Fully Operational Fandom: Join SWAT, Read Star Wars Books, and Get Awesome Rewards

3/13/2014, StarWars.com

Did anyone else participate in summer reading programs as a kid? Sitting down with an engaging book was enough of a reward then (and still is), but I remember feeling excited and incentivized by earning points for stickers, bookmarks, and the best prize of all — free pizza. Nothing could keep me from burning through stories when there was pizza on the line. Del Rey’s Star Wars Action Team (SWAT) has brought those feelings back with their Fancorps Community. I might not get pizza, but I can earn neat Star Wars loot and connect with fellow fans while I’m racking up points. I call that a win. SWAT was announced last summer and has been up and running for about eight months; they’ve recruited over 1,500 fans. Programs like this are one of the reasons Star Wars fandom is terrific. Sure, Del Rey gets word-of-mouth advertising from those participating, but it’s also another way to build and reinforce the community. I talked with some fans enrolled in SWAT to get their feelings about the project.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Lost Missions Now on Netflix

3/7/2014, StarWars.com

The Lost Missions, the highly anticipated final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, is now available on Netflix. Go deep into these essential new installments with StarWars.com's episode guides, featuring detailed story synopses with stunning screenshots, concept art, and trivia. Exclusive Licensing Agreement with The Disney/ABC Television Group Brings Star Wars Content to Netflix Streaming Members for the First Time The Galactic Republic, Disney/ABC Television Group, Lucasfilm, and Netflix Inc. today announced the highly anticipated debut of the sixth and final season of the Emmy(r) Award-winning series Star Wars: The Clone Wars exclusively to Netflix members in the US and Canada on Friday, March 7. Accompanying the 13-episode new season dubbed "The Lost Missions" will be the entire Star Wars: The Clone Wars saga, which includes several director's cut episodes never seen on TV as well as the feature film. This multi-year agreement also makes Netflix the exclusive subscription service for the entire Star Wars: The Clone Wars series.

Jedi Academy: Return of the Padawan - Exclusive Reveal

3/4/2014, StarWars.com

It's time to return to middle school in a galaxy far, far away. Jedi Academy: Return of the Padawan, the follow-up to writer/artist Jeffrey Brown's New York Times bestseller Jedi Academy, will hit stores on July 29, 2014. The cover is revealed here for the first time, featuring all the style and humor -- as well as the world's first Gamorrean Guard serving school lunch -- that made Jedi Academy a hit with fans of all ages.

Star Wars Rebels Imperial Propaganda Posters Hit Online

2/5/2014, StarWars.com

The Empire's propaganda machine is in full effect. Six pieces of Star Wars Rebels "patriotic art" were sent to 2,500 people around the globe and select media outlets, promoting the noble intentions and work of the Empire. These bold, graphic-style cards, urging galactic citizens to accept and even join the Empire, reflect the political landscape of the upcoming animated series. When Supreme Chancellor Palpatine first declared himself Emperor, many people in the former Republic welcomed the change after the chaos of Clone Wars. As this campaign shows, the Empire continues to build upon that goodwill with glorified images of the stability and security that were ushered in by its might. It's easy for worlds newly welcomed into the expanding Empire to be swept up with such ideas, though those citizens who have witnessed the ruthlessness of the Empire firsthand know the real story.

Carrie Fisher says she'll start filming 'Star Wars: Episode VII' in March or April

1/23/2014, nydailynews.com

Carrie Fisher hinted she’ll be returning to the "Star Wars" franchise in less than 12 parsecs, confirming the worst-kept secret in this or any other galaxy. The actress told TV Guide that she's officially signed on for director J.J. Abrams' "Star Wars: Episode VII" — and will be joining fellow Rebellion veterans Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford for filming in March or April.

J.J. Abrams confirms 'Star Wars: Episode VII' script is complete, ‘Breaking Bad’ star Jesse Plemons

1/20/2014, nydailynews.com

J.J. Abrams confirmed it’s “full steam ahead” for “Star Wars: Episode VII.” “We’re working really hard and we’ve got our script and we’re in deep prep,” he said during the Televisions Critics Association’s press tour on Sunday. “Full steam ahead.” The momentum of the movie’s production has forged ahead despite stalling momentarily when Michael Arndt, the original screenwriter, left the project in October. Abrams, 47, picked up the slack along with co-writer Lawrence Kasden, and together they wrote the series’ seventh installment. “It became clear that given the time frame and given the process and the way the thing was going that working with Larry in this way was going to get us where we need to be and when we needed to be,” Abrams said in November, according to Entertainment Wise.

Lucasfilm and Marvel Entertainment Join Forces to Publish Star Wars Comics and Graphic Novels

1/3/2014, StarWars.com

The Walt Disney Company's Lucasfilm Ltd. and Marvel Entertainment are joining forces to bring new Star Wars adventures to readers across the galaxy, with Marvel granted exclusive rights to create and publish Star Wars comics and graphic novels beginning in 2015. The agreement marks a homecoming for the Star Wars comic books. Marvel Comics published the first Star Wars comic book, Star Wars #1, in March 1977, which went on to sell more than 1 million copies. Marvel Comics published its Star Wars series for nine years. In 1991, Dark Horse Comics took over the license, publishing fan favorite titles like Dark Empire and Star Wars: Legacy. Last year, Dark Horse released The Star Wars #1, an adaptation of George Lucas' original rough-draft screenplay for the film, garnering rave reviews and national media attention and ranking among the top-selling Star Wars comics of all time.

Star Wars Identities Exhibit Launches European Tour in Paris

11/27/2013, StarWars.com

UPDATE: The Star Wars Identities exhibition heads to Paris at La Cité du Cinéma from February 15 to June 30, 2014. Find a complete a complete schedule and buy tickets at www.starwarsidentities.fr and www.ticketnet.fr. Watch the exhibit trailer now! In 2012, the Montréal Science Centre hosted the world premiere of Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition, an event that ran through September 16, 2012. Produced by X3 Productions and made possible by Lucasfilm Ltd., the exhibition is a sensational event that explores the amazing nature of human identity through the magic of the Star Wars universe and its legendary characters.

Star Wars: Episode VII to Open December 18, 2015

11/7/2013, StarWars.com

With pre-production in full-swing, a confirmed release date of December 18, 2015, has been set for Lucasfilm's highly anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII. "We're very excited to share the official 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII, where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture," said Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.

Master Filmmaking Team Announced for Star Wars: Episode VII

10/24/2013, StarWars.com

As Episode VII continues pre-production, Lawrence Kasdan and director J.J. Abrams have assumed screenwriting duties for the film. Kasdan, who has been serving as a consultant on the film, is a veteran of several classic Lucasfilm productions, writing the screenplay for Raiders of the Lost Ark and serving as co-screenwriter for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Acclaimed director and screenwriter Abrams' credits include Super 8, Mission: Impossible III, Fringe, and Lost. "I am very excited about the story we have in place and thrilled to have Larry and J.J. working on the script," states Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. "There are very few people who fundamentally understand the way a Star Wars story works like Larry, and it is nothing short of incredible to have him even more deeply involved in its return to the big screen. J.J. of course is an incredible storyteller in his own right. Michael Arndt has done a terrific job bringing us to this point and we have an amazing filmmaking and design team in place already prepping for production."

Star Wars Blu-ray/DVD Combo Packs Coming October 8

10/8/2013, StarWars.com

The power of the Force comes home once again! The original and prequel Star Wars trilogies are now available in the US in Blu-ray/DVD combo packs. The prequel trilogy (including Blu-ray and DVD versions of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith) and original trilogy (including Blu-ray and DVD versions of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi) collections will feature brand new cover artwork created exclusively for this release.

Remembering Gilbert Taylor, Star Wars Cinematographer

8/23/2013, StarWars.com

Star Wars cinematographer Gilbert Taylor passed away on Friday at his home in the Isle of Wight. He was 99. From the iconic opening shot of a massive Imperial Star Destroyer chasing the Rebels' Tantive IV to the setting of twin suns on Tatooine, Taylor played a large role in establishing the visual identity of the entire series.

'Star Wars': John Williams returning to score J.J. Abrams' Episode VII

7/27/2013, insidemovies.ew.com

Here’s some news worthy of fanfare: John Williams will return to compose the music for J.J. Abrams’ upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy announced today. The news came out of Star Wars Celebration Europe II, a fan gathering in Messe Essen, Germany. The video above played for the crowd immediately after she revealed his participation in the intensely anticipated followup to Return of the Jedi. Williams says he hasn’t learned any story details for the film, which is the way he prefers to work. “I’m waiting anxiously like the audience around the world to find out what the surprises are, and discover what my continued role is going to be,” Williams says.

Phineas and Ferb Meets Star Wars in Special Episode

7/19/2013, StarWars.com

The adventuring stars of Disney's hit animated series Phineas and Ferb are heading to a galaxy far, far away: A special Star Wars-themed episode of the musical-comedy series is currently in production, announced today by show creators and executive producers Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh at Comic-Con International in San Diego. The one hour event episode will premiere next year on Disney Channel and Disney XD, placing the characters of Phineas and Ferb in the same space and time as the world of Star Wars.

