After briefly entering the Star Wars Universe to direct an episode of the popular Disney+ series, Robert Rodriguez is returning in a big way to the famous sci-fi franchise. He is an executive producer of The Book of Boba Fett that debuts Dec. 29 on the Mickey Mouse streamer. The filmmaker also gets to helm the series’ first episode. 

The new series is a spinoff of the Emmy Award-winning series The Mandalorian, which featured Fett in the season two episode titled “The Tragedy” with actor Temuera Morrison as the armored bounty hunter. That episode was directed by Rodriguez, leading to greater involvement in the franchise. 

In recent days the San Antonio-born filmmaker, a reported Star Wars fan, has been busy on social media promoting the new show with the hashtag #TheBookofBobaFett. On Twitter, Rodriguez reposted the series trailer adding, “You’ll see a tease of a cool new character in this spot.” On Facebook, the cineaste shared, “The legend of Boba Fett returns December 29 only on Disney+!” An on Instagram, he says, “He had a cool ship, a cool name, he was shrouded in mystery, and you couldn’t see his face, so he was always my favorite character.”

Portrayed as an antihero, Fett was first introduced in the Star Wars Universe in CBS’ 1978 TV movie Star Wars Holiday Special and appeared in subsequent features, including the original Star Wars Trilogy and prequel trilogies as well as other projects. They include the features The Empire Strikes Back in 1980 and, three years later, Return of the Jedi. The character’s origin is explored in the 2002 prequel feature Attack of the Clones as a young adoptive son of a well-known bounty hunter.

Disney+’s The Book of Boba Fett will not be the first time that Rodriguez directs a sci-fi project–nor may be the last. In 2019, he helmed the blockbuster Alita: Battle Angel, produced by Oscar winner filmmaker James Cameron (Titanic, Avatar, Aliens), which is Rodriguez’s highest-grossing film to date with more than $400 million worldwide. The same year he donned the directorial hat forRed11, an independent horror sci-fi thriller.

Rodriguez also helms the upcoming Hipnotic, another sci-fi thriller starring Ben Affleck, Alice Braga and JD Pardo and which is in post-production.

Known for his breakout film El Mariachi and its two sequels, Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Rodriguez is one of Hollywood’s most prominent Latino filmmakers. His other movie credits include Sin City, From Dusk Till Dawn, Spy Kids and Machete. His features have earned several accolades, including awards at the Cannes Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival, two Imagen Awards and two Alma Awards. 

Rodriguez also won a Guinness World Record Award for El Mariachi as the “lowest-budget movie to make $1 million at the US box office.” Reportedly made it for $7,000, the film grossed $2 million in the United States.

Featured Photos: Robert Rodriguez (Photo: El Rey Network) / ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ (Photo: Disney+)

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Legendary actor and singer Vicente Fernández, also known as ´The king of Rancheras´ has died. According to a statement released on his official Instagram profile by Fernandez´s family, the beloved Mexican icon died at 6:15 a.m. in a hospital in his native state of Jalisco.

“It was an honor and great pride for him to share his great musical career with everyone and to give everything for his audience. Thank you for continuing to applaud, thank you for continuing to sing. #ChenteSigueSiendoElRey.” Funeral plans were not announced.

Fernández was hospitalized after he suffered a fall at his ranch Los Tres Potrillos in August. Since then, the singer´s health turned to the worse. While in the hospital, Fernandez had been diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome, a rare disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks your nerves.

“One of the most important artists of Mexican popular culture, the undisputed symbol of ranchera music, dies. A million mariachis accompany you on your way, ” Alejandra Frausto, Mexico’s culture secretary, said on Twitter.

Fernández sold more than 70 million records and appeared in more than 30 films. In 1998, Fernández received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He won three Grammys and eight Latin Grammys among other honors.

Fernández was known for hits like “El Rey”, “Volver, Volver,” “Por Tu Maldito Amor,” “Hermoso Cariño” and “Urge,” which became familiar not only in Mexico but also across the Spanish-speaking world and U.S Hispanics.

Vicente Fernández was born on February 17, 1940 in Huentitán El Alto, in Jalisco, Mexico. 

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