Friends of the Force: A Star Wars Podcast

Clayton Sandell, Kelly Knox, and S.T. Bende join us to look back at 40 years of Star Wars history with RETURN OF THE JEDI: A VISUAL ARCHIVE from Insight Editions. We discuss the Jedi's long-lasting legacy & influence, making the behind-the-scenes elements feel tangible, and more. Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsOfForce Linktree: https://link...

Another San Diego Comic Con has come and gone, and Star Wars book fans have much to look forward to! Brad and Sarah recap all the news from the weekend, including tie-in novels (finally!!) for The Acolyte (6:58). Plus, Monday brought another surprise announcement in the form of the Reign of the Empire trilogy launching next year (33:46). io9 Exclusive: https://gizmodo.com/star-wars-reign-of-the-em...

Star Wars author Tessa Gratton joins us to talk about their latest High Republic novel TEMPTATION OF THE FORCE! We discuss the inspiration behind the book's title, Avar and Elzar's tender relationship, ghosts from the past, and more. Book spoilers begin at 29:27! Note: this interview was previously recorded on 6/13/24. Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Twitter: https://twitter.c...

We're diving into the season finale of the The Acolyte, "The Acolyte," directed by Hanelle Culpepper and written by Jason Micallef. We discuss why we're desperate for this story to continue with a second season, Osha's emotional retribution, Oshamir thumb touches, the rule of two, Vernestra's secrets, and more. Check out the interviews we referenced at StarWars.com , Collider , Entertainment Weekl...

Brad and Sarah are back with the seventh episode of The Acolyte, "Choice" — directed by Kogonada and written by Charmaine DeGraté, Jen Richards, & Jasmyne Flournoy. We discuss the difference between choice and destiny, Osha's agency, the road to hell being paved with good intentions, the Jedi and institutional power, and more. Check out both referenced interviews with showrunner...

Brad and Sarah are back with the sixth episode of The Acolyte, "Teach / Corrupt" — directed by Hanelle M. Culpepper and written by Leslye Headland & Jocelyn Bioh. We discuss the triumphant return of the enemies-to-lovers trope in Star Wars, Qimir's vulnerability, accessing the Force through emotion, the power of two, and more. Remember to hydrate! Check out the Collider interview...

Brad and Sarah break down the fifth episode of The Acolyte, "Night" — directed by Alex Garcia Lopez and written by Kor Adana & Cameron Squires. Join us as we emotionally recover from one of Star Wars' most devastating 30 minutes of television including the unmasking of the Stranger and his true motivations, a bloody trail of fallen Jedi, Sol's inner darkness, and the road ahe...

Brad and Sarah break down the fourth episode of The Acolyte, "Day" — directed by Alex Garcia Lopez and written by Claire Kiechel & Kor Adana. All roads lead to the mysterious and spooky forest on Khofar where our heroes may or may not have a long overdue dental appointment. Full spoilers ahead! Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsOfForce L...

Brad and Sarah break down the third episode of The Acolyte, "Destiny" — directed by Kogonada and written by Eileen Shim & Jasmyne Flournoy. We discuss the history of the Brendok witch coven, Jedi entitlement, dark and unnatural powers, the Rashomon effect, and more! Full spoilers ahead! Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsOfForce Linktree:...

The Acolyte is finally here! Join us for our discussion on episodes one and two, "Lost/Found" & "Revenge/Justice" as we reflect on the High Republic's introduction into live-action television, speculate over what happened that night on Brendok, and try to piece together the mysteries at this show's core. Full spoilers ahead! Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod....

Last week, we attended the premiere of THE ACOLYTE at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood! We discuss our experience walking the carpet and give our non-spoiler reactions to the first two episodes. Thank you to Lucasfilm for the invite. Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsOfForce Linktree: https://linktr.ee/friendsoftheforce Thank you to all of our Patr...

John Jackson Miller joins the podcast to discuss “The Living Force,” which is his first full-length Star Wars novel in ten years — fleshing out the personalities of all 12 Jedi Council members, the living vs. cosmic Force, Qui-Gon's challenge to help just one person, and more! Spoiler warning: we do cover some light/mild book spoilers during this interview. Website: http://www.friendsoftheforc...

Our coverage of The Bad Batch has sadly reached its end. Join us for our final discussion about Clone Force 99 with the emotionally-charged series finale “The Cavalry Has Arrived” and why that uplifting ending will leave us remembering this series for years to come. Plus, some highlights from episodes 312-314 including bearded Rampart and a tense docking sequence! Website: http://www.friendsofthef...

No one is safe from the truth, and the truth is that we are SO back! Brad and Sarah break down the latest trailer for THE ACOLYTE, which premieres in just under a month. We discuss Qimir calling the Jedi's advocacy for peace into question, Mae's urgency to confront the past, Mother Aniseya's motivations, and a scary mask full of teeth. So buckle in and call your dentist, because there...

May the 4th be with you, friends! Sarah and Brad are celebrating Star Wars Day with the fifth annual "Friends of the 4th" special where we share our favorite memories from the past 365 days in Star Wars. Join us in our trip down memory lane as we reflect on the past and the future of our fandom experience. Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsO...

The Force itself sickens in the latest High Republic young-adult novel “Defy the Storm” by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland. We discuss Vernestra Rwoh emerging from solitude, Avon Starros on her quest for revenge, Mari San Tekka's path beyond the edge of the galaxy, and more. Plus, what's next for solving the Nameless problem? Independent Bookstore of the Week: Scrawl Books (Reston, VA) W...

Calling all Jedi: this is the Scarlet Skull! Join us for our discussion on the latest High Republic middle-grade novel "Escape from Valo" by Daniel José Older and Alyssa Wong. We dive into this journey full of grief, fear, attachment, and compassion by looking through the eyes of Ram Jomaram and the three Jedi Padawans that he takes under his wing. Independent Bookstore of the Week: Viol...

In this week's coverage of The Bad Batch, we're discussing the long-awaited return of Asajj Ventress, local Florida Men (aka Wrecker and Hunter), and a stressful two-parter on both Mount Tantiss and Pabu! Spoilers ahead for episodes 308-311. Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsOfForce Linktree: https://linktr.ee/friendsoftheforce Thank you to al...

⁠Alyssa Wong⁠ joins the podcast to discuss their debut High Republic novel ESCAPE FROM VALO, which is a wildly fun and heartfelt middle-grade story alongside Daniel José Older. Spoiler warning: we talk about key plot points from the entirety of the book. We definitely recommend reading Alyssa's award-winning short-fiction story 'Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers' ⁠here⁠ . Website: h...

This is about power, and who's allowed to use it. The first official trailer for THE ACOLYTE has finally arrived and we're foaming at the mouth! We're picking apart every detail one could find in two minutes of footage and what we know about the characters thus far. We also highlight some of the brilliant Leslye Headland quotes making the rounds about power, institutions, and emotional...

We continue our coverage of The Bad Batch season three with episodes four through seven including an action-packed two-parter! We talk about emotional reunions, clone rebellion and identity, and more proof that Tech lives! Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsOfForce Linktree: https://linktr.ee/friendsoftheforce Thank you to all of our Patrons, including...

The Bad Batch returns for their final ride in the third and final season! We're discussing the three-part premiere with friend of the show Mollie ( @DarthMaullie ) as we unpack the secrets of Project Necromancer, speculate about the Batch's endgame, yell over this arc's thrilling conclusion, and more. Check out Mollie's Etsy store here , which includes the coveted Cute Gunray pin....

We welcome digital illustrator Ella ( @cherriielle ) whose dream of creating official High Republic artwork is now *bangs the Daniel José Older gavel* CANON! After manifesting it two years ago, Ella finally had the opportunity to create a variant cover for "The High Republic Adventures" issue no. 3 featuring Zeen Mrala, Svi'no Atchapat, and Sian Holt. Ella shares why her Star Wars jo...

It's a High Republic party and everyone, and we mean everyone, is invited! This week, we're talking with authors Amy Richau and Megan Crouse about their work on "The High Republic Character Encylopedia" from DK Publishing. We reflect on the High Republic's three-year anniversary, why this era is special to so many fans, and what went into researching this book — and yes, ther...

In celebration of the four-year anniversary of the STAR WARS RESISTANCE series finale, we're joined by the duo of Chris "Doc" Wyatt and Kevin Burke, who co-wrote five episodes across both seasons. They discuss their time in the writer's room at Skywalker Ranch with Dave Filoni, the show's depiction of fascism and how it resonates with the 'Andor' series, and much more...