The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

[ALIASd]

Sep. 20, 2006

Lucas named Rose Parade grand marshal

PASADENA, Calif. -- The Force will be with the Rose Parade next year. "Star Wars" creator George Lucas was named Tuesday as grand marshal of the 118th annual Tournament of Roses. "It's always had a very special place in my heart and now it's an amazing thought that I'm going to be riding that funny old car at the very end of the parade," the 62-year-old director said. Also Tuesday, USC said Lucas' Lucasfilm Foundation will donate $75 million to help with new construction and renovations at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. The foundation is also donating $100 million to serve as an endowment to the school. Taken together, the gifts are the largest single donation in USC history, the school said. Lucas was a film student at USC and graduated in 1966.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003124632

[DiSnEyFrEaK21]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

omg, this is too cool. ill be there for sure!

[Alchimedes]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

Perfect timing for "starting" to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Star Wars (1977)before the actual release date. Thanks for the info Alias.

[Olympicnut]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

I wonder what the parades theme is that they have Lucas as grand marshall.

[Tui]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

I wonder what the parades theme is that they have Lucas as grand marshall.

"How to ruin a parade with unnecessary special effects"

[ALIASd]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

I wonder what the parades theme is that they have Lucas as grand marshall.

I thought perhaps, "Take that Jedi Scum!" but no it's...



On Monday, January 1, 2007 at 8 a.m. (PST), millions of spectators from around the world will celebrate the New Year with the 118th Rose Parade themed Our Good Nature. The Rose Parade will once again feature the beautiful pageantry and tradition of magnificent floral floats, high-stepping equestrians and spirited marching bands.

[Melonballer]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

"How to ruin a parade with unnecessary special effects"

Or perhaps it is about the value of toilet humor in film.

[clara]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

I think that is pretty cool. I wished he was Grand Marshal the year I was in the Rose Parade. Heck I wished Mickey Mouse was Grand Marshal the year I was in the Rose Parade.

[aimster]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

"It's always had a very special place in my heart and now it's an amazing thought that I'm going to be riding that funny old car at the very end of the parade," the 62-year-old director said.

Ummmmm... I thought the Grand Marshal's car was at the BEGINNING of the parade???

[ALIASd]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

George Lucas to storm the 118th Rose Parade

PASADENA, Calif. -
Not long from now, in our very own galaxy, the Star Wars Spectacular will bring an intergalactic spirit — and 200 storm troopers — to the 118th annual Tournament of Roses parade.

Grand Marshal George Lucas will be accompanied by two Star Wars -themed floats and an army of costumed storm troopers. Lucas, 62, invited the evil soldiers (costumed superfans from all over the world) to march with him during the New Year's Day parade in Pasadena.

The storm troopers belong to a fan club called the 501st Legion, which boasts 3,000 members who appear at fundraisers and charitable events. Members create their own costumes, which can cost up to $1,000 each.

Other Star Wars characters will ride floats in the parade. Four Ewoks will be aboard the Forest Moon of Endor float, from the Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi era. The Naboo: The Garden Planet float, from the recent Star Wars trilogy, will carry three Queens of Naboo and two Jedi protectors.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-12-12-george-lucas_x.htm

[WatchYourHeadNStep]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

Ohhhhhhh boy! All the Star Wars geeks (like we pirate geeks) will be coming out of the woodwork and taking over Pasadena! Standby for a Rebel and Imperial Force invasion!!!!

I can see it now! Stormtroopers running around in USC football helmets and little Ewoks wearing oversized USC football jerseys!

[hollywood1939]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

Good for him. I wonder if anyone is going to try and run up to him during the parade.

[ALIASd]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

December 28, 2006

HOT TICKET
The Force is with the Rose Parade

The Force will certainly be with the 2007 Rose Parade in Pasadena on Monday. Not only is "Star Wars" creator George Lucas this year's grand marshal, but the parade will also feature a "Star Wars Spectacular."

The 118th annual event, with the theme "Our Good Nature," begins at 8 a.m. and will feature 45 traditional floral floats, 22 marching bands and 23 equestrian teams. An opening ceremony will feature Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth, reigning Miss America Jennifer Berry, a fireworks display and a military jet fly-over.

The 5 1/2 -mile parade runs north on Orange Grove Boulevard beginning at Ellis Street, east on Colorado Boulevard to Sierra Madre Boulevard, then north on Sierra Madre Boulevard to Paloma Street.

Spectators can try to stake out a free, curbside viewing spot beginning at noon Sunday. More than 70,000 grandstand seats will be available along the parade route. Prices range from $40 to $85, depending on location.

Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, 8 a.m. Monday. (626) 449-4100. www.sharpseating.com

http://www.latimes.com/

[ALIASd]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

Lucas to be grand marshal of Rose Parade

'Star Wars' floats will include 200 stormtroopers


Hundreds of fans will march in full 'Star Wars' regalia
at the 2007 Tournament of Roses Parade. (Photo: Mark Ashman)

Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars Spectacular' at the Rose Parade will
include a float inspired by the landscape of the planet Naboo.

By Alex Romanelli
Variety
December 29, 2006

If you notice Darth Vader, flanked by 200 stormtroopers, marching through Pasadena on Monday, don't worry: You're not seeing things because you drank too much at a New Year's Eve party.

"Star Wars" is making its first appearance in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade, and George Lucas is using the opportunity to give something back to his most obsessive fans.

Centerpiece of the "Star Wars" floats -- the "Star Wars Spectacular," as Lucasfilm dubs it -- will be 200 members of the 501st Legion, a 3,500-strong group of hardcore fans who appear publicly in full "Star Wars" costume.

