News

George Lucas' original "Star Wars" may be the most over-examined film in the medium's history. Since its May 25, 1977 theatrical release, fans have scoured every scene for odd detail and bloopers, which has led to a load of trivial observations. Why was C-3Po tasked with burning the dead jawa corpses by himself, and did he suffer any Ptsd from this grisly errand (which R2-D2 just watched like the freak that he is – though it's possible he pitched in by sparking the fire with his taser)? Did Mark Hamill accidentally yell "Carrie" when he disembarked his X-wing?

Most importantly, what was up with the Stormtrooper who, upon boarding the Rebel Alliance's Tantive IV spacecraft at the beginning of the movie, bashed his head on a door ceiling?

There's no disputing this mistake. It's right there on-screen, and Lucas has yet to make an attempt to digitally remove it (that we know of). There's also,...

Christian Bale has been a part of some of the biggest movie franchises in history: playing the Dark Knight in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, turning up as John Connor in Terminator: Salvation and recently joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe via Thor: Love and Thunder. Now, Bale has revealed who he should play if he’s ever fortunate enough to join the Star Wars saga.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter to promote his latest, Amsterdam, Christian Bale recalled a fond memory from his childhood related to Star Wars. “All I ever wanted in Star Wars was to be in a Star Wars outfit and hit my head on a door or something as I walked through. The real nerds who watched Star Wars way too many times always knew about that one scene where the Stormtrooper hits his head on the door as he comes through. I wanted to be that guy.

Science fiction films require attention to detail from both the audience and the filmmakers. The best sci-fi movies of all time — such as "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "Blade Runner," or "The Matrix" — are so packed with details that you can rewatch them over and over again, discovering new things each time. Some franchises with extensively expanded universes have deepened our understanding of what's going on in the background. Even if they're only on screen for a few moments, the characters in the Mos Eisley cantina in the original "Star Wars" each have fictional backstories within the spinoff novels and comic books. In the age of social media, sci-fi movie buffs are more active than ever in scouring their favorite films for hidden easter eggs. It's interesting to read the theories that some fans come up with, as some may seem plausible while others are completely ridiculous.

Comedian Jamie Stangroom, the mastermind behind the 'These Are the Actors You're Looking For' webs series, has taken it upon himself to hunt for the actor who portrayed the Stormtrooper responsible for quite possibly the greatest movie blooper of all time. We've all seen it. The moment in A New Hope where C-3Po and R2-D2 are trying to stop the trash compactor from crushing Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie. The duo are of course able to pull it off, but not before 3 Stormtroopers rush into the room as a door opens and one of the Stormtroopers hits his head on the door. The oversight remained in the final cut of the movie and the Stormtrooper has become a blundering legend among Star Wars fans all over the world.

Through further investigation and in a bizarre twist of fate, Stangroom has discovered that there are three actors who are taking...

By Bill Duelly

We’ve seen them at sci-fi or collectibles conventions shows; some more so in England than the Us. They man tables with stacks of photos, offering autographs or pictures for a fee. In many cases their faces aren’t familiar, as their characters wore heavy makeup or masks in their appearance in the original “Star Wars” film. Still, even as you approach them face-to-face some of these people still don’t ring a bell. Maybe it’s because their scenes were deleted or they were an extra amongst many. Others, you discover are a familiar masked character and you are happy to chat for a few moments with them, as that movie, and its two sequels (I am only referring to the original trilogy starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher), had such a lasting impact on your childhood.

“Elstree 1976” is a recent documentary that follows ten such actors who,...

Everybody knows Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher. When Disney bought Lucasfilm from George Lucas and announced they’d be producing a new Star Wars trilogy and spin-off features, everyone knew those three would be back in the fold. Even guys like Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels, and Kenny Baker were known commodities to consult if not star underneath the costumes they made famous. But what of the other actors — the nameless, sometimes faceless, and almost always uncredited performers who were a part of something so universally revered? Does their being extras mean they weren’t as important to the legend? Fans lining up for autographs don’t think so. Anyone on set and immortalized in one of history’s greatest cinematic franchises is an unequivocal hero.

To people like me who love the series but never rendered it into a cornerstone of daily life, however, these smaller, hidden roles prove an intriguing curio.

This weekend (November 23rd & 24th) sees the McM Comic Con and Memorabilia show take place at the NEC in Birmingham. We’ll be there on the Saturday, checking out what’s happening at one of the UK’s biggest conventions. If you haven’t grabbed a ticket yet, what are you waiting for? Ok, ok, so some of you may still be undecided, so let me tempt you with a rundown of just some highlights of the guests attending the event this weekend…

Red Dwarf Reunion – Chris Barrie (Arnold Rimmer); Hattie Hayridge (Holly); Danny John-Jules (The Cat) and Robert Llewellyn (Kryten) from much-loved British sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf. Quadrophenia Reunion – Stars Phil Daniels (Jimmy); Toyah Willcox (Monkey) and Daniel Peacock (Danny) celebrate the ultimate mod movie, based on The Who’s 1973 rock opera.

Richard Donat and Kate Kelton from popular sci-fi series Haven. Donat plays Vince Teagues, leader of The...

The Celebrity line-up has been announced for this month's Winter Memorabilia Show at the NEC, near Birmingham.

Movie stars, TV personalities and sporting legends will be meeting fans and giving autographs at the UK convention.

Game of Thrones actors Finn Jones, Roxanne McKee, James Cosmo (above), Miltos Yerolemou (below) and Spencer Wilding will be among those in attendance - and they're bringing the hit fantasy series' iconic Iron Throne along with them.

James Cosmo (Braveheart, Highlander) plays Jeor Mormont, the 997th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and the estranged father of Ser Jorah, while Roxanne McKee (Hollyoaks) plays Doreah, a handmaid and companion of Daenerys Targaryen who schools the young princess in the art of love.

Attending Memorabilia on November 19 only, Finn Jones plays the handsome Ser Loras Tyrell, a champion jouster known as the Knight of Flowers.

Miltos Yerolemou plays Syrio Forel, former First Sword of the Sealord of Braavos,...