So the verdict is in, and Ahsoka is returning to Disney+. As reported in Variety, the Rosario Dawson-fronted Star Wars spinoff series is in development for a sophomore season.
The news broke after Jon Favreau announced a new Star Wars film featuring fan-favorite characters, The Mandalorian and Grogu, coming to the silver screen for the first time. ICYMI, Dawson came into the Star Wars universe after fans made the idea of her playing Ahsoka go viral. The feeling between the studio and Dawson was mutual and led to Lucasfilm casting her in the titular role. That’s what you call speaking truth to power.
In 2020, Dawson told Vanity Fair, “Someone tweeted me and fancast me. I retweeted back and I was like, ‘Absolutely, yes please’ and #AhsokaLives.’ And apparently that got the attention of someone who has been doing the Star Wars press for years. She forwarded it to Dave Filoni. That kind of started a whole thing.”
Ahsoka’s first season was a hit and starred Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ivanna Sakhno, Diana Lee Inosanto, Ray Stevenson, David Tennent, Lars Mikkelsen, and Eman Esfandi. Surprisingly, Ahsoka gave us the return of Hayden Christensen’s role as Anakin Skywalker, who mentored Ahsoka. Ultimately, Skywalker became the dreaded Darth Vader.
If you want to catch up on the series, check out the first season of Ahsoka on Disney+.
Pacers center Myles Turner was allowed to express his full inner geek when the team held a Star Wars night earlier this week. Turner arrived dressed as Han Solo while his partner wowed in a faithful recreation of Princess Leia’s iconic outfit. The pair had previously dressed as Hogwarts students to celebrate Halloween. However, people have been begging Turner for the woman’s name as it is something he has kept very private. Furthermore, Turner appeared in a Jedi robe and wielding a lightsaber in several promotional images for the event.
As for the game itself, the force was certainly with the high-flying Pacers. They blew out the Hornets 144-113. Turner had 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks to do his part as the team snapped a four-game losing streak. However, Turner picked up a hamstring injury during the game. As a result, he is currently listed as a game-time decision ahead of the team’s next game against the Grizzlies.
Speaking of the Grizzlies, a new shadow hangs over recently returned star Ja Morant. According to Judge Carol Chumney who is presiding over an assault suit involving Morant, she is not ready to rule on whether he is protected by self-defense immunity. She stated that she needed more time with the case due to the lack of precedent. Tennessee has stringent self-defense laws. However, they have never been applied to a civil case like the one Morant is facing.
Morant has been sued by Joshua Holloway. Holloway claims that Morant assaulted him when Holloway attended a pick-up game at Morant’s home. Morant has countered that he was defending himself as Holloway hit him in the face with a basketball. Furthermore, Morant’s lawyers have argued that this qualifies Morant for immunity from prosecution under state law. The ongoing trial has played out in the background as Morant scored 34 points, including a game-winning buzzer-beater, in his NBA return this week.
Harrison Ford, an iconic figure in the world of cinema, has a net worth that speaks volumes about his illustrious career. As of 2023, the legendary actor boasts an estimated net worth of a staggering $300 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Harrison Ford’s journey to stardom is nothing short of inspirational. Before his big break, Ford was a struggling actor, working as a carpenter to make ends meet. His life took a dramatic turn when, while building cabinets for George Lucas, he was asked to read for a new project titled Star Wars. His performance was so compelling that he was cast as the now-iconic Han Solo. This role catapulted him to global fame, and he never looked back.
Ford’s career is a testament to his versatility and talent. After Star Wars, he became the face of the Indiana Jones franchise, delivering memorable performances in films like Blade Runner, The Fugitive, and What Lies Beneath. In 2023, Ford reprised his role as Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, further solidifying his status as one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. Impressively, three of Ford’s films rank among the top five box-office hits of all time.
