[Press] DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES ALL-NEW STAR WARS™ SERIES, KNIGHT ERRANT!

AS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC DRAWS TO A CLOSE,

WRITER JOHN JACKSON MILLER MOVES TO AN UNCHARTED CORNER OF THE GALAXY!

FEBRUARY 11, MILWAUKIE, OR—Coming off the heels of penning the breakout hit Mass Effect: Redemption and the gripping finale of Knights of the Old Republic, writer John Jackson Miller introduces us to Kerra Holt, a young Jedi who’s about to realize that her role in the galaxy is far more important, and vastly different, than she could have ever imagined.

Set one thousand years before Episode I, in a time referred to as the “Dark Age of the Republic,” this story takes place in an era when the Sith were legion and the Republic was strained to the breaking point, leaving large swaths of the galaxy with no one to turn to. This pivotal time in the history of Star Wars has been largely unexplored, until now.

Additionally, for the first time ever, the writer of this new comics series will also be authoring a novel for Del Rey Books, set in the same era and involving the same cast of characters in an all-new adventure. It’s going to be a unique event for Star Wars, and one that will give fans a whole new perspective on the galaxy.

“There’s such wonderful chaos going on in the galaxy in this period,” said writer John Jackson Miller. “More than a generation before Darth Bane introduced the Rule of Two, Sith Lords are colliding not just with the Republic, but with each other. Kerra’s going to find that good intentions just may not be enough in a galaxy gone mad! This is a wide-open area to explore, and I’m thrilled that Dark Horse and Del Rey have given me this opportunity to do so.”

“With John writing both the comics and the novel, Knight Errant will be a Star Wars story on a scale we’ve never undertaken before,” said comic-series editor Dave Marshall. “This will be a first-of-its-kind opportunity to introduce the Expanded Universe of the Dark Horse comics to the fans of the Del Rey novels and vice versa!”

With more news in the coming months, look for Star Wars: Knight Errant to arrive on shelves later this fall!

About Dark Horse

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, and Serenity. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the third-largest comic-book publisher in the U.S. and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of licensed comics material.

Star Wars and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd.

All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

Scoop – Where the Magic of Collecting Comes Alive! – Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic to End

Scoop – Where the Magic of Collecting Comes Alive! – Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic to End

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic to End

At the Diamond Comic Distributors – Alliance Game Distributors Retailer Summit that was held in Baltimore October 11-13, 2009, Dark Horse Comics announced that one of the longest running Star Wars titles, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, would come to an end with #50.

Online, fans immediately began to speculate on what was going on. While the title set to replace Knights has yet to be confirmed publically, it’s a pretty good bet that Dark Horse and Lucasfilm wouldn’t eliminate such a popular series without something to take its place.

Though he wouldn’t comment directly on what was waiting in the wings, writer John Jackson Miller did offer Scoop some surprising insights into the series that will soon conclude.

“Fifty issues on a comics series is a great run, and we’ve really pulled out all the stops in the last storyline to produce an ending that people will remember. Dangers that have been lurking throughout the entire series come to the fore at the worst possible time for our heroes. One of my aims was to produce stories that would reward repeat readings — and I think fans will be surprised by just how many of the secrets we’ll reveal have been right in front of them all the time!” he said.
Part of the reason for concentrating on a big pay-off for longtime readers is that, as a writer, he wanted to thank them for sticking with the series.
“A lot of talented people worked hard to produce this series, and Dark Horse and Lucasfilm have been supportive every step of the way. While I’m already at work on my next projects (including January’s new Mass Effect title at Dark Horse), Knights will always have a special place in my heart. The response from the Knights fans to the series has been really gratifying — and we don’t plan to disappoint them now!” he said.

TheForce.Net – Latest News – Wizard World/Chicago Comic Con On The Way!

TheForce.Net – Latest News – Wizard World/Chicago Comic Con On The Way!

Wizard World/Chicago Comic Con On The Way!

Posted By Mike on July 23, 2009

Though we know everyone’s mind is currently on SDCC, the ForceCast’s Jimmy Mac offers up an alternative for those convention fans not able to hit the west coast:

“Wizard World Chicago is only 2 weeks away. It all takes place at The Donald E Stephens Convention Center by Chicago’s O’Hare Airport Aug 6-9. This is a nice alternative for midwesterners who could not attend SDCC. There will be several Star Wars panels.

