Cover Artist, Eric Basaldua, Announces Art Book, "MOJO"

Eric Basaldua, famed cover-artist (Wonderland, GFT, Aspen's Fathom, Top Cow) and former Top Cow artist (Magdalena, Tomb Raider, Darkness, Witchblade, Hunter/Killer), is creating new characters and art for his special and personal project, called MOJO.

MOJO will feature stunning commissions, art progress showcasing just how Eric tackles his artwork, sketches for covers and unseen images only available via this special art book!

MOJO looks like a comic, with stunning e.Bas-covers but it's actually not. It's Eric's personal artbook in comic format that he is going to release every month.

It has Eric's personal character Captain Morgana and he will introduce Davey Jones in #2 as well as "The Mojo Girls".

Basically MOJO will be a mishmash of his sketches, layouts, color work, commissions and covers, but it will also have Captain Morgana's origin and adventures being told by Brittany Williams, combined with Eric's art to help tell the story, in a few pages.

As Eric states: "I will also include three new sections called "GO ASSnation's Law", "art advise" and contest winners.

The "contest" section is where Eric will host various contests for anyone to enter and "try" and have the winner choose ideas for the book or give-away's or prizes.

Eric wants to have fun with his dedicated base of fans and says: "For example, the regular edition for the football cover has Krystal Buchanan's husbands favorite team on it because she won the first contest. I really like the idea of all of you contributing, advising, consulting to the book as well, and I hope that it will get all of you involved." 

Fans of sexy artwork can buy the regular edition on conventions Eric will be attending. The stunning cover as well as online variants via Anastacia Collections at (www.anastasiascollectibles.com/).

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Keanu Reeves Set to Narrate Alex Winters' "Deep Web" Doc

Keanu Reeves to Narrate “Deep Web,” the Upcoming EPIX Original Documentary Investigating Ross Ulbricht — Convicted Creator and Operator of Online Black Market Silk Road

First time Keanu Reeves and director Alex Winter collaborate in 22 years

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keanu Reeves has joined the anticipated new EPIX Original Documentary, Deep Web, as narrator. From director Alex Winter, the film chronicles one of the most important and riveting digital crime sagas of the century — the arrest of Ross William Ulbricht, the 30-year-old entrepreneur recently convicted of being 'Dread Pirate Roberts,' creator and operator of online black market Silk Road. This is the first time Reeves and Winter have worked together since 1993’s Freaked, which followed their co-starring roles in the successful Bill and Ted films. Deep Web will world premiere at South by Southwest this Sunday, March 15 and will make its World Television Premiere on EPIX Spring 2015. Content Media handles the film’s international sales and distribution.

    “The Silk Road and trial of Ross Ulbricht involve many important and complex issues that impact the life of Mr. Ulbricht and us all.”

“I'm honored to be working with Alex Winter on his timely and vital documentary, Deep Web,” said Reeves. “The Silk Road and trial of Ross Ulbricht involve many important and complex issues that impact the life of Mr. Ulbricht and us all.”

Deep Web seeks to unravel a tangled web of secrecy, accusations, and criminal activity, and explores how the outcome of Ulbricht's trial will set a critical precedent for the future of technological freedom around the world. The film features exclusive interviews with the Ulbricht family, including Ross’ parents Lyn and Kirk Ulbricht. Additional interviewees include: Joshua Dratel, Ulbricht’s lawyer; Andy Greenberg, technology writer for Wired, author of This Machine Kills Secrets and the first reporter to interview “Dread Pirate Roberts”; Cody Wilson, a crypto-anarchist known for his development of the “3D printed gun;” Cindy Cohn, legal director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation; James Chaparro, the former Assistant Director for Intelligence at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); and Christopher Soghoian, a privacy and online security advocate who works for ACLU as their principal technologist.

Deep Web is an EPIX Original Documentary written, directed and produced by Alex Winter with Marc Schiller and Glen Zipper also serving as producers. Winter and Schiller previously worked together on the documentary Downloaded, about the rise and fall of Napster. Zipper’s prior credits include the Academy Award® winning Undefeated and the Grammy Award® winning Foo Fighters: Back and Forth. Seth Gordon (Print the Legend, Mitt, Freakonomics and Undefeated) is the executive producer, Andy Greenberg is the consulting producer, and Dan Swietlik (Sicko and An Inconvenient Truth) is the editor. Jill Burkhart and Ross Bernard are the executive producers for EPIX.