The Financials Behind The Fame
American actor Harrison Ford, as Hans Solo, on the set of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope written, directed and produced by Georges Lucas. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
Ford’s earnings over the years reflect his immense contribution to the film industry. For instance, after earning a modest $10,000 from the original Star Wars, his paycheck saw a significant boost with sequels, earning $100,000 for The Empire Strikes Back and $500,000 for The Return of the Jedi. His role as Han Solo in 2015’s The Force Awakens earned him a whopping $25 million, including a share of the box office gross.
His portrayal of Indiana Jones also brought in substantial earnings. While exact figures for the first three films remain undisclosed, Ford’s return to the franchise in 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull earned him, along with executive producers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, a staggering $65 million each.
Personal Life & Investments
HOLLYWOOD – JUNE 09: Actors Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart pose during the 33rd AFI Life Achievement Award tribute to George Lucas at the Kodak Theatre on June 9, 2005 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Beyond his acting career, Ford’s personal life and investments also draw attention. He has been married thrice, with his divorce from E.T. screenwriter Melissa Mathison ranking among the most expensive celebrity divorces, costing Ford between $90-100 million. Further, Ford’s real estate portfolio is equally impressive. He owns multiple properties in Los Angeles and a luxurious penthouse in New York City’s Flatiron District. Additionally, he owns an 800-acre ranch in Wyoming, half of which he generously donated as a nature reserve.
A Passion For Aviation
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 14: (L-R) Ke Huy Quan and Harrison Ford attend the Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny U.S. Premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on June 14, 2023. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney)
An avid aviation enthusiast, Ford owns up to 10 planes and a helicopter. Despite a few incidents, his passion for flying remains undeterred. He often flies from Los Angeles to Wyoming, and in a heartwarming gesture, he has made his helicopter available for emergency rescues in Wyoming.
Harrison Ford’s net worth in 2023 is a testament to his unparalleled talent, dedication, and the iconic roles he has portrayed over the years. From a carpenter to one of the highest-grossing actors in Hollywood, Ford’s journey is a shining example of perseverance and passion. As he continues to enthrall audiences worldwide, his legacy in cinema remains etched in gold.
Donald Glover’s upcoming Disney+ show, Lando, will now be released as a full-length film, his brother, Stephen, confirmed during a recent appearance on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast. While explaining that production on the project is currently on pause because of the 2023 WGA/SAG-AFTRA strike, Stephen provided limited details on its plans.
“The idea right now is to do a movie,” he admitted. “That’s the thing, because of the strike, it’s kind of like, telephone all of the information coming up.” The Hollywood Reporter also confirmed that the project will officially move forward as a movie for LucasFilm on Thursday.
Donald Glover At The Premiere Of “Solo: A Star Wars Story”
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 21: Donald Glover attends “Solo: A Star Wars Story” New York Premiere on May 21, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Glover previously discussed the idea of reprising his role as Lando Calrissian during an interview with GQ back in April. He explained at the time: “I would love to play Lando again. It’s a fun time, being him. It just has to be the right way to do it. Time is precious. I’m not interested in doing anything that’s going to be a waste of my time or just a paycheck. I’d much rather spend time with people that I enjoy. It just has to be the right thing, and I think it could be. Lando is definitely somebody I like to hang out with.”
Stephen Glover Discusses New Star Wars Project
Glover made his debut as Lando Calrissian during the 2018 film, Solo: A Star Wars Story. In the time since, he’s taken on several more acting roles. He currently has a reboot of Mr. and Mrs. Smith in the works for Amazon Prime Video. Glover is also reportedly going to reprise his role as Troy Barnes in the Community spin-off movie. Be on the lookout for further updates on Glover’s highly anticipated Lando film on HotNewHipHop.
Star Wars is an intellectual property that has spawned nigh countless pieces of art across all mediums. In the realm of video games, the galaxy far, far away has been omnipresent since 1983. From the early days of home consoles, the franchise has made its mark on fans worldwide.
The most recent releases in the Star Wars video game canon have been almost universally loved. Respawn Entertainment’s Jedi: Fallen Order and the recent Jedi: Survivor are masterpieces. They give players an experience like no other. Despite being (arguably) the best games set in this universe, there have been plenty of other stellar entries. Let’s take a look at some that aren’t Fallen Order or Survivor.
