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The Imperial stormtrooper is one of the most iconic designs in all of Star Wars. The trooper aesthetic as created by Ralph McQuarrie for the original trilogy remains one of the most recognizable images in all of cinema history. Sure, they always miss their targets, but they look cool while doing it! And with the upcoming The Rise of Skywalker, we are going to be introduced to yet another variation of trooper, with the crimson Sith Trooper.

At this year’s D23 Expo, Lucasfilm shared a video for fans called The Evolution of the Stormtrooper, which they have finally released online. The video dissects 42 years of trooper designs, from A New Hope up until the films of today. You can check out the full video down below:

It’s interesting that the video opens with director J.J. Abrams saying, “You cannot make a Star Wars movie without stormtroopers.” This is not entirely accurate, because The Phantom Menace actually doesn’t have any stormtroopers in it at all. Would fans embrace that chapter of the saga more if there had been? Who knows. But I can say that when the Republic clone trooper army arrived in the climax of Attack of the Clones, the prequels finally began to feel like Star Wars proper. So that really goes to show how integral the iconography of the stormtrooper is to the saga.

Lucasfilm

The animated series Clone Wars and Rebels also made key additions to the stormtrooper evolution, and it’s nice that the video acknowledges them. The video’s comments from series executive producer Dave Filoni really highlight the contributions the cartoons made to the overall evolution of the troops. Under Filoni’s guidance came the idea that the Republic clones under the leadership of their Jedi generals exhibited individuality, and decorated their helmets and armor with color and individual graphics. When Order 66 takes place and the Empire is formed, everything becomes monochromatic and stark.

Lucasfilm

Because the video came out during D23, they didn’t want to give away the latest contributions to stormtrooper canon with The Mandalorian. The new Disney+ series gave us a new variation of stormtroopers—of a sort. Five years past Return of the Jedi, the rusty and dirty looks that the former Imperial troops now wear make them look even more menacing. Although not specifically stated, it seems the old Imperial troops are now renting themselves out to former Imperial military officers who now rule as warlords. The grungy, worn-out look is sure to be cosplayed plenty in the years to come.

So what kind of trooper armor can we expect when the Skywalker saga wraps up? It’s impossible to say. If we get an adaptation of Knights of the Old Republic, that game found ways to include a class of troopers that are a precursor to the clone troopers and stormtroopers of centuries later. As J.J. Abrams said in the video, it’s doesn’t really feel quite like Star Wars without them. It’s safe to say there will be white-clad armored troops of one kind or the other in Star Wars for as long as the franchise is alive.

Header Image: Lucasfilm

The post New STAR WARS Video Chronicles the Evolution of Stormtroopers appeared first on Nerdist.

First a movie, now a museum! According to ABC News, there is a planned museum honoring the legacy of abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

The Harriet Tubman Museum will be located next to the historic Macedonia Baptist Church, in Cape May, a New Jersey town where Tubman worked for some time. Based on historical accounts, Tubman used to work in hotels and as a cook for families in Cape May.

According to the New York Amsterdam News, the upcoming museum needs a reported $500,000 to open and nearly $160,000 has already been raised by the community. The money will be used toward getting materials to build the museum, which is being constructed. Officials hope to open the museum on Juneteenth, the day when the last enslaved people were freed in the United States.

“It is important to remember the vital contribution of African Americans with regards to the role they played in the history of our county and to ensure that it is preserved for future generations,” County Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton said.

Tubman, who was a noted abolitionist and celebrated Civil War spy, was born into slavery on a Maryland plantation in 1822. She was born Araminta Ross and changed her name after marrying her first husband. She escaped slavery in 1849, and, became a key figure in the Underground Railroad. As noted by History.com, “The Underground Railroad was a network of people, African American as well as white, offering shelter and aid to escaped slaves from the South. It developed as a convergence of several different clandestine efforts. The exact dates of its existence are not known, but it operated from the late 18th century to the Civil War, at which point its efforts continued to undermine the Confederacy in a less-secretive fashion.”

