Force Material: A Star Wars Podcast

We're in like Flynn on this week's episode of the Force Material podcast, as we explore how The Adventures of Robin Hood has influenced Star Wars!

With yet another telling of the Robin Hood legend in theatres, we decided to venture into Sherwood Forest to revisit the classic 1938 version, starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Claude Rains and Basil Rathbone!

First up, we talk about all the Star Wars news that's gone down since our last episode, including Mark Hamill's wild Boba Fett theory (01:25), the announcement of the Cassian Andor TV series (04:49), the casting of Pedro Pascal in The Mandalorian (08:39), and the latest Galaxy's Edge developments (10:21)!

Then it's onto our feature presentation (16:35), as George Lucas discusses the influence of Errol Flynn's swashbuckling films on Star Wars (32:51), and we explore the influence of The Adventures of Robin Hood on Ben Burtt (36:41) and the influence of Olivia de Havilland's Maid Marion on Princess Leia (38:07).

We look at the truth behind the Robin Hood legend (45:43), the time Errol Flynn fought Count Dooku (52:16), the immense influence of composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold on John Williams (53:43), the link between Errol Flynn and Darth Vader (57:37) and the time Star Wars literally became Robin Hood - in miniature (01:00:12). 

Finally, we take a brief look at Disney's live-action Robin Hood movie, directed by a man with a very interesting name (01:03:01), and we ask the question - does the world need yet another Robin Hood movie (01:10:11)?

This week, we're going back to the Sengoku period to explore how The Hidden Fortress influenced Star Wars!

We start this week's episode by going back to the beginnings of George Lucas' love affair with Akira Kurosawa (01:37), and explaining what Kurosawa was motivated by when he made The Hidden Fortress (02:39).

Then we break down the specific ways The Hidden Fortress helped to shape Star Wars, from the influence of Tahei and Matashichi on C-3PO and R2-D2 (06:00), to the influence of General Rokurota Makabe and General Hyoe Tadokoro on Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader (11:29), and the influence of Princess Yuki on Princess Leia, Padme Amidala and Rey (20:45)!

Finally, we take a look at the early Star Wars treatments that bore a much closer resemblance to The Hidden Fortress (26:52), and the influences Akira Kurosawa drew on himself when he made The Hidden Fortress (31:19)! 

Lando's not a system, he's a man — and everything you've heard about him is true. In this week's episode, the spotlight shines on the saga's suavest swindler!

Billy Dee Williams is set to make his return to the Star Wars saga in Episode IX —  so this week, we're looking back at the creation of the character, and George Lucas' original plans for the old scoundrel.

We begin the episode by discussing all the Mandalorian details and directors announced while Rohan was overseas (03:55).

Then it's onto our Lando chat, as we break down the earliest concepts for Lando as a "riverboat gambler" (13:45) and as a clone (16:01)!

We look at Billy Dee Williams' pre-Star Wars career (30:15), Donald Glover's performance in Solo: A Star Wars Story (40:34), and the Calrissian-Casablanca connection (50:15).

Finally, we discuss when Lando stopped being viewed as a traitor and became a hero in the eyes of fans (51:42), what Episode IX might have in store for Lando (01:01:29), and our thoughts on Colt 45 (01:09:13).

This is the story of how the great American illustrator inspired the great American filmmaker — and his best friend. It’s the story of George, Steven, Norman, and many, many Benjamins. This week we examine — in broad strokes — the connections between Star Wars and Norman Rockwell.

We begin this week's episode by explaining how Norman Rockwell's Shuffleton's Barbershop became one of the star attractions at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (00:03:05), currently under construction in Los Angeles' Expo Park!

Then we rewind to look at Rockwell's career as the great American illustrator (00:06:58); how George Lucas and Steven Spielberg started collecting Norman Rockwell paintings as if they were baseball cards (00:07:52); and how Lucas and Spielberg fell in love with Rockwell's work in the first place (00:14:16).

We examine how Norman Rockwell has influenced George Lucas and Steven Spielberg's work (00:19:03); Rockwell's working methods (00:30:57); and the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles episode that made Rockwell canon (00:33:54).

Of all the podcasts on all the topics in all the world... you've walked into ours. This week, we explore how Casablanca has influenced Star Wars!

We begin this week's episode with a look at the Star Wars headlines and an update on Baz's Clone Wars rewatch (00:01:05), before we move on to our feature presentation (00:08:26) — our breakdown of the 1942 classic Casablanca!

We share a Casablanca confession (00:12:41); we offer up a brief refresher on the plot and the political situation at the time (00:17:31); and we take a look at the influence of Rick Blaine and Rick's Cafe on Han Solo and the Cantina (00:20:47).

We look at neutrality and isolationism in Casablanca and Star Wars (00:29:32); the journey of Rick Blaine's suit to Canto Bight (00:36:00); Sydney Greenstreet's influence on Jabba the Hutt (00:37:00); and the influence of Casablanca on the plot of Solo: A Star Wars Story (00:44:40).

We break down the development and production of Casablanca (00:50:58); the timeliness of its release (01:11:25); the importance of the refugees and exiles that make up its international cast (01:14:05); and the film's initial response and enduring legacy (01:21:32).

We take a look at the plot holes in Casablanca (01:33:19); attempts to revive the 'franchise', including a failed TV show starring David Soul, Scatman Crothers and Ray Liotta (01:42:48); and the controversial colourisation of Casablanca, and the young director who took the fight against altering classic films to Congress (01:46:25).

