Sam Witwer’s journey into the Star Wars universe began with his portrayal of Starkiller. Starkiller was the secret apprentice of Darth Vader in the 2008 video game “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.” His deep-rooted passion and knowledge of the franchise significantly contributed to his successful audition.
A self-proclaimed Star Wars geek, Witwer’s knowledge of the franchise is more than just trivia—it’s an intrinsic part of who he is. His performances as Starkiller, Darth Maul, and the Son of Mortis have left lasting impressions on fans and the franchise alike.
Sam’s Unique Take on Starkiller During His Audition Sam Witwer talks about his audition for Starkiller | via Michael Rosenbaum on YouTube
During his audition for Starkiller, Witwer was given a scene where the character meditates and assembles his lightsaber using the Force. Instead of portraying a serene meditation, Witwer opted for a more intense approach, emphasizing Starkiller’s struggle and aggression.
A self-proclaimed Star Wars geek, Witwer’s knowledge of the franchise is more than just trivia—it’s an intrinsic part of who he is. His performances as Starkiller, Darth Maul, and the Son of Mortis have left lasting impressions on fans and the franchise alike.
Sam’s Unique Take on Starkiller During His Audition Sam Witwer talks about his audition for Starkiller | via Michael Rosenbaum on YouTube
During his audition for Starkiller, Witwer was given a scene where the character meditates and assembles his lightsaber using the Force. Instead of portraying a serene meditation, Witwer opted for a more intense approach, emphasizing Starkiller’s struggle and aggression.
- 6/2/2024
- by Daniel Royte
- FandomWire
A second season of Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi was first announced at Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023, and fans have since been eager to see which characters this season’s installments would be about. Would we see more stories from Ahsoka and Count Dooku, or different characters entirely? Nearly a year after it was first announced, we have a first look at the new season, now named Tales of the Empire.
Tales of the Empire will focus on the stories of The Mandalorian and Ahsoka’s Lady Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) and, to the delight of many, former Jedi Padawan Barriss Offee (Meredith Salenger), who was last seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
What a day for me https://t.co/BHZ3B5FOnt
— MaceAhWindu...
Tales of the Empire will focus on the stories of The Mandalorian and Ahsoka’s Lady Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) and, to the delight of many, former Jedi Padawan Barriss Offee (Meredith Salenger), who was last seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
What a day for me https://t.co/BHZ3B5FOnt
— MaceAhWindu...
- 4/4/2024
- by Brynnaarens
- Den of Geek
In George Lucas' 1977 sci-fi flick "Star Wars," there is a scene wherein a cadre of Nazi-like bad guys, in the employ of the evil Empire, gather around a boardroom table and mention that the mysterious off-screen Emperor has dissolved the senate and taken absolute control. The military generals are outraged, wondering how the Empire might survive without a bureaucracy in place. In Irvin Kirshner's 1980 sequel "The Empire Strikes Back," it's established that Darth Vader (David Prowse), a mysterious masked warlock, was actually the Emperor's right-hand man, indicating that the Emperor retains control of the Empire through the sheer force of his villainy.
In "The Empire Strikes Back," the Emperor appeared in holographic form to have a powwow with Darth Vader and plan his next move. In the original cut of the movie, the Emperor was played on screen by actress Marjorie Eaton, outfitted with eerie, alien eyeballs. Eaton was a long-working character performer in Hollywood,...
In "The Empire Strikes Back," the Emperor appeared in holographic form to have a powwow with Darth Vader and plan his next move. In the original cut of the movie, the Emperor was played on screen by actress Marjorie Eaton, outfitted with eerie, alien eyeballs. Eaton was a long-working character performer in Hollywood,...
- 3/2/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Pedro Pascal-starrer Disney+ show The Mandalorian received wide applause from fans and critics and had a three-season run. Following the flagship show’s third and ahead of its fourth season, Disney and Lucasfilm announced a feature film, The Mandalorian & Grogu.
