Star Wars Weekends return to Disney-MGM Studios

Again this year fans and stars alike will gather at the Disney - MGM Studios for the sixth annual Star Wars Weekends. Taking place over four weekends (Friday - Sunday) from May 19 to June 11, the event brings in past actors

from Star Wars films, Lucasfilm alums, and behind-the-scenes folks, as well as over 50 different costumed characters from the Star Wars universe. For the first time this year, actor Warwick Davis — known for playing "Wicket" the Ewok in Return of the Jedi and well as Professor Flitwick in the Harry Potter series — will serve a new role as celebrity host for each weekend of the event. The park's Star Tours attraction serves as a centerpiece for the celebration.

In addition to Davis, Star Wars celebrities scheduled to appear include:

Weekend #1, May 19-21, 2006

- Peter Mayhew — Chewbacca, the loyal Wookiee in the original Star Wars trilogy and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

- Rick McCallum — famed Star Wars producer

Weekend #2, May 26-28, 2006

- Jake Lloyd — young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

- Matt Wood — voice of General Grievous in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and the Supervising Sound Editor for Skywalker Sound

Weekend #3, June 2-4, 2006

- Jay Laga'aia — Captain Typho, Senator Amidala's head of security in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

- Bonnie Piesse — young Aunt Beru in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Weekend #4, June 9-11, 2006

- Jeremy Bulloch — Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy

- Temuera Morrison — Jango Fett, the dangerous bounty hunter in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Throughout Star Wars Weekends guests never know which Star Wars character they'll find around the corner, whether it's the heroic Jedi Luke Skywalker, the sinister Greedo, the furry and lovable Chewbacca or evil Siths Darth Vader and Darth Maul. Jedi Mickey Mouse — dressed in his very own Jedi robe — has even been known to make meet-and-greet appearances during the festival. Meet-and-greets with more than 50 famous villains and heroes from all six Star Wars films bring guests face-to-face with their favorite characters.

Another popular Star Wars Weekends event is Jedi Training Academy. Designed for young "Obi-Wanna-Bes" and presented on the Rebel Base Stage, it gives Jedi hopefuls the chance to perfect their moves with a lightsaber. Following instruction by a Jedi Master, young Padawans are challenged to test their newly acquired lightsaber skills against one of the evil Siths.

Other festival activities in the Star Wars Weekends galaxy include:

- Star Wars Legends — Visiting Star Wars celebrities take part in a talk show-style conversation inside the theme park's ABC Theatre. Guests hear directly from the actors, actresses and creative minds that have brought the popular film series to life since Star Wars debuted in 1977.

- To Endor... and Back? — Guests can take flight to the moon of Endor in Star Tours, an action-packed flight simulator that salutes the Star Wars series. Synchronizing a stunning film with the virtually limitless gyrations of the simulator, the attraction takes guests on a hair-raising, light-speed trip aboard a careening star speeder. The rookie droid pilot tries his best to get the ship back to port while dodging comets and Imperial Tie Fighters.

- Who Wants to be a Jedi? — Special editions of the popular game show attraction "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It!" will be presented, with Star Wars-inspired questions and surprise appearances by film characters. The attraction's studio audience can join in the fun by answering trivia questions using keypads installed at their seats. Younger fans can also take part in the Padawan Mind Challenge, a trivia contest geared for children under age 12.

- One-of-a-Kind Collectibles — Star Wars collectors will find a treasure trove of special-edition merchandise each weekend. Once again, Disney and Lucasfilm Ltd. have created event-exclusive Star Wars memorabilia — from trading pins and commemorative posters to apparel, medallions and other limited-edition items — that will be available in Tatooine Traders. The themed retail location is adjacent to the Ewok Village set at the Star Tours attraction.

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