• 'Enraged' Harrison Ford storms out of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' after slamming Chewbacca

    By Drusilla Moorhouse, TODAY contributor

    Unless you want to invoke the wrath of Han, don't ask Harrison Ford about "Star Wars."

    Only recently -- since über-director J.J. Abrams confirmed he was helming the sequel, "Star Wars: Episode VII" -- has the actor expressed much enthusiasm about his iconic character in the franchise, beloved mercenary Han Solo.

    On "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Wednesday, Ford riffed on the secrecy surrounding the movie (with rumors swirling that Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill might reprise their original parts) and his historical reluctance to discuss his breakout role.

    He flatly refused to discuss the new film during the interview, and when his host asked whether he'd take audience questions, Ford agreed -- on one condition: "No 'Star Wars' questions."


    Of course, every person who took the microphone was outfitted in a "Star Wars" costume -- and thrown off-guard by the actor's mandate.  Obi-Wan Kenobi stuttered, "Do you like being in movies?" A bearded dude dressed as Princess Leia asked an even more mundane question: "Are you hungry?"

    But Chewbacca refused to play ball. His comments, spoken in his native Wookiee language (Shyriiwook, to be precise), enraged his former co-star.

    "You son of a b----," Ford snarled, as the audience roared in laughter. "What do you want?"

    "Yeah, you'd like that wouldn't you?" he said after Chewy's next remark. "Always trying to blame me. You're the one who couldn't keep it in your furry pants!"

    "Actually he's not wearing any -- he doesn't wear pants," Kimmel noted.  

    "I rest my case!" retorted the actor.  

    In a profanity-laced faux tirade, Ford accused Kimmel of engineering the showdown with the creature who betrayed him.

    "He knows what he did. She was my wife! You Wookiee (expletive)."

    Finally, Ford couldn't take it anymore and stormed off the set.

    "I'm out of here," he said, with one parting message to his former co-pilot.

    "You -- I'll see you in hell!"

    Let's hope they patch things up, because actor and comedian Patton Oswalt features them prominently in his epic eight-minute "Star Wars" filibuster. The eight-minute outtake of his rant, featured Thursday night on NBC's "Parks and Recreation," hit nearly 1 million YouTube views in a single day. In his suggested storylines for the franchise sequels, he includes this gem featuring Kimmel's guests:

    "And that's when Han drops Chewbacca's severed head onto the floor!"

    Guess that's one way to bury the hatchet.

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  • Actor in infamous 'Star Wars' scene has died

    Albert L. Ortega / Getty Images file

    Richard LeParmentier in 2012.

    By Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, TODAY

    Actor Richard LeParmentier, whose character was infamously choked by villain Darth Vader in the original "Star Wars" movie, has died at age 66, his representative confirms to TODAY.

    LeParmentier died suddenly, his son Tyrone told Derek Maki, who represented the actor. 

    LeParmentier's name may be unfamiliar to many, but "Star Wars" fans well know his most famous scene.

    "Don't try to frighten us with your sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader," says LeParmentier in his role as General (sometimes described as Admiral) Motti. "Your sad devotion to that ancient religion has not helped you conjure up the stolen data tapes, or given you clairvoyance enough to find the rebels' hidden fort--"

    At that point, LeParmentier's character stops speaking and grabs at his throat as if he was being choked by an invisible hand. Darth Vader (voice of James Earl Jones) then delivers one of his most famous lines, "I find your lack of faith disturbing."

    The actor's family noted that LeParmentier, who lived in Bath, England, was visiting his children in Austin, Texas when he died. The family remembered him in a statement that fondly referenced his most famous scene.

    "Every time we find someone's lack of faith disturbing, we'll think of him," the family statement said. "At age 66, Richard Le Parmentier is one with the Force."

    The statement went on to thanks LeParmentier's friends and fellow "Star Wars" fans, saying it was tributes from those people who gave the family "all the best lines in this message."

    LeParmentier, who was also a screenwriter, was still working right up until the end, the family said. "He edited another draft of his latest project two days before death, with its sorcerer's ways, took him from us," the statement noted in another homage to the famed scene. "He has gone to the Stars, and he will be missed. We love you dad, and thank you to everyone. Love, Rhiannon, Stephanie, and Tyrone Le Parmentier." 

    LeParmentier also had numerous film and television appearances, though his most famous after "Star Wars" was the role of Lt. Santino in 1988's "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" He also provided the narration for the 2004 video game "Soldiers: Heroes of World War II." 

