We reveal the secrets of the Force in this week's episode of the Force Material podcast!

We begin this week's show by discussing the Star Wars In Concert experience (1:30), the new artwork from Star Wars: Resistance that just hit the web (3:18), and Keri Russell joining the cast of Episode IX (6:32).

Then it's on to our deep dive into the Force! We discuss how George Lucas defines the Force (10:02), the significance of the numbers '2187' to Lucas (10:46), the experimental films of Arthur Lipsett (14:44), how the Force originated in Lipsett's work (19:46), and Lucas' earliest reference to the Force (21:40).

We explain the belief system of George Lucas (22:42), the influence of Arthur Lipsett on Lucas' early experimental films (26:38), Lipsett's influence on the central theme of Star Wars (30:14), how Darth Vader became the main character of Lucas' Star Wars saga (35:57), and the story in the new Disney canon that might be the most faithful to Lucas' work (37:21).

Finally, we discuss the life of director Roman Kroitor, and provide an incredible example of how the Force binds the galaxy together (40:46).

A long time ago, under a corporate structure far, far away, George Lucas had his own plans for the Star Wars sequel trilogy — and they were very different to what we've seen on screen so far!

On this week's episode of the Force Material podcast, we break down everything we know about George Lucas' ever-evolving plans for the Star Wars saga — from his earliest sequel ideas in the '70s, to his recent revelations about the microbiotic world of the Whills!

We begin the episode by discussing the status of Lucasfilm's Star Wars spin-off films (1:22) and the absurdity of the #RemakeTheLastJedi campaign (07:26).

Then we dig into George Lucas' Star Wars sequel trilogy plans (12:56) by discussing the fluid nature of Lucas' storytelling process (19:35); Lucas' ambitious plans for sequels and prequels before Return of the Jedi (24:59); the dramatic scaling back of Lucas' plans during the production of Return of the Jedi (36:58); the status of Lucas' sequel trilogy plans in the prequel era (47:11); and Lucas' decision to revisit his Star Wars sequels before the Disney sale (1:01:43).

Finally, we discuss the nature of the Whills (1:06:52); how the Whills relate to Midichlorians (1:16:03); whether or not there should be a scientific explanation for how the Force works (1:24:09); the role of free will, destiny and prophecy in Star Wars (1:39:05); why Lucas' sequel trilogy didn't get made (1:49:29); and whether we'll ever get to see it in any form (1:54:58)!

We see how Phil Szostak's latest Star Wars art book stacks up in this week's episode of the Force Material podcast!

Written by Lucasfilm Creative Art Manager Phil Szostak and published by Abrams Books, The Art of Solo: A Star Wars Story explores the production of Solo through a collection of sketches, concepts, production paintings and more. 

We discuss our favourite revelations from the book on this week's show, including the wild concepts and plot lines that didn't make it to the screen! 

We also discuss the connections Lawrence Kasdan weaved between Solo and The Force Awakens; the films that inspired the makers of Solo; one major change we'd like to see to the art books in future; and the last-minute change to a major character that's inadvertently revealed in The Art of Solo!

Since Lucasfilm was sold to Disney in 2012, the studio has been completely synonymous with Star Wars — but it doesn't have to be that way. This week, we make the case for Lucasfilm to expand beyond Star Wars!

As Solo underwhelms at the box office and news of a Boba Fett movie fails to set fandom on fire, we ask the question — is it time for Lucasfilm to spread its wings and prove that it's got more to offer than Star Wars?

We explain how Lucasfilm can avoid franchise fatigue and become the A24 of the Saturday matinee! 

You might wanna buckle up, baby. Our no-holds-barred, spoiler-heavy reaction to Solo: A Star Wars Story is here!

This episode is strictly for those of you who have seen Solo: A Star Wars Story. As soon as you leave your midnight screening, cue this episode up and join us for a breakdown of our favourite (and least favourite) moments, reveals and surprises in the film! 

If you're looking for a spoiler-free review, turn back! We posted that one last week. 

If you're ready to talk Solo freely, push play.

But remember — if you come with us, you're in this life for good...

Listen to two guys who usually have no chill about Star Wars try to exercise a bit of chill about Star Wars in our totally squeaky clean and SPOILER-FREE review of Solo: A Star Wars Story!

We've seen the film a whole week out from release, but couldn't wait to share our initial thoughts with you: is it any good? Is Alden Ehrenreich any good? What about that Donald Glover guy? Who is Enfys Nest? Just kidding about that last one. Did we mention this is SPOILER-FREE?

If you have a ticket to a midnight screening in your hot little hand, you can listen to this safely as we discuss in only the vaguest and most circumspect of terms what worked, what didn't and how the cast held up. Consider this a whetting of your appetite.

We've saved the big spoiler-y guns for next week's podcast, which will drop on release day and be a no-holds-barred chat for people who've seen the film. But for now — enjoy!

The Dude abides. This week, we explore how The Big Lebowski has influenced Star Wars: A Solo Story!

Screenwriters Lawrence and Jon Kasdan say The Big Lebowski is a big influence on Solo: A Star Wars Story, so on this week's episode, we're breaking down what makes the Coen brothers' classic crime comedy tick. 

It's a deep dive into The Dude, Raymond Chandler, Robert Altman, John Milius, Leigh Brackett and more!

We also discuss this week's headlines from a galaxy far, far away, including Solo box office tracking and potential sequels, John Boyega's Episode IX update, and a pair of action figures that might just give away Solo's biggest secret.

Let's go bowling… 

X marks the pod as we explore how Treasure Island has influenced Solo: A Star Wars Story!

Screenwriters Lawrence Kasdan and Jon Kasdan say Treasure Island is a major influence on Solo: A Star Wars Story, so on this week's episode, we're breaking down how Disney's 1950 adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale could influence Ron Howard's film. 

The first completely live-action Disney film (and the first Disney pirate film), Treasure Island holds a special place in the Disney canon.

It's probably also the only Disney film in which a child shoots a man in the face at close range. 

We dive into the film's visionary viral marketing campaign, child star Bobby Driscoll's sad downward spiral, Orson Welles' notorious Treasure Island film, the inspirations behind Stevenson's original story and much more!   

Also this week — our reactions to the Star Wars: Resistance announcement, and idle speculation about the future of Alden Ehrenreich's Han Solo! 

The relationship between Han Solo and Tobias Beckett in Solo: A Star Wars Story will take inspiration from Michael Mann's 1995 heist saga.

Heat is one of five films named as an influence on Solo by screenwriters Lawrence and Jon Kasdan. 

"We talked about the relationship between Val Kilmer and Robert De Niro in Heat," Lawrence Kasdan told Entertainment Weekly, "where there’s a sort of older, wiser criminal, and then someone who’s learning the ropes from them. We wanted this movie to have that flavor and that swagger."

This week, Baz and I revisit Heat to find out what makes it such an enduring crime classic, from the historic showdown between Robert De Niro and Al Pacino to the amazing real-life story that inspired the film. 

Baz also gets way too hung up on the size of televisions in 1995. It's a whole thing. 

Also this week, we talk about the excitement surrounding Force Friday (or the complete lack thereof); Mark Hamill's latest comments on his role in the franchise; and Solo's chances at the box office against Infinity War!