Ain't It Cool News: STAR WARS EPISODE VII's working title is...

STAR WARS EPISODE VII

THE ANCIENT FEAR

Source: Harry Knowles - Ain't It Cool News
Art: GeekSummit 

Hey folks, Harry here...  in response to my article earlier today a new source has come forward to confirm information that I've been sitting on for over a month.   As I've said - getting confirmation has been a bitch.  I know lots of people in JJ's camp - including JJ... but when I put the title to JJ... he never even responded.  That alone was suspicious.   But my original source had told me back in January that Abu Dhabi was a location, and when that came to be, he sent me a scoop that the title for STAR WARS EPISODE VII was THE ANCIENT FEAR.
I ran it by everyone in the editorial chatroom.  Beaks, Merrick, Quint, Capone... everyone...  and they rattled their sources cages - and couldn't get confirmation...  BUT tonight...  a source that I'm told to call Col. Mustard claimed completely on his own that "the working title" was THE ANCIENT FEAR....
He also stated that "it refers to Max Von Sydow's villain who makes Pazuzu look like a pussy!"

Star Wars Episode VII Cast Revealed!!!

 

A few hours ago in a country far far away...

Hey! We've got some official Star Wars: Episode VII casting news to share with you today! After all of the rumors, talk and speculation we now know who will be star in J.J. Abrams' highly anticipated film. So without future ado, here's the cast for Star Wars: Episode VII:
John Boyega (Attack the Block), Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver (Girls), Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis), Andy Serkis (LOTR), Domhnall Gleeson (About Time), and Max von Sydow (The Exorsist) will join the original stars of the sci-fi fantasy saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.
The photo above features the Abrams surrounded by the cast, and this is what the director  had this to say in a statement:

"We are so excited to finally share the cast of 'Star Wars: Episode VII.' It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud."

We all knew the original cast would be back to reprise their roles, but it's so comforting to know that it's all set in stone. I can relax now. As for the new members of the cast… these are all great choices and fantastic actors. I seriously can't wait to finally see the story that the filmmakers are planning to tell come to life on the big screen!
The movie opens in theaters worldwide on December 18th, 2015.

Source: StarWars.com

GeekSummit's Star Wars BLOWOUT!!!

Just in time to fill in your new Black Series Collection, GeekSummit is clearing out Star Wars VOTC and Movie Heroes Click the image below to go to the listings page!!!

Most Star Wars figures start @ $7.99 with Custom figures starting at $9.99. Get in early and bid high!!

Be sure and check out the large selection of DC Collectibles as well. Most figures starting at $14.99

AND don't forget the S.L.U.G. Zombies (Series 1 & 2) starting at $2.99

Current auctions run through Sept, 8 2013.

 

Star Wars Black Series | SDCC Exclusive Boba Fett and Han Solo in Carbonite

Boba Fett is coming to San Diego Comic-Con in July, and he's bringing a friend.

One of the collectible toys that Hasbro will have available exclusively at the pop-culture event this year is a detailed 6-inch Boba Fett action figure from the new Star Wars Black Series. What's even better is that he comes packaged with two weapons, his iconic jet pack and the ultimate accessory: Han Solo frozen in carbonite.

Kids of all ages can relive the moments in the Cloud City of Bespin during The Empire Strikes Back where Boba Fett hauls off his prey, or the scenes in Return of the Jedi where the iconic bounty hunter has taken Solo to Jabba the Hutt's palace on Tattooine.

 

 The special-edition set is priced at $44.99 and will be sold at the Hasbro booth at the San Diego Convention Center July 18-21.

The first wave of four Black Series figures, due out in early to mid-August, includes Luke Skywalker in his X-Wing Fighter flight suit, fan-favorite droid R2-D2, Sith lord Darth Maul and an Imperial Sandtrooper.

