CLASSIC ART: THE FIRST 'STAR WARS' 3-D EXPERIENCE!

Whilst most official STAR WARS merchandise had fizzled out by 1985, there were still some rare and exciting examples out there for fans to enjoy for a few years afterwards, like this fun, short-run Classic Trilogy STAR WARS 3-D comic series from independent company Blackthorne, originally planned for six issues but only making it to print as three during the saga's Tenth Anniversary. Long out of circulation, copies recently surfaced on Ebay have been fetching high prices...

Luke and Vader meet?!

Going undercover with our heroes...

EPISODE I BEHIND THE SCENES: PICTURE SEVEN - A SITH IN TRAINING

Day seven of our behind the scenes tribute to the now-in-cinemas EPISODE I in 3D, where, despite the intense 100 degrees plus heat of Tunisia during filming in the summer of 1997, even fearsome and iconic Sith Lords like Darth Maul, as memorably played by Ray Park, have to keep in shape for their constant battling against their Jedi opponents: in this case the unsuspecting Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson).

With thanks to LUCASFILM, FOX and SUBSTANCE for the above image.

EPISODE I: back on the big screen where it belongs. And in 3D.

Once believed dead and back to reality, rumoured to have been brought to life via a mixture of dark magic and droid technology, Darth Maul returns to the Prequel Universe in a big way next month as part of an epic four part story arc in THE CLONE WARS animated series. Check out THEFORCE.NET's recent sneak peek from Skywalker Ranch of the beloved baddie's return: TheForce.Net - Latest News - TCW Maul Sneak Peek From Skywalker Ranch

Let's hope that the animated team do this popular character proud in his animated debut.

Check out the ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY preview for Maul's return here: 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars': Darth Maul | Inside TV | EW.com

EPISODE I BEHIND THE SCENES: PICTURE SIX - "I'M KEEPING HIM!"

Dorothy had Toto, Tintin had Snowy, and Indy had Short Round. With the STAR WARS Prequels, we see that Anakin had Artoo Detoo (particularly in the final two movies)- a fine pairing conceived by creator George Lucas, as seen in this behind the scenes images- picture five in our week long tribute to EPISODE I's return to cinema screens in 3D (starting from midnight this morning in the UK)- with young Jake Lloyd showing the kind of enthusiasm and love for the Astro Droid that audiences still have for it thirty five years on...

Back in cinemas where it belongs: EPISODE I. Now in 3D.

A look at the EPISODE I fan screening in Australia, alongside an unfairly harsh movie review: Culturemodo: The Phantom Menace 3D Review | Gizmodo Australia (with thanks to Adywan for the heads-up)

"Big Game" Superbowl spot for EPISODE I: Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace 3D - "Big Game" TV spot - YouTube  and kids spot: Star Wars Featurette Kids - YouTube

For more on the new 3D releases, head over to the YOUTUBE official STAR WARS site for trailers and clips: starwars's Channel - YouTube

EPISODE I PREVIEW SCREENING COMPETITION WINNERS...

The French poster for the upcoming EPISODE I re-release in 3D.

THE PHANTOM MENACE makes its return next month, and we're pleased to announce that the winners of tickets to the upcoming London preview screening were Mariana Camacho and Jason W.

Congratulations, and enjoy the film back on the big screen- where it belongs!

STAR WARS: EPISODE ONE - 3-D. NEW PICTURES...

Here's a couple of new colour images released today by LUCASFILM/FOX for next February's upcoming 3-D theatrical release of EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE. Darth Maul (Ray Park) will surely look more menacing and formidable than ever back on the big screen, whilst heroic and noble Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson), with Obi-Wan Kenobi alongside him, will once more be there to defy the Sith warrior.

More news, pics and info on the STAR WARS movie event of 2012 as and when...

FIRST LOOK: EPISODE I 3-D

Well, STARWARS.COM and TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX have now officially released their first trailer for EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE 3-D, to be released in the UK and US from February 2012.

StarWars.com | Star Wars: Episode I in 3D Trailer

It's a nice compilation of all the important elements that made the first of the Prequels such a big success back in 1999, despite its splitting fandom right down the middle as to the movies actual merits (any STAR WARS fans that regularly read this site will know that I'm on the positive side of the fence with regards to the overall Prequels), and those who hate Jar Jar Binks will be greatly relieved to discover he's not shown in any of it's 1 minute and 33 seconds, though brave Captain Tarpals and the rest of the Gungan army are seen in action against the Battle Droids and their tanks.

Here's some links for the future...

Official Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/StarWarsUK

Official Website:

3D.StarWars.com

With its firm concentrating on key elements that wowed audiences on its original release rather than on the actual story of young Anakin Skywalker's rise and fall, I'm not the greatest fan of the new official release poster for EPISODE I, and think that the new 3-D STAR WARS films really deserve better treatment: like beautiful, specially commissioned artwork to herald the movie event rather than the awful and cheap photoshop composition work on display here: a Hollywood factor which has, in the last ten years, blunted the impact of so many of todays modern films and blockbusters.

CLASSIC IMAGE: CORUSCANT- A CITY WORLD OF WONDER!

One of the great things that the STAR WARS Prequels did so well, and what continues to make them stand out and be so pioneering in comparison to so many other modern sci-fi films and TV programmes out there, is the incredible worlds of wonder that George Lucas and his team of artists and digital/model makers would think up and create over the space of three movies. And especially so for EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH - from the volcanic and dangerous Mustafa to the lush, tropical Wookiee world of Kashyyyk, and to here, in this picture, the incredible and beautiful capital and Senate District of the sadly corrupt Republic, and the later birth place of its Imperial Empire- Coruscant- as seen in this terrific ILM image - a true testament to the films amazingly talented artists.

We look forward to seeing these incredible vistas once again on both the small screen (with pristine quality Blu-rays next year) and, even better, the big screen, and in 3D, in the hopefully not too distant future...

RETURN OF THE JEDI: 3-D!

According to FRONT ROW, the BBC radio programme devoted to the arts, which aired just now (Friday 1st October 19.38pm) the first two STAR WARS films that are being released in the 3-D format are THE PHANTOM MENACE (which we already knew about from the prior LUCASFILM press release), then RETURN OF THE JEDI! Where FRONT ROW got this info is unknown, and why ROTJ has been selected as the next film for release is also a mystery, as I thought the films were being converted and shown in order. Perhaps the BBC got it wrong, and meant that JEDI was the next film to be converted on the ILM schedule rather than the next theatrical release.

We're sure to learn more from LUCASFILM in due time...

STAR WARS 3-D. IT'S FINALLY COMING!

And now its official. The entire STAR WARS saga in 3-D theatrical release, safe in the supervisory hands of effects guru John Knoll working with the ILM team, and surely with "a few new surprises" begins from 2012 with EPISODE ONE (though lets hope that UK IMAX cinemas get to show 'em all, too-they completely ignored the IMAX version of EPISODE II back in 2002-the damned fools!). This is all further great news in what has already been an amazing year for STAR WARS, what with Celebration V, the continuing CLONE WARS animated series and next year's Blu-ray box set release. All I need now is a box of Ferrero Roche chocolates and I'll be feeling really spoiled!

Now, George, how about EPISODEs VII to IX??!!