The flagship show of starwarsreport.com, hosts Riley Blanton and Mark Hurliman talk about all the latest Star Wars news. From Star Wars Rebels to the upcoming theatrical films, and all other new Star Wars projects, they cover it all. The show also features conversation and coverage of Star Wars Celebrations, Dragon Con, and other fan gatherings. Packed with in-depth interviews, reviews, and can’t-miss coverage and commentary, the Star Wars Report is YOUR Star Wars podcast home.
Why Can’t We Be Friends? with Steele Saunders – SWR #264
Feb 16, 2017
Show notes
Steele Saunders! Talking Star Wars, podcasting and why this helisabers are dumb, …and much more! All on this week’s episode of the STAR WARS REPORT!..
Star Wars Report is available on iTunes! Be sure to subscribe, rate and review!
You can show your support of the Star Wars Reportpodcast by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/starwarsreport Get all kinds of exclusive bonus content for our patron supporters!
Thanks to our sponsors this week:
Geek Fuel! A mystery box is shipped to geeks and gamers each month that has at least $50 worth of value for around $15 + S&H. Every box has an exclusive t-shirt, a full downloadable game, and a total of 5-7 geeky items. Free bonus item in their first box (at least $10 value) https://www.geekfuel.com/starwarsreport
EntertainArt! Get officially licensed ready-to-hang wall art – Star Wars + more! Go to https://starwarsreport.com/art and enter the discount code: “SWR20″ for 20% off your purchase!
Star Wars Wall Art!
This week’s topics include:
Steele Saunders!
And more!
Boba’s Bounty:
None this week!
SPOILER Section:
None this week!
Download the mp3 HERE!: (Right-click and “save as”)
Also, for exclusive updates and content, be sure to subscribe to our mailing list!
We’re getting SWANKY! – SWR #263
Feb 13, 2017
Show notes
Save the dates! Star Wars Land is coming! A SWR Celebration Dinner! TCW leaves Netflix! Details about how Rebels ships made their way into Rogue One, Celebration Tips and Tricks, and much more! All on this week’s episode of the STAR WARS REPORT!
Star Wars Report is available on iTunes! Be sure to subscribe, rate and review!
You can show your support of the Star Wars Reportpodcast by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/starwarsreport Get all kinds of exclusive bonus content for our patron supporters!
Thanks to our sponsors this week:
Geek Fuel! A mystery box is shipped to geeks and gamers each month that has at least $50 worth of value for around $15 + S&H. Every box has an exclusive t-shirt, a full downloadable game, and a total of 5-7 geeky items. Free bonus item in their first box (at least $10 value) https://www.geekfuel.com/starwarsreport
EntertainArt! Get officially licensed ready-to-hang wall art – Star Wars + more! Go to https://starwarsreport.com/art and enter the discount code: “SWR20″ for 20% off your purchase!
Star Wars Wall Art!
This week’s topics include:
“Star Wars Land” to open at Disneyland and Walt Disney World in 2019 (Disney Parks)
Speaking of Orlando, SWR Dinner!
The Clone Wars to leave Netflix on March 7, 2017 in the US (Screenrant)
“Unfortunately, it appears as if The Clone Wars’ relationship with Netflix might be coming to a close, as the show’s Netflix page has it marked as “Available Until 03/07/2017.” The Clone Wars movie (an amalgamation of several episodes from the first season), however, doesn’t appear to be going anywhere for now.”
Adding Rebel ships to Rogue One (io9) (What’s great is the ways the various mediums are working with each other) per Hal Hickel, the animation supervisor on Rogue One
Ghost:
“You see the film and think it’s a kind of corporate synergy,” Hal Hickel, the animation supervisor on Rogue One, told io9. “But really it’s just casual and friendly contact between folks at Lucasfilm working on different aspects of the Star Wars universe and going, ‘This would be super cool. Can we put your ship in our movie?’”
That’s how the Ghost, the hero ship of the Disney XD show, showed up not just on Yavin IV (above, top left), but in the space battle above Scarif. “I was chatting with [Rebels executive producer] Dave Filoni,” explained Rogue One producer John Knoll. “[I asked] ‘How would you feel about having the Ghost show up somewhere in Rogue One?’ They were all excited about the idea.”