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast (2002)
Jedi Outcast can be seen as the blueprint for all action RPG Star Wars games since its first release. The game’s single-player campaign followed Kyle Katarn as he earned Force abilities and various weaponry from the franchise. Katarn’s story began with him forsaking The Force, only to eventually regain his abilities after falling to The Dark Side.
The gameplay was well-measured and offered players a mix of first-person and third-person action. This game was a revelation for Star Wars fans and has remained a hallmark. While it might seem quaint to modern-day gamers, Jedi Outcast was nothing short of exhilarating when it first launched.
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (2001)
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader was a launch title for the Nintendo GameCube. While most launch titles were often swallowed up by the annuls of video game history, Rogue Leader was an absolute standout. With fast-paced action and combat, this game stood head and shoulder above other titles looking to move console units.
The game spans across the Original Trilogy, in which both Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles battle in epic dogfights against The Empire. Actor Denis Lawson, who portrayed Wedge in the films, even returned to record new lines for the game. This game set a precedent for aerial combat in Star Wars video games. Even over twenty years after its release, it still plays like gangbusters.
Star Wars Battle Pod (2014)
Star Wars Battle Pod is more of an interactive amusement attraction than a video game but is a singular experience. Players sit in the cockpit of various vehicles from the Original Trilogy and find themselves immersed in classic scenes. From The Battle of Yevin to the speeder run on Endor, Battle Pod gives players an unparalleled immersive experience.
Unfortunately, unless you’re willing to shell out a king’s ransom, Battle Pod can only be experienced in an arcade setting. But if players are willing to hoof it to a Dave & Busters or similar ilk, it’s a must-play. Star Wars Battle Pod is an assault on the sense in the best way possible.
Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005)
Star Wars: Battlefront II from Pandemic Studios improved upon its predecessor in every way. It introduced a new campaign where players took control of a veteran from the 501st Legion. The scope is simply massive, from the Battle of Geonosis of The Clone Wars to the Battle of Hoth.
Battlefront II set a precedent for multiplayer combat by infusing Star Wars lore with a boots-on-the-ground experience. The game was nothing short of epic. While the single-player mode was relatively straightforward, the multiplayer mode was infinitely deep. The game was a bigger, badder version of what came before in all the best ways.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003)
Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic was nothing short of a masterpiece. Developer Bioware created a rich world for players, unlike any other Star Wars game. The game took play roughly 4000 years before the events of A New Hope, making it a wholly original experience.
With a refreshingly rich lore and character creation options, Knight of the Old Republic (KOTOR) presented fans with an unparalleled gaming experience. The game was such a hit with fans, it spawned novels and comics set in its world. Knights of the Old Republic is simply iconic in every sense. This sort of world-building was exactly what long-time fans had been craving. KOTOR might hold one of the most extraordinary tales ever told, not in only Star Wars, but video game history.
May the Fourth be with you, sweet sweet nerds. Today (May 4) is Star Wars Day. Stemming from the franchise catchphrase “May the force be with you”, May 4 has since become a celebration of all things Star Wars.
Star Wars began as humble, science-fiction epic by George Lucas in 1977. A New Hope was quickly followed by two sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and The Return Of The Jedi, in 1980 and 1983. The films quickly become engrained in the cultural zeitgeist. A prequel trilogy introduced the franchise to a new generation in the 1990s and early 2000s. This eventually led to the purchase of Lucasarts Film by Disney in 2012. There has since been a sequel trilogy, multiple animated and live-action spinoffs, and a theme park at DisneyWorld. With possibly the exception of Marvel, also owned by Disney, there are few pop cultural monoliths as well known as Star Wars.
