'Star Wars: Rebels' POP Figures Are Coming! Sneak Peek!

The Funko Pop series of epic vinyl figures has covered just about every major character from all seven Star Wars films, with new collectibles already announced for this December’s upcoming anthology prequel, Rogue One (see them here). But Star Wars isn’t just movies these days, and Jedi fanatics have been wondering just when Funko would get around to making figures based on the ragtag crew of the rebel ship The Ghost.

Announcing the full line of

Star Wars Rebels Pops!

Funko announced (official announcement here) that they’re releasing the first full series of figures from Disney XD’s Star Wars: Rebels animated series. Now you’ll be able to proudly prop up Kanan Jarrus, Ezra Bridger, Zeb, Hera Syndulla, Chopper, Sabine, and Ahsoka Tano (some available now here) right up next to Luke, Leia, Han, and the rest. 

New Clips And Images From Rebels Season 3

There's a lot of fan excitement going into Season 3 about the introduction of Grand Admiral Thrawn, the beloved Expanded Universe/Legends character who will finally be making his debut into official Star Wars canon via Rebels. Above you'll see a new images of Thrawn alongside his fellow Imperials (Grand Moff Tarkin included). Few new pics below:

Kanan in his new mask (now that he's been blinded by Darth Maul)

Ezra continuing to display increasingly impressive abilities - even
 as there is concern as to how much that Sith holocron he's opened up is an
indicator that he is going down the wrong path.

When the Disney XD animated series returns on tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT, it heralds the return of the villain who first picked up the pieces of the shattered galactic Empire and served as antagonist in the ongoing stories of Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo. Thrawn was the central foe in author Timothy Zahn’s trilogy of Star Wars novels in the early 1990s, which became a new hope of sorts for fans who suddenly found the story didn’t end with Return of the Jedi.

“It was a huge deal. You couldn’t believe it,” says Rebels executive producer Dave Filoni, who was just a kid when the first book in the Thrawn trilogy came out in 1991. “I would go the bookstore and you’d see all the Star Trek books, tons of Star Trek books, and nothing Star Wars. Then all of a sudden this standee appeared! We waited for that book and we devoured it because we were so hungry for the continuation of the saga.”

Have you read the original Thrawn trilogy? Sound off on our Forcestrong Group. 

Disney Confirms New Star Wars Movie For 2020

Disney confirmed a third Star Wars film in the standalone series that will begin this December with "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." CEO Bob Iger told an investor gathering today that his company has largely “figured out the odds for making good films” as he talked up long-term planning for franchises including Star Wars.

Meanwhile he just heard a pitch from the director of the Star Wars movie due in 2019, and has hired a writer who’s developing another stand-alone Star Wars film for 2020.

So if you're counting, that means those who were born on the same 1977 day as "Star Wars" hit theaters will be 43 when this movie comes out. Since the series' popularity seems to just keep going, someday those same people will be able to take their great-great grand kids to watch a galaxy far, far away unfold on the big screen. (Although by then will we even see movies in theaters? They'll probably just beam them directly to our brain.)

So mark your calendars, you've got "Rogue One" this December, Episode VIII in December of 2017, a as-yet-untitled young Han Solo film in 2018, then Episode IX in 2019, and now this movie in 2020. The films are alternating release years between the remaining two of the original series and the three standalone movies.

Who do you think the movie will be about? A continuation of the new trilogy? Expanding on the background of an already well loved character? You tell us, Forcestrong!

Will Episode VIII Be Mark Hamill's Last? Possible Spoilers!

Spoiler Alert*

We didn't see or hear a whole heck of a lot of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: The Force Awakens... Never fear though because they're totally going to make up for that in Star Wars Episode VIII and Episode IX, right? We know from numerous sources that Luke Skywalker will be a fairly major part of the next part of the Star Wars saga, Episode VIII, but now, comments from The Master Jedi himself have cast some doubt on whether or not he'll be in Episode IX at all.

While interviewing Ray Davies at a special event in London over the weekend (via Den of Geek), Hamill told the crowd that "I finish Episode VIII, and then I’m out of work", hinting that Luke Skywalker will not be a part of Episode 9.

You heard it from the horse's mouth... What do you think? Will Episode VIII be Luke's last? Sound off on our Facebook Group.

The Force Awakens made it clear that these new chapters won't shy away from big deaths if it serves the story, and there's no question that Luke's death would hit hard. Of course, that's just one implication of what may yet turn out to be a throwaway comment by Hamill - for all we know he just hasn't got round to signing a new contract yet - so we'll just put this one under wait and see.

Directed by Rian Johnson and starring Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Laura Dern, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Gwendoline Christie, and Benicio del Toro, Star Wars: Episode 8 opens in cinemas on December 15, 2017.

Director Of Rogue One Corrects The Record - What's Different?

In May, reports emerged about reshoots for Disney's first-ever Star Wars spinoff movie, Rogue One, leading some to believe the film was in some way in trouble. Now, director Gareth Edwards has responded, saying the reshoots--which are commonplace in film--were planned from the start.

"I mean, it was always part of the plan to do reshoots. We always knew we were coming back somewhere to do stuff," he told Entertainment Weekly. "We just didn't know what it would be until we started sculpting the film in the edit."

Reports suggested the reshoots were done to "lighten the mood." Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, who is a producer on Rogue One, said the movie's tone and story is not changing.

"There's nothing about the story that's changing, with a few things that we're picking up in additional photography," she explained. "I think that's the most important thing, to reassure fans that it's the movie we intended to make."

Edwards added that he thinks concerns over Rogue One's reshoots were "blown out of proportion a little bit." He's also now increasingly skeptical of the internet.

Shouldn't we all be skeptical of the internet... I always am. Hopefully that puts the rumors to rest. Read the full article from Gamespot here.

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Rogue One is going rogue...

The next movie in the Star Wars canon is going rogue from the classic series in a lot of ways — and not just because it’s called, well, Rogue One. The Disney-backed spinoff is leaving the story of the Skywalker family behind, for starters, instead focusing on a brand-new rebel fighter. It’s depicting events that occur in between the chronology of the original six episodes.

But one of the biggest breaks with tradition, according to Entertainment Weekly, will definitely be the movie’s style. Even the iconicStar Wars opening script crawl, which has been a standard across the trilogies, is still very much up for debate in the new spinoff — and may not make it in.

“The crawl and some of those elements live so specifically within the ‘saga’ films that we are having a lot of discussion about what will define the [stand-alone] Star Wars Stories separate and apart from the saga films,” said Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. “So we’re right in the middle of talking about that.”

I think it should have the crawl. I mean the TV shows, comics, and everything has it. What do you think? Sound off on our Facebook Group. Read full article on Time here.

Star Wars: Battlefront 'Bespin' And More Game Upgrades

Now we can finally carbon freeze our fellow gamers in the lastest round of DLC for Star Wars: Battlefront. Bespin is a beautiful location full of grass, fountains, sculptures and stunning buildings that are in stark contrast to the rampaging AT-AT Walkers and orbital strikes raining down overhead. It is is a very important addition to Star Wars: Battlefront because it brings back the iconic carbon-freezing chamber where Luke and Darth Vader famously fought each and Han Solo was frozen before delivering on of the most iconic lines in the films. This time the graphics capture it better than ever with steam pouring from vents and eerie lighting shining from bellow. Structurally the five new maps in Bespin offer up wide open spaces, which favor snipers down to claustrophobic choke points that become a storm of grenades and laser fire.

There is a decent assortment of new weapons and Star Cards that aren’t game changers but do certainly add something to the game. Getting to play Lando is a lot of fun but he does take a bit more finesse than other characters as he is more a support character where the newly included bounty hunter Dengar is just a damage machine and feels a bit overpowered and it is surprisingly funny. The new game mode Sabotage is fun but not terrible dissimilar to any other capture the point mode, this time you are trying to blow up generators and defend extraction points. You can now play fighter squadron around, above and bellow Cloud City in one of it’s cloud cars and Emperor Palpatine now has his shock troopers replaced with the iconic Imperial Guard. The level cap is now at 70 and there have been a huge number of balance changes. It is is a strong piece of DLC for Star Wars: Battlefront but I betting the Death Star content coming this fall will be the biggest crowd pleaser this year. I give Bespin 8 out of 10.

-From Forbes

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Star Wars Battlefront Single Player mode update: PS4 and Xbox One leak brings a new hope
STAR WARS Battlefront fans have been teased with a new single player mode feature on Xbox One, PS4 and PC for quite sometime and it appears it may have finally surfaced.

While EA have confirmed that a single player mode is definitely on the cards for Battlefront 2, fans have been waiting to find out more on what might arrive for the original title later this year.

When developers DICE revealed their summer content plans for Star War Battlefront, they confirmed that a new single player experience would be part of that.

“We also have a couple of surprises in store that we know our fans have been looking for, especially those who have been clamoring for ways to have more options to enjoy Star Wars Battlefront offline. More to come soon,” an official developer message revealed.

Fans have now found further evidence of what that offline mode might be like.

-From Express

The Force Breaks More Records In The New Year! Surpasses Some BIG Ones.

Building towards the inevitable overtaking of Avatar, Star Wars TFA breaks new records today. Some big names like Titanic and Jurassic World have already fallen!

NBC reports:

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" marched confidently into the new year, raking in an additional $88.3 million over the New Year's weekend and topping the box office for a third week, according to studio estimates Sunday.

In addition to setting a new high mark in New Year's box office history, the record-busting film blew past the domestic grosses of both "Jurassic World" ($652.3 million) and "Titanic" ($658.7 million) to become the second-highest earner of all time with $740.3 million in just 19 days of release. 

The top domestic film is "Avatar" with a $760.5 million lifetime domestic gross, but "Star Wars" is barreling in to surpass it soon. For context, it took "Avatar" 72 days to reach $700 million. "Star Wars" did that in 16 days.

Well, how many times have you seen it? When will it overtake Avatar?

Sound off on our Forcestrong group (nearly 30,000 members!)

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" has now made $1 billion! How many times have you seen it?

CNN reports:

Disney (DIS) said Sunday that its blockbuster broke the $1 billion mark around the world faster than any other film in history.

The sci-fi adventure movie reached the milestone 12 days after its global release. That is one day earlier than the previous record holder -- Universal's "Jurassic World," which was released earlier this year.

The seventh film in the "Star Wars" saga has made $544.5 million in the U.S.
After only 10 days, it is the fifth biggest film in U.S. box office history.
"The Force Awakens" made $1 billion in half the time it took another Disney hit franchise, Marvel's"Avengers: Age of Ultron," to do so this summer.

So, how many times have you seen it? Did you watch it by yourself?

I know I need to see it again! Sound off on our group.

Like our page, which just hit 100,000 fans!! 

Magnificent Star Wars Ice Sculptures In Belgium

Have you seen these ice sculptures from Belgium? They have a festival there and using over 500 tons of ice made these incredible pieces of art. Over 30 artists worked on the figurines.

Alex Girard, Artistic Director, Star Wars Ice Sculpture Festival: "All of the carvers here are not necessarily fanatics of Star Wars, but when you're, we had a fan view sight, because we say hey, there will be fans. So is this at the good side, does the sword, is it that way? What is the garment that they are wearing? We have to be really precise. The form, the design of the helmets of the troopers and all of those elements had to be studied in detail."

Let us know which one you like the best. 

Join our group of over 28,000 members and like our page with nearly 100,000 fans.

Google Has Hidden Easter Eggs In It's Programming For Episode VII

Go type "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" into a google search bar. Go ahead - I'll wait...

For those of you that didn't, it triggers a 'Star Wars Crawl' for the results! Pretty cool, huh? That's just one of the hidden Easter Eggs for the Episode VII buildup.

In a blog post they revealed that google.com/starwars will allow you to choose either the light or dark side to change your Google theme on lots of different apps.

This decision will alter the Google experience. Everyday apps such as Gmail, Google Maps, and others will reflect the moral decision that users made – giving off a Jedi or Sith theme. Google Maps Street View will also put users into the cockpit of an X-Wing if they opt to choose the light side of the force.

Let us know what other Easter Eggs you can find. 

Stop by our group (over 28,000 members) and like our page  (nearly 100,000 fans). 

Forcestrong Editorial Breakdown Of Rogue One

Written By Wesley Younger

There isn't a more formidable force in cinematic fandom that that of Star Wars. It's been growing for almost 40 years with each generation adding millions of new fans.

One of the favorite pastimes of Star Wars fans is the endless debates and speculation that the Star Wars Universe offers. The Galaxy far far away is so rich in character and story that the most minute morsel of detail can bring forth hours of passionate deliberation. A 3:00 am breakfast at Denny's between Star Wars geeks can look like a parliamentary filibuster on C-Span. Sometimes entire hypothetical plots have been concocted by the most obscure characters or settings.

It is in that spirit Rogue One: A Star Wars story was brought to life.

LucasFilm chief creative officer John Knoll was a visual effects coordinator for the Star Wars prequels as well as countless other blockbusters, and one of the originators of Photoshop. In 2012 he pitched the idea of Rogue One to Kathleen Kennedy based on a line from the opening crawl of the very first Star Wars film A New Hope.

"During the battle, rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the Empire's ultimate weapon, the DEATH STAR."

To me this is a genius idea and I believe I can speak for most Star Wars fans when I say it's an idea we have all speculated on. It's the very action that sets everything we love about Star Wars into motion. The catalyst that prompts Darth Vader and Imperial Forces to attack Princess Leia's ship. It's the desperation of Princess Leia that causes her to hide the stolen plans in her Astromech Droid R2-D2 and send him to Tatooine with his bumbling companion C-3PO to deliver the plans to Obi Wan Kenobi, her only hope. It's those series of events that ultimately enters Luke Skywalker into the fold. 

The question is how did the Rebel spies do it? And who are these rebel spies? Are they the Bothans Mon Mothma mentioned? What battle did the Rebels win and how did that effect the acquisition of these plans? So many nuggets of curiosity packed in that one line written almost 40 years ago.

So now with the help of Lawrence Kasdan, Kathleen Kennedy and Director Gareth Edwards Disney prepares to make the very first Star Wars film not directly centered around the Skywalker saga (unless you include that God awful 80's Ewok movie).

Here are some things I'd like to see in Rogue One:

1.) An Identity for the Anthology films.

In an interview with the Costco Connection of all places Kathleen Kennedy said this in regards to future Star Wars projects:

"The Saga films focus on the Skywalker family saga. The stories follow a linear narrative that connects to the previous six films. The Force Awakens follows Return of the Jedi and continues that generational story. The Anthology films offer opportunities to explore fresh characters, new storylines and a variety of genres inside the Star Wars universe."

One of the major challenges Disney will have with creating Rogue One is identity. Disney will have to establish that this is still the Star Wars universe we've all grown to love without using all the tropes that identify with the saga films. Certain traditions such as saying "I have a bad feeling about this" and Wilhelm Screams can stick around as well as the universal facts like the roar of a Tie-Fighter and the horrible aim of Stormtroopers.

However certain Star Wars guarantees such as Lightsaber battles and even the use of the force may have to take a backseat in order expand the universe and explore different types of heroes and villains.

One major change already guaranteed is the score. It's almost blasphemous to think of a Star Wars film not being scored by the legendary John Williams but Disney has hired Alexandre Desplat (The King's Speech) to score Rogue One. A familiar sounding Star Wars score without some of the signature themes would be one way to put you in the Star Wars universe while letting you know this isn't same old same old.

Personally I think it would be great if the film started with the iconic blue text

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....

But hit you with a completely different piece of music than the Star Wars theme. We could still get an opening crawl preceded by the Star Wars logo but make a subtle but dramatic change by making the text red. All of these things could go a long way in establishing identity.

2.) Dirty, Gritty, War

Director Gareth Edwards hasn't been shy about the fact that Rogue One will be a War Film. "It's called Star WARS" he said at Star Wars celebration. "The absence of the Jedi is omnipresent in the film. It hangs over the whole movie.” Edwards went on to explain. 

Its almost unfathomable to watch a Star Wars film without the presence of Jedi but that's what will happen with Rogue One. A rebellion in despair, backs against the wall facing almost certain destruction. In need for A New Hope. “It’s about the fact that god’s not coming to save us, and we’re on our own" said Edwards.

