Review – ‘Star Wars: Insider’ #225 – A Look Back at the Launch of ‘The Phantom Menace’, ‘Ahsoka’ Series Companion, Interview with John Jackson Miller and More
The latest issue of Star Wars: Insider will arrive on April 30th (US/CAN) and May 30th (UK). The issue goes full nostalgia, reminiscing on the experience of being a fan in the build-up to the release of The Phantom Menace in celebration of the 25th Anniversary. Other features include interviews with Billy Dee Williams and author John Jackson Miller, a companion to the first season of Ahsoka, and more exclusive High Republic fiction.
If you like what you see, now is the perfect time to consider subscribing as Insider is offering a limited-time 40% discount if you subscribe or renew in honour of May the Fourth. More details at the end of the article.
Faith, Fervour & Fantasy – a look back at the launch of The Phantom Menace
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of Episode I: The Phantom Menace, a movie that launched Star Wars back onto the big screen. I was expecting a behind-the-scenes look at the production of the movie but instead, Insider looks back at the marketing and fan excitement for the movie, harking back to a time of joyous anticipation, taking me back to times of eagerly discussing the posters on the schoolyard then going home to wait hours for the trailer to download on dialup internet – ahh, those were the days!
The feature is a delightful blast of nostalgia that had me reading with a big goofy grin on my face. The article is filled with quotes from Star Wars authors and humble fans such as you or I, sharing their recollections of watching the trailer in the days before a million reaction videos were instantly uploaded to YouTube, battling to get the latest toys and queuing overnight to get theatre tickets for opening night.
Billy Dee Williams Interview
The man behind the cape sits down with Insider to discuss his influences and how he brought the character of Lando to life. Billy Dee talks about how he drew inspiration from jazz pianist Duke Ellington, who had perfected the art of being charming and was a personality he had always wanted to bring to life when acting. His grandmother taught Billy Dee and his siblings to hold their heads high and always made sure they were dressed in the latest fashions, paving the way for Lando!
Williams talks about his career playing Lando, admitting that the lines between him and his character are very blurred! When questioned he is quick to defend his actions in The Empire Strikes Back, challenging any who accuse him of betrayal by asking “Did anybody die?” He also reflects on his friendship with his fellow cast-mates over the years.
Behind the Batch
The concluding segment of a two-part interview continues to dig into the creative process behind The Bad Batch and gives an overview of the process of development from concept to script through to previsualization and VFX for the final product. The interview is accompanied by concept art and design assets from the series, further highlighting the process.
John Jackson Miller Interview
With the release of The Living Force author John Jackson Miller talks about his latest entry into the Star Wars universe and reflects on his career which started when Randy Stradley at Dark Horse Comics asked him to contribute a single issue for their Empire run of stories which led to him writing the fan-favourite Knights of the Old Republic and Knight Errant comic series and the novel Kenobi. He also reflects on the experience of writing Rebels prequel novel during the unprecedented changes of the Disney acquisition and canon reboot
Much of Miller’s work centers around flawed Jedi (such as a group of Jedi Masters murdering their Padawans!) who are so focused on the big picture that they are completely detached from the real lives of the beings around them. This inspired his pitch for a story where Qui-Gon challenges the Jedi High Council to take a step into the real world and do better.
For more check out our reviews of the Living Force and the audiobook at Star Wars News Net.
Star Tours
A detailed examination of the iconic theme park experience, this feature digs into the genesis of Star Tours from early conception and discussion with George Lucas and ILM through to the finished product which launched in 1987. You get the full picture of just how grand the scale of the attraction is as behind-the-scenes images show what might as well be scenes from the creation of a feature film with insights from the geniuses who made it happen.
The article goes on to chart the numerous updates and new locales added to the ride following the prequel trilogy and moving into the current era with the sequels and right up to today with new scenes featuring Ahsoka and Cassian Andor added to the attraction.
Hal Hickel Interview
Insider continues to shine the spotlight on the creative team from ILM, this time sitting down with animator Hal Hickel to look back over his career as he started out with Pixar and then made the move to ILM when he heard rumblings of another Star Wars movie to make sure he got to work on the project. He reflects on his work with The Phantom Menace, starting with the impossible task of animating the Droidekas from Doug Chiang’s drawings – Doug had designed them as turrets that rolled into position and had never designed them to be able to walk!
Hickel talks about his other contributions to The Phantom Menace, reflecting on the film’s impact on him and the fandom for over 25 years as well as talking about his current work in Star Wars, collaborating with Jon Favreau on The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.
Ahsoka Series Companion
Look back at the first season of Ahsoka with a detailed look back at all the episodes. Comprehensive summaries are accompanied by stills from iconic moments in the series interspersed with insights from the cast and creators who brought Ms. Tano from animation into live-action.
Exclusive High Republic Fiction
Tales from the Occlusion Zone – Pathogen by Lydia Kang continues the story of Joss and Pikka Adren stranded behind enemy lines as they investigate a Nihil ship that has been overrun by an alien substance. Risking their lives, they board the ship to rescue a prisoner who might hold the key to escaping the Occlusion Zone. The story is accompanied by illustrations from Lucasfilm concept artist Jake Lunt Davies.
Star Wars: Insider is on sale for new and renewing subscribers. Click the links below for your area to receive a 40% discount on a six-issue subscription package.
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A teacher from Wales in the UK, Aled has loved Star Wars ever since that Star Destroyer flew over his head and blew his mind.