The concept art of The Mandalorian & Grogu | Lucasfilm
The recent report on the movie, however, does not adhere to the excitement and hype among fans as Disney was keen on restricting the budget of the film, keeping it surprisingly low. Fans are devastated by the report worrying about the VFX and overall justice to the cinematic journey of the two iconic characters.
Suggested“What if this is Din & Grogu?”: The Mandalorian’s N1 Starkiller Was in Rise of Skywalker’s Battle of Exegol, Claims New Star Wars Theory
Disney Is Keeping the Mandalorian & Grogu Budget Surprisingly Low
A still from The Mandalorian
Disney-owned superhero brand Marvel Studios keeps its budget high.
The concept art of The Mandalorian & Grogu | Lucasfilm
The recent report on the movie, however, does not adhere to the excitement and hype among fans as Disney was keen on restricting the budget of the film, keeping it surprisingly low. Fans are devastated by the report worrying about the VFX and overall justice to the cinematic journey of the two iconic characters.
Suggested“What if this is Din & Grogu?”: The Mandalorian’s N1 Starkiller Was in Rise of Skywalker’s Battle of Exegol, Claims New Star Wars Theory
Disney Is Keeping the Mandalorian & Grogu Budget Surprisingly Low
A still from The Mandalorian
Disney-owned superhero brand Marvel Studios keeps its budget high.
- 2/22/2024
- by Lachit Roy
- FandomWire
"Star Wars Rebels" is one of the best things to ever happen to "Star Wars." This is an animated show that has become essential to understanding the overall franchise: a show with a great ensemble, different-looking lightsabers, a fantastic fight between Maul and Obi-Wan, and which shone a light on the origins of the Rebellion years before "Andor."
But before "Rebels," there was "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed." This action-adventure video game tells an original story about "Starkiller," born Galen Marek. He is the child of a Jedi who is taken in by Darth Vader and trained as his secret apprentice to track down and kill any Jedi who survived Order 66 -- much like the Inquisitors that would later become canon. Years later, Vader gives his apprentice a new task — to plant the seeds for what will become the Rebel Alliance, which Vader will then use to overthrow the Emperor.
But before "Rebels," there was "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed." This action-adventure video game tells an original story about "Starkiller," born Galen Marek. He is the child of a Jedi who is taken in by Darth Vader and trained as his secret apprentice to track down and kill any Jedi who survived Order 66 -- much like the Inquisitors that would later become canon. Years later, Vader gives his apprentice a new task — to plant the seeds for what will become the Rebel Alliance, which Vader will then use to overthrow the Emperor.
- 10/15/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
In 2020, the voice cast of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" reunited on Zoom to celebrate the long-delayed release of season 7 and play some "Star Wars" trivia questions. The one cast member whose hand always shot up, no matter the question? Sam Witwer, the voice of Darth Maul.
When Witwer proclaims himself a "Star Wars" geek, it isn't PR, nor is his knowledge limited to Wookieepedia factoids. The man can and has discussed the meaning of "Star Wars" with passion and evenhandedness. He can also stretch his voice into impressions of Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Emperor, and even George Lucas himself. With that range, it makes sense that Witwer has voiced so many different "Star Wars" characters.
During a guest appearance on Michael Rosenbaum's podcast "Inside of You," Witwer discussed how he first got cast in "Star Wars." If you don't know, Witwer provided both the voice and motion capture for Starkiller/Galen Marek,...
When Witwer proclaims himself a "Star Wars" geek, it isn't PR, nor is his knowledge limited to Wookieepedia factoids. The man can and has discussed the meaning of "Star Wars" with passion and evenhandedness. He can also stretch his voice into impressions of Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Emperor, and even George Lucas himself. With that range, it makes sense that Witwer has voiced so many different "Star Wars" characters.
