The big news in 2010, is the 30th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Hasbro is celebrating with a line of special packaging and promotions that will take you back to the day you first saw it in theaters. Here are a few of the new toys with photos and descriptions provided by our friends at LucasFilm.

BOBA FETT HELMET

Show off your bounty hunting skills like Boba Fett, the greatest bounty hunter in the galaxy, with the STAR WARS BOBA FETT HELMET. Impressively designed and styled, the STAR WARS BOBA FETT HELMET allows children to pretend to be their favorite bounty hunter. (Approximate Retail Price: $34.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: August 1, 2010)

GENERAL GRIEVOUS LIGHTSABER

JEDI warriors have long recognized the prowess of GENERAL GRIEVOUS as a highly skilled, elusive and often multiple-LIGHTSABER-wielding adversary. Now, kids can engage in LIGHTSABER battles just like this powerful cyborg with the new STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS GENERAL GRIEVOUS LIGHTSABER. Battle with the power of GENERAL GRIEVOUS by spinning the two LIGHTSABERS simultaneously in one hand, take out the spinner and connect the two LIGHTSABERS for double-bladed LIGHTSABER action, or use the two separately to ward off an opponent. (Approximate Retail Price: $34.99; Ages: 6 & up; Available: August 1, 2010)

LEGO

The first licensed property for the LEGO Group in 1999, LEGO Star Wars continues to be one of the company’s best-selling lines, appealing to both children new to the story and to adult collectors who have followed Star Wars for years. January kicks off with a mix of modern classics and new Clone Wars sets. Included in the assortment are: Rebel Trooper and Snow Trooper Army Packs, Freeco Speeder™, Trifighter Droid™, Tie Defender™, and the ARC-170 Starfighter™. August proves to be even bigger with six new sets: Plo Koon’s Starfighter, Hoth Wampa Set (Pictured above), General Grievous Starfighter, Palpatine’s Shuttle, Slave I and Clone Turbo Tank .

The next chapter in the award-winning LEGO® Star Wars videogame franchise, LEGO® Star Wars III: The Clone Wars will combine the best elements of all previous LEGO® games while adding brand new gameplay to make it the most action-packed LEGO® videogame to date. The game will feature characters from both seasons of the hugely popular animated television series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as well as some fan-favorite characters from the beloved theatrical Star Wars Saga. The game will ship on the Wii™, Nintendo DS™, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and Xbox 360®videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows in the Fall of 2010.

Personally, I want those Lego sets! What about you? Are you a Star Wars collector? If you’ve got photos of your toy collection, we’d love to see them.

Lucasfilm, Star Wars, Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and related character names, vehicle names and properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners

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Friday, February 12, 2010 on Cartoon Network

Duchess Satine Kryze tries to keep the Republic from interfering in Mandalorian affairs after attacks by the Death Watch, the splinter group advocating a return to the old warrior ways. But when Satine herself is attacked and framed, she sets off – against the better judgment of her Jedi protectors – to uncover the full breadth of the conspiracy and the faction’s true origins. No longer content to operate from the fringes, the mysterious Mandalorian Death Watch sets its sights on the “Duchess of Mandalore.”

“Satine is struggling with many fires now, and trying to keep them from merging into one large inferno that can’t be put out,” says Anna Graves, the voice of Satine in The Clone Wars. “She wants peace above all else, and will shout it as loud as she can. Historical pacifists are often met with more hatred and violence, but that seems to push someone like Satine to fight for peace even harder. I think with any culture that idolizes war and violence, some people will naturally rebel against that traditional way of thinking and focus their efforts on peace and tranquility. I’m sure a lot of people agree with her views, but I’m sure there are just as many who don’t. Her neutrality in The Clone Wars is such a beautiful cry for love and peace, which throughout history has upset those who idolize power and control.”

