Jeremy Bulloch 1945 – 2020

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STARBURST is saddened to learn of the death of Jeremy Bulloch. The actor was famous for portraying Boba Fett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The role made him a hugely popular guest at conventions and festivals, but he enjoyed a successful career in a variety of roles outside of the Star Wars universe.

Jeremy appeared in three James Bond films, The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), For Your Eyes Only (1981), and Octopussy (1983), as well as acting in the popular children’s fantasy show Chocky (1984) and the follow-up Chocky’s Children (1985).

He began acting at an early age, with uncredited appearances in Violent Playground (1958) and A Night to Remember (1958), the film about the Titanic disaster directed by the legendary Roy Ward Baker. He later became a familiar face in TV dramas, with several recurring roles. He would appear in four separate Doctor Who stories, The Dimensions of Time, The Search, The Final Phase, and The Time Warrior. In 1974, he was the lead in the sex comedy Can You Keep It Up for a Week? The title referred to staying in paid employment, by the way.

Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, he once again appeared regularly in TV series, including playing Edward of Wickham in Robin Hood. He would return to Star Wars once more in 2005 to play Captain Colton in Revenge of the Sith.

Everyone who met Jeremy over the years, be it professionally or at a convention knows how warm and friendly he was; he always lived up to the love fans gave to the Boba Fett character and was admired as himself because of that. He will be sorely missed.

We send our thoughts to his family and friends.

THE MANDALORIAN’s Ming-Na Wen Returning for STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH

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She’s already back in the live-action realm of The Mandalorian, teaming up with the resurrected Boba Fett in the show’s blockbusting second season, but that’s not the only place you’ll be finding Ming-Na Wen and her character Fennec Shand. The hotly anticipated sequel to The Clone Wars, titled The Bad Batch is coming our way soon on Disney+, and Ming-Na is joining the cast as Fennec Shand, playing a much younger version of her character almost three decades earlier down the timeline.

Speaking with the official Star Wars website, she couldn’t contain her excitement at her return as Fennec.

“Do you know how long I’ve had to keep silent about Fennec coming back? It’s a younger Fennec and she is voiced by me and I’m thrilled and beyond happy that Dave wanted to create more of a backstory for her.”

Set at the beginning of the Imperial era, The Bad Batch will see a squadron of former Republic clone troopers strike out in their battles against the growing Empire. Where Shand fits into that is unclear, but having a genre staple like Ming-Na Wen involved is certainly going to elevate proceedings. Before then, we have her in Season 2 of The Mandalorian, teaming up with Boba Fett after her apparent death at the hands of Toro Calican in the fifth chapter of season one. Where her older self will land is also yet to be written, but either way, Fennec Shand is set to be an important player in both eras of the Star Wars story.

THE BAD BATCH will premiere on Disney+ in 2021.

Ben Wheatley’s IN THE EARTH Gets First Trailer

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Earlier this year, filmmaker Ben Wheatley (Kill List, High-Rise, Rebecca) revealed he had shot a micro-budget horror film during quarantine – shot in just fifteen days – the title of which was announced to be In The Earth. 

Distributor Neon recently released a teaser trailer for the highly-anticipated film, which is due to premiere at Sundance Film Festival next month.  Though the teaser does not reveal much, we do know that Wheatley’s latest stars Joel Fry, Ellora Torchia, Hayley Squires, and Reece Shearsmith. Set in a world beset by a deadly virus, In The Earth follows a scientist and a park scout as they venture into a forest for a routine equipment run. As the night passes, their journey turns nightmarish when their surroundings seemingly come to life.

With a full trailer likely to drop prior to the movie’s festival world premiere on January 30th, fans shouldn’t have to wait much longer for more details on the upcoming indie horror.

Check out the teaser below…

The CW Developing Sci-fi Drama THE DISASTERS

The CW has announced it is developing a new sci-fi series, based on M.K. England’s YA novel The Disasters, with Supergirl writer/producer Derek Simon. The series is being co-produced by Berlanti Productions, 5 More Minutes Productions, and Warner Bros TV.

