The Forcecast: Star Wars News, Talk, Interviews, And More!

Episode VII may be filming in Abu Dhabi, Celebration Anaheim stage hosts are revealed, and Benedict Cumberbatch crushes some dreams with a Star Wars announcement. Then, ahead of her appearance at WonderCon this weekend, Vanessa Marshall, the voice of Hera on Star Wars Rebels, joins us to talk about her Star Wars fandom and her new role as the captain of the Ghost.

We're all excited about Rebels and the upcoming films, but are we too excited? Are we setting our expectations impossibly high? This week we look at past experiences and discuss whether Star Wars fans have reasonable expectations for future projects. We also cover filming updates, Peter Mayhew, Tatooine, WonderCon, and much more!

A new Star Wars Episode VII filming rumor inspired us to discuss Star Wars locations and their potential appearances in the sequel trilogy. Which planets worked in the first six films and which didn't? Which places would we like to see again? Which unseen locations should make their on-screen debut in December 2015? We cover all of that on this week's show.

We managed to get our hands on a few tantalizing scraps of information about Star Wars Episode VII, and after mulling it over for a little while, we're ready to discuss it on the show. Tune in to hear what we learned about a character and a starship -- and what we think it means for the first sequel.

Even though it was a light news week, we've got plenty to talk about! This week we go through the questions and comments you've submitted, from questions about Dooku to the possibility of seeing the Droids and Ewoks cartoons again. Don't miss this week's episode!

After news drops about Star Wars Episode VII, Erik and Eric discuss Lucasfilm's media strategy for the film. In the digital age, can Lucasfilm hope to control leaks and rumors? How will they distribute information, whether publicly or otherwise? Can they balance the needs of the film production and the fan sites? Our conversation explores all of that and more. Plus, we discuss Episode VII casting and studio rumors, new Insider short stories, and The Clone Wars interviews.

March Madness has arrived! Lucasfilm has announced the characters for the annual "This Is Madness" competition, and we go over our personal picks. We also discuss Dave Filoni's comments about The Clone Wars and Rebels, Carrie Fisher's possible involvement in Episode VII, and Variety's latest casting rumors. Don't miss this week's ForceCast!

Today sees the release of The Clone Wars bonus content, and The ForceCast has the perfect podcast companion to your binge-watching. Eric and guest co-host Justin Bolger discuss the dramatic evolution of the animated series, from Ahsoka's introduction to her fateful decision in the fifth season finale. Between characters like Rex and Maul and story arcs like Mortis and Umbara, the show profoundly shaped the Star Wars galaxy and the fan community. As Netflix reveals "The Lost Missions," we put the legacy of The Clone Wars in perspective, looking at its impact on the galaxy far, far away.

Justin Bolger joins Eric Geller to discuss Star Wars Rebels character reveals, a super-sized Star Wars Weekends, and the trailer for The Clone Wars: The Lost Missions. Then, as Rebels prepares to take us back to the Original Trilogy, Eric and Justin talk to FANgirl Blog's Tricia Barr about racial and gender diversity in the Empire, the Rebel Alliance, and the galaxy as a whole.

Rebels news galore! From introduction videos to Toy Fair reveals, we learn more about our new heroes. Then TheForce.Net's Adam Nettina joins us to discuss concerns about the future of Star Wars novels, and we tackle your listener feedback.

We meet the newest member of the Star Wars Rebels cast, discuss an Episode VII casting story and a production rumor, and share good news for Star Wars fans in Australia and New Zealand. Plus, enjoy part two of our interview with Patrick Gorman of The Star Wars Saga In 60 Minutes. You'll find all that and more in Erik and Eric's one-year anniversary episode of The ForceCast!

It's a light news week, but we're keeping things exciting by interviewing the creator of one of Star Wars Celebration's most popular events: Patrick Gorman of The Star Wars Saga In 60 Minutes. In part one of our interview, Patrick discusses his Star Wars fandom, the origins of his show, and more. Plus, we cover a Disney Infinity rumor, discuss a Star Wars Rebels propaganda campaign, and read your emails and Facebook comments.

With several rumors pointing to big changes in Star Wars canon, Erik and Eric break down the latest news and speculation, and then address the question of an evolving continuity in the discussion segment. What could Lucasfilm do to streamline the universe? What changes are likely in the months ahead? We break it down for you on The ForceCast.

Might Kasdan's spin-off rewrite Boba Fett's origin? This week TheForce.Net's own Justin Bolger joins us to discuss this rumor, as well as Jesse Plemons, Episode VII's production start date, possible script changes, your feedback on Obi-Wan's possible granddaughter, and the possibility of a Pixar Star Wars film! All that and more, on this week's ForceCast!

Erik and Eric dissect a veritable feast of Episode VII rumors on this week's show, from casting reports to an alleged explanation for the departure of screenwriter Michael Arndt. What do we think of Jesse Plemons playing Luke Skywalker's son, Obi-Wan having a daughter, and hologram Jedi cameos? Tune in to find out!

The new year began with big news as Disney announced that Marvel would acquire the Star Wars comics license from Dark Horse in 2015. Erik and Eric discuss the license transfer, one of Dark Horse's last big comic projects, Disneyland Star Wars park rumors, The Clone Wars bonus content, a possible Star Wars Rebels character leak, and more. 2014 is off to a fast start and you'll find coverage of all of it here on The ForceCast!

We wrap up 2013 with news on Episode VII, an upcoming video game, a no-longer-upcoming book, and an introduction from one of Star Wars Rebels' executive producers. We then reflect back on the most memorable Star Wars moments of the year. From cancellations and closures to new beginnings, it was a big year for the franchise.

We wrap up our holiday gift guide this week by talking Star Wars collectibles with uber-collector and Rancho Obi-Wan president Steve Sansweet and with prolific Star Wars blogger and friend of the show Amy Ratcliffe. In addition to our collectible recommendations, we talk about Rancho Obi-Wan's recent World Record Night party, and Steve reveals some truly unusual items that he recently acquired. All that, plus the news of the week and your feedback, on this episode of The ForceCast!

The most iconic starship in Star Wars may now exist as a full-scale interior and exterior set! We also have a new perspective on the Disney theme park delays and an introduction to the executive producer of the upcoming Star Wars Rebels series. In our second gift guide segment, we're joined by Jay Shepard (Jedi Journals) and Aaron X (Star Wars Bookworms, Bad Wolf Radio) to talk books and comics.

Disney may have put its Star Wars theme park plans on hold, EA may be working on an open-world Star Wars game, and The Clone Wars may rediscover its "lost missions" next year on Disney XD. We discuss these rumors, a new J.J. Abrams interview, and the chances of seeing EU characters in the background of Episode VII. Plus, we're joined by Lou Secki from The Sabacc Table as we kick off our holiday gift guide mini-series with a segment on Star Wars games.