Weekly Ketchup: Star Wars Spinoff Films Confirmed

Lee Augustus

Is still think they should go with the Thrawn trilogy

Feb 8 - 06:04 PM

Lee Augustus

Feb 8 - 06:05 PM

Infernal Dude

Kind of liked how you said it the first time. Reminds me of my Russian buddies.

Feb 8 - 08:19 PM

Michal Karolczak

they should!!! thrawn trilogy is almost a ready script

Feb 9 - 10:11 AM

Chris Middleton

I couldn't agree more. Those books came out back when official Star Wars novels were still something special (you know, back before most of them became laughable) and Timothy Zhan delivered perhaps the best work of his career and the most worthy follow up to the classic trilogy to date (yes including Lucas' own prequel films). He captured the essence of our most beloved characters and introduced a new multi-faceted villain (Thrawn) and in the process blurred the lines between good and evil. The books featured the political intrigue of Lucas' prequel trilogy with the action and tension of the original trilogy and then one-upped both of them with creative climaxes that only heightened in drama with each successive book. He also took the idea of Jedi Masters to grander levels than what was ultimately unveiled by Lucas (Lets just say they weren't merely better sword fighters than Jedi Knights lol.) That trilogy remains to this day the benchmark for all Star Wars literature and has perhaps never been matched even by Zahn himself.

My main concern is that those books picked up more or less where the Return of the Jedi left off, meaning that one of two things would have to happen: 1) Altering the timeline to match the age of the original actors; or 2) all the classic characters would have to be recast. Neither is ideal and would be a cause of great apprehension at least for myself. I could see someone like Matt Damon making a good Luke Skywalker, but how can one possibly fill the shoes left by Harrison Ford?

Still, despite my concerns about adapting the Thrawn trilogy, I highly doubt that Disney will be able to pen a superior script. Besides, from the sounds of it, they seem to be treading into the exact same murky casting waters.

Feb 10 - 01:11 PM

Dyego Alehandro

Another agreement! Thrawn is far and away my favorite Star Wars character and, let's be honest here, Timothy Zahn's excellent books brought Star Wars back from the brink. People tend to forget that by the late 80's and very early 1990, Star Wars was kind of dead and forgotten. The Thrawn Trilogy brought it back to life, and for awhile there that was a very good thing. Then things went downhill from there.

It is, however, a very grand pity about your concerns because they are very valid. It would be painful to recast Han Solo because, let's face it, nobody can do Harrison Ford justice. Pushing the timeline into the future -could- work but, of course, would tick off a large number of fans of the extended universe (who have already been ticked off by Lucas anyway, so there's no pleasing them [read: me]). I don't know.

All I know for sure is that they need to hire Zahn as a story consultant immediately. Also, you really should read some of his other work. Icarus Hunt and the Dragonback series are excellent sci-fi novels and rank among my favorite all-time books, even though the Dragonbacks are considered "young adult."

Feb 12 - 01:38 AM

Janson Jinnistan

The only Garant/Lennon film I want to see is their Sundance comedy "Hell Baby".

The Star Wars and Hulk news are too nebulous right now to get excited about. I'm just waiting for Disney to build the new rides in their "kingdom". I heard Dakota Fanning was playing Yoda, so there's that, which might be better than the rumored Shia LaDouche playing the young Han Solo. "Oh, I'm afraid the defecation will be quite operational when your children arrive."

"Heathers" is one of my favorite 80s comedies, but Daniel Waters took a notorious nosedive, writing "Hudson Hawk", "Ford Fairlane" and "Demolition Man". I'm just glad it isn't the YA Daniel Waters who wrote the "Generation Dead" books.

Look at Depp. What a boss. Affleck and Damon can't hide their daughters better than that? I'm not familiar with the book, but I hope it doesn't whitewash the scumbag, and Levinson is iffy at his age (but "What Just Happened" was very funny).

"Shadow King" sounds intriguing. A lot more interesting than most of the other news here. Good for Selick.