If you don't want to wait that long to get Star Wars stuff, in honor of Star Wars Day/May the Fourth on Saturday fans can use the promo code "SWFANDAY" to get 20% off Star Wars and Angry Birds Star Wars toys online at HasbroToyShop.com."

SOURCE: ToyArk.com

But I think we ALL remember that it was ThreeA toys suggestive entry a few years back. I would think Google was aglow shortly after the first few shots arrived detailing fully articulated 6 inch incarnations of any true Star Wars fan's favorite 2 armored baddies complete with scaled vintage packaging. Definitely Hasbro had taken notice of that interest. Regardless of who produces my first 6 inch Stormtrooper... Thank You and May the Force Be With You...

 

Legacy Millenium Falcon | Expanded Edition

I happened across a half pallet of these the first time they sold and clearanced. It was quite a find since I wanted to wait until the prices dropped on these. Apparently price as well as size kept a lot of these out of collector hands in their first incarnation.

So on to the business. A long time ago I took this model and dusted it in black an accented some areas that needed some life. I never thought I'd get back around to my full intentions but yesterday I ran the entire trilogy through the old Xbox and got cracking.

First I completely disassembled the falcon into top bottom and interior... Bye Bye electronics... You will be missed. I took all the interior pieces and gave then a deep black wash. Then I got to trimming out pieces. This was such a huge playset but you really only had half of the interior to interact with. I wanted to remedy this to justify the size of this beast. So with only my exacto I started to score away at these obstructions. One being the door to the cockpit as well as the corridor entry. I adds padding with this thick rubbery adhesive rubber sheeting and sliced into panels on location. I blacked out the inner walls of the cockpit while I applied decals. (Stickers loose their glue when they sit in a box in the garage for 5 years) and I found the wet paint to be a good substitute for the missing adhesive.

 

Then I went beyond the sick bay doors and knocked that wall out as well. The compartment that housed the escape pod was a molded non functioning door so I scored it through as well to remove if but then I had another wall... So I continued to score away at it. With access to both sides relieved I now had this empty space with just the inner shell showing. I took a Jedi council floor panel and grafted it onto the existing platforms and painted it over for an approximate match. I still had some empty space and figured I would make this the engine room. With fodder parts and other Star Wars accessories I started to fill in with "machinery" to give this new space purpose. So now I have a completed interior with new detailing and added space! I also removed the single turret gun seat in the middle and replaced it with a ladder (not pictured).

The outside was worked over with several layers of massive wet wash and dry brush. Once all the pieces had been treated I reassembled it and continued to detail the landing gear and artillery in black & oily steel.

The circle is now complete!!!

Class II Slave I | Boba Fett Style

So I was strolling through Target this week and just happened to get there on stock day. I look down and there's Jango Fett's Slave I sitting right on the front of the shelf. Just $19.99 but wow the box was tiny!! I knew I had to be dealing with an abbreviated version but wow this box was tiny and light too. I expected at least for this to be the size of the Target Exclusive a few years back but still I didn't know HOW it would fit in this box. Anyway enough about the box… it's small.

Before Blackwash

After BlackWash

So since I'm not a prequel guy I decided to give this hunk'a'plastic a makeover, or a work over since we are aging it about 30 years. The bottom "bell" of the Slave I is one piece along with the shoulders that host the rutters so I took just the bell and sprayed it with a Rustoleum Brown Boots satin finish. It proved a little glossy so I went back over with a matte finish. For the shoulders, bumper and loading dock I mixed up a green and then dirtied it with black and mixed it again. So now I have made this Slave I "NEW" with this alternate paint scheme, it's time to knock a few years into it.

I mixed up a darker gray to match the bit on the tailfin and went to replace a few panels along the top of the body and front. I used my Target Exclusive as a general reference but the panels were split up a little different so there was some liberties taken. For the more weathered panels I took my flat brush in between coats on the solid panels and I just ran it from the seams inward with lifting strokes as drybrush. That left just that slight bit of color creating a weathered metal.

