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The beloved “Star Wars” sequel “The Empire Strikes Back” is set to open this year’s TCM Classic Film Festival on April 24, with director George Lucas presenting the film for its 45th anniversary.

“’The Empire Strikes Back’ is like ‘The Godfather Part II.’ Yes, technically, they’re sequels, the second movie in a series. But they are so much more,” TCM’s primetime anchor Ben Mankiewicz said in a statement. “The first ‘Star Wars’ picture in 1977 ignited a new era in Hollywood and turned a generation of young people into passionate movie fans for life. Then, somehow, three years later, along comes ‘Empire,’ which might even be better. It’s a stunning accomplishment and surely stands one of the great achievements in the history of film.”

Additional titles that will screen at this year’s TCM Classic Film Festival include “The Fabulous Baker Boys,” “The Lady Eve,” “Cinderella,” “Apocalypse Now,...

A special 45th anniversary screening of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back will kick off the 16th TCM Classic Film Festial, in Hollywood, on Thursday, April 24, Turner Classic Movies announced on Wednesday, and the visionary architect of the Star Wars cinematic universe, George Lucas, will be in attendance.

“The Empire Strikes Back is like The Godfather Part II. Yes, technically, they’re sequels, the second movie in a series. But they are so much more. Empire not only dazzled and delighted Star Wars fans, it pushed the boundaries of moviemaking, further deepening its characters and expanding the most popular cinematic universe of all time,” said Ben Mankiewicz, TCM’s primetime anchor and the official host of the TCM Classic Film Festival. “The first Star Wars picture in 1977 ignited a new era in Hollywood and turned a generation of young people into passionate movie fans for life. Then, somehow, three years later,...

George Lucas is presenting a special 45th anniversary showing of The Empire Strikes Back at this year's TCM Classic Film Festival. This year is a big one for Star Wars; the 20th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, the 10th anniversay of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and the 45th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back.

Per Variety, George Lucas is set to present a special anniversary showing of The Empire Strikes Back at the TCM Classic Film Festival on April 24. "The Empire Strikes Back is like The Godfather Part II. Yes, technically, they’re sequels, the second movie in a series. But they are so much more,” TCM’s primetime anchor Ben Mankiewicz said in a statement. "The first Star Wars picture in 1977 ignited a new era in Hollywood and turned a generation of young people into passionate movie fans for life. Then, somehow,...

"No, I am your film festival." Yes, folks, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back is returning to the big screen in a brilliantly fun, new way. Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has announced that the legendary sequel will open the 16th annual TCM Classic Film Festival on Thursday, April 24th, marking the 45th anniversary of the film’s release. And making the night all the more special, George Lucas himself will present the film, giving fans an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of Empire with the visionary creator behind Star Wars. The opening night gala will kick off a weekend-long event in Hollywood, featuring films and discussions centered around this year’s theme: "Grand Illusions: Fantastic Worlds on Film."...

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, the second film in the initial Star Wars trilogy, will open the 16th annual TCM Classic Film Festival on Thursday, April 24, and on board to present the film will be director George Lucas, Turner Classics Movies announced.

Celebrating its 45th Anniversary, the gala presentation and opening night launches a weekend fest showcasing exclusive programming themed around “Grand Illusions: Fantastic Worlds on Film.”

“The Empire Strikes Back is like The Godfather Part II,” said Ben Mankiewicz, TCM Primetime Anchor and Official Host of the TCM Classic Film Festival. “Yes, technically, they’re sequels, the second movie in a series. But they are so much more. Empire not only dazzled and delighted Star Wars fans, it pushed the boundaries of moviemaking, further deepening its characters and expanding the most popular cinematic universe of all time.”

Continued Mankiewicz, “The first Star Wars picture in 1977 ignited a new...

“Impressive. Most Impressive.”

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has revealed Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, the second film in the Star Wars trilogy, will open the 16th annual TCM Classic Film Festival on Thursday, April 24th. Celebrating its 45th Anniversary, the gala presentation will bring visionary director George Lucas to present the film. The opening night launches an exhilarating weekend in the heart of Hollywood, showcasing exclusive programming themed around “Grand Illusions: Fantastic Worlds on Film.”

“The Empire Strikes Back is like The Godfather Part II. Yes, technically, they’re sequels, the second movie in a series. But they are so much more. Empire not only dazzled and delighted Star Wars fans, it pushed the boundaries of moviemaking, further deepening its characters and expanding the most popular cinematic universe of all time,” said Ben Mankiewicz, TCM Primetime Anchor and Official Host of the TCM Classic Film Festival. “The first Star...

The 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival is opening with a flex of galactic muscle: “The Empire Strikes Back,” celebrating its 45th anniversary, will kick off the 16th edition of the festival presented by Turner Classic Movies in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 24. And even better, The Maker himself, George Lucas, will be in attendance to introduce it.

It’ll be an opening turbolaser salvo for a whole weekend of films revolving around the theme “Grand Illusions: Fantastic Worlds on Film,” brilliantly overseen once again by longtime festival director, Genevieve McGillicuddy. Other films in that otherworldly lineup include “Spirited Away,” “The Incredible Shrinking Man,” “Mothra,” and “Earth vs. the Flying Saucers.”

The festival will run the entire weekend, centered as always at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which offers special rates for festival attendees, with screenings at the neighboring Tcl Chinese Theatre IMAX, the Tcl Chinese 6, the Egyptian, and the El Capitan.

Michelle Pfeifer...

Star Wars and Star Trek are considered the best of all the science fiction franchises in the entertainment industry. Throughout all these years, each franchise has transformed from its initial TV premiere and movie release in 1966 and 1977 into big establishments with fans across different generations.

The TV series of Star Trek evolved into a massive entertainment franchise, which now features various shows as well as films, books, comics, and merchandise series. The brand constructed its way from being dropped after three seasons to achieving its status as one of the most recognizable sci-fi properties.

Harrison Ford and Peter Mayhew in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope | Credit: Lucasfilm

As a creation of George Lucas, Star Wars grew into a movie-based multimillion-dollar powerhouse that changed the meaning of blockbusters and produced huge merchandising programs. Despite sharing elements of space themes and fan communities, the financial power of their productions differs significantly.

Warning: This article contains spoilers from Star Wars: Visions season 2.

The beauty of an anthology series like Visions is that every episode feels fresh. Every episode is a brand new story with new characters that is full of possibility. The range of stunning animation and diverse interpretations of Star Wars made each episode a joy to watch.

Of course, some episodes resonated more strongly than others. Every episode featured flawless and striking animation, meaning that these rankings will focus more so on the story and character development than the animation of each episode.

9. “Journey to the Dark Head”

A battle between dark and light.#StarWarsVisions Volume 2 available May 4 on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/WIEj1f4vXF

— Star Wars (@starwars) April 28, 2023

A young Jedi and a mechanic teaming up to try and end a war by cutting off the head of a Sith statue is an intriguing premise. Unfortunately, the execution...

Among the most lauded trilogies in the history of filmmaking, the original trifecta of Star Wars movies has continually entertained fans with lovable characters, exciting stories and some jaw-dropping spectacle that produces several of the most engaging action scenes in cinema. Blending sci-fi and fantasy into an operatic marvel, the layered fight scenes within 1977’s Episode IV — A New Hope, 1980's Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back and 1983’s Episode VI — Return of the Jediare a well-executed display of movie magic.

Regardless of scale or length, these films know how to charm audiences with dynamic fights throughout each narrative. Having incorporated multiple film techniques to delight viewers during each fight sequence in the trilogy, audiences can gaze with pure joy at the craftsmanship at hand for the emotional and fun action set-pieces.

Luke Faces the Rancor With Quick Ingenuity Episode VI — Return of the Jedi

Propped up to display some fantastical technical work,...

Science fiction has long provided audiences with a means of escapism into new worlds and civilizations and epic struggles that exist between the forces of good and evil. Among the directors who have been instrumental in the modern age of cinema in bringing new worlds to life has been director Denis Villeneuve. Villeneuve, director of Blade Runner 2049 and the newest adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune, has been critical of the Star Wars franchise. In particular, the direction and tone the films took following the release of Return of the Jedi in 1983, citing that the franchise became geared toward children.

I find that there is some validity to Villeneuve’s comments about the franchise. After all, the intense battle on Hoth between rebel forces and Imperial walkers in The Empire Strikes Back and the Ewoks bringing down a legion of what Emperor Palpatine refers to as “his best troops...

Quick LinksThe Moonraker Film Was A Response To The Sci-Fi TrendIan Flemming's Original Vision Was Quite DifferentRemaking And Recycling Plots Is Normal In The Bond Franchise

Since films became a new artistic medium, adaptations of classic literature and contemporary literature have been re-written for the screen. Whether it's Bible stories or renditions of American folklore, each retelling comes with big and small alterations to the source material. Often, these changes are a matter of budget, or the demand by producers to cater to the popularity of certain trends. Unfortunately, these alterations can sometimes be at the expense of the original author's vision, which is why writers like Stephen King and George R.R. Martin hold some misgivings about how their books have been adapted over the years. Some writers try to dominate the process instead, of becoming directors themselves like Michael Crichton. However, when it comes to one of Hollywood's biggest action franchises,...

Who doesn't love a good twist? If done right, twists can enhance the story and keep things interesting. They can turn a great movie into an unforgettable one like Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. Or they can even elevate a mediocre film into a decent, memorable flick. Twists keep audiences on their toes by keeping them guessing and engaged instead of bored because they think they know what's going to happen already.

The first ever Star Wars lightsaber duel was the showdown between Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi aboard the Death Star in Episode IV - A New Hope. After shutting down the Death Star's tractor beam so that the Millennium Falcon could escape, Obi-Wan encountered his former Padawan for the first time in years. They immediately ignited their lightsabers, and after this brief exchange of words, they began their battle to the death.

Once Obi-Wan saw Luke Skywalker and his companions making their way to the Millennium Falcon, he gave up on the duel. With a knowing smile, he assumed a defenseless position and allowed Vader to cut him down. As he died, his body vanished into thin air, leaving only his cloak and lightsaber behind. There were several reasons for Obi-Wan to let Vader win in A New Hope, and his choice ultimately inspired the Rebellion's victory over the Galactic Empire.

The character of James Bond might've made Sean Connery a global movie star, but the actor didn't really enjoy the initial nine years he spent playing the MI6 agent. As Michael Caine once observed, "If you were his friend in these early days, you didn't raise the subject of Bond." A big part of the issue, according to Caine, was that Connery knew he had more to offer as an actor than 007, and thus, he bristled every time someone would identify him as Bond when he was out in public. Connery himself made no bones about his annoyance with the character. "I have always hated that damned James Bond," he once remarked (via The Guardian). "I'd like to kill him."

Producers Harry Saltzman and Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, who were sitting on top of a box office goldmine, had no such desire. They were keen to keep knocking out Bond flicks at a once-every-other-year clip,...

Quick LinksHis Journey of Franchise Villainy Started Before Star WarsHis Range of Characters Transcends The Human FormHis Career In Supporting Roles Continues To This Day

Character actors are an interesting bunch. They are often key speaking roles in plotlines which aren't usually at the forefront of the story, yet their presence is unforgettable. Whether they fade out of the plot or are killed off as soon as their role in the story has expired, the characters they portray can often be so signature that it grants these performers a wealth of future roles of similar weight. In the case of Julian Glover, it's been a lifetime of being "That Guy" in many franchises.

Like most classically-trained actors, Julian Glover hails from London England, and honed his craft for years in Britain's illustrious theaters and shows featured on the British Broadcasting Corporation television channel. In the late 70s, Glover would begin scoring roles in Hollywood roles,...

At SXSW yesterday, it was confirmed that Walt Disney Imagineering's Bdx droids won't just be roaming Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland and Disney World. As we first reported on SFFGazette.com, they're going to make their big screen debut in The Mandalorian and Grogu next year!

It's unclear what role they'll play in the story but four new official images show them on set. This won't be the first time we've seen a Bdx droid in The Mandalorian - Bd-72 helped Peli Motto and Din Djarin with the construction of the latter's N-1 starfighter - but they're an intriguing addition, nonetheless.

Of course, many of you will be most familiar with Bd-1, Cal Kestis' loyal droid who accompanies him into battle in the Star Wars Jedi video game franchises.

In related Mando news, Disney Parks has also confirmed that Galaxy's Edge attraction "Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run" is being overhauled with a...

In 1983, several actresses filmed scenes as star pilots in the Battle of Endor for Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. However, they did not make it into the final cut of the film or dubbed over as men. Since then, though, there have been many female star pilots in both the Star Wars films and series.

In 1999, George Lucas rectified the omission 16 years later in The Phantom Menace. British actress Celia Imrie portrayed Naboo starfighter Dinee Ellberger. The character assisted the Jedi and Naboo's liberation of the planet against the Trade Federation.

With the exception of Solo: A Star Wars Story, the four other films released under Disney have featured female star pilots. In The Force Awakens, Jessica Henwick portrayed X-Wing pilot Jessika Pava. Henwick was a finalist for the role of Rey and won over director J.J. Abrams to give her a role in the film.

There was much to sink our teeth into with regard to the first season of Paradise. From the assassination of President Cal (James Marsden), to the unrelenting and sometimes painful pursuit of truth by Sterling K. Brown's Xavier Collins, and the ultimate revelation of who did the killing and who was the mastermind. Paradise Season 1 had all the vibes a good political thriller should have. Looking ahead to a second season, a couple of mysteries tied in to Xavier's decision to depart the bunker city at the end of Season 1 have drawn comparisons to The Empire Strikes Back.

Over the past 40 plus years, the Star Wars universe has played host to some phenomenal talent. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford kicked off the franchise with A New Hope way back in 1977. Since then, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac, Samuel L. Jackson, and many more have all traveled to a galaxy far, far away for one of the various installments in the ever-expanding franchise. However, one actor you might have completely forgotten appeared in Star Wars is John Lithgow. Not only did the Third Rock From the Sun star become part of the Star Wars universe, he played none other than Master Yoda.

During an interview with Collider, Lithgow recalled his brief time playing Yoda in Star Wars. For those that don't know, Lithgow voiced Yoda in the radio dramatizations of The Empire Strikes Back. "I was acting in a play on Broadway directed by John Madden,...

One of the longest-serving actors of the Star Wars franchise is also one that many casual fans of the space opera wouldn’t recognize if they passed him in the street. That would be Anthony Daniels, who has played C-3Po in various iterations since Star Wars hit cinemas back in 1977. The actor has appeared as his golden droid alter-ego in every Star Wars movie, except for Solo: A Star Wars Story – but he did appear as the character Tak in that movie – and has appeared in many TV shows, including making cameo appearances in Ahsoka and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Now he has been revealing which movies in the saga are his favorites.

During a Q&a session at FanX Salt Lake Pop Culture & Comic Convention, Daniels was asked to name his favorite Star Wars movie. Perhaps his answer to this question was not the most surprising, as he named the...

One of the longest-serving actors of the Star Wars franchise is also one that many casual fans of the space opera wouldn’t recognize if they passed him in the street. That would be Anthony Daniels, who has played C-3Po in various iterations since Star Wars hit cinemas back in 1977. The actor has appeared as his golden droid alter-ego in every Star Wars movie, except for Solo: A Star Wars Story – but he did appear as the character Tak in that movie – and has appeared in many TV shows, including making cameo appearances in Ahsoka and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Now he has been revealing which movies in the saga are his favorites.

During a Q&a session at FanX Salt Lake Pop Culture & Comic Convention, Daniels was asked to name his favorite Star Wars movie. Perhaps his answer to this question was not the most surprising, as he named the...

When you think of the iconic, word-twisting voice behind Jedi Master Yoda, the first name that probably comes to mind is Frank Oz, and rightfully so. Oz first voiced the character in The Empire Strikes Back, the 1980 Star Wars classic that earned over $550 million at the worldwide box office, and he recently lent his voice to the character in The Rise of Skywalker, the controversial final installment in the Skywalker Saga. However, there have been others to voice the small green Force-user, including Tom Kane, Piotr Michael, and even John Lithgow. Lithgow recently caught up with Collider’s Steve Weintraub for the film The Rule of Jenny Pen, and he spoke about not only remembering every detail about playing Yoda but also the hilarious way in which he first landed the role:...

There’s nothing inherently wrong with making sequels, as sometimes returning to a popular franchise to tell a new story can result in great success. Some sequels, such as The Empire Strikes Back, Aliens, The Dark Knight, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Godfather: Part II, and Dune: Part Two aren’t only considered to be superior to their predecessors; they could be listed on legitimate lists of the best films ever made.

Stephen King can easily be considered the king of the horror genre, having written several chilling stories. His novels are filled with eerie and unforgettable details and characters. But what many might not know is that one of the scariest villains in It was actually inspired by someone from Star Wars.

Stephen King | Credits: Kevin Payravi | Cca 4.0/Wikimedia Commons

This character was none other than Mrs. Kersh, and while both movies are quite different from one another, the author has a very special Star Wars connection that he used to name the It villain.

How Star Wars inspired one of the most scariest It villains out there?

When it comes to crafting some of the most eerie and scary books out there, Stephen King reigns supreme. King has penned some of the most terrifying stories out there and can easily be one of the most celebrated authors of our time.

Actress Carrie Fisher gained recognition for playing the role of Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy. While the films brought Fisher unprecedented fame, they also resulted in the actress facing media and public scrutiny in her personal life. Fisher later reflected on some of her personal struggles in her books.

Carrie Fisher in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Credits: Lucasfilm).

