Your Saturday Linc: Episode VII and Rebels, Joe Hogan Vlog, Old Doctor Who Episodes

Happy Summer everyone! As we enter the season of beaches, barbecues, and bikinis, what better way than lathering on some sunscreen, grabbing your tablet, and hopping into the pool to read about what's been happening on the Web!

"Ahh this is the life."
"Shouldn't you be guarding the deflector shield's rear entrance?"
"Theeeee life."

1. Episode VII Casting Confirmed And Star Wars: Rebels Plot Updates

It's been a pretty good week for Bleeding Cool News. As it turns out, their report on leaked casting calls for Episode VII were proven to be 100% accurate and confirmed by Lucasfilm. I mean, I don't know how secret casting calls are supposed to be since they're meant to be distributed out to agents and actors, but it's really cool that we're getting a first look at the characters that we'll see in Episode VII and possibly beyond. So far we've seen calls for:

"Late-teen female, independent, good sense of humour, fit." - This is possibly our leading lady. Perhaps a Skywalker?

"Young twenty-something male, witty and smart, fit but not traditionally good looking." - I don't know what "not traditionally good-looking" means, but I'm willing to put my face into contention. Possibly a Solo?

"A late twentysomething male, fit, handsome and confident." - Our late-teen female's love interest, perhaps?

"Seventy-something male, with strong opinions and tough demeanour. Also doesn't need to be particularly fit." -- Looks like gramps here won't be seeing much action. Could this be an Admiral Pellaeon-type older Imperial officer?

"A second young female, also late teens, tough, smart and fit." -- A rom-com-esque best friend of the leading lady?

"Forty something male, fit, military type." -- The bad guy? An Imperial officer? Or maybe a Crix Madine   type of individual.

"Thirtysomething male, intellectual. Apparently doesn’t need to be fit." -- Because Force-forbid we have a strong, good-looking geek on screen.

If we know one thing...most of these people are going to be fit, hopefully because of all the "faster, more intense" action that they will be partaking in. More to come as we get closer, inch by frustrating inch, to 2015.

Bleeding Cool has also managed to dig up some new plot details for the upcoming successor to the Clone Wars series, Star Wars: Rebels. According to BCN:

"Not only is the show about the formation of the Rebel Alliance, taking place in the narrative space between Episodes III and IV, the title also riffs on the main characters. I’ve learned that most of them are teenagers. Rebellious teenagers? Well, that’s the reference, at least."

From whiny Luke Skywalker to his emo father, Anakin, Star Wars has always been about a youth's journey of self-discovery that has galactic-wide consequences. Imagine if some 19-year-old had the ability to alter the course of the universe....and then slowly try to control the shuddering. Don't worry, here's an image of a TIE pilot drawn by Dave Filoni:

Because nothing says calm and soothing than the faceplate of an Imperial fighter pilot.

2. How Do I Art? Joe Hogan's Vlog on Art, the Industry, and New Projects

Missing Linc guest-blogger and all around art warlock Joe Hogan has released the first in his series of vlogs dedicated to helping amateur artists find their way through the painted, photoshopped jungle of the art industry.

Because who wouldn't trust a face like this?

He even dishes on new projects, like his upcoming second motion comic "Panic Over Muunilinst" and his collaborative wrap-up to the Clone Wars, entitled "Clone Wars: Resolutions" (which yours truly will have a hand in penning). Head on over to his Deviant Art page or his You Tube page, or just click the link above to catch up with the latest "Cup'a Joe"!

3. BBC Cannot Confirm Recovery of Classic Doctor Who Episodes

Just an update on the recent reports of the discovery of around 90 episodes of classic Doctor Who episodes, many from the William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton eras. Radio Times spoke with the BBC and asked them whether or not they could confirm the rumors. The BBC, stoic as ever, had this to say:

“There are always rumours and speculation about Doctor Who missing episodes being discovered - however we cannot confirm any new finds,” a statement says.

Because this is exactly what I think of when I think of an old, skeptical British institution

So I guess we might not be getting a special Christmas present from "the beeb" anytime soon. But there's plenty of new and exciting stuff to come with the 50th Anniversary Special, the departure of Matt Smith at Christmas, and the reveal of the Twelfth Doctor.

