Speaking at an investor meeting, Disney chairman, Bob Iger, announced two more feature-length Star Wars films are on the near-term horizon. An unnamed Episode VIII has been pencilled in for a May 2017 opening, while Rogue One, the first stand-alone film set in the Star Wars universe, is scheduled to debut in December 2016. More information concerning the announcements can be found here: http://www.starwars.com/

“What is thy bidding, my master.”

– Darth Vader

While no secrets were revealed at Toy Fair concerning the upcoming Star Wars film, that doesn’t mean there won’t be goodies galore at the next Star Wars Celebration. Scheduled to run from April 16th-19th, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, several important luminaries will be in attendance, among them both Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, two key actors in the first film trilogy. Also slated to appear is J.J. Abrams, the director for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as well as Kathleen Kennedy, who took over from George Lucas as the head of Lucasfilm.

There’s a good possibility that several merchandising lines could be shown to the public or behind closed doors, all designed to tempt the senses and tantalize the consumer. We’ll have more information concerning the event in the weeks to come.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plwVRYEQG_I&w=560&h=315]

Black Friday seems to have several meanings this year, as filmmaker J.J. Abrams can mutely testify. Earlier today, the Star Wars director for Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens released the first trailers for the upcoming film, which is slated to premiere December 18th, 2015.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RsQd7hn9bg&w=560&h=315]

Interestingly, we can hear Darth Vader’s aspirator at the end of the film, the black caped figure who purportedly died in episode VI, but will likely make a flashback or “Force”-reinvigorated cameo appearance for the upcoming film. Anyway, sit back and enjoy!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyfTIU02jFQ&w=560&h=315]

With filming on the upcoming Star Wars movie now at an end, director J.J. Abrams tweeted out the name for the latest installment in the space opera: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens. We anticipate additional details concerning the new film and its merchandising tie-ins in the days and weeks ahead. Stay tuned my young apprentices.

As we edge ever closer to the start of 2015, we know that everyone will be waiting with baited breath for the debut of the Walt Disney-produced Star Wars film, which is expected in theaters for the holiday season. On a personal note, I fondly remember working at a major toy store chain when the first Star Wars movie shocked theater goers way back in 1977, feverishly stocking shelves with Kenner’s Star Wars merchandise then stepping back as kids of all ages snapped up the product in the blink of an eye.

At this time, we are aware of several collectible lines that will begin appearing in 2015, each aimed at different sectors of the marketplace. We plan on bringing in the more adult-oriented ranges, just like we did with the Eaglemoss Star Trek starship line, and we anticipate brisk sales for years to come as each new movie comes out. As product is announced, we strongly urge collectors to place their orders early to avoid disappointment and help us gauge interest among our collecting audience once word begins to spread. Thank you.