2003 | please don't steal
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Opinions and News: January 2001
Disclaimer: External links are so old that they probably don't work anymore. Actually, the news is practically so old that it's moldy. Sorry 'bout that. DVD! Almost...: By Terret Yeth According to the well informed website TheForce.net, Star Wars fans will be able to pick up copies of The Phantom Menace on DVD sometime in 2001, almost. Although George Lucas originally said that no Star Wars DVD's were to come out until all six movies were made, it appeared that he had relented to overwhelming pressure from fans. A contract was awarded around last fall, but then was prematurely canceled. No reason for the cancellation was given, but the DVD plans have been postponed indefinitely. So, the wait continues... The Honor Family Lessens: By Terret Yeth Although 2000 will always be remembered by Star Wars devotees as the year that Obi-Wan died, Sir Alec Guinness is not the only person to whose memory w might raise a glass. Veteran British actress Shelagh Fraser, who played Aunt Beru in Star Wars: A New Hope, passed away in October, 2000, at the age of 77. She had been battling a lengthy illness. Although Star Wars was perhaps her most famous film, she performed in more than a dozen others, including Staircase and A Touch of Love. She was also a veteran of the small screen, appearing in several television shows during her long career. She was an appreciated member of the Star Wars cast, and in her later years appeared at many Star Wars conventions. Her contribution to the Star Wars universe will not soon be forgotten. Alright, Enough Already: By Terret Yeth Yes, it appears that Boba Fett will have a role in Star Wars: Episode II, though his father Jango Fett will have a much more prominent one. Although none of this has been confirmed by Lucas Film, it appears, or at least is rumored, that a young Boba will appear in the film, and his father will be closely involved with the plot, or at least be entangled in a subplot. So, hopefully this will satiate the innumerable and increasingly annoying Boba Fett fans. Perhaps now we can move past this glorified extra and talk about the truly important people in Star Wars, like... Mara Jade! R2D2, Where Are You? By Terret Yeth George Lucas has axed Kenny Baker. The actor will not play the part of R2D2 in Star Wars: Episodes II or III. Instead, due to the advances in computer technology, R2D2 will become just another digital character in a whole cast full of them. Kenny Baker was understandably upset by the executive decision, saying, "Of course I am disappointed. I missed the chance to go to Australia with the cast. I'm not in the movie to the extent I was expecting and no one has really explained to me why... George Lucas always told me that R2D2 really came alive when I was inside him." We at The Jade Sabre fully agree and are very sorry to see this Star Wars immortal go. The Real Life Undercover Mara Jade I have already written on the new flesh and blood Mara Jade trading card here, but now Deciper has taken it a step further. For their new "Reflections II" series of CCG cards, they have come out with an Arica card. For those of you who have read the Star Wars expanded universe, this name will sound familiar. In Heir to the Empire, Mara's presence at Jabba's palace during the escape of Luke and the gang is elluded to. And Sleight of Hand: The Tale of Mara Jade (from Tales from Jabba's Palace) is all about her experience disguised as Jabba's slave girl Arica. As for the card, it looks to me like Shannon Baksa is again portraying Jade, but it's hard to tell because you can't see her face very well. See the story at StarWars.com, and click here to go directly to a picture of the card. Huwaa Muaa Mumwa?* A must for any true Star Wars fan's collection of books has just been announced at StarWars.com; The Star Wars Galactic Phrase Book and Travel Guide, written by Lucasfilm crew member Ben Burtt. It will be coming out in August 2001, and you can rest assured that I will be picking up a copy not long after publication. To read the story and see the ingenious cover drawing, click here. *Yes, this is an actual phrase. Go read the story to find out why. ;-) |