Star Wars Jedi: Survivor star Cameron Monaghan tips more film and TV actors to follow him into ‘really exciting’ gaming roles
It’s shaping up to be a big few months for fans of Star Wars.
Before spring has even been allowed to settle, 2023 will already have delivered new seasons in the popular Mandalorian and Bad Batch series, and one of the most highly anticipated games of the year.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is the sequel to 2019’s Fallen Order, which released to widespread acclaim and has since amassed more than 20 million players.
Among its qualities was the performance of its lead actor, Cameron Monaghan, who had made his name in TV shows including Shameless and Gotham.
Having lent both his voice and likeness to the character of Jedi Knight Cal Kestis, the 29-year-old offered some star quality to the project – and thinks more of his peers will soon make the jump into games.
“We’re seeing games coming into their own as a story-telling medium,” he told Sky News.
“We’re seeing mature, smart stories being told, which are every bit as in-depth and meaningful as film or TV can be.
“Regardless of whether a performer has been on film, TV, or theatre, or might specialise in performance capture, or voice acting, there are so many performers that are getting their due through the video game medium.”
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Monaghan expects more screen actors to take on video game roles
‘My inner 12-year-old is really excited’
Monaghan said he was excited to be picking up the lightsaber again for the sequel to Fallen Order.
The American, who also performed motion capture for the part, said his “inner 12-year-old kid who just used to run around with a broom handle, and spin it until I broke a lamp, is really excited to be able to continue”.
He said there was no difference between acting for film or TV, and performing in a 3D-rendered game.
“In any of them, you’re just trying to find the truth of scenes and situations,” he said.
“As long as you’re present and reactive, that’s the most important thing you can do as an artist and a performer.
“Obviously the window dressing around it changes, on a set so much of what you’re worried about might be your lighting or your wardrobe.
“When you get on to a performance capture stage, a lot of it is a lot more technical.”
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As with any Star Wars project, plot details are shrouded in secrecy
Survivor takes place between the last Star Wars prequel film Revenge Of The Sith and A New Hope, as the Jedi are hunted down and purged by the Empire.
Disney has in the last two years released several Star Wars TV shows set in the same era, including The Bad Batch, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and most recently Andor to much acclaim.
While he had praise for the “really incredible” Andor, Monaghan denied these productions had any impact on his portrayal of Kestis, as most of his inspiration for the character came from outside the Star Wars universe.
He said: “For me, when I’m watching any film, any story, I’m usually trying to look for a little something to put in the back pocket and use at a different time.”
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is due for release on 15 March.
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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