While some of my fellow Fantha’s were enjoying the sights and sounds of New York Comic Con, including the fantastic Back to the Future panel, I did a little bit of time travelling myself, as my good friend Jon Hipkiss writes….
It was a weekend that was 23 years in the making and oh boy did it exceed the hype.
I was 8 years old when The Phantom Menace arrived in 1999 and in all that time I have unashamedly adored the prequels.
Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi has remained an unshakable favourite of mine – and a hero, much like Luke Skywalker.
When the opportunity arose to meet him…I couldn’t pass it up.
My dear friend and Fantha Tracker Paul Naylor came with me along with his son, who is an absolute credit to him, and it was quite simply the most joyful day of my life.
Ewan was chatty, friendly and personable during my photo and auto ops and I think the happiness and emotion is obvious to see on my face.
I was delighted to be an honorary Fantha for the day and have always been moved by the team’s friendliness towards me.
These trying times in the world we live in continue to test us and our beloved galaxy far, far away provides hope and escapism and so thank you to Paul, Matthew and Ewan for memories that are as near to perfection as I could ever imagine.
May the force be with you,
Jon H
I have to say, I agree with Jon. This convention was rather special. The highlight was obviously meeting Ewan – and seeing his panel at the end of the event – but there was so much more than that.
Star Wars was well represented, with Anthony Daniels and Jimmy Vee representing C-3PO and R2-D2 and rebel pilot royalty in the form of Wedge (Denis Lawson – or uncle Denis if you are Ewan) and Dutch Vander (Angus Macinnes). I’d met Anthony and Jimmy at previous cons, but never the two Rebel heroes.
I chatted with Angus about his appearance and voiceover cameo in Rogue One. He was overjoyed to have been involved in the production. We chatted about the excellent – and often emotionally-charged – documentary film Elstree ’76. Angus said: “Yeah. I think they got me on a bad day there,” reflecting on his contributions. Well, I certainly caught Angus on a good day. He was engaging and fun to be with.
Over to Wedge. Denis explained his brief appearance in The Rise of Skywalker was mostly down to scheduling. “I was pencilled in for five days of shooting,” he explained. “Unfortunately, it clashed with a theatre production I was involved with and it meant I had just one day on set.”
Was he pleased to be back? “Oh sure. I was determined to be there. No matter for how long on screen.”
And what of nephew Ewan? You must be a very proud uncle. “Absolutely. To see him back as Obi Wan is magical. Love it.”
Elsewhere, the con – situated next to Edinburgh Airport – had plenty to offer fans of wrestling and other movie franchises – including Lord of the Rings, but enough about that, Star Wars was everywhere – from plenty of goodies on the stalls (old and new).
My son Matthew picked up some great Cartoon Network Clone Wars figures and Jon had a great find – a Hasbro MTT from The Phantom Menace, complete with Battle Droids. £30.00. A steal.
Free photo ops included a life-size Jabba, Emperor’s Throne and costumed characters galore.
Jon’s photo session with Ewan was swift, yet memorable – Ewan pulling Jon back towards him to shake his hand. Later that day I queued with Matthew and Jon to meet Ewan for an autograph. It was a fleeting few moments.
Jon enjoyed his second dose of Ewan for the day; Matthew spoke about his ‘Ash’ hooded top and about the indie film A Life Less Ordinary, while I rattled on about how I was in the room for the Lucasfilm panel at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim.
“That was bloody crazy wasn’t it?” he smiled.
The fantastic day was capped off with a great panel.
Approximately 2,000 folk watched and listened to Ewan as he talked candidly about many of his projects, including of course, Trainspotting, but mostly Star Wars and the Disney Plus smash Obi-Wan Kenobi. He is very much up for reprising the role.
He adores young Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair) and confirmed that the series was initially to centre around Obi-Wan and Luke. He was clearly relaxed with a con so close to home, shared with family and friends.
As Jon said above – and to quote from the Trainspotting soundtrack – a Perfect Day.
Paul has been a fan of Star Wars since seeing it on a cold February evening in Wellington, Shropshire back in 1978. He worked for the Shropshire Star and Express & Star newspapers for 25 years, launching design agency Media & You in 2017. He is co-host of Start Your Engines and The Fantha From Down Under on Fantha Tracks Radio and Good Morning Tatooine on Fantha Tracks TV.
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While some of my fellow Fantha’s were enjoying the sights and sounds of New York Comic Con, including the fantastic Back to the Future panel, I did a little bit of time travelling myself, as my good friend Jon Hipkiss writes….
It was a weekend that was 23 years in the making and oh boy did it exceed the hype.
I was 8 years old when The Phantom Menace arrived in 1999 and in all that time I have unashamedly adored the prequels.
Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi has remained an unshakable favourite of mine – and a hero, much like Luke Skywalker.
When the opportunity arose to meet him…I couldn’t pass it up.
My dear friend and Fantha Tracker Paul Naylor came with me along with his son, who is an absolute credit to him, and it was quite simply the most joyful day of my life.
Ewan was chatty, friendly and personable during my photo and auto ops and I think the happiness and emotion is obvious to see on my face.
I was delighted to be an honorary Fantha for the day and have always been moved by the team’s friendliness towards me.
These trying times in the world we live in continue to test us and our beloved galaxy far, far away provides hope and escapism and so thank you to Paul, Matthew and Ewan for memories that are as near to perfection as I could ever imagine.
May the force be with you,
Jon H
I have to say, I agree with Jon. This convention was rather special. The highlight was obviously meeting Ewan – and seeing his panel at the end of the event – but there was so much more than that.
Star Wars was well represented, with Anthony Daniels and Jimmy Vee representing C-3PO and R2-D2 and rebel pilot royalty in the form of Wedge (Denis Lawson – or uncle Denis if you are Ewan) and Dutch Vander (Angus Macinnes). I’d met Anthony and Jimmy at previous cons, but never the two Rebel heroes.
I chatted with Angus about his appearance and voiceover cameo in Rogue One. He was overjoyed to have been involved in the production. We chatted about the excellent – and often emotionally-charged – documentary film Elstree ’76. Angus said: “Yeah. I think they got me on a bad day there,” reflecting on his contributions. Well, I certainly caught Angus on a good day. He was engaging and fun to be with.
Over to Wedge. Denis explained his brief appearance in The Rise of Skywalker was mostly down to scheduling. “I was pencilled in for five days of shooting,” he explained. “Unfortunately, it clashed with a theatre production I was involved with and it meant I had just one day on set.”
Was he pleased to be back? “Oh sure. I was determined to be there. No matter for how long on screen.”
And what of nephew Ewan? You must be a very proud uncle. “Absolutely. To see him back as Obi Wan is magical. Love it.”
Elsewhere, the con – situated next to Edinburgh Airport – had plenty to offer fans of wrestling and other movie franchises – including Lord of the Rings, but enough about that, Star Wars was everywhere – from plenty of goodies on the stalls (old and new).
My son Matthew picked up some great Cartoon Network Clone Wars figures and Jon had a great find – a Hasbro MTT from The Phantom Menace, complete with Battle Droids. £30.00. A steal.
Free photo ops included a life-size Jabba, Emperor’s Throne and costumed characters galore.
Jon’s photo session with Ewan was swift, yet memorable – Ewan pulling Jon back towards him to shake his hand. Later that day I queued with Matthew and Jon to meet Ewan for an autograph. It was a fleeting few moments.
Jon enjoyed his second dose of Ewan for the day; Matthew spoke about his ‘Ash’ hooded top and about the indie film A Life Less Ordinary, while I rattled on about how I was in the room for the Lucasfilm panel at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim.
“That was bloody crazy wasn’t it?” he smiled.
The fantastic day was capped off with a great panel.
Approximately 2,000 folk watched and listened to Ewan as he talked candidly about many of his projects, including of course, Trainspotting, but mostly Star Wars and the Disney Plus smash Obi-Wan Kenobi. He is very much up for reprising the role.
He adores young Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair) and confirmed that the series was initially to centre around Obi-Wan and Luke. He was clearly relaxed with a con so close to home, shared with family and friends.
As Jon said above – and to quote from the Trainspotting soundtrack – a Perfect Day.
Paul has been a fan of Star Wars since seeing it on a cold February evening in Wellington, Shropshire back in 1978. He worked for the Shropshire Star and Express & Star newspapers for 25 years, launching design agency Media & You in 2017. He is co-host of Start Your Engines and The Fantha From Down Under on Fantha Tracks Radio and Good Morning Tatooine on Fantha Tracks TV.
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These trying times in the world we live in continue to test us and our beloved galaxy far, far away provides hope and escapism and so thank you to Paul, Matthew and Ewan for memories that are as near to perfection as I could ever imagine.
I have to say, I agree with Jon. This convention was rather special. The highlight was obviously meeting Ewan – and seeing his panel at the end of the event – but there was so much more than that.
Star Wars was well represented, with Anthony Daniels and Jimmy Vee representing C-3PO and R2-D2 and rebel pilot royalty in the form of Wedge (Denis Lawson – or uncle Denis if you are Ewan) and Dutch Vander (Angus Macinnes). I’d met Anthony and Jimmy at previous cons, but never the two Rebel heroes.
