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Forest Whitaker Appears at Star Wars Celebration Orlando

Academy Award-winner Forest Whitaker joins Rogue One co-star Felicity Jones on the StarWars.com stage for a conversation on Saturday April 15th at Star Wars Celebration!

Press Release:

The original rebel is coming to Star Wars Celebration Orlando.

Forest Whitaker (Saw Gerrera in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars Rebels) is officially heading to the upcoming event, and will be signing autographs at the Star Wars Celebration Autograph Hall in Orlando, The Topps Company and Authenticators, Inc. announced today.

As Saw Gerrera — a hardened yet sympathetic rebel holding a key message for Jyn Erso — Whitaker became an immediate fan favorite. One of the world’s most accomplished actors and an Academy Award winner, Whitaker will be making his second Celebration appearance, and will also stop by the Star Wars Show LIVE stage with Felicity Jones on Saturday for a one-on-one chat.

The actor join a growing lineup of Star Wars greats coming to the Star Wars Celebration Autograph Hall, including: Felicity Jones (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Ian McDiarmid (the Emperor), Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Alan Tudyk (K-2SO), Vanessa Marshall (Hera Syndulla, Star Wars Rebels), Matthew Wood (supervising sound editor at Skywalker Sound and voice of General Grievous), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Riz Ahmed (Bodhi Rook in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Freddie Prinze Jr. (Kanan Jarrus, Star Wars Rebels), Sarah Michelle Gellar (the Seventh Sister, Star Wars Rebels), Ray Park (Darth Maul), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Daniel Logan (Boba Fett, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Taylor Gray (Ezra Bridger, Star Wars Rebels), Brian Herring (BB-8 puppeteer, Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Angus MacInnes (Dutch “Gold Leader” Vander, Star Wars: A New Hope and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Clive Revill (Emperor Palpatine in the original version of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back), Tim Rose (animatronic designer and puppeteer of Admiral Ackbar in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Paul Blake (Greedo, Star Wars: A New Hope), and Jimmy Vee (R2-D2, Star Wars: The Last Jedi).

Stay tuned to StarWars.com for more on Star Wars Celebration Orlando!

Fans can purchase authentic movie photos and officially licensed Star Wars memorabilia to get signed at the autograph pavilion at StarWarsAuthentics.com.

Star Wars Celebration Orlando will take place April 13-16 at the Orange County Convention Center. Visit StarWarsCelebration.com for tickets and more info!

Hayden Christensen Joins Star Wars Celebration Orlando

Press Release:

Star Wars turns 40 this year, and Lucasfilm is celebrating with an event that will be long remembered.

On Thursday, April 13, Star Wars Celebration Orlando will feature “40 Years of Star Wars,” a special panel gathering Star Wars creators and stars from across the saga’s history. Although many galactic-sized surprises are still being saved for the event, Lucasfilm is excited to announce some new panelists that are among the biggest names in Star Wars.

Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker), star of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, returns to Celebration for the first time since 2002. Christensen will also meet fans and sign autographs at the show.

He joins an impressive list of Star Wars greats at the panel, including: Kathleen Kennedy (Lucasfilm president), Dave Filoni (executive producer, Star Wars Rebels), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Ian McDiarmid (the Emperor/Darth Sidious), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), and Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian).

Never before have this many involved in bringing Star Wars to life — from the original trilogy to the prequels to the current Star Wars Rebels animated series — joined together in one place to discuss a galaxy far, far away. Plenty of surprises are in store so fans will not want to miss this very important kick-off to Celebration. Wristband details can be found on the official Celebration site.

Star Wars Celebration Orlando will take place April 13-16 at the Orange County Convention Center. Visit StarWarsCelebration.com for tickets and more info!

Star Wars Celebration Welcomes Mark Hamill to Orlando

The Jedi Master himself, Mark Hamill, is coming to Star Wars Celebration Orlando! Best known as Luke Skywalker in George Lucas’ original Star Wars trilogy, he returned to the role in J.J Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens and will continue in Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi. For tickets and further information please go to the website: www.starwarscelebration.com

Mark Hamill’s career has encompassed all aspects of entertainment including stage, screen, television and new media. Film credits include: Corvette Summer, Samuel Fuller’s The Big Red One, Slipstream, Walking Across Egypt, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Sushi Girl, Kingsman: The Secret Service and playing Kyle Mooney’s father in the upcoming Brisby Bear along with Jane Adams, Greg Kinnear and Adam Samberg. Hamill directed and starred in the cult mockumentary Comic Book: The Movie.

