Star Wars with occasional sarcasm
For those of us who can’t or wouldn’t make the trip down to Orlando last weekend, all (well, most of) the new Her Universe stuff that debuted at Star Wars Weekends is online now.
Fans attending the first Star Wars Weekend this year at Disney World got a special message from J.J. Abrams. He doesn’t drop any mystery box bombs, but it’s a nice gesture.
And while the beloved/controversial Dance-Off With The Star Wars Stars has been replaced with a more “respectful” and “tasteful” finale show, there are Stormtroopers rocking out to Earth hits, which I suppose is something:
Mark Hamill: “I would be the most reviled person on the planet,” if he had turned down Episode VII. We already knew about he and Carrie Fisher’s Celebration lunch with George Lucas, but the quote about “angry townspeople with torches” is sadly probably true. Shameful, but true. This is not a gentle fandom.
Win Her Universe’s My Hero jewelry collection. Enter by May 31st to win every item in the Artoo collection. The pieces are on sale now at Star Wars Weekends and will be available online on the 19th.
Here’s your first look at the Her Universe boutique at Darth’s Mall (complete with dressing room,) plus the My Hero display and new dresses waiting for buyers at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Weekends. The new collection we saw last week is debuting there, and most will be available online as well.
The first Weekend of the year begins Friday with guests Ahmed Best, Peter Mayhew, and Vanessa Marshall.
Her Universe’s new ‘My Hero” collection all feature R2-D2 and will debut at Weekends and on the Her Universe site on May 19th. A key chain from the collection – limited to 300 – will be the Weekends exclusive.
There’s a whole bunch of new tees, tanks and dresses as well, including a great Han Solo dress, two new hooded tanks and (finally!) an plus-size logo tee. Check them out under the cut.
Disney World’s full Star Wars Weekends lineup. We already knew about Mark Hamill, but the rest of the weekend names are out now. In addition to the various film and Clone Wars alums, they’ve added several Rebels cast members: Vanessa Marshall, Tiya Sircar, Taylor Gray and Steve Blum.
Mark Hamill will be attending his first Star Wars Weekend this year, Disney Parks announced today. He’ll be at Disney World June 6-8, or Weekend IV.
That seems like it could be right smack in the middle of Episode VII filming, so naturally the speculation has ramped up, confirmation or no confirmation. What does this say about his (presumed) shooting schedule? Could the details waiting to be revealed be waiting on casting announcements? So much buzzing, I’m getting a headache.
One thing is for sure: Lucasfilm and Disney can probably afford the airfare between London and Orlando, or Orlando and anywhere else. (We can say one thing: Hamill recorded a live podcast in Los Angeles on Tuesday.)
Word on the streets (well, the message boards) is that Disney has told the 501st and Rebel Legions that certain Expanded Universe characters are “not being allowed to march” in the Star Wars Weekend Motorcade. The only character we know for sure at this time is Mara Jade, but it’s easy to guess at several others from there. Nanci Tosche Station has thoughts.
One big question: Would this apply to characters from other eras who haven’t crossed over into tv or movies, like the Old Republic, or does it only affect post-Return of the Jedi characters who may in the path of the sequels?
Although this means certain costumers (including quite a few women) will no longer be able to march in the official parade, certain means of quiet protest have been suggested: Attendees can still dress in costumes or don EU character shirts.
UPDATE: TFN’s Eric Geller reached out the Lucasfilm on this, and they told him “that neither Disney nor LFL ordered a prohibition on EU characters in the SW Weekends parade.” Tosche Station maintains they’ve heard otherwise from 501st members, although no one is yet sure how high at Disney the orders may come from.
UPDATE #2: More explanation…
Time to start planning your summer vacation around Star Wars! Walt Disney World has announced the 2014 schedule of Star Wars Weekends, including the expansion to a fifth weekend and the addition of nightly fireworks.
Held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars Weekends (each Fri-Sun from mid-May to mid-June) will be hosted by fan favorite voice actor James Arnold Taylor. This year’s theme, “Join the Rebellion,” looks to loosely tie into the launch of Rebels.
Sadly, Dunc’s favorite part of Star Wars Weekends will not be returning – the Hyperspace Hoopla show has been retired. The Star Wars dance-off stage show has done its last boogie and will be replaced with new shows and the Symphony in the Stars fireworks show. No word yet on whether Disney World will be doing a May the 4th event.
Planning out the rest of your travel itinerary?
Legoland California in Carlsbad is having its annual Star Wars Days on the last weekend of March. No word yet on whether Legoland Florida will have its own Star Wars Days, which it first started at the Winter Haven park last year for May the 4th.