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Flo’s V8 Cafe Serving Up New Menu in Cars Land

Debuting earlier this week, Flo’s V8 Cafe in Cars Land has a brand new menu that creates a more contemporary feel with comfort food, diner favorites, and more choices for the whole family. The food will be split up into quick and sit down options. After years of Guests asking if Flo serves burgers, the chefs can finally share their specialty burger called the Ka-Cheeseburger. The burger boasts a 1/3 pound angus beef patty on a classic seasame seed bun. Served with cheddar cheese, thousand island, and caramelized onions, it’s the feature fare for anyone who needs a quick refuel.

If you aren’t racing in just for a burger, Ramone will have his own Low and Slow Club Sandwich featuring turkey breast, crisp bacon, avacado-bacon may, lettuce, and tomato on toasted white bread. Just like a classic diner, there will also be a tuna sandwich dubbed the Fin-tastic Tuna Sandwich that will feature albacore tuna salad, lettuce, and tomato on toasted wheat. These will also be on the “Pit Stop Classics” menu.

The cafe will be serving up other offerings on their “Drive In Dishes” menu, with Flo’s Famous Fried Chicken, Cobb de Ville Salad, and Fillmore’s Pot Pie. Checkered Flag Chicken Noodle Soup will be available as well along with mystery Blue Plate Specials. These specials will be subject to availability and aren’t listed on the menu, providing a variety of fun food offerings that will keep you coming back for more.

The little racers out there will have a kids menu as well through a series of child friendly offerings like the Micro Burger, Chicken Fenders, Mack’s Mac and Cheese, as well as the Taillight Turkey Slider. Each item will come with fresh fruit, baby carrots, and choice of low-fat milk or small bottle of water.

For dessert, the famous Flo’s Classic Shakes will be here to stay. The flavors have not changed, with vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry being offered with “Road Gravel” topping (cookies and cream crumbles). The milkshakes will be joined by a rotational dessert, kicking off with strawberry pie.

For the adults out there, draft beer and wine options will still be made available that include Victory Prima Pilsner and Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA as well as Kendall-Jackson VR Chardonnay, Coppola Rosso & Bianco, and Red Sangria. The menu is available right now in the heart of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure!

You can learn more by visiting Disneyland’s official site!

 

Halloween Time Returns to the Disneyland Resort This Fall

Carthay shines with the new decorative lights.
Carthay shines with the new decorative lights.

Halloween Time fun is just around the corner, and to celebrate, Disneyland has extended their seasonal offerings, casting their magic spell across both parks. Running from September 7th to October 31st, the entire resort will transform with special themed attractions, food offerings, shows, and limited time events.

Disney California Adventure is definitely in the Halloween Spirit!
Oogie Boogie will be taking over Disney California Adventure

Mickey’s Halloween Party will be hosted 15 nights out of the season, starting on September 19th. Tickets go on sale June 5th for Disneyland Annual Passholders, Disney Rewards Card Visa Holders, and Disney Vacation Club Members. The general public will be able to purchase their tickets on June 12th.

Here is the full list of Halloween Party Dates

September: 19th, 21st, 24th, 26th, 28th

October: 2nd, 5th, 9th, 12th, 16th, 19th, 23rd, 26th, 29th, 31st

Both parks will have special overlays and decorations, featuring Halloween exclusive favorites such as Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy in Disneyland Park. Guardians of the Galaxy Monsters After Dark will return in Disney California Adventure along with Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree and Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween.

Rocket needs your help! Save Groot!
Guardians of the Galaxy- Monsters After Dark returns for a second year at Disney California Adventure

 

To get all the details for Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, please make sure to visit http://www.Disneyland.com/Halloween.

ABC Prepares for Dancing with the Stars Finale, Bids Farewell to the Middle

After nine seasons on the air, ABC prepares to say goodbye to The Middle with a two part series finale next week. The episode will be titled, “A Heck of a Ride” and will air next Tuesday, May 22nd, at 8:30 EDT. The show will also be available for online streaming and ABC On Demand.

