Offer is no longer available.

Uncategorized | Comments - 0 »

OK, now that the first Part of my rant is out of the way… We should start discussing the most important aspect of this whole deal…

NEW STAR WARS MOVIES!!!

Makes your brain all “splody, doesn’t it?

For years, we’ve heard George say there would never be a third trilogy. We’ve all come to the conclusion that was going to be the case and we went on our busy lives as they were, without the further adventures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia. But now that Disney has purchased Lucasfilm and everything with it… ILM, Skywalker Sound, Star Wars… Indy… Willow… (wait have we even discussed something could happen with Willow?!?!?… OK, one topic at a time), it would appear that we ARE getting that Third Trilogy… and a WHOLE LOT MORE!!!

Now I am going to be upfront and honest with you. I have NO inside information. Everyone always assumes I have some “inside track” on the happenings at Lucasfilm. I do not. When I worked with them on a regular basis, did I hear shit? Absolutely!!!

Anyway, this post is for me to vent on some ideas of what I think should/could happen in the upcoming trilogy. I will get vague in some spots and very detailed in others. It’s also likely there will be a point of great rambling. If you’re interested at all in what is floating around in my head, you’ll stick around.

OK, for starters, Who’s going to be in this thing…

If it’s Episode VII, a continuation of the previous trilogy, you MUST have Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford reprising their roles and Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo. It must happen. Whether all three or none make it through the entire Trilogy, they must be in the film(s). It seems, as far as I can tell, all three are completely open to this. This is good.

And with that, the series should definitely take place several decades after ROTJ. I think that I should state I am not a huge fan of EU. I’m really not. Aside from a few key points, I do not care if the 3rd Trilogy even recognizes those events. I feel as though Disney should do as George did. Ignore the EU unless it works for your purposes. Recognize the “Heir to the Empire” storyline. There are important characters that come from that series. Namely Mara Jade, who in this trilogy, should be married to Luke Skywalker and they should have their child, Ben (that is their only son, right? I don’t even know). Ben at this point, should be the age of Luke in A New Hope.

This also means we include Han and Leia’s children, Jacen, Jaina and Anakin.

I think one thing from the EU needs to be COMPLETELY ignored. The Death of Chewie. People who don’t give a rats ass about the EU, your standard fan. My Folks, my Siblings… they have no idea Chewie is dead. Neither do your average movie goer. I will explain why later…

Bring Lando into the mix. Wedge… you get where I’m headed… If they’re alive and kicking and made it through the battle of Endor, bring them in.

Story:

I only have an idea of what should happen, but there are ways to continue the “Redemption of Anakin Skywalker” story. This is the crucial piece of the puzzle for most fans. If Sith have been destroyed and Anakin redeemed, what is there now to do?

The story should take place roughly 35-40 years after ROTJ. The New Republic has seen a long standing peace throughout the galaxy. With the Jedi number flourishing, The Jedi Council, led by Master Luke Skywalker, continue to maintain peace and justice throughout the Galaxy. Leia Organa Solo is the Chancellor and her Husband, Former Smuggler and War hero, Han Solo… well, he’s retired. Seriously. I think it would be presumptuous to have Han Solo as some great Military leader. Han should be that “Go to guy” in a pinch at this point in his life. He and Chewie should be drinking and playing sabacc and getting into bar fights on a regular basis. Make Wedge the leader of the NR’s military… that’s who “That Guy” is.

Their Children should be all Jedi, but I think Leia should be a non-practicing Jedi. In fact, I feel as though Leia wound up never completing her training in order to maintain the NR’s peace. Any notable Jedi that might have survived Order 66 and the Purge should be on the Council alongside Luke… and Mara. She should be a council member.

Now, after decades of peace, sans minor shake ups here and there, a new threat comes into play. See, Vader should have had a Secret Apprentice.