FRIDAY 8/6
-Jack Kirby Room 5p-6p – Clone Wars Roundtable

SATURDAY 8/7
- Wil Eisner Room 2p-3p – Ray Park Q&A
- Jack Kirby Room 3p-4p – Billy Dee Williams Q&A
- Jack Kirby Room 4p-5p – Star Wars Panel

PLUS, there will be plenty of autograph opportunities with a dozen Star Wars actors in attendance:

Ray Park, Billy Dee Williams, Orli Shoshan, Daniel Logan, Peter Mayhew, Jeremy Bulloch, Maria de Aragon, Dave Barclay, Tom Kane, Jerome Blake, Richard LeParmentier, and Doug Wangler

AND, Steve Sansweet will be a Special Guest and Tom Hodges will be taking his usual spot in the Artist Alley

Steve Sansweet will be doing a Star Wars presentation (it could be the Sat 4pm panel) – I will confirm when soon!

They are apparently transitioning the name of the event from Wizard World Chicago (which is what they always called it) to Chicago Comic Con.”

Thanks to Jimmy for the heads up! Click here for more details at the convention’s site.

[Press] – G4 AND LUCASFILM PRESENT THE FIRST-EVER TELEVISED PANEL IN SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON HISTORY

G4 AND LUCASFILM PRESENT THE FIRST-EVER
TELEVISED PANEL IN SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON HISTORY

Star Wars™ Comic-Con Spectacular Will Feature Exclusive Footage
and Exciting Announcements from the LIVE Lucasfilm Presentation

Hosted by G4’s Olivia Munn and Kevin Pereira, the Two-Hour Special
Will Premiere on G4 Saturday, July 25 at 2pm ET/PT

LOS ANGELES – June 24, 2009 — Lucasfilm Ltd. and G4 are joining forces for a milestone in San Diego Comic-Con International’s 40-year history – the first-ever, exclusive television broadcast of a presentation from the massive pop culture convention. The Star Wars Spectacular! will air Saturday July 25^th at 2:00pm ET/PT only on G4, and will feature never-before-seen footage, breaking news, surprise announcements, guest stars and more. In addition, G4 will present three hours of live coverage from the Comic-Con floor, beginning at 4:00pm ET/PT.

Traditionally, details surrounding Lucasfilm’s primary panel presentation are closely guarded secrets, with only 6,500 lucky on-site fans allowed access to the wealth of coveted information from a galaxy far, far away. But this year, G4 – the network that delivers all of the latest and greatest news on comic books, games, technology and pop culture – is offering TV viewers the one-of-a-kind opportunity to share the excitement with an exclusive broadcast of the panel.? G4’s Attack of the Show hosts Kevin Pereira and Olivia Munn will join Lucasfilm’s Steve Sansweet and a galaxy of guests from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and beyond – including supervising director Dave Filoni, and voice talent from the show – to provide an insider look at the Star Wars universe, with never-before-seen footage and a LIVE table read of an exclusive new Clone Wars script.

In addition, fans are invited to participate in the panel itself by submitting Clone Wars questions through a special G4 micro-site. Questions will be answered during the live presentation by Dave Filoni and other Clone Wars creatives!

2009’s Comic-Con International also marks another Lucasfilm milestone – the launch of the all-new Star Wars Stories Project. Fans of the Saga will have the unique opportunity to become a part of the Star Wars universe by contributing to Lucasfilm’s own historical archive. Soliciting movie memories and nostalgia, the Star Wars Stories Project invites fans to share their own tales of fandom through video testimonials. In addition to online submissions, fans will have the opportunity to record their stories at Lucasfilm’s pavilion on the Comic-Con floor.

Fans are invited to upload their fan stories at http://g4tv.com/comiccon

[Press] R2-D2’s inner workings revealed in Friday’s episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

Beginning this Saturday, Nov. 15, Cartoon Network will add an encore presentation of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS on Saturday mornings!? All-new episodes of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS premiere at 9 p.m. Fridays.? And now, at 9:30 a.m. each Saturday, Cartoon Network will re-air the previous evening’s 30-minute episode, providing a new opportunity to experience the adventure.

R2-D2’s inner workings revealed in? Friday’s
episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

What is R2-D2 made of?? Audiences will find out, both literally and figuratively,? in? “Duel of the Droids,” an all-new episode of the hit animated series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, premiering at 9 p.m. ET/PT Friday, Nov. 14, on Cartoon Network.

