First Details of Episode VII Announced

Today, StarWars.com released the first details of what we can expect from Star Wars: Episode VII, including the time and location of shooting, and some hints as to the setting and cast of the film.

The film will begin filming this May at Pinewood Studios in London. Even more interesting, however, is the following comment:

"It has also been confirmed that Star Wars: Episode VII is set about 30 years after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, and will star a trio of new young leads along with some very familiar faces."

This will put Episode VII somewhere during the New Jedi Order era - but it's important to note that this means little for what we can expect to see in the film, as there's nothing tying producers to the existing EU canon. One thing's for sure though, it looks like we'll definitely be seeing some of our favourite characters returning from the original films!

What are your thoughts on this announcement? Be sure to send them to relicsoftheforce@gmail.com or tweet them to @Archon_Revuge!

Far Far Away Radio's Charity Auction in Memory of Aaron Allston

The following release comes courtesy of Austin Blankenship over at our affiliate site Far Far Away Radio:

On February 27th, 2014, New York Times bestselling author Aaron Allston passed away at age 53. The cause of death has been reported as a massive heart failure. 

In 2009, Mr. Allston had a heart attack and underwent emergency quadruple bypass surgery. He was able to successfully return to writing, penning the 2010 Star Wars novel, Fate of the Jedi: Backlash. The dedication in Backlash reads: "To everyone in 2009 who helped me get through a very hard time." 

Far Far Away Radio, a Star Wars fansite, is hosting an auction in honor of Aaron Allston. This auction is for a 1st edition copy of Fate of the Jedi: Backlash, signed by Aaron Allston in 2010 at Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando, Florida. The copy is in mint-condition and has never been read.

100% of the proceeds from this auction will be donated to the American Heart Association, to further cardiovascular research in memory of Mr. Allston. A donation to the American Heart Association can make an immediate impact. According to the AHA website, donating will allow you to join "in the fight against our nation’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers – heart disease and stroke. Your donation will support such life-saving efforts as research, education, advocating for better health, improving patient care and reaching populations at risk." 

This is an opportunity to further Mr. Allston's legacy of kindness by reaching out to the countless others who need help getting through hard times of their own.

Bidding will officially close on March 21, 2014 at 13:56:33 PDT. 

More information here. 

You can view the auction here.

Allston made a number of fantastic contributions to the Star Wars Expanded Universe (X-Wing: Starfighters of Adumar remains one of the funniest books I've ever had the joy of reading.). This is an incredibly worthy cause, not to mention a great chance to add a brilliant piece of Star Wars memorabilia to your collection. Do take the time to head on over to the auction, and place your bid.

WeLoveFine Battle of Hoth T-Shirt

Yesterday I had another amazing t-shirt arrive from the fine folks over at WeLoveFine (see what I did there?) This one's in the same vein as the Battle of Endor veteran's t-shirt I picked up last year, but instead celebrating the brave Rebel souls who fought on Hoth.

If you want to rock this awesome design, you can pick up your own for $25.00US ($29.48NZ). WeLoveFine have a number of other great Star Wars items too!

Giveaway! [CLOSED]

Last week, the awesome people over at Houston bookoo sent me a couple of t-shirts to pass on to my readers. I thought I'd add a couple of other items into the mix, and have a go at running my first giveaway. If you'd like a chance to win what you see below, read on!

Entering is easy. All you need to do is send an e-mail to relicsoftheforce@gmail.com with the subject "Giveaway #1" and an answer to the following question:

In what year did the Relics of the Force collection begin?

(Hint: the answer can easily be found on the My Collection page!)

Two winners will be randomly drawn on Wednesday 19th March at 10.00pm CST. First prize will receive everything seen above: a bookoo t-shirt (size M, L, or XL), a Stormtrooper dry-erase board with marker, a Stormtrooper journal, a Stormtrooper magnetic notepad, and an exclusive Relics of the Force sticker (not available in the online store). The runner-up will receive a bookoo t-shirt, a Stormtrooper magnetic notepad, and an exclusive Relics of the Force sticker.

Entries are open to anyone with a postal address in the continental US. Entries must be received by Wednesday 19th March 9.30pm CST. One entry per email address. Once you've entered, be sure to check out Houston bookoo or the bookoo site for your own city. It's a great place to pick up second-hand items, including some awesome Star Wars collectibles!

Good luck, and may the Force be with you!

Lego Boba Fett Magnet

Today I dropped by the Lego Store in the Houston Galleria to check out their discount bin. I've spotted the odd Star Wars item in there before, so always like to have a rummage. Today it was overflowing with Bilbo Baggins keyrings, but buried at the bottom I found this little gem: a Boba Fett Lego Magnet.

These magnets usually retail for $6.99US ($8.34NZ) each, but I managed to get this one for only $1.48US ($1.77NZ). He also sports a lot more features than I'd expected. He's fully poseable, and his blaster, helmet, and head can all be removed and disassembled. A great find!