About EPIX
EPIX is a premium movie and original programming entertainment service delivering the latest movie releases, classic film franchises, original documentaries, comedy and music events on TV, on demand, online and on devices. Launched in October 2009, EPIX has pioneered the development and proliferation of “TV Everywhere.” It was the first premium network to provide multi-platform access to its content online at EPIX.com and was the first premium network to launch on XBOX 360, PlayStation®, iOS, Android tablets, Windows 8.1 and Roku® players. EPIX is available to authenticated subscribers on hundreds of devices including Apple® iPads® and iPhones® and is the only premium service providing all its programming on all platforms, delivering more movies than any other premium network, with thousands of titles available for streaming.

EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM). Through relationships with cable, satellite and telco partners, EPIX is available to over 50 million homes nationwide. For more information about EPIX, go to www.EPIX.com. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHD (http://www.twitter.com/EpixHD) on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EPIX), YouTube (http://youtube.com/EPIX), Instagram (http://instagram.com/EPIX), Google+ (http://plus.google.com/+EPIX), Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/EPIX) and Vine (https://vine.co/EPIX).

About Content Media Corporation
Content Media Corporation Ltd is a London and LA based private company that owns and distributes a significant library of film, television, and digital assets. The Company’s library of rights includes over 4,000 hours of television programming, 200 hours of digital programming and 275 feature films.

Content Media recently closed a multi-faceted deal with Bruno Wu’s Beijing-based Seven Stars Entertainment and Media, Ltd., in which Content acquired the Alive Group of companies allowing Content to distribute its extensive library of film and television rights through the Alive Group to the Chinese market, as well as a direct equity investment by Seven Stars into Content

The Film sales division launched in 2002 and represents high profile, commercial feature films with great artistic and theatrical ambition. In addition to handling worldwide sales, marketing, and publicity, the company assists film producers in securing financing.

In addition to “Deep Web,” Content’s impressive international sales slate includes two other highly anticipated documentaries - Academy Award® winning director Alex Gibney’s documentary “Going Clear: Scientology and The Prison of Belief”, and Rodney Ascher’s acclaimed horror documentary “The Nightmare.” Additional titles include the new action/thriller “Pandemic” starring Rachel Nichols, Mekhi Phifer, and Missi Pyle, and Alfie Allen; the intense horror film “The Diabolical” starring Ali Larter; the gripping drama “The Eichmann Show” starring Martin Freeman and Anthony LaPaglia; the uplifting emotional drama “Life at these Speeds” starring Billy Crudup, Graham Rogers and Sam Rockwell; Academy® Award winning director Mike van Diem’s return romantic comedy “The Surprise”; “Janis: Little Girl Blue” directed by Academy® Award nominated Amy Berg; the spy thriller “Newcomer” starring James Floyd and Anthony LaPaglia; the Caradog James directed supernatural thriller 'Don't Knock Twice'; the supernatural heist thriller “The Trust”; the extraordinary, moving and white-knuckle drive with one of the greatest movie stars of all time documentary “Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans”; Oscar Wilde's “The Canterville Ghost” voiced by Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie; and the romantic comedy “Comet” starring Justin Long and Emmy Rossum.

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Webcomics Update: Grumble #1 Page 20

Page 20 is here: http://www.comicbookbin.com/grumbleone020.html

Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of March 8th to 14th, 2015 - Update #10

NEWS:

From YahooMovies:  Alex Gibney talks about his Steve Jobs doc.

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From TheWrap:  Eddie Murphy may appear in Lee Daniel's Richard Pryor biopic as Richard's father.

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From ShadowandAct:  What to expect from "Empire" Season 2.

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From ShadowandAct:  A list of 73 pilots for the 2015-16 TV season that feature African-American leads or supporting characters.

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From SlashFilm:  Sony Pictures announced an all-male "Ghostbusters" movie to go along with it all-female "Ghostbusters" movie.  Or maybe it's a shared universe and a team-up.

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From TheWrap:  A guilty plea in the "Midnight Rider" trial.

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From TheWrap: The winner at the March 6th to 8th, 2015 box office is Chappie with an estimated haul of $13.3 million.

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From YahooMovies:  China lifts the box office of box office flop, Jupiter Ascending.


COMIC BOOKS:

From Comicvine:  Superman's new look - coming in June. It's ridiculous.

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From SlashFilm:  Chris Pine rumored for Green Lantern.

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From YahooTV:  Another look at Supergirl's costume for the upcoming "Supergirl" TV show.


STAR WARS:

From EntertainmentWeekly:  A history of "Rogue Squadron," which may explain the 2016 Star Wars spin-off film, "Rogue One."