In the episode, Anakin, Ahsoka and replacement droid R3-S6 (aka “Goldie”)? embark on a dual rescue/sabotage mission when they discover R2-D2 is being held at General Grievous’s secret enemy listening post.

Writer Kevin Campbell (“Disney’s House of Mouse,”? “Jackie Chan Adventures”) created a little extra work for the Lucasfilm Animation crew when he used the? unusually vivid word? “splayed”? to describe how R2-D2’s internal mechanisms? would be removed and exhibited across an examining table.? That gave the production team ample opportunity to delve into Artoos’s? inner workings,? as well as to have a little fun at director Rob Coleman’s expense.

“Dave (Filoni) and the designers – particularly Killian Plunkett – figured out what was actually inside Artoo,” Coleman says.? “He’s the ultimate Swiss Army knife, and we all love the myriad things that come out of him, but having to build and animate all of that is another story. Lucasfilm Animation’s Gary Scheppke got a box full of? ‘Artoo bits,’ and the modelers – basing it off the actual hardware – crammed it into the model inside the computer. There are definitely some recognizable pieces on that table from the films, as well as all the things that show up for the first time in this episode – a cutter wheel, suction cups, etc. Then they animated in a few things like a? pea shooter and a boxing glove just to get my attention. They’re funny guys.”

Campbell says he? took pride in the opportunity to add some history for Artoo and his capabilities,? showing some? aspects of the droid that audiences haven’t seen before.

“I love that we’re adding back story to the back story. We discover that when Princess Leia hides the Death Star plans inside Artoo in Episode IV, it’s not the first time he’s been entrusted with important information,” Campbell says.? “I also like that we get to play with Anakin’s emotional side. The Jedi are saying he gets too attached, that he’s willing to risk everything to get Artoo back. He’s a Jedi, and yet he assigns sentimental value to an inanimate object. I can relate to that, because that’s real loyalty.”

[Press] LUCASARTS AND BIOWARE REVEAL STAR WARS: THE OLD REPUBLIC

This should be great!!? Bioware did a awesome job on Knights of the Old
Republic, and just about every other game they have ever done!

First Press Release | Star Wars: The Old Republic

LUCASARTS AND BIOWARE
REVEAL STAR WARS: THE OLD REPUBLIC

OCTOBER 21, SAN FRANCISCO – LucasArts and BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced the development of Star Wars®: The Old Republic™, a story-driven massively multiplayer online PC game set in the timeframe of the Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™ franchise. Star Wars: The Old Republic, being developed and published by BioWare and LucasArts, represents an innovative approach to interactive entertainment, featuring immersive storytelling, dynamic combat and intelligent companion characters.

In Star Wars: The Old Republic, players will explore an age thousands of years before the rise of Darth Vader when war between the Old Republic and the Sith Empire divides the galaxy. Players can choose to play as Jedi, Sith, or a variety of other classic Star Wars roles, defining their personal story and determining their path down the light or dark side of the Force. Along the way, players will befriend courageous companions who will fight at their side or possibly betray them, based on the players’ actions. Players can also choose to team up with friends to battle enemies and overcome incredible challenges using dynamic Star Wars combat.

“Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is the most critically acclaimed Star Wars game in LucasArts history and a preeminent example of our company’s interactive storytelling heritage,” said Darrell Rodriguez, President of LucasArts. “For a long time, we’ve long wanted to return to the franchise in a grand way, and we felt that the best setting for it was an online world that would allow millions of people to participate in the experience together. We knew that the developer capable of working with us to deliver an engrossing story with a fully-realized online world was BioWare.”

“Traditionally, massively multiplayer online games have been about three basic gameplay pillars – combat, exploration and character progression,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Co-Founder and General Manager/CEO of BioWare and General Manager/Vice President of Electronic Arts Inc., “In Star Wars: The Old Republic, we’re fusing BioWare’s heritage of critically-acclaimed storytelling with the amazing pedigree of Lucasfilm and LucasArts, and adding a brand-new fourth pillar to the equation – story. At the same time, we will still deliver all the fun features and activities that fans have come to expect in a AAA massively multiplayer online game. To top it all off, Star Wars: The Old Republic is set in a very exciting, dynamic period in the Star Wars universe.”