The 501st makes public appearances in accurate replica costumes, participating mostly at fund raisers and charity events, always pro bono. Although unaffiliated with Lucasfilm, the company sometimes uses the 501st at its official events.

"When we were releasing 'Episode III' around the world, we'd call up the local garrison and ask them to provide some atmosphere and color around the premiere," said Tom Warner, Lucasfilm's senior director of marketing. "George was so impressed with these guys -- with their dedication and professionalism -- he wanted to do something to get recognition for them."

When Lucas had the idea for a "Star Wars" float in the Rose Parade, an open audition call went out to 501st members. Lucasfilm received 700 videos from costumed fans who filmed themselves marching. These were narrowed down to 200 participants, and Lucasfilm is flying those members in from across the nation and around the world, with 22 countries and 36 states represented.

About 80% will be dressed in the parade as the traditional iconic stormtroopers, with the rest appearing in related costumes such as snowtroopers, sandtroopers and biker scouts, Warner said.

"Think of it as the opening of the Olympics, with each foreign garrison represented by its country's flag and local garrison arm patches," Warner said.

Accompanying the 501st will be the Grambling State U. marching band from Louisiana -- 176 band members dressed as Imperial officers. Lucas is a big admirer of marching bands, especially Southern show-style bands. They'll be performing three compositions familiar to fans of the films -- the "Main Title," "Imperial March" and "The Throne Room" -- but Warner promises "a New Orleans twist."

Eight dancers and eight flag girls from Grambling State will also be dressed as Twi'leks -- exotic alien dancers from the "Star Wars" films.

Lucasfilm's "Star Wars Spectacular" will be bookended by two floats representing the theme of this year's parade, "Our Good Nature." First float will be the Forest Moon of Endor from 1983's "Return of the Jedi," complete with Ewoks swinging between trees. The second float is the planet of Naboo, seen in the prequel trilogy, featuring royal queens, handmaidens, Jedi protectors and even working waterfalls.

Lucas is also the parade's grand marshal, following in the footsteps of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard M. Nixon, John Wayne, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Stewart and Mickey Mouse.

Warner insists the decision to name Lucas grand marshal was independent of Lucasfilm's planned extravaganza. "We didn't go with that expectation at all. That came after we pitched (the parade organizers) the idea.
George is honored and very excited. The 501st was really the genesis of this whole idea."

One million people are expected to line the parade's route in Pasadena, with about 30 million watching on TV.

With 2007 marking the 30th anniversary of "Star Wars," Lucasfilm plans a five-day fan convention at the Los Angeles Convention Center in May.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117956402.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

[sanguinepoppet]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

Sep. 20, 2006

Lucas named Rose Parade grand marshal


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr..._id=1003124632

Wow that's awesome! <3

I can't wait!!!

[ALIASd]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

Lucas Embraces Rose Parade Marshal Role

By ALICIA CHANG
Associated Press Writer
2:53 PM PST, December 30, 2006

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- George Lucas, the mastermind behind the "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" sagas, can add another credit to his illustrious resume: Rose Parade grand marshal.

For a man accustomed to working behind the camera lens, Lucas embraces his latest challenge as the public face of the 118th annual Tournament of Roses on New Year's Day.

"There's nothing like being a grand marshal. It's a completely unique experience," said Lucas, sitting in the posh Beverly Wilshire hotel.

The 62-year-old director-producer took a break from his grand marshal duties this past week to reflect on the new year and practice his parade wave. He raised his cupped right hand and, with a flick of his wrist, turned it side to side like a beauty pageant model.

"I've done a lot of wave training," he quipped.

It seems fitting for Lucas to serve as the ambassador of the 2007 Rose Parade that will feature the three-piece "Star Wars Spectacular," which commemorates the 1977 release of "Star Wars," the first film in the sci-fi six-pack. The procession will include two floats depicting the moon of Endor seen in the "Return of the Jedi" and the garden planet of Naboo. Darth Vader will lead a group of 200 stormtroopers, assembled from around the world, who belong to a fan club called the 501st Legion.

Lucas won't don a stormtrooper costume at the parade, but he's not missing out. Earlier this year, toy maker Hasbro paid plastic tribute to the filmmaker by creating a limited-edition action figure of him with the snow white stormtrooper attire.

The 30th anniversary of "Star Wars" will be marked by conventions, festivities and the introduction of new video games in 2007. Lucas also is pursuing an animated 3-D TV series of "Clone Wars," a continuation of the Emmy-winning show by the same name that aired from 2003 to 2005. The new series has not been sold to a network yet, but Lucas was confident a deal would be reached next year.

Lucas said he will team up again with actor Harrison Ford and director Steven Spielberg for the highly anticipated fourth installment of the "Indian Jones" movies. Filming will begin next year and the movie will be released in May 2008.

He is relishing his grand marshal status. He gets to ride in a rare 1911 Pope-Hartford Model Y car and will flip the coin before the Rose Bowl matchup between Michigan and Southern California, his alma mater.

Previous honorees as grand marshal have included Dwight Eisenhower, Bob Hope, Tom Brokaw and Bill Cosby.

"It's always a great honor to be put in a category with other people you admire," he said.

Looking back at the galactic success of "Star Wars," Lucas said he's still amazed by the fanfare.

"It doesn't look like it's going to let up. It's as strong now as it's ever been," he said.

http://www.latimes.com/

[Jessicalover]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

I look forward to this so much. I will be celebrating Star Wars all year long.

[disneygirl]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

Me too!

Sabrina

[MissChristine]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

This is going to be a pretty fun Rose Parade! I'm sure that even more people are going simply because of the Star Wars tribute!

[WRDup]

Re: The Force will be with the 118th Rose Parade

pictures people... we need pictures.