Yearly Archives: 2020

The Mandalorian Had a Secret Mark Hamill Cameo in Season 1

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill, who recently noted that he couldn't ever imagine playing Luke Skywalker again after Episode IX, apparently made a voice cameo in Season 1 of The Mandalorian. On this week's final episode of Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian (h/t Deadline), it was revealed that an uncredited Hamill voiced the droid bartender in the fifth episode of the series. In the fifth episode, "The Gunslinger," Mando (real name: Din Djarin) seeks safe harbor in Mos Eisley on Tatooine so that he can get his ship, The Razor Crest, repaired while protecting and hiding The Child. When Mando stopped by the Mos Eisley cantina, which famously didn't allow droids back in A New Hope, a droid, voiced by Hamill, was now manning the entire place. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=31-celebrity-cameos-in-the-star-wars-sequel-trilogy&captions=true"] On Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian, series creator Jon Favreau mentioned that the droid’s name is EV-9D9. And yes, EV-9D9 was previously seen in Return of the Jedi as Jabba the Hut's droid torturer. After the release of The Rise of Skywalker, Hamill wrote a heartfelt letter to fans thanking them for their devotion to the Skywalker saga and the Star Wars universe, noting how it will "continue to grow with new storytellers building an even bigger galaxy." Recently, Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn) and Peyton Reed (Ant-Man) have both confirmed they will be directing episodes of Season 2 of The Mandalorian. Season 2's new cast members include actor Michael Biehn (The Terminator, Aliens), who has been cast in an unspecified role as an unknown bounty hunter; Rosario Dawson, who has also been reportedly cast as Ahsoka Tano; and Timothy Olyphant, who will play Cobb Vanth, a character first introduced in the 2015 novel Star Wars: Aftermath. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/05/08/temeura-morrison-who-played-jango-fett-will-return-to-play-boba-fett"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN and a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBFowler.

The Mandalorian Had a Secret Mark Hamill Cameo in Season 1

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill, who recently noted that he couldn't ever imagine playing Luke Skywalker again after Episode IX, apparently made a voice cameo in Season 1 of The Mandalorian. On this week's final episode of Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian (h/t Deadline), it was revealed that an uncredited Hamill voiced the droid bartender in the fifth episode of the series. In the fifth episode, "The Gunslinger," Mando (real name: Din Djarin) seeks safe harbor in Mos Eisley on Tatooine so that he can get his ship, The Razor Crest, repaired while protecting and hiding The Child. When Mando stopped by the Mos Eisley cantina, which famously didn't allow droids back in A New Hope, a droid, voiced by Hamill, was now manning the entire place. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=31-celebrity-cameos-in-the-star-wars-sequel-trilogy&captions=true"] On Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian, series creator Jon Favreau mentioned that the droid’s name is EV-9D9. And yes, EV-9D9 was previously seen in Return of the Jedi as Jabba the Hut's droid torturer. After the release of The Rise of Skywalker, Hamill wrote a heartfelt letter to fans thanking them for their devotion to the Skywalker saga and the Star Wars universe, noting how it will "continue to grow with new storytellers building an even bigger galaxy." Recently, Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn) and Peyton Reed (Ant-Man) have both confirmed they will be directing episodes of Season 2 of The Mandalorian. Season 2's new cast members include actor Michael Biehn (The Terminator, Aliens), who has been cast in an unspecified role as an unknown bounty hunter; Rosario Dawson, who has also been reportedly cast as Ahsoka Tano; and Timothy Olyphant, who will play Cobb Vanth, a character first introduced in the 2015 novel Star Wars: Aftermath. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/05/08/temeura-morrison-who-played-jango-fett-will-return-to-play-boba-fett"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN and a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBFowler.

