Free Republic

William Shatner is a man who has never been shy about expressing his opinion of Star Trek Into Darkness (and future Star Wars: Episode VII) director J.J. Abrams. During a recent press junket to promote Escape From Planet Earth, the original Captain Kirk had a few words for Abrams. During the interview, Shatner discussed Abrams along with his thoughts regarding the possible homogenization of the science-fiction film genre.

Stuart Freeborn, the British make-up artist renowned for his contributions to 2001: A Space Odyssey and the Star Wars films, has died at the age of 98. Largely self-taught, his six-decade career saw him create make-up and prosthetics for such cinematic legends as Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers.

The Walt Disney Company chairman and CEO confirmed on Tuesday that there are indeed films in development, in addition to the already announced trilogy of new "Star Wars" entries beginning with Abrams' "Episode VII." "There has been speculation about some stand-alone films that have been in development, and I can confirm to you today that in fact we are working on a few stand-alone films," Iger said on CNBC's "Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo." Iger's confirmation of "Star Wars" stand-alone films comes in the middle of new rumors surrounding that galaxy far, far away. On Monday evening, Ain't It Cool...

Abrams was frequently cited as a fan-favorite pick for the "Star Wars" job, but his connection to the "Star Trek" series seemingly took him out of the running. Abrams even clarified in a December interview that he was approached by Lucasfilm to direct the new "Star Wars" movie, but he passed out of loyalty to "Trek." "[Lucasfilm president] Kathy Kennedy is a friend and there are no smarter producers," he said at the time. "It's in great hands. There were the very early conversations and I quickly said that because of my loyalty to 'Star Trek,' and also just being...

Star Trek Into Darkness helmer J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII for Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm, reports TheWrap. The site says that Ben Affleck was also in contention.

Lego has been accused of racism by the Turkish community over a Star Wars model that supposedly resembles one of Istanbul’s most revered mosques. tria’s Turkish community said the model was based on Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul and that the accompanying figures depicted Asians and Orientals as people with “deceitful and criminal personalities.” The Turkish Cultural Community of Austria released a statement calling for Lego to apologise for affronting religious and cultural feelings. The anger was provoked by “Jabba’s Palace”, a model of the home of Jabba the Hutt from Lego’s Star Wars product range based on the blockbusting...

WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO: Secure resources and funding, and begin construction of a Death Star by 2016. Those who sign here petition the United States government to secure funding and resources, and begin construction on a Death Star by 2016. By focusing our defense resources into a space-superiority platform and weapon system such as a Death Star, the government can spur job creation in the fields of construction, engineering, space exploration, and more, and strengthen our national defense.

'When 'Star Wars' came out in 1977, folks went nuts speculating about the sequel. The rumour mill threw up all kinds of crazy story ideas for 'The Empire Strikes Back' and 'Return of the Jedi' - from time travel to vampire aliens. Without the internet, it fell to legendary sci-fi rag 'Starlog' to collate the fevered imaginings of bearded super-fans. Here's a few of our favourites. We hope the rumours for 'Episode VII' are just as outlandish.'

I don't know out rules on Fox, but suffice it to say they mention a bunch of actors and actresses I have never heard of.

BREAKING…. Disney has just confirmed that it has agreed to acquire George Lucas‘ Lucasfilm Ltd, and that includes rights to the Star Wars franchise that will now continue on. The companies have targeted a 2015 release for Star Wars: Episode 7, with Episode 8 and Episode 9 to follow as the the long-term plan is to release a new feature every two or three years. “The last Star Wars movie release was 2005’s Revenge Of The Sith – and we believe there’s substantial pent-up demand”, Disney said. The deal also includes rights to the Indiana Jones franchise. The stock and...

The Walt Disney Company announced Tuesday it has agreed to buy Lucasfilm, which includes the Star Wars franchise, for $4.05 billion in cash and stock from George Lucas. The deal includes a tentative release date of Stars Wars Episode 7, along with the possibility of growing the franchise with more feature films. “Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas,” Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, said in a statement. Current Co-Chairman of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy, will become President and report to Walt Disney Chairman Alan Horn. “This...

The Walt Disney Company announced today it has agreed to acquire Lucasfilm and is planning Star Wars Episode 7 for 2015! This is following such big purchases as Pixar and Marvel Entertainment. Here is the full press release:

By any honest measurement Barack Hussein Obama has been a dismal failure as a President. Few if any Presidents have been given as much power in their first term as Obama and done so little. In fact for two years he had an unassailable super majority in congress and still his administration has been unable to do something as simple as craft a budget much less control runaway unemployment, a crippling deficit, and the terrorist overthrow of the middle east. While contemplating how anyone could do much worse than Obama, it came to me: Obama is such a failure that...

Star Wars fans still grip their chairs when Luke and the rebel fighters hurtle down the Death Star trenches amidst deathly fire from the Empire’s incoming. As ships are vaporized and Vader hones in on them, Red Five exhorts everyone to: Stay on Target. Stay on Target. Dear Romney-Ryan Campaign, you must learn from Red Five. The “Target” of any good campaign is The Plan. Every moment of campaign communication should focus on a unique message, “Here are the problems and this is our plan.” Everything else is empty space. Yesterday Vice President Joe Biden somehow acquired, in place of...

The Emperor’s New Clones was created by some very talented people at an organization called “Backyard Productions.” With its wonderful sets, costumes, and special effects, I was stunned to find out that the total cost of making this was only approximately £3,000.

Fans of the late-1970s "Star Wars" movies probably know that Luke Skywalker, a reluctant hero battling his way through the film's evil Galactic Empire, was raised on the windswept plains of Tatooine, a desert wasteland planet located on the outer rim of director/writer George Lucas’ fictional galaxy. In reality, Skywalker’s house - known as the Lars homestead - is actually located in southern Tunisia. The whitewashed ranch was constructed on an outdoor movie set in a desert region known as Tozeur. And after more than three decades of blowing sands and extreme Saharan heat, Skywalker’s domed home was beginning to...

we all get older...

The force is not strong with this one. The Press Tribune in Roseville is reporting that a man sharing a name with famed “Star Wars” character Obi-Wan Kenobi was arrested this past weekend in connection with a hit-and-run accident. On March 19, 37-year-old Obiwan Kenobi was reportedly involved in a five-car crash. The investigation, conducted by the Roseville police, revealed that a green Sedan believed to be Kenobi’s was responsible for the chain-reaction accident. Several people involved complained of pain after the collision. Witness testimony and a thorough investigation of the scene led them to Kenobi, who was found Saturday...

The Obama Record: The president's shredding of the Constitution began at the Preamble's provision for the common defense. He gave away our missile defense to appease Moscow and betray our allies. Derided as Star Wars, the Strategic Defense Initiative announced by President Reagan on March 23, 1983, was to be the fulfillment of his dream of being able to deter or even defeat a nuclear missile attack, rather than avenge one, with a multilayered system of defenses aimed at enemy missiles in all stages of flight. SDI and its concept of defending America and its allies were attacked as destabilizing...

MIAMI, FLORIDA, March 16, 2012, (LifeSiteNews.com) – Soon, a child’s online exposure to homosexual romance will not just exist in a galaxy far, far away. BioWare, the company that created the online video game “Star Wars: The Old Republic,” has relented after two years of lobbying and announced it will create an upgrade that allows players to have same-sex relationships as part of the gaming experience. “Same gender romances with companion characters in Star Wars: The Old Republic will be a post-launch feature,” BioWare declared in an online statement. The new functions will be developed as the company releases “content...