Moviefone Editorial

Author: Jesse Schedeen

  • 5 ‘Star Wars’ Fan Theories That Are Too Good Not to Be True

    Who doesn’t love a good fan theory? Sometimes it’s not enough to take movies at face value. Sometimes you have to read between the lines, employ a little out-of-the-box thinking and make connections between characters or events that no one ever expected. A lot of fan theories sound like utter nonsense, but sometimes they make so much sense you find yourself wishing they were true.

    Between the various movies, TV shows, comics, novels and other media, the “Star Wars” franchise has attracted its fair share of fan theories over the years. As we wait these last few weeks for “The Force Awakens,” we’ve selected seven Star Wars fan theories that are so convincing we can’t help but wonder if they might be true.

    1. Qui-Gon Jinn Is a Secret Sith
    It’s no secret that Qui-Gon Jinn was a little unorthodox as far as Jedi Knights go. But could he actually have been a Sith Lord in disguise? As this theory points out, Qui-Gon’s master, Count Dooku, eventually broke away from the Jedi Order and became Darth Tyrannus. Those who follow the Expanded Universe fiction will know that Qui-Gon’s former pupil, Quinlan Vos, had his own brushes with the Dark Side. It stands to reason that Qui-Gon himself has faced similar battles between the good and evil sides of his personality.
    The real crux of this theory involves the ability of some Jedi to manifest as Force Ghosts after death. The Prequels taught us that most Jedi don’t learn this ability. Somehow Qui-Gon was able to master the trick and pass it on to both Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi. So how did Anakin Skywalker pick up this particular skill after becoming Darth Vader? According to this fan theory, the ability to become a Force Ghost is unique to the Sith, not the Jedi. Qui-Gon and Anakin both learned how during their Sith studies, and Yoda and Obi-Wan were let in on this juicy secret.

    This theory makes even more sense when you consider that the Jedi speak of becoming one with the Force after death, whereas the Sith are obsessed with individuality and living forever. Which group would be more likely to value the ability to become a sentient ghost for all eternity?

    2. Han Solo Could Be a Jedi — And Doesn’t Know It
    In all six “Star Wars” movies, only one character has been allowed to wield a lightsaber despite not being a Jedi. We’re talking, of course, about Han Solo, who once borrowed Luke’s blade to hollow out a Tauntaun sleeping bag for his frostbitten buddy.

    But is it possible that Han actually is a Force user and just doesn’t realize it? Look at the extraordinary feats Han carried out – navigating an asteroid field despite overwhelming odds, dodging Greedo’s blaster bolt at point blank range, defeating Boba Fett while blind. He even managed to defeat the Dark Lord of the Sith in a dogfight.

    All of this takes a lot more than luck and the skill of an ordinary pilot. These are feats only a Jedi could have accomplished. And Han being a Jedi would add a level of irony to his conversation with Obi-Wan in “Episode IV,” when he dismissed the Jedi as “a hokey religion.”

    3. “Star Wars” Doesn’t Actually Take Place In a Different Galaxy
    Despite that iconic opening crawl, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…,” there are some fans who think the events of Star Wars unfolded a lot closer to home.

    For one thing, there are a surprising number of similarities between our world and the worlds of “Star Wars.” The movies feature a lot of very normal-looking humans speaking English, farming, playing chess and generally living in a way that wouldn’t be so different from our own if we had the ability to travel .5 past lightspeed. What are the odds another civilization in the galaxy would look so similar to our own?

    The real meat of this theory, though, involves the apparent ties between the Star Wars franchise and a little film called “E.T.” Remember the Halloween sequence in “E.T.,” when the plucky alien refugee saw a child dressed as Yoda and acted like he recognized them? Maybe that’s because E.T.’s race are members of the Galactic Senate, as proven by a cameo appearance in “Episode I.” Both “Star Wars” and “E.T.” are apparently part of the same universe, and that universe also includes 1980’s-era Earth.

    4. The Ewoks Are Bloodthirsty Killers
    The Ewoks get a lot of flak from fans who felt it was ridiculous that an entire legion of the Emperor’s best troops were defeated by a group of pint-sized teddy bears wielding rocks and sticks. But maybe the Ewoks don’t get enough credit.

    Consider what fate was awaiting Luke, Han and the rest of the Rebels before the Ewoks mistook C-3PO for their pagan forest god. They were about to be cooked alive and feasted upon. At the end of the movie we see the Ewoks playing the drums using the helmets of their Imperial victims, suggesting that the little critters did finally feast upon manflesh.

    As for all those traps the Ewoks laid against the Imperials? Not much time passed between when Leia brokered a Rebel/Ewok alliance and when the Battle of Endor unfolded. That means those traps must have already been set up. Apparently the Ewoks are in a constant state of war, and the Empire just had the bad fortune to stumble into the middle.

