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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.

Joe Russo, one-half of the sibling powerhouse producing/directing team known as the Russo Brothers, posited that today’s blockbuster versus indie discourse is in large part to Harvey Weinstein’s Oscars campaign playbook.

In a new interview with the U.K.’s The Sunday Times, Russo lamented that popular films’ success at the box office and disproportional losses at the Academy Awards is due to a trend started by the disgraced mogul.

“This trend was started by Harvey Weinstein,” he said. “He vilified mainstream movies to champion the art films he pushed for Oscar campaigns. Popular films were winning Oscars before the mid-Nineties, then Weinstein started mudslinging campaigns … It affected how audiences view the Oscars, because they’ve not seen most of the movies. We’re in a complicated place. Things we should all enjoying collectively we instead punch each other in the face over.”

The Avengers: Endgame co-director added,...

When the trailer for "Taken" first started making the rounds in 2008, no one thought it was terribly out of character for Liam Neeson to star in a straight-ahead action flick. With films like "Darkman," "Rob Roy" and "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace" on his resume, the 1993 Best Actor nominee for "Schindler's List" certainly seemed comfortable making genre movies. The surprise was the five years that led up to it. After failing to snag a well-deserved second Best Actor nomination for "Kinsey" in 2004, he segued to supporting parts in "Kingdom of Heaven," "Batman Begins" and "Breakfast on Pluto," which suggested he was either getting passed over for lead roles, didn't fit the star type for whatever was being offered, or entering the character actor phase of his career.

After the moody Western "Seraphim Falls" failed to catch on with moviegoers (despite the intriguing pairing of Neeson and Pierce Brosnan), next up was "Taken.

Praised for exploring the sheer scope of the Star Wars Universe, George Lucas’ Prequel Trilogy has given fans a collection of films that recount a tale of drama and romance while capturing some eye-popping action sequences. With several engaging characters lighting up the screen to entertain audiences or intricate battle set-pieces, the scale of 1999’s Episode I — The Phantom Menace, 2002’s Episode II — Attack of the Clones and 2005’s Episode III — Revenge of the Sith always have something to offer viewers.

It is also through the well-constructed fight scenes that fans can relish the spectacle of this franchise and go along on a journey with these characters when heightening the narrative at hand. Whether a one-on-one duel or a large conflict, the trilogy displays some standout fights that are a pleasure to behold.

Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Brawl With Jango Fett Heightens a Mystery Episode II — Attack of the Clones

Shot...

Have you been keeping up with The Acolyte? This short-lived Star Wars series that premiered on Disney+ on June 4, 2024, packed in some serious deep-cut references during its eight-episode run. Despite receiving generally favorable reviews from critics, the show famously divided the fandom and became the subject of review bombing campaigns.

Poster for The Acolyte | Credits: Lucasfilm, Disney+

Set approximately 100 years before The Phantom Menace at the tail end of the High Republic era, the series explored a respected Jedi Master investigating crimes that reconnect him with a former Padawan and reveal sinister forces at work.

Though Disney+ officially canceled the show in August 2024, creator Leslye Headland had numerous plot ideas for a potential second season that will sadly never see the light of day. As we look back at this controversial chapter in Star Wars history, let’s count down the top 10 Easter eggs that showed just how deeply The...

George Lucas changed cinema forever with "Star Wars." He didn't just alter the medium in terms of franchising, but he also pushed the limits of independent cinema and revolutionized everything from visual effects to digital editing, sound design, and filming. But you already know that, right? 

What you may not know, however, is that Lucas frequently made appearances in non-"Star Wars" movies and TV shows throughout his career. For example, the now-retired filmmaker once cameoed in his buddy Steven Spielberg's Peter Pan film "Hook," specifically in a scene where he makes out with Carrie Fisher. (!) Lucas also played a small role in "Beverly Hills Cop III" (sharing the screen with Christina Venuti) and even showed up in an episode of "The O.C." once.

Of course, "Star Wars" fans are aware that Lucas similarly popped up in "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith." In that case,...

Actor Sam Witwer has a longstanding association with the Star Wars franchise. He first provided his voice and likeness for a series of video games before portraying fan-favorite prequel trilogy villain Darth Maul in several animated projects, including Star Wars Rebels, where the character eventually met his demise.

Sam Witwer on the Inside of You podcast (Credit: YouTube).

