In 2005, Wired magazine mapped out how exactly the Star Wars saga (including innovations from ILM, Skywalker Sound and LucasArts) has influenced pop culture, technology, entertainment companies and more over the years.

Read all about it here:
How Star Wars Changed the World (Wired.com)

Here’s a large easy-to-read image of the map from Kottke as well.

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SOURCE: ClubJade.net

MTV’s “True Life” series is looking for die-hard fans of all franchises including Star Wars. Check put the info below for to find out more!

Are you a young person who is obsessed with a certain book, comic or video game? MTV’s “True Life” is looking for young people who are die-hard fans of certain brands, characters, or fantasy series.

Are you obsessed with comic books, anime, fantasy or manga? Do you like to dress up as your favorite character and attend conventions with other fans? Have you ever waited in line overnight for a book, movie or video game release? Do you have tattoos depicting your favorite brand or characters? Have you ever missed work, school, or other important events to engage in role-playing or cosplay? Are you misunderstood by your family or signifcant other because of it? Do you aspire to author your own graphic novel or comic series despite your parents’ disapproval?

If you appear to be between the ages of 16 and 28, and want to share the story of your fantasy obsession, email MTV at fanboy@mtvn.com with all of the details. Be sure to include your name, location, phone number and a photo, if possible.

Good luck and let us know if you audition for the show!

The Force-Cast’s Jason Swank goes one-on-one with the voice of Anakin Skywalker in The Clone Wars, Matt Lanter as he discusses new experiences in the Star Wars universe, what goes on behind the scenes, and all things Anakin.

Check out the interview here:
Force-Cast: In The Cantina With Matt Lanter

Also be sure to check out these other great interviews from Force-Cast:

Dave Filoni (Director of The Clone Wars)

Ashley Eckstein (Voice of Ahsoka Tano)

Looks like Ken’s got some real competition for his gal. Artist Ben Walker pays tribute to Barbie and Han Solo in his art piece “A Love That Transcends Time, Space & Manufacturer.”

Walker chats with Starwars.com about the piece.

What made you decide to pair up Barbie and Han?
For Gallery 1988’s TOYS! show I wanted to play with the idea that as kids we don’t necessarily stick to the story lines supplied by TV, films and toy marketers. We would play out all kinds of fantasies and stories on our bedroom floor, and everything in our toy box was fair game in order to bring that story to life. I knew I wanted to do a piece that would poke fun at the idea of a forbidden love between characters that we held dear to our hearts but weren’t supposed to exist in the same universe.

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Even if you aren’t a fan of the Gungans, it’s hard to resist the lure of an edible Jar Jar. Using jicama as the artistic medium, one fan carved a rather realistic resemblance of Jar Jar, and listed step-by-step instructions so you can too!

Check out all the instructions here:
Jar Jar Binks Salad: A Food Carving How-To Guide

Darth Tater doesn’t just hang out on the Death Star. He’s got wanderlust and the snapshots to prove it. Check out some rather amusing photos all around the San Francisco Bay, Los Angeles, Mount Rushmore and even Alcatraz in Darth Tater’s Great Adventures.

Over Labor Day weekend sci-fi and fantasy-loving fans descended on Atlanta, GA for the yearly extrava-geek-ganza that is none other than Dragon*Con. One of the most exciting events of the con is the parade. Here’s some snapshots from the costume catwalk taken by artist Allison Sohn.

Check out more photos below.

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It’s not every day that my severed head ends up in a piece of art work. Luckily for me, Star Wars artist Randy Martinez also put my noggin in the company of well-known heads that belong to Lucasfilm Events Manager and Bantha Tracks Editor Mary Franklin, Lucasfilm Director of Fan Relations Steve Sansweet, and You Can Draw: Star Wars artist Matt Busch.

I chatted with Randy about the Headless Horseman tribute which is featured in his upcoming book Creature Features: Draw Amazing Monsters & Aliens, published by Impact and due to hit stores in March 2009.

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It’s not easy being Jedi Master Yoda, but imagine if your last name actually was Yoda? Would you get instant respect from Star Wars fans or would you grow tired of everyone you meet trying to have a conversation with you in Yoda backwards speak?

Hiroko Yoda writes about what it’s like to share a last name with a green movie icon.

Excerpt:

People think I changed my name because I’m a crazy Star Wars fan, or that I’m just kidding around. Even people who know I’m not making it up are always giving me Yoda trinkets and keychains and figures, so I had this little shrine to him going on for a while.

And then there was this latest incident with Facebook. I tried signing up like ten times, and it always rejected my name. Finally we figured out that a filter was blocking “Yoda” because it thought I was trying to register a fictional name! They finally let me sign up, but it took several days and a lot of emails. So we do occasionally have a hard time, but on the other hand, it’s nice to have a short and memorable name because people easily remember us.

Read the full essay here:
Life as Yoda (AltJapan)

Star Wars isn’t just about the lads. Check out this list from Bettie Magazine of the female characters they think not only make the grade, but can hold their own in a fight. I love that they included the newest Jedi apprentice Ahsoka, as well as a few Expanded Universe gals — but why no Ackmena? Sheesh.

The 9 Most Badass Women of Star Wars (Bettiemag.com)

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SOURCE: Club Jade