Broadway credits include The Elephant Man, Amadeus (also First National Tour), Michael Stewart’s Harrigan n’ Hart, The Nerd, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks and the Roundabout Theatre production of Room Service.

A prolific voice-over artist, he has performed in countless television cartoons, feature films and video games. Hamill first played the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series. He returned to the role in the Arkham Asylum video game series for which he received a BAFTA award & in last year’s groundbreaking R-rated animated film, The Killing Joke.

This trend continued when he returned as The Trickster on CW’s The Flash, a role he first played in the original CBS series.

Hamill has re-teamed with Wing Commander creator Chris Roberts for Star Citizen: Squadron 42 with Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson & Ben Mendelsohn.

As an avid collector he created Mark Hamill’s Pop Culture Quest which debuted last November on Comic Con HQ.

 

Star Wars Celebration 2017 Art Show

Press Release:

For this year’s Star Wars Celebration, which comes to the Orange County Convention Center on April 13-16, more talented Star Wars artists than ever before were considered for inclusion in the Celebration Art Show, one of the event’s most popular features. To qualify, artists must have previously created Star Wars artwork for Lucasfilm or for a Lucasfilm licensee. Though each was well-established and highly-regarded in the Star Wars community, a select number had to be chosen to keep the Art Show at Celebration a reasonable size.

To answer the challenge of selecting a limited number of artists from such a large, capable field, Lucasfilm’s Celebration team brought together an A-list of Lucasfilm talent, including experts in Star Wars characters and continuity, to do the judging. While the competition was fierce, a final set of artists were selected to participate in the 2017 Celebration Art Show – a big congratulations to the following artists: 

• Adrianna Vanderstelt
• Alex Buechel
• Brad Hudson
• Brent Woodside
• Brent Woodside
• Brian DeGuire
• Brian Miller
• Brian Rood
• Chris Dee
• Chris Reiff
• Chris Trevas
• Cryssy Cheung
• Danny Haas
• Drew Baker
• Erik Maell
• Jake Murray
• Jason Palmer
• Jason W. Christman
• Jeff Carlisle
• Jerry Vanderstelt
• Joe Corroney
• Joe Hogan
• Joshua Smith
• Katie Cook
• Lee Kohse
• Lin Zy Busch
• Malcolm Tween
• Matt Busch
• Randy Martinez
• Russell Walks
• Scott Harben
• Stephen Hayford
• William O’Neill

Click here to preview and purchase the exclusive art print…

For tickets and further information please go to the website: www.starwarscelebration.com

Pictured art: I Am No Jedi by Danny Haas

Star Wars Celebration Welcomes Freddie Prinze Jr. & Sarah Michelle Gellar

Freddie Prinze Jr. (the voice of Kanan Jarrus) and Sarah Michelle Gellar (the voice of the Seventh Sister), will be at Star Wars Celebration! For tickets and further information please go to the website: www.starwarscelebration.com

Freddie Prinze Jr.: Kanan, Star Wars: Rebels

As one of the faces of the 1990s, Freddie rose to fame starring in such movies as She’s All That, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and the sequel I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. He later starred in the Scooby Doo franchise and Summer Catch opposite Jessica Biel.

In 2005 Freddie created and starred in a sitcom for ABC based on his own life, and aptly named Freddie.
Post-Freddie, Prinze has guest starred on programs like Psych, Boston Legal, and The George Lopez Show.
In 2010 Freddie joined the cast of 24 for its final season as “Agent Cole Ortiz,” CTU’s New York Director of Operations. His memorable arc found him playing both sides as he navigated a complex relationship with “Dana Walsh” (Katee Sackhoff) while serving in the field alongside Kiefer Sutherland’s “Jack Bauer” as they fight to protect New York from terrorists.

In 2016 Freddie was the host for USA’s First Impressions with Dana Carvey and released his first cookbook Back in the Kitchen in June. Currently, Freddie voices the Jedi character Kanan in the animated series Star Wars Rebels, which airs on Disney XD.

Also an active writer and producer, Freddie lives in Los Angeles with his wife Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Sarah Michelle Gellar: Seventh Sister, Star Wars: Rebels

Determined and accomplished are two words that best describe Golden Globe nominee and Emmy winner Sarah Michelle Gellar. Beginning her career as a child actress, Gellar has remained a leader on the road of success.  A veteran of television, theater and the big screen, Gellar’s list of credits are long, which has helped her build and maintain her status in the industry.

