Raving Toy Maniac

January 3, 2014 - Dark Horse has sent out a note about the Star Wars comic book license, but they would also like to remind everyone that they will continue to release Star Wars comic books for the full year of 2014, including summer convention-exclusive books, and that also that if you have Star Wars comic books in your Dark Horse Digital account, that they will not disappear from your account.

The End of an Era

All things come to pass. So too, do all licensed deals. I am sad to report that Disney, the new owner of Lucasfilm, has notified us here at Dark Horse of their intention to move the Star Wars publishing license to another of their recent acquisitions, Marvel Comics, beginning in 2015. This will end a partnership that has lasted more than two decades.

November 2013 - Lucasfilm has announced that Star Wars VII will be released in 2015:

Star Wars: Episode VII to Open December 18, 2015

With pre-production in full-swing, a confirmed release date of December 18, 2015, has been set for Lucasfilm's highly anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII.

"We're very excited to share the official 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII, where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture," said Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.

Hasbro and Disney Expand Strategic Merchandising Relationship for Major Entertainment Properties

Agreement Extends Hasbro's Global Toy and Game Merchandise Rights for Marvel Characters Through 2020

PAWTUCKET, R.I. & BURBANK, Calif. -- July 22, 2013 -- Global branded play company, Hasbro, Inc. and The Walt Disney Company today announced the two companies are expanding their strategic merchandising relationship for major Disney entertainment properties Marvel and Star Wars.

The Marvel amendment extends Hasbro's global rights to Marvel characters for an additional two years running through 2020. Hasbro will continue to develop a wide range of toys and games for Marvel's global Universe of more than 8,000 characters, including Spider-Man, The Avengers and Iron Man.

LUCASFILM AND DARK HORSE ANNOUNCE THE BIGGEST EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF STAR WARS COMICS!

George Lucas's original-draft screenplay for The Star Wars to be adapted by J. W. Rinzler and Mike Mayhew!

APRIL 2013, MILWAUKIE, OR - It's no April Fools' prank! Dark Horse is honored to announce a dream project: working with J.W. Rinzler, executive editor at LucasBooks, and artist Mike Mayhew (Avengers) to adapt the rough-draft original screenplay which spawned the biggest franchise in film history!

Three years before his 1977 film, George Lucas put down on paper his first story set in a galaxy far, far away - a tale of fantastic adventures, daring escapes, "lazer swords," romance, and monsters. A story of Jedi Annikin Starkiller and General Luke Skywalker, an alien named Han Solo, and evil Sith Knights. The screenplay was titled The Star Wars!

Nerdist Industries And Lucasfilm's Course Of The Force Returns For An Epic Second Journey July 9-16

Lightsaber Relay Strikes the California Coast

SAN FRANCISCO, March 27, 2013 -- On the heels of last year's monumental, first-of-its-kind event, Course of the Force, the lightsaber run that captivated the attention of Star Wars™ fans around the world, is returning July 9th – 16th, 2013. Kicking off at the famed Skywalker Ranch, participants will continue the relay run down through San Francisco with several stops along the California coastline before reaching the finish line - arriving just in time for the start of the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con® International convention. Nerdist Industries' founder Chris Hardwick will be back to host the event, with city-stops along the way featuring "Conivals" where fans can celebrate their love of the Saga with live entertainment, expo booths, giveaways and much more.

"Star Wars Is Being Kick-Started with Dynamite"

J.J. Abrams to Direct Star Wars: Episode VII

January 25, 2013 - After a bevy of emails and phone calls, the formalities have been wrapped up, and at long last everyone can exhale and properly share the word with an excited Internet. Yes, J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay.

"It's very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie," said Kennedy. "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. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture."