Posted by admin | Posted in Star Wars Toys | Posted on 11-08-2009
Tags: diy, geek, r2d2, robot, robot r2d2 commands, robot r2d2 toy, starwars
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star wars was one of those magnificent films that was an instant phenomenon when it hit the box office and continues to be a hit today. Why not take a moment to follow the intriguing history of Star Wars.
After a successful run in the early 1970s with the box office hit American Graffiti; in 1975 George Lucas writes a basic story about Anakin Skywalkers rise, fall, and redemption. The story is so long that it needs to be divided into 2 trilogies.
The first trilogy focuses on Anakin Skywalkers young life while the second focuses on the life of Anakins son Luke Skywalker. Since the second trilogy is the most interesting, Lucas decides to film it first.
He offers the film to Universal Studios who had financed his American Graffiti film, but they chose to pass thinking it was a ridiculous movie. They would live to regret this decision which would cost millions of dollars in lost profits. But they wouldnt be alone in those regrets as every Hollywood studio passed on the movie. That is except for 20th Century Fox who came up with $10 million for Lucas to make his first Star Wars movie a reality.
In May of 1977 Fox released Episode 4 of Star Wars, A New Hope. The tone was quickly set. The film was instantly seen as the biggest adventure
- Image via Wikipedia
ever on film. The special effects were considered magnificent and outstanding. In fact, nothing remotely close had ever made it to the big screen before.
On opening day, the Star Wars movie ran in only 32 theaters, but it still produced an amazing $254,309 in ticket sales. By the end of its first run it had become the most successful film ever in North American history grossing more than $290 million.
Lucas reportedly received $50 million of those profits. When Lucas cut his deal with Fox he was more interested in control of the film then he was in his percentage. He wanted all rights to the final cut and all rights to future sequels, star wars merchandise rights, and 40% of the gross. This deal ultimately made Lucas a billionaire.
By 1978 Lucas had purchased the more than 1800 acre Bulltail Ranch in San Rafael and soon production of the sequel to Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, was underway. Lucas was financing it out of his own pocket and it had a budget of $18 million; however due to budget overruns the actual filming cost more than $30 million. In May of 1980, The Empire Strike Back, hit the theaters grossing $222 million, making it the highest grossing film of the year.
In May of 1983, Return of the Jedi, hit the theaters grossing $265 million in North America and Lucas decides to retire from Star Wars projects to pursue some of his other interests. He made a vague promise to make the Prequel Trilogy someday if special effects ever become advanced enough.
That day arrived in 1994 when Lucas announces he will begin working on the Prequel Trilogy with a tentative release scheduled for 1998. In 1996 Lucas signs the biggest deal ever seen in the industry with PepsiCo for movie tie ins, and later in the year he announces that the pre-production has started, and in May of 1999 Episode 1 titled, The Phantom Menace, was released, followed by Episode 2 titled, The Attack of the Clones.
Many believe that 100 years from now Star Wars will still have a following. In fact by then it may have grown to epidemic proportions.
