Is Star Wars’ New Character Jannah Lando Calrissian’s Daughter? Here’s What Naomi Ackie Says

Is Star Wars’ New Character Jannah Lando Calrissian’s Daughter? Here’s What Naomi Ackie Says

While the number of questions regarding how things will end for our heroes in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker are nearly infinite, Rey, Finn and Poe aren't the only characters we wonder about. Naomi Ackie has been added to the cast as an all new character, and we know essentially nothing about her, except her character's name, Jannah.

Naomi Ackie and Jannah were introduced to the crowd at the recent Star Wars Celebration in Chicago and panel moderator Stephen Colbert asked Ackie about rumors that Jannah might actually be the daughter of Lando Calrissian. As one might expect, Ackie didn't really answer the question, but she also didn't not answer the question. It's certainly possible that Jannah could be Lando's daughter, because Lando probably has a lot of daughters, and sons too. According to the actress...

Listen, Lando is a charming man, so he could have children all over the universe.

The Star Wars Celebration panel was very focused on making sure that no details about The Rise of Skywalker were revealed beyond those details that were planned to be released. We got a single still shot of the character of Jannah, but nothing beyond that, meaning that we have no idea how she fits into the story. About all we can guess is that since she was on the SWC stage in the first place, she's important.

The idea that Jannah could be Lando Calrissian's daughter is given some strength simply due to the fact that Lando himself is returning for the final episode of the new trilogy. We don't know anything as far as that character goes either. Where he's been or why he's back now is a mystery.

Based on the simple still image of Jannah, if she is Lando's daughter, she hasn't really taken after her father, one wonders if he actually raised her. Lando is always looking quite suave and that's not the vibe we're getting from Jannah here. Whatever she's up to, she's getting her hands dirty.

In the same way that Rey being a Skywalker or a Kenobi seemed a little too on the nose, I doubt Jannah is a Calrissian. It's simply unlikely that there's a need for such a connection to exist and Jannah being somebody else, anybody else, helps to expand the galaxy in a new way, which has clearly been part of the goal for this trilogy.

Odds are that if we knew who Jannah really was it would just create more questions. The big answer we were all waiting for, the film's title, certainly does that. Nobody knows what The Rise of Skywalker really means, though we all have our theories, which is the point. Jannah's history can be another topic of conversation that should keep fans busy until the new trilogy comes to a close this December.

Final Avengers: Endgame Trailer Is Here To Blow You Away

Final Avengers: Endgame Trailer Is Here To Blow You Away

Most of us assumed that after a Super Bowl spot and a short teaser, Marvel Studios would be done showing off footage from the upcoming Avengers: Endgame. Well, we've never been happier to be wrong. Here's the final full trailer for Avengers: Endgame. It's better than you could have hoped:

OK, so, am I the only one that screamed “YES!” at the top of my lungs for so long that my throat has gone scratchy? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Even though this trailer recycles some of the footage that we already have seen before, it peppers in (no pun intended) more than enough new reveals to get us super pumped for the retaliation the surviving members of The Avengers plan to bring to Thanos’ doorstep.

The trailer for Avengers: Endgame also leans heavily on two pillars of the MCU, and that’s Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Steve Rogers (Chris Evans). There’s a lot of time dedicated in this clip to their history, with Tony literally talking about how much has happened since he clawed himself out of that cave in his initial, prototype Iron Man armor.

And then there’s an equal amount of time spent on Cap’s journey, from rail-thin cadet in the armed services to dedicated hero, willing to risk his life again and again in service of his pure ideals. There are enough hints to the lost love of his life, Peggy Carter, to suggest that Avengers: Endgame will have closure for that plot line. But that could just be me being super hopeful.

Here are the survivors, all adorning the movie’s official poster.

I screamed “YES!” at the screen because the trailer confirms something seriously important, and that’s the fact that Tony Stark will return from space and reunite with his team… to basically head back into space and, we assume, take the fight to Thanos (Josh Brolin). We get that awesome sequence of the reassembled Avengers walking in their new suits, and Tony is with them, where he belongs. We also get a glimpse of Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) in the post-title tag, where she shows off her bravery by barely batting an eye as Thor (Chris Hemsworth) summons his weapon.

