Your Morning Linc: Disney/Lucasfilm To Partner With EA, Mark Hamill At ROTJ Screening,

Well, now that I'm caught up on my reviews, I'm in a very Star Warsy mood...so let's start the blog off with:

1. Disney/Lucasfilm To Partner With EA

Following the recent shutdown of LucasArts, many fans thought we'd never see Star Wars on our consoles again. But Disney and Lucasfilm announced yesterday that they will be teaming up with Electronic Arts for a "multi-year, multi-title exclusive licensing agreement...for the creation of new high quality Star Wars games" that will span both genres and platforms, with Disney Interactive creating games for mobile and tablets.

Here's a quote from the release from EA Labels President Frank Gibeau:

"Every developer dreams of creating games for the Star Wars universe," 

"Three of our top studios will fulfill that dream, crafting epic adventures for Star Wars fans. The new experiences we create may borrow from films, but the games will be entirely original with all new stories and gameplay."

According to the release, those studios will be DICE (Battlefield series) and Visceral (Dead Space series) which will team up with BioWare (Mass Effect series, Star Wars: The Old Republic). Now, of course, fanboys are hitting the internet hard blasting EA as the choice to continue the Star Wars franchise in the gaming world. But I wouldn't pay attention to them, since we haven't even seen a screenshot of one game yet. There is so much potential for new, exciting, and mind-blowing games. And while I hope we see the resurrection of Star Wars 1313 and Battlefront III, I look forward to more Star Wars on more platforms and in more ways than ever before!

2. Mark Hamill At Return of the Jedi Screening in LA

On May the 4th, fans at Entertainment Weekly's CapeTown festival in LA had the chance to talk with the returning Jedi himself, Mark Hamill. Here's a clip of him discussing the Sequel Trilogy and more.



You can read more about his appearance and thoughts on ROTJ, the OT, and the Sequels on the official Star Wars blog.

3. Synopsis for Kenobi by John Jackson Miller:

Need I say more?

The Republic has fallen.
Sith Lords rule the galaxy.
Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi has lost everything . . . 
Everything but hope.

Tatooine—a harsh desert world where farmers toil in the heat of two suns while trying to protect themselves and their loved ones from the marauding Tusken Raiders. A backwater planet on the edge of civilized space. And an unlikely place to find a Jedi Master in hiding, or an orphaned infant boy on whose tiny shoulders rests the future of a galaxy.

Known to locals only as “Ben,” the bearded and robed offworlder is an enigmatic stranger who keeps to himself, shares nothing of his past, and goes to great pains to remain an outsider. But as tensions escalate between the farmers and a tribe of Sand People led by a ruthless war chief, Ben finds himself drawn into the fight, endangering the very mission that brought him to Tatooine.

Ben—Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, hero of the Clone Wars, traitor to the Empire, and protector of the galaxy’s last hope—can no more turn his back on evil than he can reject his Jedi training. And when blood is unjustly spilled, innocent lives threatened, and a ruthless opponent unmasked, Ben has no choice but to call on the wisdom of the Jedi—and the formidable power of the Force—in his never-ending fight for justice.


Wow, I really can't wait to see what's in store on the video game, movie, and print fronts! Despite all the shake-ups, this is still an immensely exciting time to be a Star Wars fan. And I will be chronicling all of it for you, right here at the Missing Linc!

MTFBWY,

- Joe

May the Fourth Be With You: Happy Star Wars Day!

A great and joyous Happy Star Wars Day to everyone! As you can see, the blog has taken on the look from that galaxy far far away! Today is a day of great celebration among the millions of Star Wars fans around the world. I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to be in a community of people who can come together and bond so strongly and instantly over one simple franchise. As I said in my very first post, Star Wars has given me so much. It has allowed me to imagine things beyond comprehension, taught me to strive for what's right no matter the cost, to trust in myself and my feelings, and has introduced me to people I consider like family. Today we mark all the movies, books, toys, cartoons, LEGOs, re-enacted lightsaber battles, fan stories, costuming, and more that have made the past 36 years so remarkable. It's funny how something so big, so grand, and so world-encompassing started in the mind of a young student who just wanted to tell stories. And that, my friends, how it should be with each of us.

"It's like a family reunion with people you've never met before"

I have to mention that today is also special for a few other  reasons. This, appropriately, marks my 50th post on the Missing Linc! Thank you everyone who's come along for the ride! And we can count May the 4th, 1971 as the beginning of a love story greater than any seen in Star Wars (sorry Jaina and Jag). Today is the day (all too well known in my family) that my parents began dating. And boy, am I glad it worked out. Also, today is the day  we brought home my Chewie. Yes, six years ago today, on May the 4th, the dog born on St. Joseph's Day, that we named after the most loyal of companions came home. 