During an interview, Witwer reflected on his run as the now-iconic villain. In the process, Witwer also talked about his dynamic with Obi-Wan Kenobi, with the actor highlighting a fatal error the Jedi Knight made during Rebels season 3. Here is what Witwer had to say about Maul and Kenobi’s fight that changed the galaxy far, far away.

Sam Witwer on Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul’s fate duel in Star Wars: Rebels season 3

Darth Maul was first introduced in 1999’s The Phantom Menace and quickly became popular with the Star Wars fanbase.

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.

Quick LinksThe Village Is Where Godric Gryffindor and Other Wizarding World Figures Are FromGodric’s Hollow Is Where Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald MetGodric's Hollow Is Also Where Harry Potter’s Parents Died

It's important to remember the ongoing controversial statements by the creator of the Harry Potter franchise. Cbr supports the hard work of industry professionals on properties fans know and love and the wider world of Harry Potter that fans have adopted as their own. You can find Cbr's continuing coverage on Rowling here.

Star Wars takes place in a galaxy far, far away, but despite its vastness, the planet Tatooine has played a significant role in the franchise as the first planet introduced to audiences in 1977. Creator George Lucas made the planet the home of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: A New Hope. Then, Lucas would make it the home of his father, Anakin, in The Phantom Menace.

A fun new Easter egg has been discovered in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, 26 years after the movie’s release. It turns out that George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, made a secret appearance in the film.

If you know when and where to look, you can spot his bearded face on a stone archway in the background on Naboo, at 1 hour, 58 minutes, and 17 seconds into the movie.

Source: https://claytonsandell.substack.com/p/star-wars-the-george-lucas-phantom

This surprising discovery was shared by Caroleen “Jett” Green, a former matte artist at Industrial Light & Magic (Ilm), who worked on The Phantom Menace. Jett revealed that she created the hidden cameo while working on a matte painting for the movie.

Related: George Nolfi Talks George Lucas’ Political Influence on ‘New Jedi Order’ and Star Wars Legacy

She said that she noticed an oval-shaped space on an arch in the painting,...

Almost all of you reading this are likely aware that Star Wars mastermind George Lucas had a cameo role in 2005's Revenge of the Sith. The filmmaker played the blue-skinned Baron Papanoida but it turns out he debuted in the Galaxy Far, Far Away he created years earlier.

As we first reported on SFFGazette.com, Clayton Sandell recently sat down for a conversation with former Ilm matte painter Caroleen "Jett" Green and discovered that Lucas has a literal blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in Theed's Royal Palace on Naboo during The Phantom Menace's final act. However, unlike the Baron, he wasn't there in person for it.

Instead, Green painted his face into one of her backgrounds. When Queen Padmé and her guards run through a long hallway in the palace before being surrounded by the Trade Federation's Battle Droids, Lucas' face can be seen far in the background in an arch above a window.

Star Warsfans finally have confirmation of creator George Lucas' long-rumored cameo in The Phantom Menace.

Per Gizmodo, former Industrial Light & Magic matte painter Caroleen "Jett" Green discussed the cameo during a recent interview with reporter Clayton Sendell. As it turns out, the cameo, which has been rumored for decades yet wasn't confirmed until now, takes place during the climax of the film in a scene set in the palace on Naboo. Jett noted that Lucas' image can only barely be seen in the relief at the top of an ornate archway, explaining that the creator's visage would be "just a blur" on screen.

A new Easter Egg in The Phantom Menace has been identified 26 years after the film’s release.At 1 hour 58 min and 17 sec into the film, George Lucas’ face can be seen on a stone archway in the background on Naboo.More details in the 🔗 below â¬‡ï¸ pic.

George Lucas' Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace was one of the most anticipated movies leading up to its release in 1999. While fans are still split over the movie, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, there has been a long-standing rumor that Lucas had a cameo. And it's been finally confirmed by former Industrial Light & Magic matte painter Caroleen "Jett" Green.

Green was a long-time Ilm matte artist, and worked on many classic movies, including Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, The Goonies, and several others.

Speaking with reporter and Star Wars geek Clayton Sandell, Green explained where to find the Lucas cameo. At the 1:58:17 mark (on Disney+), as Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) and her guards run down the hallway of Theed Palace, in the background is an arch and in the middle is Lucas' face. You...

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,...

By now, most Star Wars fans probably know the majority of these films and shows' most iconic "Easter eggs" by heart. Even the most dedicated watchers, however, may have still missed a subtle George Lucas "appearance" in 1999's Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.

