Rebel Force Radio: Star Wars Podcast

This week is all about looking back at the year that was...2013.  In the past 12 months, we've seen tons of action in the Star Wars universe including many highs and lows for fandom.  Director Kyle Newman joins us fresh off the set of his latest film Barely Lethal, to talk about all the big news from the Galaxy Far Far Away that broke in 2013.   We also look back at the year of RebelForce Radio podcasting and more.  Our 'Year-In-Review" shows often are our most opinionated and this year is no exception.  In fact, this show was so big, it needed to be broken into 2 parts.  So, wrap up your year with the first of our two-part Star Wars Year-In-Review show as RebelForce Radio remembers 2013!   Have a safe and happy new year from your friends at RebelForce Radio!

Star Wars Influences is back with Paul Bateman and a close look at the works that inspired the Star Wars saga.  This month, we discuss Paul's latest feature for Star Wars Insider magazine "McQuarrie Revisited" which gives us a fresh look at the Imperial Snowtrooper.  And, we take a closer look at the Christmas inspired Star Wars artwork of Ralph McQuarrie, discover the connections between the work of comic artist Phillipe Druillet and the Star Wars universe, and enjoy a casual conversation about the works of some great Star Wars comic book artists.

Special guest C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels brings us memories of the Star Wars holiday album Christmas in the Stars, and Clone Wars star James Arnold Taylor talks about his new book, JAT 365. Plus, we look back at Bob Hope's 1977 Star Wars Christmas tribute, more with Donny & Marie, and yuletide music from A Galaxy Far Far Away.  Join us as RebelForce Radio celebrates the season of Star Wars Christmas with our annual holiday show!

Star Wars Christmas is in full swing at the RFR studios! We are in a holiday mood this week as we are joined by filmmaker Cris Macht (The Force Within Us) to celebrate the season. We discuss our vintage Star Wars Christmas memories, we talk about the only Star Wars Christmas record album, Christmas in the Stars, and listen to holiday music from a Galaxy Far Far Away. Plus, we look back at Donny & Marie's tribute to Star Wars, mash up Charlie Brown & The 'Wars, Star Wars Muppets and more! Stuff your Star Wars Christmas stocking with us!

Christmas is here, and you know what is waiting for Star Wars fans under the tree?  Rumors...Rumors...Rumors!  When it comes to the future of Star Wars - From the silver screen to the your flat screen - Speculation is running rampant this holiday season.  This week on RFR, we uncover the latest information to leak about Star Wars Episode VII and more, starting with a complete analysis of a recent Jedi News interview with their inside source "Jedi Master SQL".  And, we ask the question...Would you be interested in hanging out with a RebelForce Radio group at Disney's Star Wars Weekends 2014?  Plus, Star Wars Rebels, The Clone Wars Lost Missions, Billy Dee moves on up, Star Wars Shakespeare and more! Don't forget to visit AUDIBLE for your FREE audiobook download.  Tons of Star Wars titles to choose from!

Just in time for BLACK Friday, we are proud to present you with a collection of interviews with Darth Vader actor David Prowse.  We've spoken with the original Dark Lord of the Sith many times over the years about his contributions to the saga and beyond.  We talk about all-things-Darth and even include David in an unforgettable "Outrageous Unthinkable Story of the Week" that you must hear to believe!  He's colorful, outspoken and sometimes controversial, it's the best of David Prowse on RebelForce Radio!

Star Wars Celebration stage host David Collins brings his passion for music to RebelForce Radio with Star Wars Oxygen: The Music of John Williams.  In this monthly show, David will bring us a close look and listen into the iconic Star Wars soundtrack music from every film, provide influences for each track, and interview highlights with George Lucas, John Williams and more. This month, David kicks off the series with a focus on some choice cuts from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope!

It's a holiday tradition!  Every year, we devote our Thanksgiving show to you, the RebelForce Radio listener, by featuring your feedback!   To show our thanks, we are spotlighting your voice mails and e-mails.  Plus,  Samuel L. Jackson, The Star Wars Holiday Special, an Artoo update and tons more in our annual Thanksgiving RFR! 

Welcome back to Star Wars Influences featuring Star Wars concept artist Paul Bateman.  This episode, we take a closer look at Paul's new feature for Star Wars Insider Magazine, "McQuarrie Revisited", we discuss the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special, and Dark Horse comics mini-series The Star Wars,  based on George Lucas's original rough draft.  From there, Paul digs deep into the influence of comic book artwork on Star Wars, including the work of Valarian artist Jean-Claude Mezieres and more.

Episode VII open casting calls are happening in Chicago and around the world.  Chicago Star Wars fan Eric Pfiefer was there and he joins us to provide a first-hand account of how it all went down. In other Episode VII news,  a release date has been announced and we discuss what will be a very Star Wars Christmas in 2015.  Also, did The Emperor mock Yoda in Return of the Jedi?  We discover where this alternate dialog came from in a special Investigative Report.  Plus, J.J. Abrams news, we talk about the Academy Awards anti-Star Wars bias, and did Billy Dee accidentally reveal his involvement with Star Wars Rebels?  We look into this and much more this week on RebelForce Radio!

Last week, we reported on the incredible Edit Droid laserdisc discovery of long lost footage from Yoda's death scene in Return of the Jedi. This week, we dig deep into this material, including never heard before dialog, with the man who has made it available to fans,  Star Wars collector Charlie Owen. Charlie talks about how he came into possession of this amazing video and what makes it so special for fans of The Saga.  Plus, we get into the latest Episode VII news, J.J. Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan, Harrison Ford, and more.  We let our imaginations run wild with speculation about the relationship between Han & Chewie in Ep VII, and, we take a gamble on The Billy Dee Quote of the Week! For awesome Star Wars collectibles, visit Dorkside Toys!