The 2019 sci-fi adventure novel, which has been described as The Breakfast Club meets Guardians of the Galaxy, is set in a future where humans have begun colonising space in order to save the Earth from its climate crisis.

The Disasters follows a group of four washouts from a prestigious military academy, Ellis Station, and are forced to flee to the Colonies when they become scapegoats for a terror attack. Now on the run and fearing for their lives, the group must band together to clear their names and expose the truth about the attack.

With the project still in its earliest stages, there is no word yet on casting, or possible release date.

SIDESHOW TO PRODUCE CRITICAL ROLE MERCH

Critical Role Sideshow

The unstoppable pop-culture phenomena that is Critical Role continues to conquer all in it’s path with the announcement that Sideshow Collectibles will launch a series of Critical Role themed collectables, including models of The Mighty Nein. This will delight fans of Critical Role (who call themselves Critters.)

Sideshow’s Critical Role collection will feature fine art prints and three-dimensional figural art so you can gather your favorite characters into an adventuring party for the ages.

“As fans and tabletop gamers ourselves, Sideshow is extremely excited to be partnered with Critical Role to bring Critters around the globe new premium-quality, limited-edition collectibles of Vox Machina and the Mighty Nein,” says Anna Van Slee, Brand Director of Sideshow. “Working closely with the cast to stay faithful to fan-favorite, canonical representations of the characters, we are hoping to make these wondrous items as glorious as any goods Shaun Gilmore or Pumat Sol would sell to adventurers.”

Starting with the show’s current campaign, the heroes of the Mighty Nein get the spotlight in the Mighty Nein: This is How We Roll! Fine Art Print by artist Ian MacDonald. This vibrant illustration catches the adventurers taking a short rest in a local tavern, celebrating their fantastic travels. Packed with visual Easter eggs, this high-end collectible art print will be available for pre-order on Thursday, December 17th, 2020, with custom framed and unframed options available.

Next up, two members of the Mighty Nein will make their debut as statues, launching for pre-order on Thursday, January 14th, 2021. The Beau Statue is pop-popping onto the scene, celebrating the indomitable spirit of the Mighty Nein’s energetic human Monk while the Fjord Statue captures the strength and stoicism of the half-orc Warlock channeling his patron’s power. These three-dimensional representations of the beloved heroes are faithfully detailed with the characters’ costumes and acquired treasures from throughout the Might Nein Campaign.

The Future of STAR WARS….

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It’s becoming increasingly harder to remember that feeling after the release of Revenge of the Sith, just over 15 years ago (yes… we feel that ache of despair too at that fact), of the saga being complete. That feeling that there wouldn’t be any more Star Wars films and a sparing live-action life via some announced but far from rock-solid projects. Because, as this year’s Disney Investors Day showed us this past weekend, a galaxy far, far away, has never been closer.

Off the back of the astounding and audience-satisfying (miracles do happen) The Mandalorian on Disney+, which many joke is the sole reason to subscribe to the House of Mouse’s streaming service, it seems that Star Wars, alongside Marvel and many other titles (Willow sequel!!!), are about to take over the – possibly cinema-killing (we’ll get back to you on that) – format.

Over 10 new Star Wars projects were announced, alongside some welcome feature film news (maybe cinema – like Palpatine – will rise again after all). But here’s a rundown of all the Star Wars goodness speeding your way over the coming years, mostly on the small screen but some on the big….

THE MANDALORIAN – SEASON 3

The Mandalorian Season 3 is a given at this point. After an excellent first season confidently wowed us last year and in many ways re-energised the Star Wars franchise after the divisive sequel trilogy led to seemingly never-ending social media verbal bust-ups. Then came this year’s Season 2, which has taken the show to even more ambitious heights, with crowd-pleasing links to the animated shows Rebels and The Clone Wars, in addition to Expanded Universe (EU) references, and links to the original trilogy and developments of the prequels. Little is obviously known so far about the next season but come this Friday’s Season 2 finale, we’re sure the direction Mando and Grogu’s journey will take next will become clearer (at least a bit). Kathleen Kennedy confirmed Season 3 will be here in time for Christmas 2021 too. So that’s next year’s pressie sorted!

