Written By: Ken HulseySources: TomTom.com / Adult Swim / Dave Prowse
There are a lot of "Star Wars" related news stories floating around today, so instead of tackling them all one by one I have opted to create a gigantic SW themed 'mega post'.
Behold!
First off is the news that TomTom, makers of GPS location devices, have just added "Star Wars" voices and sounds to their line of devices. The first of these, availible already are Darth Vader and C-3PO, Yoda, which just became availible today, and Han Solo set for release in August.
Darth Vadar and Yoda are cool, but I don't know if I want C-3PO telling me where to go, or Han Solo with his smug attitude for that matter. Then again, I'm sure Solo will be a hit with the ladies.
To be honest, I would probably be so geeked out having a Star Wars character talking to me that I would undoubtedly be distracted and crash my car.
Here is the press release:
Launching today (this actually came out in may FYI) with Sith Lord Darth Vader, the line-up will continue to expand throughout summer 2010 – with C-3PO arriving in June and Yoda in July. The cast will be complete with Han Solo in August.
“We are thrilled to launch these exclusive Star Wars voices, available only on TomTom devices,” said Tom Murray, senior vice president market development at TomTom, Inc. “Now, Star Wars fans around the world can unite their enthusiasm for Star Wars with their driving experience, making every journey more entertaining and enjoyable.”
“The TomTom brand is synonymous with high quality navigation. Star Wars fans are sure to be delighted when they hear just how great these voices sound on their TomTom navigation devices,” says Casey Collins, sr. director of international licensing and marketing at Lucas Licensing..
Darth Vader’s menacing voice and signature breathing add a thrilling dimension to TomTom GPS voice commands. Incorporating dialogue inspired by the original films, Darth Vader delivers navigation instructions such as: “Bear left, to the dark side. Then in 200 yards you have reached your destination. The Force is with you, but you are not a Jedi yet”.
The Darth Vader voice also features original sound effects from the classic films, including lightsaber sounds and TIE fighter flybys. John Williams’ unforgettable Imperial March music is embedded into certain sections of the navigation commentary. With such audio temptation, Darth Vader will turn all TomTom drivers to the dark side!
TomTom customers will also be able to download free of charge various official warning alert sounds voiced by Darth Vader, along with free start up screen wallpaper and Lord Vader map icon.
To celebrate the release of the voices, TomTom is launching a unique Star Wars game where fans can also test their allegiance to the Force, to see if they wish to turn to the dark side.
All Star Wars voices will be available in English with further languages available throughout the summer.
Darth Vader’s voice is available for download immediately for $12.95.
To hear clips of the voices – and to find out more about them and the Star Wars game – visit
•Website: www.tomtom.com/starwars
•Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ljFfL-mL70
•Game: www.tomtom.com/usetheforce
Speaking of Darth Vader, can you believe that the goons over at Lucasfilm have banned Dave Prowse from appearing at any future Star Wars conventions?
It's true, apparently Prowse has bent someone's Wookie, maybe Lacas himself, over there enough to get him banned.
Considering the actor's bad health as of late, this seems like a cold move on the part of Lucas and his staff.
Here is a statement from Prowse that was posted on his website:
"It is with regret that I have been informed by my friends at C2 Ventures, Ben and Phillip, that I am not to be invited to C5 this year or any other Lucas Film associated events. After enquiring, the only thing I have been told is that I have "burnt too many bridges between Lucas Film and myself" - no other reason given.
"I have also been advised by the promoter of Paris Manga in September that LFL have requested no photo opportunities with the 501 Squadron, even though I am commander in chief of the 501.
"Sincere apologies to all my fans who were hoping to meet with me - I shall miss you too. As you will see from my events page I will be at many conventions all over the world so we can still keep in touch."
Okay, that kinda sucks.
Now onto the big news, which should come to the delite of everyone who loved the first two "Robot Chicken" Star Wars themed episodes:
Adult Swim's Robot Chicken returns to that galaxy far, far away for a brand-new Star Wars-themed special premiering December 12 at 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). This third installment in the Robot Chicken: Star Wars trilogy follows the two previous specials, which resulted in multiple Emmy nominations and numerous Annie Awards for both specials and the writers Ahmed Best and Seth Green. Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III, to be directed by Chris McKay, marries the satirical sensibilities of Green and Matthew Senreich's (Stoopid Monkey Productions) Emmy-winning Robot Chicken with characters of the Star Wars universe. The specials and the Robot Chicken series, the highest-rated original program on Adult Swim, are created in conjunction with ShadowMachine Films' Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico.