Feb 8 - 06:28 PM

Mick Travis

You should check out Waters' SEX AND DEATH 101 with Simon Baker and Winona Ryder; it's the best thing he's done since HEATHERS, and it absolutely stuffed with movie in-jokes.

Feb 8 - 08:40 PM

Tom Carter

As far as the Star Wars spinoffs, that sounds kinda interesting. I'd love to know more with the Han Solo one (especially if Lando Calrissian's involved), Boba Fett seems like a pretty popular character, and it would be weird to know more about Jabba the Hutt. Yoda, on the other hand, we kinda know quite a bit about, but then again, a spinoff should be pretty good...

Feb 8 - 06:40 PM

Matthew Reimer

I've always had this idea about a Yoda prequel about a young Yoda as a Jedi in training.

Feb 8 - 07:46 PM

Adrian Wolf

young Yoda and young Obi? cmon now!

Feb 8 - 09:40 PM

Noah Abraham Goucher

Mmm, I can't wait for Illumination's "Grinch" where the Grinch is horribly miscast, Cindy Lou Who is played by Miley Cyrus and Max is basically a ripoff of the Minions from "Despicable Me."

Feb 8 - 07:38 PM

Matthew Reimer

In a lot of Illumination's movies other then Despicable Me, the back round characters are mostly made like the Minions to get attention. For example, in "The Lorax" there are forest bears and singing fish who have slapstick in the style of the Minions. In "Hop", there are a bunch a little chicks who would act like the Minions (clueless, mindless,ect.) I wouldn't be surprise if it would be the same in "The Grinch".

Feb 8 - 07:51 PM

Bradly Martin

Miley Cyrus is finished, if would be Selena Gomez. Matthew is spot on regarding illuminations background characters. I thought the Onceler was a Great Hero for ridding the film of those annoying lil Critters.

Feb 9 - 12:17 PM

Matthew Reimer

In Hotel Transylvania, Miley Cyrus was set on to voice the character of Mavis (Dracula's daughter in the movie) but then drop out to focus on other stuff so they replaced her with Selena Gomez. It would be the second time in a row that would happen in which Gomez would voice a character in animated movie instead of Cyrus.

Feb 9 - 09:07 PM

Matthew Reimer

I don't see how Ben Stiller returning for Night At The Museum 3 bad while the Grinch becomes a animated movie (nothing bad with that but still.) In the mean time, the Star Wars spinoffs and Hulk movie has me interested.

Feb 8 - 07:45 PM

This comment has been removed.

Infernal Dude

Why can't we comment on pics and trailers? Not gonna let this go...

Feb 8 - 09:40 PM

Greg Dean Schmitz

The Grinch remake is Fresh based mostly on the notion of the remake being a second chance to get the adaptation right. NatM 3 is Rotten based on the previous films' RT scores, and many of the director's previous films.

Feb 8 - 09:43 PM

Gordon Terry

But Greg . . . a two-hour Grinch movie, come on the will be padded-out, elongated, infused, embellished, exaggerated-- it'll be worse than The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

Feb 9 - 07:43 AM

Infernal Dude

I want to see a Salacious Crumb movie. Eh hehehheheheheheh!

Feb 8 - 08:21 PM

Janson Jinnistan

The unfortunate adventures of Momaw Nadon and Ponda Baba.

Feb 8 - 08:29 PM

Typhon Q

I think that the Star Wars spinoffs should be of new characters with some old ones as supporting cast. They should start creating a new world for Star Wars, not trying to thicken the things that exist and risk screwing it up.

As for the Hulk stuff, I think that it sounds a bit too ridiculous to go with that storyline.

Feb 8 - 08:36 PM

Bram Sterling

The Boxtrolls and The Shadow King are going to be amazing. After Coraline and ParaNorman, I believe that Laika can do no wrong. They both sound a bit weird, but they're going to be awesome.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas, on the other hand, I am not looking forward to. I couldn't stand The Lorax, and I don't think that HTGSC will be much different. This news piece should be rotten, I believe.