Gellar is well known for her work on the small screen including CBS’ The Crazy Ones opposite Robin Williams, her role as the iconic Buffy the Vampire Slayer, CW’s Ringer and ABC’s All My Children. Gellar is also the voice of the Seventh Sister ‘Inquisitor’ on Disney XD’s popular Star Wars Rebels.

Gellar’s film credits include Das Films’ Veronika Decides To Die, The Yari Film Group’s Possession, The Air I Breathe, Southland Tales, The Grudge, The Grudge 2, Scooby Doo and Scooby Doo: Monsters Unleashed, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Scream 2, Cruel Intentions, and Harvard Man. In 2009 Gellar starred and served as the executive producer in the HBO TV movie The Wonderful Maladys. 

No stranger to the world of voice over, Gellar lent her voice in Lionsgate’s Happily N’Ever After, Adult Swim’s Robot Chicken, Fox’s The Simpsons and American Dad, and Warner Brothers Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Gellar recently stepped into a new role, entrepreneur, launching Foodstirs in along with Galit Laibow, and Greg Fleishman. Foodstirs is a culinary lifestyle brand that offers convenient, delicious and healthier ways to bring families together in the kitchen.  From creative baking kits to premium signature quick-scratch baking mixes Foodstirs inspires creativity and curiosity, while emphasizing the importance of a healthier lifestyle. All ingredients are crafted perfectly for a homemade taste using premium, non-gmo ingredients, free of preservatives, artificial dyes and flavors.

Gellar also lends her time and support to child and hunger organizations as an advocate and activist. She works closely with No Kid Hungry and Good+ as well as the nonprofit organization CARE. In May 2007, Sarah traveled to Guatemala, Tanzania and Zanzibar, Africa to observe firsthand CARE’s work in Girls’ Education. “An educated girl becomes an empowered woman who has more control over her life and well-being of her family,” says Gellar.

Sarah is also an advocate for breast cancer awareness and participated in Ford’s 2003 ‘Tied to the Cause’ campaign benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Gellar was an honoree at the 2003 Young Survivors Coalition. She has also donated her time and talent to the ‘Make-a-Wish Foundation’ and has spent time in the Dominican Republic working as a volunteer for ‘Habitat for Humanity.’  Additionally, she has been involved with ‘Project Angel Food’ for the fight against hunger, the ‘Starbright Foundation,’ ‘Planned Parenthood,’ and the ‘Los Angeles Free Clinic.’

A New York native, Gellar resides in Los Angeles.

Anthony Daniels & Riz Ahmed Join Star Wars Celebration

Anthony Daniels, who plays C-3PO, and Riz Ahmed, who played Bodhi Rook in Rogue One, will be at Star Wars Celebration!

Anthony Daniels; C-3PO: Star Wars Saga

The only actor to work on all eight Star Wars movies, Anthony is the heart and soul of the golden robot C-3PO. He is also the legs, arms and voice.

Leaving drama college in 1974, Anthony won a BBC Award, which gave him a place in their Radio Drama Company. After hundreds of productions, he left to go into theatre, shortly joining the National Theatre of Great Britain at The Young Vic. It was whilst playing in Stoppard’s Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, a story of two humble characters caught up in events beyond their control, that he got the call to meet George Lucas about a new sci-fi movie.

Lucas was interested in Anthony’s acting and mime skills. Anthony on the other hand wasn’t interested at all. Having asked for his money back after walking out of 2001 – A Space Odyssey, he had never been attracted by the worlds of sci-fi. Though he did eventually meet the director, it was a concept painting of the character that actually got his interest. He found the script incomprehensible but liked the golden droid and so was thrilled to be offered the role. The next day he was covered in plaster to make a mould of his body, the first step in creating the now globally recognised character. Six months later the costume was almost ready and filming began on what would become Star Wars: A New Hope. Later Lucas would try to replace Anthony’s on set vocal performance with the voices of various Hollywood actors. Eventually he decided nothing fitted the original like the original and asked Anthony to re-record his own character voice.

This led to him returning to the set of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. His participation in The Phantom Menace was as an off-camera voice but for Attack of the Clones he took over the arduous puppetry of the ‘naked’ C-3PO, subsequently re-shooting his scenes in the rusty suit, once again providing live action and voice. Fully gold and shining in Revenge of the Sith, Anthony is the only actor to feature in all eight Star Wars films.