In an excerpt from her book, Fisher admitted to using humor as a defense mechanism against her mental disorder. Before her passing, Fisher had become vocal about mental health and addiction issues, which started shortly after her rise to fame. Here is what Fisher had to say about her struggles amidst her Star Wars fame.

Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher discussed her mental disorder in her autobiography

Actress Carrie Fisher debuted as Princess Leia in 1977’s Star Wars, directed by George Lucas, which made her a household name.

The following contains spoilers about the Paradise Season 1 finale, “The Man Who Kept the Secrets.”

Who killed President Cal Bradford (James Marsden)?

Paradise answered that question during the show’s season finale, “The Man Who Kept the Secrets,” with a perpetrator few likely saw coming. The killer was Trent, the mild-mannered librarian played by Ian Milligan, a character revealed to be neither mild-mannered nor a librarian. For much of the show's first season, Trent has been hiding in plain sight; he’s the failed assassin who attempted to kill Cal in the flashback in the show’s pilot episode.

However, as shown through other flashbacks in the finale, Trent was previously a construction foreman working on the Paradise excavation and build in Colorado, organized by Sam, aka Sinatra (Julianne Nicholson). As Trent develops seemingly romantic feelings for one of the construction workers, a tragedy occurs: the mountain where Paradise will...

The Empire Strikes Back is arguably the greatest Star Wars movie, with the second installment in the original trilogy having a surprising ending. The film ends with Luke learning the truth about Darth Vader while the Rebel fleet recuperates from their loss against the Empire. However, the film ends on a hopeful note as Luke and Leia stare out into space.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back was released in 1980 (Credit: Lucasfilm).

The scene between Luke and Leia has continued to baffle Star Wars fans for several years. In the scene, it appears that the siblings are looking at the galaxy far, far away from a distance. As a result, the shot raises questions about the Rebel fleet’s location during the film’s final moments. Here is everything you need to know about the mystery of The Empire Strikes Back‘s ending.

The Empire Strikes Back left a big...

The vast land of streaming has a treasure that we thought had been forgotten in a galaxy far, far away. For decades, fans of the Star Wars franchise have been begging for Disney+ to house the original theatrical cuts to be released in some form, but Disney and Lucasfilm haven't listened to these pleas. However, it appears someone has found a way, and the original cut of 1977's Star Wars has been added to a free platform's library.

Per the report by Men's Journal, 1977's unaltered cut of Star Wars is streaming on an app called Cinema Box, which you can access on Roku. This version of the first Star Wars movie is the theatrical cut that doesn't have any modifications made in later releases and Special Editions, after The Empire Strikes Back was released and 1977's Star Wars officially became Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.

Related...

Seeing actors before they were famous in other films and projects is always an uncanny experience. We all know Andre Braugher as Captain Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, but how many of us actually remember that he was in The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer?

Now, I have watched Attack of the Clones more times than I can count, and while everyone and their mom knew Keira Knightley was in it, never once did I realize that Rose Byrne was there too!

Rose Byrne in The Phantom Menace || Credit: Lucasfilm

Rose Byrne played Agent Moira MacTaggert in what is perhaps the best X-Men film from the Fox era, X-Men: First Class, and what baffles me is that her presence in the film went completely unnoticed, despite semi-annual viewings of the Prequel trilogy.

Rose Byrne’s character, much like Keira Knightley’s, has a rich history in Star Wars lore Sabé,...

There have never been as many new Star Wars movies in production as there are right now, with several high-profile filmmakers all working on their own additions to the ultimate space adventure franchise. Among those is one being worked on by Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny helmer James Mangold, who appears to be so in demand that several big projects are on hold waiting for him. As Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy recently revealed, this is something that she is happy to do, but that could be bad news for his Dcu Swamp Thing project.

Last week, during a DC update from James Gunn and Peter Safran, the latter revealed that the previously announced Swamp Thing movie is currently not going anywhere due to Mangold deciding to take on the Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown. Now, Kennedy has suggested that once his promotion of that movie ahead of...

Secret Cinema, sort of under new ownership, will be back this summer with a Grease production taking place in London.

Considering how much it used to dominate some of the UK entertainment website headlines, things have been awfully quiet in the world of Secret Cinema for the last few years. Right up until the pesky pandemic, it was putting on premium priced event screenings of films, surrounded by attractions and such like related to the movie in question. Films such as Back To The Future, The Empire Strikes Back and Dirty Dancing were amongst the higher profile attractions. Over time, the price went up and the pushback grew, but tickets still sold in great numbers.

Covid-19 though changed everything, and a controlling interest in the company was sold. That deal went through in November 2022, with TodayTix Production Holdings Limited taking a 75% controlling stake in Secret Cinema. Since then, very little.

Quick LinksBoba Fett's Defeat Mirrored His Father's DemiseLuck Was Not on Boba Fett's Side in Return of the Jedi

Boba Fett has become one of the Star Wars franchise's most popular characters. He made a brief appearance in animated form as part of the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special, but he made his live-action debut in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. His unique armor and intimidating presence made him instantly iconic among film's colorful cast. Within the Star Wars universe, Boba was widely considered to be one of the galaxy's greatest bounty hunters, if not the very best. Powerful villains like Darth Vader and Jabba the Hutt frequently hired Boba for important missions, and his very name was enough to strike fear into the hearts of his targets. Over the years, he has starred in many comic books, novels and even a live-action Disney+ series.

This is a great week for fans of the Galaxy's best protocol droid. We should stop to wish Anthony Daniels a very happy 79th birthday. In honor of his contributions to the franchise, I wanted to look back on his contributions to Star Wars. I acknowledge that I'm limiting myself to not include TV shows, comics, and books, which include Star Wars Legends, but I would be here until Anthony's 80th birthday if I included all of the media.

Here are the top 5 C-3Po moments from Star Wars1. "I do believe they think I'm some sort of god." Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. C-3Po played by Anthony Daniels on Endor with the Ewoks. Image Credit: StarWars.com | starwars.co

I'll admit that Leia Organa and Han Solo make wonderful foils for each other, but if there's one pair in the movies that embodies irreconcilable differences,...

Actress Carrie Fisher is best known for playing the role of Princess Leia Organa in the Star Wars franchise. Fisher sadly passed away in 2016 before completing work in the sequel trilogy. However, before her passing, Fisher had documented her career, primarily her experiences while working on the space opera franchise, in her autobiography.

Carrie Fisher in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Credits: Lucasfilm)

In an excerpt from her book, Fisher discussed attending a Star Wars party with the rest of her crew and castmates. However, the night almost took a dark and uncertain turn after Fisher was allegedly planned to be whisked away while she was drunk. Here is what Fisher had to say about the borderline-scary experience at a Star Wars party.

Carrie Fisher recalled being nearly whisked away from a Star Wars party

Actor Carrie Fisher was cast as Princess Leia Organa for the first installment in 1977’s Star Wars,...

Carrie Fisher’s off-screen journey was as intense as her Star Wars fame. While playing Princess Leia made her a legend, she later revealed a surprising detail from the set of one Star Wars movie – she used drugs, not out of love for them, but out of desperation to get high.

Carrie Fisher in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | Credits: Lucasfilm

Despite admitting she didn’t even like cocaine that much, the late actress’s honesty about her struggles added a raw, human layer to her larger-than-life role.

Carrie Fisher’s hidden battle: Drug use on the Empire Strikes Back set Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford on the set of Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back | Credits: Lucasfilm

During the filming of The Empire Strikes Back in 1980, Carrie Fisher alluded to using c*caine on set, specifically while filming scenes on the icy planet of Hoth. The twist? She didn’t even enjoy it.

It's hard to believe that Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith came out 20 years ago. At the time, everyone thought this would be the last time they got to see a Star Wars movie in a theater, a special memory many fans hold close to their hearts. But there is an entire generation of fans who have only seen Revenge of the Sith on a television screen. To quote the 1997 re-release Star Wars trailer, "If you've only seen it this way, you haven't seen it at all."

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith has been confirmed to return to theaters on Apr. 25, 2025. It will be a limited one-week engagement that celebrates Revenge of the Sith's 20th anniversary. The movie will be available in select theaters in various formats, including for the first time in 4Dx. To celebrate the film's release, artist Matt Ferguson has...

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is heading back to theaters. Lucasfilm has announced that the third and final installment in the Star Wars prequel trilogy will receive a theatrical re-release for its 20th anniversary.

Revenge of the Sith will be re-released in theaters on April 25 to celebrate the film's 20th anniversary. The film will run in U.S. theaters and select international territories for one week only and will be available in several formats, including, for the first time, 4Dx. 4Dx features high-tech motion chairs that sync with over 21 effects, all designed to complement the narrative of the film. A poster for the theatrical re-release event was also shared and was created by renowned graphic artist Matt Ferguson.

Image via Lucasfilm

Considered by a large part of the Star Wars fandom to be the best of the prequels, Revenge of the Sith takes place years after...

