Several sources have confirmed the passing of Richard LeParmentier, who fans will forever remember as Admiral Motti in "Star Wars: A New Hope" . The scene in which LeParmentier's character gets force choked by Darth Vader on the first Death Star will forever remain a classic with Star Wars fans. LeParmentier was sixty-six years old and the cause of his death remains unannounced.

Press Release from Lucasfilm Ltd.:

Anthony Daniels, the actor behind C-3PO, the golden protocol droid that was a central character in all six Star Wars movies, is scheduled to attend Star Wars Celebration Europe July 26-28 in Essen, Germany. Daniels will be attending the weekend fan festival to sign autographs and meet fans in the Celebration Autograph Hall as well as appear on the main Celebration Stage for an interview with Warwick Davis.

No stranger to Star Wars Celebrations, Daniels is always entertaining. In addition to his considerable contributions to the movies, the actor is steeped in Star Wars lore, having spent much of the past three years at the narrator of the spectacular symphony event, Star Wars- In Concert. Although he plays a character that is “…not very good at telling stories,” he does that very thing, every night at every concert performance. In shows across Europe, the USA, Mexico and Canada, the power of In Concert has completely changed Daniels’ feelings towards the whole Star Wars saga. He’s thrilled and honored to be a part of the whole phenomenon.

Press Release from Lucasfilm Ltd.:

The original princess with an attitude, Carrie Fisher, is slated to appear at Celebration Europe this July 26-28 in Essen. Princess Leia Organa in the original Star Wars trilogy, Fisher will be greeting fans and signing autographs in the Celebration Autograph Hall organized by Official Pix, and is scheduled to appear on stage for an interview and a question and answer session.

Fans at Celebration Europe can look forward to entertaining straight talk from Fisher on a number of topics, when she takes to the Celebration Stage with host Warwick Davis. Tickets are available now at http://www.starwarscelebration.eu.

Fisher was 19 years old when she became a cultural icon as Princess Leia in A New Hope. Her film career started when she was even younger, playing opposite Warren Beatty in Shampoo in 1975. She is the daughter of actress Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher. In addition to A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, Fisher has performed in numerous movies and television series, including memorable appearances in The Blues Brothers, The Man with One Red Shoe, Hannah and Her Sisters, The Burbs, When Harry Met Sally, Austin Powers, Heartbreakers, Fanboys, Sorority Row, Angela as Mon Mothma in Family Guy, and in her own television specials, including the autobiographical Wishful Drinking.

Press Release from Lucasfilm Ltd.:

It's a showdown between the Light Side and Dark Side in the first “This Is Madness” tournament! Vote for your favorite Jedi, Sith, scoundrel, rebel, or bounty hunter and help decide who is, once and for all, the galaxy's most popular Star Wars character.
br/> The first round begins on Monday, March 18! Cast your votes and come back every day for new matchups and results, and be sure to visit us on Tuesday, April 9, to see who will be named winner of “This Is Madness!” http://starwars.com/This-Is-Madness/

Press Release from Lucasfilm Ltd.:

The Emperor is coming to the biggest Star Wars party in Europe, July 26-28, 2013 in Essen, Germany.

Ian McDiarmid, the actor who unforgettably played the evil galactic mastermind and the ultimate villain of the Star Wars Saga, will make a rare convention appearance at Star Wars Celebration Europe, appearing on-stage and signing autographs.

This summer’s event will mark the first Celebration in Europe at which the highly sought-after actor will appear to sign autographs and chat on the Celebration Stage, offering attendees a rare opportunity to hear about the making of Star Wars from his perspective.

In 1983, McDiarmid embodied the full depth of the dark side as the Emperor in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, his face hidden under intensive makeup and his eyes concealed behind yellow contact lenses. When his true face was revealed as the apparently kind and helpful Senator Palpatine in Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace (1999), he projected a different kind of evil – a subtle manipulator of galactic events, a villain hidden in plain sight. As the prequels progressed, so too did Palpatine’s plans until finally, in Revenge of the Sith (2005), McDiarmid got to play evil at its fullest, and revealed the true power of Darth Sidious.

Star Wars Celebrations bring fans of all ages together, from all points of the globe, to celebrate the pop-culture phenomenon that is Star Wars. From its young fans of Star Wars: The Clone Wars to die-hards fueled by the nostalgia for the original Star Wars trilogy; curious, casual followers; gamers, readers, costumers or collectors — there's something for everyone at Celebration.

Tickets available now at http://www.starwarscelebration.eu.

NEW PREORDERS

STAR WARS ROTJ EMPEROR PALPATINE EXCLUSIVE MINI BUST
This new offering shows Palpatine as he appeared in "Return of the Jedi". His face is drawn with a scowl as he reaches his hand forth to sizzle someone with a blast of Force Lightning. BBTS has this bust listed at $69.99.

NEW STAR WARS LIMITED EDITION ARTWORK
Two new pieces of art from the Star Wars universe are up for pre-order. The Astromech Droid Limited Edition Giclee displays the abilities of the R2 unit and is listed at $79.99 ($10 off the MSRP), and the Lair of the Rancor Limited Edition Lithograph is done in the style of an old-time movie poster, and is listed at $35.99 ($4 off the MSRP).

NEW MAD ENGINE T-SHIRTS
BBTS has a number of new Previews Exclusive t-shirt listings from Mad Engine. These include Star Wars designs, and they are priced at $18.99 - $20.99 each.

NEW ARRIVALS

STAR WARS BOSSK 12" FIGURE
The Trandoshan bounty hunter from "The Empire Strikes Back" is now in stock. He includes multiple hands and feet, a figure stand and his Micro Grenade Launcher, and we have him listed at $149.99, $10 off of the MSRP.

STAR WARS ULTIMATE UNISON 12" HAN SOLO
The latest collaboration between Enterbay and Medicom is this new 12" figure of Han Solo. He comes loaded with articulation and includes a figure stand, alternate parts, accessories and more, and is listed at $299.99.

Big Bad Toy Store is a GalacticBinder site sponsor.

Press Release from Lucasfilm Ltd.:

After a bevy of emails and phone calls, the formalities have been wrapped up, and at long last everyone can exhale and properly share the word with an excited Internet. Yes, J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay.

“It’s very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie,” said Kennedy. “J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture.”

George Lucas went on to say “I’ve consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller. He’s an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn’t be in better hands.”

"To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor,” J.J. Abrams said. “I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid."

J.J., his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, and Bad Robot are on board to produce along with Kathleen Kennedy under the Disney | Lucasfilm banner.

Also consulting on the project are Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg. Kasdan has a long history with Lucasfilm, as screenwriter on The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi. Kinberg was writer on Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Abrams and his production company Bad Robot have a proven track record of blockbuster movies that feature complex action, heartfelt drama, iconic heroes and fantastic production values with such credits as Star Trek, Super 8, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, and this year’s Star Trek Into Darkness. Abrams has worked with Lucasfilm’s preeminent postproduction facilities, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, on all of the feature films he has directed, beginning with Mission: Impossible III. He also created or co-created such acclaimed television series as Felicity, Alias, Lost and Fringe.