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: 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....

---
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 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 Morning Linc: Clone Wars: Resolutions, Star Wars Park A Go?, Muppets on Broadway, and Lost Doctor Who Episodes Found

Good morning everyone! The Missing Linc returns to its original format with yours truly at the helm, but I have to sincerely thank Joe Hogan for his incredible E3 coverage last week. If you haven't already, check out his really insightful and funny posts below this one. But, the Hogatron has one more surprise left for us, and it kicks off today's Morning Linc!

1. Clone Wars: Resolutions

When it was announced, just a few months ago, that The Clone Wars was going to be canceled, I think we were all a little shocked (there is a distinct dent in the floor where I fell off my chair). It seemed that we would never know the ultimate destinies of Ahsoka, Rex, Hondo, and many others. But, luckily for us, Joe was recently commissioned to resolve the fates of many of our beloved Clone Wars characters. Culling together some of the best unknown artists and writers (including a certain blogger), Clone Wars: Resolutions promises to answer many of your important questions, so stay tuned! You can check out more about this and other projects on his DeviantArt page.

It's also worth noting that, in its final season, The Clone Wars managed to garner two Daytime Emmy Awards. One, accepted by George Lucas, Dave Filoni,and Carey Silver, was for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program. The other, much to my Star-Whovian delight, was the Oustanding Performer in an Animated Program and went to David Tennant for his guest appearance as the lightsaber-constructing droid Huyang in the episodes "A Test of Strength" and "A Necessary Bond".

"Molto bene!"

And if that isn't enough Star Wars news to get your hyperdrives up and running, here's something you're not going to want to miss:

2. Star Wars Land at Disney World Coming Soon!

Jedi Gonna Hate

According to reports from the Theme Park Insider, we might be just that much closer to an official Star Wars Land at Disney Hollywood Studios (which I will still forever call "MGM"). 

"This appears to be a five-year project, putting completion in 2018, though Disney could choose to throw money at it and accelerate it by a year."

The park will reportedly either extend from Star Tours to the Indiana Jones stunt show or take over the space now occupied by Honey! I Shrunk the Kids and The Muppet 3-D theater. TheForce.Net is also reporting that Star Tours will be receiving yet another upgrade as well when the park expands, and we might even get to dine a Chalmun's famous cantina!. Although I really hope we don't see the end of the Muppets (even though the show has been running for almost 20 years), I cannot wait to finally see what I've only imagined since I was a kid. And that, I believe, is the magic of both Disney and Star Wars

And speaking of Muppets (and my love of being able to string together posts)...

3. The Muppets Might Take Manhattan Once More!

According to Playbill.com, it looks like we might be seeing Green on the Great White Way. Disney Theatrical Production, after a reportedly productive concept meeting (which included over 85 Muppets and a performance of Kermit's "Rainbow Connection), might be sending Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, and the rest of the gang to Broadway! 

The show would be directed by award-winning director Alex Timbers, who co-directed the phenomenal (and hilarious) Peter and the Starcatcher and also directed the insanely awesome Pee-Wee Herman Show on Broadway a few years ago. 

Of course, not everyone is excited about Muppets taking the stage....

Bring out the bear!

4. Lost Doctor Who Episodes Might Have Been Uncovered

When a show reaches its fiftieth year, you can expect there to be certain mythologies built around it. One in particular surrounds the fate of several early episodes, including the one that contains the very first regeneration. You see, back in the day, TV execs didn't feel the need to archive episodes, instead reusing the tape for other shows or just throwing it out entirely. Whole adventures of the First and Second Doctors have been lost to time, thrown into the vortex and cast away in the Medusa Cascade. Or so we thought...

Lost forever, the famous "Espresso Machine of the Daleks" serial

According to Bleeding Cool News, the BBC has secured a large number of tapes from...and I quote..."an eccentric engineer who worked for broadcasters across Africa with a taste for science fiction and a habit of taking things for 'safe keeping'". One of the full serials recovered is reportedly 1967's Evil of the Daleks. 

Now, I'm a little dubious, but then again this wouldn't be the first time that things were saved by an eccentric madman....

