| FilmEdge celebrates 30 years of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK |
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 On May 21st, 1980, the first sequel to expand the STAR WARS saga opened in theaters across the United States and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK thrilled fans as Episode V promised an exciting trilogy of heroic fantasy films to continue the story of Luke Skywalker.
As we learned, EMPIRE quickly became the shocking and tragic story of the Skywalker family with the terrible revelation of Darth Vader's true identity behind his armored mask. Indeed this family saga would broaden even more three years later, revealing George Lucas' plan that STAR WARS would chronicle two generations of Skywalkers whose rise and fall mirrored the fate of the galaxy itself.
The cinematic and cultural impact of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK has not diminished in the thirty years since its release, with film fans recently voting it the best movie sequel of all time in a FilmLove.com poll. While discussion and debate may lead to arguments among die hard STAR WARS fans (No disintegrations, please!), many consider Episode V to be the best film of the series in both storytelling and character advancement. Director Irvin Kershner and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan certainly invested this second act of the Original Trilogy with a darker dramatic tone, breaking the typical trend of Hollywood sequels to play it safe and merely give audiences more of what they liked in the first film. This sequel put all the saga's heroes in danger and left them in peril for three years until RETURN OF THE JEDI brought them back on movie screens.
EMPIRE remains my personal favorite for those reasons and many more, as it echoed a turning point in my life: I was a senior in high school that May, just weeks away from seeing my friends scatter to the far reaches of my own galaxy as I soon ventured off to college. Things would never be the same as I confronted the uncertainty of new horizons in a new, more complex and challenging world. But at least I got to keep my right arm while doing so!
FILMEDGE celebrates the 30th Anniversary of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK this May and all year long, supporting Lucasfilm's The Empire Gives Back charitable program and linking you to this and many other special events commemorating three decades of inspiring STAR WARS cinema.
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Preview and win EMPIRE STRIKES BACK 3D Trading Cards
May 2, 2010 — To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, Topps will release 48 All-New Trading Cards in Widescreen Format depicting memorable scenes from Episode V of the STAR WARS saga. Featuring Sketch Cards and Autographs, the 3D images on these cards are spectacularly clear. Preview the sample card Topps sent us in upcoming article. FilmEdge is giving away ten of these very rare Luke Skywalker 3D cards later this week — find out how you can win! |
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Empire Chronicles: history of the iconic Fett ship Slave I
April 30, 2010 — StarWars.com publishes a great new article setting the record straight on the design and inspiration of Boba Fett's iconic ship, Slave I. Interviews with assistant art director Nilo Rodis-Jamero and chief model maker Lorne Peterson reveal the true design genesis of the ship and model, and how the Slave I's shape and crew changed significantly from pre-production into ILM's miniature filming. Be sure to check out this newest article celebrating the 30th Anniversary of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.
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Empire Chronicles: the creation and legacy of Boba Fett
April 26, 2010 — The best bounty hunter in the galaxy is a man of few words, but the stoic, armored mercenary casts a long shadow across the STAR WARS galaxy. As the young Boba re-emerges in the Season Two finale of THE CLONE WARS this month, StarWars.com takes a look at the genesis of this fan-favorite icon. Introduced in a 1979 issue of Bantha Tracks, pre-dating his appearance in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, Boba Fett gained infamy as a rare collectible figure. Revisit the making of Boba Fett with George Lucas, artists Ralph McQuarrie and Joe Johnston and actor Jeremy Bulloch who were there from Fett's beginning. |
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Star Wars Celebration V t-shirts offer new EMPIRE designs
April 22, 2010 — Three new Star Wars Celebration V t-shirt designs have been released for preview and pre-ordering by convention ticket holders, getting you geared up for the Orlando fan event this August. The Boba Fett Celebration V logo design is ready for order now and shirts will begin shipping July 25th in time to wear at the con. Two Boba Fett Jet Ski designs can be pre-ordered now but can only be picked up on-site at the event in August. We also preview four upcoming EMPIRE shirt designs including a pair of Han and Leia quotes, a Solo I Heart Scoundrels design and a tribute to the ice cold satisfaction of Hoth. |
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The EMPIRE gives back in year of charitable fan events
April 16, 2010 — Thirty years ago this May, the Empire struck back against Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance, but starting next month the Empire gives back in a series of charity screenings and events lasting all year, benefiting good causes and STAR WARS fans alike. FILMEDGE previews The Empire Gives Back special event list released today, including digital screenings in Los Angeles and Chicago coming in May, plus charity auctions associated with Star Wars Celebration V in Florida this summer. |
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| Make the jump to the official STAR WARS website |
STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK is available on DVD
and coming soon to Blu-ray |
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| All STAR WARS artwork and materials are © and ™ Lucasfilm Ltd. Used with permission. All rights reserved |
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