Conquest of the Empire Update
(source: Conquest of the Empire, 08-25-05)

Joe Harrison, the man behind Conquest of the Empire, has filled us in on a few tidbits of information about the series and its future.

First, the previously released Conquest of the Empire: Chapter I has been given a proper episode name. The chapter will henceforth be known as Defense and Trepidation.

Second, a title has been announced for the second chapter: Fortitude and Redemption.

Third, Fortitude and Redemption now has a complete cast list available. It is slated to feature newcomers Eric Olp (as Commander Keller and Stormtrooper #2) and Rod Barnes (as Darth Vader, if technical difficulties are worked out), plus experienced fan audio voice actors Brian Patrick Stoyle (as Captain Madine and Stormtrooper #1), Mike Lane (as Opening Narrator and Captain Dirk), and Nathan P. Butler (as Emperor Palpatine and Major Faethor). The two voice actors from Defense and Trepidation also return with Silas Carder adding the role of Commander Tyson to the mix, while Joe himself takes on the role of Jan Dodonna.

Fourth, there have been technical issues with the recordings for the Darth Vader part. However, Joe has gotten a backup voice actor ready to commit to the part if these issues are not resolved. The potential rewrite that had been feared if the Vader voice were unavailable seems to no longer be a major consideration.

Fifth, Joe has also let us all know that COTE Audio Productions (the team behind Conquest of the Empire, hence the acronym) are at work on another Star Wars audio drama. The new drama, which is currently untitled, will take place shortly after the events of COTE and feature Vader's hunt for a group of Jedi.

Finally, we have a target release month for Conquest of the Empire: Fortitude and Redemption. It would seem that the project is currently slated for release sometime in September, as most of the mixing is already done.

As always, we'll keep you posted as more news develops on the series.