This week we’re catching up on recent Star Wars news, including Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian reveal and the toys and publishing announcements coming out of NYCC 2018. Other highlights include the debut of Our Star Wars Stories and the wrestlers that hail from the same parts as Ryan. Also, we find out out *while recording* that Resistance is live on the Disney Now app, but somehow push through and finish the show.
Ryan and John are joined by Jeff (The Metal Mando) to discuss all of the Star Wars books, comics, games, and toys released in 1995. We focus the most time on the two monumental events that made a huge impact on Star Wars fans in 1995, the Power of the Force toy line and the THX home video releases. Other highlights include The Illustrated Star Wars Universe, The Star Wars Technical Journal, Dark Forces, and Rebel Assault II.
We think Kathleen Kennedy being awarded an Irving G. Thalberg Oscar this year is worthy of a celebration so we’re devoting the entirety of this episode to looking at her illustrious career in film and her stewardship of Lucasfilm. Join Ryan and John as we break down Ms. Kennedy’s many accomplishments as well as recognize the ways in which we think she’s changed LFL for the better.
Star Wars Resistance debuts in just under a month and Ryan and John discuss the upcoming animated series in-depth for the first time on this episode. We share our thoughts on the trailer, premise, look, and characters for the show this week after chatting about a few Episode IX updates and Rian Johnson’s upcoming non-Star Wars movie Knives Out.
We celebrate Episode IX’s first day of shooting (today!) by breaking down last week’s wonderful cast announcement press release. We share our thoughts on the returning cast, the newly announced actors joining the fold, and J.J. and Lucasfilm’s beautiful statement and plan for including Carrie Fisher and Princess Leia in the final installment of the Skywalker Saga.
Ryan and John return to the 90s to discuss all of the Star Wars books, comics, games, and merchandise releases from 1994. Join us as we look at:
Books:The Jedi Academy Trilogy, The Courtship of Princess Leia, The Crystal Star, A Guide to the Star Wars Universe (2nd Edition), The Art of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, and West End Games’s The Last Command Sourcebook and Star Wars Adventure Journals #1
Comics:Droids, Classic Star Wars, Classic Star Wars: The Early Adventures, and Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith
Games: Super Return of the Jedi and Tie Fighter
Plus: The inaugural issue of Star Wars Insider and the start of The Phantom Menace pre-production!
All of us here at The Blockade Runner were horrified to hear last week that Kelly Marie Tran left Instagram/social media seemingly as a result of the disgusting harassment she’s been facing since she was cast in The Last Jedi. Inspired by Rose’s statement to save what we love instead of only fighting what we hate, we decided to put together an episode celebrating Rose and Kelly Marie Tran herself. Luckily the wonderful Laura Sirikul agreed to join us for this one, and we’re so glad she did! Laura has been a fan of Rose and Kelly since Lucasfilm first announced the character’s involvement in The Last Jedi; she’s the first fan to cosplay as Rose and has met Kelly Marie Tran too, so she’s the perfect person to help us celebrate one of the best parts of one of the best Star Wars movies! We start out by addressing the harassment and cruelty that toxic Star Wars fans (or whatever they are) have been spewing at Kelly Marie Tran, Kathleen Kennedy, and Rian Johnson in response to The Last Jedi before discussing some of the positive and inspiring reactions from the fan community. Then we spend the rest of the episode exploring the qualities and characteristics that make both Rose and Kelly Marie Tran such incredible new additions to the Star Wars universe.
First up, Ryan and John discussing some recent Star Wars news including the Battlefront II and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order games news from E3 and recent George Lucas comments that are reminding us why we love him so much (even if his comments are sometimes a little wild!).
In the second half of Blockade Runner Podcast #68, Ryan discusses his reactions to the Rebels series finale (he just caught up). We end up spending a significant amount of time debating the importance and meaning of the concept of canon to Star Wars and how that influences our feelings regarding Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars storytelling outside of the films in general.
The Blockade Runner 