The Many Looks of the Imperial Stormtrooper

Though it may seem that the only characters who get frequent costume changes in the Star Wars galaxy have to be royalty, that doesn’t mean the Imperial troopers don’t get to mix it up.

The hardcore fans over at IGN.com decided to give some props to the Imperial army with a rundown of the many looks of Clone troopers, stormtroopers, BARC troopers, Galactic Marines, pilots, sandtroopers, Imperial Navy troopers, Imperial gunners, TIE fighter pilots, AT-AT drivers, scout troopers and more.

Read all about it here:
The Many Looks of the Imperial Stormtrooper

Star Wars Fans Invade “American Idol”

Two rather unique versions of Princess Leia showed up on “American Idol” this week to amuse judges with their love for Star Wars. Fan Christina Tolisano paid tribute to Leia by wearing her hair in the classic buns style, while a male fan showed off his “assets” dressed in the rather drafty Slave Leia bikini costume. While their singing didn’t wow the judges, their passion for Star Wars left a memorable impression.

VIDEO: Christina Tolisano’s audition on “American Idol”

VIDEO: Man Leia on “American Idol”

Vader More Popular Than Santa?

Despite the competitive headline, it’s all in good fun; the OC Register reports on the latest charitable efforts of the fan group, the 501st Legion, this time in Irvine, Calif. where they’ve come to celebrate with a great group of kids and their families. Here’s a snippet:

That was the case Saturday in Irvine, where autistic children and their parents celebrated the holidays at California Integrative Hyperbaric Center. The guests of honor were St. Nick, of course, and the 501st Legion, an organization of hobbyists who dress up in Star Wars costumes for promotional and charitable events.

“It’s great to see these kids happy,” said Chris Romines, 40, of Cypress, who wore the enigmatic black mask, cape and breastplate of the universe’s primary antagonist. “But between the kids and the adults, we don’t know who’s having more fun.”

You can read the rest of the article here, and be sure to check out their slideshow of images.

The Force is with the Sydney Symphony

(Photo from The Daily Telegraph)

Stormtroopers from the Terror Australis 501st Garrison posed outside the Sydney Opera House with two violinists ahead of concerts featuring the work of Star Wars music composer John Williams.

Science fiction met classical tradition as violinists Alex Mitchell and Emma West proved they have more than one string to their bow when they braved hordes of tourists.

Read all about it here.

And learn all about the 501st Garrison in Australia:
Know A Legion: Terror Australis Garrison

Brad Pitt the Stormtrooper?

According to USA Today, actor couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt celebrated Halloween this year in Star Wars style.

Rather, Star Wars and furry animals seem to be all the rage in the Jolie-Pitt home, as evidenced by last week’s Halloween costume selections. Said Jolie: “We were Boba Fett (Maddox, 6). My littlest daughter (Shiloh, 17 months), we couldn’t figure out if she was a bunny or a monkey, so she was a ‘bunkey.’ My 2-year-old (Zahara) was a bunny, and my 3-year-old (Pax) was a monkey. I was Curious George and Daddy (Pitt) was a Stormtrooper.”

Read the full article here.

Princess Leia on “Chuck”

(image from NBC.com)

Missed the Halloween episode of the new NBC show “Chuck” where one of the characters dresses up as the bikini Slave Leia? If you want to see her chat about the episode behind-the-scenes IN COSTUME, here’s your chance:

VIDEO: It’s a Chuck Halloween
Get the scoop on the Halloween episode with Zachary Levi and the cast!

“NY Jedi” Gets Video Coverage

Gizmodo reports on a clip recently run at the ABC News site which reveals a Jedi Training-type class called the New York Jedi Academy (“NY Jedi”). We’d read about this in WIRED magazine a bit over a month ago and mentioned it in a report here.

Check out the video over at Gizmodo or head on over to the ABC News site here here.

Chewie Halloween Costumes Through the Ages

Here’s a collection of Chewbacca Halloween costumes that are either recent, homemade or downright retro! HAPPY HALLOWEEN Wookiee-style!

May the Puppies Be With You….

Tech guru and Star Wars fan Chris Pirillo sent us this adorable video of his pups (Pixie and Wicket) dressed up as Princess Leia and Darth Vader for Halloween. We can’t help but wonder what these dogs are thinking…

Watch the video here.

Tina Fey as Princess Leia?

As previously reported, Tina Fey — former SNL head writer, and currently the star and creator of the hit comedy “30 Rock” — is a Star Wars fan.

In the October 2007 issue of Geek Monthly magazine (available at newsstands and online), Fey mentions her brief stint as Princess Leia on “Saturday Night Live.”

“I was C-3PO for Halloween a couple of times. Once when I was nine. I’ll do it again when I’m 40. One time I did a sketch that got cut from SNL where I was going to play Princess Leia, my dream come true. That was the funniest thing ever just because putting that costume on — and I didn’t look like her or anything — but you put that costume and that wig on and nerds go bananikers. People were just staring at me in the hall, all these extras and background people and nerds wanted to talk to me all the sudden. Guys have a real weird thing for that outfit.”

In fact Princess Leia herself — Carrie Fisher — will guest star on “30 Rock” as writer Rosemary Howard for an upcoming episode that will air Oct. 25, 2007.

Find out more on the “30 Rock” official site here.