NumberWan

I haven't seen any Dark Side Padme (and it's actually difficult to imagine, even though I am not unfamiliar with other N.Portman's works like Black Swan and Closer, etc), there were several reskins of her model to look like someone else. I remember there was a very strange resin of Padme to look like Mara Jade. Very strange.

The deleted scenes are incomplete. The chase scene wasn't finished, so it is released as it is. Aside from this one most other episodes are nothing special. The various trailers, promos and also toys suggested we would see something like this in the film. I don't how that would fit into the plot though. Very different photos showed so much made specifically for the film, like curious droids, unusual aliens, all of which was left behind the scenes. And even the deleted material doesn't show much in this regard. An Article here describes some of the moments, which would be memorable. But they are nowhere. I hoped to see Consteble Zuvio, Rey vs Unkar confrontation, Tripd AT-AT like machines and some more things. Having rewatched Episode VII several times together with the new materials, I feel, that the film is quite weak even though I would give it 7/10. Having read several reviews, made especially when DVD is out there (almost or not), I agree with most of them, that the first 1/3 of the film is far better than what we see later. I hoped that at least the deleted scenes would expand the explanation of the last 2/3s and throw away the confusion.

Actually that's the point, that Maul had a small, but shadowy, even mysterious appearance in Episode I. I like the idea, that he is probably the only lead to the old Sith heritage, that'd been in talks long before The Phantom Menace, including the game of Mysteries of the Sith. Sidious was on the contrary someone, who could see, that the old concept of the Sith would't work. And differed from the old Sith. If we take the old canon into account (even today), then Palpatine managed to accomplish something far superior than anyone of the old Sith could imagine. I always felt, that Maul was part of a scheme quite different from what Sidious made possible by the time of Episode II. Count Dooku was very much in his place. He doesn't look like a Sith, but rather like an aristocrat. He doesn't even behave like Sith, more like a political figure and a leader, and he actually was all these things. Darth Maul wouldn't be able to pull anything like that from the situation in the Galaxy. He is a typical Sith assassin, a man of a few words and more of actions without witness. I also don't believe him to be a manipulative figure, more like an Executor. A concept, that was perfect for Sidious at the time. Tyranus served all his needs too, but as a new pawn of different kind. More than that Dooku is a depiction of what was really taking place by the time of Episode II. He is Sith, but in the beginning you doubt yourself, that he is a bad guy. And the Jedi too. His appearance and role show, that the line between darkness and light was significantly eroded by Palpatine's scheme on both sides, something unbelievable by people like Valorum and the Jedi back during the crisis on Naboo. And I find it remarkable to see, that Vader and Maul never meet (well, if ignoring a few seconds in TPM). That Darth Vader became the most feared person in the Galaxy and somehow triumphed over all other predecessors, and at the same time failed, where Maul might have been victorious. Actually I think, that should Maul have survived the Naboo battle, the Clone Wars might have not happen, and Sidious would't even need Vader. Or at least Vader would have been very different. I also feel, that in this regard Maul and Vader's images could also be mixed and look too much alike, what would diminish the unique style of each of them. Still I like the way Maul acted in Rebels. But for me this will forever be a different Maul. Only a shadow in the flesh, but no true Darth Maul, who was on Naboo decades prior.

For me the problem of JO animation was that some cool stuff from it is no longer available in Jedi Academy. I am speaking about the cinema tics animations of course, which include the Chiss Bartender moves with a glass of beer, his "afraid" animation and a few others. Nothing special for combat-oriented modifications, but still would be a welcomed come back to JA

I watched a small review of the episode, and I am glad some people noticed, that the Sith Holocron has a female voice. If we look behind the scenes, that is the voice of the same actress, who voiced Assaj Ventress for TCW. However I am positive it's not her holocron. I am thinking of Darth Traya actually. The temple looks nothing like what we see in KOTOR 2, and I would prefer an open speculation to that (another planet in the system, a new temple, a reconstructed Trayus academy, etc). It would be quite symbolic, if that holocron was that of Kreia, who despised both the Jedi and the Sith a lot. For now the voice is simply called "The Presence". Dave Filoni said, that he has a name for the creator of the holocron, but he won't reveal it right now. I hoped Maul would be killed in this episode and finally mark his final calm down as an overused and overcharged character in Star Wars. The only reason, why Maul doesn't confront Vader in this episode is that we see so many battles already, that they want something special left for Season 3. No doubt the conflict would show up later on.

