May the DVDs, Video Games and Other Tie-ins Be With You

For those wondering, the DVDs are not of the original "original" movies, but of the "Special Edition" movies that came out several years' back. Actually, that's not exactly accurate either as even these versions have been altered from the "Special Edition" version, making them the "Special Edition Special Edition." And while we're okay with modifying some of the background noises or soundtrack, is it really necessary to edit out Anakin's eyebrows as Luke takes off the Darth Vader mask just so people won't post nasty comments on message boards about Hayden Christiansen's lack of eyebrows in Revenge of the Sith? The DVD also includes the usual DVD fun stuff, including a documentary done by Kevin "Not Ken" Burns, trailers, a "preview" of the next film and even screen tests of people trying out for various roles (sadly, Christopher Walken is not one of them). Why now, you might be asking? Turns out Lucas originally planned to release it after Sith but is afraid that due to piracy, there'd be nobody out there who would buy. Of course, if he keeps on changing them, nobody will have the "official" version, but who are we to part a billionaire with his money?

Yesterday was also the day that Lucasarts released the video game Star Wars Battlefront, a shooter type game where you get to take part in all the big battle scenes from the movies. Battle scenarios include the ice planet Hoth, Endor, Tattooine, and even Naboo from The Jar-Jar Menace. Best part of the game? You can choose to be Imperial Storm Troopers and do nasty, evil things to Ewoks.

But what's really setting the message boards on fire is confirmation from Lucasfilm that it's working on a live-action TV show to air sometime in 2006. Not much is known what the show will be about, but most of the big rumors seem to be that it will be set during the time period between Episode Three and Episode Four and centers around Boba Fett, an idea we think we could work in a gritty 70's cop show, Starsky & Hutch/Baretta kind of way (we picture lots of wah-wah pedals on the soundtrack as the credits blare the title of the show: "Fett!"). Lots of other wacky rumors abound about the TV show, but as we couldn't find much in the way of confirmation of them, we won't post them. After all, posting unsubstantiated rumors online would be wrong. We do know that asking one of the Oompa Loompas who work at ILM won't work as supposedly they've all had to sign confidentiality agreements, although supposedly the agreement involves possible Episodes 7, 8 & 9. If you do encounter someone who works for ILM, we do suggest plying them with Goldschlager because we hear that works, although a friend of a friend of a friend supposedly spilled the beans about something that happened in Attack of the Clonesand was never heard from again.

And finally, there's Skywalker Ranch wine. Yes, Lucas has a vineyard, although his wines are done in conjunction with Francis Ford Coppola, just like Tucker. A poster on TheForce.net sends out a message to the denizens of the board that the Skywalker Ranch is unavailable again, but will be available soon. Cause nothing says fine wine like a wine named after a fictional character in a science fiction movie. Skywalker Ranch Merlot, however, does have a much better ring to it than Soylent Green Pinot Noir.