That’s all we need. No more footage. We’re in. We see the team preparing a counterstrike. There are still plenty of secrets for Joe and Anthony Russo to reveal in the full cut of Avengers: Endgame. And the movie’s almost here, so let’s hope the marketing stops. The movie opens on April 26. You’re going, right?

A Pirated Copy Of Avengers: Endgame Aired On Cable In The Philippines

A Pirated Copy Of Avengers: Endgame Aired On Cable In The Philippines

As much as people would like to think the contrary, piracy is still more than a slight problem in the world of entertainment. Even more so when a film like Avengers: Endgame makes its way to fans all over, who are waiting to see the end of the Infinity Saga that started eleven years ago to this very day.

But because everyone can’t get to the theater at the same time, if at all, pirates make a market of selling these experiences to those who can’t wait. In one particular case involving Marvel Studios’ gigantic record breaker, a pirated copy ended up somewhere rather unexpected. That place being on cable TV in the Philippines.

Cable network Orient Cable was caught by an unsuspecting fan to be running a pirated copy of Avengers: Endgame just a day after the film opened in theaters throughout the Philippines, around the same time that the film’s pirated copies hit the internet. And before you start to think if maybe this surprised viewer was about to experience a pristine copy of the film, without the fuss of a crowd, that is the total opposite of what happened.

The truth is, the copy that was being shown on cable was such a poor version that not only was the sound subpar, with audience reactions being included in the soundtrack, but fans could also be seen walking through the field of vision the camera had in the theater. So take the worst parts of the theater experience, and transplant them to your very home, and that's watching this copy of Endgame was like.

In an interesting twist to this whole story’s course, this channel on Orient Cable has been known to show pirated films previously, with Avengers: Endgame being their most recent victim. And as Coconuts Manila also pointed out, another bootleg was apparently shown in that film’s place.

It’s not surprising that Avengers: Endgame was pirated, but the big shock is that someone would even think it was a smart idea to put it on broadcast TV. Thinking back to how Marvel Studios handled an internal leak over something as small as an Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer, it’s surprising that whomever the culprit behind this act of piracy is, they wouldn’t stop to think that they just might be in for a greater world of trouble than expected.

Of course, legal proceedings according to the legal codes of the Philippines are underway, so there will probably be more developments in this case’s story as those efforts proceed. But this example of pirated material going widespread is, without a question, scary for people who try to avoid spoilers in order to enjoy a movie like Avengers: Endgame, properly blind to the adventure they’re about to take.

Fans around the world, beware, because you might just get caught in the crossfire of unintentional spoilers. And those who are intentionally trying to spoil this film for others, you should be worried too. There are some unintended consequences going around out there for your lot as well.

Avengers: Endgame is in theaters now, for anyone who’s still keen on experiencing films with clear picture and sound. Though if you’ve already gotten your fill and are looking for some new excitement, the 2019 release schedule will help you find that next Long Shot of entertainment you’ve been looking for.

Star Wars: Episode IX Is Really Aiming To Please Fans Of The Original Trilogy, And It's Working

Star Wars: Episode IX Is Really Aiming To Please Fans Of The Original Trilogy, And It's Working

Say what you will about most other entries in the Star Wars saga, but that original trilogy of films is still the strongest bedrock that the franchise has ever had to call its base. While the series needs to appeal to the fans it’s won in the more recent years, there’s always going to be that fanbase that came to the dance starting with 1977’s initial offering.

I became a Star Wars fan while growing up through the Original Trilogy and a smattering of now de-canonized Expanded Universe material. But I’d always heard that story of that fabled first and third trilogy to round off the saga, and longed for the day they’d exist.

Now, we see the close of the third trilogy coming with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and it looks like director J.J. Abrams and all involved are looking to please those dyed-in-the-wool fans. Here some reasons why that not only feels like the approach that’s being executed, but also why I think it’s working out rather well.

It Promises The End Of The Skywalker Saga

As I mentioned before, one of the biggest sticking points in Star Wars lore was the fact that George Lucas has allegedly planned out three trilogies in the Skywalker Saga. The prequel trilogy scratched the itch fans had for seeing Anakin Skywalker’s origins as Darth Vader, and for a little while, it felt like the last three episodes of the entire nine-part saga would never come.

