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There might have been a moment of late when you sat in a movie theater struggling to remain awake as some entirely convincing space battle between two starships a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away took place in front of you. (It was so convincing, in fact, that you forgot it wasn’t real, which didn’t make it any more interesting.) Then you realized that you had just seen a few other entirely convincing and equally boring space battles happen in some movie about superheroes a month earlier, and would likely find yourself watching another in a month...

Luke. Leia. Han. Chewie. Artoo. Threepio. All present and accounted for as StarWars.com unveiled the official cast of "Star War: Episode VII" Tuesday. Here's the full release: The Star Wars team is thrilled to announce the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film. Director J.J. Abrams says, "We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars:...

le this under “There (almost) goes the neighborhood.” Lucasfilm announced this week that despite many years of planning and investment, the continuing regulatory delays and furious opposition of neighbors has led the company to abandon efforts to build a large production studio in Marin County, north of San Francisco. “We have several opportunities to build the production stages in communities that see us as a creative asset, not as an evil empire, and if we are to stay on schedule we must act on those opportunities,” Lucasfilm said it a statement . . .

Posted: Wed., Oct. 4, 2006, 4:52pm PT Lucas: Let's get small Helmer sees shrinking pic biz By DAVID S. COHEN George Lucas has a message for studios that are cutting their slates and shifting toward big-budget tentpoles and franchises: You've got it all wrong. The creator of "Star Wars," which stamped the template for the franchise-tentpole film, says many small films and Web distribution are the future. And in case anyone doubts he means it, Lucasfilm is getting out of the movie business. "We don't want to make movies. We're about to get into television. As far as Lucasfilm is...

Star Wars III: Return of the Attack of the Phantom SpoilerAs April gives way to May and the final days tick down, one question preoccupies millions of highly trained technical minds around the globe: does George Lucas still have it, or will Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith be yet another example of beautiful cinematography and brilliant special effects in the service of pedestrian acting and an infantile story line? While I realize I'm in danger of jeopardizing decades of close personal friendship here, I also believe that in time George will thank me for telling you all...