During a guest appearance on Michael Rosenbaum's podcast "Inside of You," Witwer discussed how he first got cast in "Star Wars." If you don't know, Witwer provided both the voice and motion capture for Starkiller/Galen Marek,...
- 9/17/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Ahsoka Episode 4 finally revealed Marrok's identity, and Star Wars director Peter Ramsey spilled new details about the unexpected reveal.
The secret behind Marrok's true self has been the topic of many conversations and theories among Star Wars fans.
Some fans theorized that the new Star Wars villain is actually Ezra Bridger in disguise while some believed that he is Starkiller.
Read full article on The Direct.
The secret behind Marrok's true self has been the topic of many conversations and theories among Star Wars fans.
Some fans theorized that the new Star Wars villain is actually Ezra Bridger in disguise while some believed that he is Starkiller.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 9/12/2023
- by Aeron Mer Eclarinal
- The Direct
This Star Wars: Ahsoka article contains spoilers.
There never really seemed to be a question of if Ahsoka would bring back Anakin Skywalker – Hayden Christensen’s casting in the series hasn’t exactly been kept a secret – but rather when in the timeline we would see him given Darth Vader’s death in Return of the Jedi. We finally got our answer in “Fallen Jedi,” which sees Ahsoka seemingly fall to her death during her duel with Baylan Skoll, but the end of the episode reveals that Ahsoka has actually somehow been transported back to the World Between Worlds, this time greeted by her former master.
But as emotional as this reunion outside of time and space may be (hearing Anakin call Ahsoka “snips” again definitely had me tearing up a bit), there are some who believe that there’s more than just some Force ghost or time travel shenanigans going on here.
There never really seemed to be a question of if Ahsoka would bring back Anakin Skywalker – Hayden Christensen’s casting in the series hasn’t exactly been kept a secret – but rather when in the timeline we would see him given Darth Vader’s death in Return of the Jedi. We finally got our answer in “Fallen Jedi,” which sees Ahsoka seemingly fall to her death during her duel with Baylan Skoll, but the end of the episode reveals that Ahsoka has actually somehow been transported back to the World Between Worlds, this time greeted by her former master.
But as emotional as this reunion outside of time and space may be (hearing Anakin call Ahsoka “snips” again definitely had me tearing up a bit), there are some who believe that there’s more than just some Force ghost or time travel shenanigans going on here.
- 9/7/2023
- by Brynnaarens
- Den of Geek
This Ahsoka article contains spoilers.
The true identity of former Inquisitor Marrok is a key mystery that Ahsoka fans have been obsessed with solving for the past four episodes. Unsurprisingly, the enigmatic villain sparked many theories.
Some fans believed Marrok to secretly be the new canon version of Starkiller from The Force Unleashed video games, while others were sure it must be Ezra Bridger turned to the dark side. Others even suggested that Marrok could be the former Padawan Barriss Offee who was Ahsoka’s friend before she framed Ahsoka for bombing the Jedi Temple and got her kicked out of the Order. But now with Marrok’s sudden death at the hands of Ahsoka in “Fallen Jedi,” we’re left with even more questions than answers. That said, one clue from his death scene suggests we’re headed toward a particularly horror-tinged twist later in the series…
After Ahsoka strikes Marrok with her lightsaber,...
The true identity of former Inquisitor Marrok is a key mystery that Ahsoka fans have been obsessed with solving for the past four episodes. Unsurprisingly, the enigmatic villain sparked many theories.
Some fans believed Marrok to secretly be the new canon version of Starkiller from The Force Unleashed video games, while others were sure it must be Ezra Bridger turned to the dark side. Others even suggested that Marrok could be the former Padawan Barriss Offee who was Ahsoka’s friend before she framed Ahsoka for bombing the Jedi Temple and got her kicked out of the Order. But now with Marrok’s sudden death at the hands of Ahsoka in “Fallen Jedi,” we’re left with even more questions than answers. That said, one clue from his death scene suggests we’re headed toward a particularly horror-tinged twist later in the series…
After Ahsoka strikes Marrok with her lightsaber,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Brynnaarens
- Den of Geek
After fans spent weeks wondering who exactly Marrok was in Ahsoka, the Disney+ show finally revealed who was actually behind the mask.
