STAR WARS BLUEPRINTS

Santa knew just what I wanted for Christmas! I've had my eyes on this Star Wars book from Quarto Knows for awhile. STAR WARS: THE BLUEPRINTS showcases the original technical drawings for sets and props used in the production of a number of these sci-fi movies from the Lucasfilm Archives.

STAR WARS: THE BLUEPRINTS provides an insider's look at the making of these films. From concept art envisioning how characters, settings and vehicles would appear in the movies to illustrations laying out the directions for building the sets scenes were filmed on, readers will get a detailed look into how George Lucas space opera was brought to life. Get a peek inside the creative process of how iconic Star Wars images such as Jabba's Sail Barge and Luke Skywalker's X-Wing went from art department ideas to being on screen in some of the most popular movies of all time.

The book includes more than 250 blueprints for sets and props utilized in Star Wars movie production including 10 three-page gatefold layouts. Scouring through all the details about the creative process of producing the original Star Wars movies included in this 336 page book has put a huge smile on my face as I learn new insights and trivia about these films. Did you know the space-pod EVA from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) is shown in a Mos Eisley scene from A New Hope (1977) as an easter egg honoring Stanley Kubrick?

STAR WARS: THE BLUEPRINTS author J.W. Rinzler provides readers with extraordinary details of the production of a number of the Star Wars films that compliment the wonderful imagery included within this book. In addition to his own commentary on details and trivia regarding the production of these movies, STAR WARS: THE BLUEPRINTS also includes numerous interviews with the production designers, art directors, set dressers, and draftsmen who crafted the epic sets. You'll feel like you were behind-the-scenes during the making of these movies after reading this book!

While STAR WARS: THE BLUEPRINTS is really interesting to read with all the incredible insight provided by Rinzler within the text, it is the visuals that really stand out. In addition to all the intriguing blueprints, there are also more than 500 photographs and illustrations from the Lucasfilm production archives. From concept art of snow walkers tromping across the snowy landscape of Hoth to pictures of droids being assembled in Tunisia for desert world Tatooine scenes there are numerous eye catching pieces of art and photographs to look through. You could spend hours enjoying looking through this book before even beginning to read it.

Any diehard Star Wars fan will be geeked to flip through the pages of STAR WARS: THE BLUEPRINTS. It absolutely gets a Geek Daddy nod of approval. This dad blogger is going to be enjoying going through this hardback book reading it and looking at its wonderful visual imagery over and over again. If you want to be a master of Star Wars trivia, STAR WARS: THE BLUEPRINTS is a must get! For more information about purchasing the book, head over to quartoknows.com

Ralp McQuarrie Concept Art Statue

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As Star Wars celebrates the 40th anniversary of the theatrical release of A New Hope, Sideshow Collectibles has released a really impressive statue of Ralph McQuarrie's movie concept art portrayal of stormtroopers.  McQuarrie (1929 - 2012) provided the conceptual artwork that was a crucial part of bringing George Lucas' space opera to life on the silver screen.  His influence permeates throughout the Star Wars franchise from the visual vibe of the original movie trilogy to influencing the characters and setting for the newer Star Wars: Rebels animated television show.

I remember as a kid spending hours scouring through art books my aunt had given me featuring scenes from the Star Wars movies by McQuarrie and tearing out my favorite images to decorate the walls of my bedroom. These fantastic images transported me to other worlds and helped develop my sense of curiosity, expanded my imagination, and enhanced my interest in comics and science fiction.  As an adult, I continue to be a big fan of science fiction and still keep a copy of McQuarrie's "The Illustrated Star Wars Universe" on my bookshelf.  So I was really excited to see Star Wars Ralph McQuarrie Stormtrooper Star Wars Statue from Sideshow Collectibles.



Expertly crafted in 1:5th scale, the soldier of the Empire is depicted patrolling a corridor of the Death Star. As seen in McQuarrie’s early incarnations, the Star Wars Ralph McQuarrie Stormtrooper Star Wars Statue comes with multiple display options – carrying a shield in one hand while wielding a lightsaber or blaster in the other - and is fitted with a distinctive helmet and armor that more closely resembled fighter pilot gear than the final costumes seen on screen.

A Star Wars Ralph McQuarrie Stormtrooper Star Wars Statue would make a great decoration for any Star Wars fan's home theater, office, game room or man cave.  Displaying one of the iconic original images of the Star Wars universe would really be a great addition to a memorabilia collection.  Don't hesitate to purchase one if you are interested because supply is limited and it will sell out! 

Paramount Pictures & Hasbro Creating Film Universe

During the 1980's, Hasbro entertained children and promoted the toy manufacturer's products through several popular television cartoon and comic book series.  Paramount Pictures and Hasbro are going to try and bring back some of that magic from the 80's through the creation of an interconnected movie universe featuring popular toy brands from that era including G.I. JOE, M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand), Micronauts, ROM and the Visionaries.  I grew up watching the cartoons and reading the comic books tied to these toy lines, so it was exciting news that filled me with nostalgia when Paramount Pictures and Hasbro announced they've created a writers room of top Hollywood talent who will be focused on making these films a reality.

