New 'LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Shorts

By: Dominic Jones

Lego has released three new Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens short films on the Toys 'R Us YouTube channel.  The shorts are titled The Trouble with Rathtars, Hunting for Han and Rey Strikes Back.  The first LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens, titled "Poe to the Rescue" was released back in February.

The description for The Trouble with Rathars is,

HAN SOLO and CHEWBACCA have their hands full with a pack of misbehaving Rathtars as they attempt to transport their carnivorous cargo to a rendezvous with Bala Tik the pirate. Things go from bad to worse when First Order TIE Fighters pull the freighter over, forcing Han to think quick and somehow save his skin from the First Order and the rampaging creatures.

Check it out below,

The description for Hunting for Han is,

At the castle of pirate MAZ KANATA (the gathering spot for A-list Scum and Villainy across the galaxy) Maz prepares to trade with scurvy pirate BALA TIK. Bala Tik’s demands that Maz reveal the location of Han Solo, whom Bala Tik accuses of cheating him out of his Rathtars. As it happens, every unsavory character there has a beef with Han, and soon the Han-haters erupt in a brawl that stops when a mysterious OLD COOT sends the angry Scum on a wild goose chase after Han.

Check it out below,

And finally the description for Rey Strikes Back is,

On remote Jakku, REY strives to make ends meet by scavenging ruined Star Destroyers, but the heartless trader UNKAR PLUTT isn’t making it easy for her. Angry at what he perceives as Rey’s ingratitude, Plutt sends henchmen to steal her cherished Tank Speeder. The two not-so-bright baddies meet their match in the determined Rey, who stops at nothing to get her beloved “Bumper” back.

Check it out below,

Source: Toy R Us (YouTube)

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Video: 'LEGO Star Wars: The Resistance Rises' Episode One: "Poe to the Rescue"

By: Dominic Jones 

Disney XD has released the first episode of their new Lego Star Wars mini series, "The Resistance Rises", on their YouTube channel.  The series is set prior to the events of The Force Awakens (though don't expect it to be canon!) and is written by Lego Star Wars veteran Michael Price (whose other credits include The Simpsons and F is for Family).  The first episode is titled "Poe to the Rescue", check it out below,

Michael Price tweeted earlier that he expects the rest of the series to be released online as well.

@CPThrio I believe so. There are 4 more coming, and they may go on Disney XD first, then online, or maybe just online.

— Michael Price (@mikepriceinla) February 16, 2016

Source: Disney XD (YouTube)

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"The Yoda Chronicles" DVD Coming October 15th

By: Dominic Jones

Lucasfilm has announced that the first two Lego Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles specials will be coming to DVD on October 15th.  The DVD includes The Phantom Clone and Menace of the Sith and will be a Wal Mart exclusive in the U.S

Read the official announcement below:

The LEGO Group and Lucasfilm announced today that LEGO Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles, featuring the hit animated specials "The Phantom Clone" and "Menace of the Sith," will release on DVD this October. The two original 22-minute specials offer brand new epic adventures with everyone's favorite LEGO Star Wars characters -- and a major new one, as well. Distributed by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, the DVD will be available exclusively in the United States at Wal Mart beginning October 15. For international release information, please check with your local retailer. 

"The Phantom Clone" and "Menace of the Sith" are both original stories filled with action-packed comic adventures that are brick-smashing fun and feature characters, locations, and vehicles well-known across the entire LEGO Star Wars universe.

In "The Phantom Clone," the action-packed adventure begins when Darth Sidious unveils his plan to create a new super-weapon -- an enhanced Sith clone named Jek-14 -- to help him defeat the Republic once and for all. It's up to Jedi Master Yoda and his young Padawan students to work together and save the galaxy!

In "Menace of the Sith," Count Dooku uses his new and improved Clone-a-Matic to create an army of Jek clones, but the original Jek-14 wants no part of the sinister scheme. Now, with the help of some old friends and two familiar Droids, substitute teacher Anakin Skywalker must lead Yoda's Padawan class to victory.