The Harriet Tubman Museum’s website states that they are:

• Creating a museum to honor her courage

'Tis the season for the best gaming, tech, and media gifts. (Photo Credit: Amazon)

As much as we’d love for it to still be Spooky Season (October came and went far too fast), Thanksgiving and Black Friday are right around the corner. You know what that means: it’s Gift Guide Season, y’all. The holidays bring about plenty of opportunities to find the perfect gift for someone, be it at an office White Elephant party or exchanging gifts with one of your closest friends or loved ones. But with those opportunities to find the perfect gift often comes stress.

That’s what we’re here to take care of. Below you’ll find some of the coolest geek gear released in 2019, from tabletop gaming supplies, to dope sneakers, to the ever-reliable Star Wars collectible. It might not have every answer you need heading into the holiday season but hopefully, it will at least give you a point in the right direction.

Happy holidays to all of our readers, and good luck finding gifts that will make your friends and loved ones light up in the coming weeks!

Dungeons & Dragons/Gaming

Photo Credit: Amazon

Dungeons & Dragons Stranger Things Starter Kit

Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit

Unmatched: Battle of Legends Board Game

Dungeons and Dragons Rick and Morty Kit

Kraken Dice – Most tabletop gamers will tell you that they already have too many pairs of dice, but trust us: what they really mean is they just haven’t found the next pair they want yet. A new set of dice is such a reliable gift, be it a relatively cheap set as a stocking stuffer or a limited-edition precious stone set to really make someone’s holiday bright. The folks over at Kraken Dice have you covered on all fronts. They make a variety of unique dice sets that range from super affordable to high-end collectibles.

Headphones

Photo Credit: Under Armour

Panasonic Premium Wireless Headphones

Project Rock – A set of headphones that gives you high-end sound and is also built for activewear is a rare thing. That’s why The Rock’s signature headphones (yes, apparently he has those) are such a revelation. They’re built to function during high-motion activities like running, weightlifting, and shooting hoops but sound as good as any quality studio headphones. If there’s an active person in your life, their days of having to stop workouts to put their headphones back on after they’ve fallen off for the umpteenth time are over.

Collectibles

Photo Credit: Amazon

Star Wars Black Series Luke Skywalker Helmet

Marvel Legends Power Gauntlet

Photo Credit: Amazon

Star Wars Ultimate D-O Interactive Droid – Back when Star Wars: The Force Awakens hit theaters, those awesome BB-8 Bluetooth droids that you could control via a downloadable phone app were nigh-impossible to find for months. Get ahead of the coming rush and pick up your own interactive D-O before Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters and you miss out.

Lego Millennium Falcon

Lego Kylo Ren

Photo Credit: Amazon

Cowboy Bebop Spike Spiegel Figuarts – There hasn’t been a great Spike Spiegel action figure available for years, save for a few that have been out of production that fetched high prices on eBay. Tamashii Nations fixed that this year by bringing the legendary space cowboy into the fold. It’s sure to delight the Bebop fan in your life.

Black Series Lightsabers – These are an always-reliable standby. Force FX lightsabers have been the perfect Star Wars collectible of the modern era and any fan of the franchise is sure to be delighted to receive one. There’s a wide array of options available but the new Supreme Leader Kylo Ren one is easily the top of the line these days.

MONDO He-Man ⅙ Scale Figure

Books

Photo Credit: Amazon

The Lady from the Black Lagoon

Sneakers x Culture: Collab

Stranger Things: The Official Companion

Movies (And Other Things) – Shea Serrano may be the most popular nonfiction writer in the world today thanks to his unique wit and perspective on subjects like rap music, basketball, and television. His latest offering, Movies (And Other Things) is among his best and makes for a great gift for anyone you know who spends time in front of a screen, regardless of what they’re watching.

Game of Thrones: A Guide to Westeros and Beyond

Fashion/Accessories

Photo Credit: Adidas

Adidas Star Wars Collection

Mondo Pins – Pins are the ultimate stocking stuffer and it’s hard to go wrong with any of Mondo’s offerings in that department. Featuring everything from Marvel characters to the cast of Duck Tales, it shouldn’t be hard to find the right one for whoever it is you’re shopping for.