Disney Celebrates Star Wars Day By Highlighting Extensive Catalog
Intercut with dialogue highlighting the core tenant of the franchise (freedom from tyranny), the video shared by the Disney+ social media accounts highlights just how far the franchise has come since 1977. From small screen to animated, the franchise has become more than George Lucas likely ever imagined. The video contains footage from just about every Star Wars property currently on Disney+, including:
The original trilogy
The prequels
The Rise of Skywalker sequel trilogy
Solo
Rogue One
Andor
The Mandalorian
Visions
The Bad Batch
Rebels
The Clone Wars
In addition to the video, Disney+ has released two new shows to mark May 4. The first is Volume 2 of Star Wars: Visions, a collection of animated shorts from well-known animation studios and directors. The other is Young Jedi Adventures, a new series set before the prequels that is aimed at young children. There will be more properties coming to dominate Disney+ for the rest of 2023, with the release of Ahsoka and The Skeleton Crew. Star Wars is a property that has brought joy to millions of people. Happy May 4th, if you so observe, and may the force be with you.
Lizzo just made her cameo in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian. She played the role of the Dutchess Of Plazir-15, who is the wife of Jack Black’s character, Captain Bombardier. Black shared a selfie with Lizzo and wrote that he had “so much fun” working with her. Now, the “About Damn Time” singer shared her own post.
Alongside a photo burst featuring a selfie of her in costume, as well as another silly selfie with Black and other pictures, she wrote about how she cried after being offered the role. The caption reads:
“When I was a young girl my dad introduced me to Star Wars like a rite of passage. The trilogy’s are his favorite movies and quickly became mine. When Jon favreau called me and offered the role of The Dutchess I cried all day wishing my dad was still with us cus he’d be so proud. Star Wars was a dream I never thought was possible— but thanks to Jon, Bryce, and everyone in the galaxy I am now part of the ever-expanding saga of the stars. I am in honorable company and forever grateful. This is The Way…. and May the Force be with you.”
Find Lizzo’s post below.
Lizzo is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Samuel L. Jackson remains one of the most prolific actors of our generation. His films have grossed over $27 billion worldwide, making him the second highest-grossing actor of all time. He’s second only to Stan Lee, the mastermind behind much of the Marvel Series. In fact, Jackson has gone on to play a significant role in much of the Marvel franchise as Nick Fury. Throughout his career, he’s displayed an innate ability to thrive in various roles, ranging from voiceovers to leads. Additionally, he’s worked as a producer for a variety of franchises. Jackson has also appeared in over 100 films in his decades-long career, garnering a reputation as one of the hardest workers in the industry. Today, we’re looking at Samuel L. Jackson’s most iconic performances to date.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Pulp Fiction solidified Jackson as a household name. The Quentin Tarantino classic displayed Jackson’s effortless charisma under the name of Jules Winnfield. The oddball character balanced gangsterism with spiritual enlightenment, displaying an unpredictable aura throughout the film. Teamed up with fellow actor John Travolta, Pulp Fiction acted as a launch pad for rest of Jackson’s career.
Jackson was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards for his performance. Many still reference Winnfield as the best character Jackson has played to date. While he had performed in a variety of blockbuster films before Pulp Fiction, the film cemented his ability to entertain in a lead role. Further, the movie proved that Tarantino was more than a one-hit-wonder.
Django Unchained (2012)
Tarantino has a reputation for sticking with a select-few list of actors, from Christopher Waltz to Leonardo Dicaprio. Samuel L. Jackson was added to the elite group after Pulp Fiction. He would eventually land roles in Django Unchained and The Hateful Eight. Initially wanting to audition for the part of Django, Tarantino frankly rejected the idea. The filmmaker hilariously stated that Jackson was “too old.” Jackson was offered the part of the hateful Stephen.
In tackling the role of Stephen, Jackson also pulled off one of the most complex villains he’s portrayed. His enslaved character completely bought into the racist ideology in the American South. Partnering with plantation owner Calvin Candie ( Leonardo Dicaprio), the two also acted as the main protagonists in the film. Stephen symbolized a multi-faceted view at interpersonal relationships during slavery. In fact, I believe he was likely the most intelligent character in Django Unchained.