Journalist and Star Wars writer Clayton Sandell (Star Wars: Timelines and more) revealed on his Substack earlier this week that there is a literal blink-and-you-miss-it Easter egg hidden in the film. It took over 25 years, but we can all now finally point it out excitedly to all our friends and family.

In the scene where Queen Amidala and her guards are running down a hallway in the Theed palace, there is actually a blurry image of George Lucas's face at the top of an archway. You kind of have to squint to see it, but it's there -- at the timestamp of 1:57:17 on Disney+,...

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...

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...

When Disney bought out Lucasfilm in 2014, that brought future "Star Wars" comics under the Marvel publishing umbrella.

Longtime "Star Wars" fans had early reservations about new stories supplanting the old expanded universe ("Star Wars: Legends"). But the Marvel "Star Wars" comics have seen some solid hits. Kieron Gillen/Salvador Larocca's "Darth Vader" run is especially beloved, and comics were a key part of the High Republic publishing initiative.

The latest Marvel "Star Wars" ongoing comic is "Jedi Knights." Set before "The Phantom Menace," this series will focus on the supporting Jedi characters from the prequel trilogy, ala "The Clone Wars" cartoons. The comic is an anthology, with each issue showing a different Jedi adventure.

The first issues at least will be written by Marc Guggenheim and drawn by Madibek Musabekov — Marvel has shared an exclusive first look at the "Jedi Knights" debut issue with /Film. The issue synopsis reads:...

Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith Re-Release Box Office Update ( Photo Credit – Prime Video )

The Star Wars franchise remains one of the world’s most popular and influential entertainment properties. Although its popularity has fluctuated over the years, it continues to have a massive fanbase across multiple generations. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith is returning to the theatres soon to commemorate its 20th anniversary. The film has been given the chance to achieve a major milestone worldwide. Scroll below for the deets.

For the unversed, it is the third installment in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, the sequel to The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. This threequel is the sixth film in the Star Wars film series. Directed by George Lucas, the film features Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, and Frank Oz.

It was released...

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,...

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...

This is where the fun begins. 2025 is a big year for Star Wars anniversaries – not only will the end of the year mark 10 years since The Force Awakens arrived (a terrifying comment on the rapid runaway nature of time), but this summer will be 20 years since Anakin Skywalker finally became Darth Vader on screen in Revenge Of The Sith. Yes, that’s two decades of the Mustafar duel, of General Grievous' dastardly wheezing, of the killing of the younglings, of the big lizard chase, of that midwife droid that goes “Ooh-bahh, ooh-bahh”. And, lest we forget, of that all-important High Ground. And if mention of all those things makes you desperate to see Episode III back on the big screen, we bring good news: it’s officially back in cinemas in April.

Just as The Phantom Menace came back to cinemas last year for its 25th anniversary, Revenge Of The...

"You underestimate my power!" "Don't try it." Anakin and Obi-Wan are returning to theaters again! Disney has officially announced that Star Wars: Episode III will be returning to cinemas around the world at the end of April just before the summer movie season begins. I remember going on opening weekend years ago! Get everyone together to re-experience this sci-fi spectacle on the big screen. Last year they also re-released Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace back in theaters again (on May 3rd) now they're following up with the much dark, much more intense third movie from the prequels. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith first opened in theaters May 2005, meaning it will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year during its re-release coming up this summer. It will play for one week only starting on April 25th, 2025. This epic finale to the prequel trilogy features Ewan McGregor and...

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...

Movie Legend: George Lucas once claimed that Jar-Jar Binks was on Alderaan when the planet was destroyed by the Death Star.

Few characters in the history of the Star Wars franchise have gotten quite as much negative attention as Ahmed Best's Jar-Jar Binks, a major supporting character introduced in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, who was intended by writer/director George Lucas to be the comic relief character in the film. Things got so bad that Best later revealed that he considered dying by suicide at the time, posting on social media in 2018 at the bridge he considered jumping from with his young son, noting, "20 years next year I faced a media backlash that still affects my career today. This was the place I almost ended my life. It's still hard to talk about. I survived and now this little guy is my gift for survival.

We’re already two months deep in 2025, but the trending news and gossip related to our favorite comics are already booming, with so many upcoming things to look forward to in the very first months of the new year.

And everyone’s making a comeback, some long-forgotten characters and superheroes, and some of the most powerful Marvel characters too. What is the comic fandom in for in 2025? This article focuses on the latest trending news and releases from the comic world.