This group includes Academy Award Winner Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind), who will be responsible for overseeing the writers room as well as serving as Executive Producer on all the films within this cinematic universe, along with Lindsey Beer (Wizard of Oz / Kingkiller Chronicle ), Pulitzer Prize Winner Michael Chabon (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay ), Cheo Coker (Luke Cage, Ray Donovan), Joe Robert Cole (Black Panther, People vs OJ ), Nicole Perlman (Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel), Jeff Pinker (Lost, the Dark Tower), Nicole Riegel (Soldier Girls), Geneva Robertson (Atlantis, Tomb Raider) and Brian K Vaughan (Under the Dome, Lost).  Allspark Pictures, Hasbro's film label, plans to produce the films based upon the cross-property universe.  Hasbro also plans on bringing in an unprecedented number of top artists and designers to assist Goldsman and the writing team with visualizing this all-new cinematic universe.  I love movie concept art so am especially looking forward to seeing what emerges from these artists as they help the writers script these films.

Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)

Paramount and Hasbro's movie partnership has had mixed results since it began in 2007 with the release of the first TRANSFORMERS movie.  That film franchise directed by Michael Bay has earned more than $3.8 billion to date and its movies are amongst the highest grossing movies of all time.  Unfortunately, on the other hand the G.I. JOE movies the Hasbro / Paramount partnership created have squandered the popularity and goodwill that brand had developed with consumers. While the G.I. JOE movies have earned $675 million worldwide each has been lackluster.  From someone who has such wonderful childhood memories of playing with G.I. JOE toys in my backyard, watching the cartoons every day after school and waiting in anticipation each month for a new issue of their comic book to arrive at the news stand, I just have to say it is a shame how immemorable the movies Paramount and Hasbro have produced for this franchise are.  Hopefully this new cross-over cinematic universe will not only reboot G.I. JOE with a film that will wow people but also mimic Disney's efforts with Marvel creating something special through a series of movies that the adults who enjoyed these characters as kids can now share and enjoy with their own children. 

G.I. JOE - RETALIATION (2013)

I am optimistic that these new films featuring G.I. JOE, Micronauts, M.A.S.K. and ROM will be exciting and enjoyable to watch because Hasbro and Paramount are investing the resources and talent to make them extraordinary.  I wasn't into the Visionaries as a kid and they were a bit of a flop back then so not so sure how that is going to fit into the mix with these other franchises which seem a little easier to interconnect with each other but we'll give them the benefit of the doubt and hopefully will be positively surprised with the outcome. Hasbro and Paramount have made some incredible movies featuring the Transformers so we know with the right amount of effort and leadership they can do it again with this new cinematic universe. So I'll be eagerly keeping an eye out for news and information about how this project is progressing. Stay tuned for future updates from A Geek Daddy!

Tech Manual will explain how Batman's gadgets work in "Dawn of Justice"

Though I know it's make believe, I've always been interested in how tech, gadgets and vehicles would work within their fictional comic book, novel and movie universes.  I have a shelf filled with books, blueprints and posters that contain concept art, layouts, schematics and drawings for the gadgets, vehicles and weapons used in some of my favorite Sci-Fi movies.  So it would probably be an understatement to say I was geeked to find out that DC Comics is publishing a book tied to the upcoming Warner Brothers's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice that promises to be a Tech Manual for the cool props that we'll be seeing in the movie. Batman is all about his gadgets and you know he will have an all new bat-suit, bat-mobile, bat-wing, and enough other tools and weapons to fill up a book, but the publisher also promises to have other interesting tidbits included as well including info on some of the Kryptonian tech used by Superman and the Amazonian weapons used by Wonder Woman.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Tech Manual is scheduled to be released on March 22, 2016 with a retail price of $39.95.  Check out the official synopsis of the book:

Batman’s tech has been reimagined and reinvigorated in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the new blockbuster from director Zack Snyder releasing in March 2016. This book takes an exclusive, in-depth look at Batman’s arsenal, vehicles, Batsuits, and the iconic Batcave. The new Batmobile design is explored from first concept sketch, through detailed blueprints, all the way to the physical construction of the vehicle itself.

"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Tech Manual" is a definitive guide to the weaponry and props created for the movie. It closely examines the Utility Belt, the Batwing, grappling hook and batarang. Everything in the Batcave is explored down to the construction of the set and the graphics from Bruce Wayne’s mainframe. This official volume also goes deeper in to the world of "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," showcasing Superman’s Kryptonian suit and Wonder Woman’s iconic weaponry.

The official companion book to the new movie, "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Tech Manual," features interviews with concept artists, the film’s weapon’s master, the mechanic for the Batmobile, and Zack Snyder himself.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice arrives in theaters across the United States on March 25, 2016 a few days after the Tech Manual hits store shelves.  Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City's own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis' most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it's ever known before.