Hammerhead:
“[Using the Hammerheads] came out of discussions a bunch of us had about ‘What should the Rebel fleet really consist of?’” Knoll explained. He knew of a few obvious ones but, to get the definitive answer, he approached the Story Group.
[They said] “Well, they could have the Hammerhead Corvette” and they showed me some images from Rebels. So that prompted me to grab the model and make a movie version of it. And we had that underway as a background ship when we were fleshing out some of the story beats of what happens in the space battle. Suddenly I needed a ship that could act as a tugboat and I thought, “Well, let’s use the Hammerhead for that.” So it kind of turned into a starring role.
To actually turn those CG animated ships into live-action CG elements, Knoll explained that the Rebels team gave the team at ILM the CG models from the show, then model supervisor Russell Paul “did a bit of a rebuild on them to add up a level of detail that was needed for it to hold up in a feature film.” And, that’s that. A few conversations around the office, fans have some fun easter eggs, and two major Star Wars stories get connected in an exciting way.
CELEBRATION STATION: Your Guide to that Yearly Star Wars Pilgrimage
Jeremy writes: I also had a question about what the “cut-off” time is for the main panel wristbands (i.e if I get there at 3am will I still make it in, if I get there at 8am will I be able to see it on one of the digital screening rooms, etc.).
Tom asks: I have a question from a first time perspective. There is so much Star Wars at Celebration along with long lines for everything, which leads to this question. I don’t do have a ton of Space in my house, so I lean towards experiences over buying Exclusives and Toys. What one part of Celebration experience should a first timer focus on that gives you the best experience: Cosplay, Panels, Exhibit Hall, Unofficial events (501st Bash for example) or Photos/Autographs? Why? I want to choose the best experience possible to have the best time possible given the time/money I’m dedicating for it. Thanks for your help on this question.
OUR TIPS!
And more!
Boba’s Bounty:
None this week!
SPOILER Section:
None this week!
Download the mp3 HERE!: (Right-click and “save as”)
Also, for exclusive updates and content, be sure to subscribe to our mailing list!
Mark Hamill defends George Lucas and Jake Loyd! The Special Editions turn 20! What was life as a Star Wars fan like in 97? What’s a Red Cup? What did Elder Lando say to Young Lando over lunch? All this, and much more! All on this week’s episode of the STAR WARS REPORT!
Star Wars Report is available on iTunes! Be sure to subscribe, rate and review!
You can show your support of the Star Wars Reportpodcast by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/starwarsreport Get all kinds of exclusive bonus content for our patron supporters!
Thanks to our sponsors this week:
Geek Fuel! A mystery box is shipped to geeks and gamers each month that has at least $50 worth of value for around $15 + S&H. Every box has an exclusive t-shirt, a full downloadable game, and a total of 5-7 geeky items. Free bonus item in their first box (at least $10 value) https://www.geekfuel.com/starwarsreport
EntertainArt! Get officially licensed ready-to-hang wall art – Star Wars + more! Go to https://starwarsreport.com/art and enter the discount code: “SWR20″ for 20% off your purchase!
Star Wars Wall Art!
This week’s topics include:
Happy 20 years to Star Wars: The Special Edition (January 31, 1997)
What was life as a Star Wars fan like in 97?
Director Chris Miller tweets a photo of the clapperboard for new Han Solo movie. Shooting started on January 30. (tweet)
Billy Dee Williams and Donald Glover seen having a Lando lunch together (inverse)
You recently had lunch with Donald Glover. What’d you talk about?
He’s a very delightful young man, I must say. We had a very nice lunch and we talked for a very long time and it was very easy. He had questions about [Lando]. I guess he was doing what normal actors do, they just want to find out what direction they want to take so they gather their information. So, we just sat and talked, and I didn’t want to impose on anything he wanted to do — he’s got his own ideas, I would imagine. I know he has his own ideas. He’s a very talented young man. In fact, I was listening to some of his music [Childish Gambino, Glover’s musical alter-ego] and it’s pretty good stuff.
He had recently said that he wasn’t “as cool” as you. Did you give him any pointers on being cool?