Temuera Morrison is widely recognized for his role in the Star Wars universe, where he first played Jango Fett in Attack of the Clones (2002). Since Jango was the template for the Republic’s clone army, Morrison has gone on to portray many of his clones, including Boba Fett.

He later voiced Boba in The Empire Strikes Back (2004 re-release) and various video games before fully stepping into the role in The Mandalorian and its spin-off, The Book of Boba Fett.

Now industry insider Daniel Richtman reports that Temuera Morrison will play Captain Rex in a live-action Star Wars project. However, he is not completely sure which project it is. He assumes it will be Ahsoka Season 2, but it has not been officially confirmed.

Morrison already voiced Captain Rex in the first season of ‘Ahsoka’ so it’s not that far fetched at all to assume that he will appear in person in the second season.

Daisy Ridley's return to a galaxy far, far away has been delayed once again. A new filming start date for Star Wars: New Jedi Order has reportedly been revealed, roughly a month after Lucasfilm hired George Nolfi to script the movie.

According to trusted scooper Daniel Richtman, New Jedi Order, which remains the Rey Skywalker movie's working title (an official title has not yet been unveiled by Lucasfilm), will begin filming in 2026. Additionally, Richtman reports that Nolfi is making "some changes to the plot." When the movie was first announced, way back at Star Wars Celebration 2023, it was revealed to be taking place 15 years after the events of 2019's The Rise of Skywalker, following Ridley's Rey as she rebuilds the Jedi Order. With Nolfi rewriting the screenplay, it remains unclear if that will still be the main focus of the Star Wars movie.

RelatedDaisy Ridley Reveals Her Reaction...

Mark Hamill will always be best known for two iconic roles: Luke Skywalker from the Star Wars saga, and The Joker from a series of DC projects, starting with Batman: The Animated Series. Either one of them would be a staggering legacy on their own, but their prominence overshadows what has been a staggeringly prolific career. Hamill's IMDb page lists over 350 credits, with more on the way. Much of it is voice over work, but includes projects both big and small, making him a staple of pop-culture for almost 50 years.

Hamill's lengthy resume includes a classic war movie that came out in the wake of Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. Sam Fuller's The Big Red One covers the exploits of a decorated US Army unit during World War II, based on the director's own experiences in combat. Hamill plays a foot soldier in the company,...

When Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson ceded all creative control of James Bond to Amazon MGM Studios, eras ended.

Half-siblings Broccoli and Wilson had extraordinary control over the Bond franchise, personally steering the films after they inherited the company Eon Productions from Broccoli’s father and Wilson’s stepfather, Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli in 1995. More than any director, they were the arbiters of “what is a James Bond film,” navigating Bond’s post-Cold War reinvention with Pierce Brosnan in the ’90s and selecting Daniel Craig as his replacement in 2005.

Reports in Deadline on February 20 say that Amazon bought out the pair for $1 billion — but that the vibe in Broccoli and Wilson’s orbit is “of a death in the family.”

Not long ago, a Bond fan might expect a 007 film to feature a Jeff Bezos-style villain. He shares a bald pate with Blofeld, as well as his own personal rocket fleet.

Plot: In the second season of 1923, a cruel winter brings new challenges and unfinished business to Jacob and Cara back at Dutton ranch. With harsh conditions and adversaries threatening to end the Dutton legacy, Spencer embarks on an arduous journey home, racing against time to save his family in Montana. Meanwhile, Alexandra sets off on her own harrowing trans-Atlantic journey to find Spencer and reclaim their love.

Review: While Yellowstone finished its run just a couple of months ago, Taylor Sheridan’s second prequel series still has a few more stories about the origin of the Dutton Ranch in Montana. Following the acclaimed ten-episode run of 1883, Sheridan jumped into the twentieth century with the Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren-led 1923. Envisioned as a two-season epic, 1923′s first season was a massive success as it blended a sprawling period epic across multiple continents and chronicled the early days of the Duttons...

Doctor Who star Varada Sethu has teased her new companion character Belinda Chandra's connection to her previous role on the show. The actor previously played Anglican Army soldier Mundy Flynn in a Season 1 episode called "Boom."

Sethu was announced as the Doctor's new companion in April 2024. Speaking to Radio Times, the actor hinted at what fans can expect from Belinda. Although she confirmed that the character is separate from Mundy, the actor said there might be a few links. "It's a completely different thing," Sethu explained. "There's gonna be nods, but it's a completely different thing."