A New Era Dawns: Marvel’s Star Wars Relaunch is Upon Us!

Marvel is making the jump to hyperspace once again! This time, the Star Wars mainline comic is getting a fresh relaunch, set in the New Republic era—a time largely untouched in previous comics. While we’ve seen glimpses of this post-Empire era in The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, Marvel is finally pulling back the curtain on the...

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...

There's a lot of magic that goes into the art of making movies, but it's rare that all the performers in a movie don't meet before cameras start rolling. Nevertheless, things get complicated on big-budget sets, especially when you factor in Covid-19 restrictions, reshoots, and actors who refuse to work with each other. 

With all that in mind, it's not uncommon that some co-stars aren't always on set at the same time during production. A lot of times, pivotal characters never meet in movies, meaning the only opportunities that actors get to interact would be at the table read or during the film's promotional period. Take, for instance, Tom Holland and Tom Hiddleston, whose characters never interact in "Avengers: Infinity War," despite the actors frequently appearing in interviews together. 

Surprisingly, for these 12 films we're about to cover, not only was there limited contact between co-stars at times, but some actors...

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...

Throughout his acclaimed career on-screen, Liam Neeson has rightfully become a household name. Not only has he appeared in countless stand-alone hits like Love Actually and Gangs of New York, but he's also starred in several popular film franchises. Looking at his presence across production sizes, fans might think there's no part too big or too small for the Irish actor to play. However, it seems there was one role in the past that the Taken actor wasn't so taken with.

When director Peter Jackson was casting characters for his now-celebrated Lord of the Ringstrilogy, Neeson was being considered for Boromir, the gallant warrior of Gondor. Ultimately, he decided to turn down the part. Considering the scale and legacy of the Lord of the Rings' universe as well as Jackson's renowned filmography, it seems odd that anyone would pass on such a massive opportunity. Well, his reasoning is just as strange.

Quick LinksRichard Armitage Stared in The Phantom MenaceHis Career Thrived In The UKPeter Jackson Made Him Big In Hollywood With The Hobbit

Ever since he brooded his way to Bilbo's door in The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey, Richard Armitage has built a solid acting career between Hollywood and the UK. Like most actors from the Isles, he had a strong foundation of credits beforehand in the more local market with British productions, but with that also came early credits in another major Hollywood franchise that is often shot in the UK.

Although his sharp features, rumbling voice, and heavy stare are now iconic from his role as Thorin Oakenshield, one of his earliest appearances is as a background actor. All greats need to start somewhere, whether it's promoting a restaurant in a chicken suit like Brad Pitt or being an out-of-focus background actor for an A-lister's closeup. So where...

Quick LinksWhat is Southern Comfort About?Southern Comfort Is Directed by One of the All-Time GreatsHow Does Southern Comfort Relate to Clint Eastwood?

Clint Eastwood is one of the greatest movie directors of all time. This past year, he released what might be his final film, Juror No.2, and it didn't disappoint. Throughout his career, Eastwood has cemented himself as a filmmaker of habit. He gets into a rhythm and follows trends. For years, Eastwood was dedicated to the Western genre, releasing Unforgiven, Pale Rider, High Plains Drifter, and more. Soon after, he found himself in the business of dismantling bureaucracy with Changeling, Sully, and Richard Jewell. Somewhere in between these two trends, though, Eastwood found himself fascinated with war. The war genre is wide, varied, and controversial, ranging from grandiose battle films to propagandized nonsense to unflinchingly realistic depictions of violence, all the way to haunting portrayals of post-war blues.

Warwick Davis, known for his roles in Star Wars and Harry Potter, received BAFTA’s highest honor at the Film Awards on Sunday. The British actor, whose career spans decades and includes memorable turns such as Ewok Wicket in Return of the Jedi and appearances in Willow and The Phantom Menace, was celebrated by peers and fans alike during the ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

During his speech, Davis expressed deep gratitude while acknowledging personal loss. “This is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me—and I’ve been in Star Wars,” he said with a touch of humor. The actor, who experienced the recent passing of his wife Samantha, credited the support of his children and family for helping him rediscover joy in his work. He paid homage to his late wife, recalling her warmth and unwavering support, and emphasized that her memory continues to inspire him.

Warwick Davis, the British actor who has played various roles in the Star Wars franchise, got a tribute from Luke Skywalker himself as he was garlanded with BAFTA’s highest honor.

Mark Hamill described Davis as “one of the hardest working men in showbusiness” as he received the Fellowship prize at the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday.