Surely! I check every episode of Rebels, though it doesn't captivate me in the way TCW once managed (especially with later seasons). I am glad there was no confrontation between Vader and Maul – it would be too cheesy, as this has been in minds of fans for a decade now. In all other ways the episode was very intense, quite mysterious, captivating and left us both with questions and answers. Before that there were two mini-news from Dave Filoni: first is that the Grand Inquisitor is actually the one of the Temple guards, who were present at Ahsoka's trial back in TCW. Secondly they want to bring Rex closer to the Episodes. For instance there is a big discussion about one of the Rebels in Episode VI Return of the Jedi, actually looking like older Rex during battle of Endor.

So there is more information on Dern's character. Also some news about Leia (careful!!!)

When I saw the first pictures of max Kanata, I thought she would remind us sort of a hamster alien. Maybe close to Commerce Guild aliens. Later on some photos indicated, that perhaps at an early stage Maz Kanata had blue eyes. The news about The Force Awakens Lego video game also indicate, that for some reasons Maz's eyes should be blue. I thought, she should look like this:

@ I would prefer Dern's character to be Han's daughter, as I said. As Kylo is her son, I find it strange that nobody mentions his siblings. Maybe he had someone, like a sister which he killed during the massacre, and Han and Leia don't mention it in the manner, as Yoda and Obi Wan tell nothing about Luke's sister in Episode V. But all this doesn't make sense. As for the mask of Kylo Ren, I also thought, that he lost his helmet, thus he might need a new appearance. Not sure what would be best – to see a hew design on his face of the old one, implying he had more than one at his disposal.

The latest rumour, as according to makingstarwars.com, is that Laura Dern's character is a major figure in the Republic.

That's a cancelled concept art, nothing of this will end in Episode VIII. I am glad they used a different hair style (even though I like this one), because he is so far from the civilization and that would mean, Luke didn't have to worry about his looks, paying more attention to the studies and philosophy.

I hope Episode VIII won't be a repetition of TESB. At least visually – create new planets and new aliens! And new designs. Cloud City was a rare case in the Original Trilogy, where we see a civilized city. Tatooine was great, my favorite planet, but it's important to see diversity in the Galaxy. I also thought, that they could have introduced more ships in TFA, though they decided to follow ANH pattern, I agree here. The only explanation, to tell the truth. Or some sort of time constraints/budget/Studios desires, etc. The New Republic was more about diplomacy and trade, it seems. Leia warned them, but they didn't listen, as the Remnants of the Empire didn't bother anyone much in the last 30 years, it seems. The remaining fractions (not Republic ones) did of course notice the destruction of such an important system, as Hosnian Prime. We can remember what it was like in KOTOR: it's probably one of a few sources in Star Wars which allow you to travel after the big boom (destruction of Taris) and ask ordinary people, what they think about it. When arriving on Tatooine I remember, how different people and aliens spoke of the rumors and news. A Duros fugitive on Dantooine, if I am correct, compares the fall of his home world because of the Sith to the tragedy of Taris. Czerka Representatives introduce a milder version of the events though. So perhaps this is what we have with minor players in Galactic affairs, like this CB planet. I doubt many have a fleet capable of fighting former Galactic Empire. Corporations like Techno Union, Banking Clan or Trade Federation no longer exist, and the Republic is decapitated.

@ Some new aliens. I see only one species familiar from the background in Episode VII, and he makes it into Episode VIII. I will feel uneasy, if there aren't least some familiar faces in the naxt chapters like Twi'leks, Nikto or Rodians. Seeing Duros would also be nice. Mix the new ones with old ones! @@DrXann I guess, the New Republic is in disarray, since most of the fleet is destroyed as well as the capital and the government. We can assume, that all remaining planets are thinking, what side to join in the upcoming conflict, or perhaps stay away from it completely (the encyclopedia mentioned, that the New Republic Chancellor is trying to negotiate with such worlds, ignoring military affairs). So it's another crisis even for the best of the best Republic Allies. The First Order is also in no good shape: it relied too much on the Starkiller Base, and its destruction was also a revelation of Order's nature and actions. It might have been ignored by many in the past, but no longer possible, as some would fear its next moves, while others would try to remain neutral or even ally themselves with someone like that. This new planet, that we might call "CB" (as written on guards helmets) for the time-being, is a location far from the main events. They might be not affiliated with either of the sides. Like Tatooine during the Clone Wars. The banquet suggests, that some main heroes are to meet someone important on this planet, moving in secret perhaps, as agents of the opposite side (First Order?) are chasing them through the streets. Their presence endangers the local life, meaning that the time of stylish parties with Corellian champagne would end soon as the planet is occupied...