Project Rock Jacket

Movies/TV

Photo Credit: Amazon

Cobra Kai – YouTube Red may be the single biggest dud of the Streaming Era but man, it’s been worth it if only for Cobra Kai. What could be an easy nostalgia cash-grab has instead turned out to be a poignant meditation on masculinity and how it shapes young men. Don’t get us wrong, though – there’s still some great Karate Kid fan service and dope action sequences.

Robocop (Arrow Video Special Edition)

Do The Right Thing (Criterion Collection) – Perhaps the single most impressive home media release of the year. One of the great movies of all time now comes in a well-designed box set crammed with special features and a book that contains essays on the film, photography, as well as director/star Spike Lee’s shooting diary.

Batman Beyond: The Animated Series

More on Geek.com:

• Top Tech Deals From Amazon’s Pre-Black Friday Ad
• GameStop Reveals Full Black Friday 2019 Gaming Deals
• The Best Black Friday Gifts for Comic Book Fans

News has broken that Godfrey Gao, actor and model, best known in the States of the Mortal Instruments movie, passed away at the age of 35 from a heart attack while filming Chase Me, a competitive sports reality show, in China.

While the cause of death is a heart attack, reports are coming that Gao was dealing with some inhumane conditions while on the set of Chase Me, including a 17-hour workday. Taiwan News, according to the Vancouver Sun, reported that an audience member heard Gao shout, “I can’t carry on,” before he fell to the ground.

Taiwan News then reported, “Cameramen swarmed around him and kept filming, apparently believing that his actions were part of the show.”

Zhejiang TV, the station behind Chase Me, released a statement taking some responsibility, which has been circulating on social media.

[trending] Zhejiang TV releases official statement on #GodfreyGao’s passing while recording #ChaseMe. Full trans in P3

“We’re deeply regretful and sorry for the ireparable and serious consequences that this incident has caused, and are willing to take up responsibility”#高以翔 pic.twitter.com/qyRaHFSqPP

— c-drama tweets (@dramapotatoe) November 27, 2019

[trending] Following #GodfreyGao’s passing, variety show #ChaseMe is coming under fire (and scrutiny) for overall difficulty of the obstacles and safety procedures of the programme. Past fan accounts have reported other celebrities to have also faced discomfort during filming pic.twitter.com/ckHLIlwpZ1

— c-drama tweets (@dramapotatoe) November 27, 2019

In addition to the outpouring of grief, this has meant a lot of anger towards Chase Me and more cases of other celebrities complaining about how the series has handled health issues and dangerous sets. Those who have known Gao and fans of the actor have been expressing sadness and confusion about this sudden death on social media:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Deep sadness that such a shining star has left us… 🙏

A post shared by Michelle Yeoh 楊紫瓊 (@michelleyeoh_official) on Nov 27, 2019 at 8:58am PST

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Very sad to hear of the passing of @godfreygao, a huge loss to the community. He inspired so many to follow in his footsteps in film and entertainment, myself included. Condolences to his family and loved ones x

A post shared by Henry Golding (@henrygolding) on Nov 27, 2019 at 1:27am PST

The first Asian model to appear in a campaign for Louis Vuitton. That was in 2011. He was such an inspiration. #RIPGodfreyGao #GodfreyGao #GodfreyGaoYixiang pic.twitter.com/vEtLAqlKrS

— Emily (@youngsunaa) November 27, 2019

So stunned and saddened. I always thought #GodfreyGao could play #JamesBond. Frightening how he just collapsed and died at age 35. 😭

— Kristen Sze ABC7 (@abc7kristensze) November 27, 2019

I can’t believe you’re gone. The most down to earth and genuine man. I’ve followed you for years and loved your work. You’ve always held a special place in my heart…Rest in paradise #GodfreyGao https://t.co/ohXyA8qTa3

— Jayteez🤍✨ (@LaLisaVieEnRose) November 27, 2019

(via Vancouver Sun, image: Screen Gems)

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