Hamill joked that Davis has more Star Wars credits than himself and that he followed up the mega-franchise with another in the shape of Harry Potter.

Davis was celebrated by BAFTA for his prolific career and role in creating a more inclusive screen industry. George Lucas was among others who paid tribute to Davis, saying he was a “great actor.”

An emotional Davis, who unexpectedly lost his wife last year, thanked his loved ones — including his children — for helping him learn to “laugh and love again.” He joked: “This is one of the...

For over 40 sensational years, beloved Irish actor and go-to Hollywood leading man Liam Neesonhas been keeping audiences entertained with his charismatic performances and universal appeal. The Academy Award-nominee has starred in countless unforgettable hits throughout his stellar career, memorably appearing in Schindler's List,Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Love Actually, and The Chronicles of Narnia trilogy, before becoming a certified action sensation when he starred in 2008's cinema knockout Taken.

Since effectively reinventing himself as a butt-kicking silver screen hero, Neeson has headlined a slew of rip-roaring action flicks like A Walk Among the Tombstones, The Grey, Run All Night, and The Marksman, and it sure doesn't seem like the 72-year-old acting great has any intentions of slowing down. Neeson has an array of exciting projects in the works in both 2025 and beyond, including the long-awaited action comedy The Naked Gun, so let's take a look at...

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...

Quick LinksMortis Began in Star Wars AnimationStar Wars: Episode IX Nearly Featured the PlanetMortis Will Play a Key Role in the Future of Star Wars

The Force is the main concept ofStar Warsthat connects the entire galaxy. As time has gone on, our understanding of the Force continues to evolve with new abilities and ideas. The Phantom Menace notoriously introduced the controversial idea of the midichlorians adding a scientific element to the power, while The Last Jedi showed Luke Skywalker using the Force to appear in a different part of the galaxy. Even the various High Republic stories have showcased new ways Jedi can use the Force.

As more Star Wars continue to come out, filmmakers will continue to carefully add more dimensions to the concept of the Force. Since the Force is at the center of all things Star Wars, the franchise needs to do this. In 2011, one of...

Star Wars has had some classic characters that have almost turned into archetypes an entire generation of filmmakers. Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, and Leia Organa are all very well-established as classic Hollywood characters and Star Wars fans have been happy with stories revolving around these characters.

Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo || Credit: Lucasfilm

Come The Phantom Menace, characters like Qui-Gon Jinn, Darth Maul, and Padme Amidala took center stage in the story. However, criticisms that were leveled at the film were actually hilarious in hindsight and might have been telling signs of what the fandom was going to mature into eventually. Needless to say, there has always been a hunger to see familiar stories play out in Star Wars, with archetypical characters. This has only now changed, thanks to shows like Andor and Skeleton Crew.

Fans seemed interested in The Phantom Menace because characters...

Darth Sidious is the overarching villain of the Star Warsfranchise, acting as the big bad in all three trilogies of the Skywalker Saga. During the waning days of the Old Republic, Sidious posed as Sheev Palpatine, a politician from Naboo who rose from his position as a Senator to become the Supreme Chancellor. When the Clone Wars finally broke out, Palpatine played both sides of the conflict as he plotted to take over the galaxy.

The tragic events of Revenge of the Sith play out precisely as Palpatine had planned, as he orders the extermination of the Jedi and the reorganization of the Republic into the first Galactic Empire. Palpatine also successfully converted Anakin Skywalker, a promising young Jedi, to the Dark Side, anointing him as his new Sith apprentice. While all went according to plan for Palpatine, there were several times when the Republic and the Jedi should have...

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...

Daisy Ridley has worked with the Force in the Star Wars franchise, but that doesn't mean she wouldn't like to branch out to other popular franchises. The actress would love a switch over to the MCU, and even the Dcu.

Ridley has chosen exciting projects after her breakout role as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy films. She appeared in several critically acclaimed films, as 2024 appeared in Young Woman and the Sea and Magpie. With more exciting projects, including the Die Hard-inspired Cleaner and the zombie film We Bury the Dead, Ridley has attempted many different genres. In an interview with ComicBook to promote her upcoming role in Cleaner, Ridley teased she would be interested in a role in the MCU or Dcu.

Related'It Can Be About Real Things:' Daisy Ridley's Star Wars Movie Writer Teases Story Direction

New Star Wars screenwriter, George Nolfi, hints at his vision for the film.

