Your Evening Linc: Richard Pryor - Star Wars Bar, The Real Iron Throne, Disney D23, and GTA V Trailer

Good evening geeks and geekettes! I can't tell you how excited I am that I am just (::looks over to countdown::) 16 days away from hopping on a plane and landing at the biggest Star Wars celebration with accents! I would imagine it's going to look something like this:

1. Richard Pryor: Star Wars Bar

Ever wonder what would happen if Richard Pryor ran the Mos Eisly Cantina instead of Bea Arthur? (I really can't blame you if the answer is "No.") Well, for one thing, there'd be a lot less singing and a noticable uptick in the use of the N-word.

Those, by the way, are the actual costumes from A New Hope. If only this had been inserted into the Holiday Special.

2. When You Play The Game of Thrones....You're Playing It With The Wrong Throne

Critically acclaimed author and magical dwarf George R.R. Martin has been known to pull the rug out from under fans' feet on the page and on the screen. In his latest mission to make sure you're not too comfortable with any one thing in his universe, Martin took to his Livejournal account (and no, I'm not kidding or writing this in 1998) to set the record straight on a very iconic piece of furniture.

"The HBO throne has become iconic. And well it might. It's a terrific design, and it has served the show very well. There are replicas and paperweights of it in three different sizes. Everyone knows it. I love it. I have all those replicas right here, sitting on my shelves.

And yet, and yet... it's still not right. It's not the Iron Throne I see when I'm working on THE WINDS OF WINTER. It's not the Iron Throne I want my readers to see. The way the throne is described in the books... HUGE, hulking, black and twisted, with the steep iron stairs in front, the high seat from which the king looks DOWN on everyone in the court... my throne is a hunched beast looming over the throne room, ugly and assymetric... "

So while you're used to seeing the powerful tushies of Westeros sit in this:

It will be mine...and it will look great in my den.

George R.R. Puffenstuff imagines it more like this:

Good luck getting that up a five story walk-up in Brooklyn.

Large, asymmetric, and frightening, this is the Iron Throne as depicted by artist Marc Simonetti for the soon-to-be released The World of Ice and Fire, which will be a compendium and companion piece to the series. So the next time you think you'd be up to the challenge of ruling Westeros, just remember that you might want to bring along one of those inflatable donut things.

3. Star Wars Will Be On Display at Disney D23

UPDATE: According to CinemaBlend it looks like we will be seeing something for Episode VII at D23. As to what it might be...well...always in motion is the future.

Disney Fan Club members have a lot to look forward to at this year's D23 Expo, an annual event put on by the Disney Consumer Products division. According to the official announcement:

"Disney Consumer Products (DCP) will give Disney’s most loyal fans an up close look at an extensive collection of interactive experiences and merchandise that celebrate Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars timeless characters. Disney fans will have the chance to follow their favorite products from “sketch to shelf” and learn how Disney Consumer Products extends storytelling from character and content extension to product development through featured discussions, art and sculptures, and final product displays."

And that includes some exciting experiences put together by Lucasfilm and Disney including "Darth Vader: Evolution of a Villain" and "Crash Course in the Force: Star Wars 101" presented by none other than Pablo Hidalgo. Other cool things to look forward to include "Steamboat Willie: Redux" and "Spiderman's Ultimate Innovation". I can only imagine Steamboat Willie: Redux, while celebrating the heritage and legacy of Disney's first cartoon, will feature Mickey on a suped-up mega-yacht battling alien terrorists led by a cyborg Pete. (Hey, a man can dream...it worked for Walt.)

D23 takes place from August 9 to 11, 2013 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.

4. GTA V Gameplay Trailer

Oh, just watch it already:

And that's all the news that's fit to blog, for now. Til' next time.

- Joe

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: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., KOTOR On the iPad, Doctor Who Twelfth Doctor & Series 8, and Red Wedding Reactions

Evenin' all. What better way to spend a cool summer night than reading up on the latest from the 'net?

1. Joss Whedon Talks "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." 

Who needs the Avengers?