Feb 8 - 09:28 PM

Dylan P

CGI Grinch? Really? I loved the 2000 Grinch I am one of the people the writer was talking about. I actually thought The Cat In The Hat was ok not terrible as well. I never thought those live action Dr. Seuss's were that bad.

Feb 8 - 11:17 PM

King Simba

Thanks to the talent it's gotten behind the camera, I'm now really looking forward Star Wars episdoe 7. However, it feels like Disney is going overkill with the franchise. I mean not only are we getting a Star Wars film two years instead of three years like the first two trilogies, but we're also getting spinoffs between them? Then again, Marvel seems to have no problem releasing a film in their MCU every year, so who knows, maybe it'll work out for Star Wars too. Plus, I suppose when you think about it, a trilogy of films isn't going to be enough to cover that 4 bil Disney paid in securing the rights for Star Wars. As for the proposed spinoffs, a Han Solo film has a lot of potential, but Boba Fett? He's a great character, sure, but one that's better off the less we know about him. It gives him more mystery. Remember when fans freaked out over his brief origin shown in Attack of the Clones? That may end up being nothing compared to their reaction after seeing an entire movie about Boba Fett.

I'm really glad to see Marvel going more out there with their upcoming films like Guardians of the Galaxy and Planet Hulk. I guess after the huge success of Avengers they feel more confident that audiences will show up for the solo movies. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with making a comic book adaptation down to earth (as Nolan proved) but I would love to see more fantansy or science fiction heavy adaptations. I mean Hulk in Gladiator - that sounds almost too good to be true.

The Ron Howard How the Grinch Stole Christmas movie was okay, much better than Cat in the Hat that's for sure, but it certainly struggled in adapting the book. The first half felt nothing but filler designed to stretch out the film and having little to do with the second half. Plus some of the artistic choices were distracting, particularly the noses which would have worked in an animated movie but in a live action movie they just felt creepy and not in a good was. Out of all the Dr. Seuss movies, Horton Hears a Who was the only one that managed to adapt the short story without feeling padded out. A CGI Grinch movie I suppose could be another chance at getting the adaptation right, but Universal's track record with animated films (outside of the fantastic Despicable Me) hasn't been much to brag about.

On the other hand, I'm really looking forward to the two stop motion flicks mentioned. Henry Selick made my two favorite stop motion films with Coraline and Nightmare Before Christmas while Laika is quickly becoming the animated studio to watch, so I can't wait for Shadow King and Boxtrolls, despite the choice in director for the latter (Open Season? Really?)

Haven't read any Vampire Academy novel, but from what I've heard from those who've read it it's one of the better and darker young adult series out there. Plus Mark Waters has had a solid track record, so hopefully this works out and they don't try too hard to make it another Twilight.

The first Night of Museum had a certain charm to it, even if it was somewhat overstuffed with big names, but when watching the second all I could think of was "haven't I seen this before?" I can't imagine how tired the third is going to feel.

Even when ignoring the director, screenwriter, main actor and the reception of the first film I still wouldn't be looking forward to Agent 47. I can't think of any genre that's had as bad of a track record as video game adaptations.

Feb 9 - 12:15 AM

Val Mordas

" I can't think of any genre that's had as bad of a track record as video game adaptations. "

Although you're right, I can't help but think there's still potential. After all, when you boil it down the premises are just concepts and anything can be good if done correctly with passion.

Feb 9 - 07:47 AM

Lance Reeder

Video game adaptions are this generations comic book movies. Until you get someone to attempt a serious effort at one you're gonna keep getting the crap we've been getting. Eventually someone will convince David Fincher to finish that Frogger adaption he's been working on and we'll all have to eat our words :)

Feb 10 - 04:00 PM

Paul Hayes

I enjoy the stat wars films including the prequels but I never had any real high expectations due to the fact they were corny in the 1st place. Even with all these talented chaps behind the scene, could they really make it releveent for a modern audience and keep that doey eyed innocence that made them so enduring . I think what struck viewers originally was seeing new worlds and creatures that were fresh and new . Cgi was expandeded that creative element to such a degree that that wow factor is very hard to achieve now.