"We're telling more of a linear story this time that covers the series from start to finish," says Green. Senreich says, "We wanted to take the Star Wars universe and see if through the eyes of our Robot Chicken: Star Wars Emperor Palpatine, Darth Vader, Boba Fett and Gary the Stormtrooper. We'll still flip around the universe but we'll get a unique perspective from the bad guy side, from people who just want to rule the universe."
Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III will feature Zac Efron as Anakin Skywalker, Anthony Daniels (from the original Star Wars films) as C3PO, Mike Henry (The Cleveland Show) and Donald Glover (Community), all making their first appearance in RCSW. Also returning from the previous specials are Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian and Ahmed Best as Jar Jar Binks along with returning favorites Green, Senreich, Breckin Meyer, Seth MacFarlane, Dan Milano, Abe Benrubi, Donald Faison, Rachael Leigh Cook, Adrianne Pallicki, Eden Espinosa, Hugh Davidson, Bob Bergen, Keith Ferguson, Tom Kane and Zeb Wells.
In addition, Adult Swim announces that Robot Chicken will begin airing season five in late October.
Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III, is created and executive produced by Green and Senreich under their own Stoopid Monkey Productions. The duo also write and, with McKay, direct the series, and Green provides many of the voices in the special and the series. The special is written by series head writers/executive producers Douglas Goldstein and Tom Root, series scribes Mike Fasolo, Wells, Green, Senreich, frequent RC actor/writer Breckin Meyer (TNT's Franklin & Bash), and Hugh Sterbakov with Matthew Beans, RC guest writers Davidson, Geoff Johns, Milano and Kevin Shinick.
Green has starred in films for over two decades-next March he's the lead in Disney's Mars Needs Moms! He's also on Fox's Family Guy. Senreich and Green are creative consultants on Lucasfilm's upcoming animated comedic Star Wars series and with Root, are creators/executive producers/writers of an animated pilot for Fox.
Adult Swim (AdultSwim.com), launched in 2001, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s network offering original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults. Airing nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Adult Swim shares channel space with Cartoon Network, home to the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for youth and families, and is seen in 97 million U.S. homes.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
As most of you already know, Friday July 23rd wil be "Star Wars" day at the San Diego Comic Con, and yours truly has his tickets firmly in hand, so you can look forward to reports on everything going on there.
See Also: Star Wars - Death Trooper / Zombie Stormtrooper Bust / New STAR WARS TV And Movie Series To Be UNLEASHED? / Darth Vader Had Emotional Problems ...... Ya Think? / An Idea That Is Way Overdue - Star Wars Themed Lingerie! / Spaceballs (1987)(MGM) / Lucas Begins Casting The Star Wars TV Series / Hey! Remember Mark, The Yoda Puppet Costs More Than You Do! / Can You Believe Someone Dropped $10,000 On Star Wars Collectibles?!! / EE Exclusive Star Wars Holiday Edition Jawas Action Figures / Darth Vader Invades Japan / Star Wars R2-D2 Interactive Astromech Droid / Star Wars Exclusive Ecliptic Evader TIE Fighter With Hobbie / Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge Of The Sith Trailer / Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)(Warner Bros) /Star Wars: The Clone Wars - What Are The Clone Wars? / Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Designing A New Galaxy /Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Lucas And Filoni Talk About The Film / Interview - Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca Speaks!) / Famous People Talk About Star Wars / Mark Hamill - 1978 Star Wars Press Conference / Carrie Fisher – Lunch With Monsters At A Chinese Restaurant / Star Wars - The Missing Pieces / Peter Cushing – The Good Man Behind Evil Characters / Star Wars Production Notes: R2-D2 (Artoo-Detoo) / Star Wars Production Notes: The Sandcrawler / Star Wars Production Notes: The Landspeeder / Star Wars 'Where Science Meets Imagination' Exhibit
The Prowse thing is a mixed bag I think. He's been vocal over the years about his disappointment with not being Vader's voice as well as his body. He was also pissed about being beat out by Sebastian Shaw for the part of Vader's face in the unmasking scene in RotJ. It's easy to sympathize with him, but he's complained about these things publicly for 30 years+. Lucasfilm may be washing their hands of a bad situation.
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