Added Dr. Greg Zeschuk, Co-Founder and Vice President Development Operations, BioWare and Vice President, Electronic Arts Inc., “Star Wars: The Old Republic is set roughly 300 years after the events of Knights of the Old Republic, a timeframe that is completely unexplored in the lore. BioWare has been able to add to the Star Wars history in developing the game’s story and has created an overarching narrative that players can enjoy, regardless of their play style. Our goal is to offer players an emotionally rewarding experience that combines the traditional elements of MMO gameplay with innovations in story and character development.”

Additional details on Star Wars: The Old Republic features, gameplay and release date will be announced at a later time. For more information about Star Wars: The Old Republic and to sign up for future product updates, please visit www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com.

###

About LucasArts
LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems, computers and the Internet. Based in San Francisco, Calif., as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multifaceted entertainment company.

About BioWare
BioWare develops computer, console, handheld and online video games focused on rich stories and memorable characters. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of the world’s best-selling titles including the award-winning Baldur’s Gate™ and Neverwinter Nights™ series, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™. Original BioWare-created IPs include Jade Empire™ and the 2007 Game of the Year, Mass Effect™. With studios in Edmonton, Canada, and Austin, Texas, BioWare is hard at work on the epic fantasy RPG, Dragon Age™: Origins. In 2008, BioWare was acquired by the world’s leading electronic entertainment publisher, Electronic Arts. For more information on BioWare, visit www.bioware.com.

About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA™, EA SPORTS Freestyle™ and POGO™. In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

LucasArts, the LucasArts logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks in the United States and/or in other countries of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © 2008 Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. or Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

BioWare, Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Jade Empire are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. in the U.S. and/or other countries. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS premieres back-to-back episodes Friday, Oct. 3 on Cartoon Network

The Jedi face a devastating new Separatist weapon that’s in? the hands of General Grievous in the second of two episodes that mark the season premiere of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, an all-new animated series debuting Friday, Oct. 3? on Cartoon Network.

In “Rising Malevolence,” which premieres at 9:30 p.m., an attack by an unimaginably destructive weapon aboard a mysterious warship leaves Jedi Master Plo Koon and his clone troopers struggling to survive until Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano can find them. They discover that the ship is piloted by Grievous himself.

“Rising Malevolence” follows the 9:00 p.m. debut of the episode “Ambush.” STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS will introduce new episodes at 9:00? p.m. Fridays on Cartoon Network.

Series supervising director Dave Filoni helms the episode “Rising Malevolence” from a script by Steve Melching. George Lucas is the series’ creator and serves as executive producer, and Catherine Winder is producer.

“Rising Malevolence” features several prominent series debuts, most notably those of Jedi Master Plo Koon, General Grievous and his menacing warship, the Malevolence. Also appearing for their first time in the series are Anakin Skywalker and his padawan, Ahsoka.

Plo Koon’s presence was established in Star Wars: Episodes I, II and III, but his character was seen fleetingly in those films. Nevertheless, just as the seldom-seen Boba Fett became a fan favorite after The Empire Strikes Back, Filoni grew fascinated by Plo Koon. He chose the relatively unknown Jedi Master as his first project of character development.

“I liked the design of the Plo Koon character, and I also liked that he was a Jedi Master,” Filoni says of his initial attraction. “Like so many Star Wars fans, I had always wondered what other Jedi were like – and The Clone Wars presented an opportunity to explore those characters”

Melching said he, Filoni and script supervisor Henry Gilroy worked hard to reveal Plo Koon’s character by example – and, at the same time, offer greater perspective on the ways of the Jedi. Moreover, they reveal in “Rising Malevolence” an important connection between Plo Koon and Ahsoka Tano, Anakin’s Padawan learner.

“We were able to examine both Plo Koon’s personality and Ahsoka’s background by showing their bond and the extreme loyalty of Anakin and Ahsoka to their Jedi comrades,” Melching says. “They know he’s stranded and might not be alive, but if there’s even a chance, they’re going to find him. They have to deviate from their mission to try to rescue him, but they can’t endanger their larger mandate.”

The episode offers numerous scenes of Plo Koon and a small group of clones stranded in a disabled escape pod, which Melching says offered opportunities to expand on the thoughts, sensibilities and unique attributes of each clone trooper.

“The clones are really an army of one – they’re all the same guy. But their experiences in the war are all different, and that affects their relationships with other clones and their Jedi leaders,” Melching says. “They may all seem be the same guy, but they’re developing different personalities, and we work hard to show how they think, where they come from. That helps to define each episode. After all, the clones are ultimately the key to this war.”

Trademark information for STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS images:
TM & © 2008 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.