    5. Chewbacca Was Working for the Rebels All Along
    Chewbacca is a Wookiee of few words (that we can understand, at least). But according to this fan theory, he may have been far more integral to the success of the Rebel Alliance than the movies let on. In fact, he may have been a Rebel agent ever since the end of the Clone Wars.

    “Episode III” showed that Chewbacca fought the Separatists alongside Yoda, and then helped the Jedi Master escape Kashyyyk when the rest of the Jedi were Order 66’d. As the theory suggests, from that point on Chewbacca served as a freedom fighter, opposing Palpatine’s new Empire at every step.

    Chewbacca was certainly more wise in the ways of the Force than his partner, Han. It’s theorized that Chewie was quietly manipulating Han to join up with Luke and Obi-Wan, rescue Princess Leia and officially join the Rebels. Without his help, the Rebels might never have destroyed the Death Star. Which makes the fact that Chewie wasn’t awarded a medal all the more appalling…
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  • 5 Things You Need to Know Before You See ‘Spectre’

    It’s been three years since James Bond last blew our minds with “Skyfall.” Now, director Sam Mendes and Daniel Craig are back with “Spectre,” the 24th entry in the 007 franchise.

    This new mission might just be Bond’s toughest — and most personal — yet, as he travels the globe and takes on the organization of super-secret villains known as SPECTRE. To help you prepare for this huge sequel, here’s a breakdown of the five things you need to know to get the full Bond experience.

    1. Bond Is On the Run
    As self-absorbed and headstrong as James Bond is, it shouldn’t come as any great shock that the elite secret agent is at odds with his bosses in this new sequel. After receiving a message from his past, 007 goes off the grid (shocker) to Mexico City, in search of SPECTRE. And with MI-6 under turmoil by politicians trying to revamp the organization, no one is happy to see Bond taking matters into his own hands and going rogue. Look for Bond’s travels to take him to everywhere from Italy to Morocco in this sequel.

    2. It Brings Bond Back to His Roots
    “Spectre” will continue “Skyfall’s” trend of bringing classic, ’60s-era Bond elements back into play. Not only does Bond have Miss Moneypenny and Q backing him up, he’ll be dealing with the rise of the classic organization of villains known as SPECTRE. This shadowy group was last seen in 1971’s “Diamonds are Forever.” Even an early trailer for the film featured a version of composer John Barry’s theme from 1969’s “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” There’s also a callback to the white dinner jacket (pictured) that Bond hasn’t worn since the Roger Moore-era. Hopefully all of this means that “Spectre” will appeal as much to fans of the Sean Connery Bond era as the current incarnation.

    3. Bond’s Haunted by His Past
    The Bond franchise has never been overly concerned about maintaining continuity between films. However, “Spectre” will draw on plot points from Craig’s previous three films. Jesper Christensen‘s Mr. White (previously seen in “Casino Royale” and “Quantum of Solace“) will return as the film explores the connections between the Quantum organization and Spectre. Bond himself will be driven by his failure to protect Judi Dench’s M in the climax of “Skyfall.” Also look for this sequel to shed more light on Bond’s mysterious, tragic past that lead him to be an orphan.

    4. This Time… It’s Personal (Especially for the Villain)
    Look for Bond to be squaring off against several foes this time around, of both the physical and political variety. Two-time Oscar-winner Christoph Waltz will play Franz Oberhauser, a high-ranking SPECTRE member who claims to have close ties to Bond. Dave Bautista (“Guardians of the Galaxy”) will play Mr. Hinx, a skilled assassin in the tradition of villains like Jaws and Oddjob. And Andrew Scott (“Sherlock”) will play Max Denbigh, a British government official with plans to radically change the scope and purpose of the new M’s intelligence organization.

    5. James Bond Will Return… But What About Daniel Craig?
    Nothing has been confirmed yet, but “Spectre” could very well be Daniel Craig’s final bow as 007.

    The actor hasn’t been shy in recent interviews about voicing his weariness with the franchise, even going so far as to tell Time Out Magazine, “I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists.” If Craig doesn’t reprise the role in the 25th Bond film, fans have pointed to actors like Idris Elba (“The Wire”) and Damian Lewis (“Homeland”) as worthy replacements.
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  • 15 Essential ’80s Sci-Fi Movies You Need to See

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    While the 1980’s isn’t generally regarded as one of the better decades for film, it was a gold mine for the science fiction genre.

    Between crowd-pleasing sequels like “The Empire Strikes Back” to “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” to dark fusions of sci-fi and horror like “Predator,” it was a golden age for sci-fi lovers.

