THE LAST JEDI is ramping up towards it's December release! We discuss recently leaked publicity shots of many main characters including Luke, Rey, Kylo and, for the first time in the flesh, Snoke. And, news and rumors from the YOUNG HAN SOLO film and audio highlights of Mark Hamill appearances at D23 and The Late, Late Show with James Corden. Plus, we spotlight new and "exclusive" STAR WARS collectibles, LEGO Star Wars - The Freemaker Adventures Season 2, Ron Howard's "Arrested Rebellion", and the world premiere of "Rebel Girl (On Rebel Force Radio)" from Din and F-105! Joining us this week for all the speculation, analysis and laughs is RFR brother Billy Mac. 

THE LAST JEDI made a big splash at D23 with fresh behind-the-scenes footage that has us fans jumping out of our skin! We break down the “Sizzle Reel” scene-by-scene and try to connect the dots with what we already know about the plot. We also review earth-shattering news about STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE and Disney’s STAR WARS Hotel with tech expert David Sparks (MacSparky.com). David attended D23 and provides us with behind-the-scenes info about the park and more. Plus, it’s round two of George Lucas vs The Autograph Hounds!

Summer continues to sizzle with Star Wars news, animated releases, and conventions. From the animated STAR WARS: FORCES OF DESTINY, to the upcoming D23, and continuing controversy surrounding the #WheresRey campaign and the characters exclusion from Star Wars Monopoly. Joining us to make sense of it all is prolific podcaster and fan community leader Teresa Delgado (Fangirls Going Rogue). We review each episode of FORCES OF DESTINY, we speculate about what to expect from THE LAST JEDI at D23, and we even have some time for your Listener Voice Mail! 

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Paul Bateman is back to offer analysis, speculation and opinion on all of the hot topics in the STAR WARS galaxy this summer. From the latest news and images from the YOUNG HAN SOLO set, to the new animated FORCES OF DESTINY shorts, to recent comments from Adam Driver about THE LAST JEDI, we cover a ton of territory in this show! Plus, Paul always provides the historical perspective to put everything in the right place! We even talk a little STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT II and the upcoming film VALARIAN. The heat may feel like twin suns this summer, but talking STAR WARS with Paul Bateman is always a cool time.

We listen to the first public comments from Ron Howard and Bob Iger in the wake of the big Han Solo director shakeup and continue to break down the latest stories coming from the production. We return to Tatooine with Dr. David West Reynolds, the first Star Wars archaeologist. Dr. Reynolds tells us stories about his rediscovering of the original shooting locations in Tunisia and how you can see his upcoming documentary “Return To Tataouine”. We review the fresh new trailer for the upcoming STAR WARS: FORCES OF DESTINY animated micro-series. And we feature George Lucas vs The Autograph Hounds in our “Outrageous Unthinkable Story of the Week”.

Lord and Miller...OUT. Ron Howard...IN. Big shakeup this week as the director chairs get shuffled on the next STAR WARS standalone - The Young Han Solo film -  with only three weeks left for principle photography. We talk about what this could mean for the franchise on many different levels and, while armed with all the latest reports, speculate on how and why this all happened. Joining us to make sense of it all are a couple of filmmakers who offer their amazing professional insights and Star Wars knowledge: J.C.Reifenberg (“Yoga Hosers”/”Hughes The Force”) and Kyle Newman (“Fanboys”/”Barely Lethal”). Plus, J.C. gives us the lowdown on his super popular Hollywood pop-up restaurant, The Scum and Villainy Cantina. Learn how you can save big on admission, exclusively for RFR listeners. Plus, bad Star Wars trivia and more. 

Marvel Comic’s “Darth Vader #1” is in our hands and we give you our full review and continue our impassioned discussion from the past few weeks about whether the book attempts to rewrite established film canon or not. “Star Wars: Thrawn” author Timothy Zahn, Ray Park (Darth Maul) and ROGUE ONE’s Darth Vader, Spencer Wilding appeared in panels last week at ComiCONN. Kevin Liell hosted the panels and he joins us with exclusive audio highlights. Mark Hamill recently spoke about THE LAST JEDI and the passing of iconic Batman actor Adam West. We review his comments and more!

RFR brings you a CLONE WARS reunion this week as Master and Padawan are brought together for an exclusive podcast conversation. Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker) gives us updates on all the amazing projects he’s been involved with lately, including NBC’s “Timeless”, recently renewed for a second season. Then, James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) joins us to share stories with Matt from STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS and we get info about JAT’s new YouTube series “Clone Wars Conversations”.  Plus, more debate about the new DARTH VADER comic series from Marvel, bleeding Kyber crystals, and a heartbreaking theft at Rancho Obi-Wan.

“The Real Fans of the Saga” is a fresh new fandom reality show from our old friend Cris Macht and friends. Cris joins us in the studio this week to give us the behind-the-scenes deets about “Real Fans” and more. “40 Years of Star Wars: Through The Decades” is an amazing new Star Wars documentary produced by The Decades Network, hosted by Bill Kurtis and featuring Jimmy Mac. We review the show and feature highlights. Plus, new leaks from the productions of THE LAST JEDI and the HAN SOLO standalone and an early look at some Episode VIII LEGO minifigs that offer our first look at Snoke and other characters. And, we look at an interview with original Star Wars script contributor Gloria Katz, we have a discussion about the new Marvel Comics “Darth Vader” title, we go off again about spoilers coming from official sources and more.

As Star Wars turns 40, we look back to the summer of ’77 with memories of seeing the film in the theater during its initial run, we check out some of the original reviews, and share facts and trivia with Billy Mac. Star Wars prop expert Tom Spina (RegalRobot.com) stops by to analyze our first glimpses of the aliens of THE LAST JEDI as seen in Vanity Fair and his 40th anniversary thoughts. More from Vanity Fair’s Star Wars issue along with fresh interviews from Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, Kathleen Kennedy, Rian Johnson and more.