Dec 30 Liam Neeson (Qui-Gon Jinn) has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Neeson, who also starred in Schindler's List and Michael Collins, is an ex-boxer who is married to Natasha Richardson. Also on the list is Dave Prowse, who played Darth Vader in three Star Wars movies. His MBE is for services as the Green Cross Code man though, rather than Dark Lord of the Sith.
Dec 28 If you've had enough of playing bored games and stuffing turkey down you, tune in to BBC1 at 9.50pm for a French and Saunders spoof of The Phantom Menace, and judging by the pre-pics Jimmy Krankie is Anakin (I kid you not).
Dec 26 Hope you had a great Christmas! As part of Radio 1's year review they played a Simon Mayo interview with Brian Blessed. For anyone not priviliged to hear it, Blessed was in top form, decrying the House of Lords - "They're all so boring" and pointing out just who he was - "You're not interviewing rubbish, darling". A joy to hear.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, George Lucas said he is still writing the script for Episode II. It should have been finished a few weeks ago but as long as it is done by February/March things should be ok, he said. Shooting will start in June.
Dec 25 As revealed here last week Jesse Spencer (ex-Neighbours) was on BBC1's Live and Kicking Show today. One girl managed to ask the only question that mattered: Was he going to be the next Anakin? And his answer? A very quick no but thanks for asking.
Dec 24 Brian Blessed (Boss Nass) made a guest appearance on BBC1's SClub7 show today.
Kenny Baker (R2-D2) has given an extensive interview to the BBC Entertainment site. Kenny talks about everything from being an ewok - "You were a round ball of rubber covered with fur", to being R2 - "With a robot you've got no eyebrows and no arms to express yourself with. I just had to wobble the thing about and move the head and that was about all I could really do." For the full interview, click here.
The official site seems to have gone make-over crazy. Following its recent face-lift there is now a cartoon of R2 and 3PO making a Y2K joke on the front page. Art is by Jay Shuster. Things will return to normal on January 4.
Dec 23 Natalie Portman is to star in the remake of 1980s classic Dirty Dancing, it has been announced.
The Daily Telegraph today listed The Phantom Menace as one of the year's biggest disappointments...
Dec 21 Tickets are now for sale for The Art of Star Wars, which is coming to London next year. More than 200 original paintings, costumes and models will be at the Barbican Art Gallery from April 13 to September 3. Tickets cost £10 for adults and £6.50 for children who are 14 and under. Call 020 7638 8891 for details or.click here for more information.
Dec 20 The official site is offering an extremely cool Darth Maul leather jacket for $199 (about £130). It is also offering Lucas-signed Episode I banners for the first time.
Dec 18 Watch out for Jesse Spencer on next week's BBC1 Live and Kicking show. Jesse was in Neighbours before quitting recently and is heavily rumoured to be in the running for the role of the new Anakin - not that anyone will confirm it.
The people behind a new role playing Star Wars game have been answering questions on the official site. They reveal the first games should be out towards the end of 2000 and they won't be including trading cards. Click here for the full FAQ.
Next February 16 George Lucas will be at the Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, America. He will be the main guest of a lecture and will be interviewed about the media's influence/
Dec 16 The official site has had a major overhaul and now offers the chance to sign up to receive regular updates. The title page is brighter and sharper, and much different to the old pages which had been the same way for a couple of years. The old design is still there too, and be prepare to wait as there have been a few gremlins/droids in the works.
Dec 15 According to Newsweek the role of Anakin for Episode II has already been filled. Film insiders say General Hospital actor Jonathan Jackson, 17, is the new Darth-to-be. Jackson's manager has said the soap actor is a top bet to play Anakin and has alleged Jackson will meet with casting directors soon. Lucas, meanwhile, isn't saying a word. .
Ain't It Cool news has mention of the infamous TPM video release date. They say it will come out in America on March 28, which would probably mean an early May release in the UK. However they have confirmed reports that it won't be on DVD until much later, but that when released it will be "the mother of all DVDs".
Dec 13 It's nearly that time of year for Oscar nominations and the major film companies will soon be putting their nominees forward. Twentieth Century Fox will have high hopes for The Phantom Menace, which looks a good bet to walk off with at least one award.
Best special effects seems the most likely category for success, with only The Matrix as genuine competition. Other possibilities remain Oscars in other technical areas, and maybe another gong for composer John Williams in the best filmscore slot with his Duel of the Fates recording. On the acting front Star Wars has never had much success, apart from a nomination with Sir Alec Guinness in Star Wars. The only possibilities are August Parnell (best female supporting actress as Shmi Skywalker) and maybe Liam Neeson as best actor with Qui-Gon, but that's a bit optimistic.
There is some still some time to go before the ceremony itself, so here's a quick timetable of events. The nominations' polls close on February 4 and the nominees are announced on Feb 15. The final polls close on March 21 and the awards presentation is on March 26 2000.
Dec 12 Brian Blessed (Boss Nass) has given an interview to the BBC in which he talks about his new found fame among Star Wars fans. For the full interview go here.
Our toys section has a new edition, The Fantom Meanies, a collection of Star Wars-type Beanies. Click here for full details.
Dec 11 London auctioneers Christies has just completed a sale of film props. Included was an Imperial uniform, worn in Star Wars ANH. For full details click here.
Dec 10 The official site has announced that Wizards of the Coast, a part of Hasbro, has been given exclusive rights to make role-playing and small table top Star Wars games. There's plenty of Star Wars action games but RPGs are rare. Find out more at www.wizards.com
Dec 9 Star Wars artist Edvin Biukovic died on December 5 of heart failure and collapse of the lungs, aged 30. He is survived by his mother and father.
Following the success of the Racer game, the official site has announced it is to release it on the Mac.
Dec 8 An impressive new book has been released for anyone into the Internet and Star Wars, which as you're reading this, probably qualifies you. The Incredible InternetGuide to Star Wars is available on Amazon.com and is written by Peter J Weber, It is a 354-page paperback, ISBN number: 1889150126.
Dec 7 Anyone watching Jonathan Ross' Film 99 will see that Star Wars has been voted the best film of all time. The viewers' poll placed Blade Runner in second spot and The Phantom Menace in fifth, with The Empire Strikes Back at seventh.
Dec 6 Cinemas have taken $1.2million following the re-release of The Phantom Menace in America. Not a huge amount at all, partly due to cinemas' reluctance to promote the film heavily as they aren't getting any of the profits - they're all going to charity.