And, unsurprisingly considering the response to the show, The Mandalorian is becoming a centre point to its own universe in Star Wars, as it has also been excitingly announced that executive producers Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni will be backing two spin-off series (see below), with a future all-out unified climax to all these three shows.

AHSOKA

Yes, the time has come folks. The Clone Wars’ breakout hero Ahsoka Tano is getting her own show and in live-action form. After making a tremendous debut in Season 2 of The Mandalorian, Rosario Dawson will return to swing the lightsabers again as Ahsoka. We can expect links to Rebels, following up the show’s epilogue (meaning we will be possibly be getting live-action debuts for Sabine Wren and Ezra Bridger too!), and already after her aforementioned Mandalorian mark, we have the tease that fan favourite EU legend Grand Admiral Thrawn (made cannon by Rebels), will be playing a part, as he is still indeed alive, and Ahsoka is hunting him down.

RANGERS OF THE NEW REPUBLIC

The second announced Mandalorian spin-off show is one far more shrouded in mystery. However, The Mandalorian did highlight the New Republic at points in both Season 1 and 2, with Filoni himself appearing as X-Wing pilot Trapper Wolf, alongside his partner in crime (solving) Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as fellow X-winger Carson Teva. But this time the full story can be told, as this show depicts a galaxy adjusting to the order(?) of The New Republic. The show is predicted to fly onto Disney+ around 2022.

Outside of The Mandalorian timeline though, there are plenty more edges of Star Wars waiting to be fleshed out, with a plethora of other new shows and movies Force-jumping their way to our screens.

THE BAD BATCH

That said, there is a sneaky Mandalorian character reference in the trailer for The Bad Batch, which has now been released. The show will focus on the ragtag bunch of genetically mutated rebellious clones, introduced in this year’s final series of The Clone Wars via their own multi-episode arc. The show will clearly depict some of their exploits, but will be set in the immediate aftermath of Order 66, as the Empire rises and the galaxy changes forever. The trailer promises some of the visuals, action, and ideas we have come to expect from The Clone Wars universe, and will be released on Disney+ next year.

OBI-WAN KENOBI

COVID and other delays may have slightly prolonged the long-awaited return of (*dons best General Grievous impression) “General Kenobi”, but we’re sure the results will be more than worth the wait, as it was announced this past weekend that the show, which will be helmed by director Deborah Chow (of ‘The Sin’ and ‘ The Reckoning’ Mandalorian episodes), will see the exciting return of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader much to the delight of Ewan McGregor who is – of course – back as Kenobi. Set 10 years after the events of Revenge of the Sith, some concept art (as yet unreleased online but described to us) teases a rematch between master and apprentice, and that Tatooine is only the beginning of this untold story. The show starts shooting in March and is expected to be released on Disney+ in early 2022.

ANDOR

Another concept that has been in the running for some time now is Andor, a prequel series detailing the events that led to the turning point of the Rebellion shown in Rogue One. It will (re)introduce us to Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor, as well as seeing Genevieve O’Reilly reprise her role again as Rebel Leader Mon Mothma. A sizzle reel released for the show depicted some of the behind the scenes content shot so far, for what promises to be an ambitious and immaculately designed series, filled with practical-heavy creatures, over 200 named cast members and a spectacular scale. Set five years before Rogue One and described as a “Star Wars spy thriller” by Lucasfilm, the show is created by Tony Gilroy (Rogue One and The Bourne series writer) and will also co-star the likes of Stellan Skarsgard, Adria Arjona, Fiona Shaw and Kyle Soller, running at 12 episodes, and being released to Disney+ streaming in 2022.

