Peter Jackson’s King Kong remake is currently clocking in at 3 hours long, and the extra time has increased the budget by a third – to $207 million. (Two hundred and seven million!) Universal Pictures will be releasing the film at the (for now) full length – no word on how much footage they’ll hold back for the inevitable extended DVD.
Star Trek’s George Takei out of the closet
George Takei, Mr. Hikaru Sulu of Star Trek, came out in Frontiers, a L.A. magazine that covers the gay and lesbian community:
“The world has changed from when I was a young teen feeling ashamed for being gay,” he said. “The issue of gay marriage is now a political issue. That would have been unthinkable when I was young.”
The 68-year-old actor said he considers himself as “having been out for quite some time.” Takei and his partner, Brad Altman, have been together for 18 years.
(Via Fanthropology.)
Lucasfilm Animation in Singpore opens
The Boston Globe’s exhibit coverage
Want to keep an eye an articles about the Star Wars exhbit in Boston? Boston.com has a page dedicated to the exhibit, including the Lucas interview (in audio!) and a photo gallery.
Just like old times
Star Wars Kids has Revenge of the Sith Halloween masks that you can cut and print yourself. Nifty, if mildly disturbing.
Dark Lord of the Lard
This year, the Tulsa State Fair features a statue of Vader and Yoda made out of hundreds of pounds of butter.
You just can’t make this stuff up.
Who loves history?
The New Essential Chronology came out today, and starwars.com has endnotes for the book.
Dan Wallace started a talkback entry at his blog for the book, if you’re already pouring over it.
RIP Porkins
William Hootkins, who played Porkins in A New Hope, passed away on Sunday from pancreatic cancer. (via TFN.)
Kids love hobbits, right?
Changes in George Lucas’s Lord of the Rings: Special Edition. Rather predictable, but good for a giggle or two. (via The Movie Blog, which also gives George props.)
“Luke, I am your father.”
The most shocking revelation in Star Wars (at least to this generation) is #17 on Premiere’s list of the 25 Most Shocking Moments In Film History. Alien (#3) and Planet of the Apes (#18) are the other genre films that make the list.