Game of Thrones Stuntman Brings Thrilling Fights to Hanna Season 2

Hanna's second season debuts on Amazon Prime Video on July 3, with what looks to be another action-packed outing featuring our favorite young assassin, played by Esme Creed-Miles. While the Season 2 trailer shows off Hanna's new blonde hair, we've also learned that she's getting some updated moves from Game of Thrones stuntman Marcus Shakesheff. "We wanted to design a fighting style, particularly for Hanna," Shakesheff explained. "We've gone for a Krav Maga-type style, so when you watch it you believe that would hurt. Elbow smashes, headbutts... we wanted to give it a little bit more." For an in-depth look at how Shakesheff and his team turned Creed-Miles into an efficient killing machine, check out our exclusive behind the scenes look at Hanna Season 2 in the video below or at the top of the page: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/19/hanna-exclusive-season-2-krav-maga-clip"] Here's how Amazon describes the Season 2 of Hanna: "In Season Two, Hanna risks her freedom to rescue her friend Clara (Yasmin Monet Prince) from the clutches of the Utrax program, now run by John Carmichael (Dermot Mulroney) and his second in command, Leo Garner (Anthony Welsh). Hanna finds help in the unlikely form of her previous nemesis, CIA agent Marissa Wiegler (Mireille Enos), who must protect both herself and Hanna from the ruthless organization she once trusted. Yet as Hanna delves deeper into the elusive world of The Meadows and meets others like herself, including Sandy (Áine Rose Daly) and Jules (Gianna Kiehl), she begins to question her role in the larger context of Utrax's assassin program and ultimately, where she truly belongs." Hanna Season 2 drops on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, July 3, 2020. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=hanna-season-2-gallery&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] David Griffin still watches DuckTales in his pajamas with a cereal bowl in hand. He's also the TV Editor for IGN. Say hi on Twitter.

Game of Thrones Stuntman Brings Thrilling Fights to Hanna Season 2

Hanna's second season debuts on Amazon Prime Video on July 3, with what looks to be another action-packed outing featuring our favorite young assassin, played by Esme Creed-Miles. While the Season 2 trailer shows off Hanna's new blonde hair, we've also learned that she's getting some updated moves from Game of Thrones stuntman Marcus Shakesheff. "We wanted to design a fighting style, particularly for Hanna," Shakesheff explained. "We've gone for a Krav Maga-type style, so when you watch it you believe that would hurt. Elbow smashes, headbutts... we wanted to give it a little bit more." For an in-depth look at how Shakesheff and his team turned Creed-Miles into an efficient killing machine, check out our exclusive behind the scenes look at Hanna Season 2 in the video below or at the top of the page: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/19/hanna-exclusive-season-2-krav-maga-clip"] Here's how Amazon describes the Season 2 of Hanna: "In Season Two, Hanna risks her freedom to rescue her friend Clara (Yasmin Monet Prince) from the clutches of the Utrax program, now run by John Carmichael (Dermot Mulroney) and his second in command, Leo Garner (Anthony Welsh). Hanna finds help in the unlikely form of her previous nemesis, CIA agent Marissa Wiegler (Mireille Enos), who must protect both herself and Hanna from the ruthless organization she once trusted. Yet as Hanna delves deeper into the elusive world of The Meadows and meets others like herself, including Sandy (Áine Rose Daly) and Jules (Gianna Kiehl), she begins to question her role in the larger context of Utrax's assassin program and ultimately, where she truly belongs." Hanna Season 2 drops on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, July 3, 2020. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=hanna-season-2-gallery&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] David Griffin still watches DuckTales in his pajamas with a cereal bowl in hand. He's also the TV Editor for IGN. Say hi on Twitter.

Guinness World Records Reinstates Pac-Man And Donkey Kong Records

Guinness World Records has reinstated five records set by Billy Mitchell, which had previously been disqualified due to belief they had been achieved on an emulator. "In the light of compelling new evidence received by Guinness World Records, the Records Management Team has unanimously decided to reverse decisions made in April 2018 in regards to video game high scores achieved by Billy Mitchell between 1982 and 2010," Guinness World Records said in a statement. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2015/07/04/history-of-awesome-pac-man"] In a video statement, Guinness World Records’ editor-in-chief, Craig Glenday, explained that the new evidence comes in the form of new eyewitness accounts, expert gameplay analysis, and hardware verification. The team’s conclusion was that the evidence did not support the conclusions made in April 2018 that Mitchell had achieved his records using emulation instead of arcade machines. As such, all five records have been restored. Those five records are:
  • Highest score on Donkey Kong - 874,300 Points - November 7, 1982
  • First Perfect Score on Pac-Man - 3,333,360 Points - July 3, 1999
  • Highest score on Donkey Kong - 1,047,200 Points - June 4, 2005
  • Highest score on Donkey Kong - 1,050,200 Points - July 14, 2007
  • Highest score on Donkey Kong - 1,062,800 Points - July 31, 2010
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/04/16/billy-mitchell-responds-to-having-records-stripped"] Mitchell is famously known as one of the players in cult gaming documentary The King of Kong, in which rival player Steve Wiebe attempted to beat his score. In 2018, Twin Galaxies - the company partnered with Guinness World Records to aid in the adjudication of video game records - deemed a set of score tapes submitted by Mitchell as not being set on “unmodified original DK arcade PCB as per the competitive rules”, which led to the disqualification of his records. The following year, Mitchell filed a lawsuit against Twin Galaxies for defamation. For more on classic games, check out how Pac-Man celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year and what makes Pac-Man such an icon. And for DK, check out this Donkey Kong speedrun that finishes the game in one minute. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter.

