Sci-Fi Storm

In case you weren’t sure why you’ve blocked out all memories of it, or why George Lucas attempted to destroy all copies, here is a short version of the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special…

[Sadly, the video has been removed]

Lucasfilm has had another setback in its case against artist Andrew Ainsworth. An appeals court has ruled that the Stormtrooper’s helmet is not a copyrightable work of art, and therefore Lucasfilm cannot prevent Ainsworth from selling replicas. Ainsworth is the artist who sculpted the original helmet design.

The trailer for the next Star Wars spoof from Family Guy, called “Something, Something, Something, Dark Side”, is now available – Read More to see it. The special episode will air on December 22nd.

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Speaking of Star Wars, Addidas is apparently working on some new items in their Originals line that is inspired by Star Wars, including sneakers that look like Stormtroopers or have scenes from the movies.

Long before CGI basically replaced all sorts of model-based visual effects, some work was still done with computers. /Film has an article and video about the making of the original computer effects used in Star Wars – and we aren’t talking about what George Lucas did with the “Special Edition”. Larry Cuba shows how he created the computer-generated image of the Death Star and the trench run, including real-time manipulation (very hard to do back then, even for the simplistic graphics), and using pictures of models and a digitizing pen.

Sarah J Giannantonio writes “New animation, new music and new rap influences (Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, Digital Underground, The Beastie Boys, Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock,Public Enemy) update the cult original with over 10 million plays Star War Gangsta Rap (and special edition) by Bent TV.

http://www.atom.com/funny_videos/sw_gangsta_rap_chronicles/“

Courtesy of a tweet from actress Ming-Na (who is starring in Stargate Universe), here is a cool video which appears to come from a BBC show…Read More for the video.

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Confirmed today at the D23 Expo – the Star Tours attractions will finally receive an update! Having been pretty much the same since opening in 1989, the long rumored (and even announced by George Lucas himself in 2005) update will finally take place, with the attractions closing in 2010 (October, unconfirmed) and re-opening in 2011. New 3D technology will be used as well. It appears the starspeeders will encounter new problems – even joining a Pod Race on Tatooine for a short time. Read More for a HD video of the Pod Racer segment of the attraction.

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Some interesting tidbits were released yesterday at Comic-Con…Star Wars In Concert will begin touring October 1st (tickets on sale August 1st) and will be narrated in person by Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), although it looks like dates only through Oct. 21st are known so far, on the west coast and OK; lots of info at the Lucasfilm booth about the upcoming games Star Wars: The Old Republic (a new MMO where you can be on the Republic or Sith Empire sides), The Cone Wars: Republic Heroes, available for PC and all consoles on either September 15th or October 6th (information conflicts right now); and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – Ultimate Sith Edition out in time for the holidays. Also, Novermber 3rd should see the release of the Season 1 Box Set of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

I just spent a brief weekend down at Walt Disney World for Star Wars Weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For those not familiar with it I thought I’ve give a rundown of what went on…

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