Set against the backdrop of a sweeping conflict which threatens to consume the galaxy, Satine’s struggle is all the more personal, however, as she faces upheaval from within her own constituency. Using violence as their language of dissent, the Death Watch threatens to unravel all of Satine’s efforts, and to undermine the peace she has fought so hard to preserve. But the war itself is a battle of ideologies. Despite their extremism – or perhaps because of it – the radical faction represents a popular opinion among the re-emerging culture.

“I see Mandalore as an old world, full of history and tradition. After years of glimpses into Mandalorian lore, it’s exciting to get new facts and faces,” Graves says. “Every fan has their own reasons for loving Mandalore, but Boba Fett opened the door with his intriguing armor and history as a bounty hunter. I know fans will want to hear more about Death Watch – and those who oppose them. To be a small part of that history is so exciting. Add a little Mandalorian-Jedi romance, and that’s good stuff!”

Photo:

Satine is pursued by a member of the mysterious Death Watch in “Duchess of Mandalore,” an all-new episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS premiering at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT Friday, February 12 on Cartoon Network. TM & © 2010 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

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“He’s captured the true sinister essence of the Darth Vader that Ralph McQuarrie envisioned in his original sketch,” said Bryan Ono, president of eFX.

The production run is limited to 250 units. eFX began taking orders this past Monday, Feb. 8 and will continue until sold out. The retail price for the helmet is $899, plus shipping and handling, and a non-refundable deposit of $250 will be required at the time of pre-order. The balance will be due when the Darth Vader Concept Helmet is ready to ship, which is estimated to be in late May.

For complete details of the Darth Vader Concept Helmet, the ordering process and additional information, visit the eFX Inc. website at www.efxcollectibles.com.

Photos: eFX

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Quote of the Day:

“Hard to see, the dark side is.” – Yoda, Star Wars: Episode I

SCI FI in the DAYTIME

TNT runs Angel, Charmed and Supernatural every morning starting around 6:00 AM depending where you live.

Logo has two episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer every weekend night starting at 6:00 PM

Syfy is running a full day of the classic series The Invaders.

MOVIES

Spike is showing Star Wars Episode I, II and III
all day today starting in the early morning.

Click here for a full list of scifi movies on AMC this month.

TV SHOWS

Bio is running a Ghostly Encounters marathon.

Fine Living has Haunted Homes at 10:00

And keeping with the theme, Syfy is showing back to back episodes of Ghost Whisperer.

WGN has Star Trek: TNG at 10:00 AM (PT). Friday’s episode is “We’ll Always Have Paris”

Photo: Amazon

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Seth Green, Katee Sackhoff, Alyssa Milano, Bill Maher, and Paris Hilton all stopped by the Star Wars / Holiday themed party which meant it was just as quirky as the Family Guy itself. Check out the photos of the event courtesy of Fox.

“Family Guy: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side” arrives exclusively on two-disc Blu-ray (BD) with Digital Copy and DVD December 22 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

STAR WARS and all related character names and other properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

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5. Star Wars Darth Vader Computer Sitter
Advanced form of Bobble Head that watches over you while you work.

4. Flash Gordon Ming the Merciless
Because seriously, how often do you see Flash Gordon toys anymore?

3. Star Wars Slave Princess Leia
Love the expression, how bored is that Bobble Head?

2. Star Trek Khan Talking Wacky Wobbler
Utters the phrase, “You are in a position to demand nothing, sir,” a great sentiment for home or office.

1. Twilight Zone Talky Tina
She utters the ever popular, “My name is Talky Tina, and I’m going to kill you,” along with four other endearing phrases.

All of these Bobble Heads are available at Entertainment Earth as well as other novelty toy retailers.

Photos: Entertainment Earth

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The event is scheduled to take place August 12-15, 2010, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida but registration opens this Thursday, December 10 through the Star Wars Celebration website.

Lucasfilm Ltd launched Star Wars Celebrations in 1999.  To date, there have been four Star Wars Celebrations in America, as well as a Star Wars Celebration Europe (2007) and Star Wars Celebration Japan (2008). Star Wars Celebration V will be the first Star Wars Celebration produced jointly with Reed PopGroup, which is responsible for the successful New York Comic Con, the new Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) and more.

“We’re going to have a blast commemorating the 30th anniversary of fan-favorite The Empire Strikes Back as we welcome an entire new generation of fans watching our animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” said Steve Sansweet, Lucasfilm’s head of Fan Relations. “There’s no doubt that Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando will be the ‘must attend’ event for Star Wars fans of all ages and from all parts of the galaxy.”

The producers promise more interactive events than ever at Celebration V. Celebrity guests will sign in the Star Wars Celebration Autograph area as well as make presentations. The annual Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge prizes will be awarded and there will be a chance for budding filmmakers to get tips from more experienced ones. Star Wars Celebration V will feature scores of crowd-pleasing events that can be found only at an official Star Wars convention.

Ticketing, pricing, and exhibitor information follows:

Tickets will be available starting Thursday, Dec. 10 via www.starwarscelebration.com. Pre-sale Adult Four-Day Passes are $120; Kids Four-Day Passes are $50; pre-sale Thursday, Friday, and Sunday Passes are $45; Saturday Passes are $50; and Kids One-Day Passes are $25. Children under six years old are admitted free.
Limited VIP Packages are expected to be available in early 2010, with details to be announced on the website. Single or Four-Day Passes already purchased can be upgraded to VIP status as long as supplies last!

Special hotel rates and other travel information will be announced on the website.

For the latest news on show exclusives and special announcements on featured guests and events, subscribe to the Star Wars Celebration Newsletter at www.starwarscelebration.com.

Photo: TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved

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These days, it’s not hard to find scifi and pop culture themed ornaments, the trouble is finding one that isn’t so heavy it bends the branch. Enter Robby the Robot, the latest, coolest ornament from Hallmark. He’s sleek, he’s lightweight and he’s action packed! Press the button and his breastplate lights up as he says one of three different phrases. He’s hands down the best ornament they’ve made in a long time and he goes so nicely with our Lost in Space robot from the late 90’s.

This year Hallmark also has the car from Ghostbusters, a Twilight Zone TV, a Star Trek phaser, Luke’s landspeeder and a collection of scenes and vehicles from Star Trek and Star Wars.

If you’re interested in Robby, I suggest you hurry to your local Hallmark store right away. All of our local stores were sold out already. We got ours from a  friend picked up the very last one in his neighborhood. Of course, they’re already selling on eBay but for more than the $18.00 store price tag. I’ve no doubt that the price will rise as these ornaments become more scarce so don’t wait.

When it comes to classic scifi there isn’t a more iconic symbol than Robby the Robot, which means he’s probably going to stay out on a shelf even after all of the Christmas ornaments are packed away on the first of the year.

Photo: CBoris

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You can watch it at Apple.com/trailers or download it exclusively at the iTunes Store. Either way, you’ll get a good laugh of this replica trailer from The Empire Strikes Back told Family Guy style.

I don’t laugh out loud at much but when the At-At hits the ground in the trailer and does the traditional Family Guy gasp and sigh. . .  too funny.

The saga continues as Luke (Chris), Leia (Lois), Han Solo (Peter) and Chewbacca (Brian) have evaded the dreaded Imperial Starfleet led by the cunning, conniving and curiously short evil lord Darth Vader (Stewie), setting up a new secret base on the remote ice world of Hoth.

With the rebellion in trouble, young Skywalker must take the advice of his late, and rather lascivious, mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (Herbert) and learn the ways of the “farce” under Jedi Master Yoda (Carl) to save the galaxy once and for all.

Family Guy: Something, Something, Something Dark Side will be available beginning December 22 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on iTunes the same day it’s available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. The Blu-ray Disc will include a portable digital copy of the film from the iTunes Store.

If you’ve got a Star Wars fan on your holiday list, this is the perfect gift!

STAR WARS and all related character names and other properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

Box art from Amazon

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(Courtesy of Lucas Film)

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