NOT LONG NOW..."THE COMPLETE SAGA": BLU-RAY NEWS

Everybody's probably already seen it, but I'm a completist when it comes to providing as much info as I can on the upcoming Blu-rays. Here's the link to the new STAR WARS BLU-RAY web site area on the official site:
StarWars.com | The Complete Saga on Blue-ray

The front and back holders for the unique cell packaging.

In the UK, fans who pre-order THE COMPLETE SAGA will receive their very own limited edition STAR WARS film cell.The Star Wars Sentiype™ contains a unique 35mm film frame reproduced from the original film footage using state-of-the-art imaging and printing techniques. The film frame is mounted and features original artwork from the Star Wars Blu-ray collection. Each senitype™ is numbered for authenticity.

The Senitype is only available to those that Pre-Order The Complete Saga on Blu-ray.  One limited edition Star Wars Senitype™  will be sent to all persons that have already pre-ordered The Complete Saga on Blu-ray. 

The overall packaging for the British Blu-ray COMPLETE SAGA disc releases.

The Limited Edition Star Wars® Sentiype™ is available whilst stocks last from UK dealers: Amazon, Play, HMV, The Hut and Tesco  


There's more STAR WARS related Blu-ray treats coming up for fans at the EMPIRE film magazine's event packed, star-studded extravaganza at the London 02 Arena-BIG SCREEN-taking place on the 12th-14th August. They'll be a big preview of THE COMPLETE SAGA discs, with on stage guest commentary from some of the key ILM team members involved in the films making and transfer to Blu-ray, plus a Jedi/Lightsaber Academy for the kids and families to indulge in, and an opportunity to have pictures taken on a popular STAR WARS set recreation. COWBOYS & ALIENS, starring Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig, will also be getting an advance UK screening, too! What's not to like!


Find out more about BIG SCREEN here: A Celebration of Film, A Feast for Fans Everywhere - The Live Movie Event | Empire Big Screen

REVIEW: STAR WARS CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA

The latest major STAR WARS book from the ever reliable DORLING KINDERSLEY publishing team is out now: the CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA.

Check out our review here: STAR WARS CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY! PART TWO

Super league STAR WARS fan Matthieu Bonenfant has kindly been in touch with AFICIONADO once again to inform us of a new batch of press clippings from the Original and Prequel Trilogies that he's compiled over the years and now put up on FLICKR for all to see. There's some excellent reading on there and some very rare items (like the above HOLIDAY SPECIAL newspaper feature from 1978).

Here's the link: Star Wars Newspapers - a set on Flickr

Cheers, Matthieu!

PREQUEL BUILDING. GEORGE LUCAS: THE 1983 "TIME" INTERVIEW

AFICIONADO contributor Linda Pellerito recently reminded me of a great 1983 interview with George Lucas that TIME magazine conducted with him just before JEDI's release. Lucas outlines his future plans- that he is pretty much burnt out from making the Classic Trilogy- and that he'll be taking a two year break from it all. He then talks about the Prequels and we discover how a lot of the elements he discusses in the interview would eventually make it in to those final films by the time of REVENGE OF THE SITH.

It's well worth checking out, or re-reading again if you haven't seen it in ages.

Here's the link. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,953916-3,00.html

Thanks again, Linda!

OPINION: WHAT HAPPENED TO RICK McCALLUM?

From 1995 to 2007 he's been one of STAR WARS great ambassadors-a funny and enthusiastic showman, a veritable master of hyperbole (in both good and bad ways), dedicated independent film-maker and loyal producer to George Lucas. So where is he? What's going on with him? At CV I suddenly realised that I haven't seen him anywhere since Celebration Europe, and that was back in 2007!

His work on STAR WARS (seemingly) over with regards to the films, the new live-action SW series stalled (for now) due to budget constraints, and RED TAILS, the epic World War II story of the Tuskegee airmen, apparently in drastic re-shoots, McCallum has certainly been keeping out of the fans radar, but now I think its time someone like the INSIDER tracked him down for a good long talk. With such a big involvement with LUCASFILM and STAR WARS and INDY (he was supposed to have been the fourth films producer at one point), a really detailed, candid interview with him about all his work on the Prequels (to really find out some stuff we haven't previously been aware of on their making) and for LUCASFILM-the highs and lows-and all the other things hes been working on since, would be very appealing to read.

Somebody let Rick out of the top-secret underground bunker at LUCASFILM!