Well, nobody’s as cool as me. (Laughs.) That’s a tough way to go. No, I’m only joking. Donald is eclectic, I think that’s really important particularly for the character of Lando. He is particularly eclectic in the way he approaches his art. When I talked to him I really got the sense of him being a worldly person.
You had also recently said that the Star Wars producers should leave the character of Lando alone. Did you change your mind after speaking with Glover?
I don’t know. To me, I guess what it is that I identify so much with Lando. I mean, Lando has been very much a part of my life for over 30 years. When I go out and do conventions and stuff like that, even though people know me from all the other things that I’ve done, certainly [Lando] takes precedence. I just never thought of anybody else being Lando. I just see myself as Lando.
In an interview with Vulture, Mark Hamill defends the prequels, George Lucas and Jake Lloyd
Guardians of the Last Jedi – SWR #261
Feb 02, 2017
Show notes
Just what is this Celebration of Worship? And what were Baze and Chirrut doing before we see them in Rogue One? What was life as a Rebel extremist like for young Jyn Erso? We ask all this, and much more! All on this week’s episode of the STAR WARS REPORT!
Star Wars Report is available on iTunes! Be sure to subscribe, rate and review!
You can show your support of the Star Wars Reportpodcast by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/starwarsreport Get all kinds of exclusive bonus content for our patron supporters!
Thanks to our sponsors this week:
Geek Fuel! A mystery box is shipped to geeks and gamers each month that has at least $50 worth of value for around $15 + S&H. Every box has an exclusive t-shirt, a full downloadable game, and a total of 5-7 geeky items. Free bonus item in their first box (at least $10 value) https://www.geekfuel.com/starwarsreport
EntertainArt! Get officially licensed ready-to-hang wall art – Star Wars + more! Go to https://starwarsreport.com/art and enter the discount code: “SWR20″ for 20% off your purchase!
Star Wars Wall Art!
This week’s topics include:
Rian Johnson talks about the three movies that inspired The Last Jedi (Empire Online)
How are things going on Episode VIII?
Great! We’re in the thick of editing, really digging into it. It’s taking shape and I’m very excited.
Name three non-Star Wars films you watched in preparation.
Twelve O’Clock High was a big touchstone, for the feel and look of the aerial combat as well as the dynamic between the pilots. Three Outlaw Samurai for the feel of the sword-fighting, and the general sense of pulpy fun. And To Catch A Thief was a great film to rewatch, for the romantic scale and grandeur.
What are your memories of the first day of shooting?
Our first day of shooting was actually several months before principal photography began: we had three days on Skellig Michael island. So not only was it day one of Star Wars on this incredible natural location, but because the island was so inaccessible it was a very stripped-down, run-and-gun crew. Pretty much the perfect start to the whole adventure.
Bruce predicts Episode VIII will have a cold opening, then a crawl
Two new Rogue One backstory books coming from Disney Lucasfilm Press on May 2, 2017 (via StarWars.com)
Rebel Rising, a young adult novel from New York Times Bestselling author Beth Revis, will dive into Jyn’s backstory, exploring her time with the extremist rebel Saw Gerrera and how it shaped the woman she’d become.
When Jyn Erso was five years old, her mother was murdered and her father taken from her to serve the Empire. But despite the loss of her parents she is not completely alone—Saw Gerrera, a man willing to go to any extremes necessary in order to resist Imperial tyranny, takes her in as his own, and gives her not only a home but all the abilities and resources she needs to become a rebel herself.
Jyn dedicates herself to the cause—and the man. But fighting alongside Saw and his people brings with it danger and the question of just how far Jyn is willing to go as one of Saw’s soldiers. When she faces an unthinkable betrayal that shatters her world, Jyn will have to pull the pieces of herself back together and figure out what she truly believes in…and who she can really trust.
Also Guardians of the Whills by Greg Rucka
Guardians of the Whills, a middle-grade novel written by New York Times Bestselling author and Eisner-winner Greg Rucka, follows Chirrut and Baze after the Empire’s takeover of Jedha and the arrival of Saw Gerrera. As protectors of the Kyber Temple on Jedha, Baze and Chirrut are windows into a new element of Star Wars lore, and Guardians of the Whills looks to tell a major part of their story. StarWars.com is excited to reveal the kinetic, comic-book style cover and official description below.