LANDO

Other Star Wars spin-off feature Solo, will also be getting a miniseries spin-off of sorts, in the newly announced Lando, which is coming from Justin Simien (Dear White People) to Disney+, and is now in the early stages of development. It wasn’t said if Donald Glover will be back as the dashing title rogue but it is very heavily expected to be the case (judging by the Glover-heavy announcement video). The show will delve further into the backstory of everyone’s favourite cape-wearing smuggler Lando Calrissian and could even leave the door open for an appearance by Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo, depending on what stretch in Lando’s wild life the film will be looking at that is!

THE ACOLYTE

Recently the High Republic era of Star Wars began building its legacy, it’s a time set around 200 years prior to the events of The Phantom Menace, and is now the backdrop of a newly announced show called The Acolyte. Coming from co-creator of Netflix’s Russian Doll Leslye Headland, little is known about the specific story of the show but the official Star Wars Twitter called it “a mystery-thriller that will take viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era”. This has naturally seen many theorise about the possibility of Darth Plagueis playing a part in the story. We shall see.

VISIONS

Coming far sooner than some of the aforementioned is Star Wars Visions, which will arrive on Disney+ next year and is an anime-style series of episodes that sees a collection of acclaimed Japanese creators giving their own visually astonishing and unique takes on the world of Star Wars.

A DROID STORY

Lucasfilm Animation and Industrial Light and Magic will combine their talents to co-produce a new adventure film in A Droid Story, which will be releasing to Disney+. Featuring R2-D2 and C-3PO, as they guide a new hero on an epic journey, they have confirmed it will be a film and not a series and possibly of a lighter and more humorous tone.

Though, as we mention films, it might be an appropriate time to say, don’t despair lovers of cinema, for we have not seen the last of Star Wars on the big screen. As there are two upcoming projects that have many minds racing with their potential.

ROGUE SQUADRON

In what will be the first theatrically released Star Wars film since The Rise of Skywalker, Wonder Woman’s Patty Jenkins will helm Rogue Squadron, releasing Christmas 2023. According to Kennedy it will centre on a new generation of pilots who try to “earn their wings” in a future era of the galaxy. Obviously little is known at this stage but from the title alone we can expect space battles, mid-air action and uphill struggles against overwhelming forces.

UNTITLED TAIKA WAITITI STAR WARS FILM

Announced earlier this year, writer/director Taika Waititi will be writing and helming a new Star Wars picture. Arriving some time after Rogue Squadron, Waititi is currently in the process of writing the as-yet-untitled film, which Kennedy has called “unexpected and unique”. What else would we expect from Waititi?!

So, Star Wars fans, there we have it. The near future is bright for Star Wars and depending on how these shows and films fly, we may be in for many more expanded stories that will strengthen the very fabric and reach of the Star Wars franchise. It’s official, Star Wars will live forever. And, hey, maybe we will finally getting that Max Rebo origin story this writer pitched some time back! Unlikely… but never say never.

DOCTOR WHO: Demon Records to Release HORROR OF FANG ROCK

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The latest Doctor Who vinyl release from Demon Records has been announced. On February 19th, 2021, listeners can relive Horror of Fang Rock as a narrated TV soundtrack. Louise Jameson will be providing the narration and appears as Leela alongside Tom Baker’s Doctor in this classic, 4-part serial.

A remote lighthouse in the early 1900s is the scene of this suspenseful adventure for the Doctor and Leela, when a light in the sky and a sudden dense fog are the preludes to a night of terror. With a lighthouse keeper dead, Old Reuben fears the legendary Beast of Fang Rock has returned. A shipwreck brings others in search of shelter, but nobody’s safety can be guaranteed. The Doctor must use all his ingenuity if he and Leela are to survive….