Finally, we debate what's more loved (01:53:19) — Casablanca or Citizen Kane?

30 years before they teamed up on Solo: A Star Wars Story, Ron Howard and Lucasfilm created a fantasy epic for the ages. This week, we look back at the highs and the lows of Willow!

We explore the origins of Willow and the DNA the film shares with Star Wars (00:12:32); how Lucasfilm changed Memorial Day Weekend forever (00:26:13); and the mindset of producer George Lucas when he made Willow (00:31:14).

We look at the risks involved in making Willow amid an inhospitable landscape for fantasy films in the '80s (00:39:06); how The Lord of the Rings influenced Willow (00:45:26); and the film's groundbreaking special effects (00:56:34).

We also share our thoughts on whether or not the film holds up (01:05:04); analyse how critics responded to the film (01:11:13); and discuss the other films that inspired it (01:21:26).

Finally, we explain how Willow might be part of the Star Wars universe (01:25:27); remember the brief wave of Willow merchandise (01:28:04); and break down the likelihood of a Willow sequel (01:29:38).

For more on Willow, we recommend listening to screenwriter Bob Dolman's interview on the State of the Empire podcast.

Ten years ago, begun, these Clone Wars did.

A decade ago this week, the first animated Star Wars feature film arrived in cinemas!

This episode, we're going to watch the 2008 animated feature The Clone Wars along with you, and examine how a film cobbled together on a whim and poorly received by critics managed to open the door to one of the most beloved corners of the Star Wars franchise!

Sound the Death Star alarm! We're back with another emergency episode to process the Episode IX casting announcement!

Star Wars Episode IX begins filming on August 1, so Lucasfilm has finally confirmed the movie's cast and crew - and there's a lot to take in.

We begin by discussing the confirmation that Episode IX will be the "end of the Skywalker saga", and what that means for Kylo Ren (00:01:24).

We break down the returning cast members and the most notable omissions (00:05:33); the new cast members coming aboard for Episode IX (00:18:13); and Baz's crackpot Ahsoka Tano theory (00:25:03).

Then we discuss the return of Mark Hamill (00:31:15), and Rohan's crackpot Luke Skywalker theory (00:35:50).

We celebrate the news that Carrie Fisher will appear in the film and how this impacts the 'time jump' theory (00:53:23), and the chances of Leia's story continuing past Episode IX in other media (01:06:12).

We also discuss the return of the crew that made The Force Awakens, including unsung hero Rick Carter (01:08:36), explain why 2019 is going to be a great time to be a Star Wars fan (01:16:26), and place our bets on when the teaser trailer will drop (01:23:27).

Finally, Baz talks about his recent interview with George Miller (01:26:15), and we recap the response to our Jar Jar Binks episode (01:28:00).

Next time: We go back to the beginnings of The Clone Wars!

We celebrate the return of the Clone Wars and round up all the Star Wars news you might have missed from San Diego Comic-Con!

We begin our SDCC recap with an upcoming project that was conspicuous by its absence - where is Star Wars: Resistance? (00:06:07)

We move on to discuss the Clone Wars trailer that broke the internet (00:13:02), and our favourite non-Star Wars trailers from the weekend (00:30:52), before we get into an in-depth discussion about Disney's shock decision to fire James Gunn (00:33:21).

Finally, we round up all the news you might have missed, from exciting publishing announcements (00:53:44) to upcoming toys (01:06:16) and details about the Solo Blu-Ray release (01:19:43)!

He's the most hated character in the Star Wars universe - and the backlash almost killed the actor who played him. This week, we revisit and reevaluate Jar Jar Binks.

Long before toxic fans turned their attention towards Rian Johnson and Kelly Marie Tran, actor Ahmed Best was fandom's whipping boy - but there's more to this talented performer than you know.

We begin this week's Jar Jar-centric episode by discussing Best's revelation that the backlash against Jar Jar Binks led him to consider suicide (00:05:29); our earliest memories of The Phantom Menace (00:07:00); and how the toxicity in today's fandom compares to the response to The Phantom Menace (00:11:58).

We break down the early designs for Jar Jar and the animal sidekick he almost had (00:18:21); the inspiration for his name (00:23:47); and Ahmed Best's career before he landed the role of Jar Jar Binks (00:25:52).

We discuss the high-profile competition Best had to beat to land the part (00:30:48), the critical response to Jar Jar (00:32:12), and the overexposure of the character (00:33:37).

We look at how Best has responded to claims that Jar Jar is a racist caricature (00:37:38); the fate of the character after The Phantom Menace (00:52:35); the insults hurled Jar Jar's way by Lucasfilm itself (00:57:52); and Ahmed Best's life after Jar Jar (01:05:43).

Finally, we consider Jar Jar Binks as an omen for our times (01:07:15); whether or not Jar Jar gets the respect he deserves as a motion capture pioneer (01:10:37); the role of humour in Star Wars (01:15:14); the ever-popular Darth Jar Jar theory (01:21:27); what we love about Jar Jar (01:24:40); what we want to see from Ahmed Best's one-man show (01:30:37); and whether or not Jar Jar Binks really ruined anybody's childhood (01:33:57).

Stay tuned for our SDCC recap episode dropping soon!