Baze and Chirrut used to be Guardians of the Whills, who looked after the Kyber Temple on Jedha and all those who worshipped there. Then the Empire came and took over the planet. The temple was destroyed and the people scattered. Now Baze and Chirrut do what they can to resist the Empire and protect the people of Jedha, but it never seems to be enough. When a man named Saw Gerrera arrives with grand plans to take down the Empire, it seems like the perfect way for Baze and Chirrut to make a real difference and help the people of Jedha. But will it come at too great a cost?
Stanton, the Man, the Myth, the Legend – SWR #260
Jan 30, 2017
Show notes
Stephen Stanton, NEED WE SAY MORE? Playing the likes of Tarkin, Gaston, Kenobi, Maul, Eval, AP-5, and now Admiral Raddus, all this, and much more! All on this week’s episode of the STAR WARS REPORT!
Star Wars Report is available on iTunes! Be sure to subscribe, rate and review!
You can show your support of the Star Wars Reportpodcast by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/starwarsreport Get all kinds of exclusive bonus content for our patron supporters!
Thanks to our sponsors this week:
Geek Fuel! A mystery box is shipped to geeks and gamers each month that has at least $50 worth of value for around $15 + S&H. Every box has an exclusive t-shirt, a full downloadable game, and a total of 5-7 geeky items. Free bonus item in their first box (at least $10 value) https://www.geekfuel.com/starwarsreport
EntertainArt! Get officially licensed ready-to-hang wall art – Star Wars + more! Go to https://starwarsreport.com/art and enter the discount code: “SWR20″ for 20% off your purchase!
Star Wars Wall Art!
This week’s topics include:
Interview with Stephen Stanton
What was the process for getting the role of Admiral Raddus?
How secret did they keep the script?
What can you tell us about the recording process this time around?
The Last Jedi: Reaction Podcast – SWR Special Release
Jan 24, 2017
Show notes
We have a title! Mark, Riley, Bruce and Matt Rushing discuss the breaking news of the title for episode VIII! All this, and much more! All on this week’s episode of the STAR WARS REPORT!
Star Wars Report is available on iTunes! Be sure to subscribe, rate and review!
You can show your support of the Star Wars Reportpodcast by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/starwarsreport Get all kinds of exclusive bonus content for our patron supporters!
This week’s topics include:
The Last Jedi!
What does’t mean?
The Plural of Jedi?
The RED LETTERING!
Download the mp3 HERE!: (Right-click and “save as”)
Also, for exclusive updates and content, be sure to subscribe to our mailing list!
The Maul That Might Have Been… – SWR #259
Jan 23, 2017
Show notes
What would the Darth Maul video game look like? We have more images of the would be Sith Lord’s game, Rogue One additional Easter eggs, Chewie loses his cookies and Plunk loses an arm, all this, and much more! All on this week’s episode of the STAR WARS REPORT!
Star Wars Report is available on iTunes! Be sure to subscribe, rate and review!
You can show your support of the Star Wars Reportpodcast by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/starwarsreport Get all kinds of exclusive bonus content for our patron supporters!
Thanks to our sponsors this week:
Geek Fuel! A mystery box is shipped to geeks and gamers each month that has at least $50 worth of value for around $15 + S&H. Every box has an exclusive t-shirt, a full downloadable game, and a total of 5-7 geeky items. Free bonus item in their first box (at least $10 value) https://www.geekfuel.com/starwarsreport
EntertainArt! Get officially licensed ready-to-hang wall art – Star Wars + more! Go to https://starwarsreport.com/art and enter the discount code: “SWR20″ for 20% off your purchase!
“Rogue One is set to break through the billion dollar mark worldwide, becoming only the 3rd Star Wars movie to do so and the 28th movie to break that iconic barrier. Sitting in 28th place on $987,188,185, the movie has amassed $504,221,149 in the States – only the 7th film to break $500 million.”
“Unlike Daniel Craig in The Force Awakens, you can see Edwards’ face. The next time you watch the movie look closely at the Rebel who launches the Tantive IV with the lever. That’s him. We won’t post a picture of the character here as there isn’t an official image available, bootleg pictures of the scene are being spread around social media.
It’s a very quick cameo, but it was a cool one for him to give himself. He’s literally the Rebel who launches A New Hope by setting the Tantive IV on its way.”
Marvel’s Rogue One comic will have extra scenes (ew.com)
JODY HOUSER (writer): The comics will definitely expand on what was seen in both Rogue One the film and the novelization. Lucasfilm and Gareth Edwards had a bunch of ideas for extra scenes and character moments that didn’t make it into the film. I’m having a lot of fun playing around with those. Adaptations across different forms of media have always been a great opportunity to explore other facets of the story, and we’re excited to have new material in the Rogue One comic.
A lot of talk this week online about the deleted scene of Chewbacca pulling out Unkar Plutt’s arm in The Force Awakens. Should that scene have been left in the movie? (youtube.com)
Another look at the cancelled Darth Maul game (kotaku.com)
The artist responsible for these images is is Thomas A. Szakolczay
Seems the game was in development at the time Disney bought Star Wars, and ended up being cancelled shortly afterwards after around 12 months of work. It would have been set after Return of the Jedi, with the bad guys you see below part of a “New Empire”, similar to the First Order we now have in this post-Disney Star Wars universe.
Screenings of the Star Wars films—including the latest theatrical release—plus episodes of Disney’s animated series Star Wars Rebels
Exclusive themed merchandise
And more!
Boba’s Bounty:
Mark: K2 woes….
Bruce: Re-watching The Force Awakens
Riley: Setting up a 24 hour Star Wars Film loop
SPOILER Section:
Woody Harrelson says he’ll be a criminal and mentor in Han Solo film (flipboard.com)
Harrelson next will be joining the “Star Wars” universe, with a part in the spin-off movie about a young Han Solo. Describing his character as a criminal and a mentor, he says he’s delighted to be joining that “amazing world. All you want is to make good movies, because eventually I’ll be gone and those will still be here,” he said. “You know what I mean?”
Download the mp3 HERE!: (Right-click and “save as”)
Also, for exclusive updates and content, be sure to subscribe to our mailing list!
Wishing on Stars – Carrie’s Tribute at Disneyworld – SWR #258
Jan 19, 2017
Show notes
Bethany and Bruce join Mark and Riley to discuss the best ways to navigate Star Wars Celebration. They look back on their past trips and what they would and would not do differently, line etiquette, and much more! All on this week’s episode of the STAR WARS REPORT!
Star Wars Report is available on iTunes! Be sure to subscribe, rate and review!
You can show your support of the Star Wars Reportpodcast by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/starwarsreport Get all kinds of exclusive bonus content for our patron supporters!
Thanks to our sponsors this week:
Geek Fuel! A mystery box is shipped to geeks and gamers each month that has at least $50 worth of value for around $15 + S&H. Every box has an exclusive t-shirt, a full downloadable game, and a total of 5-7 geeky items. Free bonus item in their first box (at least $10 value) https://www.geekfuel.com/starwarsreport
EntertainArt! Get officially licensed ready-to-hang wall art – Star Wars + more! Go to https://starwarsreport.com/art and enter the discount code: “SWR20″ for 20% off your purchase!
Star Wars Wall Art!
This week’s topics include:
Disney World holds a Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds tribute
Tips for navigating Star Wars Celebration
What would each host do differently?
What would be the MUST do thing, if you could only do one?
What’s with the lines?
Are exclusives worth the hassle of the mobs?
And more!
Boba’s Bounty:
Returns next week!
Download the mp3 HERE!: (Right-click and “save as”)
Also, for exclusive updates and content, be sure to subscribe to our mailing list!
Wookiee Hugs, and Forgiveness – SWR #257
Jan 17, 2017
Show notes
What would Rogue One have looked like without its reshoots? What will Woody bring to the Solo table? Is the title for Episode VIII set in stone? Did the crew of the Rebel Hammerhead make it? We ask all this, and much more! All on this week’s episode of the STAR WARS REPORT!
Star Wars Report is available on iTunes! Be sure to subscribe, rate and review!
