Rebel Force Radio: Star Wars Podcast

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! 

Support RFR's newest sponsor Bombfell - Get clothes hand-picked by a stylist to fit your life. RFR listeners save $25.00! 

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.

We talk plenty about the upcoming HAN SOLO standalone film including a review of leaked concept art and recent photos Alden Ehrenreich’s hairstyle. Promotion for THE LAST JEDI has begun in Japan and it promises “The Most Shocking Truth in Star Wars History Will Soon Be Revealed!” We consider what that’s supposed to mean. Plus, we get our first glimpse of STAR TREK DISCOVERY and feel a definite Star WARS vibe. And, Paul reveals his top four characters he want to see return in THE LAST JEDI.

Dave Filoni’s “Heroines of Star Wars” panel and the “Forces of Destiny” animated shorts announcement were highlights from Star Wars Celebration Orlando.  We review it all with Melody Deel, Public Relations Officer for the Rebel Legion: Mountain Base. Plus, we break down the STAR WARS REBELS season four trailer and speculate on the future of Star Wars animation. We also review a few nuggets from the “Animated Origins & Unexpected Fates” panel. And, an Outrageous Unthinkable moment from the STAR WARS cutting room floor was revealed at SWCO…Hear what it was!