By Bryan A Westfall

As one chapter closes, another one begins. It’s time to talk about my favorite character in all of the MCU. Nebula. Not only because any mainstream representation of curmudgeon-hood makes my grumpy ass feel ever-so-slightly less grumpy, but that is certainly a tiny part of it.

I once audited a class with a dialect coach who works with film actors. Just the initial screening to start to find my ‘base’ dialect was a conversation that took an hour (turns out I have a very general American dialect…the only giveaway of hailing from where I do being my liberal use of “dude”).

Karen Gillen has etched out a character so specific in dialect, movement & emotional tone, that I’d defy you to find another to compare Nebula to. Strip away that blue & purple-faced, black-eyed facade, and you still have a performance (spanning four films so far) that is one of a kind and unforgettable.

The work that has gone into each aspect would be exhausting in itself, but the sum total…I’m not sure how she’s not in a coma.

Do we dare look at the emotional thread? Who in that universe has been more tortured? Literally. Her own (adopted) father. Stripped down and rebuilt to be a better warrior, but what you get from her performance is still very raw, damaged, vulnerable humanity (Luphomoidity?).

It’s true that talented scene partners will elevate your own performance (I’ve dabbled, & you will certainly ride the wind of the genius around you). So, I would imagine doing scene work with the likes of Josh Brolin, Lee Pace, Zoe Saldana et al would inspire some pretty epic moments. I’d also likely soil myself if I had to go toe to toe with them.

Thanos would pit Nebula and Gamora in battles against each other, with Gamora winning “again and again, and again, never once refraining“. Thankfully in the case of these scene partners, neither side refrained and we’re all reaping the benefit.

We’re still fresh in Endgame territory, so we can only assume we’ll be seeing Nebula in the next Guardians of the Galaxy installment (safe bet). Who knows where in the MCU timeline or Nebula’s own emotional journey we’ll be lucky to witness when that finally hits screens.

Ms. Gillan has also recently suggested she’d be interested in directing a Marvel film. If her debut feature “The Party’s Just Beginning” is any indication (she wrote, directed and starred), she’s well versed in unearthing stirring performances from others as well as herself.

A solo Nebula film? I’m down. Whatever it ends up being I’m fairly certain what I’ll be saying dryly yet very sincerely as I leave the theater: “I had fun”.

By Bryan A Westfall

This is going to hurt.

It’s probably unwise to try and write this in public, but the people around me will just have to assume I’m writing an obituary and deal with it.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe will continue. New directions, characters, “big baddies” etc. However, it felt necessary to look back as this particular chapter came to a close. We all know that some of the actors involved have announced they’re done playing their characters, so there aren’t any spoiler threats here.

Storytelling is at the core of the human experience. It has been since the dawn of time. Stories (real or imaginary) can help us learn how others deal with setbacks. They can help us remember. They can help inspire us. They can help us connect with others around us simply by sharing them…our own, or the one’s we take in from gifted storytellers.

Not all people have the same entry point when it comes to storytelling, but there may be a few invested in this one. Starting with Tony Stark in that dang cave, Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau were definitely on to something. Introducing a lesser known (to the masses) superhero to cinema goers was bold, but boy did it pay off.

I am very thankful for this boldness. Admittedly, there have been too many of these films (in my opinion). Not all of them have been great. However, a few of these actors have found a thread in each appearance that has felt real, and somehow close to home despite the other-worldly nature of the films. This has made “suffering” through the few stinkers worthwhile.

Enter Chris Evens and Robert Downey Jr. The heart and soul of this universe for me. These two exemplified a commitment to character throughout the last 10 years. The work they’ve put into their characters has risen above any reductive argument about these being “just superhero” movies.

While the colorful, thrilling, flashy, popcorn inducing wrapping on these films may seem “easy” (it’s certainly not), you can find something in the work these two put into their characters that will stand the test of time. Take the heart of this character work from these films, and put it into a period drama, thriller, or what have you…it wouldn’t feel out of place.

The roads Tony and Steve have been down during the last decade are exhausting, when thought of as an actual period of life for any human. Physically, emotionally…I cannot fathom. From their most vulnerable places (Steve’s “I can do this all day” while being bullied pre-super soldier serum & Tony’s determination to build his original suit “with a box of scraps” to escape captivity), these actors proved these were characters worth following from the get-go.

The characters are well written, sure, with a wealth of material for the screenwriters to draw from. Somehow, though, these two were able to elevate even from great writing & connect two characters to the hearts of fans around the world in a very real and tangible (and somehow relateable) way.

Two vastly different characters, similar journey’s, same goal…and destination. They’ll be in our hearts and minds (and stories) for life.

Thank you, gentlemen.

STAR WARS CELEBRATION

Episode II (for me)

CHICAGO

It is a period of celebration for Star Wars fans. Lucasfilm executives & creatives, working from a not-so-hidden ranch in Northern California, have ushered in a new era of exciting new original content and brought this work to Chicago to display to their biggest fans. 

During this event, fans managed to capture not-so-secret photographs of panels, cosplays, and the overall excitement surrounding this new content…which has enough power to launch an entirely new TV streaming platform. 

Pursued by a convention schedule too packed to capture literally everything, one journalist raced around this windy city, attempting to bring as many images as possible of this exciting event to the rest of the galaxy….

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By Bryan A Westfall

“Roll it again.” 😯😯😯😯😯

In case you missed it (doubtful), those words were uttered by none other than “The Emperor” himself, Ian McDiarmid, after the first viewing of the trailer for “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago last weekend. There was an indistinguishable, maniacal laugh near the end of the trailer which left many wondering: “Could it…?” “Was that…?”

