Star Wars

Star Wars Merchandising Is Even More Absurd Outside the US

Human culture has reached a point of no return. The overwhelming barrage of Star Wars merchandise has pulverized the last remaining crumbs of our consumer dignity. Consider this product and cry with us: Star Wars Chicken Hot Dogs with Built-in Ketchup. And it gets worse. The following photos were taken at ten separate supermarkets in…

The io9 Photoshop Contest: Create the Most Bizarre Star Wars Tie-In Merchandise You Can Imagine!

Happy Star Wars eve, everyone! We might all be waiting for The Force Awakens to finally premiere, but it won’t be the movie that overwhelms us going forward— it’ll be the tie-in merchandise. There’s so much of it out there already, but we thought we’d add to the fun with some of our own—and that’s…

No Matter If You Love or Hate Return of the Jedi, You’re Right

Growing up, I always said Return of the Jedi was my favorite Star Wars movie. It wasn’t until years later I realized I was in the minority by saying that. Watching it again, I now know exactly why I enjoy it so much, why others don’t, and why we’re both completely right. Welcome to the…

Curl Up This Winter With Five Straight Hours Of a Burning Darth Vader Yule Log

Who wants the hassle and maintenance of a real fireplace when Netflix serves up a convincing yule log you can just stream to your living room TV? Or better yet, why not just give in to all the Star Wars mania and curl up next to Anakin Skywalker’s burning corpse on a cold winter’s night.…

The Long, Complicated Relationship Between Star Wars and Marvel Comics

The release of Star Wars in 1977 was an absolute gamechanger, on so many levels—from effects, to toys, and to how expanded universes were created in general. But Star Wars was also of vital importance to an unexpected ally in Marvel Comics. Without the galaxy far, far, away, they might have vanished for good. In…

How Star Wars‘ Insane Toy Frenzy Changed Movies Forever

A not-so-long time ago, in a galaxy pretty nearby, fans lined up to buy toys of Captain Phasma, Kylo Ren and other brand new characters from a movie they wouldn’t see for another three months. Only one franchise could harness that kind of blind power: Star Wars. And that’s because Star Wars and toys go…

Just Look at the Luscious Fur Coat On This Animated Wookiee Figure

As one of the most popular characters in the Star Wars universe, there is no shortage of Chewbacca figures to be found. But Chewbacca figures that include his luxurious coat of Wookiee fur? Thinkway Toys might be the first with its 17-inch tall Chewie figure that’s also completely animated. The interactive figure features authentic Wookie…

The First Spoiler-Free Impressions of The Force Awakens, Straight From the Premiere

The first group of non-Lucasfilm employees have finally been allowed to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens last night, and good news! The reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Here are what some of the celebrities, reporters, and lucky bastards who attended last night’s premiere had to say about Episode VII. Our own Germain Lussier had one…

This Chrome Extension Will Block Star Wars Spoilers For You

When Star Wars starts screening for the masses later this week, the internet is going to be full of spoilers. Hell, after last night’s premiere, it probably already is. But don’t worry: this Chrome extension will keep you safe. Called Force Block, the extension will “block pages containing spoilers from Star Wars: The Force Awakens,…

Everything We Know About Star Wars‘ Post-Return of the Jedi Future

Last week’s “Force Friday”* wasn’t just about the release of new Star Wars toys. It also heralded the start of “Journey To The Force Awakens,” a planned series of stories detailing the 30 years between Return of the Jedi and the new film. Here’s everything we know so far about the formative years of Disney’s…

10 of the worst changes to the Star Wars trilogy after their original theatrical release

There have been so many little changes in the original Star Wars trilogy since their theatrical release because there have been so many “special edition” DVDs and Blu Rays and VHS tapes and LaserDiscs that have come out after the fact that it’s really hard to keep up with what the original movies showed in…

How the Lightsabers In The Force Awakens Finally Realized George Lucas’ Original Vision

That innocent period where what little we knew of The Force Awakens was the debate over the feasibility of Kylo Ren’s lightsaber was a wonderful time. But it turns out aside from the debate about if it was THE BEST or THE WORST, from a practical point of view, the movie’s sabers had two new…

Over on Uproxx, Mike Ryan suggests today is the best day ever to be a Star Wars fan. The reason? With the film premiering tonight, press screenings happening Tuesday and reviews posting Wednesday, it’s officially the last day the movie can be any and everything you want it to be. Read about it here. Contact…

Wiper Blade Lightsabers Protect Your Car’s Windows From Raindrop Attacks

You can roll your eyes all you want at yet another ridiculous example of Star Wars merchandising, but secretly you’re probably going to place an order for these simple wiper blade upgrades because you know you can’t resist having a lightsaber wooshing back and forth across your car’s rear window. WiperTags are available in countless…

Ridley Scott Teases The Origins of The Xenomorphs in Alien: Covenant

A heap of insane Batman v Superman rumors could give away the whole movie. A new rumor teases Iron Fist casting. Could Arrow turn Felicity into a major figure from the comics? Plus, new details on the Doctor Who Christmas Special, The Flash teases a villainous turn, and James Cameron talks Avatar 2. Spoilers Get!…

How the Star Wars Planets Stack Up Against Our Own

Galaxies far far away often seem much more exciting than this one: fascist Empires ruled by ancient sorcery cults, giant space slugs, endless disposable droids. But when you get down to it, many of the planets in the Star Wars universe aren’t so different from our own. Chris Jones wanted to see how the planets…

So You Want To Join The Empire: Test Fit

Finally, after a couple of months worth of work, it’s time to finally try all of this armor on to see how it all works together. First, I’ve made some minor fixes since last week: I’ve repainted the helmet: the matte black paint I used wasn’t correct, so I’ve used some glossy black that I…

Include These Anti-Cheese Star Wars Prequels While You Prepare For The Force Awakens

The Star Wars Prequel trilogy flat-out sucks: It’s the one thing that’s holding most fans back from super high expectations for the next Star Wars trilogy. That said, there are ways to redeem them, and one editor has made some edits that make them watchable. https://gizmodo.com/star-wars-the-phantom-menace-doesnt-really-get-what-it-1742188503 Intrepid YouTuber Scruffy-Scoundrel has gone through and re-edited the…

Heroes Of The Empire Charts The Rise Of The 501st Legion’s UK Garrison

The 501st Legion has become an international costuming group since its formation in 1997, and a new documentary coming in 2016 looks to feature the rise of the group in the United Kingdom. The UK Garrison is particularly known within the 501st Legion for their dedication: their armor is fantastic, and their troopers are known…

Watch Chewie Interview a Rocket Scientist About Advanced Propulsion Systems

Certain aspects of the Star Wars universe (FTL travel, force magic) are clearly impossible. But some technologies, like extremely high-powered thrusters and even lightsabers, may one day be feasible. This month, the University of Michigan released “Chillin’ with Chewie,” a 5-video series in which everyone’s favorite Wookie warrior interviews a range of experts about all…