And that's all for now! Now go enjoy that big shiny yellow thing in the sky. Or two, if you're on Tatooine.

A hero took this picture.

'Til next time,

- Joe

Your Saturday Linc: The Missing Linc Heads to Germany, Peter Cushing as the Doctor, Warp Speed vs. Hyperdrive, The Green Ranger Returns

Welcome to the weekend! Grab your tablet, jump on a float in the pool, and read the latest from the Missing Linc!

1. Deutschland Über AWESOME: The Missing Linc Heads To Germany for Celebration Europe II

The Missing Linc is heading to the biggest Star Wars celebration across the Atlantic! Celebration Europe II will be held on July 26-28 in Essen, Germany. Among the highlights include host Warwick Davis, Kathleen Kennedy's debut among the fandom, a special first look at Star Wars: Rebels, and a screening of Episode II: Attack of the Clones in 3-D! And, to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Return of the Jedi there will be a "Jabba's Palace Reunion" of actors who played or puppeted some of the most vile creatures in the galaxy. And I'll be meeting up with some friends from all over the world for a taste of how they get their Wars on on the other side of the Pond. And you can bet that I will be covering all the highlights and reporting back to you!

Now I just have to practice saying: "Möge die Macht mit dir sein!"

2. Grand Moff Tarkin, A Time Lord?

Peter Cushing was a brilliant actor who brought depth and force to any performance. He graced the silver screen as Sherlock Holmes, Van Helsing (opposite future Sith Lord Christopher Lee's Dracula), and, of course, as the embodiment of an Imperial officer as Grand Moff Tarkin in A New Hope. But, did you know that Mr. Cushing was also a Time Lord? In the 1960's two movies, Dr. Who and the Daleks and Daleks – Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D., saw Cushing as the mysterious figure known as the Doctor. Neither were meant to be canon, but they certainly are classics!

"I'll take Regenerations for $500, Alex."

Here's a synopsis of Dr. Who and the Daleks provided by our friends at The TARDIS DataCore:

"Accidentally thrown together, Dr. Who (Peter Cushing), his granddaughters, and their friend Ian cross the universe in Who's new invention, the space and time machine known as "Tardis". When they land on the planet Skaro, the travellers meet the kind and placid Thals, who live in fear of the dreaded Daleks. Somehow, the Doctor and his party must find a way to help the Thals overcome the deadly mutants who live inside impenetrable metal casings."

And for Daleks – Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D.:

"Policeman Tom Campbell stumbles into Tardis on a normal day and ends up being taken to 2150 A.D. by Dr. Who. The future seems to be deserted, but the group soon finds out that the world is controlled by the evil Daleks. The human survivors hide, lest they be turned into Robomen. The Doctor teams up with the survivors to take down the Daleks."

Invasion Earth also stars a young Bernard Cribbins, who would go on to play Wilfred Mott, grandfather of Tenth Doctor companion Donna Noble, and the man who accompanied Ten on his last adventure (and ultimately be the cause of his regeneration). Sadly, you can only get the Blue-Rays in the UK, but hopefully one day we'll be able to relive these classic adventures here in the US! In the meantime you can watch clips of the movies here.

3. The Fastest Ships in the 'Verse

For generations fans have debated the superiority of warp speed vs. hyperdrive, of time travel vs. travel by dark matter reactor. Well, the good people over at Slate have endeavored to answer this question once and for all!

Click on the link above and set a course to one of three destinations (Alpha Centauri, Galactic Center, Andromeda Galaxy) and see how fast it takes your favorite craft to reach it. Not only do they compare the Millenium Falcon and the Enterprise, but they throw in the TARDIS, the Serenity, the Planet Express Ship, the Battlestar known as Galactica, the Heart of Gold (from the "Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy"), the Jupiter 2 (from "Lost in Space") and even the real-world Voyager 1

Ready....set.....PUNCH IT!

4. Go Green Ranger Go! Jason David Frank Returns to Power Rangers!

Power Rangers Megaforce, the latest incarnation in the long-running franchise, has the distinction of celebrating the series' 20th Anniversary, and they are doing it in grand style. No full details yet on the episode, but we do know that they are bringing back many past Rangers, including the Rangerest Ranger of them all.

Jason David Frank was introduced as Tommy Oliver in the original Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers where, under the control of Rita Repulsa, he almost succeeded in destroying the "teenagers with attitude" as the evil Green Ranger. Deciding to fight for good, Tommy eventually lost his Green Ranger powers, but donned the spandex of the White Ranger with new powers, a new zord, and a talking sword named Saba. Tommy also led the team as Zeo Ranger 5 (Red) when the series changed for the first time to Power Rangers: Zeo. He would also go on to be the Red Turbo Ranger, appear alongside first Red Ranger Austin St. John in the 10th Anniversary special "Forever Red", and lead the team as Dr. Tommy Oliver, the Black Dino Ranger, in Power Rangers: Dino Thunder.

Wear ALL the costumes!

Is it any wonder why he's the most beloved ranger of all time? Currently Master Frank is a Mixed Martial Arts instructor and champion. You can check out some pretty cool production pictures over on JDF's Facebook Page. HSET-HIYA!!



And that's it for today. Enjoy the sun, but most importantly, enjoy all the things you love as a fan!

Til' next time,

- Joe

Your Evening Linc: Star Wars: Rebels, Smith and Tennant Talk 50th, and Batman: Arkham Origins

Boy, what a weekend! I'm still reeling from the Doctor Who finale, and Game of Thrones is heating up! But let's take a look at what the internet has provided us in the past couple days:

1. Star Wars: Rebels Takes Us Into Unexplored Territory

The Dark Times are upon us, but luckily there is still hope. In a video posted by StarWars.com, Pablo Hidalgo interviews the Man with the Hat, Dave Filoni, on the successor to The Clone Wars. Entitled Star Wars: Rebels, the new animated series will be set between Episodes III and IV and is inspired by the concept art of the late, brilliant Ralph McQuarrie. The Empire has tightened its grip on the galaxy and the Jedi are all but extinct, but a small band of rebels dare to oppose the New Order.



No word yet on  a cast list or plot details, but we do know that some heavy hitters will be joining Filoni's team:

"Leading the development of the series is a creative team of exceptional talent. Screenwriter/producer Simon Kinberg (X-Men: First Class, Sherlock Holmes, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) is an executive producer on Star Wars Rebels and will write the premiere episode. He is joined by Dave Filoni as executive producer, who served as supervising director of the Emmy nominated Star Wars: The Clone Wars since 2008. Executive producer Greg Weisman brings with him a wealth of animation experience with credits such as Young Justice, The Spectacular Spider-Man and Gargoyles."

Clone Wars CG Supervisor and visual effects wizard Joel Aron is also on board. Star Wars: Rebels will air sometime in the Fall of 2014 on Disney XD. And ya know what, I'm excited. For almost two decades we've lived in the world of the prequel era. It's nice to travel back (by travelling forward) to the classic era, even though the series will take place well before that first set of Rebels launched their attack on the Empire's most fearsome superweapon. And seeing Davey Strands in front of a sketch of a TIE Fighter, one of my favorite ships, makes me want to alter time and speed up the production process. I think my excitement can be summed up thusly:



2. Matt Smith and David Tennant are Totally in a Doc-mance

As a thank you for not spoiling Saturday's unbelievable Doctor Who finale, Steven Moffat released a behind the scenes video from the 50th Anniversary Special featuring David Tennant and Matt Smith in their Doctorly garb. It's great to see that the two actors get along so well, and it seems that their characters will be quite chummy come November 23.



The Moff also issued this personal letter of thanks to the 210 fans who kept the leaked Blu-Rays of Series 7B, to the websites that closed their comments sections, and to the multitude of Whovians who chose to go along for the ride rather than be spoiled.

Oh, and where was Moffat and Matt Smith while I was freaking out over the finale? Oh, just about half an hour away at the Way Station, a Doctor Who themed bar in Brooklyn! The hell?! Why did no one tell me about this??



3. Batman: Arkham Origins May Make You Think You're Actually Batman

Capping off this video-heavy post (and cementing my HTML embedding skills in my muscle memory forever) is this incredible trailer for Batman: Arkham Origins. I'll just leave you to flip out on your own:



And that's all for tonight, folks. Til' next time!

- Joe