Innholdsfortegnelse for Star Wars Insider #200 i Star Wars Insider

To paraphrase that crazy old hermit, Ben Kenobi: “Bantha Tracks is a title I’ve not heard for a long time. A long time.” Like many Star Wars Insiderreaders of a similar vintage, I was once a card-carrying member of The Official Star WarsFanclub, in those long-ago days whenBantha Tracks was its quarterly newsletter. Whenever a new edition arrived through the mail, I’d thrill at the exciting Star Warsnews contained within, and I still have every copy I ever received—stored in a lovingly crafted shoebox archive decorated with stickers and a hand-drawn version of the newsletter logo. Banthas are pretty hard to draw in felt-tip pen, right? I would never have imagined that years later I’d be the editor of its spiritual successor, especially on the occasion ofInsider’s 200th edition, at…

Add StarWars.com/Insider to your browser bookmarks to enjoy Insider’s pick of the best of the official Star Warswebsite. “All Films Are Personal”: An Oral History Of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace(1999) The creators and artists behind the first film in the prequel trilogy, including George Lucas, Doug Chiang, John Knoll, and others, look back at the making of the movie, 20 years later. Interview: Ben Burtt The sound designer takes StarWars.com behind the scenes with stories of the many real-world audio clips that became some of the most enduring creatures, vehicles, and background sounds in the saga. Star Wars: Squadrons Industrial Light & Magic’s John Knoll, Lucasfilm’s James Waugh, and EA’s Neel Upadhye talk to StarWars.com about the Star Wars: Squadrons short film “Hunted,” a new kind of Star Wars…

Black Series Bucket Boba Fett Re-Armored Having made a surprise return to our screens during the second season of The Mandalorian, and having reclaimed his father’s armor in the process, Boba Fett showed an unexpected creative streak by buffing up his battered bucket with a shiny new coat of paint. New to Hasbro’s Black Series, the Boba Fett (Re-Armored) Premium Electronic Helmet A recreates Fett’s fancy new look, complete with flip-down rangefinder with flashing LED lights and an illuminated heads-up display. Available for pre-order now priced $119.99, the new Fett bucket will be coming to stores in the Spring of 2022. And if that seems like a long wait, remember the last time we saw the legendary bounty hunter, he was destined to spend all eternity languishing in the belly…

FEBRUARY Star Wars Adventures#6 IDW Comics Writers: Katie Cook and Shaun Manning Artists: Cara McGee and Fico Ossio Cover Artist: Francesco Francavilla Star Wars#11 Marvel Comics Writer: Charles Soule Artist: Jan Bazaldua Cover Artist: Carlo Pagulayan Darth Vader#10 Marvel Comics Writer: Greg Pak Artist: Raffaele Ienco Cover Artist: Aaron Kuder The High Republic#2 Marvel Comics Writer: Cavan Scott Artist: Ario Anindito Cover Artist: Phil Noto Star Wars Legends Epic CollectionVolume #5 The New Republic Marvel Comics Writers: Tom Veitch and others Artists: Cam Kennedy and others Cover Artist: Dave Dorman…

33 YEARS IN THE MAKING Ten years after Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) made its theatrical debut in the U.S., the Official Lucasfilm Fanclub published the first issue of its club newsletter. Twenty-three issues later the magazine morphed into Star Wars Insider, the title under which it has been published since 1994. Along the way, dozens of contributors have shared their love for Star Wars with you, our readers. Insider wouldn’t exist without your enthusiasm and continued support. Thank you. Jessica Henwick Jessika Pava in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (1999) “A world without Star Wars would be a wildly different place. No film series has had a bigger cultural impact. I love how it transcends countries, cultures, ages even!” Rob Bredow Chief Creative Officer, Industrial Light & Magic…

Having portrayed Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), Carrie Fisher left an indelible mark on popular culture. Leia was forthright, independent, and a force to be reckoned with—character traits fully embodied by Fisher herself—and unlike more traditional princesses in countless fairytales, she was no damsel in distress either. As such, Leia became a role model for young girls also eager to break the mold. Despite the tragic loss of Carrie Fisher in 2016, the character she defined lives on in the performances of other actors who have been cast as Leia in numerous Star Wars projects over the years, from mobile phone apps and videogames to animated appearances in the likes of Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018), Star Wars Resistance (2018-2020) and Forces of Destiny…

There’s a lot of love that goes into the magazine you’re reading. Passion, even, and a great deal of hard work. From writers too numerous to list, to the designers who’ve tweaked every layout in our 33-year history; from the various publishers who’ve been custodians of the magazine, and to the countless others who have played an invaluable part in bringing Star Wars Insider to your local bookstore every six weeks or so (global pandemics excepted). Marshalling these efforts, and guiding the unique content that makes Insider so special, has been the privilege of its editors. And it all began thanks to another franchise entirely. “I became a Star Wars fan when I was 14 years old,” Dan Madsen tells Star Wars Insider, the magazine he launched as The Lucasfilm…

It’s impossible to adequately describe the elation that erupted inside the room at San Diego Comic-Con in 2018 on the day that Lucasfilm announced plans to bring back Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-14, 2020) for its long-awaited conclusion. For years, supervising director Dave Filoni could only hint at the stories he had hoped to tell to close out the animated series, with animatics and sketchbook pages filling in some of the gaps left by the untold heroics of the Bad Batch and the events of the Siege of Mandalore. Now, at long last fans can enjoy the emotional conclusion the way it was meant to be experienced, in the form of twelve full-length episodes. Told over three distinct story arcs, the final season of the hit animated series brought…

Keeler’s two decade tenure at ILM didn’t just involve making models—at times he was called on to be a model himself. For Return of the Jedi, the costume makers based in the U.S. needed someone who could try on the costume for the rancor keeper (later christened Malakili), and Keeler fit both the bill and the grubby garments. “I wasn’t in the movie, they just wanted someone to put it on so they could take a picture,” Keeler remembers. “They shipped the photo over to England, so the costume department over there could see how it was supposed to look when they put in on the actor.”…

Soule had the chance to take a deeper look at the psyches and motivations of Darth Vader and Kylo Ren, two iconic characters who fell to the dark side, in his Marvel Comics series’ Darth Vader and The Rise of Kylo Ren. Both projects had their unique challenges. “They kind of work on a different scale,” explains Soule. “We knew a lot about Vader when I wrote the series, and not all that much about Kylo. So, I could use things we knew about Vader to boost the impact of certain scenes, but it also meant there were more guardrails around some of the storytelling. For Kylo, I had a lot of room to move and invent.” Soule described his work on Vader as, “fitting pieces into a jigsaw puzzle…

Nute Gunray The Viceroy of the Trade Federation was an arrogant, ruthless Neimodian who played the suffering victim during negotiations, yet deployed brute force to get his way. Gunray owed his rise to the echelons of the galactic elite to a shadowy figure who oversaw all his major decisions. Lott Dod Lott Dod snaked his way into representing the Trade Federation in the Republic Senate after the incident on Eriadu. Although he couldn’t gather enough support to prevent the taxation bill from passing, he employed all the bureaucratic loopholes he could to keep the blockade of Naboo “legal.” Senator Sheev Palpatine Not being one of the major power brokers in the Senate, Palpatine had made few enemies as a consequence—unlike most of his peers. Known for his gentility and willingness…

Febe, Arno, and Jasper may have been cosplaying as the legendary rebels Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker, but they truly had a blast when they met one of the Empire’s finest officers at a recent convention. Julian Glover, who portrayed General Veers and led the assault on Echo Base in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), delighted the three fans with stories about his work in the Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Game of Thrones franchises. “We had a fun experience meeting him,” recalls Febe, “because he took his time to talk to us and was very kind.” The group discussed the timeless nature of Glover’s roles, and the actor even did a brief impersonation based on his appearance in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989).…

