This just in from the wire:

NEW YORK, NY – June 25, 2008 – LucasBooks and Del Rey, an imprint of Ballantine Books at the Random House Publishing Group, announced today that Del Rey will publish five novels to tie-in with the upcoming Star Wars: The Clone Wars feature film, premiering on August 15, and the animated TV series that will air in fall of 2008 on Cartoon Network and TNT.

The first novel – Star Wars: The Clone Wars – is written by fan-favorite Star Wars author Karen Traviss, and will go on sale July 26, 2008. Popular science-fiction/fantasy author Karen Miller will write the second novel, to be published in December 2008. Both books will add depth, color and background to the screen stories and characters, making them must-reads for every Star Wars fan.

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This just in from the wire:

BLOCKBUSTER & LUCASFILM TEAM UP WITH ANDRETTI GREEN RACING

TO BRING INDIANA JONES TO INDIANAPOLIS 500

Marco Andretti Gives Green Flag To “#26 Team Indiana Jones Presented By Blockbuster” Car

For Race From Hollywood To Indy 500

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (May 2, 2008) – INDIANA JONES™ is embarking on a daring new adventure, thanks to an alliance between Andretti Green Racing, Blockbuster Inc. and Lucasfilm Ltd. At a Hollywood BLOCKBUSTER^® store this afternoon at 5:30 pm. IndyCar driver Marco Andretti will unveil the #26 Indiana Jones-themed car he will drive at the Indianapolis 500 on May 25. The car, sponsored by Blockbuster and Lucasfilm Ltd., celebrates Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull™, opening in theaters worldwide on May 22.

“Both Indiana Jones and the Indy 500 are legendary,” said Andretti. “The Indy 500 is the biggest, most exciting race in the world, so it’s the perfect place for Blockbuster and Lucasfilm to celebrate the world’s favorite action hero in his new film.”

The unveiling will be held at the BLOCKBUSTER store at 330 North La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles at 5:30 p.m. The event marks the start of a 10-city tour by the “#26 Team Indiana Jones Presented by Blockbuster” car as it makes it way across the country from Hollywood to Indianapolis.

The sponsorship and show car tour are both part of a unique Blockbuster program that not only brings Indiana Jones to the Indianapolis 500, but also brings Indiana Jones into Blockbuster stores nationwide through an in-store merchandising program that includes exclusive Indiana Jones and “Indiana Jones at the Indianapolis 500” merchandise available for sale to the public only at Blockbuster stores. (more…)

New Agreements Begin This Month for Collectible Prop Replicas, Vehicles and Popular Electronic Lightsabers

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2008) – Star Wars fans and collectors will find new lines of collectibles from Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) and newcomer eFX in 2008, it was announced today by Lucas Licensing, a division of Lucasfilm Ltd.

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This in from the wire:

The Jackie Robinson Foundation Set to Honor Clive Davis, George Lucas and Johnnetta B. Cole at 2008 Annual Awards Dinner

Event hosted by Bill Cosby at Waldorf=Astoria will celebrate the 35^th anniversary of the Jackie Robinson Foundation

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This in from the wire: Indy’s fourth cinematic adventure has a name. Be one of the first to snag an official item bearing the new Indy title — Head on over to StarWarsShop now for the shirt, and while you’re there, check out their collection of other Indy items!

New Indiana Jones Adventure to be Titled ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (Sept. 9, 2007) – The title of the new Indiana Jones adventure, now in production under the direction of Steven Spielberg, is Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, it was revealed today by actor Shia LaBeouf.

LaBeouf, who stars in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull with Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Ray Winstone and John Hurt, announced the title during today’s MTV Video Music Awards, which were broadcast live from Las Vegas.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is a Lucasfilm Ltd. production and is being distributed by Paramount Pictures. It will be released in the U.S. and simultaneously in most territories worldwide on Thursday, May 22, 2008. Frank Marshall returns as producer, with Kathleen Kennedy joining George Lucas as executive producer.

Breaking news about Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull can be found at http://www.indianajones.com.

This just in from the wire…

Fans Identify with Revolutionary Contact Cards Introduced at Comic-Con International

SAN DIEGO, CA – July 25, 2007 - For 30 years, Star Wars fans have escaped the confines of this galaxy by living in the virtual world born from the mind of filmmaker George Lucas. Today at Comic-Con International: San Diego, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Get Solo, LLC announced they have joined forces to help enthusiasts express their passion for the saga by creating personalized Star Wars Social Networking Cards that fans can proudly exchange. Get Solo, a provider of innovative marketing media and solutions, is taking orders for the cards starting today at starwars.getsolo.com.