Anthony has been involved in many of the spin-offs. Amongst other events, as the golden character he performed in the radio dramatisations, tap-danced on The Muppet Show, promoted measles and polio vaccines, wrote and produced anti-smoking commercials, danced with Donny and Marie Osmond, took part in the Oscar Ceremonies, befriended Big Bird on Sesame Street, filmed and voiced the animated figure in Disney’s original Star Tours ride attraction, recently being promoted to be the reluctant pilot in Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, became a breakfast cereal, Kellogg’s C-3POs, conducted the London Symphony and the Boston Pops Orchestra, and had his own cartoon series, Droids.

Anthony has been proud to work on and present The Magic of Myth, The Art of Star Wars and Star Wars – Where Science Meets Imagination and The Power Of Costume exhibitions in their various locations around the world. He has presented a variety of symphonic events and was the on-stage narrator for the international arena spectacular, Star Wars in Concert in its three North American, European and Japanese tours. He has also brought C-3PO to life in the animated Clone Wars, Rebels, Lego Star Wars and The Yoda Chronicles series. Most recently he appeared in 2016’s Star Wars: Rogue One.

Although the Star Wars saga has formed a major part of Anthony’s working life, he has interspersed it with a variety of television and stage appearances, ranging from sitcoms to more serious dramas, with forays into the world of horror cult movies. He was the voice of Legolas in the original Lord of the Rings animation. He is also a presenter, producer and creative designer of trade events and conferences and a visiting scholar at the Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University. He lives with his wife, Christine, in England and the south of France.

Riz Ahmed; Bodhi Rook, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Riz Ahmed is a three-time nominated Best Actor by the British Independent Film Awards for his lead roles in Shifty, Four Lions and Ill Manors. He was the lead of HBO’s breakout hit show The Night Of. Riz’ previous credits include Paul Greengrass’ Jason Bourne, Dan Gilroy’s Nightcrawler, John Crowley’s Closed Circuit, and Michael Winterbottom’s Trishna. Most recently he starred as a former Imperial pilot turned hero of the Rebellion, Bodhi Rook, in 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

For tickets and further information please go to the website: www.starwarscelebration.com

Dave Filoni Brings the Rebellion to Star Wars Celebration Orlando

Press Release:

Star Wars Rebels Executive Producer and Supervising Director Dave Filoni is headed to Star Wars Celebration Orlando. On Saturday April 15th Filoni and special guests will bring an epic sneak peek at what’s to come in Star Wars Rebels fourth season!

Filoni’s unique talent as a storyteller and filmmaker has added depth and resonance to the Star Wars universe, and introduced countless fan-favorite characters, via the critically acclaimed TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels.

From the exclusive reveals, to the always lively audience Q&A, Celebration fans know this panel is not one to miss!

For tickets and further information please go to the website: www.starwarscelebration.com

Many More Guests Announced for Star Wars Celebration 2017

Big updated as Peter Mayhew, Daniel Logan & Ray Park just announced for Star Was Celebration in Orlando April 13-16, 2017!

Check the website HERE for all the latest guest announcements!

Rancho Obi-Wan to Celebrate Star Wars 40th At Celebration Orlando

Press Release:

Rancho Obi-Wan, the non-profit museum in Northern California that houses the world’s largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia, will take Star Wars fans back to the future at its Celebration Orlando exhibit April 13 to 16.

To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Star Wars, the Rancho exhibit will create a Star Wars bedroom and play area of the era that kids and fans could only dream about. It will be filled with vintage Star Wars memorabilia from all over the world.

“In your mind’s eye, if you were a pre-teenager in the late 1970s and a huge Star Wars fan, this would the fantasy room you wouldn’t want to leave,” said Steve Sansweet, chairman of Rancho Obi-Wan. “We’re pulling out all the stops to create an ideal, over-the-top environment with items authentic to the era.”

The 900-square-foot Rancho exhibit will also showcase memorabilia from three previous Star Wars anniversaries: the 10th, which was marked by the first official Star Wars convention in Los Angeles; the 20th, which brought the original trilogy back to movie theaters in an extraordinarily successful return; and the 30th, which celebrated the anniversary with the Star Wars Spectacular on January 1, 2007 at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.

“We’re really excited that Lucasfilm and ReedPop are giving us this opportunity to spur memories of older fans and create new ones for younger fans,” Sansweet said. The booth will also feature some special Rancho Obi-Wan souvenirs and other surprises. For more information about the museum, visit www.ranchoobiwan.org.

Star Wars Celebration Orlando will take place April 13 – 16 at the Orange County Convention Center. RSVP on Facebook!

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