“STAY ON TARGET!” Feel like you can take on the whole Empire yourself? Then you’ll need to ace this starfighter trivia test! EXCEPTIONAL X-WINGS 1:What was the call sign for Luke Skywalker’s X-wing at the Battle of Yavin? A/ Red Leader B/ Red Five C/ Red Seven D/ Red Twelve 2: Who led Blue Squadron in support of the rebel ground troops at the Battle of Scarif? A/ Wedge Antilles B/ Garven Dreis C/ Antoc Merrick D/ Dutch Vander 3: How many different X-wing fighters did we see Poe Dameron use in the sequel trilogy? A/ One B/ Two C/ Three D/ Four 4: In the movies, which location did Luke Skywalker’s X-wing fighter never fly to? A/ Ahch-To B/ Savareen C/ Dagobah D/ Ajan Kloss 5: Besides Poe Dameron,…

Jay Stobie @StobiesGalaxy Starship fanatic and blogger Jay writes articles for StarWars.com and is searching for a way to reside full time in the Star Warsgalaxy. Amy Richau @amyrichau Amy is a regular contributor to StarWars.com, and is the author of Star Wars: I Love You, I know: Lessons in Love and Friendship. Kristin Baver @KristinBaver Kristin was a card-carrying Star Warsfan before she had reason to own a wallet. Now she’s an associate editor at StarWars.com. Mark Newbold @ Prefect_timing A writer for U.K. sci-fi magazine StarburstandStar Trek magazine, journalist Mark is a proud Honorary Friend of the 501st and Rebel Legion. Michael Kogge @ michaelkogge Michael is the author of the junior novelization of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and the Star Wars Rebelschapter book series. Charles Soule…

A young Jedi is taken out of his comfort zone in Into the Dark. Star Wars: The High Republic is Lucasfilm’s new multimedia initiative, promising a wealth of books and comics dedicated to exploring an untold Star Wars era, 200 years prior to the events of the films. Providing an ideal entry point to this saga for young adult readers is Into the Dark, the new novel by Claudia Gray, one of the key architects behind the ambitious project. The novel tells the tale of Reath Silas, a Jedi Padawan sent on a new mission intended to uproot him from the cosy, cosmopolitan urbanity of Coruscant. Young Reath is quite fond of the sterile environs of the Jedi Archives, and isn’t too happy about being transplanted into the savage wilds…

Despite having voiced the same character over the years, several of the actors who’d played Leia had never met until Misty Lee put out the call for a “Leia Lunch.” Since then, the actresses have come together regularly to catch up, share stories, laugh, and support each other’s careers. Playing the same iconic character created a unique bond for the group. “It’s the awesomeness of Leia,” said Taber, “She’s a character who represents the best in women and, in so many ways, that’s what brought us together and has made us such good friends.”…

DAN MADSEN “Rick McCallum invited me to Skywalker Ranch to see some of the early work they were doing for The Phantom Menace—storyboards, art, maquettes, models of ships, and the like—so I had a good idea of the kinds of things I would be seeing when I visited the set a year later. When we were finally able to get on set and actually see what George Lucas was working on, that was an amazing milestone for me.” SCOTT CHERNOFF “Don Bies let me operate the remote control R2-D2 on the set of Attack of the Clones in Australia, and I promptly crashed it into a wall. In my defense, this was one of the most complicated remote controls I’d ever seen.” BRIAN J. ROBB “Seeing George Lucas directing Star…

Watching the final story arc in Star Wars: The Clone WarscastsStar Wars: Revenge of the Sith in an entirely new light. During Ahsoka’s side quest, Maul’s capture becomes even more vital for the Jedi to unravel the Sith plot after Anakin kills Dooku. But between Obi-Wan confiding in Ahsoka about his worries over her former master, Maul’s obsession over Skywalker, and the ripple through the Force that flattens Ahsoka as Anakin turns, we begin to see the events of the film with even more nuance than before. And, of course, watching Ahsoka and Rex go through Order 66 is heart-wrenching, especially in the context of similar betrayals taking hold of the galaxy at large.…