The actor also hinted that Doctor Who fans can expect "everything [to be] new and exciting" when Belinda meets the Doctor in the upcoming season. "There aren't many shows in the world where, you know, you get to play the same character, but in different times, different planets, completely different circumstances," Sethu said. "It's just been wild and so exciting.

Daisy Ridley, the performer known for playing Rey in the 2010s revival of the Star Wars universe, played the Force-sensitive hero for the first time ten years ago. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens launched Ridley into Hollywood stardom, but the actor doesn't usually revisit the movie. However, Ridley has revealed that she has watched The Force Awakens recently and says it's "sweet" to see herself younger on the screen.

Ridley spoke to Collider during a screening of her upcoming movie, Cleaner, but the conversation turned to Star Wars at some point. After a decade since The Force Awakens hit theaters, she reflected on her reaction when she saw herself in one of the biggest franchise revivals of the 21st century:

"I'd watched [The Force Awakens] maybe three times around the time it came out, and weirdly it was on at the gym when I was working out. So I saw...

Yellowjackets star Sophie Thatcher has expressed interest in returning to the Star Wars franchise. Thatcher previously played the cyborg gang leader Drash in The Book of Boba Fett.

The 2021 Disney+ series centered around reformed bounty hunter Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) seizing control of crime boss Jabba the Hutt's territory on Tatooine with the help of his trusted associate Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen). Thatcher's character Drash and fellow cyborg Skad (Jordan Bolger) initially opposed Fett before he gained their respect and they agreed to join forces.

Sophie Thatcher Confirms Interest in a Star Wars Return

How Star Wars Rebels Brought Back the Original Boba Fett Into Canon

Star Wars Rebels was heavily inspired by the concept art of Ralph McQuarrie, taking cues from the early ideas behind characters like Boba Fett.

Thatcher looked back on her time in the Star Wars universe while speaking to Inverse, where she confirmed she...

There are few franchises more celebrated and divisive than that of Star Wars. Among the many topics pertaining to Star Wars that have received the most backlash, the prequel trilogy from the series creator George Lucas, which consists of The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Cones, and Revenge of the Sith, is usually at the top of the list. Whether it was the origin story of Darth Vader, the perennial feelings of disgust over Jar Jar Binks, or the copious amounts of CGI, Lucas’ second trilogy has often been tied to the whipping post and torn asunder by devotees of the Star Wars universe.

However, Star Wars fans are an observant group known for their knack for making intricate observations about the continuity of the series and the cinematic universe in which it takes place. Recently, a brief line of dialogue from Return of the Jedi, from the final confrontation...

There is certainly no changing Hollywood’s fascination with sequels, as the industry has become reliant on established intellectual property that draws audiences in based on their nostalgia. Sometimes, returning to a franchise to tell a new and exciting story can yield brilliant results; sequels such as The Godfather: Part II, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Aliens, The Empire Strikes Back, Before Sunset, and Terminator 2: Judgment Day aren’t just considered to be superior to their predecessors, but among the greatest films of all-time.

Quick LinksBossk's Suit Appeared in One of Doctor Who's Most Important EpisodesBossk's Suit is Not the Only Connection Between Star Wars and Doctor Who

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire StrikesBack introduced several bounty hunters hired by Darth Vader to locate the Millennium Falcon. Alongside the famous Boba Fett stood Dengar the Demolisher, Ig-88, Bossk, 4-lom, and Zuckuss. Expanded universe material like K. W. Jeter's The Bounty Hunter Wars novels developed these mercenaries, and some even went on to become fan favorites. However, at the time of filming, they were just background characters meant to fill out the scene. Boba was the only one of the bounty hunters who even spoke in the film, aside from Bossk making some unintelligible growls towards the Imperial officers who insulted them.

As such, many of the bounty hunters' costumes were thrown together using existing materials. For example, Ig-88's head was originally...

It's not unusual for an actor or stunt person to play multiple characters in the same movie, especially when they're bogged down in prosthetics and make-up, which makes it hard to recognize them. But 20 characters? That's definitely more than average. For stunt actor and little person Kevin Thompson, though, it was worth it to be a part of the Star Wars universe in Return of the Jedi, even if the Ewok costumes he wore were a little constricting.

Thompson appeared on a recent episode of Pod Meets World hosted by Rider Strong, Danielle Fishel, and Will Friedle, who are just three stars from the hit '90s sitcom Boy Meets World. They regularly re-watch old episodes of their series, and were joined by Thompson – who was a stand-in for the child actors – and his wife, Tracey. The subject of Star Wars was eventually brought up, and it was then that...