The series, which stars Everybody Loves Raymond alum, Patricia Heaton, follows the Heck family in a quirky, dysfunctional suburban home in the Midwest. Her son, Axl, plans to leave the family and move to Denver for a new job, marking the end of an era. ABC described the episode as hilarious and heartfelt.

Dancing with the Stars has also entered the last stage of competition, with a big winner being announced. With three couples remaining, competition is fierce. Each couple will be performing two dances along with a reunion of all ten athletes for a final dance. The winner will be determined based off a ‘Last Chance” live voting system in combination with last week’s viewer votes.

Dancing with the Stars kicks off on Monday, May 21st 8-9PM EDT.

Star Wars Celebration 2019 Coming to Chicago

The wait is finally over for the details on the next Star Wars Celebration, as it was announced this Wednesday to be coming to our galaxy in 2019. Revealed on the weekly YouTube special, The Star Wars Show, Star Wars Celebration 2019 will be in Chicago at McCormick Place from April 11-April 15th. Tickets will go on sale on June 15th at noon CST.

The very first convention, Star Wars Celebration I, kicked off in 1999 to celebrate the release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Since then, Celebration has been hosted worldwide to honor big Star Wars landmarks and anniversaries that include new films, shows, and changes across the franchise. Big reveals and surprise visits, like John William’s concert last year, are examples of some of the exclusive offerings fans get to take part in.  Celebration 2019 will be the first time Chicago has hosted the convention, marking the 20th anniversary of the event.

Conductor, John Williams, in a surprise concert during Star Wars Celebration Orlando in 2017.
Conductor, John Williams, in a surprise concert during Star Wars Celebration Orlando in 2017.

Stay tuned for more details and make sure to follow http://www.starwarscelebration.com/ for all the latest information on the official Star Wars convention.

Summer Fun at Knott’s Soak City Waterpark Opens May 19th

Splash into the summer season at Knott’s Soak City Waterpark as it opens its gates beginning Saturday, May 19. Orange County’s largest outdoor water park is the perfect family destination to cool off during the hot summer days with over 15-acres of aqua-tastic fun.

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In 2017, Knott’s Soak City expanded the water park to offer even more fun in the sun including a fully remodeled Longboard’s Grill restaurant, additional seating areas, and new spacious cabanas, plus two new water slide towers – Shore Break and The Wedge. Shore Break towers over seven stories high and features six different thrilling water slide experiences.

Four of the slides include Aqua-Launch chambers where guests wait anxiously as the floor drops out from underneath their feet sending them on high speed free fall down a 60 foot tall slide. Additionally, Shore Break offers two dueling tube slides which will have riders zipping through drops and turns. The newest family raft ride, the Wedge, takes up to six riders on an open-raft trip navigating through twists, turns and unexpected drops for some spills and thrills. Guests can look forward to another unforgettable summer season running through September 9th at Knott’s Soak City Waterpark.

Knott’s Soak City opens select dates May 19 through September 9, 2018

DEADPOOL 2 Movie Review

mb0340_pubstill_v0212.1010 – Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Colossus in Twentieth Century Fox’s DEADPOOL 2. Photo Credit: Courtesy Twentieth Century Fox.

Deadpool is back, and this time he’s got some friends, in the David Leitch directed Deadpool 2. All the meta humor, vulgarity, and violence one expects from the Merc with a Mouth is bigger this time around, because as any good comic book sequel knows, bigger means better. Well, at least that’s the studio mindset. Thankfully, Deadpool 2 doesn’t go for that old adage. But it does go all in on the Rob Liefeld universe, recruiting some more of his fan favorite characters for a superhero bonanza that is fun and heartfelt. In a lot of ways, Deadpool 2 is Home Alone and Back to the Future meets The Terminator, and that’s a great thing.

Director David Leitch is a visually stylish director, having co-directed the Keanu Reeves breakout hit John Wick, and it’s no surprise how he ended up getting the director’s chair this time around from former Deadpool director Tim Miller. Leitch brings a very particular 1980s action film aesthetic to the proceedings, but his action is infused with fun and humor, a perfect pairing with Deadpool as a character. Working off a script by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, Leitch seems to be having a fantastic time finding his own rhythm with the material, bringing even more over the top action to the proceedings than the first offered. In fact, the action in Deadpool 2 may be arguably one of the most insanely silly and violent films to come out in recent memory. Leitch and Co. don’t hold back on letting Deadpool kill the bad guys this time around, and we’re treated to some pretty great montages of violence that would make Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino proud.

However, it’s not just the action that makes the movie work though, but the characters as well. Ryan Reynolds continues to prove that he’s the living embodiment of Deadpool, perfectly capturing Wade’s quirks and ticks, while also finding a beating heart underneath the damaged antihero. But in this film, it’s Josh Brolin, who joins the series as the fan favorite character Cable, who really steals the show. Brolin is the Bud Abbott to Reynolds’ Lou Costello, but with a much heavier arsenal and body count in his wake. It’s never an easy feat to walk into a franchise like this and not only hold your own with the lead, but in many ways, steal the film from them. Cable really gives Brolin that chance though, and he just shines as the war-weary soldier from the future who has traveled back in time to prevent the future he knows from happening. There’s a real sincerity in the role, and you can tell that Brolin is having a great time as a part of this franchise. Not only is he a great action hero, but he’s a damn good comedian on top of it, making for a fantastic combo. The way Brolin spars with Reynolds throughout genuinely leads to some of the best moments in the film, and honestly, audiences are going to be clamoring for a Cable film when this is all said and done. Zazie Beetz is also a really wonderful addition to the series as Domino, the luckiest mutant alive. Much like Brolin, Beetz not only keeps up with Reynolds’ Deadpool, but finds ways to match him at every turn.

The only thing that holds Deadpool 2 back from being a truly fantastic offering is that the film starts to outstay its welcome towards the finale. As fast and furious as the jokes and action are, near the end of the third act, the film begins to run out of gas, feeling like it’s spun the wheels a little too long. Maybe it’s because the film really relies on the merry cast of characters it has over plot, which honestly is ok as it’s Deadpool after all, but it does lead to a bit of audience fatigue before we reach the end credits. That’s not an indictment on the film as a whole though, as this truly is a pretty clever script at times that really plays into what we expect from the superhero genre at this point. The fact that the film also plays into the family film genre is a nice twist, and trying to use that to humanize Wade was a stroke of brilliance. If the first film proved anything, it’s that Vanessa and Wade’s relationship was an incredibly important dynamic that made the film work, and thankfully the second film has found a new angle to capitalize on that very thing.

Deadpool 2 is one of the rare sequels that actually ends up being a worthy companion piece to the original. Though it may not be better than the first, that’s not really the intention. Instead, we’re given a film that builds off the first in a fun, new way. The fantastic additions of Josh Brolin and Zazie Beetz gives the film a new layer of fun that you can’t help but love. Director David Leitch also brings a new flare to the action, making Deadpool even more violent and fun than he was the first time. This will arguably be some of the most fun you’ll have in theaters all summer, and the set up for the future of Deadpool and his X-Force looks very bright.

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY Movie Review

If adventure has a name it must be…Han Solo? As it turns out, that’s truly the case with Solo: A Star Wars Story, the newest entry in the now sprawling Star Wars franchise, and now second standalone entry in a galaxy far, far away. Prequel stories are always a hard gamble, especially when you’re doing one based on one of the popular characters in pop culture. If anything, Star Wars fans have very mixed emotions towards anything that could potentially take the mystique away from characters they love, but writers Lawrence and Jake Kasdan, along with filmmaker Ron Howard, worked tirelessly to give fans a story worthy of Han Solo without spoiling the character. It’s not an easy feat by any stretch, but Solo ends up being a really great addition to the Star Wars canon.

Picking up in the unexplored years between Revenge of the Sith and A New HopeSolo: A Star Wars Story explores the origins of infamous smuggler Han Solo, in a very uncertain time for those across galaxy. As the Empire continues to slowly dominate the universe with an iron grip, it pushes many planets to their brink. People are struggling to survive, and a rather seedy underbelly begins to emerge, especially on Corellia, where the Empire has set up shop to build many of their vehicles of war. But a young man has his eyes set on leaving the mean streets of Corellia behind, so with his street smarts at his side, Han (Alden Ehrenreich) embarks on a journey that will change his life forever.