Known for creating the iconic Star Wars franchise, George Lucas revolutionized the film industry with groundbreaking storytelling and cutting-edge technology. Since the release of A New Hope in 1977, the sci-fi saga has grown into one of the biggest and most influential franchises in the world, expanding into numerous films, TV series, games, novels, comics, and more.

George Lucas | Credit: Joi Ito/Cc-by-2.0/Wikimedia Commons

Despite Star Wars’ massive success and cultural impact, its creator has had a complicated relationship with Hollywood’s most prestigious honor, the Academy Awards. While the franchise has won multiple Oscars, Lucas himself has often been overlooked in major categories such as Best Director.

From his early success with American Graffiti to the sci-fi juggernaut that is Star Wars, here’s a look at every time the legendary filmmaker lost at the Oscars.

George Lucas lost the Best Director Oscar for American Graffiti

George Lucas is...

While Taken‘s success, for better or worse, rebranded Liam Neeson as an action star, the actor initially rose to stardom following his dramatic prowess in Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List. On the flip side, Sandra Bullock, whose career has been mostly defined by rom-coms and dramas, originally rose to global stardom due to Speed and Demolition Man.

Speed | Credit: 20th Century Studios

Although their careers have rarely intertwined, interestingly, the duo did join forces in the early 2000s for an action comedy, which is often considered one of the most forgettable outings in their filmography.

A quite forgettable collaboration – Gun Shy

Considering Sandra Bullock was popping off in the ’90s and Liam Neeson had starred in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace just a year prior, on paper, a collaboration between the two screamed success. But at the end of the day, it all boils down to the story,...

There are some records that are seen untouchable, and the astronomical domestic box office haul of Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, which stands at $936.7 million, looked to be one destined not to be beaten anywhere in the world as the highest ever domestic haul for a theatrical release. Now, that record has surprisingly fallen to the Chinese box office, where the blockbuster movie Ne Zha 2 has just passed Rmb 7B, or in U.S. money, $960.5 million, making it the new highest grossing domestic release for a single market in the world.

The Star Wars franchise’s impressive total is one that has stood against challenges from Avengers movies and the Avatar franchise, which stand as the highest grossing movies of all time thanks to impressive overseas volumes as much as their domestic performance. However, Ne Zha 2 was released during the Lunar New Year celebration and...

The excitement surrounding the Star Wars prequels was huge in the late 90s; with that in mind, perhaps it was inevitable that they would never live up to the expectations of fans. The same could, of course, be said about the sequels.

Unfortunately, even more than half a decade after The Rise of Skywalker wrapped things up, it still feels like the latter left a much worse taste in the mouths of moviegoers.

However, while an argument could be made that The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi were better than the prequels in terms of pure filmmaking, we think a case can be made for George Lucas' movies ultimately telling a much better, far more coherent story than the sequels which wrapped up the Skywalker Saga.

The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith certainly made a lot of mistakes. In this feature, we're taking a look at why,...

The Green Mile, a supernatural prison drama from 1999, is finding new life on the free streaming service Tubi. The Stephen King adaptation stars Tom Hanks in one of his genuinely underrated performances. The film currently sits at the third spot on Tubi's Top 10 list of the service's most-watched films.

Written and directed by Frank Darabont, The Green Mile follows a group of prison guards working at the Cold Mountain Penitentiary death row, or as everyone calls it, "The Green Mile." Led by Officer Paul Edgecomb (Hanks), the group receives John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a new inmate who has been sentenced to death for a horrible crime. Coffey doesn't behave like a murderer and claims that he's innocent. Edgecomb eventually realizes that the convict even possesses an extraordinary power to heal people. But we'll leave it at that for those who still haven't seen this classic, as we'd rather not spoil it for you.

Fans who have been following the Star Wars franchise since the 1980s might be aware that Kenner Toys planned to launch a line of action figures with an accompanying animated series called Star Wars: The Epic Continues in the 1980s. The purpose of The Epic Continues was to keep sales of Star Wars merchandise afloat at a time when the popularity of the brand was starting to dwindle due to the lack of new movies. And while The Epic Continues never came to fruition, the planned villain from the series will soon be making his canon debut in the upcoming comic book Star Wars: Jedi Knights.

Atha Prime is back in the comic book Star Wars: Jedi Knights

Marvel is bringing back Atha Prime - an original character created for "The Epic Continues" - the cancelled Kenner toy line that was planned to continue the Star Wars story after Return of the Jedi pic.