Welcome to the force, George
George Lucas has gone over to the dark side.
Hasbro, maker of “Star Wars” toys, is paying plastic tribute to Lucas with a limited-edition action figure in Storm Trooper attire.
“We took a cue from when Han Solo and Luke disguised themselves as Storm Troopers,” said Derryl DePriest, Hasbro marketing director. “We placed George in his own universe that he created.”
This is the first time the director has been honored with an official “Star Wars” action figure, but not the first time his likeness has been used. Hasbro previously issued a figure that looked like Lucas called George Sacul.
“That was very subtle,” DePriest said. “This time we really wanted to pay tribute to the man himself.”
The new toy is only available to participants in Hasbro’s “Ultimate Galactic Hunt.” Fans must show proof of purchase of five vintage “Star Wars” action figures to get the George Lucas Storm Trooper figurine.
Take the money and run!
“Mission Impossible” star Tom Cruise‘s prenup with fiancée Katie Holmes is worth about $40 million, London’s Daily Mail reports.
The newspaper adds that a $15 million trust has been set up for Holmes and newborn daughter Suri whether or not the couple actually tie the knot.
Curb your emissions
Larry David gave away a Toyota Prius used in his HBO series “Curb Your Enthusiasm” in a contest aimed at increasing awareness of global warming.
A medical student at the University of California, Los Angeles, won the hybrid vehicle after registering for the yearlong Virtual March to Stop Global Warming, an online petition organized by Stop Global Warming, a group co-founded by David’s wife, Laurie.
Being Celine and not heard
Celine Dion has returned to performing at Caesars Palace after a viral ear infection caused her to cancel six shows last month.
“When you come back, you’re afraid. You’re scared and you’re like, kind of ashamed,” she says. “You’re like, ‘I’m sorry, you know?’
“Then you talk to yourself and say, ‘You’re a human being, it can happen.’ “
And now, the punch line
Dame Edna Everage has issued a tongue-in-cheek rebuttal of a claim that her alter ego, Australian actor Barry Humphries, punched a photographer outside a restaurant.
“Poor Barry, desperate for publicity as usual,” read an e-mail statement issued by Humphries’ publicist in Dame Edna’s name.
“Luckily I wasn’t there, but I’m told he didn’t deliberately hit the poor photographer but was pushing the camera away and his knuckles accidentally grazed the poor chap’s cheeks. … I’m sending Barry off for counseling. He is a rageaholic and a tragic attention seeker.”
The birthday bunch
Actress Ann B. Davis (“The Brady Bunch”) is 80. Actor Lance Henriksen (“Millennium”) is 66. Comedian-actor Michael Palin (Monty Python) is 63. Actor John Rhys-Davies (“Lord of the Rings,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark”) is 62. MTV News correspondent Kurt Loder is 61. Newsman Brian Williams is 47. Actress Tina Yothers (“Family Ties”) is 33. Actress Danielle Fishel (“Boy Meets World”) is 25. Singer Chris Brown is 17.