It’s been over a year since the cancellation of Disney Infinity, and we are still getting information about the game’s scrapped future plans.
This time we have actual gameplay footage of the unfinished Moana Playset, thanks to YouTuber Infiniteer Adventures.
In this video, we actually get to see Maui in fully realized environments, platforming, interacting with items, and of course using his iconic hook. The footage shown in the video technically shows an early prototype, though the visuals and lightning look like some of the best we’ve seen in a Disney Infinity Playset.
Infiniteer Adventures plans to release more footage from the Moana Playset in the coming days, so hopefully we will get a look at even more characters, as well as additional gameplay elements that would have been featured in the Playset.
The Hollywood Reporter just announced that a Obi-Wan Kenobi movie is in the works at Disney and Lucasfilm. This will be the third Star Wars spinoff movie and join the likes of “Rogue One” and “Han Solo”.
From The Hollywood Reporter:
Stephen Daldry is Star Wars’ newest hope.
The Oscar-nominated director behind Billy Elliot and The Hours is in early talks to direct a Star Wars stand-alone movie centering on Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Sources say talks are at the earliest of stages and that the project has no script. If a deal makes, Daldry would oversee the development and writing with Lucasfilm brass. It’s not known at this stage if Ewan McGregor will reprise his role.
The Obi-Wan Kenobi stand-alone is one of several projects being developed by Lucasfilm and Disney that fall outside the trilogies telling the saga of the Skywalker family. A Han Solo movie is now in the final stages of shooting under new director Ron Howard and Lucasfilm is also looking at movies featuring Yoda and bounty hunter Boba Fett, among others.
During Gamescom this weekend, EA released the first gameplay trailer for the new Starfighter Assault mode coming to Star Wars Battlefront II.
The trailer shows off numerous locations that players will have the chance to experience, like Endor, Fondor, Ryloth, and Kamino. Ship controls have been vastly improved in the new game, and new features like a class-based team play will help to diversify battle scenarios.
In addition to the trailer, EA held a livestream to show off the new mode in action. Check out this full match that IGN recorded for a deeper look at the new space combat mode.
Star Wars Battlefront II will be released on November 17 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Two Disney games that were seemingly stuck forever on the original Kinect for Xbox 360 are now being brought over and upgraded for the Xbox One.
Disneyland Adventures and Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure will both be making their way to Xbox One on October 31, with a slew of updates.
Both games now support 4K resolution (for Xbox One X owners), HD, and HDR. Perhaps the biggest news though, is that now players can opt for traditional controls in place of the Kinect motion controls.
This addresses the major criticism of both these titles, which was the unresponsive motion controls. With a more traditional method of playing, these games can now shine and offer a unique and more broad appeal for fans looking to get their Disney gaming fix.
Both games will be sold for $30 each and feature new content, though Microsoft hasn’t specified just what that new content is.
The Disney Parks Blog has announced that Disney Parks will be the place to be as “Star Wars: Force Friday II” kicks off on September 1st to celebrate the release of the newest Star Wars merchandise from “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”.
From Disney Parks Blog:
New Star Wars themed merchandise and more will land in our galaxy at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts on September 1, 2017 at 12:01 a.m. (Midnight).*
The Force Friday II event is your opportunity to be among the first to purchase new Star Wars and Star Wars: The Last Jedi themed merchandise, including unique products found only at Disney Parks.
Please see details below if you are planning to attend this free event in California or Florida.
Disneyland Resort – World of Disney Store, Downtown Disney District
Pre-registration for the Force Friday II event is required for guests attending the event in Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort.
Registration will be accepted only on DisneyParksMerchandise.com beginning August 24 at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific) / 2:00 p.m. (Eastern).
Once registered, guests will receive additional instructions via email. Doors open at 12:01 a.m. on September 1.
Walt Disney World Resort – World of Disney, Disney Springs
For guests attending the event at Disney Springs, registration for Force Friday II will take place outside the World of Disney store entrance across from Basin on August 31 beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Guests will be given a numbered wristband on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once a wristband is received, guests are invited to return to World of Disney by 11:30 p.m. where they will be lined up in sequential order. Doors open at 12:01 a.m. on September 1.
Please park in the Lime Parking Garage at Disney Springs for shopping convenience.
Set your hyperspace coordinates for this merchandise event in preparation of the highly anticipated film release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi on December 16.