Even with Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ big reveal, it wasn’t certain that we’d see the end of the line, as George Lucas was out of the process altogether, and episode numbers were eventually dropped.

Why It Works: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker being the definitive end of the Skywalker clan's story frees the series for new ideas to take root. But more importantly, it brings that storied end to the legacy of the very family that started the Star Wars franchise, fulfilling a promise from long ago.

Leia Will Finish Out Her Role In The Star Wars Universe

Due to the untimely passing of Carrie Fisher, another big question was whether or not General Leia Organa would be brought back in some shape or form to close out her own story. After a period of long thought and deliberation, it was confirmed that Fisher’s General Leia would return in previously filmed outtakes from the last two Star Wars films, The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

The context of her place in the story, and how much shooting around the footage that was available will affect that is yet to be seen, but this decision is just as important as the one that allowed Luke Skywalker to return.

Why It Works: Seeing our first look at Leia’s return in this final film is pretty convincing stuff. While how the pre-existing story will work with what specific footage they have of Carrie Fisher’s previous performance is definitely a bit of a challenge, it’s good to see the General back for one last adventure. And if the Skywalker Saga is about to end, both of Anakin and Padme’s twins deserve proper closure.

It Looks Like We’re Going Back To A Familiar Desert

The trailer for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker shows a lot of one particular element that’s always been important to the saga’s storytelling environment: sand. With Rey’s big lightsaber flip and some action between Finn and Poe being showcased in the recent teaser, there’s a lot of the rough stuff primed and ready for action.

Which means we’re probably going back to one of two places. Either Jakku or Tatooine are in the mix for the ninth episode of the Skywalker Saga, but either way, this is a pretty big deal when it comes to wrapping up the story started in the Original Trilogy.

Why It Works: Much like the Original Trilogy’s story, bringing our heroes back to where the action started is a classic move of resolution. Anakin and Luke had to return to Tatooine before becoming the men they set off to be, and Rey will more than likely be heading back to Jakku in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. More powerful than when she left, this new Force user will more than likely learn some important knowledge about her origins, before setting off on whatever big battle she’s marching towards.

Lando Calrissian Is Back And Flying The Millennium Falcon Again

One of the most criminally underused characters in the Star Wars galaxy has to be Lando Calrissian. A dashing charmer with a criminal past, Billy Dee Williams’ iconic supporting player is one of those figures that has always been brought up when questioning what moves the next Star Wars films would take to connect the future of the franchise to its historical past.

With so much room for his character to be expanded and enhanced upon in the brand new canon, especially after the discarding of the now-reclassified Legends line of Expanded Universe material, it was a pleasant given that the decision to reinstate Lando would be made.

Why It Works: If there’s a character whose legacy has positively loomed larger than his actual screen time in the Star Wars saga, it’s Mr. Calrissian. While the return of some characters seems more like an exercise in fan service than in storytelling (C-3PO, we’re looking in your direction), having Lando return is a smart way to close the story in the absence of Han Solo. Not to mention, there’s always a spot reserved for a roguish smuggler in the Star Wars universe.

The Series Is About To Go On Hiatus After The Rise Of Skywalker

Some Original Trilogy fans have been worried that the Star Wars franchise of films has overextended its reach a little bit. While Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was a hit and seemed to do pretty well overall, the reaction to Solo was way more tepid than usual. Even Disney CEO Bob Iger realized that the pace of the series was unsustainable, which lead him to announce that the series would go into hibernation after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Why It Works: Fans are always going to show up for the Skywalker Saga entries in Star Wars’ cinematic universe. That said, it’s going to take some time and tweaking to realize just what the fans will want out of the series outside of that now-ending run. It’s nice to see the studio management to realize that, and learn the lesson if you want to keep your fanbase happy, sometimes absence makes the Force grow stronger.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will define the legacy and its storytelling approach for some, while proving whether it adheres to the rules that the Original Trilogy played by for so long. As long as the rest of the decisions made in telling this story match up to the quality of those listed above, there should be a good chance that fans of the Original Trilogy will be very pleased with the finished product.