Eagle-eyed guests who enjoyed the original Star Tours attraction might remember a mustached man in the spaceport control room who dives for cover at the very end of the ride. That man was none other than Ira Keeler, and his starring role was a case of being in the right place at the right time. ILM had been working on the effects for the attraction for a year when Keeler and Star Tours director Dennis Muren traveled to Southern California to survey the work of Disney’s Imagineers at W.E.D., the Walter E. Disney Studios where many famous Disney attractions were brought to life. “We went down to get the scoop on the StarSpeeder 3000,” says Keeler, who wasn’t expecting to end up on camera. “At some point they said, ‘Ira,…

Many different things can be true from a certain point of view in Star Wars stories—and that’s just how Charles Soule likes it. Hearing various fan interpretations, even ones he never intended, “is one of my favorite parts of the job,” says Soule. “It’s the sort of thing that I used to do when I was a kid wondering about Luke or Vader or Obi-Wan. In fact, I often lean away from direct explanations. I think it’s much more fun for the fans (and me) to let them piece together their own theories.”…

52 BSW4 • Sheev Palpatine elected to represent Naboo in the Republic Senate. 33 BSW4 • The Nebula Front, a radical political group opposed to vast corporate conglomerates, assassinated the directors of the Trade Federation at the Eriadu trade summit. A group of ambitious Neimodians, led by Lott Dod and Nute Gunray, stepped in to lead the Trade Federation. 32 BSW4 • Queen Sanandrassa’s two-year term in office ended. In her place, Padmé Amidala was elected to the throne. • In spite of Trade Federation opposition, the Republic Senate passed Prop 31-814D levying taxes on the formerly Free Trade Zones in the Mid and Outer Rim. • The Trade Federation blockaded Naboo with warships converted from Lucrehulk-class LH-3210 cargo freighters, depriving the planet’s citizens of necessary supplies, medicines, and food.…

We want to hear from you! Tell us about your Star Warsexperience. What made you want to become a fan? What have you done in the name ofStar Wars? Tell us yourStar Wars story by sending your photos, art, and letters here: starwarsinsider@titanemail.com Or via regular post: UNITED STATES Star Wars Worldwide, Star Wars Insider, Titan Magazines, 2819 Rosehall Lane, Aurora, IL, 60503, U.S.A. UNITED KINGDOM Star Wars Worldwide, Star Wars Insider, 144 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0UP, U.K.…

The latest Star Wars films have introduced us to the likes of jet troopers, patrol troopers, death troopers, and shoretroopers, but fan Vicki Solano has opted to develop fun and innovative designs that she applies to the classic Imperial stormtrooper helmet. Solano’s approach to each project, using purchased trooper headwear, varies as much as the patterns themselves. Some of the buckets simply receive a fresh coat of paint, while others have been vacuum formed or adorned with no-bake clay or pages from comics. “I like to do a lot of mash-ups of retro cartoons and movies with Star Wars,” says Solano of her subject matter. These topics are reflected in a stormtrooper helmet based on the color scheme of Scooby Doo’s Mystery Machine van, with an AT-AT painted to match.…

Ingredients 3 eggs 175g caster sugar 175g butter/margarine 175g self-raising flour Method • Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (fan oven). • Next, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. • Then add each egg, one at a time whilst adding a bit of flour each time. • Fold in the remaining flour until all ingredients are mixed in. • Grease your cake tins with some butter. • Add the mixture into two cake tins, making sure they’re equal. • Put both in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.…

The big question has always been, “Is it hot in the costume?” I had a simple answer (and after a long day, a rather curt one), “Usually.” But in recent years I am often faced with a somewhat more difficult inquiry. I don’t really know how to answer it. I think it’s actually a question of perspective. The many millions of Star Wars fans around our planet have watched, observed, enjoyed each episode of the saga on variously sized screens, from a certain point of view. Though the series’ main impact has been through the movies, it’s been filled-out with documentaries, novels, and jottings; most notoriously, The Wonder Column (are you old enough to remember?), that I was proud to write for Star Wars Insider magazine so many years ago.…