Guinness World Records Reinstates Pac-Man And Donkey Kong Records

Guinness World Records has reinstated five records set by Billy Mitchell, which had previously been disqualified due to belief they had been achieved on an emulator. "In the light of compelling new evidence received by Guinness World Records, the Records Management Team has unanimously decided to reverse decisions made in April 2018 in regards to video game high scores achieved by Billy Mitchell between 1982 and 2010," Guinness World Records said in a statement. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2015/07/04/history-of-awesome-pac-man"] In a video statement, Guinness World Records’ editor-in-chief, Craig Glenday, explained that the new evidence comes in the form of new eyewitness accounts, expert gameplay analysis, and hardware verification. The team’s conclusion was that the evidence did not support the conclusions made in April 2018 that Mitchell had achieved his records using emulation instead of arcade machines. As such, all five records have been restored. Those five records are:
  • Highest score on Donkey Kong - 874,300 Points - November 7, 1982
  • First Perfect Score on Pac-Man - 3,333,360 Points - July 3, 1999
  • Highest score on Donkey Kong - 1,047,200 Points - June 4, 2005
  • Highest score on Donkey Kong - 1,050,200 Points - July 14, 2007
  • Highest score on Donkey Kong - 1,062,800 Points - July 31, 2010
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/04/16/billy-mitchell-responds-to-having-records-stripped"] Mitchell is famously known as one of the players in cult gaming documentary The King of Kong, in which rival player Steve Wiebe attempted to beat his score. In 2018, Twin Galaxies - the company partnered with Guinness World Records to aid in the adjudication of video game records - deemed a set of score tapes submitted by Mitchell as not being set on “unmodified original DK arcade PCB as per the competitive rules”, which led to the disqualification of his records. The following year, Mitchell filed a lawsuit against Twin Galaxies for deformation. For more on classic games, check out how Pac-Man celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year and what makes Pac-Man such an icon. And for DK, check out this Donkey Kong speedrun that finishes the game in one minute. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter

Aya and the Witch: Official Stills From Studio Ghibli’s First Fully CG Film

Studio Ghibli has shared the first images from Goro Miyazaki's CG film Aya and the Witch. According to Kotaku, Comic Natalie was the first to publish the key visuals and scene photographs from the film, which is based on Diana Wynne Jones' children's book Earwig and the Witch, released in 2011. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=studio-ghiblis-aya-and-the-witch-official-stills-from-goro-miyazakis-cg-film&captions=true"] The colourful carousel of images sees a digression from the traditional, hand-drawn animation that Studio Ghibli is well-renowned for. Instead, this feature has opted for a new kind of art style with an entirely 3D computer-generated story that centres around Earwig, the young girl with the broomstick. Earwig is an orphan girl who has lived at St. Morwald's Home for Children ever since she was a baby, but all of that changes the day that she is adopted by a mysterious woman named Bella Yaga, who turns out to be a terrible witch and brings Earwig to live in her home of supernatural trinkets. With help from a talking cat, Earwig must use her wits to survive in her new magical surroundings. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2015/11/20/our-favorite-studio-ghibli-films-ign-anime-club"] Hayao Miyazaki has been overseeing the adaptation's "planning" while his son, Goro Miyazaki, has taken the director's role on the project. Aya and the Witch (Aya to Majo) will premiere on Japan's NHK this winter. It is one of two projects being developed by Studio Ghibli this year -- the other being Hayao Miyazaki's first feature film since coming out of retirement, though we might have to wait a bit longer for that release, as it's been projected that it might take up to three years to complete the animation. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Aya and the Witch: Official Stills From Studio Ghibli’s First Fully CG Film

Studio Ghibli has shared the first images from Goro Miyazaki's CG film Aya and the Witch. According to Kotaku, Comic Natalie was the first to publish the key visuals and scene photographs from the film, which is based on Diana Wynne Jones' children's book Earwig and the Witch, released in 2011. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=studio-ghiblis-aya-and-the-witch-official-stills-from-goro-miyazakis-cg-film&captions=true"] The colourful carousel of images sees a digression from the traditional, hand-drawn animation that Studio Ghibli is well-renowned for. Instead, this feature has opted for a new kind of art style with an entirely 3D computer-generated story that centres around Earwig, the young girl with the broomstick. Earwig is an orphan girl who has lived at St. Morwald's Home for Children ever since she was a baby, but all of that changes the day that she is adopted by a mysterious woman named Bella Yaga, who turns out to be a terrible witch and brings Earwig to live in her home of supernatural trinkets. With help from a talking cat, Earwig must use her wits to survive in her new magical surroundings. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2015/11/20/our-favorite-studio-ghibli-films-ign-anime-club"] Hayao Miyazaki has been overseeing the adaptation's "planning" while his son, Goro Miyazaki, has taken the director's role on the project. Aya and the Witch (Aya to Majo) will premiere on Japan's NHK this winter. It is one of two projects being developed by Studio Ghibli this year -- the other being Hayao Miyazaki's first feature film since coming out of retirement, though we might have to wait a bit longer for that release, as it's been projected that it might take up to three years to complete the animation. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s ARMS Fighter to Be Revealed Next Week

Nintendo has announced that the still unknown ARMS character joining Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will be revealed on June 22, 2020 at 7am PT/10am ET/3pm BST. The reveal will be part of a 35-minute video livestream, hosted by Super Smash Bros. Ultimate game director Masahiro Sakurai, that will also give an in-depth look at the upcoming fighter. Screenshot_2020-06-19 Nintendo of America on Twitter Join Super #SmashBrosUltimate Director Masahiro Sakurai on 6 22 at 7am[...] Nintendo is also careful to say that there will be "no further new fighter reveals other than a fighter from ARMS in this livestream." The news that an ARMS character would be joining the fight in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as the first character from the new Fighter's Pass was revealed in Nintendo's last Direct Mini. This ARMS character was said to be released in June 2020, so if that holds true, the comments Sakurai made about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's DLC development possibly needing to stop due to COVID-19 may indicate the wait for the next character after this one could be a longer one. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/30/super-smash-bros-ultimate-byleth-dlc-review"] The last character to be revealed was Fire Emblem: Three Houses' Byleth. In our review of the character, we said "Byleth may be lacking complexity, but the easy-to-pick-up nature of their moves is still worth checking out." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s ARMS Fighter to Be Revealed Next Week

Nintendo has announced that the still unknown ARMS character joining Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will be revealed on June 22, 2020 at 7am PT/10am ET/3pm BST. The reveal will be part of a 35-minute video livestream, hosted by Super Smash Bros. Ultimate game director Masahiro Sakurai, that will also give an in-depth look at the upcoming fighter. Screenshot_2020-06-19 Nintendo of America on Twitter Join Super #SmashBrosUltimate Director Masahiro Sakurai on 6 22 at 7am[...] Nintendo is also careful to say that there will be "no further new fighter reveals other than a fighter from ARMS in this livestream." The news that an ARMS character would be joining the fight in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as the first character from the new Fighter's Pass was revealed in Nintendo's last Direct Mini. This ARMS character was said to be released in June 2020, so if that holds true, the comments Sakurai made about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's DLC development possibly needing to stop due to COVID-19 may indicate the wait for the next character after this one could be a longer one. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/30/super-smash-bros-ultimate-byleth-dlc-review"] The last character to be revealed was Fire Emblem: Three Houses' Byleth. In our review of the character, we said "Byleth may be lacking complexity, but the easy-to-pick-up nature of their moves is still worth checking out." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.