Cory Doctorow at 7:21 am • 
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Peter Mayhew, the seven-foot-tall actor who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars movies, livetweeted his dustup with the TSA operatives at Denver airport as they attempted to confiscate his light-saber-themed cane, which he needs to walk. The TSA agents apparently objected to the cane because it was too long (Mayhew explains, "Giant man need giant cane.. small cane snap like toothpick.... besides.. my light saber cane is just cool.. I would miss it.."). The tweets came to the attention of American Airlines, with whom Mayhew is a million-mile flyer, and they intervened with the TSA to get him on his flight with his mobility aid.
Mayhew was returning to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport from an appearance at Denver Comic Con early this week when TSA agents refused to let Chewie board his plane with one of a kind cane.
Chewbacca Actor Battles TSA Over Light Saber Cane
David Pescovitz at 10:53 am • •
LEGO announced its Ewok Village, due out September 1. It consists of 1990 pieces including R2-D2 and 16 minifigures: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, 2 Rebel soldiers, 5 Ewoks, 2 Scout Troopers, and 2 Stormtroopers. Join in the celebration below!
Read the rest
Cory Doctorow at 2:14 pm • •
Last October, IGN's Brian Altano announced a bold design fiction: an imaginary line of "Han Solo in Carbonite" Pop-Tarts. Several months have gone by and this is still not a thing. The world is broken.
Would You Eat These Star Wars Pop-Tarts?
(Thanks, Fipi Lele!)
Cory Doctorow at 8:09 pm • •
The Han Solo in Carbonite light-switch cover combines the 1980s-era Empire Strikes Back kitsch with 1960s era novelty "boner" decor -- yours for $40 from Etsy seller Wicked Studio.
Star Wars Han Solo in Carbonite Light Switch
(via OhGizmo)
David Pescovitz at 11:18 am • •
Over at Tenth Letter of the Alphabet, a fascinating history of the Star Wars logo. Above left, a decal created during the film's pre-production, to be used on film cans and other early materials. "This was how we first pictured Han Solo," production designer and artist Ralph McQuarrie explained in
The Star Wars Scrapbook: The Essential Collection. "It could be a sort of Luke character, but I think it’s more like Han. Anyway, George decided that Han Solo should be a more relaxed character, and his costume was changed. But this decal was designed before the change.” Above right, the early corporate letterhead after "The" was dropped. The lettering, based on the
Precis font, was by concept artist and SFX tech Joe Johnston. "
Anatomy of a Logo: Star Wars"
David Pescovitz at 1:32 pm • •
Luke Skywaler's filthy Levi's worn in the original Star Wars just sold at auction for $36,100. The "sand-colored 'cotton drill'" Levi's were customized by famed London costume-maker Bermans & Nathans. "Lot #555: Mark Hamill's Screen-Worn Hero Pants in the Original 1977 ''Star Wars'' as Luke Skywalker" (via New York)
Cory Doctorow at 7:15 pm • •
DeviantArt's TommyFilth modded a KitchenAid mixer and gave it a perfect Boba Fett makeover: "I asked for a Kitchenaid mixer for Christmas, I pointed my wife toward a broken one on eBay so that I could refurbish it, as I was taking it apart I got some inspiration for the paint job and this is what came out of it, still needs a phase board for speed control and two decals to be applied to the sides but I couldn't wait to share."
Boba Fett Mixer
(Thanks, Fipi Lele!)
Mark Frauenfelder at 5:36 pm • •
Here's a excerpt from Jeffrey Brown's latest book, Vader's Little Princess.
In this irresistibly funny follow-up to the breakout bestseller Darth Vader and Son, Vader—Sith Lord and leader of the Galactic Empire—now faces the trials, joys, and mood swings of raising his daughter Leia as she grows from a sweet little girl into a rebellious teenager. Smart and funny illustrations by artist Jeffrey Brown give classic Star Wars moments a twist by bringing these iconic family relations together under one roof. From tea parties to teaching Leia how to fly a TIE fighter, regulating the time she spends talking with friends via R2-D2's hologram, and making sure Leia doesn't leave the house wearing only the a skirted metal bikini, Vader's parenting skills are put hilariously to the test.
Read the rest
Cory Doctorow at 9:50 am • •
The Millennium Falcon Metallic Nano Puzzle looks like a delight. It's one of those puzzle/models that you punch out of thin, laser-cut pieces of sheet metal and assemble with tweezers and pliers, and the finished model is quite a beauty. It's $15.30 plus shipping from Japan. It looks more complex than the models I've done to date (most took less than an hour to complete), so be prepared to spend some time on it.
Star Wars Metallic Nano Puzzle (Millennium Falcon)
(via Geekologie)
Cory Doctorow at 11:00 am • •
Starting May 17, Disney World is running a "D-Tech" event at Disney Hollywood Studios wherein you can get your head scanned and 3D printed on a Stormtrooper figurine, or trapped in carbonite:
The 10-minute experience uses the world’s highest-resolution, single-shot 3D face scanner created by our Imagineering scientists with Disney Research labs. That captured image is later sent to a high resolution 3D printer to create the figurine. The completed figurine will arrive within 7-8 weeks after the experience if shipping domestically (it takes a little longer if shipping internationally). Guests will also receive either a Carbon-Freeze Me light-up band or a collector button depending upon which option they choose.
The Star Wars – D-Tech Me experience is $99.95, plus shipping and applicable sales tax.
Star Wars – D-Tech Me Experience Returns to Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Starting May 17, 2013
(via CNet)
Cory Doctorow at 8:55 am • •
These Star Wars dresses are apparently coming to Hot Topic at some unspecified time in the future.
Her Universe Teases Star Wars Dresses, Makes Us Drool
Cory Doctorow at 12:12 pm • •
From the people who brought you the hairless Chewbacca costume, a line of "sexy Star Wars" costumes that showcase the broadmindedness and dubious taste of Disney/Lucas licensing department.
Sexy Star Wars
(via IO9)
Cory Doctorow at 6:07 am • •
Costume Craze's sold-out "Chewbacca Second Skin Star Wars Costume" is a great choice for cosplayers who don't like their wookiee suits too hairy. It's the sexy catsuit of the 21st century!
Chewbacca Second Skin Star Wars Costume
(via Kottke)
Cory Doctorow at 7:40 pm • •
When Harrison Ford's appearance on Jimmy Kimmel switched to Q&A with the audience, Ford said that no Star Wars questions would be allowed. Whereupon Kimmel began (apparently) to troll Harrison rather hard. While it's clear that Harrison was in on the joke, it's got a pretty great finale.
Harrison Ford Meets an Old Friend and it Doesn’t Go Well on Kimmel
Cory Doctorow at 8:34 am • •
This spectacular C3PO junkbot assemblage was made by junk artist Gabriel Dishaw, and sells for $800. Worth every penny, too. Mr Dishaw's got plenty of other wonderful pieces for sale, too.
C3PO "Woody"
(via Neatorama)