    Slideshow: Curtain Calls 2013

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  • George Lucas: Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill in on new 'Star Wars'

    By Natalie Finn, E! Online

    Sounds like Carrie Fisher knew what she was talking about when she said she was going to return as Princess Leia for "Star Wars: Episode VII."

    Though the actress' rep later said Fisher was "joking," George Lucas went and told Bloomberg Businessweek that, even before Lucasfilm was sold to Disney for more than $4 billion, "we had already signed Mark and Carrie and Harrison -- or we were pretty much in final stages of negotiation."

    Wait, what?!

    Barack Obama gets called out for "Jedi Mind-Meld" Mix-Up

    "Maybe I'm not supposed to say that," Lucas added after a pause, per Bloomberg. "I think they want to announce that with some big whoop-de-do, but we were negotiating with them. I won't say whether the negotiations were successful or not."

    But count on the folks at Wired and CNet and other interested parties to pick up on that one exchange out of the middle of a massive article about deal-making and the future of the Star Wars franchise.

    And despite the attempt at backtracking, this does mark the first time anyone has used the word signed when it comes to Fisher, Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill, let alone all three in one sentence, and the upcoming seventh film in the saga.

    Harrison Ford is also in "Anchorman 2": Check out his 'do!

    Prior to Fisher's moment of candor, Hamill had said that he and his two principal costars had not yet signed contracts and Ford had been characteristically mum on the subject, despite a report that he was interested in returning as Han Solo.


    J.J. Abrams has signed on to direct and Oscar winner Michael Arndt is penning the screenplay for "Episode VII," which Disney is aiming to release in 2015, with "Episode VIII" and "IX" following in two- or three-year intervals.

    Disney boss Robert Iger confirmed last month that "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" scribe Lawrence Kasdan is teaming with "Sherlock Holmes" screenwriter Simon Kinberg to develop spinoff films apart from the planned trilogy.

    Where are the stars of "Star Wars" now?

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  • 'Star Wars' meets 'Schoolhouse Rock' in viral video

    By Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, NBC News

    Children of the 1970s, you remember "Schoolhouse Rock," the short catchy musical bits that taught kids how to unpack their adjectives, helped them memorize the preamble to the constitution, and taught us all how a bill becomes a law.

    Now "Schoolhouse Rock" has met up with another 1970s powerhouse, "Star Wars," in a smashing viral video. The video sets scenes from the "Star Wars" movies (the originals, please, not the sad sequels) to that "Grammar Rock" song "Interjections."

    So instead of Reginald being home with flu (uh-huh!), it's Luke Skywalker getting his new prosthetic hand. Princess Leia is the "Geraldine" who played hard to get (ah-ha!), though "Geraldo" (Han Solo) knew he'd woo her yet. And when the "game was tied at 7-all," it's not Home vs. Visitors in a football stadium, but the Empire vs. the Rebels in a galactic brawl-for-it-all.

    Wrote one viewer, "This is hysterically funny. I grew up w/ School House Rock and Star Wars in the 70s and am NOT easy to impress when it comes to things nerdy and comical. This had me in tears I was laughing so hard."

    Another poster was hoping for a mashup set to History Rock's "Shot Heard Round the World." And he or she may get their wish for more content. The video was posted Feb. 24 by the YouTube account One Minute Galactica, and the poster says another mashup, using "Schoolhouse Rock's" camp-themed "Unpack Your Adjectives," could be on the way. He was a hairy Darth, he was a scary Darth...

    What's your favorite "Schoolhouse Rock" ditty? Tell us on Facebook.

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  • Mark Hamill in talks for new 'Star Wars' films

    AP file

    Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill in "Star Wars."

    By Rolling Stone

    Could it be the return of the Jedi who returned in "Return of the Jedi"?  Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, has told  Entertainment Tonight that George Lucas has inquired whether he'd be interested in  appearing in the forthcoming "Episode VII."

    "George [Lucas] wanted to know whether we'd be interested. He did say that if we didn't want to do it, they wouldn't cast another actor in our parts – they would write us out," Hamill said. He's waiting to meet with Michael Arndt, who's writing the screenplay for "Episode VII," and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, who took over after Disney bought the "Star Wars" franchise last fall for more than $4 billion.


    The Wizard of 'Star Wars': Rolling Stone's 1977 Cover Story on Creator George Lucas

    "I can tell you right away that we haven't signed any contracts," said Hamill. "Both have had meetings set that were postponed – on their end, not mine. They're more busy than I am."

