Damon Houx
There are so many directions to go with possible 'Star Wars' spin-offs, and though one of the most appealing things about 'Star Wars - Episode 7' is that it wouldn't be more back-story, there's a rumor we may get stand-alone adventures from some of the characters in the universe. And word is that Yoda might get his own movie.
Though it may only be the end of January, and it may feel like another big movie season is wrapping up, we're only three months away from the start of the summer season, which means we're nearly ninety days out from 'Iron Man 3.' Which means the advertising blitz is about to start, and now there's a great new poster for the film to coincide with the new Super Bowl spot.
If you're Marvel Studios, you've got a reason to feel a little cocky. Their film 'The Avengers' was 2012's biggest hit by a wide margin, and they've already set up a game plan of films that stretch into 2015. Most of those are sequels, but they have a deep body of characters to draw from, and -- as rumored -- one of the next characters to transition to the big screen will be Doctor Strange.
For whatever reason, 'Star Wars' fans petitioned the White House wanting the United States to make a Death Star. That the country our the government has no interest in making one is no surprise. But the Chief of the Science and Space Branch at the White House Office of Management and Budget Paul Shawcross responded to the petition in the nerdiest way possible.
With George Lucas out of Lucasfilm, a number of big changes have already happened. They're developing 'Star Wars Episode 7,' and it looks like a long promised spin-off may be coming out of the mothballs. No, not another Ewok adventure, but the long rumored live-action 'Star Wars' television show.
Jason Statham is one of the few B movie action stars that gets his films released theatrically these days, and there's something sad about that. This January brings his latest, 'Parker' and we've come to appreciate the latest Statham offerings as one might a 2 A.M. trip to a fast food joint: It may not be great, but it usually delivers what you were expecting.
Currently, the big Consumer Electronics Show (or CES) is taking place, and we've been hearing some interesting stories coming out of it, but the coolest thing so far is this new trailer for Guillermo del Toro's 'Pacific Rim.' Though it features the same narrative and much of the footage from the last trailer, what's new is even more monster and robot mayhem.
Though 'Brave' was a welcome respite, Pixar has gone sequel crazy, as their previous two films were sequels and this summer we're getting a prequel in 'Monsters University.' But the studio is also working on three non-sequels for the future, and have released images from each of them.
With college football bowl games happening now, Pixar has made an ad for their college-themed film 'Monsters University' and unleashed it during the games. It's the sort of clever ad that gives hope that the prequel to 'Monsters, Inc.' has a couple tricks up its sleeve.
Christmas has come a little early for 'Star Trek' fans, as J.J. Abrams' sequel 'Star Trek into Darkness' has given Empire Magazine some new stills from the movie. They suggest that the big summer movie will have action, and costumes.