Similarly to Boba Fett in the original trilogy, Marrok quickly became the “cool” character of Ahsoka due to his double-bladed Inquisitor lightsaber, his all-black weathered armor, and the choice to be a man of few words (but when he did talk that was just as intriguing).
Many fan theories quickly circulated as to who could be behind the mask of Marrok. Names such as Ezra Bridger, Starkiller, and Mara Jade were thrown around, with each having substantial evidence to back up their respective claims.
Read full article on The Direct.
Similarly to Boba Fett in the original trilogy, Marrok quickly became the “cool” character of Ahsoka due to his double-bladed Inquisitor lightsaber, his all-black weathered armor, and the choice to be a man of few words (but when he did talk that was just as intriguing).
Many fan theories quickly circulated as to who could be behind the mask of Marrok. Names such as Ezra Bridger, Starkiller, and Mara Jade were thrown around, with each having substantial evidence to back up their respective claims.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 9/6/2023
- by Nathan Johnson
- The Direct
This Star Wars: Ahsoka article contains spoilers.
While Ahsoka features the return of many familiar Star Wars characters, the first two episodes have also introduced us to some intriguing newcomers, such as the mysterious former Imperial Inquisitor Marrok. All we know about Marrok so far is that he works alongside former Jedi Baylan Skoll and his apprentice Shin Hati as a mercenary for Lady Morgan Elsbeth and is aiding in their search for Grand Admiral Thrawn. But because of his mask, Marrok’s identity is a mystery that Star Wars fans are eager to solve.
That said, eagle-eyed fans think they’ve found the answer to who’s behind the mask. After spotting Sam Witwer’s name under “Additional Voices” in the credits for Ahsoka, the prevailing theory is that Marrok is actually the new canon version of Galen Marek aka Starkiller from the Force Unleashed video game series. While Witwer has voiced other characters,...
While Ahsoka features the return of many familiar Star Wars characters, the first two episodes have also introduced us to some intriguing newcomers, such as the mysterious former Imperial Inquisitor Marrok. All we know about Marrok so far is that he works alongside former Jedi Baylan Skoll and his apprentice Shin Hati as a mercenary for Lady Morgan Elsbeth and is aiding in their search for Grand Admiral Thrawn. But because of his mask, Marrok’s identity is a mystery that Star Wars fans are eager to solve.
That said, eagle-eyed fans think they’ve found the answer to who’s behind the mask. After spotting Sam Witwer’s name under “Additional Voices” in the credits for Ahsoka, the prevailing theory is that Marrok is actually the new canon version of Galen Marek aka Starkiller from the Force Unleashed video game series. While Witwer has voiced other characters,...
- 8/29/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
A not-so-long time ago, in a Burbank studio, Zack Snyder pitched a "Star Wars" movie.
The year was 2012. Disney had just bought Lucasfilm, which gave the company the keys to George Lucas' blockbuster franchise. It was the earliest of days. Lucasfilm leader Kathleen Kennedy was taking meetings with every successful director in Hollywood, which led to a sit-down with Snyder. Snyder was at a critical juncture in his career: after delivering three relatively well-reviewed entertainments in "Dawn of the Dead," "300" and "Watchmen," the filmmaker had stumbled with "Sucker Punch," a wholly original action-fantasy about a group of young women who weaponize their imagination to break free of a mental institution.
Snyder was about to get off the ropes with "Man of Steel," but he sensed a world-building opportunity at Disney. His pitch was to take the "Star Wars" series back to its Akira Kurosawa roots with, as he recently told Vanity Fair,...
