Our friends at JediNews have received some inside information that Ian McDiarmid is rumored to be reprising his role as Darth Sidious/Emperor Palpatine in Episode VII. Exactly how he will be brought back from “the dead” is an interesting plot device to say the least. Could he be a spirit akin to Obi-Wan in TESB and ROTJ, imparting his knowledge of the dark side to some new apprentice? Perhaps he will possess Luke Skywalker some how and the children of our heroes from the original trilogy must redeem him. Could they pull a bit from the Expanded Universe’s Dark Empire storyline where Palpatine created a clone of himself in order to achieve immortality?
The possibilities and speculation are endless but remember, nothing is official unless Disney and Lucasfilm say so.]
Oh, and Happy Birthday today to Ian McDiarmid – a fitting story to be sure.
This weekend kicks off the annual D23 Expo where Disney unveils their upcoming TV, movie and theme park attractions. As a teaser for the event, the convention has on display several Star Wars related crates all sporting the Orange Harvest banner – a play on the iconic Blue Harvest code name for Return of the Jedi. Head on over to ComingSoon.net for a few images from the convention floor and stay tuned this weekend for more official announcements from Disney and D23.
Our friends at JediNews have alerted us to the fact that Disney and Lucasfilm have registered several new domain names surrounding the terms “Attack Squadron” and “Disney Side”.
Throw this one on to the pile of Supershadow-esque rumors, but BadassDigest is posting that rumors have surfaced of J.J. Abrams maybe considering dropping out of Episode VII. Discuss.
Update: Apparently, Lucasfilm has weighed in on the matter and states that the rumor is false. (As if there was any doubt.)
Today marks the debut of the exclusive Han in Carbonite Vinylmation figure available at Star Wars Weekends at Disney World Hollywood Studios. This two-piece set (Han and Carbonite block are separate parts) retails for $32.95 and is limited to 2000 pieces. It will be also be available at the Disney Land on June 10.
The Official Site today has updated announcing Star Wars Rebels, a new animated series coming in 2014
Production has begun on Star Wars Rebels, an exciting, all-new animated television series based on one of the greatest entertainment franchises of all time. Scheduled to premiere in fall 2014 as a one-hour special telecast on Disney Channel, it will be followed by a series on Disney XD channels around the world.
Disney Parks Blog has updated today announcing the return of the popular D-Tech Me Experience on May 17. They also reveal that there is now a Stormtrooper option now available where instead of getting your likeness rendering on a replica carbonite block, you can get your head sculpted to a body of an Imperial Stormtrooper. Head on over to Disney Parks’ Blog for the detail.
Our friend Brian at EndorExpress.net has alerted us to the news that the Droid Factory/Build-A-Droid attraction has been added to Disneyland in California. You can check out the image above at Mousewait.com.
Tech site Kotaku is reporting that Disney has closed out the LucasArts division, laid off its staff and has cancelled all current projects including the anticipated Star Wars: 1313 game.
