Star Wars fan gets dying wish and there's a new trailer

Director JJ Abrams and Disney have granted Daniel Fleetwood's dying wish to see The Force Awakens following a social media campaign spearheaded by stars of the new movie.

Daniel's wife, Ashley, took to Facebook:

“Daniel just finished watching an unfinished version of Star Wars: The Force Awakens!!! We would like to thank the awesomely talented [director] JJ Abrams for calling us yesterday to tell us Daniel was getting his wish granted!” she wrote.

Hope Daniel enjoyed the movie.

A new international trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been posted on Disney's Youtube account in Japan. It contains lots of new footage and dialogue featuring Rey, Finn, BB-8 and Kylo Ren.



Still no sign of Luke Skywalker. Director JJ Abrams is keeping the mystery box closed until release.

Star Wars fan's dying wish to see The Force Awakens

"I just love Star Wars. With everything I got I love Star Wars."

A Star Wars fan's dying wish to see The Force Awakens has gone viral with support from fellow fans, Mark Hamill and John Boyega.

Daniel Fleetwood has terminal cancer and doesn't think he'll be alive to see the US theatrical premiere on 18th December.

"Judging by how progressive the disease has gotten in the past two months," Daniel told KPRC. "I really don't think that I'll be able to make it.”



The Texan has been a Star Wars fan since the age of 8, collecting merchandise, writing fan fiction and made the local news when he camped outside for tickets to see the prequels.

"It's a commitment and he still has that commitment, that drive, and that love and I think that it's a beautiful thing," said Fleetwood's wife, Ashley. "Even if it's just a movie. That's magic for a lot of people."

Director JJ Abrams granted a similar dying wish to a Star Trek fan. So, please be awesome again. Many of us have been touched by cancer in some way. This year an aunt of mine passed away due to a brain tumour and cancer. The last time I saw her was at Christmas and we talked about seeing The Force Awakens together. Alas, that won't be possible.

Hope you get your wish, Daniel. May the force be with you. Always.

HBO's chilling teaser for Westworld

HBO revisits seminal sci-fi western Westworld (1973) in its upcoming television series executive produced by JJ Abrams and Jonathan Nolan. Here's a chilling first look that pays homage to Michael Crichton's original dysfunctional theme park. An idea Crichton would return to in Jurassic Park.



HBO describes Westworld as "a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin." The series stars Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Rodrigo Santoro, Shannon Woodward, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Ben Barnes, Jimmi Simpson, Clifton Collins, Jr., Simon Quarterman, and Angela Sarafyan, and will air in 2016.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens a year from today

Couldn't let this pass by without acknowledgement. Star Wars: The Force Awakens premieres December 18th, 2015. That's one year from today.

I'll be covering much more Star Wars news in the New Year.

How excited are you for Star Wars: The Force Awakens? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens teaser premieres online

Today the first teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens premiered in selected theatres in the US and, as hoped, online for the rest of the world.

Director JJ Abrams distills my childhood in 88-seconds!



Is that the voice of Benedict Cumberbatch or Andy Serkis as a Sith Lord? The new Stormtroopers look awesome and I teared up when the Millenium Falcon soared on screen with TIE Fighters in hot pursuit.

John Williams music, recorded recently by the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), was an urgent reprise of the Sarlacc pit battle from Return of the Jedi and culminated in a triumphant rendition of the iconic main theme from Star Wars.

Did it stir excitement for the new movie? Let me know in the comments below.

See Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer this weekend

A post Thanksgiving treat for Star Wars fans. This weekend witnesses the release of the first trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens at selected cinemas in the US.

Regal Cinemas has confirmed the following locations:

CA, Irvine - Edwards Irvine Spectrum 22 & IMAX

CA, San Diego - Edwards Mira Mesa Stadium 18 IMAX & RPX

GA, Atlanta - Regal Atlantic Station Stadium 18 IMAX & RPX

IL, Chicago - Regal City North Stadium 14 IMAX & RPX

NY, New York - Regal Union Square Stadium 14

PA, Warrington - Regal Warrington Crossing Stadium 22 & IMAX

TN, Knoxville - Regal Pinnacle Stadium 18 IMAX & RPX

TX, Houston - Edwards Houston Marq'E Stadium 23 IMAX & RPX

WA, Seattle - Regal Thornton Place Stadium 14 & IMAX

Disney has a proven track record for effectively leveraging the social media space and I'd suggest the company premiere's the trailer online as soon as possible. If not, someone else will. Age of Ultron anyone?

Star Wars Celebration comes to Anaheim in 2015

Force fans save the date. April 16 2015 is when Star Wars Celebration comes to Anaheim, CA. Think of it as Comic-Con for Star Wars.

