The Bearded Trio

Kenny Baker Answers Our Quick Fire Questions We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to ask Kenny Baker some quick fire questions. Big thanks to Ken Mills author of Tiny Acorns for making this all possible. Ken said "It was a refreshing change not to get the usual "Was it hot in the robot in the desert ? " We wanted to try something different so here goes: What was your favourite Star Wars moment? Favourite Star Wars moment was receiving the first pay cheque - £20,000 which couldn't have come at a better time and helped buy the house outright. What was your least favourite moment? Least favourite thing was having to wear the Ewok costumes - they were so uncomfortable . What is the most unusual thing you have been asked to do by a fan? Being asked to sign certain parts of ladies anatomies ( cleaned up ) Although you have worked with so many superstars over the years, is there still someone you would love to work with? Who would I loved to ha...

British film executive Gareth Wigan, behind such movies as Chariots of Fire, Star Wars and Alien, has died at the age of 78 following a brief illness. "He was there for me when I needed him and I'll always be grateful," said Star Wars director George Lucas. Barbra Streisand, director of Prince of Tides which Wigan worked on, said he was "one of the smartest, kindest, most loving people I have ever known." A pioneer of global cinema, Wigan also backed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The film's director Ang Lee said: "Gareth Wigan was a unique figure in the movie business. He was a true English gentleman, a great soul. He made quality films, and he was also a pioneer of studio investment in foreign films." Memorial service Martin Scorsese also paid tribute: "I have fond memories of our work together on The Age of Innocence. I've often wished we could have worked on another production as I've always had great admiration for Gar...

Oh I have fond memories of The Jurassic Park Ride. My wife, on the other hand doesn't. You see I managed to convince her to join me on the ride at Universal Studios, Hollywood. It starts off gentle, a nice sedate ride but I forgot to mention the rather steep drop at the end. All I can remember was her saying "I want to get off" as we were climbing. Nasty? Yes, but she's got me back plenty of times since then.

by Rob Wainfur Well lets get one thing straight here. I have no doubt that 3D is the way of the future. Having watched Avatar you can't help but think that anything else is, well, just flat! But come on! A Jaws remake in 3D? You see I'm a bit worried here. In the eighties there was a time when 3D was the talk of the movie industry. Movies started coming out in 3D, every other sequel was in 3D and they were bad, VERY BAD! The best you could hope for was some character on screen pointing a stick at the screen or something being thrown at you. It was terrible and the story was non-existent. 3D movies dwindled away as the viewing public lost faith and interest. Now I just hope the same thing doesn't happen again. You see riding on the success of Avatar, film companies are green lighting a lot of movies in 3D especially remakes. Halloween 3D, Swamp Thing 3D, Re-animator 3D, The Gate 3D to name a few and now there is a rumour of Jaws being remade in 3D. Acco...

Goonies Remake On The Way? We've been hearing about a "Goonies" remake for a while, one that would focus on the kids of the original characters. And during a press junket for "Percy Jackson and the Olympians," director Chris Columbus confirmed that he and Steven Spielberg have been working on ideas. " I'd love to see another Goonies movie out there, " said Columbus. " The kids would have to be the parents, and their kids would be the Goonies. We just need something, as Steven [Spielberg] said the other day, he said, 'How do you beat finding an entire pirate ship filled with treasure underground? What can be as exciting?' So we have to come up with something that can be equally as exciting. What can be the next adventure? " Unfortunately, until there is a story, the "Goonies" remake is nothing more than just wishful thinking. " I'm not working on it, " added Columbus. " Everybody is coming to m...

by Rob Wainfur Lets get the one criticism out of the way. James Horner's Avatar soundtrack sounds very similar in places to his other work especially Titanic. He has been criticised before for re-using his material. But you know what? I don't care. Why get criticised for re-using stuff if the material in the first place is spectacular? I for one am pleased because I know if I listen to a James Horner soundtrack I am getting top class music consistently. Avatar is no exception. In fact I would probably go as far as to say that this is his finest work. Horner use of a jungle rhythm and ethnic choir voices combined with his signature long cues make this a soundtrack for every one's collection. The soundtrack can be split into three. The first few tracks are soft and a build up to the experience of Pandora. Once the movie enters Pandora then the soundtrack really shines. Uplifting, happy, spiritual music that will make you want to watch the movie again and again...

Steven Spielberg on Gremlins Remake "I spoke to Steven Spielberg a couple days ago and said, 'You know, I've been reading on the internet about this 'Gremlins 3D' and no one's approached him either, so I don't know if that's really true," said Columbus. "Maybe it's going on behind our backs." It's very unlikely that a "Gremlins" reboot would happen without the Spielberg knowing about it, but it doesn't mean that Spielberg and Columbus would not want to give the franchise another shot. "It would be fun to go back and revisit them," said Columbus. But he warned that if someone makes another installment to not go down the CGI route. "Something like 'Gremlins,' which is a movie I really like, I think it's impossible to recreate in a CGI environment," Columbus continued. "I think it will inevitably lose some of its charm. Those are edgy Muppets in a sense and you don't want t...