Coach Carter (2005)
Playing the title role of Coach Ken Carter, the 2005 teen sports drama was based on a true story. Coach Carter suspended his Richmond High School basketball team for failing in academics. While his actions would become the source of controversy and discourse between himself the players’ parents, his methods would eventually be appreciated by the entire community.
Carter would also become a source of discipline and inspiration for the players. Many would go from overly confident class clowns to scholarship earners at large-scale universities. Jackson’s portrayal of Coach Carter fits well into his best qualities on television: commanding, confident, and emotive.
Star Wars Prequel Trilogy
Mace Windu was too iconic of a character to leave off of this list. Jackson was initially offered a role in The Phantom Menace after stating in an interview that he would like to work with George Lucas. Windu would become a staple character throughout the prequel trilogy, acting as a voice of reason in the Jedi Council. Extremely suspicious of Anakin Skywalker, he was proved right when Skywalker would betray him in The Revenge of the Sith. However, some argue that Windu’s distance from Anakin would ensure his eventual formation into Darth Vader.
Amidst the Disney-spearheaded re-invigoration of Star Wars, Jackson confirmed that he’s asked a Star Wars director about the potential for Windu to return. Many Star Wars fans have questioned whether his character really died in The Revenge of the Sith. However, there haven’t been any concrete developments that hint at a return. Similar to many of Jackson’s other characters, Windu is also grim and direct in his approach.
Jungle Fever (1991)
One of many times where Samuel Jackson and Spike Lee came together, Jungle Fever, may be Jackson’s best performance. In fact, his performance was so good that the Cannes Film Festival created a Best Supporting Actor role specifically for him. Portraying Gator Purify, the drug addicted brother of Flipper (Wesley Snipes), Jackson used his own struggles with addiction as reference for his character.
Working with Snipes, the two portrayed a complex relationship between brothers. The film further explores the dynamic of an interracial affair, with the conflict escalating in Gator being murdered. It’s an ultimately heartbreaking film, displaying Jackson’s versatility to display a character that is either powerful and confident, or decrepit and broken.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Liam Neeson revealed that producer Barbara Broccoli reached out to him numerous times in the 1990s. Apparently, she wanted to know if he was interested in playing the role of 007. That’s right, Liam Neeson was almost James Bond. Neeson had recently been nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars for Schindler’s List. Many were surprised to find out that Neeson turned down the opportunity to play such an iconic action star. However, for him, the final decision came down to his wife, Natasha Richardson.
When asked about the role of 007, Neeson said “I know the Broccolis. They looked at a bunch of actors. ‘Schindler’s List’ had come out and Barbara [Broccoli] had called me a couple of times to ask if I was interested, and I said, ‘Yes, I would be interested.’ And then my lovely wife [Natasha Richardson], God rest her soul, said to me while we were shooting ‘Nell’ down in the Carolinas, ‘Liam, I want to tell you something: If you play James Bond, we’re not getting married.’”
Liam Neeson And His Wife
Actor Liam Neeson attends “Marlowe” premiere during 70th San Sebastian International Film Festival at Kursaal, San Sebastian on September 24, 2022 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)
Neeson added that “She gave me a James Bond ultimatum. And she meant it! Come on, there’s all those gorgeous girls in various countries getting into bed and getting out of bed. I’m sure a lot of her decision-making was based on that!” Apparently, Neeson’s love for Richardson was stronger than his desire to play the iconic action star. Therefore, he never had a serious meeting with Broccoli. However, Neeson loved to tease Broccoli about the situation. He would do so by “going behind her back, making my fingers as though I’m holding a gun, and [humming the James Bond theme].” He said he “loved doing that shit!”
Thankfully, Neeson got a second chance at further stardom with the Taken movie franchise. He was also in the Star Wars franchise as Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. However, that is not a franchise he is interested in returning to. He recently said on Watch What Happens Live! that he wouldn’t return. “There’s so many spinoffs of ‘Star Wars.’” he said. “It’s diluting it to me, and it’s taken away the mystery and the magic in a weird way.” Watch Neeson’s most recent performance in the film Marlowe now playing in theaters.