Review: "Dear White People" Suddenly Relevant... Again

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 14 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux

Dear White People (2014)
Running time:  108 minutes (1 hour, 48 minutes)
MPAA – R for language, sexual content and drug use
WRITER/DIRECTOR:  Justin Simien
PRODUCERS:  Effie Brown, Ann Le, Julia Lebedev, Angel Lopez, Justin Simien, and Lena Waithe
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Topher Osborn
EDITOR:  Phillip J. Bartell
COMPOSER:  Kathryn Bostic
Black Reel Award winner

COMEDY/DRAMA

Starring:  Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson, Kyle Gallner, Teyonah Parris, Brand P. Bell, Brittany Curran, Justin Dobies, Marque Richardson, Dennis Haysbert, and Peter Syvertsen

Dear White People is 2014 comedy-drama and satirical film from writer-director, Justin Simien.  The film is set at an Ivy League-like university that is facing racial discord, and the story focuses on four particular African-American students.

Dear White People is set at Winchester University, a prestigious and predominantly white school with an Ivy League pedigree.  A recent decision by the school's administration has caused a stir among the African-American student body.  Samantha “Sam” White (Tessa Thompson) has used the controversy, via her radio show, “Dear White People,” to spur fellow black students to action.

Sam's former boyfriend, Troy Fairbanks (Brand P. Bell), is trying to hold onto his position as “head of house” of Armstrong/Parker, an all-black dormitory.  Troy really wants to be a comedy writer, but his father, Dr. Walter Fairbanks (Dennis Haysbert), is Dean of Students.  Dean Fairbanks does not want his son doing anything that might give white people a chance to profile the young man who has a promising future.

Lionel Higgins (Tyler James Williams) is a freshman who is trying to find his place on campus, but he is gay and a blerd (black nerd or fanboy), which makes him an odd-man-out.  His housemates harass him, and the chief tormentor is Kurt (Kyle Gallner), the son of Winchester's President Hutchinson (Peter Syvertsen).  Meanwhile, black student Colandrea "Coco" Conners (Teyonah Parris) is determined not to pegged as being 'hood or from the ghetto.

While watching Dear White People, I often thought of Spike Lee's 1988 film, School Daze, which was the first Spike Lee film I saw and which remains a personal favorite.  Both films are driven not so much by plot as they focus on characters and settings.  Lee's film is set at a HBCU (historically black college or university) and focuses on class strife among black students and also delves into how African-Americans often discriminate against each other based on how light-complected or dark-skinned he or she is.

Dear White People is set at a predominantly white school, but focuses on mostly black students.  The film's writer-director Justin Simien seems to make several pointed statement:  Back people don't exist to entertain white folks.  Black people are not here to provide fodder for white people's curiosity and prejudice.  Black people's culture, pathologies, and the way we live are not to be exploited so that white people can mock us at their leisure.

With a great many characters comes a great many motivations and conflicts, and that causes the story in Dear White People to lose focus.  There is so much going on in this movie that it is practically a pitch for an original cable television series, because only a serial comedy-drama could do Justin Simien's ideas and angles justice.

Still, the movie is especially interesting.  It was almost as if I could not stop watching it.  Plus, Tyler James Williams as Lionel Higgins and Teyonah Parris as “Coco” Conners give star-making turns.  Their performances make their characters the most interesting in this film, by far.  If Ms. Parris were a white actress, this role would have earn her roles in several high-profile films for at least the next two years, some as the female lead.

The sky is the limit for Williams.  I think so after watching him make Lionel force Tessa Thompson's Sam to share the spotlight as Dear White People's signature character.  There is a moment in the film when Lionel tells Dean Fairbanks that in high school, he had more trouble from his Black classmates.  It takes guts and talent to pull off a moment like that, and Williams has both.  And Dear White People is better for his performance.

Also, a video of members of the University of Oklahoma chapter of the fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, performing a racist chant/song was recently made public.  In the wake of that incident and the subsequent fallout and controversy, Dear White People is now more relevant than ever.

7 of 10
B+

Thursday, March 12, 2015


NOTES:
2015 Black Reel Awards:  2 wins: “Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male” (Tyler James Williams) and “Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female” (Teyonah Parris); 8 nominations: “Outstanding Motion Picture” (Justin Simien, Angel Lopez, Lena Waithe, Ann Le, Effie Brown, and Julia Lebedev), “Outstanding Actress, Motion Picture” (Tessa Thompson), “Outstanding Supporting Actress, Motion Picture” (Teyonah Parris), “Outstanding Director, Motion Picture” (Justin Simien), “Outstanding Screenplay-Original or Adapted, Motion Picture” (Justin Simien), “Outstanding Ensemble” (Kim Coleman), and “Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male” (Brandon P Bell), and “Outstanding Score” (Kathryn Bostic)

2015 Image Awards:  4 nominations: “Outstanding Motion Picture,” “Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture” (Tessa Thompson), “Outstanding Independent Motion Picture,” and “Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture” (Justin Simien)


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Disney Consumer Products Prepares Roll out for "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and Spider-Man

Marvel Rolls Out Extensive Licensing Program for 2015 around Avengers: Age of Ultron, Spider-Man and More

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following American International Toy Fair in New York, Disney Consumer Products (DCP) today announced its 2015 plans for Marvel and its key franchises including The Avengers and Spider-Man. This year will see the roll out one of its biggest-ever licensing programs around Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, expansion in high potential categories including female fashion and healthy lifestyle, the launch of new animated content and innovative marketing initiatives to drive the brand 365 days a year globally.

“Marvel has become a super-brand in its own right thanks to its outstanding universe of aspirational, relatable characters and the incredibly broad appeal of not only its movies but its comics, books, apps, games and TV series, that continually deliver epic storytelling with action, heart and humor. We’re excited to build on this huge momentum and the incredible buzz around the next Avengers movie with a series of product initiatives appealing to fans of all ages,” said Josh Silverman, executive vice president, global licensing at Disney Consumer Products.

Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron program captures the popularity of the overall Avengers team as well as distinguishing the core characters in fresh new ways. Marvel is working closely with licensees and top brands – such as Hasbro, LEGO, Hot Wheels, Funko and more – to develop innovative products that expand the storytelling of the franchise and with key retailers to create unique retail programs tied to the highly anticipated film. Through 2015 and beyond, Marvel’s campaigns focuses beyond movie events, with an eye toward new animation on Disney XD and a new MarvelKids.com microsite where kids can regularly interact with the characters and experience new content.

Spider-Man is leaping to new heights thanks to the animated success of Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man: Web-Warriors airing on Disney XD. Introducing a full team of spider-themed Super Hero personalities in the series including Agent Venom, Iron Spider, Spider-Girl and Spider-Man 2099, the franchise extension offers new opportunities for retail and licensees. In an effort to support Spider-Man in a variety of categories, 2015 will mark a dedicated focus on action sports and fashion forward apparel for fans of all ages. The plans will help pave the way for the iconic webslinger to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe following a new deal with Sony.

The astronomical success of the first Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy film is just the beginning for this popular franchise. Following the film’s success, Marvel is building a long-term strategy, starting with the new animated TV series set to debut on Disney XD later this year. Marvel is also expanding the franchise’s licensing program with both current licensees - who are extending their existing lines - and a number of new partners who see the long-term potential in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

The predominate characters of the Marvel Universe also headline some of Marvel’s premier comic books including The Avengers, All-New Captain America, Superior Iron Man, Thor, Guardians of the Galaxy, and brand new critically-acclaimed hits like Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, Ant-Man, and many more. 2015 is also on track to be recording setting for Marvel with the highly anticipated mega-event, Secret Wars, the largest Publishing Event in Marvel’s history, which is receiving cross company support including a consumer products program targeting teen and adult collectors.

Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) will continue to bring Marvel Super Heroes to life through books, magazines, partworks, kids apps, and eBooks in support of all Marvel Studios feature films, Marvel Animated television shows, and Classic versions of Marvel’s iconic characters. In addition to publishing over 4,000 Marvel books and magazines in 30 languages for the next generation of fans, DPW will extend its print and digital program to include Young Adult and Middle Grade novels based on Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Spider-Man franchises—as well as kids and family friendly apps.

This year will also see the debut of Marvel’s Daredevil, the first of several series slated for production on Netflix; the company recently announced Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones and Luke Cage are also in development. Each of the series will be supported by an encompassing Marvel Knights merchandise program that will open new opportunities for product lines in with more sophisticated and edgy fashion style, as well as new collector focused opportunities, aimed at teen and adult fans.

All of these programs will be supported by a corporate-wide interest in fostering an active and healthy lifestyle for kids by building an extensive roster of new partners in nutritious foods and sporting goods. Under Armour, Sage Fruit, Conagra granola bars, Crunchpak and Chobani are some of the latest offerings for consumers; more collaboration in these categories is expected to roll out during the year.