Stay tuned to StarWars.com for more on LEGO Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles!

What's odd about this release is that it only includes the first two episodes of the trilogy, while the third special (which hasn't even aired on television yet) is nowhere to be found.  Why not either release the first two episodes separately or wait for the third one to air and do one release for the entire trilogy?

Regardless October 15th will be a big day for fans of Star Wars on TV as The Clone Wars Season 5 Box Set and Complete Series Box Set both come out that day along side The Yoda Chronicles.

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"The Yoda Chronicles" Release Date Announced

By: Dominic Jones

Lego has announced the release date for the first of the three The Yoda Chronicles TV specials  airing throughout the year.   The first special will air on Cartoon Network in the U.S and Teletoon in Canada on May 29th, 2013 at 6:30 pm EST.  The reveal came on the back of the monthly Lego store calendars (available for free at Lego stores).  

Star Wars Insider #140 revealed that the Yoda Chronicles will be penned by friend of the SWU Michael Price, who has also written the past two Lego Star Wars specials, The Padawan Menace and The Empire Strikes Out. 

Check out the trailer for The Yoda Chronicles below:

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"Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out" Coming to DVD March 26th

By: Dominic Jones

20th century Fox (yes they still exist) announced today that they will be releasing the most recent Lego Star Wars TV special The Empire Strikes Out on DVD on March 26th, 2013.  Like it's predecessor The Padawan Menace, The Empire Strikes Out DVD will come with an exclusive Lego minifigure!  This time it's Darth Vader wearing his medal from the end of the special.  Now word on whether the special will be released on Blu-ray.  Read the official press release below:

"SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (January 22, 2013) – After a record breaking debut on Cartoon Network, The LEGO Group and Lucasfilm announced today that LEGO® Star Wars™: The Empire Strikes Out will release on DVD this coming March 26, 2013. The 22-minute original standalone special will bring the same tongue-and-cheek humor fans know and love in a brand new epic adventure featuring everyone’s favorite LEGO Star Wars characters. Distributed by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, the DVD will include an exclusive collectible Darth Vader LEGO minifigure and is available now for preorder at www.foxconnect.com/awesome.

Filled with charm, action and irreverent humor this original story features characters, locations and vehicles across the entire LEGO Star Wars universe including Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, C-3P0, R2-D2, Darth Maul, and more. When the premiere of LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out aired on Cartoon Network, it became the number-one telecast of the day with kids ages 6-11 and boys ages 2-17. Written by Emmy Award winner Michael Price (The Simpsons), the show features many of the beloved Star Wars voice-actors fans know and love including Anthony Daniels, Sam Witwer, Ahmed Best and more.

SYNOPSIS:
HOLD ON TO YOUR BRICKS….FOR AN ALL-NEW ANIMATED ADVENTURE!
Your favorite characters are back to save the galaxy in LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out. The heroes of the Rebel Alliance including heroic Luke Skywalker, swaggering Han Solo and steadfast Princess Leia have no time to celebrate their victory over the Empire as a new Imperial threat arises. But as Jedi-in training Luke embarks on this next mission, he discovers that his celebrity status as a “Death-Star-Blower-Upper” can be a double-edged lightsaber when he’s constantly mobbed by crazed fans. So much for secret missions! Meanwhile, Darth Vader and Darth Maul are locked in a hilarious “Sith-ling” rivalry as they compete for the Emperor’s approval. It’s an action-packed comic adventure that’s out of this world!"

Don't forget to listen to our interview with Michael Price, writer of the Lego specials in Episode 52 of The SWU Podcast. 

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The SWU Podcast Episode 52 | 9/23/2012

In this episode of the SWU Podcast, Ben and Dominic interview the writer of the Star Wars Lego TV specials, Michael Price, fan Mike comes on the show to talk about his experience at CVI, and Chris, Dominic, David, and Irish Chris discuss what is going on in the collecting world. Plus listen for David's coverage of the Clone Wars Season 5 Premiere and the international debut of Ben's clones?



