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

Iron Man 3 NEW Trailer

Updated:

The new Iron Man 3 trailer is here and it's a stunner! It seems like Tony has met his match in the classic Iron Man villain, the Mandarin....and he needs back up! Tin really hits the fan as the Mandarin offers Tony a choice..."an empty life, or a meaningful death". Judging by the response, I'd say Mr. Stark chooses to live awesomely.