And speaking of everyone's favorite Wookiee...it looks like smuggling just isn't that lucrative, as Chewbacca has taken a job with MTV Geek:

Get More: MTV Shows

Now, let's get into all the ways you can celebrate Star Wars Day! You can visit the newly redesigned TheForce.Net or StarWars.com for tons of activities, giveaways, galleries, and more! You can even win a life-size Darth Malgus statue from GameStop!

Of course, you can ignore all of this and pay close attention to the truth about May the 4th, the "dangerous and immoral" holiday, as shown in this ad from Imperial Public Relations Bureau.



I. Watch the Panic Over Muunilinst Trailer

As a special Star Wars Day treat, check out the latest trailer by the best artist in the biz, Joe Hogan. Continuing the adventures of Captain Fordo, the sequel to the incredible "The Siren of Dathomir"  is "Panic Over Muunilinst" and it promises to be epic!


Sounds like my kinda show sir, when do I see?

II. Tons To Read, and for Cheap!

My friends at the Star Wars Insider are offering up some great deals if you subscribe today. Not only will you get 50% off the subscription fee, but you'll also receive:

• Get 8 issues for just $31.99!
• Exclusive subscriber cover with each issue - not available in stores!

Publisher Del Rey is selling five Star Wars novels for the Amazon Nook for only $1.99! They are: Heir to the Empire, Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, Darth Plagueis, Winner Lose All, and Tatooine Ghost.

And, in the luckiest of coincidences, it also happens to be Free Comic Book Day! Head on over to your local comic book store and pick up part one of the exciting new Darth Vader series: The Ninth Assassin

III. Send Your Friends Some Star Wars Day E-Cards!

Head on over to StarWars.com to download and send some pretty cool E-Cards and let your friends know that you're thinking of them on May the 4th.

IV. Dress In Style

While not everyone can don a cool set of armor, people can wear the very latest in Star Wars clothes designed by fans! The folks over at WeLoveFine have announced the winners of their Dark Side Design contest. Hit the link and you can purchase all of these fantastic fan-made pieces. Here are a few of my favorites:

And are you searching for something for that special Princess? Head on over to Her Universe for some kickass clothes for all the Star Wars fangirls out there. Her Universe was created by Ashley Eckstein, who played Ahsoka Tano on The Clone Wars

V. Catch Up On Some Interviews

Yesterday, on the eve of May the Fourth, Lucasfilm's Pablo Hidalgo, author of the incredible Essential Reader's Companion, hosted a live Q&A on Facebook. Hit the link for the full transcript, but check out what he had to say on the impact that the Sequel Trilogy will have on the current EU:

"I think the EU will always continue to be part of the Star Wars experience, in that there are stories that are best suited for books, comics, games. etc.. The relationship between cinematic content and expanded universe content will continue to be what it is today and has been in the past. What happens on screen is one thing. What happens in the books is another. How they connect and interact is something I'm really eager to see."

And J.J. Abrams, who apparently has some kind of loose association with Star Wars, talks to the BBC about Episode VII, Star Trek: Into Darkness, and more. Check out the full interview here, but here's a snippet:

"A self-confessed Star Wars fan, Abrams said he would have to try to mitigate his "geeky fan-boy" feelings about his forthcoming project. 

"It's just about about approaching it from as authentic a place as possible, and not trying to apply what you believe or think, as much as trying to filter everything and get at it from the core of the characters."

VI. Prepare for Celebration Europe II

Although I sadly won't be attending this year, the CEII's official site has been releasing a steady flow of information about this summer's Celebration Europe II in Essen, Germany (July 26-28). We know now that there will be some awesome merchandise art, including this incredible set of Star Wars coat of arms:

Convention-goers will also apparently see a reunion of sorts, with the denizens of Jabba's Palace coming together in a decidedly less dangerous environment. I sincerely hope everyone has a ton of fun and brings the Star Wars spirit to Germany.

VII. Celebrate With Friends

Whether it's a lightsaber duel, a game of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit, or just sitting down and watching a Star Wars marathon, take the time today to be with your fellow Rebels, Imps, Mandos, Jedi, and Sith. Because the strength of this community comes from the deep bond we all share. The passion and love we have for this Saga transcends every type of border, to bring us together as fans, as friends, and as family.

So from the frozen plains of Hoth, to the jungles of Yavin 4, to the oceans of Kamino, to the sprawling spires of Coruscant; from the Land Down Under to the Land of the Rising Sun to the Land of the Free, let's call out with one, united voice, ringing out throughout the galaxy:

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU!

-Joe