Given JJ Abrams' Star Wars: The Force Awakens premieres in cinemas December 2015. This is expected to be the biggest Star Wars Celebration yet.

“It’s going to be really interesting, because we are way ahead with ticket sales from where we usually are this far out,” said Mary Franklin, senior events and fan relations lead for Lucasfilm. “I feel safe saying this is going to be the biggest one yet.”

Visit the official site for further details.

Will you be attending Star Wars Celebration? Let me know in the comments below.

Christopher Nolan is afraid to direct Star Wars

Director Christopher Nolan (Interstellar) talked to The Daily Beast about his enthusiasm for Star Wars and the upcoming The Force Awakens.

"I'm pretty excited to see what J.J. is going to do with that. I’m excited to see that he’s shooting on film and actually built the Millennium Falcon. As far as whether or not I would have ever done it, the truth is I think I’d be afraid to touch it! He’s boldly going where he went before in Star Trek, and it takes colossal balls. I’m a lot more comfortable trying to do my own thing than carrying the weight and expectation of the entire world—particularly 40-somethings like me who live and die with each new bit of information about Star Wars. But I’m very excited to see what he does."

Nolan may be one of the most divisive directors working in Hollywood. I'm a big fan and would have loved to see his take on the Star Wars saga.

The Force Awakens on Twitter

Disney unveiled the official title for Star Wars: Episode VII on Twitter!

The Force Awakens.

No waiting until the first teaser trailer to reveal the hotly-anticipated subtitle. Social media has changed the landscape of marketing and this is a sign of the times in an era of instant gratification.

The title was met with enthusiasm and derision in equal measure. However, it's better than Attack of the Clones and the Star Wars font dwarfs the subtitle. Keeping it old school.

The Force Awakens sans Episode VII evokes the original trilogy and alludes to the possible central threat in the new Star Wars trilogy. A Sith uprising and a desperate search for Luke Skywalker who has been in hiding since Return of the Jedi. This is only fun speculation and fans will have to wait until December 2015 to discover what JJ Abrams and his Bad Robot cohorts have in mind.

What do you think of The Force Awakens? Let me know in the comments below.

Chrome Stormtroopers in Star Wars: Episode VII

No, you're not looking at a Cylon Centurion from Battlestar Galactica, but a chrome Stormtrooper from JJ Abrams' upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII. That's according to the latest rumour percolating around the internet.

“A couple sources have expressed that the chrome troopers are a private security force for Adam Driver’s character – silver mercenary rent-a-cops rather than true Imperial Forces for Adam Driver’s character,” Indie Revolver speculates. “While we’ve not heard this from anyone directly, the most abundant rumor about Driver is that he’s a wealthy aristocrat with an interest in Sith artifacts.”

In further Stormtrooper-related news. Actor Oscar Isaac talked to Entertainment Weekly.

"There’s a lot of enthusiasm and it’s being done with a lot of heart," Isaac promised. "There’s nothing cynical about the way we're doing this. Even in the way [Abrams is] shooting it—he’s shooting on film and actually building the sets, so you've got hundreds of Stormtroopers or whatever, and hundreds of extras and all the ships. You actually see it. It’s all real. Everyone can interact with the world.

"I'm constantly looking for a cheesy line to say to harken back to the old ones. No, what they're trying to do and what’s really great is J.J.’s been loosening it up a little bit and trying to make it alive and energized. It’s not formal. They're messy, energized people. We've all intentionally tried to do that. Just make it a little more fiery and messy."

Do you think chrome Stormtroopers are cool? Let me know in the comments below.

Millennium Falcon reveal and DC Comics Easter Egg

Directors Zack Snyder and JJ Abrams continue their Superman vs Batman: Dawn of Justice and Star Wars: Episode VII crossover fun with this reveal of the Millenium Falcon and a Bat stowaway.



Do you think Marvel should get in on the act too? Let me know in the comments below.

JJ Abrams' Apple Watch tweet hints at Star Wars

Director JJ Abrams has a passion for intrigue and unseen mystery. This is self-evident in his Bad Robot tweet pertaining to Apple's Watch announcement this week.

The background design will be familiar to Star Wars fans. It's Imperial in origin and seen aboard the Death Stars and Star Destroyers of the original trilogy.

I'd suggest it's most likely foreshadowing the resurgence of the Empire following its defeat at the Battle of Endor in Return of the Jedi. However, some fans speculate there's a new Death Star in Episode VII.

Do you think there'll be a Death Star III? Let me know in the comments below.

Bad Robot tweets Batman and Star Wars mashup

Bad Robot has tweeted an image of the prissy protocol droid C-3PO dressed as Batman responding to an Alliance signal in place of the iconic Batman logo.