The Tom Hagen of the Marvel Universe sat down with Entertainment Weekly to discuss his new, upcoming series "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." Among other things, Joss teased about the gravity of Agent Coulson's resurrection:

“Well, it’s a very interesting explanation… We’re gonna earn it, that’s not something you take lightly.”

He also stressed the importance that the show stand on its own, so as not to alienate new viewers or cheapen the show by over-referencing the movies. The Whe-Don (to continue the Godfather analogies) was also asked about the identity of actor J. August Richards, who will appear as the first new baddie of the series.

“I’m not going to say who he’s playing, but he’s certainly cranky as you can tell from the trailer. It’s great, he came in to guest star and he tears it up. He’s got that kind of energy, he’s so much fun, and such a lovely guy.”

 We'll see just how lovely (or not) he is when "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" (I am getting way too good at typing that fast) hits the small screen in September.

2. liGht Side vs Dark: Knights of the Old Republic Comes to the iPad

In 2003, Knights of the Old Republic revolutionized gaming and paved the way for RPG's like World of Warcraft and Mass Effect where your choices had consequences for your character and the story. Now, to celebrate its 10th Anniversary, StarWars.com has announced that KOTOR is now available on the iPad. In a statement on the offical site, Aspyr VP of Publishing Elizabeth Howard said:

"Being able to bring one of the most beloved Star Wars games to iPad for such a momentous event is an incredible honor....We have a long history at Aspyr of bringing the best games to Apple platforms, and as bona fide fans of the original release, we've worked to ensure that Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic for iPad lives up to its prodigious reputation."

Set 4,000 years before the time of the Rebellion against the Empire, Knights of the Old Republic pits the armies of the Jedi and Sith in an epic struggle for the fate of the galaxy. It also introduced the immensely popular characters Darth Malak, Darth Revan, and Jedi Bastila Shan. So hop on your iPad (because who are we kidding, if you're reading this odds are you have one), download the game, and prepare to take control of your customizable character in an effort to save (or conquer) that galaxy far far away, a much much longer time ago.

3. Doctor Who Series 8 Confirmed for August 2014

Amid all the hubub regarding the departure of Matt Smith, the BBC has announced that Series 8 of Doctor Who will premiere in August of 2014. According to recent reports there will be twelve episodes the will run without interruption, giving fans the opportunity to become comfortable with the incoming Twelfth Doctor.

And speaking of Number Twelve, Radio Times has reported that we will know the name of the next Time Lord as early as next month!

"The new Doctor could be handed the keys to the TARDIS as early as next month, BBC sources have confirmed – with insiders suggesting Matt Smith’s replacement needs to be announced before the Doctor Who Christmas special begins filming next month.

It would be virtually impossible to keep the identity of the new doctor a secret even if the entire set went into lockdown during filming of the Christmas special, a BBC source told RadioTimes.com.

“The search has begun in earnest and is active now,” the source said, adding that the BBC has not ruled out hiring a woman to replace Matt Smith."

Series 8 begins filming this fall. Now, let's get ready to speculaaaaate!

 4. Nice Day For A....Red Wedding: The World Reacts

If you're like me and haven't read any of the books on which Game of Thrones is based, you are still trying to get over the horrific and deeply upsetting events of last Sunday's episode "The Rains of Castamere" which featured the plot-toppling event known as "The Red Wedding". No spoilers here if you haven't seen it, but this clip of various viewers' reactions should be a clue that you're in for something truly mind-bending, gut-wrenching, and scream-inducing:


I'm still trying to close my mouth. What a fantastic, bloody episode!


And that's all the news that's fit to blog for tonight. Til' next time.

- Joe

Your Morning Linc: New Wolverine Trailer, Game of Thrones Sigil, Michael Scott Wisdom, and DocTales!

Good morning you ragamuffins! Here's a quick post with some cool bits from the last few days:

1. New Wolverine Trailer Promises Action, Excitement, and Mutton Chops

In another attempt to make us forget about X-Men Origins: Wolverine, James Mangold's The Wolverine (see? similar, but different) brings Logan to Japan where he is offered the chance to become mortal again. A difficult choice, killer action scenes, all set in the Land of the Rising Sun? Count me in, bub!   