The year was 2012. Disney had just bought Lucasfilm, which gave the company the keys to George Lucas' blockbuster franchise. It was the earliest of days. Lucasfilm leader Kathleen Kennedy was taking meetings with every successful director in Hollywood, which led to a sit-down with Snyder. Snyder was at a critical juncture in his career: after delivering three relatively well-reviewed entertainments in "Dawn of the Dead," "300" and "Watchmen," the filmmaker had stumbled with "Sucker Punch," a wholly original action-fantasy about a group of young women who weaponize their imagination to break free of a mental institution.
Snyder was about to get off the ropes with "Man of Steel," but he sensed a world-building opportunity at Disney. His pitch was to take the "Star Wars" series back to its Akira Kurosawa roots with, as he recently told Vanity Fair,...
- 8/22/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
The path to "Star Wars" was long and circuitous. George Lucas famously attempted to obtain the rights to "Flash Gordon" prior to making "Star Wars," hoping to make a straight-up adaptation of one of his childhood favorites. When those plans fell through, he pivoted to something in a similar vein, coming up with a fantastical space adventure with broad archetypes as characters, exciting battles, and cutting-edge special effects. I don't think Lucas could have predicted the stranglehold "Star Wars" would almost instantly have on the popular arts. It seems to have hit at just the right time and has remained firmly entrenched ever since.
Of course, getting "Star Wars" from its early "Flash Gordon" ideas into its own world took some trial and error. Early concept art is easily found online, and fans can see some of the initial ideas that were completely altered by the time they made it to the screen.
Of course, getting "Star Wars" from its early "Flash Gordon" ideas into its own world took some trial and error. Early concept art is easily found online, and fans can see some of the initial ideas that were completely altered by the time they made it to the screen.
- 5/25/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The conclusion of Star Wars Celebration 2023 ushered in a new era for the franchise with plenty of thrilling projects announced and highly-anticipated productions finally being previewed. Lucasfilm is finally taking some risks with its storytelling and is finally beginning to incorporate the Legends timeline as part of that.
The video game side of the Star Wars universe is expanding as well with Jedi: Survivor, Quantic Dreams’ Eclipse, and Ubisoft’s open-world Star Wars project. The expansion of the Star Wars game universe is welcome, though it makes it easy to think back on the Star Wars games we’ve lost to the franchise’s canon reboot. Yet, one particular project remains notoriously absent from the canon despite its popularity: The Force Unleashed games from LucasArts.
The Force Unleashed, and its crucial protagonist, Galen Marek, could return to the current Star Wars continuity if the powers that be willed it to be so.
The video game side of the Star Wars universe is expanding as well with Jedi: Survivor, Quantic Dreams’ Eclipse, and Ubisoft’s open-world Star Wars project. The expansion of the Star Wars game universe is welcome, though it makes it easy to think back on the Star Wars games we’ve lost to the franchise’s canon reboot. Yet, one particular project remains notoriously absent from the canon despite its popularity: The Force Unleashed games from LucasArts.
The Force Unleashed, and its crucial protagonist, Galen Marek, could return to the current Star Wars continuity if the powers that be willed it to be so.
- 4/27/2023
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
If one were to read George Lucas' original 1974 script draft for "Star Wars: A New Hope," entitled "The Star Wars," without any context, one would be forgiven for assuming they had stumbled upon the script for a weird, bootlegged ripoff of Lucas' 1977 classic. The script speaks of "Jedi Bendu," referring to them as "the most feared warriors in the universe," and features an 18-year-old boy named Annikin Starkiller. Other key characters include the "large," grizzled General Luke Skywalker and a "huge," green-skinned non-human named Han Solo.
Major elements of "The Star Wars" would be dropped entirely in later drafts, with many of them eventually being re-imagined for future "Star Wars" projects. "Bendu," for example, is the name of the mystical entity that exists between the light and dark sides of the Force in the animated series "Star Wars Rebels." By the time he got to his fourth script draft, entitled...
