The Official Star Wars Blog

Designer Star Wars Wallpaper from Super7

September 15, 2011

Super7 is proud to announce the inaugural release of Star Wars x Super7 Collection: The Imperial Forces Wallpaper! Featuring textured portraits of Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and members of the Empire, this hand-screened, flocked, designer wallpaper is an artistic way to decorate your office, collectibles room, or space station.

Originally created by Super7 founder Brian Flynn as unique decoration for his retail store on San Francisco’s historic Haight St, the wallpaper was noticed by Star Wars super-collector and author Steve Sansweet, who took note of the high-quality and striking presentation. “I’m thrilled that this amazingly cool wallpaper is now available to Star Wars fans everywhere,” says Sansweet. “I’ve already used it on a large wall in the still-to-be-finished addition to Rancho Obi-Wan, and the folks who have seen it so far all want to rip a piece of it off the wall! What could possibly be better than ‘fuzzy-headed’ Imperials and a bounty hunter gracing your Star Wars collection room?”

Star Wars Imperial Forces Wallpaper is available in a variety of roll sizes – please check the dimensions of your room and consult online wallpaper calculators to determine your needs. Rolls begin at $75 and can be ordered here.

No Comments » | Collecting | Permalink
Posted by pvilmur

NYCC Droid 2-Pack Hallmark Exclusive

September 15, 2011

Hallmark will continue its 2011 celebration of the Star Wars saga with a Hallmark Keepsake Ornament two-pack to be sold exclusively this fall at New York Comic Con, October 13-16.

The astromech droids R2-Q5 and R2-A3 will be featured as Keepsake Ornaments sold together during the popular culture convention, scheduled October 13-16 at the Javits Center in New York City.

You’ll recall the black and bronze-bodied R2-Q5 being assigned to the second Death Star as the red-trimmed R2-A3 flew along with X-wing pilot Wedge Antilles. This special-edition Keepsake Ornament two-pack was created specifically for the event with a limited production of 800.

Visitors to the Hallmark booth will receive a series of collectible buttons featuring quotes from the 2012 line of Star Wars gifts, which will be available exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown stores. A different design in the series will be given away in limited quantities on each day of the convention.

Other activities include visits from Star Wars characters courtesy of the 501st Legion, a sneak peek of Hallmark’s Star Wars products planned for 2012 and fun giveaways. If you are attending New York Comic Con this year, be sure to drop by Hallmark at Booth 110 within the dynamic Star Wars Pavillion to catch all the action.

No Comments » | Collecting, Comic-Con, conventions | Permalink
Posted by pvilmur

UK Celebrates Star Wars Blu-Ray Release

September 14, 2011

As the UK becomes the first country in the world to release Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray, London will feel the Force like never before as droids, Stormtroopers, Jedi and the Sith invade the city in a week-long Star Wars spectacular culminating in the galactic transformation of the BT Tower into the World’s Largest Lightsaber.

The week commenced with a rude awakening from the Dark Side, as Darth Vader and a sinister fleet of Stormtroopers took to the streets in an Imperial March that will sent shivers down the spines of Londoners. The march began at St. James’ Park where they joined Changing of the Guards activities, before proceeding to HMV on Oxford Street to meet shoppers as they queued to get their hands on the highly anticipated Blu-ray release.

Star Wars actor Anthony Daniels (C-3PO in all six episodes) provided a lighter touch on Tuesday 13 September as he met fans at the grand opening of the HMV at the new Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford, signing copies of Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray.

On Thursday 15 September, from inside the exclusive star-studded launch party at the top of the BT Tower, Daniels will press a button lighting up the London skyline for one night only as it morphs into a Jedi Knight’s elegant weapon of choice, projecting a giant ‘blue ray’ of light from the top of the tower.

In the words of Darth Vader himself, “This will be a day long remembered” by Star Wars fans in the UK and across the world.

Be sure to follow more international news on the UK Facebook Page.

No Comments » | events | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

Special Star Wars Blu-ray Events!

September 14, 2011

Want to see your favorite Star Wars characters and get cool collectible swag as you pick up the Star Wars Saga on Blu-ray? Check out these fun events in the United States below!

SEPT 15, 2011
Best Buy Star Wars Midnight Madness
Various Best Buy Stores -11:30 PM

Meet and take pictures with your favorite Star Wars characters as you celebrate the release of the Star Wars Saga on Blu-ray at this midnight release event at the following Best Buy stores:

Best Buy Union Square — 52 E 14th St. #64, New York, NY
Best Buy North Avenue — 1000 W North Ave., Chicago, IL
Best Buy West LA — 11301 W Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064

Receive a free Best Buy-exclusive t-shirt with purchase of Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray (while supplies last) and as an added bonus, the first 25 people in line receive a $10 Best Buy gift card!

SEPT 16, 2011
Wal-Mart Star Wars Midnight Madness
Your Local Wal-Mart Store – 12:00 AM

Come in costume and enjoy Star Wars-themed cupcakes as you celebrate the release of Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray at your local Wal-Mart store. As an added bonus, an exclusive collector’s poster will be available to the first 50 customers to purchase any of the Star Wars Blu-ray sets.

SEPT 17, 2011
Sam’s Club Star Wars Blu-ray Party
Various Sam’s Club Stores (see below) 11:00 AM-3:00 PM

Celebrate the release of Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray with costumed characters and more at a special event at the following Sam’s Club stores around the U.S.:

3500 S.E. Club Blvd., Bentonville, AR
3081 N. Highway 112, Fayetteville, AR
12920 Foothill Blvd., San Fernando, CA
2601 Skypark Dr., Torrance, CA
2151 Shepard Rd., Normal, IL
3415 N. Rock Rd., Wichita, KS
3900 Airline Dr., Metairie, LA
4240 Winterville Pkwy., Winterville, NC
4900 N. 27th St., Lincoln, NE
600 N. Springdale Rd., Waukesha, WI

2 Comments » | events | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

Look Inside: Star Wars Insider #128

September 9, 2011

Celebrate the release of the Star Wars movie collection on Blu-ray with Star Wars Insider #128 and collect all four special covers, featuring gorgeous art from all six movies!

Check out the other three covers and editorial highlights from issue #128 after the jump!
Read the rest of this entry »

2 Comments » | Collecting, Publishing, in the media | Permalink
Posted by pvilmur

Cut Jedi Sandstorm Scene Done With Action Figures

September 2, 2011

Artist/photographer Stephen Hayford sends us two fantastic action figure diorama photos commemorating this month’s release of the Star Wars Saga on Blu-ray collection, which includes clips from several cut scenes, including the infamous Tatooine sandstorm sequence that was to follow the heroes’ escape from Jabba the Hutt in Return of the Jedi.

Hayford also sends a nod to Lucas’ penchant for never tossing out an idea that might be used later…

Click the images for expanded views and be sure to check out Hayford’s previous Star Wars-inspired dioramas on the main site here!

Never heard of the cut sandstorm scene from Jedi? Get a video preview of it here.

2 Comments » | Collecting, fan fun | Permalink
Posted by pvilmur

Fan Movie Winner Profile: Bounty Hunter II: Pit of Carkoon

August 24, 2011

words: Bonnie Burton

At this year’s Star Wars Fan Movie Awards presented by Lucasfilm and Atom at San Diego Comic-Con International, Bounty Hunter II: Pit of Carkoon won the Best Animated Feature.

Starwars.com chats with Nebraska-based filmmaker Jim Mehsling about his award-winning film Bounty Hunter II: Pit of Carkoon.

What prompted you to make a Star Wars fan film? How has George Lucas and his films influenced your work?

This is actually my fourth Star Wars fan film. I’ve always been a huge fan of the series and the chance to do my own take on the characters and play around with some animated designs in the Star Wars Universe is a fun challenge.

What is the back story regarding your film?

The back story is what the audience did not see in the films but surely must have happened in Return of the Jedi. Luke and friends must have discussed a rescue plan at some point and treating the skiff guard job like a job orientation presented some gag opportunities, for example, Bib Fortuna mispronouncing Boba Fett’s name.

Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments » | Comic-Con, Fan Movie Challenge | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

1986 Howard the Duck “Duck Calls”

August 19, 2011

Believe it or not, this month marks the 25th anniversary of Howard the Duck, Lucasfilm’s 1986 movie about an extraterrestrial duck and his misadventures on Earth. Star Wars fan C.C. Banana (that’s Bananakin Skywalker to those who have met him) recently dug out his long-lost 25-year-old recordings of “Duck Calls”, a series of messages that callers could dial into in anticipation of the movie.

Bananakin has posted the recordings broken into four sections, and provided a bit of history about them after the jump:

Duck Calls #1
Duck Calls #2
Duck Calls #3
Duck Calls #4

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Posted by pvilmur

Custom Stormtrooper Cruiser

August 11, 2011

If you’re a regular StarWars.com reader, you know some of us here have a soft spot for customized Star Wars bikes. So we couldn’t resist sharing a great ride pieced together by Russian fan Dee Troy, who’s posted several pics of his “Phat Stormtrooper” over at RatRodBikes.com. Check out the full thread here (and, for you custom bike enthusiasts, RatRodBikes just posted this year’s custom cruiser winner!).

2 Comments » | Collecting, crafts, fan fun | Permalink
Posted by pvilmur

Fan Movie Winner Profile: The Tentacle Trap

August 4, 2011

words: Bonnie Burton

At this year’s Star Wars Fan Movie Awards presented by Lucasfilm and Atom at San Diego Comic-Con International, The Tentacle Trap won the Spirit of Fandom Award.

Starwars.com chats with Caribbean-based filmmaker James Austen about his award-winning film The Tentacle Trap.

What prompted you to make a Star Wars fan film? How has George Lucas and his films influenced your work?

In Star Wars, George Lucas created the richest of universes. Since watching A New Hope at age 3, I found there’s little that’s more exciting in movies than roaring spaceships, lightsabers and laser guns going pow, and the adventure of it all. When I decided to make a movie, there was no question that it wouldn’t be in the Star Wars universe.

What is the back story regarding your film?

Originally, the idea to make the movie came out of an idea to create visuals for some music I was writing (which was the origin of the Electric Space Banjo the pilot plays). It seemed like it would be a fun project. I’ve always been rather taken with the how stop-motion animation can make real objects come to life, and Star Wars, music and LEGO have been my three lifetime loves. So the movie became a brilliant project to draw all my interests together. I though it might keep me occupied in the evenings for a few months; then I thought of the potted plants and tentacles and it grew into a beast. By the time it was all done somehow it was three years later!

Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments » | Comic-Con, Fan Movie Challenge | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl