Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Happy 30th Anniversary to The Empire Strikes Back

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of "The Empire Strikes Back," Lucasfilm is planning a yearlong charity campaign that kicks off in the U.S. on May 19 with what our friends at The Hero Complex call the hottest fanboy ticket of the year: A one-night-only digital screening of the 1980 "Star Wars" sequel at the ArcLight Hollywood and an on-stage Q&A with Harrison Ford.

"Empire Strikes Back" is viewed by many fans as the most compelling of the six "Star Wars" live-action feature films. It introduced Yoda, Boba Fett and Lando Calrissian and was visually striking, with settings on an ice planet, a swamp world and a floating cloud metropolis. It also revealed that Darth Vader was the father of Luke Skywalker, the signature moment in the family melodrama the sits at the very heart of the intergalactic epic.

Ticket for the ArcLight screening are $100 or $175 for "premiere seating" and on sale now at the St. Jude's website. The schedule of events to raise money for other charities includes "Empire" screenings May 7-8 at the Field Museum’s Ernst & Young Theater in Chicago and auctions and other events that tie thematically into the 1980 film. Information on the programs can be found on the "Star Wars" website.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of "The Empire Strikes Back" with a major promotion during their game against the Detroit Tigers on May 21. Chewbacca will throw the first pitch, the first 20,000 fans in attendance will receive a numbered, limited-edition, poster, fans seated in certain sections will get Boba Fett T-shirts and Stormtroopers, Yoda, R2-D2 and other characters will also take photos with fans in Autograph Alley. There will also be "Star Wars"-themed menu items with Boba Burgers, Darth Tater Chips and Ice Sabers!

Labels: Star Wars, Star Wars and Sci-Fi Costumes