We know before Episode IV the rebellion scores their first victory vs the Empire in some sort of battle. I expect this battle to be the focal point of this film. When on screen the movie will be more similar to the Battlefront video game with a story more similar to Battlefront:Twilight Company. 

3.) Darth Vader being a Sith Lord While the omission of Jedi seems to be one of the central themes in Rogue One according to Gareth Edwards, the Sith's role wasn't mentioned.

With the plot taking place just before a New Hope it's hard to believe we won't see Darth Vader and maybe even the Emperor himself making an appearance or even having a central role.

If Vader does appear I believe it will be in more of a supporting role or maybe even a final act appearance. The problem with this is that it's one more battle we know Vader loses. It's obvious the Rebel Alliance steals the Death Star plans because we've seen A New Hope. Disney will have to find a way for the rebels to win that still allows Vader to maintain his badassery.

Maybe Vader kills all the Bothans himself. Or even better the Rogue One heroes are on Alderaan when Tarkin and Vader blow it up with the Death Star.

Either way the writers of Rogue One need to maintain the the threat of Darth Vader for the integrity of the character and the original trilogy. With Brian Muir the original sculptor of Vader's helmet being signed for Rogue One it seems likely we will see Vader on screen again.

As somebody who's not a huge fan of the prequels I believe Rogue One is not only a chance to expand the Universe but to give us the prequels we never got. While we may not get the retelling of the fall of Anakin Skywalker a story with Vader showcasing his strength such as in the book "Lords of the Sith" could make for a memorable cinematic experience.

Rogue One is due for release on December 16th 2016

You Can Play Battlefront Right Now On EA Access!

 

Anyone playing Battlefront yet?

If you have an Xbox One and have decided to drop some money every month into the EA Access, then you may now fire up one of the hottest video games of the year, Star Wars Battlefront!
The game can now be found on the EA Access menu. Selecting it should take you to the game where it will be available to download.

Once you download it, the full game is yours, assuming you bought it. Just be careful for the amount of time you sink into it because you only get it for 10 hours until it becomes available to everyone next week.

If you’ve got EA Access, give it a download and let us know what you think.

Updates To BB-8 App Yesterday! Including Capt. Phasma and First Order Stormtrooper.

Click pic to get your own BB-8

There's just something about BB-8: With no more than movie-trailer glimpses, its roly-poly form with perilously perched head has the power to mesmerize and delight. It looks like nothing else, and yet seems somehow singularly "Star Wars," with just as much innate personality as its cousin R2-D2. 

Yesterday BB-8 owners gained access to exclusive content through their apps, including dialogue provided by Disney unit Lucasfilm, from “The Force Awakens.” Villainous Captain Phasma (played by “Game of Thrones” star Gwendoline Christie) and a stormtrooper for the evil First Order will be the first new characters given the BB-8 treatment. The release comes on the heels of a content release last week which included R2-D2 and fellow legacy character C-3PO.

Click pic to get your own BB-8

Owners won’t need to worry about shelling out more money for the app updates, either, as they’re included in the original $149.99 price, Blakely said. He added that there are no plans to raise the price on BB-8, even as the company works to satisfy the hot market for the toy during the holiday-shopping season.

Sphero significantly ramped up BB-8 production after legions of fans snapped up the toy during the Force Friday event early in September.

Checkout the epic video below:

Probably going to be the hottest toy for the holidays. Get one here!

If you have a BB-8 and got the update then let us know on our FB group. You can also like our page to stay up-to-date on all things Star Wars. 

Source:  Space.com and Wall Street Journal

Asian Star Wars Trailer Reveals Some Great New Scenes

Check out the video above for a few new scenes from The Force Awakens!

We now know that Rey encounters Kylo at one point. Will she be the new Jedi? Will we have more than one on the light side? I CAN'T WAIT TILL NEXT MONTH! Comment your thoughts or join our FB group and like our page.

I am not going to do a blow-by-blow of the new footage (you can simply watch it above). We get dialogue from Princess Leia, we get actual character intros for Rey (Daisy Ridley and Finn (John Boyega), actual dialogue from Rey, a brief appearance from Chewbacca, and slight variations on the action beats we’ve already seen. The general structure is the same as last month’s big trailer, and for the record even this new footage doesn’t give much away.