Filled to the brim with easter eggs and references to the original Star Wars trilogy, The Mandalorian is no stranger to the power of nostalgia. That theme continues with Hasbro’s latest Mando-themed additions to The Retro Collection, a range of 3 3/4-inch action figures inspired by Kenner’s line of toys launched in 1978. Featuring five points of articulation and 6-inch by 9-inch cardbacks with faux aging, the first wave includes fan-favorite characters from the hit Disney+ series, including The Child, Cara Dune, Greef Karga, Moff Gideon, Kuiil, IG-11, and the titular Mandalorian himself. Available now, these retro figures can be yours for $9.99 each.…

Here Come the Nihil! The Jedi prepare for battle in Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures #1 Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures, coming this February from IDW Publishing, is a brand-new ongoing series set centuries years before the events of the Star Wars films. In this era, the Republic is at its peak and the Jedi Order has never been stronger. But a terrifying new adversary known as the Nihil wants to bring it all crashing down. Writing this all-ages title is Daniel José Older, author of the 2018 New York Times bestselling novel Star Wars: Last Shot, and he’s ably suported by artist Harvey Tolibao and colorist Rebecca Nalty in chronicling the adventures of Master Yoda’s Padawan trainees and the young heroes in their orbit. The action begins…

JANUARY Light of the Jedi Writer: Charles Soule Publisher: Del Rey Release Date: January 5, 2021 A Test of Courage Writer: Justina Ireland Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm Press Release Date: January 5, 2021 The Great Jedi Rescue Writer: Cavan Scott Artist: Petur Antonsson Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm Press Release Date: January 5, 2021 FEBRUARY Into the Dark Writer: Claudia Gray Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm Press Release Date: February 2, 2021 JUNE The Rising Storm Writer: Cavan Scott Publisher: Del Rey Release Date: June 29, 2021 Race to Crashpoint Tower Writer: Cavan Scott Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm Press Release Date: June 29, 2021…

A veteran of Shakespearean theatre, Ian McDiarmid is more than used to performing in opulent theatrical costumes, but his wardrobe as the Emperor in Return of the Jedi wasn’t quite what he’d expected. “I remember when I first got the part, I imagined a whole series of magnificent costumes, like a Chinese Emperor,” the star of stage and screen ruefully recalls. What he got was layers of black robe hidden beneath an equally black cloak. The prequels, however, were another story. “I did get those kinds of costumes as Palpatine was moving from senator to chancellor to emperor,” adds McDiarmid. “Some wonderful costumes, particularly those for Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002).” The return of Palpatine in The Rise of Skywalker offered an unexpected dash of flair in the…

SEASON 1 EPISODE 1: Albin Johnson and the Power of Fandom EPISODE 2: How Star Wars Sparked Robin’s Journey EPISODE 3: Christina Cato and the Drive to Create EPISODE 4: How Star Wars Showed FJ That It’s OK to Be Yourself EPISODE 5: The Perales Family and the Binding Force of Star Wars SEASON 2 EPISODE 1: Dale Hopkins and Finding Strength in Star Wars EPISODE 2: Zoe Hinton and the Creative Spark of Star Wars EPISODE 3: Jason Eaton and His Incredible Star Wars Models EPISODE 4: How Brandon Jackson Discovered Hope and New Talents Through Star Wars EPISODE 5: Keri Bean: From a Galaxy Far, Far Away to Mars EPISODE 6: Amy Chrzanowski and Seeing Oneself in Star Wars EPISODE 7: How Josh and Barry Made a Life-Changing…

Finding Leia’s voice was a unique challenge for each actor. Misty Lee felt Leia’s voice was not dissimilar to her regular tones so just added a little Mae West. Shelby Young found herself occasionally scrunching up her nose for some lines of dialogue, and pitching her voice from further back in her throat to achieve a rounder tone. Beyond matching the pitch and timber of Leia, finding the spirit of the character was also key. Anna Graves went for a combination of diplomacy and confrontation when voicing Leia, while Clarissa Yazzie made sure she delivered every line with purpose and importance.…