Feb 9 - 02:38 AM

Jon Owens

Now is your chance Hollywood! go with Kevin Smith to write and direct his Boba Fett time traveling movie!!

Feb 9 - 03:21 AM

Feli Yang

*wondering what a bald Paul Walker will look like*

Feb 9 - 05:00 AM

Val Mordas

Much like a bald Timothy Olyphant... and every other bald dude.

Feb 9 - 07:48 AM

Feli Yang

looool thx, you just made my day

Feb 10 - 02:58 PM

Andrew Rossi

love the random picture of admiral ackbar. IT'S A TRAP!

Feb 9 - 06:16 AM

Val Mordas

#7 840,002 FACEBOOK FANS OF VAMPIRE ACADEMY SHOULD FINALLY BE HAPPY NOW

HOW IS THIS NOT ROTTEN

Feb 9 - 07:44 AM

Greg Dean Schmitz

It would be terribly agist for me to say that all YA adaptations are inherently Rotten. The Waters brothers have between them turned out good "female teen" movies in the past... maybe they can make Vampire Academy more like Hunger Games than Twilight, in terms of quality.

Feb 9 - 08:15 AM

Gordon Terry

A MOVIE I WANT TO SEE MADE (based on a song)
based on the song SWEET SIR GALAHAD by Joan Baez about her brother-in-law Richard Farina
SWEET SIR GALAHAD
(Words and Music by Joan Baez)
Sweet Sir Galahad
came in through the window
in the night when
the moon was in the yard.
He took her hand in his
and shook the long hair
from his neck and he told her
she'd been working much too hard.
It was true that ever since the day
her crazy man had passed away
to the land of poet's pride,
she laughed and talked alot
with new people on the block
but always at evening time she cried.
And here's to the dawn of their days.
She moved her head
a little down on the bed
until it rested softly on his knee.
And there she dropped her smile
and there she sighed awhile,
and told him all the sadness
of those years that numbered three.
Well you know I think my fate's belated
because of all the hours I waited
for the day when I'd no longer cry.
I get myself to work by eight
but oh, was I born too late,
and do you think I'll fail
at every single thing I try?
And here's to the dawn of their days.
He just put his arm around her
and that's the way I found her
eight months later to the day.
The lines of a smile erased
the tear tracks upon her face,
a smile could linger, even stay.
Sweet Sir Galahad went down
with his gay bride of flowers,
the prince of the hours
of her lifetime.
And here's to the dawn
of their days,
of their days.
Richard Frina
On April 30, 1966, two days after the publication of his novel, Fari�a attended a book-signing ceremony at a Carmel Valley Village bookstore, the Thunderbird. Later that day, while at a party to celebrate his wife Mimi's twenty-first birthday, Fari�a saw a guest with a motorcycle, who later gave Fari�a a ride up Carmel Valley Road, heading east toward Cachagua. At an S-turn the driver lost control. The motorcycle tipped over on the right side of the road, came back to the other side, and tore through a barbed wire fence into a field where a small vineyard now exists. The driver survived, but Fari�a was killed instantly. According to Pynchon's preface to Been Down..., the police said the motorcycle must have been traveling at 90 miles per hour (140 km/h), even though "a prudent speed" would have been 30 miles per hour (48 km/h). Fari�a was buried in a simple grave; its marker emblazoned with a peace sign, at Monterey City Cemetery, in Monterey, California.
Fari�a's widow helped to gather a collection of his final poetry and short stories, which was released as, Long Time Coming and a Long Time Gone.
Joan Baez's song, "Sweet Sir Galahad", commemorates Fari�a's death, the grieving of his widow Mimi, and Mimi's eventual recovery and remarriage.
Thomas Pynchon's 1973 novel Gravity's Rainbow is dedicated to Fari�a.