Your Sunday Linc: Boba Fett Screen Test, Trying Not to Hate Joffrey, Sam Jackson is a BAMF, Highest Grossing Franchises of All Time

Ah, Summer. The weather is warm, the pool is cool, and the genetically-altered girl is slaying Reavers like it's a trip down the Slip-N-Slide.

A Slip-N-Slide hosed down with the blood of crazy mutant cannibals.

Without further ado, but with plenty more forced puns, here's what I've got for you on this sunny summer Sunday:

1. Boba Fett Screen Test from 1978

Star Wars' official YouTube page has posted an incredible video of the original screen test for Boba Fett. Sound designer Ben Burtt walks us through the concept of Boba's armor, from the (functioning!) jetpack to the range finder to the flamethrower (and even some never-before-seen but nonetheless badass boot blades). It's a really incredible look at creation of the flesh-and-blood incarnation of the character that first appeared in the dreaded Holiday Special.

Frankly, I would have loved to have seen Boba don the Star Wars towel in Empire.

2. Must...Control...Hatred: GQ Interviews The Worst Teenager in Westeros

It speaks volumes to young Jack Gleeson's acting ability that everyone who has ever watched Game of Thrones immediately wants to put his head on a pike and display on their lawns. The grandson of Honeymooer's star Jackie Gleeson (source: my own wishes), the young king sat down with GQ to discuss some of his influences, the nature of villains versus heroes, and being scared by Hexus from Ferngully (which makes me really like him despite how much I want to see his character launched into a fire pit)



That last bit of him saying "My God, it's sunny outside!" as both a good guy and a bad guy is one of the reasons that, as much as I wish such horrible bodily harm on Joffrey, that Jack Gleeson deserves to be in the acting game for a long long time.

3. Sam Jackson is a BAMF

British chat show host Graham Norton, who previously hosted a mini Fresh Prince reunion, was speaking with guest Samuel L. Jackson about the origins of his infamous purple lightsaber. Now, any Star Wars fan knows that Samuel L. (or Sammy L as I wouldn't dare call him) knows that he personally asked George Lucas to give him the amethyst blade, but his recounting of the story is absolutely fantastic. Also, hel-LO Sandra Bullock with a lightsaber! Check it all out below:


4. There Can Be Only One....and It's Not Highlander: The Highest Grossing Franchises of All Time

The folks over at BuzzFeed have compiled an incredible list of the highest grossing movie franchises of all time. James Bond, Star Wars, and Harry Potter take the top three spots, with the Bourne series holding up the rear just beneath Rambo (because, honestly, who wouldn't take garbled speech over memory loss?) Did your favorite franchise make the cut?

Well that should be enough to beat the heat for now. 'Til next time!

- Joe

Your Evening Linc: Making Up for Lost Time

Holy Kenobi! How can a week go by so quickly? Well, while I was doing God knows what (I think they call it "a job") and ignoring my blogging responsibilities, some cool stuff piled up awaiting my undivided attention. Let's get to it before my "Saved Links" folder needs it own episode of "Hoarders".

1. Zack, Bulk, and Skull Reminisce As Power Rangers Turns 20

Walter Jones rocked the Fade and commanded the Mastadon as Black Ranger Zack Taylor in the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. In an interview with IGN, Jones reflects on what made his time on the show so special:

"...I ended up in the winners circle with my cast. And I think the show wouldn't have been what it was without our cast. It was the chemistry we had that made the show what it was. Because we really did find, between the five of us -- or the six of us after Jason David Frank joined -- a camaraderie and a true friendship that we brought to the screen."

Admit it, just seeing this got you sounding off all the Zords in order.

And while there's no denying that while Tommy Oliver may be the longest-serving Ranger, the duo that has seen the most screen time in the now long-running series is everyone's favorite goons from Angel Grove, Bulk and Skull. Played by Paul Schrier and Jason Narvy, the number 10 in human form (think about it) started off as thugs but wound up saving the day on more than one occasion.

"As for the show's 20th anniversary, Schrier said, "It's all a little weird... It's like dating your high school girlfriend again or something." Added Narvy, "It's like you haven't really broken up -- you did, but you're going to keep some stuff there and --" interjected Schrier, "you went off and got married and had another family, but you still love her. You think about her all the time, even when you're with other people... It's healthy, is what we're saying. Healthy!"

Get that "10" comment now? 

You can read more of the interview by clicking the link above, including stories about their first brush with fame and how they weren't originally allowed to see the action scenes from the Super Sentai series on which Power Rangers is based.

2. Gentle Giant Wants to See Me Go Bankrupt....And I Just Might Oblige Them: C-3PO Concept and Boba Fett Mini-Busts

Coming off the announcement of the "Magnitude" Admiral Ackbar mini-bust, I was pretty sure that Gentle Giant was done with their big exclusives for San Diego Comic Con.....to quote an old Jedi ghost: "I was wrong." Gentle Giant has recently released the fourth in their series honoring the concept art of the late, great Ralph McQuarrie. This time with the original design for C-3PO.

The odds of me not buying this are 6,230 to 1

C-3PO's design was heavily influenced by the robots seen in science fiction movies of the 50's and 60's, especially "Maria", the Maschinenmensch from Fritz Lang's legendary Metropolis. It wouldn't be long before the protocol droid with a heart (and outer-casing) of gold would become an iconic image of his own. While you may not being buying him off of a Jawa, you might think GG is trying to pull something by pricing Threepio-Beta at $75. And speaking of icons, no one besides Han Solo has made Star Wars so badass as the Mandalorian bounty hunter himself, Boba Fett. And no one has been able to capture his utter coolness quite like Gentle Giant.

I rest my case

Being a busy bounty hunter, the mini-bust comes with multiple interchangeable arms and his own exclusive box (for storage in your own personal cargo hold). But be forewarned, securing Boba Fett always comes with a high price, and you'll be shelling out $150. I guess Gentle Giant has no "No Disintegrations" policy when it comes to my wallet.

3. The 50th Anniversary Fan Trailer That Gives the BBC Something To Live Up To

A YouTube user, appropriately called "John Smith" (if that is his real name!), has posted a fantastic fan-made trailer, in both 2-D and 3-D, for the 50th Anniversary Special. I think he's done a pretty good job editing footage and audio together to make a pretty seamless trailer. Regardless, it makes me wish we could hop into the TARDIS and take a trip to November 23, 2013.

And if that gave you chills, then this one is going to get you right in the feels. Here is Matt Smith's Love Actually-esque "thank you" and farewell to the fans:


No...I'm not crying...that's um...the image of an Angel...coming out of my eyes....

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Well I think that'll just about wrap it up for now. I still have a lot of cool stuff to get to, and I'll make sure that I get to it in a very timely (and less wibbly-wobbly) fashion. 

'Til Next Time,

- Joe

Your Morning Linc: Star Wars Reclamation, Boba Fett Mythos, Hunger Games Trailer, House of Cards Season 2

Good morning, everyone. I have to begin by remembering the attack in Boston yesterday, the people who lost their lives, and the many who are still injured. I was in high school in NYC on September 11, 2001, and I can remember the fear and anxiety as if it were yesterday. But I also remember the brave men and women who did everything they could to help, and that's exactly what was on display yesterday. It takes one person to do something bad, but the response are hundreds and hundreds of people banding together to do good. From what I know of the running world, it is a community just like any fandom. There is solidarity and support in these types of communities, and that is what being a fan is all about: Embracing total strangers because they share a similar interest. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston today and always.

So in the spirit of fandom as a means of healing, let's take a look at some of what the web has to offer:

1. Star Wars Reclamation

Breaking news this week from TheForce.Net: We might have our first look at the story ideas for the new Star Wars animated series. Now, take this with an ocean's worth of salt, but a former Lucasfilm employee has leaked the first few pages detailing the plot and characters of what is being called "Star Wars: Reclamation". It will apparently take place before Episode VII, during a time where Imperial loyalists are causing trouble for the newly re-established Republic. The show will reportedly follow the adventures of Padawan Sky Bonteri, his master Evyn Aoka, and include a character called "The Shade" which sounds a lot like a prominent Jedi Master. Check out the screenshots here:

2. Boba Fett Mythos Figure is EPIC!

The Sideshow Collectibles Mythos series has produced some amazing pieces of art, including an exiled Obi-Wan Kenobi, a menacing Darth Maul, and a fearsome Darth Vader. The latest in this series is none other than the galaxy's best and deadliest bounty hunter, Boba Fett.

Warning: Sarlacc Choking Hazard

Fett, looking like a gunslinger out of the Wild West, stands ready with an impressive array of weapons and technology designed to pursue and capture anyone and anything in the galaxy. You can purchase the statue here for $324.99.

3. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Sneak Peak!

First shown at this year's MTV Movie Awards, here is the first look at the second installment in the Hunger Games Trilogy: Catching Fire.

Catching Fire was my absolute favorite book of the series. It was dark, suspenseful, action-packed, and full of great characters. We witness the full extent of the Capital's control on the districts and the entire book gave a sense that no one, and nothing, is ever truly safe. We will see the true evil of President Snow, an amazing new arena for the Quarter Quell, and an ending so exhilarating that I held my breath as I raced through the pages.

Catching Fire is due out November 22, 2013.

4. Get Ready For More Fourth-Wall Breaking: House of Cards Season 2 To Start Filming in Two Weeks

According to a tweet by Constance Zimmer, who plays Janine Skorsky, the second season of the incredible Netflix drama "House of Cards" is set to begin shooting in two weeks. The revolutionary series, of which all 13 episodes were released at once by Netflix, follows Congressman Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) as he ruthlessly climbs his way to the top rungs of power in Washington, D.C. The entire cast, especially his wife Claire played by the stunning Robin Wright and reporter Zoe Barnes played by Kata Mara, deliver hour after hour of intense, bold, and intriguing episodes. No word yet if Netflix will release Season 2 all together as well, but I know if they do that I am blocking off that particular weekend!

5. Richard LeParmentier Has Passed Away

My thoughts are in Boston today but I wanted to note the passing of Richard LeParmentier, who played Admiral Motti in A New Hope. Mr. LeParmentier was 67 years old. We can credit him with showing us the proper way to be Force choked. A friend to the fans and a gifted actor, he will be missed. May the Force Be With You, Admiral.

Big Shiny Robot writer Bryan Young has written a very lovely piece about LeParmentier, whom he knew personally.

Please hug and kiss your friends and family today. And take solace in the fact that we are all bound together by our fandom, our faith, our friendships, and our love.

- Joe