Before you all jump down my throat, I do NOT mean Starkiller. In my mind, Starkiller was just one of Vader’s apprentices. I don’t get the impression that Vader would have put all his eggs in one basket and so another Secret Apprentice emerges after all this time, having built a Sith army in secret. This Apprentice makes Vader, Starkiller and Maul look like an Ewok. This guy should be the Horror that the NR never sees coming. By the end of the first movie, you know shits about to hit the fan

Now, I do believe that Luke needs to make it through at least the first movie. In fact, I think the second film is where the Body Count needs to come into play except for ONE. I say this because I have specific things I think need to happen in the first film…

Luke should no longer confer with Obi-Wan. He should seek counsel from his father. Yes people, I’m suggesting Anakin Skywalker’s Spirit (Hayden) should be a major factor in this series. Anakin Skywalker being redeemed allowed him to have the spirit of his Jedi self. This could be a small hint as to what George was thinking when making Episode III. Who better to counsel you on not only the ways of the Jedi… but who could give you insight into the Sith. I think it’s important. If you’re worried about his acting, don’t he is a very good actor. George’s directing style is simple… an actor should know how to act and not be told how to do their job. Hayden is one of those actors who needs a different kind of directing style.

Forget Chewie died in the EU. Chewie being dead already is a BAD thing for this trilogy… but it’s because Chewie needs to die on screen, second film preferably and it needs to be as gut wrenching as Dobby’s death in “The Deathly Hallows”. People were sobbing openly in the theaters. I was one of them, and this needs to happen by the end of the first film. It should be heroic and meaningful and this will set the tone for Han’s storyline the rest of the series… or as long as he survives.

Luke should barely make it through the first confrontation with this new Sith Lord. It should be almost something the Sith allowed to happen and controlled. As if a warning… A Dark time, possibly the darkest, is upon them.

The Second film…

All Hell should break loose. It should open with full scale war happening. Coruscant should be falling apart and should be the focal point of what’s happening at the opening of the film. In the outer atmosphere (like EpIII) and on the ground. Buildings should be collapsing. Convoys of Starcruisers Shuttles with civilians should be leaving the planet and under attack by the Sith Army. It should be Pearl Harbor, D-Day, 9/11 and Hiroshima wrapped up in one. Horrible.

Han and Lando should be working together in the Falcon. Han should also be at the end of his rope. He’s on edge and he’s flying into battles as if he doesn’t care if he comes back. He and Leia should be distant and that’s all because of what happened with Chewie. Their children are on the front lines leading the NR Army as Jedi Generals and they’re not winning.

In fact, One of the Children should succumb to the Dark Side. I personally would like to throw a curve ball and it be Jaina. And it should happen midway through the film and she should kill one of her siblings. Take it up a notch, she kills Mara… or possibly even her own Father. Han could die at the hands of one of his Children. That would be pretty messed up. Done right and that’s the second gut-punch.

The Second film should end with the Coruscant in flames, The Sith have taken control, A Solo child has turned to the Dark Side and the body count is growing. Leia and the remaining Senate leaders are on the run, Luke and the Jedi are scattered and fighting their way off Coruscant and it should be the absolute darkest time the galaxy has seen… but as the second film ends, Anakin Skywalker tells Luke that all is not lost…

The Third and final film of the Skywalker story…

The third film should open with Luke and a few Jedi headed towards a system. They’re in search of three Jedi survivors of Order 66. These three will help the Jedi and the NR take back control and defeat the Sith.

See, I’ve secretly had it in my head for years that Mace Windu did survive that fall. Survived, left Coruscant and has been in hiding for 50-60 years. I also believe that Ahsoka is alive and is the second of the three. Once Anakin was redeemed and he became a spirit, his former apprentice, who either goes into hiding after Order 66 or was banished before the events of Episode III. I believe Filoni and Lucas will not kill her off at the end of the Clone Wars run. I think she survives and will be a major factor in the end game of the third trilogy. Anakin’s spirit has been in contact with Ahsoka for as long as he’s been one with the Force… a lot to work with there.

The third they seek is in fact “Starkiller”.

I have this way of describing the EU. Be it books, games, Comics… It’s all rumors and stories passed around the galaxy. This is the best way to overcome the glitches people lose their mind over in continuity. “Well, have you heard about…”, “Well, my father always told me…”… etc…etc. As a SW fan, if you live your life with that in your head, you’ll gradually begin to enjoy it more. No sense in losing your shit over bits and pieces that don’t fit perfectly. That’s no way to live.