The lights came up red on stage, Ian sauntered out and stood for a few beats…then said those words in a voice that would send shivers up the spine of any Star Wars fan.

It WAS him. 🙌 (and they did…roll it again. Who’s going to argue with The Emperor?)

That was how they capped the event for this trailer release panel. But before this, panel host Stephen Colbert sat down with J.J. Abrams, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, and a ton of the cast from this amazing new trilogy.

Joining J.J. on the panel were actors Daisy Ridley, Kelly Marie Tran, Billy Dee Williams, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Joonas Suotamo, Naomi Ackie, and everyone’s favorite protocol droid Anthony Daniels.

We’ll start with the LEGEND. Mr. Billy Dee Williams. Stephen asked him how, after all these decades, did he “find” Lando again in order to portray him on screen:

Enough said. Moving on.

On to Oscar Isaac, with a question that made everyone in the room groan a bit. Stephen asked who was the better pilot, Han Solo or Poe Dameron:

The photos were definitely exciting to see, and John Boyega shared a bit of his excitement about his new wardrobe for Finn after seeing it for this film:

Naturally, any conversation about the new trilogy will eventually turn to the relationships. One panel I’m disappointed I missed at Star Wars Celebration was the “shipping” panel discussion (for those not familiar, “shipping” = a fans desire for two characters to be together…relationSHIP).

Not because I’m in any way invested in “Reylo” (Rey and Kylo Ren) or the topic in general, but because the anticipation for it was big & the discussions online about it were HEATED weeks before the convention.

Thankfully, Colbert goaded Daisy, John, and Oscar into giving us their own version of a shipping panel:

Colbert certainly didn’t pull any punches when it came to digging for spoilers, and even extended his investigation into what force powers we could expect to see on display with Rey:

Only 8 (tedious) months till we see the “other things” Rey gets up to. “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” opens December 20th.

By Bryan A Westfall

If you know me only from twitter, you’d think after unexpectedly meeting Dave Filoni earlier today on the expo floor of Star Wars Celebration in Chicago, that I’d be here talking about that chance encounter. He’s what I’ve talked about most when on the topic of Star Wars since listening to him talk about “The Force” at the same event in Orlando two years ago.

If you know me well, you know I’m here because the “Sisters of The Force” panel a few hours later gave me an excuse to talk about the women. The women in my life, as well as the women in the Star Wars Universe.

Brave, strong female characters in fiction have always reminded me of the amazing women in my life. My mother and grandmother in particular, but also many of the best friends, coworkers, teachers, and other role models throughout my life.

When Princess Leia arrived along with Star Wars when I was a kid, I thought “Gotcha. A lady my Mom would hang out with. Loads in common”. My grandmother was also someone who inspired me, as she was always able to find the positive in anything around her. Both of them lived how they were going to live & were going to achieve what they were going to achieve. Try and stop them. That’s pretty damn Leia…

…and Hera, and Ashoka, and Mon Mothma, and Padme and on the list goes.

What I learned today (to no surprise), was the women behind some of these characters, as well as behind the scenes on the shows and in other areas of the creative side of this Star Wars Universe…are equally as inspiring. What I love about this is that even if there is a shortage of “built in” female inspiration in a young persons life, there are women who can step in and inspire them straight out of popular culture.

This was literally put on display in this panel today.

Vanessa Marshall (“Hera” from “Star Wars Rebels“) connected with a young Star Wars fan at an event years back. She went by the handle “Darth Makenna” online…dressed in a sparkly, Vader themed cosplay. When Vanessa came across Makenna years later, she was concerned as she wasn’t as high-spirited as she had always known her to be. She connected with her mother over email, who explained she’d been bullied and that had led to depression.

Long story short…”Darth Makenna” was here. In Chicago. Backstage. In cosplay (OMG THE HELMET)…and Vanessa brought her on stage in front of thousands. Thousands who were touched by her story and cheered for her because this actor who cared reached out and did what she could to help.

The rest of the panel was filled with more stories of inspiration, showing the impact these awesome women are having on the fans (young and old) in the Star Wars fandom.

The panel host, Ashley Eckstein (“Ashoka Tano” from “Clone Wars” and “Rebels”) met a young fan named Miranda at a “Doctor Who” convention. Miranda has since battled (and beat) cancer numerous times. “I’ve met a real life Ashoka Tano”. She orchestrated a rendition of “Happy Birthday” with the crowd to send to Miranda who was watching the live-stream.

Catherine Taber (“Padme” in “Clone Wars”) met a young boy at an event who’s favorite character in Star Wars was Padme. He wrote a pretty lengthy summary on his reasoning as well (which again reminded me of the women in my life). Over the years he’s battled cancer and is in remission, currently readying for college to study film. She hopes to be hired by him some day.

Voice actor Suzie McGrath (“Tam” in “Star Wars Resistance“) used the opportunity of her first ever Star Wars Celebration appearance to talk about overcoming a stutter when she was young. She mentioned she didn’t bring it up much, but did so in the spirit of this event.

Writer and host Amy Ratcliffe talked about the work that went into getting where she is in her career. From writing a blog, to Nerdist and more. Brick by brick. She’s currently hosting at this massive event, and late last year she released the book “Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy“. She shared how excited she was when fans showed up to book release events in Star Wars cosplay. 

Athena Portillo is the Executive Producer on “Star Wars Resistance” and was also a producer on “Clone Wars” & “Rebels”. She chronicled her path from being 45 minutes late to her internship interview with Lucasfilm back in the 90’s, to where she is today…learning about what will be going into all of the stories the actresses on that stage with her would be acting out later on.

The future of Star Wars is bright because of these women. But more importantly, so are the lives of the people around them (friends, fans, family) who they can inspire in the ways that were on display here in Chicago today.

I should call my mom.