Star Wars in the news: George Lucas still rich, Harry Potter still popular

George tops Forbes Hollywood list. George Lucas is the top earner on the business mag’s brand new list of Hollywood’s highest-paid men. (Wait, men? I guess Oprah isn’t ‘Hollywood.’) Coming up second is Steven Spielberg, and Harrison Ford shows up at #11.

Number games Because Harry Potter could soon beat Star Wars as the best-grossing movie franchise in the U.S. And yeah, while it didn’t beat Transformers 2’s opening weekend, Half-Blood Prince hasn’t done too shabby. (Would J.K. Rowling count as ‘Hollywood,’ Forbes?)

Flashback. Geoff Boucher digs up an old photo from the 70’s.

Other franchies… Warwick Davis talks a bit about a sequel to Willow with MTV. (We also learn that I am not the only person who hated the sequel books!)

The fandom minute: Wedge, dreams of Episode VII, collecting, princesses, day camp and go pro

A good wingman is hard to find. A t-shirt tribute to everyone’s favorite secondary character. This is an excellent shirt to wear when asking Aaron or Mike to sign your arm. (Yes men, you can get one, too.)

If you thought Episode I was slashtastic… Episode VII is among the five posters for sci-fi spinoffs that Sci Fi Wire really wants to see. Nice idea, but their suggestion of Peter Jackson is a bit much. (I mean, really? REALLY? Did no one see his King Kong? Lord of the Rings is one thing, but no giant gorilla movie has any right to go on that long.)

They don’t serve your kind. Duncan Jenkins’s guide to cantina collectibles.

Distressing damsels. Leia and Willow’s Sorsha are among Sci Fi Squad’s top ten princesses of sci-fi and fantasy.

Whoops. Seven classic star wars characters who totally dropped the ball.

Of course it’s Ann Arbor. TFN found a Star Wars day camp.

Lucas Online is hiring! Pablo and Bonnie have been out and about urging folks to apply for the Project Web Developer job. One could certainly do worse…

TGIF: Have a fun weekend!

Photo by rmkooi @ Flickr

For the Americans, have a safe and happy Fourth, and remember, if you must blow stuff up, at least be safe about it: We don’t want to give any stray Jedi a headache. For our international friends, a stormtrooper with a bubble wand, which is legal, festive, and appropriate for all outdoor occasions. (Photo by rmkooi at Flickr.)

In the spirit of the season, Scalzi has rated Sci Fi movies by their explosions. Both Star Wars and Return of the Jedi make the cut.

The fandom minute: A blogger, 25 women, a Hutt and a roleplayer walk into a cantina…

As tempting as it was to pull something from ROTS...It was inevitable… Hot Chicks With Stormtroopers, AKA a nicer take off of internet ‘sensation’ Hot Chicks with Douchbags, or as we like to call it in this fandom… No, sorry. Too easy. (Speaking of douchebags, io9’s weekend commentators are certainly doing their darnedest. Bravo, gentlemen.)

Lucas, Ford back on the Forbes Celebrity 100

George Lucas is on the Forbes Celebrity 100 again, this year clocking in at #24 – a hefty jump up from his 2008 spot of #46. The list’s only other Star Wars figure is, naturally, Harrison Ford, at #17.

Other geeks and geek icons making the rank include Steven Spielberg (#7,) Will Smith (#11,) Stephenie Meyer (#26,) Stephen King (#68,) Daniel Radcliffe (#70) and Tina Fey (#86.)

In less listy news, George will be honored by The Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago next weekend.