The Wolverine hits theaters July 26. Snikt!

2. Join The Realm: Create Your Own Game of Thrones Sigil

A cool site from the people over at Game of Thrones allows you to create your own coat of arms. Will you join up with the Lannisters, the Starks, the Targaryens, or create your own? Here's mine:

Work Hard. Play Hard.

Game of Thrones Season 3 premieres in just three days on HBO!

3. The Wisdom(?) of Michael Scott

Buzzfeed has collected assorted quotes from the only true manager of Dunder Mifflin - Scranton, Michael Scott. The brilliant thing about them is that in some weird way, there's a hint of truth to each of them. Check out my favorites below and the full list here:

4. Doctor Who/Duck Tales Mashup...That's Right.

Because I couldn't let one post go by without mentioning the Time Lord (and you were almost there!)

No one smirks like Ten

A couple of days ago I posted about the reboot of the classic NES Duck Tales game. Well, the theme song has been stuck in my head since then and, as things tend to do in this noggin of mine, the lyrics began to merge with other tropes and genres. What came out of it was an amalgamation so epic, I knew I had to share it.

So here it is folks, I know you've already started to hear that opening drum beat in your head (just like the Master)!

Flying through both time and space,

In the TARDIS.

Bigger on the inside,

Says companions.

Might solve a mystery, or rewrite history!

Doctor Who-oo!

Changing face, Regenerating. Doctor Who-oo!

Time Lord with two hearts and a fez. Doctor.

D-d-d-daleks, exterminate you! – There’s a Cyberman to convert you!

Weeping Angels, Silence can’t stop

Doctor Who-oo!

Changing face, Regenerating. Doctor Who-oo!

Time Lord with two hearts and a fez. Doctor Who-oo!

Not Captain Jack or River Song, but-

Doctor Who-oo!

Hit the play button to hear the original theme and see how mine stacks up!

And, if I've done my job right, that will be stuck in your head for the next few days.

C'mon, he even dresses like him!

 Allons-y!

-Joe

Your Evening Linc: Randy Martinez Art, Marvel Movies, EW Features Doctor Who, Once Upon A Time Novel

Well, it's finally spring! Of course, nature didn't quite get the memo here in New York, but I can only hope that maybe its cell died. Nevertheless, here are some really cool stories from around the web just for you!

1. Randy Martinez Releases "Retire of the Jedi" Series of Prints

Star Wars artist and heck-of-a-nice guy Randy Martinez has released a series of prints in his "Retire of the Jedi" series. It's a hilarious take on what our heroes have been up to in their golden years. You can purchase the prints for $25 and see much much more on his site. See below for the elderly antics of our favorite Star Wars characters:

"I'm no good to me dead."

"Laugh it up, fuzzball....I said...LAUGH IT UP FUZZ- aahhh forget it!"

"Hey Lobot, did I ever tell you about my little maneuver at the Battle of Tanaab?"
"I believe I'm looking at it, sir."

"But I was going to Tosche Station to pick up some space Viagra!"

2. Reynolds, Stone, and Dinklage Dish On Their Respective Marvel Movies

Ryan Reynolds and Emma Stone sat down to talk about their upcoming animated film The Croods and, towards the end, were asked about Deadpool and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, respectively. Stone praises the script and Reynolds, unfortunately, does not see a movie about the witty anti-hero coming about any time soon. You can skip to around 4:18 for their comments:

   

Not to be outdone in the Marvel Non-Disclosure Contest, Peter Dinklage, the brilliant actor behind everyone's favorite Lannister in Game of Thrones, spoke briefly at a premiere for the show about his possible role in X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Get More: MTV Shows

For those of you that don't know, Bolivar Trask is the infamous creator of the mutant-hunting giant robots known as Sentinels. "Days of Future Past" is a seminal X-Men story in which the assassination of a senator is blamed on mutants, resulting in a dystopian future where mutants are forced into internment camps. The movie will see the casts of the original trilogy and X-Men: First Class unite through time to stop that future from coming true. Which of course is a perfect segue into:

3. Entertainment Weekly Celebrates 50 Years of Doctor Who

It looks like the Oncoming Storm has found his way onto the cover of Entertainment Weekly. The magazine, out this week, is celebrating all things Who: Doctors, companions, monsters, and more! They even feature an essay written by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson in which he expounds on his love for the show.

"Doctor, don't look, but there's a Dalek behind you."
"Oh he's just a camera hog, ignore him."

And, to make the wait for the series return on March 30th even more excrutiating,
producer Marcus Wilson is teasing fans that they will never, could never, guess Clara's secret:

"It's a riddle that won't easily be cracked. I defy anybody to guess it. Steven Moffat has found a way to lead everybody down the garden path and then knock them over with surprise at the end."

Or perhaps a Cyber-smack uppa you head!

Challenge accepted, Mr. Wilson.

4. Visit Storybrooke in a Story Book: Once Upon A Time Expanding To Novels

What better fit for a show about stories than to actually branch out into the world of books? Disney-owned Hyperion books will be launching the first title, Reawakened which follows the split storyline of the show, starring Emma in Storybrooke and Snow White in Fairy Tale Land. Written by Odette Beane, this book might not be the key to breaking a curse, but it might just be a great way to delve further into the show.

And that'll be all for tonight, folks! I'll leave you by paraphrasing Tennyson:

"In the Spring, a young fan's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love...and aliens...and lasers...and superpowers...and magic...and..."

-Joe

Your Evening Linc: Trailers Galore! Game of Thrones and Iron Man 3 trailers Promise A Whole Lot of Awesome to Come!

While I know you're all glued to the season premiere of Dancing With the Stars (because, let's face it, so am I), I just wanted to pop in with some evening links for your perusing.

1. New Game of Thrones Trailer and Teasers

The new season of Game of Thrones is almost here (again, look to your right. There be a countdown.) Not one to pass up the opportunity to make the wait seem excrutiatingly long, the good folks at HBO dropped this little nugget:

No doubt some serious saber-clashing, spear throwing, and fire-breathing is about to go down! As an added bonus, here are two teaser clips. The first, called "War" deals with what everyone wants to get out of the long and bloody feud engulfing Westeros:



The second, called "Beast", gives us a hint as to the darkness that is to come:


Brace yourselves, awesomeness is coming.

2. Iron Man 3 Trailer and Interviews

Not to be outdone, Marvel has released a new trailer for Iron Man 3. It looks like Mr. Stark has everything on the line as he fights his comic book arch-nemesis: The Mandarin

"I don't always wear rings. But when I do, I use them to take over the world."

Check out the awesome trailer here:

 

And Total Film had a series of interviews with the actors, including the man playing the Mandarin, Ben Kingsley. Here's what he had to say:

"I didn't have any template to copy. I'm undereducated as far as Marvel comics are concerned, and that can be a good thing, like coming to a Shakespeare play fresh rather than having done it 20 times....[It's] a human portrayal of evil on a grand scale. [Mandarin] released demonic layers in me...I did go a little crazy!"

Well here's hoping all that craziness works out when Iron Man 3 comes out this summer. And, if you ever wondered what happened to the first Lt. Col. James Rhodes, Terrance Howard, he explains to Total Film that the studio offered him a bum deal which he walked on, but it wasn't all bad news for The Man Who Would Be War Machine:

"I didn't know  it wasn't a mutually binding contract; it was only beneficial for them to bring me back or not. They can honor it or not. And you know they made a great deal, Don (Cheadle) and Robert (Downey, Jr.) they get along well. But the best thing that happened as a result of it, I went back to school and finished and got my doctorate in chemical engineering. And now I have a company where we grow diamonds. That's going to replace the silicon in computers; that's going to replace all gemstones. So, if that hadn't happened, I would never have gone back [to school]."

So it looks like, in the future, Terrance can build his own metal suit if he so chose.

"'Next time?' Hell, I'll buy it off you right now. Will a fistful of chemically engineered diamonds cover it?"

Well that's your Evening Linc! And I've got plenty more coming your way only here at The Missing Linc! Stay tuned!

-Joe