STAR WARS INTERACTIVE R2-D2 ASTROMECH DROID ROBOT R2D2
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IMPERIAL BIKER SCOUT taiwan vintage Star Wars figure C9 $11.99 |
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Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (DVD, 200… $5.99 |
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Star Wars: Episode I: Racer (Dreamcast, 2000) Complete $14.99 |
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JEDI STARFIGHTER & VULTURE DROID Lego STAR WARS 7256 $190.00 |
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Star Wars Action Figure Death Star 1977, Vintage $0.99 |
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Clone Troopers Star Wars US Postage Stamps $18.09 |
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Destroyer Droids Official Star Wars Mousepad#5 $18.74 |
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Star Wars Legacy Build a Droid BAD R7-Z0 (Right leg) $0.99 |
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Star Wars the New Jedi Order by James Luceno (2003, … $1.99 |
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Clone Troopers Star Wars US Postage Stamps $18.09 |
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STAR WARS ATTACKTIX SERIES 1 YODA # 30 CHROME BASE VHTF $149.99 |
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1998 STAR WARS ANAKIN SKYWALKER MASTERPIECE EDITION $29.75 |
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1998 STAR WARS AURRA SING MASTERPIECE EDITION boba fett $29.75 |
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2010 Star Wars Mighty Beanz #02 HAN SOLO $2.88 |
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Star Wars Speeder Bike w/Biker Scout POTF2 Sealed $4.99 |
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The entire Star Wars Jedi Academy Trilogy $10.00 |
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1998 STAR WARS C-3PO MASTERPIECE EDITION GOLDEN DROID $29.75 |
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Star Wars ROTS #66 Plo Koon Jedi Hologram $8.99 |
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LOT OF 30 STAR WARS RESTAURANT TOYS W/ JAR JAR FRISBEE $19.95 |
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Lot of 13 SCIENCE FICTION Books – Exc. cond! Star Wars+ $16.99 |
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Cloak of Deception Star Wars Audio Book $1.99 |
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Disney Star Wars Vinylmation Pin Set Mystery Chaser NEW $20.25 |
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STAR WARS Titanium series diecast AT-OT ship $12.99 |
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Disney * STAR WARS EMBLEMS / ICONS * 7 Pin Booster Set $16.95 |
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Star Wars Boba Fett Bantha Skull Pocket Watch $0.99 |
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Star Wars Science Adventure Emergency in Escape Pod $3.00 |
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LEGO BULK LOT 100 STAR WARS PIRATES ARMY MINIFIG FIGURE $999.99 |
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Darth Vader Official Star Wars Mousepad#5 $18.74 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $4.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $9.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $12.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $5.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $11.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $15.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $4.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $11.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $15.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $4.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $9.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $12.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $4.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $9.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $12.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $4.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $9.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $12.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $4.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $9.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $12.00 |
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MANDALORIAN CLAN Boba Fett Vinyl Decal Star Wars M208 $4.00 |
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RoomMates RMK1382SCS Star Wars Clone Wars Peel and Stick Wall Decal $8.45 You will feel the Force with this ultra dynamic set of Star Wars: The Clone Wars wall decals. Based on the hit Cartoon Network show from the Lucasfilm Animation studios, these decals feature the original 3D art of all your favorite characters: Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, R2D2, and many more. Better yet, all of the lightsabers glow in the dark! Your walls will never be bor… |
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Thermos Funtainer Bottle Funtainers for children are just that, Fun Containers. Perfect for parents, because parents will know they are giving their children a container that is top quality and safe. Great for children because children will have their favorite movie or character with them for lunch. Thermos has been keeping food and beverages hotter, cooler and fresher for over 100 years. The commitment continues so you k… |
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Star Wars Trilogy Entertainment Poster Print, 24×36 $2.61 AllPosters.com is the world’s #1 seller of posters, prints, photographs, specialty products and framed art. We’re dedicated to bringing our customers the best selection of high quality wall décor that is perfect for their home or office. Browse our catalog of over 300,000 items that include entertainment and specialty posters, decorative prints, and art reproductions. Whether you’re looking for y… |