Action figures have been among the most popular Star Wars collectibles since Kenner released their first set of twelve characters back in 1978. Since then, Hasbro’s range has continued to expand, with new releases in the Black Series always causing a stir. Now characters from the hit Disney+ show The Mandalorian have joined the ranks, and, thanks to our friends at Hasbro, Star Wars Insider has a set of three figures to give away. Heading our 6-inch trio is the Mandalorian himself, clad in his already iconic silver beskar armor and packing an arsenal of deadly weaponry. The highly articulated Black Series action figure stunningly recreates the bounty hunter’s ice-cool look, featuring the rich detail and premium decoration fans expect from the range. Our giveaway also includes the person responsible…

The speeder bikes and scout trooper costumes in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983); the destroyer droids in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999); the DeLorean time travel machine in Back to the Future (1985); the German zeppelinLuxembourginThe Rocketeer (1991)—these are but a few of the iconic models, props, and costumes that Ira Keeler had a hand in making for some of the biggest blockbusters of all time. Despite his historic contributions to film, this humble modelmaker from Vacaville, California never dreamed of working in the movies. Ira Keeler considered himself just another hobbyist who loved to build miniature airplanes and rockets in his spare time. But his craftmanship eventually led him to 20-year career at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). Born in 1940 to a homemaker mother and…

Few writers have told stories about as many iconic Star Wars characters, in as many different  time periods, as Charles Soule. Over the last five years Soule has written dozens of Star Wars stories, including six Marvel Comics series, spanning the entireStar Warstimeline.Obi-Wan and Anakin focused on the Jedi and his Padawan after the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace(1999),Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith began its story immediately after Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005), and Poe Dameron followed the adventures of the eponymous hero from shortly before Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) to just after the events of Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). Other comic series have featured Lando Calrissian, Ben Solo, and most recently Luke and Leia’s escapades post-Star Wars: The Empire…

To fill the ranks of its private security force—which was a military force in all but name—the Trade Federation moved from hiring mercenaries to purchasing preassembled battle droids. Not only were these automated soldiers much cheaper over the course of their mechanical lifespans, and required no meals or living quarters other than the space they occupied, they would never organize or rebel against the Federation about unfair working conditions. If there was one thing the corporate partners of the Trade Federation detested more than piracy, it was labor disputes.…

01. “WOOKIEE COOKIES” BY MOLLY KATHRYN Eleven-year-old Molly Kathryn says, "I was so thrilled when my Star Wars Insider arrived in the mail today! I have literally been waiting by the mailbox for months. I love two things in life: Star Wars and baking. I bake every day. I was so excited, I made a Wookie cookie with some gingerbread!" 02. “RETRO RUFFIAN” BY JON Fan artist Jon’s endeavor to craft a 1980s-inspired image of Darth Vader began when he looked at other pieces of retro art and decided he wanted to make something quite unique. Impressed by Vader’s powerful onscreen presence, Jon selected the Sith Lord as the focus for his colorful piece. “Darth Vader has always been visually amazing,” explains the artist, who sought to highlight what he…

Marriage usually marks a new chapter in the lives of most people. For Ana Lúcia Maretti Ceccarelli, her wedding represented a commitment to Star Wars! Ceccarelli’s husband maintains a collection of more than 2,000 Star Wars action figures, and the couple are members of a Brazilian fan club, regularly attending screenings of the films set in a galaxy far, far away. With her husband's enthusiasm for his hobby quickly capturing his wife’s imagination too, embroidery teacher Ceccarelli devised an ingenious collection of gifts to give to her husband that just happened to combine her professional talents with the Star Wars galaxy… literally! Ceccarelli decided to embroider a series of collectibles that reflected various planetary locales from the films. “It was the perfect way to incorporate my crafting into our collection,”…