There is another portion of interesting concept art for Episode VII revealed. I think @@DT85 might find this one interesting to inspect: Personally some pictures look far more interesting than the final shots. More here

Agreed about 1900s. There are some more pictures, and I feel, there is sort of a yacht, and a banquet. So I guess Episode VIII won't be that much secret as Episode VII, mostly because we already know the setting, the general situation in the Galaxy and the timing. TFA was also made using such locations as National parks, desert and closed studios, where preserving secrecy was easier, and it was even more important to keep everything very secret. Now there is no such thing, and it's more difficult to create a city in the city without much attention. Edited

Oh, that is possible. But they can also be from Corulag or other Core Worlds. They tend to return these locations into canon. Another portion. I have found my new favorite alien in this one (as you might know I like Duros, Bith and Neimodians):

@@DrXann Why Coruscant? There are definitely other planets, which can serve the purpose. The architecture itself doesn't look like Coruscant at all, moreover it uses bricks and stones instead of metal. And the planet reminds more of a mix between aesthetics and technology, rather than Art Deco of the former Galactic capital. Besides, if it were Coruscant, why would they need to create all this setting in Croatia? The location of Dubrovnik is notable for many historical sites, peculiar architecture and city layout, already used in Game of Thrones. My guess, that they want to use all the benefits of this place (old buildings, city walls, fountain, nature, mountains at the distance) to the maximum to create something new. I thought that the planet can be a neutral world, where the characters could be hiding. It's not part of the Republic, nor of the First Order. Perhaps after the Starkiller incident many planets thought of staying away from the Republic, expecting to be untouched while the conflict is going on. I am positive, that the destruction of Hosnian Prime ignited a huge conflict, which is far greater than what we saw in TFA. Superweapons are not available here, but rather it is a matter of the size of the army and fleet now. I find it remarkable, that the above posted spoiler design lives in one Galaxy together with this (shot from Episode V, don't worry): And all other planets kept in mind.

@@Ramikad I follow Jason Court page in social media. He seems to be more into hiking and mountain sports, traveling too. Sometimes he appears in TV shows, but that's it. I doubt, he recalls much from his experience in Star Wars, and most likely he doesn't even follow what's going on there now. But this doesn't mean Katarn won't make a return! In the past they split the DS Plans operations, so that the plans are a complicated data and only the information from several Imperial sources could help the Alliance. It's still possible even with the new Rogue One movie. Well, at least I'll find a way to bring the two into one Universe. Edited: Found this video, which suggests what might be the plot for Rogue One. Well done actually. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jwiAWYZsQs

I guess it's intentional to show Rebel designs in other forces around the Galaxy, like in the case of Naboo, Alderaan (Clone Wars series), as well as Republic and Telosian troopers. And there are new revelations about this city! It seems it is now taking shape!

This isn't the first movie about Darth Maul. There also was the story, when Iridonians fight each other on the planet, showing some traits of a savage beast. While they fight each other, only one rises. He is not Darth Maul, but rather the most powerful from the pack. He is then confronted by another Zabrak, with whom they have a intense duel, until the latter emerges victorious striking the deformed opponent. We then see, that it was actually a test, created by Sidious to see, whether it was right to begin training with Darth Maul. He then leaves the planet for his assignments. I watched it long ago, so I can't remember the exact story too well. In that case the plot wasn't essential as well, it was about the personality of Darth Maul and a bit of dueling, though not in the same way like in this fan film. Here is the old movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9UEV-b2Ws4 Or here in 2 parts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr_dYtEUtUI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPI59Yw3svE There also was a nice cartoon, that included only two episodes about Darth Maul (released in 2007) (I actually like the voice of Darth Maul here the most) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK51VJYVIfA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVvcMlka6Hc

Now this is interesting: we have new characters and more spotted in Dubrovnik. These are very new guys, but remind of something. No main cast. I managed to "read" it - CBPD. Perhaps PD is for the Police Department, while CB – the short for some location.