Can you stay away from the footage? You are so close to the opening! Or, are you one of the fans who wants to analyze every frame made available between now and opening day. That’s fine, too. If you are, we have you covered. Here’s that official U.S. trailer, in glorious HD. See how it differs from the Asian clip that just landed.

Star Wars Battlefront Season Pass: Is it worth it?

EA announced a Battlefront Season Pass which is now available for pre-order here.

What does the season pass get you?

This....

The price? A whopping $49.99

As much as I love Star Wars, they better have some more stuff for that fifty bucks they want me to fork over.  Maybe it's just me, but I'd find it a hard pill to swallow, paying almost the price of a regular game for 4 expansions and an emote. The whole idea of a season pass is that you pay in bulk at a lower per unit cost, plus get some exclusives that make it worthwhile. 

Click pic to pre-order

While the 2 week early access & emote is nice and everything, I think they should consider adding a unique weapon or even an alternate character uniform scheme. Something that would make you stand out from the other players. Maybe different camouflage & gear or perhaps a character only playable by season pass holders (like a commando or special forces unit for both sides).....something!

However, like the statement says, more news will be revealed soon, so I may be worried for no reason.....then again, what if my concerns are justified?

Would you pay for a season pass? Let us know on our FB page & FB Group!

Source: Starwars.ea.com

Emperor Palpatine Initiates His Plan To Incorporate Earth Into The Galactic Empire

Looks like Earth is next on the Galactic Empire's check list!

It appears that while we are not as technologically advanced as those from a galaxy far, far away, we pose enough of a threat to avoid direct military action. The Emperor has opted to take a more passive approach, much like he did with the Galactic Senate. A very passive approach.

It was recently announced that Sheev Palpatine has just been elected to the Odessa City Council in Ukraine. His run for city mayor is expected to follow during the next mayoral elections. While speaking to one of his aids, we were told his campaign slogan was "The city today. Tomorrow, the world!"....and then we were told to move along.

The Emperor Celebrating his City Council victory!

Ok, ok, all kidding aside, this Palpatine is actually Aleksandr Borovik. He's a candidate who ran under the guise of the emperor along with the others running as Darth Vader and Chewbacca as a joke. However, being that Mr. Borovik was actually a registered member of the Darth Vader Block Party, an organization qualified to run for city elections, he won. Not only that, but he got over 54% of the votes!

While Mr. Borovik respects the voters choice, he was quoted as saying "This is beyond my understanding. People, what's wrong with you?"

I'll tell you what's wrong Alex. People all over the world are getting really tired of their politician's sh-- uh, I mean crap...and they'd rather vote for ANYONE instead of another career politician!


Source: Daily Mail

Are You Ready For That Darth Maul Game?

Remember that canceled Darth Maul game? Well - Red Fly Studio wants to breathe new life into it again!

Speaking during a Reddit AMA, Red Fly developer Dan Borth answered some questions regarding what the game would be should the team manage to find a new home for it.

“We have been burning a candle for this game since it was killed,” continues Borth, “[and we hope] we can get it turned back on again. If that is to happen, we need to approach EA with a demo that will impress them. I think we have that or are close to it. Still it is completely not up to us.”
And for the die-hard fans of the prequels, there’s an idea that’s sure to be met with complete approval: “I would vote for an Easter egg where Maul kills Jar Jar over and over.”

Game Informer did an interesting article on Darth Maul's initial development in a past issue. Apparently this game was supposed to be a stealth/action hybrid, not dissimilar to Arkham Asylum. Maul is obviously a powerful warriors but in many situations he would need to rely on the Force and his ability to kill silently. He was a "glass cannon": able to dish out a lot of damage but also very fragile.

Check out the video below! I REALLY want this game to be made. Let us know what you think in the comments.

Make sure you join our FB group (27,000 members) and like our page (nearly 95,000 fans)

Source:  IGN, Cinema Blend

New Star Wars Laptop Coming From HP. Pre-orders Start Today!

Just when you thought they’d branded every possible product with Star Wars logos, HP proves us all wrong with a Sith-inspired laptop. What does a Star Wars laptop even look like? You might ask. Well young padawan, trust in your training as we take you through it.