This week, we discuss the latest Episode VII news including the replacement of screenwriter Michael Arndt and rumors about the return of Harrison Ford to the Star Wars franchise.  Dark Horse Comic's writer / artist Zack Giallongo is In The Cantina to talk about his new book Ewoks: Shadows of Endor;  Darth Vader actor David Prowse shares some of his memories, or lack thereof, from the set of Return of the Jedi in our Investigative Report, and what's up with that animated film about fairies that Lucasfilm has been developing for the last few years?  All this plus long lost RoTJ footage, RFR T-Shirts, RADIO 1138, and The Billy Dee Quote of the Week!

Most Star Wars fans know that there were scenes shot for George Lucas's original "Star Wars" film from 1977, like those featuring Jabba The Hutt & Biggs Darklighter, among others, that ended up on the cutting room floor. For years, there has been a selection of fans who believe they saw the Biggs scenes and more during the film's original run. We try to put those fuzzy memories to rest with an in-depth Investigative Report featuring our special guest, Steve Sansweet. Plus, we review all the special features of Del Rey's "Making Of..." Ebooks series, Seth Green updates IGN on Star Wars and we discuss Disney's vague announcement about "Darth Vader TV Specials". Stick around to hear Billy Dee get right to the point in the Quote of the Week! Don't forget, listen to get deets on brand new RFR T-Shirts!

RebelForce Radio introduces Star Wars Influences.  This new monthly show will take a close look at the most important influences to impact the creation of the Star Wars saga.  From Akira Kurosawa to Joseph Campbell to Flash Gordon and beyond, Jimmy Mac and Paul Bateman will dig deep beneath the surface of the many resources used by George Lucas and collaborators to create the galaxy far, far away.  In this first episode, we discuss Kurosawa's "The Hidden Fortress" and dismiss the myth that Star Wars was a direct recreation of the classic Japanese film.  Plus, Tatooine origins, and "Dune".  And, Paul reviews the new book "Star Wars Art: Concepts", Star Wars 1313, and more.  Join us each month as we discover the Influences of Star Wars on RebelForce Radio.

Dave Filoni returns to RebelForce Radio to join us for a "Rebels Recap" in the wake of the big reveals made at NYCC about the upcoming TV show "Star Wars Rebels".  We provide analysis for all the new details dropped in New York last weekend, along with discussion about The Clone Wars Season 5 Blu Ray, the upcoming TCW "Bonus Content" and more.  Plus, Harrison Ford clams up again, this time on BBC's Graham Norton Show, new potential titles for Episode VII are rumored, and Billy Dee talks about his favorite nerdy TV show in another hilarious Quote of the Week.

We're throwing away the Episode VII rumors and focusing on cold, hard facts this week on RFR with audio highlights from recent interviews with major players from the Star Wars saga. Hear from JJ Abrams, Harrison Ford, Jett Lucas and more. New info about the future of Star Wars at the Disney Parks is leaked, and we got the deets. And, we review the new Rebels teaser, The Making of Return of the Jedi, and the Black Series Mara Jade action figure. Plus, James Caan has a gripe with the original Han Solo, Marina Sirtis wants to get rebellious, and Billy Dee meets Bane.

James Arnold Taylor from The Clone Wars, Star Wars books Editor for Del Rey Erich Schoeneweiss, and Geek Out Loud's Steve Glossen gather around the Roundtable with Jimmy Mac to discuss "Star Wars: Kenobi".  It's a fun onversation that digs deep into the character of Obi-Wan Kenobi during his early days on Tatooine. Plus, James Arnold Taylor performs a reading of "Kenobi" produced by Jimmy Mac exclusively for RFR.  And, Star Wars Audiobooks narrator Jonathan Davis talks to Jason & Jimmy about recording over 25 Star Wars stories for Random House Audio. If that wasn't enough, we have one more Kenobi Keychain to give away. Listen to learn how you can win!  To hear Jonathan Davis perform "Star Wars: Kenobi" visit www.audiblepodcast.com/RFR to sign up for a membership and a FREE audiobook download! 

Ahsoka Tano actress Ashley Eckstein is celebrating her birthday today and RebelForce Radio is hosting an unforgettable bash in her honor!  Join us for a fun hangout with Ashley as we enjoy some sweet treats with our party guests and a few surprises along the way, including an Ahsoka/Anakin reunion you don't want to miss, courtesy of Matt Lanter!  Plus, conversation about Star Wars: The Clone Wars, giveaways, trivia, and more!

Steve Sansweet stops by to talk about Rancho Obi-Wan finally being recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest collection of Star Wars memorbilia in the world.  And creator of the Lucasfilm's iconic bronze Yoda statue, legendary Star Wars artist Lawrence Noble joins us to talk about the relation between art and a galaxy far, far away. Plus, Billy Dee slaps us around and more!  To contribute to "The Art Of Lawrence Noble" Kickstarter project, visit http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/970452904/the-art-of-lawrence-noble?ref=live Become a member at Rancho Obi-Wan!  www.ranchoobiwan.org Get the newest Star Wars action figures and more at www.dorksidetoys.com

Actors Daniel Logan & Tom Kane joined RebelForce Radio in Central Illinois at the 2013 Marigold Festival for a special show with a live audience. Join Jimmy Mac for an in-depth interview recorded live in Pekin Illinois on Sunday September 8th,  Daniel and Tom talk about the early days in their careers, all the way up through Star Wars: The Clone Wars and beyond. Listen closely for hints about the upcoming Clone Wars Bonus Content and Star Wars Rebels.  Plus, a surprise visit from the 501st, Rebel Legion and Mando Mercs!