    As we recover from our recent bout of “Back to the Future” mania, we thought it would be fun to pick the 15 essential ’80s movies that every sci-fi fanatic needs to see.

  • 10 Classic Horror Movie Scenes That Still Scare the Sh** Out of Us

    The test of a truly great horror movie is whether it can still scare the pants off of viewers even after repeated viewings. CG monsters may come and go, but the shark from “Jaws” and the shower scene from “Psycho” will live in our nightmares forever.

    As we get into the Halloween spirit, we’re looking back at 10 iconic horror moments that have stood the test of time. No matter how many times we watch these films, these moments always fill us with dread.

    1. The Chest Burster Scene From ‘Alien‘ (1979)
    Poor Kane. Just when this plucky space trucker thought he had emerged from a close encounter with a Facehugger none the worse for wear, he found himself being devoured from the inside out. The fact that the actors weren’t expecting the Chestburster any more than the viewers really made this scene that much more visceral.

    2. “You’re Going to Need a Bigger Boat” From ‘Jaws‘ (1975)
    For the first two thirds of “Jaws,” the shark was mostly an unseen menace threatening the citizens of Amity. But this leviathan made its debut in a big way as it emerged from the depths and left poor Chief Brody shocked and stupefied.

    3. Locked In the Closet From ‘The Sixth Sense‘ (1999)
    “The Sixth Sense” has plenty of scary moments, but none stuck with us more than the scene where Cole was locked in a small space with a very angry ghost. His screams of terror and pain were worse than anything the movie could have actually shown us.

    4. The Elevator of Blood From ‘The Shining‘ (1980)
    “That’s odd. The blood usually gets off on the third floor.” Elevators are creepy enough for anyone who suffers from claustrophobia. But when you have elevators that act of their own accord, and spew rivers of the red stuff… well, we’re not eager to visit any remote mountain hotels any time soon.

    5. The Chest Attack From ‘The Thing‘ (1982)
    It’s tough to think of a Hollywood monster more inhumanly terrifying than the titular creature from “The Thing.” This scene started off with a good jump scare and then showcased the creature undergoing a grotesque, horrifying transformation even as it was torched to death by the ever vigilant MacReady. There’s no way we’d be able to maintain our composure in that situation.

    6. Ben Gardner’s Boat From ‘Jaws’ (1975)
    Can’t fault us for having two scenes from “Jaws.” This second jump-scare is a perfect example of why less is often more when it comes to horror. The tension of seeing Hooper dive into the water when a giant, man-eating shark could be anywhere in the area was bad enough. The shock of seeing the bloated corpse of Ben Gardner rear its head is enough to haunt our dreams even still.

    7. The Head Spin From ‘The Exorcist‘ (1973)
    This scene is one of the main reasons why “The Exorcist” is still regarded as one of the scariest movies ever made. The sight of young Regan’s head pulling a 360 isn’t even as bad as the sound of her neck straining and cracking.

    8. The Blood Geyser From ‘Nightmare on Elm Street‘ (1984)
    Johnny Depp‘s first claim to Hollywood fame was suffering through this incredibly gruesome death scene. The result was a geyser of blood big enough to make even the ghosts of the Overlook Hotel jealous.

    9. Sloth Wakes Up From ‘Seven‘ (1995)
    It’s clear from one look at the disturbingly emaciated body in this scene that John Doe’s latest victim is dead. Which, of coruse, makes it all the more shocking when he wakes up and gasps for air.

    As with “Alien,” the fact that even the actors didn’t know the body wasn’t just a dummy really added to the impact.

    10. The Shower Scene From ‘Psycho’ (1965)
    Is there any place people feel more vulnerable than in the shower? “Psycho” certainly didn’t help, as this dramatic murder (punctuated by some truly creepy string music) quickly became one of the most iconic horror scenes in Hollywood history.

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  • 6 Comic Book Movies We Can’t Wait to See in 2016

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    If 2016 is any indication, comic book movies are here to stay.

    While directors like Steven Spielberg might predict the imminent demise of the superhero movie genre, it’s clear studios won’t be slowing down their superhero output anytime soon. Next year is going to bring a new wave of big-budget epics, featuring costumed do-gooders waging war against the forces of evil (or in some cases, each other).

    From “Batman v Superman” to “Captain America: Civil War,” these are the six superhero movies we’re excited to see next year.

  • 10 Best Harry Potter Villains, Ranked

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    For most kids, the worst enemies school has to offer are cranky teachers, excessive homework and maybe a bully or two for good measure. But for Harry Potter, each new school year at Hogwarts brought a new wave of villains hell-bent on taking the life of the Boy Who Lived.