Major elements of "The Star Wars" would be dropped entirely in later drafts, with many of them eventually being re-imagined for future "Star Wars" projects. "Bendu," for example, is the name of the mystical entity that exists between the light and dark sides of the Force in the animated series "Star Wars Rebels." By the time he got to his fourth script draft, entitled...
- 2/10/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
"Return of the Jedi" turns 40 this year, believe it or not, marking the last of the original trilogy to officially enter into the mid-life crisis age. Instead of buying a sports car, getting a single ear piercing, or hyper-fixating on working out, "Return of the Jedi" is instead celebrating this milestone with ... wait for it ... a ton of toys! As revealed during the Hasbro Pulse livestream, these toys range from the highly collectible Black Series figures to wearable prop replica helmets to Funko Pops.
During this livestream, we got our first look at the toys that will be available through normal retail as well as a spiffy Darth Vader that will only be available as a convention exclusive. Not all the "Star Wars" toys talked about were inspired by the 40th Anniversary of "Return of the Jedi" (it's also the 20th Anniversary of "The Clone Wars" which gets some cool...
During this livestream, we got our first look at the toys that will be available through normal retail as well as a spiffy Darth Vader that will only be available as a convention exclusive. Not all the "Star Wars" toys talked about were inspired by the 40th Anniversary of "Return of the Jedi" (it's also the 20th Anniversary of "The Clone Wars" which gets some cool...
- 2/2/2023
- by Eric Vespe
- Slash Film
15 years after its release, "The Mist" has aged like fine wine. Despite some digital effects that don't look great in 2022, it's a straight-up good film that still lives in the back of the minds of the most horror-oriented folk. The thematic messages of the Stephen King adaptation work just as well as its gory parts, but the monsters are pretty neat, too. However, the bloody moral corruption of the human soul is not the only thing available for us to chew on. Shockingly enough, there is something much less sinister in the depths of "The Mist." The film is certainly not a family-friendly affair, but there is a not-so-random Easter egg that alludes to a widely-adored franchise.
According to actor Sam Witwer, who plays Private Wayne Jessup, there is a sneaky "Star Wars" reference buried in the infamous pharmacy sequence. The scene in question occurs in the latter half of the film,...
According to actor Sam Witwer, who plays Private Wayne Jessup, there is a sneaky "Star Wars" reference buried in the infamous pharmacy sequence. The scene in question occurs in the latter half of the film,...
- 11/21/2022
- by Marcos Melendez
- Slash Film
Warning: spoilers for "Andor" season 1 ahead. Proceed with caution.
We are rapidly approaching the end of "Andor" season 1 and, with the most recent arc, the show has truly come into focus. This is a gritty, dark, serious show the likes of which "Star Wars" has not seen before. About the only thing connecting this show to the larger galaxy is Diego Luna's Cassian Andor, who audiences came to know in "Rogue One." That movie, as fans surely recall, was all about how the rebels managed to steal the Death Star plans, ultimately paving the way for the weapon's destruction. But does this show also have a connection to the infamous, planet-killing weapon?
Fans have been theorizing that the Imperial prison we've seen in episodes nine and ten, titled "Nobody's Listening" and "One Way Out," is actually being used to build parts for the Death Star. Cassian and the other...
We are rapidly approaching the end of "Andor" season 1 and, with the most recent arc, the show has truly come into focus. This is a gritty, dark, serious show the likes of which "Star Wars" has not seen before. About the only thing connecting this show to the larger galaxy is Diego Luna's Cassian Andor, who audiences came to know in "Rogue One." That movie, as fans surely recall, was all about how the rebels managed to steal the Death Star plans, ultimately paving the way for the weapon's destruction. But does this show also have a connection to the infamous, planet-killing weapon?
Fans have been theorizing that the Imperial prison we've seen in episodes nine and ten, titled "Nobody's Listening" and "One Way Out," is actually being used to build parts for the Death Star. Cassian and the other...
- 11/11/2022
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
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