Movie and TV News

The Hollywood Reporter broke the exclusive news yesterday. According to their sources Disney is trying to get Taika Waititi to develop a Star Wars movie. Taika voiced IG-11 on The Mandalorian and also directed the season finale. So he’s no stranger to Star Wars. The question is if Taika would be a good fit for Star Wars though when he’s also tasked with writing the script. Taika Waititi is known for such movies like JoJo Rabbit (he’s nominated for two Academy Awards for that), Thor Ragnarok and What We Do In The Shadows. His movies are quirky, have lots of comedy and the question is if his particular style of filmmaking would be good for Star Wars. Would you like a Star Wars movie in the style of Thor Ragnarok? I enjoyed that movie, but I am not sure its idiosyncratic style would make for a Star Wars movie all fans accept. The next question is if Taika has the time, since he’s a very busy man these days. Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Tuesday was a very special day for The Rise of Skywalker! The movie crossed two thresholds at the box office! One positive and one not so postive! Click through for the details!

So happy you could cry

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The Rise of Skywalker was nominated for three Academy Awards! Click through for all the details!

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A new Star Wars rumor is circling the interwebs. Apparently, a bearded Jar Jar Binks may appear in the upcoming Kenobi Disney+ series! Nothing else is known, so take this with the usual grains of salt!
It has to be pointed out that Ahmed Best will be the host of a Star Wars quiz show on Disney+, so maybe Ahmed would be fine with portraying Jar Jar one more time? He did voice the character in the Clone Wars cartoon, which already had a somewhat more nuanced approach to the character. Would you look forward to seeing Jar Jar appear again in live action? Or would you rather never see him again? Also: how would Jar Jar fit in? Does Obi-Wan go to Naboo? It could be quite exciting to see Theed again. Or will Jar Jar travel to Tatooine? Leave your opinion in the comments! Movieweb has the full story!

Artist’s impression of a bearded Jar Jar Binks (I can’t draw, so excuse me!)

We’re quite a few weeks out from the release of The Rise Of Skywalker in theaters. The film, while opinions are split, found favor with many legacy Star Wars fans, even those who lost hope with The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. And many longtime Star Wars fans who admit that the film was flawed, can, at the very least, admit that the film was enjoyable, and back to basics in many ways. If you’ve seen the film multiple times, has it grown on you, or have you lost interest. Do you hope that Hasbro produces a lot more toys based on this film in the 3.75" and 6" scales? While many other fans are obsessed with box office numbers, it’s a fact that a blockbuster film that makes a bazillion dollar doesn’t make a good film. So, even if The Rise Of Skywalker produces less revenue, it may rank as the best of the Sequel Trilogy overall for many, many Star Wars fans. Your thoughts in the comments, please.

The weekend box office numbers for The Rise of Skywalker are in and they have more or less decided things. We now know where the movie is headed at the box office. But I don’t just want to talk about box office today, I also want to talk about what Disney should or could do next and what all of that could mean for the future of Star Wars toys as well. So click through for the latest box office numbers and how the numbers might shape the future of Star Wars both on the silver screen and in the toy aisle!

Rey wants to become a hermit

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It appears we have an official release date for The Clone Wars Season 7. CBR.com is reporting that the series goes live Monday, February 17th! Check out the full story HERE.

Jordan Breeding from Cracked.com put together a well-written article on the inherent problems of the Disney Star Wars Sequel Trilogy and why opinions on it are more divisive than past films. Before you get defensive, the article is not a Disney anger-filled rant. The author explains that the films are successful moneymakers and willingly accepts that there are fans who love them and fans that don’t love the films. More importantly, he illustrates why people will have a different interpretation of the film based on what group they fall into when it comes to pop culture (legacy fans, new fans, parents, kids, etc.). Jordan points to things at the cornerstone of this new trilogy that affects its pace, tone, and plot. And perhaps he shows us why so many possible directions of the story exist which ultimately cannot satisfy everyone interested in them. Finding a cohesive SATISFYING storyline that appeals to EVERYONE would prove ultimately impossible no matter who was at the helm of its creation. Some of this may be the most basic of sense to you, but the summation is very helpful in putting things into perspective. It helped me see things a bit differently too. You may disagree with him, and that will be respected. But please check out his essay on this topic and see if you can find any common ground with the writer. I know for me, he has issues with the First Order too, and that’s one of the biggest problems I had with the Sequel Trilogy myself. Special thanks to JTA reader John M. for the alert.

I want to talk about some 100% unverified rumors. And to make it absolutely clear: these are not rumors originated by JTA (some people have problems with reading comprehension, so in short: this is from a source on Reddit, NOT JTA!), I merely talk about the rumors. Yes, it’s all unverified. Yes, we will never be able to verify any of that unless some of the people involved open up. However, I think the rumors have at least some credibility to them and may even explain the behavior of some of the actors in recent times. So what are the rumors about? Disney’s alleged meddling with The Rise of Skywalker and that JJ Abrams is extremely unhappy about the final cut. This article has spoilers! So if you haven’t seen the movie yet, stay away, everyone else, please click through! And you may only click through if you understand that these are Reddit rumors, NOT JTA rumors!

You always need some salt!

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I want to provide a quick update on The Rise of Skywalker box office! Click through for the very latest numbers and a realistic outlook on things!

Updated with the most recent weekend numbers for domestic and worldwide! The box office race between The Rise of Skywalker and The Last Jedi is decided!

They fly now?

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Esquire ranked the 40 “greatest” Star Wars characters of all time. While I can’t disagree with many of them, there are quite a few head-scratchers here, including L3-37 beating out Luke Skywalker. Check it out, and let us know your Top 10 favorites in our comments!

Jon Favreau tweeted the following a few hours ago, the Mandalorian will return Fall 2020! And then he goes on and teases the return of yet another classic Star Wars alien.

Click to enlarge

The Mandalorian season finale has everything! Humor, fan service galore, action, emotional moments, fun – watch it as soon as you can! In chapter 8 our heroes are still trapped inside the building with Moff Gideon and his Imperial Remnants waiting outside, they still want Baby Yoda. And the heroes must find a way to escape! Click through for the spoiler review of this week’s episode!

Ha! Ha! The Rise Of Skywalker is doing very well at the box office, holding stronger than the art-house project, The Last Jedi. This serves as proof that word is getting out that Disney produced a film for longtime Star Wars fans and not a film that subverts expectations (at least in my mind anyway). Movie Web has the full story.

While opinion on The Rise of Skywalker seems to be once more split, with some people loving the movie, and others criticizing it, it’s maybe time to take a closer look at the box office again, the only objective measure we have for commercial success. We not only have numbers for North America now, but also the most important foreign markets. So click through for a detailed look at domestic and worldwide opening weekend box office performance, including some charts!

Rey may be rising, the box office does not

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Well, well, well. It looks like Forbes has someone aside from Scott Mendelson to offer an opinion about The Rise of Skywalker (thank the Maker)! Eric Cain, who oversees game segments on Forbes, gives the film high praise and probably offers proof that the film is more like a live-action video game than anything else. Check it out! Special thanks to my best friend jerk, Chris S. for the alert.

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Best Buy has listed a 9-film set on 4K of the Skywalker Saga. While not officially announced, you can pre-order right now. Special thanks to JTA reader Matt M. for the alert!

UPDATE: the estimates for the 3-day opening weekend are in! The Rise of Skywalker has a $175.5 million opening weekend which is at the lowest end of industry estimates and is the upper limit of my previously posted own estimates based on YouTube trailer views!

While this is a very strong opening, the question is if Disney will be ultimately happy with the lowest opening for any of the sequel trilogy movies. The Last Jedi made about $45 million more on its opening weekend in 2017. Click through for the original story!

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I just got back from watching The Rise Of Skywalker, and I know MANY of you are dying to see what I thought of it. Are you sure you want to know? Then click through for more.

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The Rise of Skywalker officially opens on December 20th, but most hardcore fans around the world are seeing it on the many earlier screenings as we speak, and for the USA, tonight. If you are itching to discuss what you’ve seen then this is the page for you! We will be bringing you a full review of the movie tomorrow (once we’ve had time to fully digest it after a few more viewings) to discuss the technical and analytical aspects of the film, but use this article to release your energy and excitement for the film. Feel free to discuss ANYTHING you want about it! Post your thoughts, comments, reviews, and every spoiler-ridden comment you’ve been dying to scream out from the top of your lungs. Just please keep the discussion friendly and don’t attack others for their views! This is a spoiler-full safe zone! Team JTA is watching the movie RIGHT NOW, but you don’t have to wait for us to get started with the fun!

Warning: Expect every last spoiler from The Rise of Skywalker to be revealed here. You’ve been forewarned!

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One day late the latest Mandalorian spoiler review is now online! This episode was just brilliant. The Mandalorian receives an offer from Greef Carga that he cannot refuse and then events unfold that will lead us directly into the season 1 finale, and what a rollercoaster ride it is. Read my spoiler review by clicking here or the banner below!

I have just returned from the 10 am showing of The Rise of Slywalker here in Germany, where the movie opened today. And I am here to tell you if you may or may not enjoy the movie, what kind of fan may enjoy the movie. And I will provide a very short first impression! This article is 100% spoiler-free, so click through for my brief impression!

The critics have mixed feelings, apparently

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Maybe a few of you will look for movie spoilers tonight, we’re bound to get at least some following the premiere of the movie in Los Angeles. Actually, we already do have some spoilers! So I thought we may have a support group. Let’s talk about all the spoilery things you want to talk about and how these spoilers affect your expectations. Anyone who doesn’t want to know anything should avoid the article! Anyone else, please click through.

A Spoiler

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In a galaxy far far away, light and dark did battle and legends were born. Join Natalie Morales on REELZ as she reveals the secrets of the Star Wars universe. A universe Hollywood thought would be a flop! Watch Star Wars: Behind Closed Doors, only on REELZ, tonight.

This week the Mandalorian once more has a stand alone adventure. He needs credits and reaches out to an old buddy for a job. But the job turns out to be more than the Mandalorian wished for. And as if that is not enough, he also meets someone from his past. Click on the banner below to read my spoiler review and general thoughts about chapter 6 “The Prisoner”!