    With help from our friends (and the best Potter experts on the interwebs) at The Leaky Cauldron, we’re counting down the 10 greatest villains in the “Harry Potter” movies. From snooty wizards like Draco Malfoy, to He Who Must Not Be Named himself, find out if your favorite baddie made the cut.

  • 5 Things You Need to Know Before You See ‘Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials’

    While many moviegoers are looking forward to the November release of “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2,” that’s not the only movie franchise based on a series of dystopian young adult novels returning to theaters this fall. “Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials” is the middle act of the Maze Runner trilogy. It continues the saga of Thomas and the other survivors of the brutal human experiment as they learn more about their plague-ravaged world and the civil war that threatens to further tear it apart.

    While fans of the Maze Runner novels are already lining up for this sequel, those who only saw the first film may not know what to expect. To help you prepare for Thomas’ latest adventure, here are the five key things you need to know before entering The Scorch.

    1. Out of the Maze, into the Scariest (Sandiest) Place Ever
    Don’t expect Thomas and friends to be dropped into another isolated experiment with a giant maze in the middle. This time, our heroes will be venturing into the wider world.

    Mind you, that world is every bit as dangerous as the original maze. Dubbed “The Scorch,” this hellish desert is filled with deadly obstacles of both the man-made and natural variety. It also contains the ruins of the civilization that once was. If “Mad Max: Fury Road” left you craving for more post-apocalyptic desert wastelands, “The Scorch Trials” may be just what the doctor ordered.

    2. There’s a War Brewing
    Thomas and friends finally encountered the faceless enemy controlling their every action in the climax of the first movie. Look for the sequel to delve much deeper into the mysterious organization that is WCKD, and reveal why they dumped a bunch of teenagers into a giant death trap.

    As you can expect from a group whose name sounds like “Wicked” (and was actually spelled that way in the books), not everyone in the world of Maze Runner is thrilled with having a totalitarian regime calling the shots. This film will also introduce a resistance group rising up in opposition to the heavily armed and militaristic WCKD.

    The question Thomas struggles with in this sequel is which side of the conflict he wants to be on. Not unlike a certain upcoming Marvel Studios movie, “Which side are you on?” is really the crux of the conflict.

    3. You’re Gonna Meet Some New Allies (and Enemies)
    “Scorch Trials” will feature several returning characters from the first movie, including Thomas (Dylan O’Brien), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Teresa (Kaya Scodelario), Minho (Ki Hong Lee) and the mysterious researcher Ava Paige (Patricia Clarkson).

    Look for several major new players to enter the board, as well. The most significant of these will be Janson (Aidan Gillen), one of the researchers in charge of the facility supposed designed to protect teens like Thomas who are immune to the deadly Flare virus. Naturally, Janson is more than he seems, and his motivations might not be so benevolent. Would you expect anything less from the guy who plays Littlefinger on “Game of Thrones?”

    Other new characters will include Brenda (Rosa Salazar) and Aris (Jacob Lofland) as new allies to Thomas’ group, and Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito) as the leader of a dissident group known as the Cranks.

    4. More Answers Are Coming
    The first “Maze Runner” didn’t seem to want viewers to know much about the true nature of this world, or the reason why dozens of innocent teens were dumped into a giant death trap and forced to build a Lord of the Flies-style civilization. As per usual in these types of mystery-driven stories, the characters with the answers always seemed to be the most tight-lipped.

    Expect the sequel to ease up in that regard. The film won’t just showcase the wider world outside of the maze, it’ll also explore the sorry state of civilization after a disease called The Flare has decimated humanity. What is the source of this disease? Can it be stopped? Are Thomas and his friends better off cooperating with WCKD’s experiments or seeking answers in the wastelands of the Scorch?

    Also look for the sequel to delve deeper into Thomas’ past as he wrestles with old memories finally resurfacing. Based on the trailer, it seems we’ll get a closer glimpse into Thomas’ childhood and the tragic events that left him orphaned and alone.

    5. It’s Really Different From the Book
    Book purists might want to brace themselves: The adaptation will be a bit different from its source material – more so than the first movie was.

    As Maze Runner creator James Dashner explained in a recent interview, some of these changes are “rippling effects” that occur as a result of deviations in the first movie. Perhaps the biggest change is that the telepathic communication between Thomas and Teresa won’t be included in the film. Instead, other storytelling devices will be used to continue building their relationship.

    Another major change is that a significant chunk of material from the third Maze Runner novel, “The Death Cure,” will be shifted into this film. So fans can expect the climax of “The Scorch Trials” to play out much differently than the book.

    The good news is that the series will buck the familiar trend of most YA novels-turned-movies by not breaking the final installment into two parts. “The Death Cure” is currently slated for release in February 2017.

    “Scorch Trials” hits theaters this Friday.
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