The First 30 Years Were Just the Start: A Year Filled With Surprises and Exciting New Entertainment Continues the Adventure

January 1, 2007 -- SAN FRANCISCO -- The unprecedented sights and sounds of today's Star Wars Spectacular in the 118th Tournament of Roses Parade officially kicked off the 30th anniversary of the Star Wars Saga - marking the start of a year filled with surprises and all-new entertainment that launches the next 30 years of Star Wars.

On Wednesday, May 25, 1977, Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope premiered to the public - and went on to become the top-grossing movie of all time. Five more phenomenally successful movies followed, comprising the Star Wars Saga, an epic adventure with the emotional journey of the Skywalker family at its core.

At the heart of this milestone year is the aptly named Celebration IV, a four-day gathering of Star Wars fans from around the world that will feature celebrity appearances, special screening events and sneak peeks at some of the new excitement that Lucasfilm has in store. From May 25 to May 28, the Los Angeles Convention Center will be the center of the Star Wars galaxy.

But Celebration IV is just one element of a year filled with unexpected Star Wars offerings, said Tom Warner, senior director of marketing for Lucasfilm Ltd. "The last three decades were just the start," he said. "Throughout 2007, we're celebrating the first 30 years of Star Wars - and also looking ahead to a future that's filled with all-new entertainment, adventure and excitement."

The coming months will see the continuation of the popular (and frequently sold-out) "Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination" museum tour; the release of the first-ever book chronicling the "Making of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope"; the first-ever Star Wars Celebration event in Europe; and even more projects and events that will be announced shortly.

Throughout the year, Star Wars action figures, favorites of kids and collectors since 1977, will come packaged with 30th-anniversary collector coins. New Star Wars toy lines from Hasbro and Lego will bring the intergalactic adventure home in new ways, and all Star Wars products will feature brand-new packaging that commemorates the Saga's first 30 years.

Meanwhile, work continues at LucasArts on entirely new videogame adventures that continue the Star Wars saga in new and unexpected ways, blending technology and classic storytelling to bring unprecedented depth, excitement and dimension to the Star Wars galaxy.

Likewise, Lucasfilm Animation is in the midst of production of the as-yet-untitled Star Wars animated TV series, working with talented artists and storytellers in California and Singapore to create entirely new adventures.

"We're really planning the next 30 years of Star Wars," Warner said. "Star Wars is one of the most popular and enduring entertainment franchises in the world, and there's no better time than the 30th anniversary to look ahead to the future of that galaxy far, far away."