This playful game of Twitter tag began when Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice director Zack Snyder posted a photo depicting Henry Cavill dressed as a Jedi Knight and wielding a lightsaber.

Any thoughts on this latest crossover? Let me know in the comments below.

Your final chance to be in Star Wars: Episode VII

Director JJ Abrams reveals a battle-scarred X-Wing in blue livery on the set of Star Wars: Episode VII in aid of Force for Change.



Here's the press release:

All Wings Report In! On the set of Star Wars: Episode VII, Director J.J. Abrams was interrupted by an X-Wing pilot and rogue robot as he announced the chance for fans to win an advance private screening of Star Wars: Episode VII. “We are so grateful for the support that the fans from over 119 countries have shown for Force for Change," said Abrams. "As we close this final week, we've added an additional prize that allows the fans the opportunity to see the movie early as a thank you for supporting such a great cause as UNICEF’s innovative, lifesaving work for children.” By contributing at any level by July 25th, participants will be eligible for all prizes including a chance to be in the movie.

The plot premise for Episode VII has allegedly leaked online and is doing the rounds. I won't be linking to any of the stories or adding to the speculation.

You can donate to Force for Change here. I've made a donation in memory of my high school classmate Rebecca Richards who tragically died at the weekend following a long illness.

Do you want to see more X-Wings? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars: Episode VII filming in IMAX

Bad Robot has confirmed via Twitter that Star Wars: Episode VII will utilise native 70mm IMAX cameras in addition to custom-built 35mm Panavision cameras.

Marvel's upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy will be available in post-produced IMAX. So, it's reassuring to see director JJ Abrams opting for native formats.

Want to see Star Wars entirely in IMAX? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO recreates Star Wars: Episode VII cast photo

LEGO Star Wars continues to be a bestseller and now the celebrated photo revealing the cast and crew of Episode VII is immortalised in bricks.

The company posted the following message on its Twitter account: "You've met the actors, now meet the Minifigure cast of @starwars Episode VII!"

Should there be a LEGO adaptation of Episode VII? Let me know in the comments below.

Rian Johnson to write and direct Star Wars sequels

Lucasfilm's left field director choices for Star Wars continues with Looper's Rian Johnson if Deadline is to be believed. The site claims Johnson will be taking over directorial duties from JJ Abrams on Episodes VIII and IX.

Rumours suggest Episode VII will be self-contained, much like the original Star Wars, whereas the two sequels will follow an ongoing narrative arc written and directed by Rian Johnson.

Rian Johnson's best known for the critically-acclaimed indie hit Brick, The Brothers Bloom and television hit series Breaking Bad.

Is Johnson the right choice? Let me know in the comments below.

JJ Abrams invites you to be in Star Wars: Episode VII

With filming now underway in Abu Dhabi, Disney Lucasfilm has launched a new charitable initiative with UNICEF called Force for Change. This not only allows Star Wars fans to assist a good cause, but also offers a chance to appear as an extra in Star Wars: Episode VII.



“We would like to invite you to be part of the fun here. We want to put you in the movie in Star Wars,” director JJ Abrams said in the video.

“The Star Wars fans are some of the most passionate and committed folks around the globe,” Abrams said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to offer a chance to come behind the scenes as our VIP guests and be in Star Wars: Episode VII. We’re even more excited that by participating in this campaign, Star Wars fans will be helping children around the world through our collaboration with UNICEF Innovation Labs and projects.”

Fans can donate as little as $10 for the chance to win the coveted movie appearance. You have until July 18th to make your pledge and be entered into the prize draw.

For further details on how you can contribute and enter the competition. Please visit Omaze.

May the force be with you.

Filming on Star Wars: Episode VII has begun!

Star Wars: Episode VII began shooting today according to this tweet from Bad Robot! Looks like Abu Dhabi as evidenced by a dusting of sand on the film's clapperboard. Only a few weeks ago photos were posted online showing what appeared to be an AT-AT foot in the desert.

The majority of the new movie will be shot at Pinewood Studios, which also marks the first time director JJ Abrams has filmed outside the US.

The Ancient Fear (rumoured working title) will see the original principal cast reunited on the silver screen for the first time since Return of the Jedi.

Abrams, whose previous films have included Star Trek and Super 8, recently said: "Everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud."

Excited for new Star Wars? Let me know in the comments below.

R2-D2 returns to Star Wars

Bad Robot, JJ Abrams' production company, tweeted the return of R2-D2 in Star Wars: Episode VII!

The diminutive droid most recently appeared as space debris in Abrams' Star Trek Into Darkness.