    Hamill is in the dark regarding a new storyline for Luke Skywalker, but he did speculate on some plot points for an aging jedi. "I'm assuming, because I haven't talked to the writers, that these movies would be about our offspring – like my character would be sort of in the Obi-Wan range [as] an influential character," he said. "When I found out [while making the original trilogy] that ultimate good news/bad news joke – the good news is there's a real attractive, hot girl in the universe; the bad news is she's your sister – I thought, 'Well, I'm going to wind up like Sir Alec [Guinness]. I'm going to be a lonely old hermit living out in some kind of desert igloo with a couple of robots.'"

    Hamill said he would love for the next three movies in the saga return to the less portentous tone of the original series. "I said to George that I wanted to go back to the way it was, in the sense that ours was much more carefree and lighthearted and humorous – in my opinion, anyway," said Hamill. "And another thing I'd want to make sure of is are we going to have the whole gang back? Is Carrie (Fisher) and Harrison (Ford) and Billy Dee (Williams) and Tony Daniels, everybody that's around from the original [returning]? I want to make sure that everybody's on board here, rather than just one." 

    Hamill is the latest "Star Wars" actor to express interest in the new movies. Ford is reportedly interested in reprising his role as Han Solo in future "Star Wars" films. Ian McDiarmid, who played Emperor Palpatine in both previous trilogies, told the Birmingham Mail he hasn't ruled out a return. Ewan McGregor, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi in "Episodes I-III," has said he would be willing to make a spin-off based on his character.

    Are you excited for more 'Star Wars" movies? Vote in our poll and tell us on Facebook.

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  • Chewbacca, Yoda makeup artist Stuart Freeborn dies at 98

    AP

    Stuart Freeborn in an undated photo.

    By Randee Dawn, TODAY contributor

    Makeup and creature effects veteran Stuart Freeborn, who fashioned classic characters ranging from "Star Wars'" Yoda and Chewbacca to the "Dawn of Man" apes in "2001: A Space Odyssey," died in London at 98, LucasFilm said Wednesday.

    Freeborn may be best known to modern film fans as the man behind many of "Star Wars'" most outstanding creature looks, but by the time he joined that franchise he was well known in Hollywood for his work transforming actors like Alec Guinness for 1948's "Oliver Twist" and Peter Sellars in 1965's "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb."

    His career reached all the way back to the 1930s, when he began working with Marlene Dietrich and Vivien Leigh; in the 1980s he worked on "The Great Muppet Caper" (1981) and the four "Superman" films starring Christopher Reeve. His last official film credit, according to the IMDB, was in 1990 for "Max and Helen."

    "He brought with him not only decades of experience, but boundless creative energy," George Lucas said in a statement on the StarWars.com site. "His artistry and craftsmanship will live on forever in the characters he created. His Star Wars creatures may be reinterpreted in new forms by new generations, but at their heart, they continue to be what Stuart created for the original films."

    In a BBC documentary from 2012, ITV reports he spoke about being approached by "this young fellow" named George Lucas, who told him about "Star Wars."


    Freeborn became one of the franchise's secret weapons, and wasn't afraid to really get into his work: "Empire Strikes Back" director Irvin Kershner, said the StarWars.com site, "would note that Freeborn quite literally put himself into Yoda, as the Jedi Master's inquisitive and mischievous elfin features had more than a passing resemblance to Freeborn himself." (He also reportedly based the look in part on Albert Einstein.)

    Freeborn's wife Kay, who worked with him at times, died last year, and his son passed on in 1996. His granddaughter Michelle Freeborn informed ITV that he had died of age-related illnesses, adding, "He was a really fun and imaginative individual. He gave you the feeling that if you wanted to achieve something, you should just get on and do it, and don't ever use excuses. He enjoyed life and the amazing world we live in."

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  • 'Star Wars' spinoff films confirmed by Disney

    AP

    Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker and the character Yoda in "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back."

    By Natalie Finn, E! Online

    Ready for some brand-new lore? A new hope became a reality Tuesday when Disney CEO Robert Iger confirmed that the studio is going to be making a number of "Star Wars" spinoff films in addition to the planned trilogy that will pick up after the action of "Return of the Jedi."

    "We are working on a few stand-alone films, derived from great 'Star Wars'  characters that are not part of the overall saga," the chief executive said in a sit-down with CNBC. 

    "Star Wars" responds to White House Death Star rejection letter

    Lawrence Kasdan, who penned "Jedi" and "The Empire Strikes Back," and Simon Kinberg are working on the new projects as well as consulting with J.J. Abrams, who, after giving fans the slick run-around about his intentions, recently confirmed that he is directing Episode VII.