Finishing off I mixed a little light gray to match the original body color and went back to work on the bell again. I used my broad strokes to wear down the very edges of the bell and then drybrushed in my weathering using the same method as I did on the upper body. Start in the seams and brush inward with lifting strokes.

There we are. The Mandalorian Manhunter is ready for duty. That's it really. I just wanted to post this up.

UPDATE: After about a week of admiring this piece I did come back with a blackwash (mostly water) and it really brought some scale to the ship. Gave it a nicely weathered look that it was still surprisingly missing.

• Before Blackwash •

• With Blackwash •

Star Wars | BLACK SERIES

Star Wars action figures are growing up with their audience.After 35 years of fantastic plastic standing tall in pop culture at 3¾ inches, Hasbro is releasing the "Star Wars" Black Series this year, beginning a new set of 6-inch figures that will feature more articulation and an increased attention to detail.

Priced at $19.99 each, eight figures are planned for 2013 — Hasbro will primarily draw characters from the original "Star Wars" trilogy of films while also bringing in key players from the prequels.
The first wave of four, due out in early to mid-August, includes Luke Skywalker in his X-Wing Fighter flight suit, fan-favorite droid R2-D2, bad guy Darth Maul and an Imperial Sandtrooper.
"We consider them the best figures that Hasbro's ever produced for 'Star Wars' that meets the sensibilities of romancing the character as well as the playability and poseability that fans really appreciate," says Derryl DePriest, Hasbro vice president of boys marketing.

Hasbro has had success with the scale before with the 6-inch Marvel Legends figures based on Marvel Comics heroes and villains. In terms of "Star Wars," though, the Black Series will act as a transitional point between the 3¾-inch toys — "which is rooted in the childhood memories of generations of now-grown kids," DePriest says — and the 12-inch Sideshow Collectibles figures for adult collectors.

The current "vintage"-style line of 3¾ figures will also continue under the Black Series banner.
In creating something new and different with "Star Wars," the color black became an inspiration for toy designers, DePriest says. "It's one of the main colors of 'Star Wars' all the way back to the beginning, and it's the approach that Lucasfilm has taken with their collector-oriented product line. We're bringing that simplicity and essence and focus on the character now to the toy aisle."
The Black Series appeals to those newbies who want to start a series from the start as well as those hardcore collectors who gobble up anything having to do with the words "Jedi" or "Empire" and "are looking for something new and their interest isn't as piqued by the 15th cantina alien we have yet to do," DePriest says. "We realize folks want their iconic characters delivered up in a new way."
With "Star Wars: Episode VII" coming from new "Star Wars" director J.J. Abrams in a couple of years, as well as comics, novels and other media adding to the universe George Lucas started in 1977, it's a good time to figure out different scales and toys for the next generation of Star Wars fan, according to DePriest.

Before then, however, the Black Series also gives a chance for parents to connect with their own little "Star Wars" fans.

"Our focus here is the adult collector, the dad," DePriest says. "We know they have their own generation of youngsters they like to share the adventure with. It can be something for dad, and the 3¾ world can be something for the kids to share."

Source: Detroit Free Press

SUPER POWERS GUM CARDS

Hop on over to the Pol•y•mer•phe•li•a blog for a look at the newly completed 

SUPER POWERS COLLECTION

GUM CARD ARCHIVE

The archive is made up of custom created trading card layouts showcasing all three series of the popular Super Powers Collection as photographed from my personal collection. After much tinkering and reworking the entire series is complete and ready for viewing!!!

These are set up to standard trading card size (plus bleed) @ 300dpi. Be on the look out for the full sheet series!!!

CHECK IT OUT!!!

The Whitening: Vintage Stormtrooper Restoration

How to whiten, brighten, and lighten your yellowed vintage Stormtroopers

I recently bought a HUGE lot of vintage Stormtroopers from a guy who was thinning out his collection. From what I picked up, honestly I'm scared to guess how many stormtroopers he's still got. But anyway, best wishes Stormtrooper hoarder and I thank you for your reasonable auction and fast shipping.