Seemingly scavenged from the wreckage of the second Death Star, HP's new laptop brings darkside disciples the battle-scarred Stars Wars chassis they've been waiting for. This exclusive Stars Wars Special Edition Notebook started out life as a regular 15-inch HP Pavilion, but has since received a full Stormtroper-like makeover and now stands as a shining example of the Empire. It starts at just $699 with an Intel 6th Gen Core i5 or i7 CPU, up to 16GB of RAM and 2TB of storage, an optional Nvidia Geforce 940M graphics card and your usual assortment of USB 3.0 and HDMI ports.

The laptop is wrapped in a black and grey print reminiscent of the Galactic Empire’s spaceships, with Darth Vader featured prominently on the lid. The entire keyboard is lit up by a sinister red backlight, so you can really feel the anger flowing through you. It’s also loaded up with the Star Wars Command Center, which features thousands of wallpapers, screen savers, and art from the Star Wars archives. Plus, the noises in Windows have all been replaced with a custom set inspired by the movies.

The other content that comes on the machine includes digital copies of the original comics from the 70’s, storyboards from the movies, behind-the-scenes photos and more. Also bundled with the system is a one-year subscription to Fandor, which is a subscription movie viewing service with a regular price of $90.

Who wants one? Pre-orders start today, October 8, on HP’s website with full availability next month on November 8. If you will be ordering let us know in comments.  Make sure you join our FB group (26,000 members) and like our page (90,000 fans)!

Sources: Digital Trends & LapTopMag

These are VERY well written!  Click pic to see them all.

Which One Of You Bought Leia's Bikini? Metal Bikini & Model 'Blockade Runner' Ship Sold At Auction.

Level with me Forcestrong, Which one of you bought it?

The winning bidder was not named but someone paid $96,000 for the iconic metal bikini worn by Princess Leia in Return of the Jedi. Most likely a Forcestrong member, so please post pics on our group when you have time.

The winner also got the collar and several other chain links (#Kinky)... A letter of authenticity from Richard Miller was also included.  

The bikini wasn't even the highest priced item that sold at the auction.  A model of the Corellian Corvette known as the 'Blockade Runner' (pictured above) sold for $450,000!  Quite a catch.

If you bought it then let us know.  Make sure to like our page and join our group.

Source:  CNN

Can't wait to get these droid minifigs!  Check it here

Can't wait to start this calendar.  Click pic to see them all

The Force Is Strong With Colorado Springs, But They Still Need Our Help!

You know.....for a bunch of Imperials, the 501st is all heart!

When Rob Fountain & Jason Aguilar of the Colorado Springs Rotary Prime approached them about helping out with a special event, they all agreed to to chip in!

That special event was a fund raising event for 6 year old Benjamin Blazis. Benjamin suffers from a rare genetic disorder that has stumped every doctor and specialist that has seen him. It all started when he was 9 months old. His parents, Joyce & Eddie Blazis, noticed something was wrong with him and took him to see a doctor. An ophthalmologist told them that Benjamin was having constant seizures. Since then a variety of other symptoms have also begun.

Benjamin with his mom & dad amid countless other supporters

Benjamin now takes several types of medication, eats through a feeding tube connected to his stomach, and has an implant that stimulates his nerves to help prevent seizures. Doctors have stated that while they are still uncertain of what this medical condition is, they do know that it's progression will eventually leave Benjamin paralyzed and in a wheelchair. The funds collected will used to renovate the Blazis family home to accommodate their son's current and future needs.

Rob Fountain & Jason Aguilar set up the entire event at Johnny Martin's Car Central where members of the 501st greeted and entertained the charity attendees. Their hope was to raise at least $5000 for the needed home renovations.

Benjamin high-fiving a Shadow trooper who came out to support him

The collections were by way of $20 donations, a silent auction of Star Wars memorabilia,and a GoFundMe page. Since the GoFundMe page was set up on 16 days ago, a mere $700 of the $5,000 goal has been collected.

As a star wars fan and a parent myself, I appeal to you to please forward this article to as many people as you can in the hopes of helping Rob & Jason reach the $5,000 goal to help the Blazis family!

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Source: The Gazette, Rotary Prime, GoFundMe