“Millions of people of all ages have a deep bond with the characters and stories of Star Wars. These new products are unique, because they capture that personal connection. Fans will find the social networking cards to be a fun way to express themselves when meeting other fans, because they can personalize them with their favorite Star Wars images, include interesting personal information, and even build a collection,” says Howard Roffman, President of Lucas Licensing.

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This just in from the wire too late for pre-holiday publication on the regular starwars.com, but we know you’d want to know…

Star Wars Legend Ian McDiarmid to Make Special Appearance at Star Wars Celebration Europe
Acclaimed Actor Who Brought the Saga’s Palpatine to Sinister Life to be Special Guest During Opening Ceremonies on July 13

LONDON (4 July 2007) – Tony Award-winning actor Ian McDiarmid, whose iconic portrayal of Senator Palpatine and The Emperor in the Star Wars Saga raised suave villainy to a new level, will make a rare public appearance at STAR WARS CELEBRATION EUROPE on Friday, 13th July to help commemorate the Saga’s 30th anniversary.

McDiarmid will be a special guest of Lucasfilm Ltd. and event organiser Cards Inc. during the Opening Ceremonies at ExCeL London, home of STAR WARS CELEBRATION EUROPE. The Opening Ceremonies will be hosted by Steve Sansweet, head of fan relations for Lucasfilm Ltd., and will include a special one-time-only screening of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. (more…)

From the wire:

Site Debuts User-Generated Star Wars ‘Mash-Ups and Provide Hundreds of Videos and New Features, Including Eyespot Video-Editing Tool

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (May 25, 2007) – Star Wars fans can connect with the Force in ways they’ve only imagined, as StarWars.com has launched a redesigned website that empowers fans to “mash-up” their homemade videos with hundreds of scenes from Star Wars movies; watch hundreds of fan-made Star Wars videos; and interact with Star Wars enthusiasts from around the world like never before.

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This just in from the wire:

The History Channel® to Reveal Star Wars™ Legacy at Celebration IV

The History Channel® will be in full force at Celebration IV with a 45-minute sneak peak preview of its highly anticipated new documentary, STAR WARS™: THE LEGACY REVEALED.

Be among the first to preview this monumental program during the world’s largest Star Wars party at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 27, on the Concourse Stage.

Through interviews with a diverse array of high-profile Star Wars fans (including Peter Jackson, Dan Rather and Kevin Smith) the special, which premieres on The History Channel® May 28 at 9 p.m. Eastern and Pacific /8 p.m. Central, explores the enduring impact and mythic underpinnings of the Star Wars saga.

And, don’t miss out on scoring a pack of The Legacy Revealed Cards from The History Channel®. Destined to be a collectible, The Legacy Revealed Cards feature Star Wars™ icons and, right before your eyes, reveal the historical connections that are explored in The History Channel program. Get a pack during the screening; or stop by the Celebration IV Store anytime over the weekend for a complimentary pack (while supplies last).

The History Channel® also wants to remind you that the celebration doesn’t stop on May 28. Enter The Legacy Revealed Sweepstakes and you could win a trip to Star Wars™ Celebration Europe, the largest official Star Wars™ event in Europe. Only The History Channel is offering fans in the US this exclusive opportunity! Enter May 16 through June 3 at www.history.com/starwars. (Lucasfilm Ltd. is not a sponsor of this sweepstakes. See official rules for details.)

The History Channel is a proud sponsor of the Behind the Scenes Stage at Celebration IV.

This just in from the wire:

Get Your Game on at the GameStop GameZone

Los Angeles, CA (May 24, 2007) —GameStop , the world’s largest video game and entertainment software retailer, commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Star Wars Saga during Star Wars Celebration IV May 24-28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

GameStop is the exclusive sponsor of the “GameZone” area at Celebration IV, where fans can play their favorite Lucas Arts games; challenge each other in a daily Star Wars Battlefront II tournament; and win the top Jedi honor battling actor Daniel Logan (Boba Fett in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones), in the final tournament showdown.

GameStop GameZone Highlights:

• Fans can play LucasArts Star Wars titles, including LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, Star Wars Battlefront II, Star Wars: Empire at War, Star Wars Empire at War: Forces of Corruption

• Staff will be on hand to give tips and tricks and multiplayer consoles will be available for ultimate video game battles

• An exclusive hands-on demo of the upcoming PSP title Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron from Lucas Arts, releasing this fall.

• Daily Star Wars Battlefront II tournaments. Tournament winner will pit their Jedi skills against Daniel Logan and will receive an Xbox 360 signed by Logan.

For more information on the GameStop GameZone, please visit www.gamestop.com/swciv.