George Lucas, Joan Didion to Receive White House Honors

7/3/2013, hollywoodreporter.com

There are 23 cultural figures receiving this year's National Medals of Arts and Humanities in Washington D.C. on July 10. The Hollywood Reporter The White House announced Wednesday that President Barack Obama will present this year’s National Medals of Arts and Humanities to a glittering constellation of cultural and entertainment industry figures, including Joan Didion, George Lucas, Elaine May and Herb Alpert.

George Lucas Weds Long-Time Sweetheart

6/24/2013, contactmusic.com

From Star Wars to starrey-eyed lovers: George Lucas has married long-term girlfriend Mellody Hobson in a "beautiful" Californian service. George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars and Indiana Jones tied the knot with his girlfriend of seven years, Mellody Hobson. According to sources speaking with People magazine, the wedding took place on Saturday (22nd June) in California's Marin County at Lucas' 4,700 acre Skywalker Ranch. Amongst other guests, the wedding was attended by fellow director Ron Howard and actor Samuel L. Jackson, who plays Jedi Mace Windu in Lucas' Star Wars franchise.

Star Wars Reads Day Returns October 5, 2013

6/1/2013, StarWars.com

Fans of reading and a certain galaxy far, far away have reason to rejoice: Star Wars Reads Day, a day-long celebration of literacy and Jedi, Sith, Wookiees, and all things Star Wars, is returning. The second annual Star Wars Reads Day is to be held this October 5, 2013, and will again feature Star Wars fans, authors, and artists coming together in a nationwide multi-publisher initiative. Participating publishing partners include Abrams, Chronicle Books, Dark Horse, Del Rey, DK, Quirk Books, Random House Audio, Scholastic, Titan Magazines, and Workman. Last year, 30 authors and 1,500 costumed volunteers participated in over 1,200 Star Wars Reads Day events across North America. "Star Wars Reads Day is the kind of initiative that we at Lucasfilm love to support" says Carol Roeder, Director of Publishing at Lucasfilm. "Reading and Star Wars have gone hand-in-hand since 1976, when the novelization of the original Star Wars movie was released. Over the years, many fans have discovered the joy in reading through Star Wars books, and we hope to continue encouraging more people to read."

New Animated Series Star Wars Rebels Coming Fall 2014

5/20/2013, StarWars.com

Production has begun on Star Wars Rebels, an exciting, all-new animated television series based on one of the greatest entertainment franchises of all time. Scheduled to premiere in fall 2014 as a one-hour special telecast on Disney Channel, it will be followed by a series on Disney XD channels around the world. Leading the development of the series is a creative team of exceptional talent. Screenwriter/producer Simon Kinberg (X-Men: First Class, Sherlock Holmes, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) is an executive producer on Star Wars Rebels and will write the premiere episode. He is joined by Dave Filoni as executive producer, who served as supervising director of the Emmy nominated Star Wars: The Clone Wars since 2008. Executive producer Greg Weisman brings with him a wealth of animation experience with credits such as Young Justice, The Spectacular Spider-Man and Gargoyles.

Star Wars Feature Film Production Returns to the U.K.

5/10/2013, StarWars.com

Lucasfilm announced today that production of Star Wars: Episode VII will take place in the United Kingdom. All of the six previous live-action Star Wars movies have included UK production in such famed studios as Elstree, Shepperton, Leavesden, Ealing and Pinewood Studios. "We've devoted serious time and attention to revisiting the origins of Star Wars as inspiration for our process on the new movie, and I'm thrilled that returning to the UK for production and utilizing the incredible talent there can be a part of that," said Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm. "Speaking from my own longstanding connection to the UK with films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Empire of the Sun and recently War Horse, it's very exciting to be heading back."

Electronic Arts Selected for Multi-Year Agreement for the Future of Star Wars Gaming

5/6/2013, StarWars.com

Today it was announced that Lucasfilm Ltd. and Disney Interactive are entering into a multi-year, multi-title exclusive licensing agreement with Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) for the creation of new high quality Star Wars games aimed at the core gaming audience and spanning multiple genres for console, PC, mobile, and tablets. Industry leaders and creators of best-in-class blockbuster games, the development and publishing teams at EA will collaborate with the creative teams at Lucasfilm to provide audiences with all-new gaming experiences set in the ever-expanding Star Wars galaxy. As part of the agreement, EA studio teams DICE (Battlefield series) and Visceral (Dead Space series) will join BioWare (Mass Effect series, Star Wars: The Old Republic) in the development of new Star Wars games.

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