You can show your support of the Star Wars Reportpodcast by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/starwarsreport Get all kinds of exclusive bonus content for our patron supporters!
Thanks to our sponsors this week:
Geek Fuel! A mystery box is shipped to geeks and gamers each month that has at least $50 worth of value for around $15 + S&H. Every box has an exclusive t-shirt, a full downloadable game, and a total of 5-7 geeky items. Free bonus item in their first box (at least $10 value) https://www.geekfuel.com/starwarsreport
EntertainArt! Get officially licensed ready-to-hang wall art – Star Wars + more! Go to https://starwarsreport.com/art and enter the discount code: “SWR20″ for 20% off your purchase!
Edwards: “The first screenplay that Gary Whitta wrote had a crawl in it – and you learn doing that, that ‘a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away’ has four dots in it, not three. You get extra marks for that. And then at some point, probably like six months before we were filming, we were in a meeting, and they talked about not having an opening crawl, because these are standalone films, not part of the sagas. And if I’m honest, there was an initial kind of like, “whaaaa? I want the crawl!” The opening sequence is kind of the crawl of our movie. It’s like the setup. And our film is also born out of a crawl – the reason we exist is because of a previous crawl, so it feels like this infinite loop that will never end. It’s a small thing to give up to get to do Star Wars.”
Edwards: “We did have versions of the film [with] wipes, and then it just felt like we were doing it because we could. The wipes are the cheesiest thing in the world. The only time you can ever do it and not be cheesy’s in Star Wars. There’s part of me that wanted the wipes and things like that, but the film is supposed to be different. We were given a license by the studio to be unique from the others, and we just took that license and ran with it as an excuse to try and be a bit more out there.”
Yahoo! Movies talks to Rogue One editors Tony Gilroy and Colin Goudie about added scenes:
Yahoo Movies: How did the reshoots change the film?
Tony Gilroy: “The scene with Cassian’s introduction with the spy, Bodhi traipsing through Jedha on his way to see Saw, these are things that were added. Also Jyn [Jyn Erso, the reluctant leader of the film, played by Felicity Jones], how we set her up and her escape from the transporter, that was all done to set up the story better.”
Colin Goudie: “The point with the opening scenes that John was just describing was that the introductions in the opening scene, in the prologue, was always the same. Jyn’s just a little girl, so when you see her as an adult what you saw initially was her in a meeting. That’s not a nice introduction.”
Yahoo Movies: How much of the film’s final third changed?
Tony Gilroy: “It changed quite a bit. The third act has a lot going on. You have like seven different action venues, the mechanics of the act changed quite a bit in terms of the characters, and I don’t want to go into too much detail about what had been there before, but it was different.”
More proof: Rogue One originally ended differently (avclub.com)
Retro Rewind: Celebration Anaheim – SWR #256
Jan 12, 2017
Show notes
Star Wars Celebration! But not THAT one! This week’s episode is a Retro Rewind, where we take a look back at some of our favorite moments from Star Wars Celebration Anaheim! And much more! All on this week’s episode of the STAR WARS REPORT!
Star Wars Report is available on iTunes! Be sure to subscribe, rate and review!
You can show your support of the Star Wars Reportpodcast by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/starwarsreport Get all kinds of exclusive bonus content for our patron supporters!
Thanks to our sponsors this week:
Geek Fuel! A mystery box is shipped to geeks and gamers each month that has at least $50 worth of value for around $15 + S&H. Every box has an exclusive t-shirt, a full downloadable game, and a total of 5-7 geeky items. Free bonus item in their first box (at least $10 value) https://www.geekfuel.com/starwarsreport
EntertainArt! Get officially licensed ready-to-hang wall art – Star Wars + more! Go to https://starwarsreport.com/art and enter the discount code: “SWR20″ for 20% off your purchase!
Star Wars Wall Art!
This week’s topics include:
Our Retro Rewind: Celebration Anaheim
Highlight clips from our Diary of Celebration coverage
And more!
Boba’s Bounty:
Returns next week!
Download the mp3 HERE!: (Right-click and “save as”)
Also, for exclusive updates and content, be sure to subscribe to our mailing list!
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
..