So since I've got my hands on this plethora of my favorite Star Wars character, I'm finally trying something I've been kinda scared to do with my existing collection: I'm going to whiten some stormtroopers.

I've seen a few tutorials on other blogs and sites and DerpTube on how to whiten specifically stormtroopers as well as other objects. So since I've done my first batch I think I'll take a look at a few methods or steps of methods.

Recommended materials are:
• Hydrogen Peroxide - I just bought mine at Wal-Mart for $0.88 for a huge bottle (bought 4)
• OxyClean Powdered Detergent - or relative substitute I bought SUN brand (it was cheaper) 
• Rubber gloves - for handling Hydrogen Peroxide (if its so bad for you why is it so TASTY????)
• Clear container - This is because sunlight will come in to play in getting the Hp to do its job. ( I bought a 4-pack of tupperware left over containers with blue tops not thinking. BUT that's ok because I turn them upside down so the clear side is exposed.) - Ziplock 24oz disposable tupperware containers.

CONTROL GROUP I - CGI:
Hydrogen Peroxide ONLY

Since I have such a handful of these guys I am breaking them up into sets of 4 and trying ONLY Hydrogen Peroxide (further called Hp) first. I don't want to mix until I see that Hp won't do it on its own.

• I take a tupperware container and lay the stormtroopers in a single layer and pour in the Hp.
I fill it up to the rim (You may want to do this step in your sink*)

• When putting the lid on there will be some overspill (sink*) as you lock one corner on press down on the lid as you seal it around the perimeter, this will let out any air bubbles. (the stormtroopers will float so this helps keep everything submerged completely)

• So I took my stormtroopers and placed the tupperware upside down on an East facing window ledge. (make sure your tupperware is sealed so it doesnt leak on you throughout the day) I let it sit there from sun-up until about 12:00 pm so that's about 6-7 hours of daylight give or take. I came home for lunch so I took a quick peek and I was surprised how well they had done.

• After initial inspection I took each figure out and flipped it to expose the un-sunbleached side and then   pressed the lid on just as I did before eliminating all air bubbles. I then placed it on a stump on the other side of my office again for nearly 6-7 hours.

The Results:

BEFORE

AFTER

So, for a first effort I am pleased. The process didn't turn back time so much but it clearly has an affect on the yellowing that we all know and hate. These photos were taken under identical lighting scenarios so there shouldn't be a wide degree of photofoolery. This is a pretty honest assessment of effort #1.

So to recap this is 14 hours even sunlight with Hydrogen Peroxide ONLY.

RATING: C+

These figures were the worst of the worst… filthy. Yellowing has been relieved a noticable step. Dirt deposits definitely fell to Hp. 

____________________

CONTROL GROUP II - CGII:

Let a little SUN Shine in…

Hydrogen Peroxide ONLY was a surprising result, and definitely a method for possibly a final push once things have been brought to their optimum white. For Control Group II we used figures of equal yellowing so as to not shift the qualities of yellowing from group to group. Now I will say that the figures from Group I were simply nasty and should have been scrubbed before the Hp test. So alot of the filth and color that was taken from them was possibly dirt deposit along with the anti yellowing effects of the Hp itself.

For Control Group II we added the SUN Oxygen cleaner to the mix, literally. I only used a Quarter Table Spoon. I mixed it in with the Hp in the bowl itself  before pouring it into a Ziplock 24oz disposable tupperware container with the 4 figures. The stuff is pretty gritty so you'l want to be sure and stir it in good so that you don't notice a whole bunch floating about. It just seems lime it won't do much stuck to the bottom.

So the process is basically the same from here:

*FIRST, give figures a good scrub, you'll be glad you did.

• Mix 1/4 Table Spoon of SUN Detergent with a half full pan of Hp. and stir to your best ability to make atleast half of the detergent dissolve. (*I didn't see any trace of it when I opened them at the end of this trial.)