The culmination of Marvel’s blockbuster year will be an expanded, national multi-platform celebration – ‘Marvel Super Hero Spectacular.’ Following the success of ‘Marvel Super Hero September’ this past fall, the supercharged 2015 campaign will now run for five weeks – beginning at the end of September and going through all of October – and will deliver even more Marvel Super Hero fun to meet fan demand. ‘Marvel Super Hero Spectacular’ will introduce an enhanced marketing and retail strategy with more partners and merchandise offerings aimed to entice fans to celebrate their love for all things Marvel. The campaign will focus on core Marvel franchises including The Avengers, Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Both The Avengers and Spider-Man drove more than a billion dollars each at retail globally in 2014 and Marvel’s toy sales in the US grew nearly 13% in 2014 vs. 2013, according to The NPD Group1.


About Marvel Entertainment, LLC
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information, visit http://www.marvel.com/. ©MARVEL

About Disney Consumer Products
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) that delivers innovative and engaging product experiences across thousands of categories from toys and apparel to books and fine art. As the world's largest licensor, DCP inspires the imaginations of people around the world by bringing the magic of Disney into consumers' homes with products they can enjoy year-round. DCP is comprised of three business units: Licensing, Publishing and Disney Store. The Licensing business is aligned around five strategic brand priorities: Disney Media, Classics & Entertainment, Disney & Pixar Animation Studios, Disney Princess & Disney Fairies, Lucasfilm and Marvel. Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world's largest publisher of children's books, magazines, and apps, igniting imagination through storytelling in ever-inventive ways. DPW creates and publishes books, magazines, eBooks and apps both vertically in-house and through an extensive worldwide licensing structure. DPW is also committed to the educational development of children around the world through Disney Learning which includes our flagship learning brand, Disney Imagicademy, as well as Disney English and other Disney themed learning products. The Disney Store retail chain operates across North America, Europe and Japan with more than 350 stores worldwide and is known for providing consumers with high-quality, unique products. Disney Store operates ecommerce channels in nine countries, which can be found here. For more information, please visit Disney Consumer Products www.DisneyConsumerProducts.com.

1 Source: The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service; US; Dollars; Annual 2014.

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Title of First Stand-Alone "Star Wars" Film is Revealed as "Rogue One"

Rogue One Is the First Star Wars Stand-Alone Film, Rian Johnson to Write and Direct Star Wars: Episode VIII

The title for director Gareth Edwards' stand-alone movie, featuring actress Felicity Jones, is revealed, and Rian Johnson is confirmed for Star Wars: Episode VIII -- coming to theaters May 26, 2017.

“Always in motion is the future,” Yoda said. The future of the Star Wars cinematic galaxy, however, is taking shape.

This morning at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, across the street from Lucasfilm, Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger hosted a shareholder meeting where he announced news regarding the first Star Wars stand-alone movie as well as Star Wars: Episode VIII.

Rogue One is the title for the first film in a unique series of big-screen adventures that explores the characters and events beyond the core Star Wars saga. Rogue One will be directed by Gareth Edwards (Monsters, Godzilla) and written by Oscar nominee Chris Weitz (Cinderella, About a Boy, Antz). The first actress cast is Felicity Jones, who garnered an Academy Award nomination and critical acclaim for her performance in The Theory of Everything. The idea for the story of Rogue One came from John Knoll, an Academy Award-winning visual effects supervisor and chief creative officer at Industrial Light & Magic. He will executive produce along with Simon Emanuel (The Dark Knight Rises, Fast & Furious 6) and Jason McGatlin (Tintin, War of the Worlds). Kathleen Kennedy and Tony To (Band of Brothers, The Pacific) are on board to produce and John Swartz (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) will co-produce. The film starts shooting this summer in London and is due for release on December 16, 2016.

In addition, Iger confirmed that Rian Johnson will write and direct Star Wars: Episode VIII. The film, which continues the saga after the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is set for release on May 26, 2017 — forty years and a day after the release of Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977. Johnson is widely considered one of cinema’s most gifted young filmmakers, having directed the modern sci-fi classic, Looper, as well as Brick and The Brothers Bloom. He was also behind the camera for three episodes of the critically-acclaimed TV series Breaking Bad, including “Ozymandias,” which series creator Vince Gilligan named as the best installment of the show. Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman, producer of Looper, Don Jon, Brick, and The Brothers Bloom, are on board to produce, and J.J. Abrams will serve as executive producer.

StarWars.com. All Star Wars, all the time.

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