Calling on Girls to Channel Their Superpowers of STEM for Good and Get a Chance to Win a Trip to the Premiere of Marvel Studios’ THOR: RAGNAROK and a Mentorship presented by Disney, Marvel Studios, Dolby Laboratories and Synchrony Bank
Disney,Marvel Studios, Dolby Laboratories, Synchrony Bank, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Broadcom MASTERS and Society for Science & the Public are pleased to present the nationwide MARVEL STUDIOS’ THOR: RAGNAROK SUPERPOWER OF STEM CHALLENGE in conjunction with the November 3, 2017 theatrical release of Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok, starring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Hopkins.
In Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok,” Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok—the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger—the Incredible Hulk!
Marvel Studios is, once again, encouraging young girls to explore the superpower of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) with the MARVEL STUDIOS’ THOR: RAGNAROK SUPERPOWER OF STEM CHALLENGE.
This program, supported by American Association for the Advancement of Science, Broadcom MASTERS, and Society for Science & the Public, seeks to inspire young girls to use the superpower of STEM to help their family, community or the world be safer, healthier or happier. MARVEL STUDIOS’ THOR: RAGNAROK SUPERPOWER OF STEM CHALLENGE invites girls nationwide, ages 15 -18 in grades 10 – 12 living in the 50 United States and D.C., to use the superpower of STEM to create an original Do-It-Yourself project that can be replicated by others.
Five finalists will be selected to come to Los Angeles and present their projects, in person, to a panel of experts and to attend the Red Carpet Premiere of Marvel Studios’ THOR: RAGNAROK. Each finalistwill receive: Two round-trip tickets to Southern California for the finalist and her parent or guardian, including scheduled meals, ground transportation to and from organized activities, hotel accommodations, from October 8 through October 11, 2017; the opportunity to be on the red carpet at the Premiere of Marvel Studios’ THOR: RAGNAROK, $500 deposited into a high-yield savings account from Synchrony Bank; a tour of the Walt Disney Studiosin Burbank, California; and more.
One grand-prize winner will be selected from the five finalists to attend an immersive three-day mentorship in New York City with Disney Imagineering to build her STEM story, creating a professional-level video teaching other young people how to recreate her Challenge–winning project. The winner will also have the opportunity to demonstrate her Superpower of STEM project live to the nation with a brief appearance on Good Morning America. (The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Good Morning America / ABC News.)The video created during her mentorship will be made available to students, teachers and families worldwide on the American Association for the Advancement of Science education resource website ScienceNetLinks.com.
Complete contest information will be available from August 23, 2017, through September 23, 2017. Entries will be acceptedbeginning on August 23, 2017 at 4:00AM PT through 6:00PM PT on August 23, 2017. Forapplication forms, eligibility requirements, officialcontest rules and more information about MARVEL STUDIOS’ THOR: RAGNAROK SUPERPOWER OF STEM CHALLENGE, please visit www.marvelstudiosstemchallenge.com.
Aboutthe Contest
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends at 6:00PM PT on September 23, 2017. Open only to girls between the ages of 15 and 18, in grades 10 – 12, as of August 23, 2017, who are legal residents and physically living in the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. Limit 1 entry per person. Winners must be able to travel on or about October 8, 2017 through October 11, 2017. See Official Rules at www.marvelstudiosstemchallenge.com for full eligibility and entry requirements, prize description, conditions, and limitations. Void where prohibited. The official contest sponsor is Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
Star Wars Fans Invited to “Find the Force” As Unprecedented Augmented Reality Event Sweeps the Globe for Force Friday II
Fans to reveal a new The Last Jedi character via social media
New product line for Star Wars: The Last Jedi launches globally at 12:01 AM September 1
More than 20,000 retail locations worldwide will become home to
augmented reality Star Wars characters from September 1-3
Following the global phenomenon of Force Friday in 2015, Disney and Lucasfilm today announced Find the Force, a global augmented reality (AR) event rolling out on Force Friday II (September 1) to commemorate the worldwide launch of new products inspired by Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
The pop-up AR treasure hunt aims to unite fans around the world in the battle against the dark side in a unique three-day event at over 20,000 retail locations across 30 countries. As fans turn up to take home new The Last Jedi products, they will have the opportunity to activate a unique augmented reality experience featuring Star Wars characters, including fan-favorites and new surprise additions from the film.
“Force Friday II is a major milestone in the countdown to Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Star Wars has always championed new technology, and we are excited that augmented reality will allow fans to experience the universe in a whole new way,” says Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm.
From September 1-3, retailers around the world will invite fans to Find the Force by taking part in an AR treasure hunt. Here’s how it works: first, download the Star Wars App, which is your one-stop-shop for all things Star Wars (those who already have the app will need to download the latest version). Then, visit any one of 20,000 participating retail locations to find a graphic that contains the Find the Force logo. When you scan the graphic using the Star Wars App, you’ll reveal a character, who through augmented reality, will appear in the room with you. You can then take photos, record videos, and share the experience on social media. Come back each day to reveal new characters (15 in total across the program’s three-day run). Click here for more information: www.starwars.com/findtheforce.
“Force Friday II puts fans right at the center of the action using augmented reality to bring our characters to life like never before. The technology theme continues in the Star Wars: The Last Jedi product line, which is our most innovative yet – we can’t wait for fans to see what’s in store.” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media.
Fans can download the latest version of the Star Wars App (v. 2.3 or higher) beginning Aug. 24 for an early look at the new Porg characters in AR before the AR treasure hunt goes live at retail.
By sharing photos or videos featuring the in-store AR characters on Twitter or Instagram using #FindtheForce and #Sweepstakes throughout Force Friday II weekend, fans in select global markets can participate in a sweepstakes for the chance to win the ultimate fan experience: tickets to the Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere in December.
No Purchase Necessary. Enter sweepstakes between August 31, 2017 at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time (“PT”)/3:00 p.m. British Summer Time (“BST”) and September 4, 2017 at 2:59 a.m. PT/10:59 a.m. BST. Open to legal residents in 50 U.S. + D.C., Canada (excluding Quebec), Australia, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, France, South Korea and Chile who are 18+ or the age of majority in their place of residence, whichever is older. Limit 15 entries per person. There is 1 Grand Prize available to be won (ARV: US $4,500). Grand Prize winner must travel to Los Angeles, California USA on or about December 12, 2017. Visit starwars.com/findtheforce. for Official Rules including details on how to enter, additional eligibility requirements, prize descriptions and limitations. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: The Walt Disney Company (Australia) Pty. Limited, Level 5, Chapel Street, South Yarra, Victoria 3141, Australia.
News From Jakku got their hands on some promotional art from “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” featuring Chewbacca surrounded by the cute little inhabitants of Ahch-To, The Porgs. Looks like these little guys will form a bond with Chewie and one seems to make it on board of The Millennium Falcon.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi L to R: Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and a Porg
MakingStarWars.net has viewed potential theatrical posters for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”. These posters below are not the actual concept art but sketches that MakingStarWars.net editor Jason Ward and Sharna put together based on the concept art that they had actually seen. MakingStarWars.Net has a very good track record, especially when it came to providing information for “The Force Awakens” and “Rogue One” before both of these movies were released. And so far it seems like everything that MakingStarWars.net has mentioned about “The Last Jedi” has been confirmed by “The Last Jedi” teaser trailer and photos that were published in Vanity Fair.
The first potential theatrical poster does not really reveal anything shocking. It shows Snoke, his guards, Kylo Ren, Luke, Rey, General Leia, Finn, Rose (that could be Poe though), R2D2 and Chewbacca, and C3PO and BB-8.
Now this one below seems like it could be a big deal. We have all the villains present, and front and (almost) center in this poster is Luke Skywalker. The teaser trailer seems to hint that Luke is not the same Luke we knew by him saying, “I only know one truth: It is time for the Jedi to end.” Also the teaser poster shows half of Luke’s face and half of Kylo Ren’s face bathed in the color red. Red signifying The Sith and The Dark Side. In the image below we have Luke, Snoke, Kylo Ren Captain Phasma and Snoke’s guards. And if you were fortunate enough to see the image of Snoke that leaked onto the net before Disney had it pulled down, Snoke does appear to resemble Luke. The sketch below of Snoke is almost spot on when compared to the leaked official image of Snoke.
Could Snoke be a clone of Luke? Could Luke be working with Snoke? Does Luke know that The Empire may have somehow cloned Luke to use for their own purposes? Some how Luke’s light saber was found on Bespin where he lost it. I’m sure his hand was not far behind and that could be the source that provided his DNA for cloning. And they have cloned a lot of people before in Star Wars. We’ll just have to wait and see on this one. But I’m pretty sure that we wont have to wait for Episode IX for Lucasfilm to reveal all of the good stuff. Like “The Empire Strikes Back”, “The Last Jedi” will shock Star Wars fans with huge revelations. Rumor has it that, “The Last Jedi” may even top Vader revealing that he is Luke’s father. But I doubt that one.
So what do you think? Is Luke going to give Rey and The Resistance more trouble than they were expecting? Should Rey have just left Luke alone on Ach-To? We’ll find out soon enough!
The first official “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” teaser poster revealed at this year’s Star Wars Celebration:
