State of the Empire: A Lucasfilm Podcast

In the Disney era of Star Wars, the movies might have the center stage, but when it comes to expanding the universe, the real action is happening in animation. Star Wars Rebels enhanced and bridged the history of the Original Trilogy and the Prequels in fascinating and validating ways, and even re-shaped and the nature of The Force itself. Rebels might've been a "kids show", but as the series matured, it carried itself with an all-ages candor that won over the hearts of even the staunchest detractors. Now the Lucasfilm animation department has shifted gears and are taking on a whole new time period - one in desperate need of deeper storytelling: The New Trilogy.Star Wars Resistance takes place just before the events of The Force Awakens and sees Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron recruiting a young pilot into a life of spying in Leia's Army. Main character Kaz Xiono has to navigate an outer rim outpost filled with the raddest racers this side of Mon Gazza Speedway. It's a character driven, high octane ride that's a ton of fun right out the gate and here on State of the Empire you can look forward to our episode-by-episode Resistance recaps.Listen in to our spoiler-free podcast on the two part debut, "The Recruit" - hear our hot takes on Kazuda and co. and how far we think this series could go in exploring and improving the modern era of Star Wars stories.Star Wars Resistance's two-part debut hits Disney Channel this Sunday at 10PM EST, with future episodes Sundays on Disney XD.For links and more info, head to the main episode page:http://consequenceofsound.net/2018/10/star-wars-resistances-series-premiere

This episode of State of the Empire widens our lens to the rest of Lucasfilm and examines how the innovative production company shaped the world of film as we know it, even through now-forgotten features.1983, same year The Star Wars Saga ended, a very different kind of Lucasfilm hit select theaters. Twice Upon a Time, directed by John Korty and Charles Swenson, is an animated feature the likes of which you've never seen before. Using a unique rear-lit animation style called "lumage" and myriad mixed media techniques, the fractured fairytale stumbles its way through its narrative while sticking the landing on startling and uncanny visuals.Twice Upon a Time might be off-the-beaten-path, but it casts a long shadow. Join Cap, Doug, and Matt for a journey to "a place so far out, you’ll never, never land" and discover how this Lucas-backed project served as an incubator for talents behind A Nightmare Before Christmas, Pixar, a young David Fincher, the music of Bruce Hornsby, and some Michael McDonald-produced Yacht Rock. And hey, if you're looking for our trademark Star Wars speculation, never fear - we've got a hot take on who Keri Russell is playing in Episode IX that'll really Teek-le your fancy.For links and more info, head to the main episode page:http://consequenceofsound.net/2018/09/lucasfilms-animated-feature-twice-upon-a-timeLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filming for Star Wars: Episode IX has begun and already the leaks are pouring in... but can they be trusted? Sure, there's some exciting and authentic on-set photos that have found their way onto the internet, but moreso there's more fan theories and uninformed conjecture posing as "journalism" than ever before. Here on State of the Empire, we celebrate "looking for news in Alderaan places", but our crackpot theories are always to be taken with a modicum of spice! Join us as we pick through an Ord Mantell-sized pile of garbage, dig up the sordid history of Star Wars fake news, and share what's really going on with JJ Abrams' forthcoming feature.We also discuss the possible focus of Jon Favreau's forthcoming streaming live action Star Wars TV series, the ties it may have to The Clone Wars, our first takes on seeing the animated series Star Wars Resistance in action, an Original Trilogy era romance that came to Cap in a dream, and a tome of bygone Willow fandom on the deep web.For links and more info, head to the main episode page:http://consequenceofsound.net/2018/08/star-wars-episode-ix-leaks-and-the-phantom-menace-of-fake-newsLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This may be a show about Willow, but we're starting to feel like Indiana Jones the way we're unearthing all these forgotten artifacts from the film's past. We've regaled you with tales from the Willow expanded universe, which we suspected were based on unused sequences from the film. We've discovered production notes hinting as drastically different scenes... and now we've found the tome that answers all our questions and pieces our crackpot theories together: a first draft, third revision script of Willow.Brace yourselves for elves that steal baby tears, inflatable crabs, man-beast troopers, a romantic rivalry between Madmartigan and Kael - and that's just for starters. We use a hitherto unknown Willow young readers film adaption by Hugo-winning author Joan D. Vinge to help us determine which draft of the script the entire Willow expanded universe was based off of. Then we explore the very divergent roads not taken in this early Willow script - specifically a "selling draft" used to secure finances for the film. Find out what would happen if Willow was sent alone to the crossroads, discover the truth behind Moebius' "King Kael" illustration, and just what was that stinky spell Willow was making?Through our Willow archeology, we're not just uncovering the untold history of one of the most beloved fantasy films of all-time, we're also gleaning an unparalleled look into the Lucasfilm franchise machine in its prime.For links and more info, head to the main episode page:http://consequenceofsound.net/2018/08/george-lucas-willow-early-drafts/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The filming of the final movie in the Skywalker Saga is upon us, and with it is the cast announcement of all the old faces returning and new editions to galaxy far, far away. The results are more revealing that we'd expect - including two confirmed rumors, a Force ghost, a loose plot thread we didn't think was gonna get tied up, and a surprise posthumous appearance of Carrie Fisher. Will any of our Episode IX theories come to pass, or will they just end up being a "story for another time?"We're excited for the forthcoming release of the new animated series Star Wars Resistance, and even have some leaked details to share, but we were floored at the recent announcement that The Clone Wars is coming back. It's an episode of surprising returns, including another installment of Indy Inquiry, where we dredge up unused Indiana Jones scripts so we can guess where the series might head next. What parts of the Crystal Skull-heavy "Indiana Jones and the Saucermen From Mars" will make it into the next adventure? Will Gary Fisher be mo-capped for Episode IX? What previously-unknown Willow treasure did we find? Unlike Maz Kanata, we're not gonna leave you hanging.For links and more info, head to the main episode page:http://consequenceofsound.net/2018/07/the-journey-to-star-wars-episode-ix-beginsLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pop culture is a dirty job, but someone's got to do it. From the film scripts that never see the light of day, to the regrettable transmedia tie-ins that'd be better off staying buried; it'd take some kind of whip-cracking archeologist to uncover these forgotten relics... or perhaps some wise-cracking podcasters. In this episode we raid the Lucasfilm tombs and discover that Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is fantastic - compared to the ghost-hunting, rhino-riding, suicidal student-screwing antics of Indiana Jones in an unmade Chris Columbus script. We also gain some insight into the upcoming animated series Star Wars Resistance and speculate how the show might overwrite existing Star Wars canon for the better. Exhibit A: The "fart wedding" - a notorious event, recently written out of continuity, in which Poe Dameron let loose "the most atmosphere-ripping flatulence the galaxy ever heard."We also discuss the Episode IX casting news with Keri Russell and Billy Dee Williams, shed light on the state of Star Wars cinema via directors Chris McQuarrie and James Mangold's tweets, explore some fascinating Disney patents that could indicate jaw-dropping experiences to come at Galaxy's Edge, and spend some time with Captain EO and Willow too.For links and more info, head to the main episode page:http://consequenceofsound.net/2018/07/how-a-flatulent-wedding-broke-star-wars-canonLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices