26 Days to go
Universal Day of the Jedi
April 29, 2007
May 25, 2007 is the first geek holiday for Star Wars fans, Universal Day of the Jedi, which celebrates the 30th anniversary of the release of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
So what's happening this over the next month or two to celebrate the 30th anniversary and Universal Day of the Jedi?
Here's a list of what to look out for:
Now: The Making of Star Wars
A new book by J.W. Rinzler was released last week and is touted as the definitive story behind the making of the first film. The book will run you at about $40, depending upon where you get it from.
Now: 30th Anniversary Action Figure Collection
Hasbro is jumping on the 30th anniversary bandwagon as well, and releasing a series of figures that will come with a gold coin. The first in the series is Darth Vader, and comes with the coin collectors album. If you're into the action figures, this would be a series to jump on.
Now and during May 2007: USPS Celebrates Star Wars
There are 15 official postal stamps coming out between now and May to celebrate the 30th anniversary, and on top of that, there will also be mailboxes made to look like R2-D2. Keep an eye out for them.
Now, during May 2007, and beyond: StarWars.com takes a look back
The official site, StarWars.com, recently began taking a look back at the history of Star Wars in an online article series called 30 Years Ago This Month. The latest edition focuses on April 1977 - but stay tuned for May 1977.
May 09, 2007: Star Wars Legacy - Broken
The first trade paperback collection of the Star Wars Legacy comic series is released on May 9. The series became a strong seller, and is set 130 years after the events of Episode IV. The main character is Cade Skywalker, descendent of Anakin, Luke, and Ben Skywalker. The series focuses on the rise of a new Sith army as the galaxy finds itself under the control of a new Empire. Check out the details over at Wookieepedia.
May 16, 2007: Second KOTOR Trade Paperback released
The second collection of the comic series based upon the Knights of the Old Republic video games hits the shelves on May 16 - and answers more questions, but poses even more, as to how it fits in with the current two games, as well as the much-anticipated KOTOR III currently in development.
May 24 - 28, 2007: Celebration IV
Perhaps the most anticipated event of the year for Star Wars fans, CELEBRATION IV will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. A 4-day adult pass will run you $110, but if you're in the area and you're a hardcore Star Wars geek, that price is just chump change for an event like this. There's the opportunity to meet and greet Star Wars celebrities, people behind the scenes of the films and the expanded universe, and there's usually some big announcements at this event.
May 24 - 28, 2007: Winners of the Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge announced
During every Star Wars celebration, George Lucas and AtomFilms.com open the floodgates for fan films to be submitted for a competition, where the winners are announced at and during Celebration. This year, the stakes are slightly raised higher, with Spike TV getting in on the action. You can check out previous years winners, plus all the details of the current contest at AtomFilms.com.
May 25, 2007: Star Wars DVD Box Set Announcement?
There's been a lot of rumors and hearsay about a new box set release of the Star Wars saga for the 30th anniversary - but here we are less than a month out, and there's no official announcement just yet. It's entirely possible that this may not even happen at all, but if it does, expect some form of announcement this month.
May 29, 2007: The release of Sacrifice
The fifth book in the Legacy of the Force series, Sacrifice, is probably the biggest release for this particular story arc to date. First and foremost, it will feature Jacen Solo's final steps in turning to the dark side, as he takes on his Sith name, which will be either Darth Acheron, Darth Caedus, Darth Judicar, Darth Paxis, or Darth Taral. It will also feature Jacen's "sacrifice" - someone will fall, someone will die - no-one is certain just yet who it will be, but there's been a lot of indications that suggest it will be someone very significant to both the films and the expanded universe who dies.
June 17, 2007: Robot Chicken Star Wars Special
Less than a month after Universal Day of the Jedi, golden comedy TV show Robot Chicken will be showing a Star Wars special on Adult Swim. George Lucas himself has a cameo in the episode, and you can check out all the details at the official site.
July 13 - 15, 2007: Celebration Europe
While European Star Wars fans will have to wait a couple of months, they won't be missing out as Star Wars Celebration hits their shores in July. There will be all the goodies you would expect at a US-based Star Wars Celebration; and full details can be seen at the official site.
Also, I recently came across some interesting blogs and articles regarding the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars. Check them out:
