Paul is back with Jimmy to get caught up on conversation about everything that influenced the STAR WARS films. An individual who made a huge impact on the first 2 movies was producer Gary Kurtz. In the wake of his passing, we look back at his STAR WARS career and controversies. With STAR WARS RESISTANCE on the horizon, we discuss our expectations for the show and review some early animated efforts from Lucasfilm, DROIDS and EWOKS. Paul talks about some highlights from the SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY Blu Ray, and we look forward to watching a rare and recently unearthed EMPIRE STRIKES BACK documentary.  

The original STAR WARS poster art created by the Hildebrandt Brothers in 1977 is arguably the most iconic and recognizable symbol of the saga. We are honored to be joined by one half of the duo responsible for its creation as Greg Hildebrandt joins us IN THE CANTINA to fill us in on the background and history of this well-known work of art. Disney’s Bob “The Buck Stops Here” Iger revealed to the Hollywood Reporter a slowdown is coming for STAR WARS as the studio will be pulling back on its up-to-now aggressive release schedule. We discuss what this means beyond EPISODE IX and how it may affect the announced Rian Johnson trilogy. Plus, a closer look at the Anthony Daniels cameo in SOLO, we remember Gary Kurtz, and we continue our search for the “new” Wilhelm Scream.

Welcome to the latest in the RFR Film Commentary series, this time focusing on SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY. We are joined by Billy Dee McInerney for a deep dive into the HD digital release as we watch the whole thing from beginning-to-end while offering up our observations, trivia, jokes and opinions. You can sync up your copy of SOLO and listen along with us, or just listen along as a standalone podcast. Since there is no commentary track on the official release, join your favorite Star Wars chuckleheads, and Puppet Lando, for a fun screening of SOLO!

The famous Yoda statue at Presidio Park in San Francisco is a selfie destination for all Star Wars fans. We get the behind-the-scenes story about the sculpture directly from the artist himself, Lawrence Noble, who fills us in about the origin of the statue and how it came to the attention of George Lucas. Lawrence has great stories about his Star Wars works and other celebs who own his artwork, including Peter Jackson and the recently-passed legend Burt Reynolds. Now you can watch Han make the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs at home! The digital version of Solo: A Star Wars Story was released this week. Join us as we review some of the special features and deleted scenes.

The “Solo: A Star Wars Story” novelization hit store shelves this week and it expands the story seen in the cinema with the inclusion of deleted scenes and additional insight into the characters and plot. We review some of the highlights. Jason points out some interesting observations he picked up while watching the latest promo video for Star Wars Resistance and lets us know what he thinks of the upcoming series. Plus, the latest Episode IX news headlines and rumors, intoxicating news about Disney Parks Star Wars: Galaxy Edge, and listener voicemail gets us talking about Anakin's slavery, Finn’s “programming” and more.

New casting news for Star Wars Episode IX! New info about Star Wars Resistance! New speculation about the Star Wars Live Action TV Series and more this week on RFR. Paul Bateman serves as guest co-host for a breakdown of all the big Star Wars stories this week including news about Dominic Monaghan and Matt Smith joining the Episode IX cast and a review of the new Star Wars Resistance promo video “Meet Team Fireball”. How many times did you see Solo: A Star Wars Story during its theatrical run? We bet you didn’t see it as many times as Chicago-area Solo-Superfan Lisa Dullard who joins us to talk Solo and review the new book “The Art of Solo: A Star Wars Story”. Plus, listener voicemail leads to a discussion about the sounds of Star Wars including The Wilhelm Scream, The Krayt Dragon and Chewie’s “Tarzan Call”.

The voice behind Obi-Wan Kenobi, James Arnold Taylor returns to RFR to join us in celebration of #CloneWarsSaved and the upcoming return of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. We catch up with JAT and he fills us in with his reaction to the big news, while cracking us up with his many stories and voice impersonations. We got our first look at Star Wars Resistance via a new trailer and press release. We look closely at the cast and characters list, along with the trailer itself shot-by-shot to see if this show can be a worthy successor to The Clone Wars and Rebels.

Celebrating 10 years of The Clone Wars this week as we look back at what made the series great...And we look ahead to the show returning next year. We have audio highlights of Clone Wars cast members reacting to the show coming back and we review comments from Dave Filoni in recent print interviews. What’s up with the Obi-Wan Kenobi standalone film? We have updates!  Plus, Conan goes to the Mos Eisley Cantina, RFR meets WKRP, vinyl-caped Jawas, and the return of RFR Slow and Tell!

Return of the Jedi’s Salacious Crumb was a crowd pleaser from the moment we first saw him onscreen in 1983. This week on RFR, we talk to the man behind the laughter, actor Mark Dodson joins us IN THE CANTINA to talk all-things-Crumb, courtesy of our pal Kevin Liell. With Darth Maul’s surprise return to the Saga in SOLO, we review some vintage Ray Park audio from our archives to find some uncanny foresight. In news headlines, Bob Iger reveals new information about the status of the upcoming Disney Streaming Service and what Star Wars content will be included...And what won’t. Plus, new info about Star Wars Resistance. Todd Fisher, Carrie’s brother, shared his thoughts and feelings, along with a little info, about unused footage of his sister being used in Star Wars Episode IX. We listen to highlights of his comments along with a recent Simon Pegg interview where he expresses remorse for some of his past harsh criticisms of the Star Wars prequels and Jar Jar Binks.

RFR Returns! Star Wars news blew up while we were on vacation and we are pumped up to be back behind the mics just in time for cameras to roll on Episode IX. We review the casting announcement press release, looking closely at who was added to the cast and who was subtracted, and the decision to use existing footage of Carrie Fisher in the final episode of the Sequel Trilogy. We look back at last month’s SDCC and the big #CloneWarsSaved announcement with speculation about the episodes and future potential for the series. Plus, listener voicemail leads to a discussion of Force Ghosts, we talk about aliens we’d like to see in Episode IX, and what are the chances George Lucas would or could return to the saga?