia's film industry has been hit hard from the political shakeup, as less and less foreign film makers have set up shop there over the last few years.  Anyway, all is well and good, then I click on the links...

I have enjoyed /Film and The Escapist before, but I was upset at their shoddy research.  In each of these articles, they both state the Star Wars would be returning to Morocco.  Returning.

Returning.

/Film says "the reason for the return to Morocco could be to use standing sets that were left over from previous Star Wars shoots."

The Escapists says "Once upon a time in Morocco there was a budding young film director, George Lucas by name, who built a bunch of sets out in the desert and called it Tatooine."

Okay, can you see why I was Hulking out with Nerd Rage?  Star Wars has never filmed in Morocco before!  Thus, they cant be "returning".  Arrrggghhh!!!  I've read every one of the "Making Of..." books, and never have a found a chapter about Morocco.  (other then locations being scouted there, but never filmed there.)

Don't just take my word for it, research it for yourself! Here's the Wikipedia page of Star Wars filming locations.  See what's missing?  MOROCCO!

Anyway, I left comments on these two news articles.  I never leave comments on news articles.  I'm sure there are plenty of other sites out there who just cut and pasted these stories into their own, but I'm too tired to track them all down right now.  My Nerd Rage is back under control...  for now.