As mentioned before, prequel stories are not an easy balancing act, because you have to find a line where you don’t over explain a character’s past, but also playing to things we’ve heard before. You also can’t fundamentally alter a character to the point that they aren’t recognizable to the character we know, and thankfully Lawrence and Jake Kasdan have written a script that is a love letter to the character, that pieces together things you may know about Han Solo, but leaving much more up to the imagination of where the character could go. All this is helped by the fact that Alden Ehrenreich finds a sweet balance of playing Han as his own character, while leaning slowly into the character Ford made so iconic over the last forty years. There’s a real spark in the script, mixed with Ehrenreich’s performance, that truly makes Han come to life in a way we haven’t quite seen before.

One of the most interesting aspects of Solo is the throwback feel to films of a bygone area, in particular the pulp western mixed with the adventure serials of old. The film doesn’t look to reinvent the wheel of the Star Wars universe, so much as it wants to shine a new light on the galaxy we know, but through a new prism. Ron Howard has crafted a film that feels like Silverado meets Ocean’s Eleven, with a full ensemble to surround Alden’s Han, and all the adventure aspects of the Indiana Jones franchise. It’s no secret that the film faced a rather uphill battle behind the scenes before Howard came on board, but the film clearly feels like it belongs to the seasoned director, as he has put his own stamp on the material. There’s just a cool energy infused into the film, similar to his 2013 film Rush, that really makes the film pop in its own unique way.

There is something to be said about the fact that Solo, which is a film very much about Han Solo, also hosts an ensemble featuring Joonas Suotamo, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Woody Harrelson, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, each playing a character that very specifically shapes Han as a character in their own way. For many, Donald Glover will no doubt steal the show as Lando Calrissan, originally made famous by the great Billy Dee Williams. Glover just exudes the cool, charming charisma that we expect from the character, while also maybe not quite being as cool as he thinks he is. He’s still young, and has a lot to learn, and the dynamic he shares with Erenreich’s Han is just undeniable and fun. But, in a lot of ways, the unsung hero of the film is without a doubt Joonas Suotamo’s Chewbacca. Suotamo has big Wookie sized shoes to fill that were left by Peter Mayhew, but Suotamo is only up to the task, he excels it. Chewbacca is as lively as we’ve ever seen him, and honestly it doesn’t even feel like a different person underneath that fur. Even his eyes have that same soulful look that Mayhew gave Chewie, and it’s exciting seeing it so accurately replicated, while also letting the character grow in new directions as well. The bond that Suotamo and Erenreich have feels just as real as the bond between Ford and Mayhew, and that isn’t an easy thing to convey on-screen. But without missing a beat, Suotamo crushes in the role, truly showing that you always let the Wookie win.

There’s definitely a bit of a downside to the film in the fact that we already know who Han is, and we don’t really need it explained where he came from, or how he became who he is. The film tries to sidestep over explaining too much, but inherently you’re always going to fall into that trap. Some things in the film may leave some fans may wish they’d left it to our imagination as it always has been, while others may like some of the explanations and moments explored from Han’s history. The other criticism really just falls on Emilia Clarke, who isn’t all that interesting in the film. She’s fine, but there’s nothing overly memorable about her character, and she just doesn’t really leave a lasting impression. Her character is an important one, so it’s a bummer there isn’t someone more dynamic in the role.

If you’re just looking for a throwback adventure film, it’s hard not to fall in love with what Ron Howard has done with Solo: A Star Wars Story. There’s just so much fun to be had in this side of the Star Wars universe, and the movie leaves the audience in a perfect place for a follow-up. As the film cut to credits, it was hard to not immediately want the next adventure with Han and Chewbacca, and wondering where we’ll catch up with them next. Erenreich, Glover, and Suotamo have all done the impossible, fitting snugly into the roles made famous by such iconic actors before them. There’s a whole universe out there for the characters to explore, and now that Han’s origin is out of the way, there’s unlimited potential of where to go next. With these anthology films, each gives us the chance to spend more time with characters outside of the main saga films, and Solo shows why that’s not only necessary, but how much fun it can be too. Here’s hoping the galaxy far, far away has more adventures on the big screen to offer us with this merry band of smugglers.