    "The implications for 'Star Wars'  fans will be great," Iger promised -- though he would not divulge details about which characters would be getting the feature treatment, saying he would leave the creative process to executive producer Kathleen Kennedy and Lucasfilm.


    Is your favorite "Star Wars" moment one of our favorites?

    "We have these great opportunities," he said, "because there are these good ideas out there and good creators interested in fleshing out these ideas, and we're going for it."

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  • J.J. Abrams to direct new 'Star Wars' -- fans rejoice

    Gus Ruelas / Reuters file

    J.J. Abrams.

    By Andrew Heavens , Reuters

    Sci-fi filmmaker J.J. Abrams will direct "Star Wars: Episode VII," Walt Disney Co said after days of speculation, giving hope to many long-suffering fans who were disappointed by the last three installments in the iconic franchise.

    The announcement was greeted with celebrations on online networks by the films' army of enthusiasts who have already watched Abrams rescue the aging "Star Trek" series with a high-grossing prequel in 2009.

    Disney said late on Friday Abrams would work under the leadership of producer Kathleen Kennedy, the former president of Lucasfilm, and the script would be penned by Oscar-winning writer Michael Arndt.

    "J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise," Kennedy said in a statement on starwars.com.

    Fans were equally enthusiastic. "JJ Abrams to the rescue!!! Yes!! #starwarsVII," wrote @JonnyRadtke on Twitter.

    "Great news about JJ Abrams directing Star Wars. Might just rescue the brand..." added @albrookshaw.

    Rumors that Abrams, one of Hollywood's most successful directors and producers, would take stewardship of the films filled industry publications and online forums over the past week.

    The 46-year-old made his name with TV shows "Alias" and "Lost" and earned his stripes as a director of effects-laden blockbusters with "Super 8," "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" and another widely-expected Star Trek film "Star Trek Into Darkness", due out later this year.

    The Star Wars franchise, which was created by George Lucas' Lucasfilms Ltd, has grossed more than $4.4 billion at the global box office since the first film was released in 1977, making it the third most successful movie property after the "Harry Potter" and "James Bond" series.

    Star Wars characters such as Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and the anti-hero Darth Vader have become a staple part of pop culture, along with the catch phrase "May the force be with you."

    The Star Wars films were acquired by Disney after they bought Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion in October 2012. They announced then that three new installments would be made, starting in 2015.

    Lucas, 68, gave Abrams his blessing on Starwars.com, saying the director was "an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn't be in better hands."

    Abrams said his new role was "an absolute honor."

    Disney had previously said Lucas would remain a creative consultant on the series.

    Lucas himself said in October he had story treatments for Episodes 7, 8 and 9, which he would hand over to Kennedy, who assured him that she would adhere to his ideas.

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  • Empire strikes back with response to Death Star petition

    By Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, NBC News

    First, the people of Earth called for a Death Star, in itself a pretty weird request. And next, the White House actually responded, with a witty letter that showed someone in Washington had actually seen "Star Wars," once or twice or several dozen times.

    LucasFilm

    Earth won't be getting a Death Star, and the Empire is gloating.

    And now those evil beings at the Galactic Empire have struck back, as they've been known to do. The official "Star Wars" website has posted a response headlined, "Planet Earth Abandons Death Star Project In Face Of Superior Galactic Imperial Power."

    Apparently the refusal to build a Death Star by our "tiny, aggressive planet" is an obvious sign that we are confirming the "overwhelming military superiority of the Galactic Empire."


    The statement goes on to quote Governor Wilhuff Tarkin of the Outer Rim Territories as saying,  “It is doubtless that such a technological terror in the hands of so primitive a world would be used to upset the peace and sanctity of the citizens of the Galactic Empire. Such destructive power can only be wielded to protect and defend by so enlightened a leader as Emperor Palpatine.”

    "Star Wars" fans were quick to point out that Tarkin and Palpatine are now dead, at least according to movie canon, so it's a little confusing as to why they're being quoted or referenced now.

    Wrote one reader, "This  is obviously a fake response because Emperor Palpatine has long since been dead. We all know that not only did the empire rule in a galaxy far far away, but it also happened a long time ago."

    But the statement would seem to come from a time period that preceded the Death Star's, er, death, as it goes on to say, "Emissaries of the Emperor also caution any seditious elements within the Galactic Senate not to believe Earth’s exaggerated claims of there being a weakness in the Death Star design."

