Tonight's chat with the Director of Lucas Online, Paul Ens, included some interesting Episode III info as well as come clues to the future of their subscription membership service:

• Future Hyperspace features will include weekly Episode III production photo series, George Lucas Select images, Ep3 video documentaries, post-production webcam, post-production diaries, more webchats chats to feature authors, illustrators and other SW celebrities, the Clone Wars cartoons (with extras), and more!

• The webcam is expected to be re-activated very soon.

• Ep3 will answer many (if not all) questions, and will merge seamlessly with Ep4.

• Many old ideas and lore from previous Star Wars films were re-examined for their inclusion in Ep3. Some of these ideas will be incorporated into the film as intended from the start, some ideas will be modified from their original conception for the film, and some material will be cut and not make it into the film at all. The lava planet fits into one of those three categories.

Thanks to TF.N for this news.

TF.N has provided some more spoilers on Episode III. Today's feature is some pretty heavy stuff, including word on who dies and a new planet many have been hoping would appear in the film. Here's the latest of what we've been hearing: Spoilers - Highlight to read:


- There is a point in the film when the clone troopers turn on their Jedi generals. Yoda is on Kashyyyk when this happens.

- There is a lava planet in the film. The "Bruce Spence" alien race is not on this planet. There is a unique new race that lives there.

- When things go down, Mace decides to go have a little chat with Palpatine.

- Since so much time is wasted debating on useless theories, I'll try to put it to rest. Padme dies. More interesting is how and who is involved.

HomeLAN posted an interview with LucasArts Producer Brett Tosti today regarding Rebel Strike for the GameCube console. Here's a glimpse at the interview:

HomeLAN - A number of the missions in Rebel Strike will be on foot for the first time. Why was the decision made to expand the gameplay in this area?

Brett Tosti - In addition to arcade flight action, we wanted to give players the opportunity to play some of the non-flight action sequences from the classic movies. Including famous scenes such as rescuing Princess Leia from the Death Star, taking down AT-AT with your trusty saber on Hoth and racing through the Endor forest on speeder bikes and At-STs.

For more of the interview, click here. The game is expected to release on October 21 exclusively for the GameCube.

The Official Star Wars Site and Hasbro gives us a glimpse at what's ahead next spring with the new Clone Wars animated figures as well as three new 3 3/4" and 12" figures.

New 3 3/4" Animated Figures!
As announced earlier this year, the Clone Wars are coming to life this Fall on Cartoon Network and starwars.com Hyperspace in an animated micro-series. And Hasbro will be offering an exclusive line of animated style figures focusing on the core characters from the Clone Wars animation! These figures will be a Target exclusive and will be available at the beginning of 2004. Wave 1 will include three key heroes and one new villain from the Clone Wars including:

Anakin Skywalker

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Mace Windu

Asajj Ventress

New 3 3/4" Basic Figures
Introducing the second wave of 2004 3 3/4" figures. Highlighting characters from Tatooine, the wave will be available in Spring 2004 and includes...

Luke Skywalker, Return of the Jedi
Originally shown during our Wizard World presentation this past summer and unveiled today is the new Luke Skywalker figure from Return of the Jedi.

R2-D2 with Drink Tray, Return of the Jedi

R1-G4, A New Hope
An old-model astromech droid, R1-G4, was one of the droids rounded up when Imperial stormtroopers arrived on Tatooine looking for the escaped droids R2-D2 and C-3PO.

New 12" Figures
This wave of new 12" figures is from Episode IV: A New Hope and will be available in the Spring of 2004.

Jawa 2-Pack

Garindan, the long-snouted informant

Obi-Wan Kenobi, the legendary Jedi Knight

If that's not enough for you, remember to check out Star Wars Insider #71 for an exclusive first look at Hasbro's new Jabba the Hutt.

Be sure to check out Hasbro for a look at these new figures!

The Official Star Wars Site has announced that the latest Star Wars Insider is coming to a galaxy near you! In this special collectibles issue of Star Wars Insider #71, the official magazine of the Star Wars Fan Club, readers will find the ultimate holiday gift guide with reviews of the coolest action figures, games, books, models, busts and toys. Find out which Star Wars treasures were unearthed in the first ever collector challenge: "What Could You Get for $100?" Plus take an exclusive Insider tour of Steve Sansweet's colossal collection at Rancho Obi-Wan.

In addition to great collectibles articles, readers will also enjoy a special sneak preview of The Adventures of Indiana Jones - The Complete DVD Movie Collection. ILM Veteran and master model maker Lorne Peterson waxes nostalgic about Indiana Jones special effects. And Harrison Ford talks about playing heroes, handling the paparazzi and returning as Indiana Jones.

Be sure to check out the Prequel Update: Episode III photo gallery with the first new images of Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, R2-D2, Anthony Daniels, George Lucas, Rick McCallum, John Knoll and other members of the cast and crew in action from the set in Sydney.

Regular features such as Holonet News, Behind the Magic, book reviews, comic previews and letters from the fans in the Rebel Rumblings forum complete the issue. And as a special bonus, readers receive a Hasbro Clone Wars pullout poster.

Bantha Tracks #5, included with subscriber editions of the Insider, also focuses on "Collecting Star Wars Bounty" in the fan community including an interview with persistent autograph collector extraordinaire, Kevin LaNeave. Bantha also relives the sights and sounds of this summer's Fan Club Member Breakfasts.

Star Wars Insider #71 ships to Fan Club members on Sept. 26 and will be available on newsstands in early October.

Today I have loaded 6 new wallpapers to the Wallpaper section! There are some really great new works to choose from!  These are a bit slow in coming, so thank you for all of your patience. Special thanks goes to Chad Moore, Aragorn, and Koen Zwanenburg for providing such excellent pieces. To see these new wallpapers and other great wallpapers, head over to the Wallpaper section!

This report comes from the Official Star Wars Site!
Answered by: Ben Burtt

A Scottish computer company has designed Star Wars inspired robot soldiers for the Pentagon. The Sunday Herald reports:

ROBOT soldiers manufactured to kill enemy troops have been designed for the Pentagon by a tiny Glasgow computer company which is set to make millions from the deal.

Essential Viewing says the technology comes straight from the world of science fiction. Chief executive Simon Hardy said the technology had its nearest equivalent in the Star Wars movie Attack Of The Clones.

“Our technology means you can steer an unmanned tank, plane, boat or a robot on the frontline from a military base behind the lines or in another country. The intention is to create wars without humans. We are going in the direction of Stars Wars and Attack Of The Clones-style combat.”

Hit the link above to read the rest of the article. Thanks to TF.N for this information.