Disney Channel GO! Fan Fest DuckTales Live Exclusive!

The cast of DuckTales flocked to the Disneyland Resort on May 12 to take part in a fans only event to discuss the new show, share the latest news from the series, and run through a special table read of a new episode written just for Fan Fest. With new content, merchandise, and fun on the way, there’s a lot coming from Duckburg for fans this summer! Check out all the details as well as an exclusive interview with SoCalThrills below!

DuckTales has been a smash hit since its revival in 2017, successfully rebooting the beloved Disney Afternoon series that ran from 1987 to 1990. The new series is now a childhood staple, ranking number one in its time slot with over 9.1 million total viewers. The show also reaches a larger audience, as it appeals to the nostalgia of adults that grew up with the original series.

David Tennant, who voices the eccentric Scrooge McDuck, shared his thoughts with the rest of the cast about the show and how special it is to be a part of the series. “I feel very privileged..like I’ve been given something very precious. People love the show, people love this character. It’s iconic.” Tennant took the helm from the late Alan Young, who had voiced the character from 1974 until 2016. The entire cast shared the same feelings of pride and attachment to their characters as well as the need to honor the legacy of the original series.

“It means a great deal to us. It’s one of those shows that you really fight for to try and be in”, said costar Ben Schwartz. Schwartz was cast along with Dani Pudi and Bobby Moynihan as the famous nephew trio Dewey, Huey, and Louie. “The chance to get to do something that I watched as a kid and share with my kids is pretty thrilling”, Pudi added.

Though the new series does make a few changes, including the role of Webbigail Vanderquack. Played by Kate Micucci, Webby has a stronger presence and is full of personality. Ushering in a new chapter with the character was exciting for the actress, who grew up being a long time fan of the Disney Channel. “If I was ten and I knew I would get to do this, that’s amazing!” Micucci said.

Fans will get the opportunity to explore with Webby and the rest of the gang through new titles by Disney Press that include DuckTales: Solving Mysteries and Rewriting History! IDW Publishing will be joining in, printing comic books as well as graphic novels. A new toy line has also been announced that include action figures, plush toys, and collectible items that will be made available as a Target Exclusive.

The Emmy Award-nominated can be found daily on the Disney Channel and Disney XD, with new episodes premiering every Friday in May. You can watch the series live, or throughout Disney’s other services such as DisneyNow, Disney Channel On Demand, and Disney Channel’s official YouTube page. The show will also be debuting a compilation DVD titled, DuckTales: Destination Adventure, which will have a mix of current episodes along with two classic episodes from the original series that have never been available on home video.

You can learn more about the series by checking out the official site.

SOLO: A Press Junket Story

“He’s reckless, cynical, doesn’t trust anybody, does things he shouldn’t do and is a little bit stupid.” Legendary writer Lawrence Kasdan described how he first saw Harrison Ford as Han Solo and being fascinated by his character while seeing him in the cantina in A NEW HOPE. That fascination carries over 41 years later for Kasdan, who co-wrote SOLO with his son, John. The love for Han, his legacy and the universe he exists in was shared amongst the panel during the press junket for SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY. 

Here’s a few tidbits that were shared:

  • Ron Howard felt honored to be able to direct a STAR WARS movie, saying that he told himself, “Ron, don’t f*** this up.” He knew the weight and importance of these films, and how gargantuan of a task taking on a film of this magnitude would be. He was happy to inherit an incredible crew, including cinematographer Bradford Young. 
  • On finding the right role for his brother, Clint, Ron remarked “there was this great scene with L3 and it just sort of came up in conversation that L3 needed somebody to be pissed off at. And I said, ‘My brother!’”
  • Howard also praised the script the Kasdans wrote, and how well it handled each character’s impact on the younger, naive Solo. The screenplay also allowed him to focus on character beats, rather than wrapping his head around references to the larger Star Wars canon; he left that job to his technical advisors. Coming in to the movie, Howard said he “would treat this like it’s a true story” and worked off instinct to tell the story. He found it difficult at times to stage the big action sequences, but discovered that the set pieces were really about testing Han and furthering his character. In the end, that defined the way the action played out.
  • Howard, about halfway into the press junket, was also the first to mention previous directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, noting that he took over after “creative differences created circumstances where they were not going to carry on.”
  • The father-son duo of Lawrence and John Kasdan were able to find a great working dynamic between them when writing the movie. John said he “shared a deep love with [Star Wars], and I came at it from a totally different [perspective]. I grew up playing with the toys, and that with me as a fan, and [Lawrence] as an older Jedi master, we could figure out some sort of dynamic where the story felt contemporary and true to the spirit of Solo.”
  • The Kasdans tried to approach the movie in terms of “is there a genre movie – a crime movie, a western – that we could fit Han Solo into?” The younger Kasdan wanted to plug Han into the kind of story they wanted to see. “At its base, it’s trying to be its best version of a western,” John remarked.
(L to R) Lawrence Kasdan, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Woody Harrelson, Donald Glover, and Alden Ehrenreich.
  • Inheriting the role of Han Solo, Alden Ehrenreich found it “wild and exciting to step into the Millennium Falcon.” Early on into his process, he watched the original Star Wars trilogy to absorb Solo’s character and view of the world. Harrison Ford even gave him some pointers during a meeting, and also surprised Alden the morning of the press junket during an interview. Ehrenreich was so happy that his predecessor was extremely effusive and supportive of the movie.
  • Fresh off an SNL hosting gig and the release of a controversial, yet important music video, Donald Glover dons the cape that Billy Dee Williams wore before him as Lando Calrissian. Glover said that Star Wars feels like the bible to him, as he had toys of Land and Darth Vader, amongst others when he was younger. “When I heard they were making these, I told my agent, ‘If they’re making anything with Lando in it, I have to be Lando.’ And he was like: ‘I hear you. I don’t like your odds.’ That was exactly what I needed to hear. I really auditioned like it was the only role I wanted in the world. It really was,” Glover said. Don’t ever tell Glover the odds, as he beat them handily to nab the role of young Lando.
  • Joonas Suotamo plays the lovable Chewbacca, and felt honored to carry on the legacy of Peter Mayhew. This role was a life changer for him, and was very thankful of getting to step into this franchise. He joked, “[for Chewie bootcamp,] tickets were sold out, but I was lucky to squeeze in,” as he let out a classic Chewie yell to the delight of everyone in the crowd.
  • SOLO contains many familiar characters, but also introduces a few new characters into the universe, including Woody Harrelson’s Tobias Beckett. Woody was attracted to the project because of how well written Beckett is, and was overjoyed at the chance to be in a Star Wars movie.
  • Emilia Clarke found her character very exciting, but expressed that it was sometimes difficult to play mysterious. In the end, she loved playing the enigmatic Qi’ra, the love interest to Han and a new character created for this movie.
(L to R) Emilia Clarke, Joonas Suotamo, and Paul Bettany.
  • Playing the nasty villain, Dryden Vos, was a pleasure for Paul Bettany. He found it very fun to play bad, and was eager to be in the Star Wars universe, going so far as to text Ron Howard to find him a role. Bettany compared his role as Vision in the Avengers movies as being a fundamentally good character, while Dryden Vos is viciously bad.
  • Thandie Newton, who plays Val, a member of the crew Han joins, reminisced about the fun times filming, as well as the size of the sets and scope of the movie. She told a story about how her son’s first interactions with the Star Wars universe was him blabbering back and forth with R2-D2 on set. “This is the stuff dreams are made of.”
  • Phoebe Waller-Bridge did motion capture and voiced L3-37, Lando’s droid companion. She says that L3 is “a self-made droid, so she created herself out of other droids, which is kind of frightening when you put it like that.” L3 is also upbeat, independent and inspirational to Waller-Bridge (who was also responsible for one of the funniest lines of the movie).