» Right click here and select save link as to Download MP3.

» Sandtroopers.com

» Kishometeora

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"LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out" TV Special Coming September 26th!

By: Dominic Jones
 

UPDATE #2: Lucasfilm officially announced the special revealing it's title, LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out, that it will be airing on September 26 on Cartoon Network at 8:00pm and released a new trailer. The announcement reveals that the story is set following A New Hope and will feature Luke, Han, Leia, Chewbacca, Darth Vader and Darth Maul. The official description from the announcement reads:

In LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out, premiering Wednesday, September 26 at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT), a new Imperial threat has been detected and the good guys have to act fast. But Jedi-in-training Luke discovers that instant fame as a "Death-Star-Blower-Upper" can be a double-edged lightsaber, as his secret mission to Naboo is thwarted by those most unstoppable of foes -- crazed fans! (It's hard being the galaxy's New Hope.) Meanwhile, Darth Vader sees his day go from bad to worse when his relationship with the Emperor is imperiled by the unexpected arrival of Darth Maul. Luke and Vader's quests to prove themselves lead them on a collision course with each other (literally) and their destiny.

In addition writer Michael Price also revealed on twitter that Anthony Daniels, Sam Witwer, and "many other Star Wars greats past and present."

LSW: THE EMPIRE STRKES OUT stars @adaniels3po , @samwitwer and many other Star Wars greats past and present.9/26 @ 8PM on Cartoon Network! — Michael Price (@mikepriceinla) September 16, 2012

Check out the new trailer and read the announcement here.
 

UPDATE #1: Upon sharing the story regarding a potential Lego Star Wars TV series (scroll down to read that) on my personal Twitter account, I received the following tweet from Michael Price, writer of Lego Star Wars: The Padawan Menace:

Um... I definitely had a part in this. But it's special, not a series!“@dominicj25: Woah!! #LEGO #StarWars starwarsunderworld.com/2012/09/12/leg…” — Michael Price (@mikepriceinla) September 12, 2012

So we now know that IT'S JUST A TV SPECIAL and not a full series, but we also learned that Michael Price returned to write this one as well and based on The Padawan Menace, that's a good thing! Michael also let us know that an official announcement is coming soon! Scroll down to find the original speculation and watch the trailer that started it all!

ORIGINAL STORY: After the success of Lego Star Wars: The Padawan Menace, fans everywhere hoped we would see more Lego specials from the galaxy far, far away. We learned several months back that a new special was in production. What we didn't know was that a whole Lego Star Wars TV series was in production...well possibly. While there's still no confirmation from any official Star Wars sources, a brand new Cartoon Network preview lists Lego Star Wars as one of it's new shows. The preview features clips from several CN shows and features animated Lego minifigures of Darth Maul, Darth Sidious, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker and Boss Nass. To be clear, this is different from Star Wars: Detours the upcoming animated comedy series from Seth Green, Matt Senreich and Todd Grimes. The announcement of this series (if it is in fact a series) is very similar to the way The Padawan Menace was announced, when a banner at a marketing expo was the first anybody had heard of it. If it is a new series, it begs the question of why the series wasn't announced last month at Star Wars Celebration VI. It is very possible that this simply an error in promotion and that CN is merely promoting their new special, however the fact that is being promoted as a new show lends credence to the idea that this is a new series. Now word yet on a date or time for this new series (or special) to premiere, but we'll let you know as soon as we know. In the mean time check out the CN preview that revealed this series below:

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Second Lego Star Wars Special Coming!

By: Dominic Jones
 

Anthony Daniels, the actor who played C-3PO in the six Star Wars films and on The Clone Wars Television series, revealed today at the C2E2 Convention in Chicago that a second Lego Star Wars television special is in the works. The first Lego special, The Padawan Menace, aired last July and was very well received by fans of all kinds.

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