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Star Wars Trilogy (Special Edition) [VHS] $7.95 The Star Wars trilogy had the rare distinction of becoming more than just a series of movies, but a cultural phenomenon, a life-defining event for its generation. On its surface, George Lucas’s original 1977 film is a rollicking and humorous space fantasy that owes debts to more influences than one can count on two hands, but filmgoers became entranced by its basic struggle of good vs. evil “a lon… |
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Star Wars Trilogy [VHS] $8.98 Star Wars Trilogy [VHS]… |
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The African Queen [VHS] $2.69 John Huston made better, more powerful films than The African Queen, but none so universally beloved, on first appearance and over the decades since. In this adaptation of the C.S. Forester novel, Humphrey Bogart (who would win the best-actor Oscar®) and Katharine Hepburn costar as an unlikely pair thrown together in German East Africa during the First World War. He’s the gin-soaked skipper of wh… |
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RoomMates RMK1402GM Star Wars Yoda Glow in the Dark Peel & Stick Giant Wall Decal $16.99 … |
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RoomMates RMK1394BCS Star Wars Clone Wars Peel & Stick Border $9.50 Bring The Force right into your bedroom with this Star Wars: The Clone Wars peel and stick border. Each border features Rex, Anakin, Obi-Wan, Cody, Yoda, and lots of Stormtroopers! Applies in seconds and repositions with ease. Be sure to check out our coordinating Clone Wars wall stickers and giant wall stickers (all sold separately) for a full room effect! Dimensions: 5? high, 5… |
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Star Trek Online Timecard $24.79 Become part of Star Trek: The Star Trek universe will appear for the first time in a massively multiplayer online game. Everything from the elegant domes of Starfleet Academy to the ancient temples of Vulcan, from the towers of Qo’noS to the Fire Caves of Bajor, from the mysterious Mutara Nebula to the unexplored voids of deep space, all will be represented in stunning 3-D graphics. Immerse yourse… |
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Star Wars Darth Vader USB Drive 4GB $27.95 Let the Force and Star Wars Darth Vader USB Flash Drive keep your files safe and handy When you download your files on this collectible Star Wars Darth Vader 4GB USB flash drive. Each officially licensed molded character comes preloaded with exclusive Star Wars content…. |
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Lego Kids’ Star Wars Darth Vadar Quartz Watch $16.99 Child’s watch includes a Darth Vader mini figure for playWatch case made of non-allergenic polycarboniteThis Lego watch features a black dial with Star Wars graphics |
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Star Wars Trilogy 6-Disc Box Set (WS/DVD) $32.66 One of the most exhilarating and influential trilogies in the history of motion pictures, George Lucas`s sci-fi spectacular continues to capture the hearts and minds of individuals throughout the world. This release contains the STAR WARS trilogy (epis… |
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Lego Star Wars Echo Base $23.99 This Lego set is a fun toy for fans of Star Wars. Build the Echo Base on Hoth with this construction set. The set also features first ever minifigure Tauntaun and Han Solo in Hoth winter gear. |
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Lego Star Wars Darth Maul Boy’s Watch $19.99 Delight your little one with a watch he can build himselfChildren’s timepiece from Legos is made from the favorite building blocksStar Wars themed watch features Darth Maul design |
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Lego Star Wars Obi Wan Boy’s Watch $20.99 Delight your little one with a watch he can build himselfChildren’s timepiece from Legos is made from the favorite building blocksStar Wars themed watch features Obi Wan design |
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LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter $29.99 Celebrate 10 years of LEGO Star Wars with this all-new set, featuring incredible movie-accurate details, flick-firing missiles, and the Dark Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader. This LEGO set is a must-have for all Star Wars fans. |
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Star Wars Prequel Trilogy – 6-Disc Box Set (WS/DVD) $37.04 Description not available. |
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Lego Star Wars Freeco Speeder (8085) $22.99 Any fan of Star Wars will enjoy building this Lego Freeco Speeder. The Lego set features an opening cockpit and rear cargo compartment. |
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Wii – Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga $16.04 Building on the success of both LEGO Star Wars videogames, LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga enables families to play through the events of all six Star Wars movies in one videogame for the first time ever. From the Trade Federation`s “negotiations” … |
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Lego Star Wars Han Solo Boy’s Watch $19.99 Delight your little one with a watch he can build himselfChildren’s timepiece from Legos is made from their favorite building blocksStar Wars themed watch features Han Solo design |
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Related R2D2 articles:
- R2-d2 in Star Trek? (manolith.com)
- Holiday gift ideas keep coming from ‘a galaxy far, far away’ (tvsquad.com)
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