The last remarks of the morning put the movie into a more relevant perspective. John Kasdan stated that “Star Wars… has been a classic story of the dark and the light, the good and the evil. And we saw this as an opportunity… to make it so every character had some ambiguity to them, and everyone was after their own particular end.” He hopes that the world we live in now is reflected in their art, and they tried to be faithful to what they think is appropriate for today and how the perception of Han would evolve through time. He went on, saying “Han is centrally conflicted, at his core, there is conflict and it’s beautifully laid out in A NEW HOPE between his ideals and his desires.”

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY, starring Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke and Paul Bettany, and directed by Ron Howard, opens on May 25 nationwide.

A Special Look at the Merchandise for Solo: A Star Wars Story

Prepare your wish lists, everything you can imagine this side of the galaxy is headed your way in time to celebrate Solo: A Star Wars Story. From toys to one of a kind clothing to games, there will be plenty to choose from a wide array of products.

Toys are just the beginning. From our hero, to new characters like Qi’Ra, to the new armored look or the Empire, Hasbro and other partnering companies are bringing Solo home with figures of all shapes and sizes. Every character has a large assortment, which makes this release a great launchpad for collectors and fans eager to find the right fit for their collection.

Solo also has brought forward some unique fashion items and accessories that range from shirts, to vests, to Lando’s iconic cape. Take a look at some of what’s available below!

Jewelry and pins also are out in full force with a special Disney Parks pin release and replica dice that you can wear with pride or place inside your own cockpit.

If you are looking for something more mobile, UGG will also becoming out with special Star Wars’ edition footwear. Though they do not guarantee that you will be able to make the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs.

Though fans will also get a chance to make the legendary Kessel run at home with new Millennium Falcon models. Hasbro’s model will have Force Link capabilities to go with the rest of their Force Link toy line. LEGO fans will get a new build, including the detachable escape pod that everyone has been so curious about. There definitely appear to be a lot of special modifications worth taking a look at!

Home products won’t be hard to find either, including cups, plates, water bottles, and bag kits.

Though all bets are in for the new Solo games coming out, including Sabacc. Though it’s not called Sabacc on the packaging, we all know exactly what the game contains. Just be careful what ships you place in wager when the cards are down.

Keep an eye out on your local stores and online retailers for more details. Lock in your coordinates and prepare to bring the adventure home!

Solo: A Star Wars Story flies into our galaxy on May 25th.

An In Depth Look at the Costumes of Black Panther

This week, Marvel is celebrating the release of Black Panther on Blu-Ray/4K with an inspirational talk with costume designer Ruth E. Carter, going in depth about her journey at creating the iconic outfits for the film.

Going into detail, Carter spoke about her research and concepts for T’Challa’s iconic hero suit. It had to reflect the power of vibranium as well as a mix of African patterns and textures to get the right feel for the Black Panther.

Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER..Black Panther Conceptual Character and Costume Design Sketch..Costume Design and Art: Ryan Meinderding and VisDev Team..©Marvel Studios 2018

“Nowadays, every superhero suit seems to have a small pattern that creates a texture on their suit, so I was excited that there was an opportunity for me to include a surface treatment to Black Panther’s suit. Within the design, you can see some veining of a Wakandan language that circles around the suit – but I put a small triangle in between the line-work. I call it the Okavango pattern. The Okavango print, in combination with the veining, helps the piece feel like the roller prints you see in so many African patterns and printed fabric. Now, he’s not only a superhero, but he’s also an African king.”

 

For T’Challa’s sister, Shuri, Carter and her team took a different approach. One that was more modern and less tied to tradition. “She is bored with tradition. She designs the new Black Panther suit and she’s the head of the Wakandan Design Group, so I knew it was important that we really try and think outside the box for the character.” Carter was able to reflect on the script and character, coming out with the right look needed to fit the progressive head of Wakandan’s technological infrastructure.

Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER..Shuri (Letitia Wright)..Ph: Matt Kennedy..©Marvel Studios 2018

“When we see Shuri at the airstrip, she talks to her brother and he teases her about having to wear a traditional costume at Warrior Falls. Then, when we see her at Warrior Falls, she says, “Can you hurry up, people? This is very uncomfortable.” I feel like that [dialogue] allows audiences to understand the character. She’s saying, ‘I know I am a princess and I know there’s a place for tradition, but I’m moving on from that.’

A lot of thought and effort went into the characterization and personality each piece needed to bring out the best in performance for the actors and story. That definitely comes to light when Carter discusses the work done for the strong and powerful warriors of the Dora Milaje. “I made the reds and the oranges really vibrant because we only have a few members of the Dora Milaje in the film. In total, I think there were only eight – but I wanted the eight Dora Milaje to feel like 10 or 20 women.”

Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER..Dora Milaje Conceptual Character and Costume Design Sketch..Costume Design: Ryan Meinderding and VisDev Team.Concept Artist: Anthony Francisco..©Marvel Studios 2018

With the mixture of prominent color and bead work, the finished product created the level of ferocity Carter was looking for. Still, that layer of culture and honorable tradition was kept in mind. “Overall, I wanted the costume to look like something that would be passed on or handed down. I wanted there to be this feeling that it would be given to you with such pride and such ornate handiwork of Africa that it was a privilege and an honor to receive the uniform.”

There were a lot of great elements put into the costume work for the film, and other concepts can be seen below. Every piece of fabric, dye, bead work, and stitch was put in with intricate detail and meaning.

Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER..Ramonda Conceptual Character and Costume Design Sketch..Costume Design: Ruth Carter.Concept Artists: Ryan Meinerding and Team..©Marvel Studios 2018
Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER..Zuri Conceptual Character and Costume Design Sketch..Costume Design: Ruth Carter.Concept Artist: Phillip Boutte Jr. ..©Marvel Studios 2018
Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER..Border Warrior Conceptual Character and Costume Design Sketch..Costume Design: Ruth Carter.Concept Artist: Keith Christensen..©Marvel Studios 2018
Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER..Dora Milaje Conceptual Character and Costume Design Sketch..Costume Design: Ruth Carter.Concept Artist: Keith Christensen..©Marvel Studios 2018

Make sure to grab your copy of Black Panther once the film hits shelves this week! Check out our review of the Blu-Ray Multiscreen edition by clicking here.

The Costumes of Solo: A Star Wars Story

With all the excitement leading up to the release of Solo: A Star Wars Story, here’s an up close examination of some of the costumes worn and used in bringing the characters of the latest Star Wars’ film to life. The costumes, as well as props from the film, will be on showcase at The El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood when the film blasts off into theaters later this month. Take a look at the gallery below!

Han Solo- The daring and iconic smuggler gets a new look for the film, with some new color, fabrics, and rustic tones. Just make sure to keep a blaster at your side!

Qi’Ra- One of the newest additions to the Star Wars canon, the mysterious Qi’Ra’s costume is one of elegance and intergalactic flair. She knows Han better than anyone and we can’t wait to learn more about her!

Tobias Beckett- Though we don’t know much about Beckett, what we can tell is he’s a rogue smuggler ready for action. As he warned Han, “If you come with us, you’re in this life for good!”

Lando Calrissian- The Baron of Smooth himself, Lando knows style better than anyone. The Falcon has a special room just for his wide assortment of capes. You better buckle up baby!

Val- A woman on a mission. Val is one of the new members of the “crew” Solo will get to encounter in the new film. The costume, as the character, is built to be prepared for anything!

Dryden Vos- Intriguing and mysterious, Dryden Vos appears to be one of the key players in Solo. Played by Avenger’s alum, Paul Bettany, fans will be eager to find out what role he will play in young Solo’s journey.

Enfys Nest- Clearly one of the most intricate costumes in the film, Enfys Nest is battle hardened and from the trailers, appears to be a challenger for Solo and his crew. Are you ready to see how that showdown will end?

Tickets are now on sale for Solo, which can be found in our helpful guide here.

Solo: A Star Wars Story flies into a theater near you on May 25th!

 

 

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