Ahhhh that felt good. Been too long since I was able to tap at the keys and make Blog magic! And, of course, I missed all of you wonderful people. Keep your eyes posted to The Missing Linc for more on each of these stories!

'Til next time,

- Joe

E3 Day 3 - (OPINION) The Next-Gen Console War is Already Over

Hey, faithful Missing Linc readers! Joe Hogan here once again for some Day 3 E3 coverage. We're kicking today off with a personal opinion article, detailing why I'm making mine Sony this console generation. I've been pretty unfair to Sony leading up to the PS4. Let me just say that I owned a PS1, PS2, but no PS3. I also owned an original Xbox and the Xbox 360. So this past generation, I've been a huge Microsoft supporter, and as much as I loved the past Playstations, I just couldn't get into the PS3. It just wasn't for me. With that in mind, I was not expecting the Playstation 4 to be for me until Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One.

We all know the facts by now. If you don't, here's a quick re-cap. And how did gamers react to Microsoft?

 

Ouch.

Rightfully so. DRM, used game fees, 24-hour internet connection check to function, mandatory Kinect connection (that is always on and recording, mind you), and a price tag of $500. Microsoft's privacy-invading console has quickly become the butt of a giant internet running gag, and the ship is sinking quickly. By the end of the Microsoft conference, I had already resigned to the fact that I was done console gaming (with the exception of my already-owned Wii U), and would be making the jump to PC gaming. That's still a strong possibility, but then entered the second half of Sony's press conference.

NONE of the issues listed above for Xbox One will be plaguing the Playstation 4. Games are still free to swap with friends, there's no internet connection required to play single player games, and the price is $400...a whopping $100 cheaper than Xbox One. Not to mention, it has a ton of games on the way (maybe not at launch, but what console does?). It's getting the essentials like Watch Dogs and Battlefield 4, as well as other console exclusives like The Division, Kingdom Hearts III and Final Fantasy XV. It is a good time to be a Sony gamer. I'll say it: The Playstation 4 is shaping up to be the console that I was hoping the Xbox One would be. My one regret is that I won't be able to continue Master Chief's adventures into the second and third installments of his Halo Forerunner Trilogy, but one game is not worth the cost of $500 and my principles as a gamer and, how I hope to think of myself as, an intelligent consumer that is fully aware of what he does and does not want.

November is coming.

An interview from GameTrailers.com with Microsoft Xbox Doucheba- I'm sorry- Executive, Don Mattrick, really drove it home, if all that other information didn't already. Mr. Mattrick stated that for those with no internet connection, the best solution for their gaming needs is an Xbox 360. Now, forget the condescending tone in his voice for a minute. This eighteen second clip is the exact problem with Microsoft's approach to the Xbox One in the first place: They are trying to tell us what we want and need as gamers instead of listening to us. Instead of acknowledging that their online policy for the Xbox One is a flawed one and an inconvenience to a huge percentage of their customers, they're choosing to defend this abomination to gaming, and telling those screwed over by this move to shut-up and suck it up, essentially. Obviously, the Xbox 360 is turning eight the same month the Xbox One launches. How much longer is that system going to be supported? It's an even bigger middle finger to those who were disappointed with Xbox One's online policy. Does he really think that people who can't play games with Xbox One because of no internet connection are going to stick to 360 over buying a Playstation 4? What kind of arrogance is this?

So, to sum it up:

'Nuff said. Let's let our wallets do the talking.

Next up today is a feature on games that might not have made it to the big press conferences!

E3 Day 2 - The Legend Continues

Joe Hogan here once again, and I just had to share some of these screenshots and artwork released by Nintendo today after their Nintendo Direct. They include glimpses of The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Two Worlds (3DS), The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (Wii U), as well as Super Smash Bros. (Wii U). Plenty of Link and company to get you excited! Note the Zelda themed fighting stages in Smash Bros. too!

The spin attack never looked so good.

You can find Zelda Dungeon's coverage of the A Link Between Two Worlds and The Wind Waker HD images by clicking those blue links! And the Smash Bros. images are from their official site! Here's a few of my favorites!