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  • Samuel L. Jackson says 'hell, yeah' to returning as Mace Windu in 'Star Wars'

    By E!Online

    Ewan McGregor isn't the only star who would jump at the chance to reprise his role in "Star Wars 7."  Samuel L. Jackson is game to return to the flick as Mace Windu as well. 

    Lucasfilm

    Samuel L. Jackson (second from left) with other stars of "Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith."

    Star Wars 7 & Beyond: Empire, Jedi Writer Lawrence Kasdan onboard for sequel in new trilogy

    In spite of his busy schedule (he already has three films in production), the "Avengers" actor told us he was "excited" that more "Star Wars"  films were on the way and would love to be a part of them.

    "I'm not surprised but totally geeked by the idea of there being more 'Star Wars,'" Jackson told E! News at the Spike TV Video Game Awards Friday. "It's like, okay, Obi-Wan was dead when episode four started, so maybe everyone thinks I'm dead and we'll find out what happened to Mace Windu. I can come back as one-armed or a one-handed Jedi that's still around that didn't actually die."

    Sounds interesting, right?

    When asked if he would definitely come back for the film, Jackson said, "Hell yeah!"

    'Star Wars 7': Mark Hamill Talks Returning as Luke Skywalker

    "I could do that or be a ghost hologram. I don't care," Jackson quipped. "I just want to stay associated with the franchise. Not that I won't because I've been in three of them."

    Considering the Oscar-nominated actor's long and accomplished career, what is it about the franchise that has him so excited to return to it?

    "I just always loved it. I always loved the idea of it, that there's this whole civilization out there somewhere else that's just as much fun and different and diverse and wild as we are."


    Where are the 'Star Wars' alums now? Take a look. 

    The film is still only in the pre-production stage, but it's slated for a 2015 release.

    We're crossing our fingers for Jackson's return.

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  • Ewan McGregor: 'I'd be happy' to return to 'Star Wars' if asked

    By Randee Dawn, TODAY contributor

    Don't worry, casting directors on the next three "Star Wars" pictures -- if you need Ewan McGregor, he'll be there for you.

    The actor, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi in the first three prequels in the series (the character was played by Alec Guinness in the second three films, which were actually released first) told Digital Spy that he'd step into the part again (despite the character's having been killed off in "Star Wars IV: A New Hope").

    "I guess, yeah, of course," he said when asked about the reprisal. "I mean, if they need me, yeah, I'd be happy (to return)."

    That said, he has no inside information to share about whether the next three films in the series will even use Obi-Wan. "I know nothing about it, other than what I've read on the internet," he said.


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  • Harrison Ford and fellow action stars do battle with age

    By Lauren Schutte, NBC News contributor

    How old can they go? Harrison Ford has expressed interest in reprising his gun-slinging intergalactic smuggler Han Solo for Disney’s planned “Star Wars” sequel. This would make the action star, who was 35 the year the first “Star Wars” film was released, 73 years old for the expected 2015 release date.

    Reuters, AP (2)

    Action stars Harrison Ford (73), left, Bruce Willis (57), center, and Tom Cruise (50) are still going strong.

    How long can a guy keep believably kicking butt on the big screen?

    Seemingly forever.

    Slideshow: Harrison Ford

    Ford, who also reprised his beloved Indiana Jones character nearly 20 years after staring in the one-time-trilogy’s third film, is in good company.

    Viewers turned out in droves to see Sylvester Stallone’s assembly of over-the-hill action stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren in “The Expendables” and The Expendables 2.”

    Slideshow: Tom Cruise

    With ages spanning from 72 to 52, the actors blew up jets, helicopters, cities and an uncountable number of cars while wielding guns, knives, bombs, planes and their own fists onscreen. Combined, the films have taken in over $500 million worldwide and they’ll be going for more. A third movie, which will potentially include 82-year-old “Dirty Harry” star Clint Eastwood, is in the works.

    Next year Willis, 57, will also bring back his “Die Hard” detective John McClane and play the original G.I. Joe, Joe Colton, in “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” in which he keeps step with 32-year-old Channing Tatum.

    Even Tom Cruise, who celebrated his 50th birthday this year, continues to take on extremely physical roles. The “Top Gun” actor, who scaled the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, for 2011’s “Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol,” is playing a tough-as-nails former Army officer in “Jack Reacher,” out Dec. 21.

    The trailer shows a ripped Cruise, who notoriously loves doing his own stunt work, busting down doors, driving cars off the road and street-fighting five men on his own. Age is just a number

    So you tell us, does an action star lose his believability at a certain age? Take our poll and sound off on Facebook.

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