Zachary Quinto has reportedly been cast as George Gershwin in Steven Spielberg's biopic of the famed composer. The Star Trek actor will lead the cast of the Dreamworks feature, which will tell how Gershwin and his brother Ira were responsible for more than a dozen Broadway shows, including Strike Up The Band , Funny Face and Show Girl . Gershwin passed away in 1937 at the age of 38 following surgery to treat a brain tumour. He received a posthumous Oscar nomination for his song 'They Can't Take That Away From Me', which featured in Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers musical Shall We Dance . Doug Wright wrote the script for the untitled Gershwin movie, which is one of three projects Spielberg is considering directing this year. Tags: steven spielberg , quinto

Veteran film producer David Brown, whose credits include Jaws and Driving Miss Daisy , has passed away at the age of 93. The star died at his home in Manhattan, NY on Monday after battling with a long illness. He also introduced Elvis Presley in Love Me Tender and Steven Spielberg as a now Oscar-winning director to the big screen. Brown, who was born in New York City, was married for more than 50 years to Cosmopolitan editor, author and sole survivor Helen Gurley.

D reamWorks has launched a nationwide casting call for its upcoming action drama Reel Steel. Director Shawn Levy and his fellow producers are searching for the role of a ten-year-old boy to star opposite Hugh Jackman (pictured). Real Steel is set in a future where robot boxing is a popular spectator sport. Jackman plays a former boxer who reunites with his long-lost son to train a unique robot for a championship fight. John Gatins wrote the screenplay. Levy is producing with Don Murphy and Susan Montford, while the executive producers are Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, Jack Rapke, Steve Starkey, Josh McLaglen and Mary McLaglen. Child actors can make themselves known either by submitting a videotaped audition or attending a series of open calls in Chicago and New York later in the month.

These congratulatory pieces of artwork are almost a tradition between big directors. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas have exchanged similar compliments in the past. This one is of course for James Cameron from George Lucas

Gold THX Logo with The Audience Is Listening and Lucasfilm, fantastic wallpaper or to print out for your cinema room.

by Robert Wainfur One of my most vivid childhood memories was in 1977 when I was taken to the cinema by my brother to watch a movie that to be honest I wasn't that much aware of. After all, I was five years old at the time. Of course that movie was Star Wars. We queued up for two hours around the cinema willing the queue to move, sometimes it did but only because someone had left or someone had cut in! Eventually that queue did move and we made it inside. Those next couple of hours changed my life forever. An overload on the senses ingrained in my head within two hours that would remain with me for the rest of my life and ultimately influence me and my interests. It changed me into a sci-fi geek, almost assimilating me into its culture. The amazing special effects, the characters and that John Williams soundtrack (which I was asking my brother to hum to me on the way home) took me by surprise and I wanted more. I bought the trading cards, the figures (and still collect...

Harrison Ford Ready To Be Indiana Jones Again In Fifth Movie Harrison Ford as the adventure addicted professor & archaeologist Indiana Jones will never opt for a retirement. Yes the 67 year old star, who immortalized the character of Indiana Jones, & vice versa, is at it again. He revealed that he would more than love to don that trademark cowboy hat and whip again and set out on a new breath taking adventure. “If we find another story to do and we develop the character a little further and I get a chance to do another one, I’d be happy as pie to do it,” he told to Cinematical. Ford’s last appearance as Indiana Jones was in 2008 in the Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull says that he takes an active part with the director of this series Steven Spielberg, in making the movie more adventurous. “I’ve always been interested in developing the character, and bringing more information ab out the character each time we’ve gone out.” “We’ve found ways of d...

Darth Vader and a number of Storm Troopers from the Star Wars Saga rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. They, along with R2-D2, were there as representatives of Lucasfilm Ltd.

This is a gem of a find. This is 50 minute documentary from the 80's all about ILM (Industrial Light And Magic). The British documentary called Horizon (that is still going today) goes into a lot of detail especially focusing on Return Of The Jedi and Indiana Jones. This is a must see for all ILM and Star Wars fans alike.  It was shown on BBC2 and called How To Film The Impossible. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Lucas Licensing exec rings Opening Bell as Star Wars remains number one selling licensed toy brand. Executives and guests of Lucasfilm and the Star Wars Saga have visited the New York Stock Exchange to celebrate the continued success of the evergreen brand. After more than 30 years, Star Wars is the number one selling licensed toy property in the US, with sales over 60 per cent ahead of any other toy licence, and 25 per cent ahead of the nearest boys toy property (Source: Lucasfilm Ltd.) To mark the occasion, Lucas Licensing’s Howard Roffman rang the Opening Bell accompanied by a number of characters including droid R2-D2, Sith Lord Darth Vader and a color guard of stormtroopers and clone troopers.

The Bearded Trio would very much like to wish Steven a very happy birthday. Have a great day!

T he Star Wars® Saga continues in 2010 with Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II , a sequel to the blockbuster videogame developed by LucasArts. Released in 2008, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed remains the fastest-selling Star Wars game ever, with sales of nearly seven million units worldwide. The action game garnered numerous accolades including the WGA Award for outstanding achievement in writing for videogames. With Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II , the epic story continues as players once again assume the role of the devastatingly powerful Starkiller - Darth Vader's secret apprentice set during the largely unexplored era between Star Wars : Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars : Episode IV A New Hope . "Executive Producer Haden Blackman and his team have been able to build on the core foundation of the award-winning original and create a powerful combination of engrossing story-telling and intense action. The Force Unleashed II gives fans an opportuni...