So Starkiller, now a hermit like Obi-Wan was, is the final key to the puzzle.

Elsewhere, Leia and the remaining bits of the NR during this time have been building a coalition to retake Coruscant. We should see a fleet made up of every possible species in the SWU.

Luke needs to die in the second act of the third film. The second act should begin the battle for Coruscant and this is where Luke bites it at the hands of the Sith Lord. Thus leaving Leia as the last remaining of the three. Ben Skywalker, and the Solo children along with Ahsoka, Starkiller, the NR army being led by Mace Windu take the remaining Jedi into a massive, all out fight against a Sith Army. Sith dueling Jedi. Losses heavy on both sides until the Chidlren come face to face with their Sibling/Cousin. She has with her her own apprentices (the rule of two no longer applies) and while they duel, on the other side of the Battlefield The Three fight Vader Apprentice/The Sith leader.

Elsewhere, while the Sith’s Navy is engaged against the NR fleet, Leia and a squad of Commandos are taking back the Senate.

More deaths…

Mace should die, Starkiller should die, Ahsoka should live, as should all of the Solo children and Ben. Jaina (or whoever becomes the one who falls) should turn back. something should trigger it in the mists of the fight. In the end, all should be made right and while at a great cost, The heroes still prevail.

the end… maybe.

I only say maybe because there’s always a possibility of 10-11-12. The original outline had four trilogies, not three.

Anyway, that is my idea for the 3rd Trilogy. Probably WAY off on all of it, but in my head, this would be freakin’ INSANE! I should note I did NOT mention the droids, only because their involvement is a given.

After this trilogy, let Joe Johnston make his Fett film(s). Let there be an “Old Republic” trilogy. Make some movies based on books that don’t directly effect what has happened… Bounty Hunter/Underworld tales. Make a CGI “Shadows of the Empire”. by the time that comes around, ILM can perfect humans. Look at Avatar. Love it or hate it, it’s ground breaking. And that way, SOTE can be done in the proper time frame without recasting. Hamill and Fisher can do their voice work.

I just mentioned Joe Johnston… He is one of the directors I feel should be considered for the trilogy. I also think the following should be talked to:

Darren Aronofsky

Brad Bird

JJ Abrams

Ron Howard (HEY DISNEY! Make more Willow movies!!!)

Steven Spielberg

Alfonso Cuaron

David Yates

David Fincher

That is my wish list of directors… no particular order, but I would give the first one to Brad Bird, the Second film to Fincher or Yates. and the final one to Cuaron.

Star Wars is alive and well and in good hands at Disney, Gang… the Fanboy Stress levels be CRAZY!

Hopefully before I leave for vacation, I will address the haters…

;

;

;

Uncategorized | Comments - 12 »

A couple more scans of what you MAY get if you get one of the SEVEN remaining Disney/Star Wars Mash-Up Blind packs!

Donalda Fett & Darth Stitcheous

Uncategorized | Comments - 1 »

I love Star Wars. I have loved Star Wars since opening weekend in 1977. I have loved Star Wars with each opening weekend that followed. Through the releases of the Original Trilogy. The 97′ Special Edition re-releases. ALL of the Prequels and the DVD release. I am I fan. I am a fan who is also lucky enough to actually work for Lucasfilm on an ongoing project that involves the Star Wars Universe.

Currently, everyone is losing their shit over the NEW additions to the Blu-Ray DVD set of the Star Wars saga. Judging the results based on reviews from people who obviously hate anything post Original Trilogy and despise the Special Editions. I’m also HIGHLY amused by the “Star Wars Purists” who are going nuts again. These people amuse me. If you’re a fan of my work, I do appreciate it, but seriously, let it go. The only PURE Star Wars is the Star Wars that comes out of Lucasfilm. Be it The original Films, the Special Editions, the Prequels, the Clone Wars (Including MY comic ) and everything else Lucas himself has his hands involved in. Star Wars is George’s and he’s been kind enough to share it with us going on 34 years now. Pretty nice of him.

As for not being happy with what’s going on the Blu-Ray. Don’t buy it. Stick to your guns and resist. MAYBE 20% of the people who claim they’ll not buy it won’t (and I’m realistically thinking it’s more like 5%) but everyone will. Everyone who will yell and complain about Lucas “Getting them to buy this” or “Destroying their Childhood” or even worse “Raping their Childhood”. Yea… I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again…

PLEASE, I implore you, go to a women’s shelter and sit in on a Rape Support Group and let them know you’re there because George Lucas Raped your Childhood because he’s made changes to HIS films. Let’s see how well that goes.

If you don’t like it, it’s fine to complain. It’s your right. But to insult Lucas himself, his family and the companies he owns because HE decided HIS creation needed further altering to complete HIS Vision it’s just stupid. There’s DOZENS of pieces of art I would LOVE a second or third crack at. I would LOVE a shot at redoing the entire “Reversal of Fortune” web strip series in Comic Format. My art has evolved and so have my ideas. This is what being an Artist is. Lucas IS an artist and his changes/additions are his to make. You don’t like them. It’s fine just don’t take it as a personal slap in the face the way some of you do. It makes you look like a child who has lost a Game and you throw a temper tantrum.

I for one am excited about these Blu-Rays. My only complaint was No Digital Copies.

Uncategorized | Comments - 6 »

Next up on Sale, my 8.5″ x 11″ Color card Stock Sketches.

$35 each

Wonder Woman is a Head Shot, $15!

To Claim one or more of these, email info@tomhodges.com for ordering instructions. We will ship International.

Next up, 12″ x 12″ Star Wars Gallery pieces!!!

Uncategorized | Comments - 0 »

Here’s today’s Harry Potter sketch. This one features a bunch of Heroes from the series…Never been one for “floating heads” but here ya go!

This piece is 12″ x 12″ Pencil/Marker on Color Card Stock.

$150 plus S&H ($10 Domestic, $15 International) unless picking up at an upcoming show).

Email info@tomhodges.com to claim it!

Yesterday’s Quidditch Harry is still available

Uncategorized | Comments - 0 »

This week, we’ll see the final installment of the Harry Potter films. I hate to admit this, but I’ve never read the books but adore the films. I’ll eventually go back and read the books so I can get all the nooks and crannies that aren’;t in the films, but until then, I’ll enjoy the movies.

This week, while I work on SDCC pre-orders, I’ll be doing sketches in Celebrations of “the Boy Who Lived”. Each piece (and in some cases, Pieces) will be for sale right after.

Here’s the first! Quidditch Harry!

Click to see a larger version

11″ x 17″ Pencil/Marker/Ink on Red Canson paper. $120 plus $10 S&H (Domestic, $15 International) If you’d like to just pick it up at an upcoming appearance (SDCC or Chicago) just make note when buying. Act fast! I expect these pieces to move FAST! If you want it, email info@tomhodges.com

C’ya tomorrow!

Uncategorized | Comments - 0 »

Now that the NON_Attendee sets are just about sold out (2 LEFT!!!) I can move onto the Originals.

Each piece is 11″ x 17″on Canson Paper, Pencil/Marker and Ink. The paper is colored and everything you see on the prints, sans the Text and SDCC Logo, is on the paper. No Photoshop adjustments.

Each piece will come with an AP print .The price is $400 per piece.

The Originals (and corresponding AP) will be signed by Adrianne and Tom and will ship after SDCC unless you’ll be picking up the art AT the show, so please specify when sending Payment.

To snag one of these piece, email info@tomhodges.com. In your email, be specific as to which one(s) you want. The titles:

Slave Adrianne

Grand Moff Curry

Adrianne, Warrior Princess of Curry

Silk Adrianne

Good Luck!

Uncategorized | Comments - 0 »

Here’s the 3rd print in the Set… Only one more to reveal and that will happen later today along with all details for NON-Attendees who would like to get one of the 25 sets that will be available! Keep your eye’s open!

Adrianne, Warrior of Curry

Uncategorized | Comments - 1 »