Presented across 2 x 140g vinyl discs in Rutan Blob green, this 1977 TV soundtrack is narrated by Louise Jameson, who plays Leela in the story. The supporting cast includes Colin Douglas, John Abbott, Alan Rowe, Sean Caffrey and Annette Woollett. Incidental music is composed by Dudley Simpson, and the familiar strains of the Doctor Who theme are courtesy of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

The coloured vinyl LPs are presented in a fully illustrated gatefold sleeve showing cast and credits, and inner bags featuring complete episode billings.

You can pre-order the record here: https://amzn.to/3aeEcwu

Check Out the New Year Terrors on Horror Channel in January

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As we bid goodbye to a truly horrific year, Horror Channel has lined up some great movies to see in the New Year and keep us awake at night.

A trio of channel premieres begins on January 9th, there’s John Schlesinger’s fantastic Pacific Heights (1990), in which Michael Keaton causes problems for his landlords Melanie Griffith and Matthew Modine. On Saturday, January 16th, a rookie police officer (Juliana Harkavy) faces a terrifying Last Shift (2014) as her closing station becomes a beacon for evil. Saturday, January 23rd sees Clive Barker’s brilliant Nightbreed (1990) debut on Horror Channel. A horde of monsters and a serial killer played by David Cronenberg, what more do you need?

Also screening throughout the month are Radius (2017) on January 5th, Frankenstein (2015) on January 10th, Honeymoon (2014) on January 14th, Dark Skies (2013) on January 21st, Serenity (2015) on January 24th, and Black Death (2007) on January 30th.

For more information, head over to http://www.horrorchannel.co.uk/

Tune into Horror Channel on Sky 317, Virgin 149, Freeview 68, Freesat 138.

CHRIS PINE TO STAR IN DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS MOVIE

Chris Pine Wonder Woman Press Photo

Wonder Woman and Star Trek star Chris Pine is to play the lead in Paramount Studio’s new Dungeons and Dragons movie. Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley have been attached to direct. Their credits include Game Night and Spider Man: Homecoming.  We also understand that Justice League actor Joe Manganiello is attached to the project in some way, but it is unclear as to how.  The movie is expected to come out in May 2022.

Paramount will be working with eOne, the company that handles this sort of thing for toy and game manufacturer Hasbro, the current owners of Dungeons and Dragons. The feature has been in development for a very long time and they have been multiple attempts to bring the vast and complicated world of Dungeons and Dragons to the silver screen since the 80s. It’s creator, Gary Gygax, famously failed to get a movie made and the least said about 2000’s low budget fantasy movie of the same name the better.

The tabletop game has enjoyed a huge revival in recent years thanks to shows such as Critical Role, Questing Time and High Rollers, as well as the game’s Fifth Edition, which is a far more accessible and inclusive rules-set. One of the challenges any Dungeons and Dragons movie will face is exactly which story to tell. The game has been around since 1974 and has accrued a whole library’s worth of lore and stories. Add to this the fact that the game itself is all about making up your own adventures and it becomes quite clear why it’s taken so long to develop a script that can be truly described as Dungeons and Dragons.

Time will tell if this new movie will take the fantasy franchise into a bold new direction or if we will finally get to see D&D’s famous setting The Forgotten Realms and heroes such as Minsc, Boo, Drizzt Do’Urden, Arkhan The Cruel and Elminster on the cinema screen.

NIGHTBREED Star Joins ADVENT

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Hellraiser and Nightbreed star Nicholas Vince joins the cast of Advent, a Christmas horror movie currently in production.

The film is written and directed by Airell Anthony Hayles, whose movie They’re Outside impressed at this year’s FrightFest. It is the story of a girl who comes across a cursed advent calendar, and plays a game against the devil in the run up to Christmas.

The project comes from The Haunted Cinema, who recently wrapped filming on Frost Bite (once again written and directed by Hayles), in which Santa turns into a werewolf on Christmas Eve. Frost Bite features cult horror film critic and writer Joe Bob Briggs and genre favourite Emily Booth, and both films promise Christmas thrills and chills…

Advent is set for release in time for Christmas next year.