That’s an investment that should pay off long after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters on December 20. Though, that doesn’t mean the Star Wars fun has to end, as Disney+ will undoubtedly keep the fires stoked as The Mandalorian debuts on the platform’s launch date of November 12.

Despite Lawsuit, Amazon Says Termination Of Woody Allen Was 'Justified'

Despite Lawsuit, Amazon Says Termination Of Woody Allen Was 'Justified'

Amazon is firing back with its first big move as it stares down a massive $68 million lawsuit by Woody Allen for a breach of contract. The company claims that it was justified in terminating the remainder of its multi-film contract with the director, and is using the events and controversial comments made by Allen to fuel the claim.

Specifically, Amazon has taking aim at Woody Allen's controversial comments made at the time news broke on the Harvey Weinstein controversy, in which Allen publicly warned the news could create a "witch hunt atmosphere" in Hollywood. THR reported Amazon added that Allen's dismissal of Dylan Farrow's memories of sexual abuse as an excuse to use the #MeToo movement for attention added to the controversy and made further work with him impossible.

Amazon's argument is that Woody Allen made the comments with a failure to recognize the gravity of the situation, or the implication that it would have on his career despite the increasing number of top talents who announced they wouldn't work with him. This is what the company is saying justifies the termination of the contract, and why the case should be dismissed.

Amazon's argument will have some issues, as some believe the evidence presented can be argued as a legitimate risk the company knew it was taking on when it initially signed the deal with Woody Allen. For example, while the claims of Allen's abuse against Dylan Farrow were re-ignited by the #MeToo movement, the claim against him has been public knowledge for decades. Amazon continued on with the deal knowing that news was out there, albeit before the Weinstein comments.

As for Woody Allen's side of the argument, Amazon cannot drop its contract with him on the grounds of a longstanding allegation that is "baseless," in the words of a statement from his legal complaint. This means that, whether Amazon wants to show Allen's future work or not, he's still owed the money from the deal. That is likely where the $68 million amount comes from.

The court case is being looked on by interested parties throughout Hollywood, who wish to see whether or not courts will uphold grounds of dismissing high-profile contracts due to the events of the #MeToo movement. If the courts end up ruling in favor of Amazon, it may encourage other companies that were on the line with actors caught in controversy to try and sever any expensive contracts they had.

CinemaBlend will keep an eye on the ongoing legal proceedings between Woody Allen and Amazon, as well as keep readers up to date on the latest and greatest entertainment news. As an example, hop on over to our latest news on Pet Sematary to see what critics have to say about the latest Stephen King adaptation.

Why The Intruder Also Doubles As A Comedy Between Its Thrills

Why The Intruder Also Doubles As A Comedy Between Its Thrills

The horror genre isn’t what it once was. While there were boxes it may have needed to check before, when you walk into the theater for thrills, you can expect the unexpected. Get Out offered audiences frights about race relations and Happy Death Day 2U was a Back To the Future-esque ride.

Deon Taylor’s The Intruder may offer moviegoers more comedic beats then one might expect from a creepy tale about a couple who becomes entangled in the grip Dennis Quaid’s Charlie Peck has on his longtime home shortly after selling it to them. Audiences might be a shocked at how much humor can be found amidst the chills and jump-scares.

During a recent Los Angeles press day for The Intruder, I asked director Deon Taylor about how these comedic moments found a place in the movie. Here’s what he said:

I think it has a lot to do with my DNA as a filmmaker. I really like laughing, I love funny things, I love humor and I think a lot of times when there is a lot of pain, there’s also a lot of humor. When we were making the movie, I think the humanity of it: flawed characters, argumentative moments, playing the fun side of Charlie Peck in the first two acts. Because you don’t really take him serious until you start going ‘wait a minute, he’s actually really scary. He’s a creepy dude.’ It gives you a really good playing field for fun and (the cast) takes advantage of it.

The director has tackled a balance between comedy and horror before in his 2016 film Meet the Blacks, so it makes sense he’d want to move some of the fun over to his latest project. Warming up the film with humor in the beginning to break the tension before bringing on the intense chills is a smart move, and it looks like it came naturally for the filmmaker.

It also helped that he had Michael Ealy and Meagan Good on board, who had previously starred together in Think Like a Man. Ealy told CinemaBlend about how their ties infused some humor on set:

I think our relationship prior to this movie enabled me to actually feel comfortable to improvise certain jokes and throw out certain things and to be snarky, vulnerable and be the actual Scott character. That was key for me and Meagan was helpful because she’s silly and off camera we were constantly clowning each other.

Take a look at the exclusive interview below:

The Intruder premiered Thursday night in theaters alongside Long Shot and UglyDolls and topped numbers among the newcomers, per Variety. The title is a contender to fight for the top spot at the box office this weekend under the reigning success Avengers: Endgame will certainly find in its second weekend in theaters. Stay tuned with CinemaBlend to see how it all goes down.

J.J. Abrams Reflects On Surreal Challenge Of Figuring Out How To Use Real Footage Of Carrie Fisher

J.J. Abrams Reflects On Surreal Challenge Of Figuring Out How To Use Real Footage Of Carrie Fisher

If you keep tabs on the highly secretive making of original Star Wars movies, you may already know that when Star Wars Episode IX – now illustriously titled Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker – hits theaters it will come with Carrie Fisher intact. It won’t be CGI the new film is using either.

Previously, Disney made the fanbase aware that the studio had enough unused footage from Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens to bring Carrie Fisher back to the big screen in a very real and completely unfaked capacity. At Star Wars Celebration, director J.J. Abrams reflected on the surreal challenge of figuring out how to use the real footage. He said:

As I’ve said we couldn’t [fill the void left by Carrie.] Chris Terrio, the co-writer and Kathy [Kennedy]… as we all talked about how to move on. I mean she was the best. She was glorious. She was amazing. We all just loved her. I knew her from many years before as well. In Episode VII she was the greatest. It was impossible, no way, what are you going to do? You don’t recast that part or certainly have her disappear.

So, he went back to the drawing board. At the 2019 Star Wars Celebration in the Windy City, J.J. Abrams was on hand to explain how the conversations got started about Carrie Fisher and about how there was one singular moment when he and the creative team realized the “real” footage from the cutting room floor would and could work. He also said:

The weird moment of having had a number of scenes from Force Awakens that had gone unused. Looking at those scenes and starting to understand that there was actually a way to use those scenes to continue the story so that it would be her.

Still, when you look at the challenge of using footage that was for all intents and purposes recycled, it couldn't have been easy. J.J. Abrams also told the audience attending the Star Wars Episode IX panel at Celebration there was never any thought of bringing Carrie Fisher back with CGI, however.

The idea of having a CG character was off the table. We never even wanted to try. The idea of saying, ‘What if we could actually write scenes around her?’ So, it would be her performance—she’s the movie. The crazy thing is, when I say this, emotionally it’s every day it hits me that she’s not here. But it’s so surreal because we’re working with her still, if that makes sense. She’s so alive in scenes and the craziest part is how not crazy it feels.

The final result was an experience that was "sureal" for the producer, writer and director. After seeing stills and footage today, it's a little bit surreal for me too. We actually got a first good look at Carrie Fisher in the upcoming film during the panel, as well.

We’ve known for some time now there would be real footage of Carrie Fisher used in Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker. J.J. Abrams mentions footage from The Force Awakens. Previously, word on the street was the flick will also use some footage from Star Wars: The Last Jedi to flesh out additional scenes.

J.J. Abrams did mention that Carrie Fisher will get some scenes with her real-life daughter Billie Lourd, in the upcoming movie, calling the way that Princess Leia lives on “mind-blowing.” Even Mark Hamill has given his stamp of approval for Leia’s return, also noting she’d “get a real kick” out of the idea. He said:

I’m glad they found a way to do that, and something tells me that she’d get a real kick out of the fact that she had a hit movie years after she left us, because that was just her. I like to think that would please her, but nothing would be better than having her here.

Hopefully, her appearances will pan out in ways that will resonate with fans and fit suitably into the puzzle of this final movie that was 40+ years in the making. If you haven’t taken a look at the first teaser trailer for the movie, you can do so below.

Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise Of Skywalker arrives in theaters on December 20, 2019. Take a look at what we know about the upcoming project or check out what else is heading into theaters this year.