• Take a tupperware container and lay the stormtroopers in a single layer in mixed solution and then pour in the Hp to fill it up the rim (You may want to do this step in your sink**)

• When putting the lid on there will be some overspill (sink**) as you lock one corner on press down on the lid as you seal it around the perimeter, this will let out any air bubbles. (the stormtroopers will float so this helps keep everything submerged completely)

• Place the tupperware upside down where it will get plenty of morning sun. (make sure your tupperware is sealed so it doesnt leak on you throughout the day) Let it sit there from sun-up until about 12:00 pm so that's about 6-7 hours of daylight give or take. Its time to flip the hotcakes!!! 

• Flip each figure to expose the un-sunbleached side and then press the lid on just as before eliminating all air bubbles. I place it in an area that gets plenty afternoon sunlight 6-7 hours.

The Results:

BEFORE

AFTER

So, I'm definitely please with the results of Control Group II. The 3 figures on the right were VERY yellowed when they went in and they cleaned up in a pretty clear 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place. The figure to the left that was completely yellowed was an impressive feat of its own. I believe in the next section we will take up the SUN content a bit… possibly quite a bit. So.. stay tuned for section 3…

Rating: B-

Yellowing has been greatly relieved. Would still like to see just 1 come out 100% consistent.

____________________

Control Group III - CGIII:

It's Becoming a System

I find it helpful to set everything up the night before. I don't get up before the sun… even for science. That way the experiment doesn't have to be put of for a day. I just mix this job up and set it out on a window sill. I have east and west facing spots in my yard to these are good spots to catch as much sun as possible on this experiment. You may see lessen results if you don't make sure these stay in constant sunlight.

Getting started this control group will show a 200% increase in the SUN detergent content added to the Hp. I feel like we saw distant enough results between CGI and CGII that I really feel like increasing its presence will show a continued added benefit. 

Once again follow the dancing dots •

*FIRST, give figures a good scrub, you'll be glad you did.

• Mix 1 Full Table Spoon (see picture) of SUN Detergent with a half full pan of Hp. and stir to your best ability to make atleast half of the detergent dissolve. (*I didn't see any trace of it when I opened them at the end of this trial.)

• Take a tupperware container and lay the stormtroopers in a single layer. Then pour in the mixed solution and fill it up to the rim with pure Hp. (You may want to do this step in your sink**)

• When putting the lid on there will be some overspill (sink**) as you lock one corner on press down on the lid as you seal it around the perimeter, this will let out any air bubbles. (the stormtroopers will float so this helps keep everything submerged completely)

• Place the tupperware upside down where it will get plenty of morning sun. (make sure your tupperware is sealed so it doesnt leak on you throughout the day) Let it sit there from sun-up until about 12:00 pm so that's about 6-7 hours of daylight give or take. Its time to flip the hotcakes!!! 

• Flip each figure to expose the un-sunbleached side and then press the lid on just as before eliminating all air bubbles. I place it in an area that gets plenty afternoon sunlight 6-7 hours.

The Results:

BEFORE

AFTER

A great whitening result has been seen here. These 4 figures had nearly equal yellowing and they have for the most part come out identically improved. #4 (right) showed the least whitened, but it was a little crowded in the tupperware I guess. we should probably expect to see one be the runt of the litter.

*Additional note, to day was the beginning of daylight savings.. BOO!! so the 12:00 milestone for flipping and repositioning showed to be a flawed regimen going into this weekend BUT, I would still say we have gotten quite an upward improvement in our whitening.

Rating: B-

Despite time inconsistencies, yellowing continued to improve. Would still like to see just 1 come out 100% consistent. 

Conclusion:

For all 3 variations of chemical treatments improvement was seen in Stormtrooper's yellowed plastic being whitened. BUT time may be the one factor that cannot be ignored. 

Perhaps the resurrection of this experiment will expand those efforts to a 48 hour time table.