Leading up to the rollout the new Blu-ray box set of the “Indiana Jones” adventures, Lucasfilm has re-released the four films in theatres. Next will come the new season of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” the release of earlier seasons on broadcast television, and finally slopping over into October, a plunge into literacy.
It all starts with the release of the re-mastered Imax screen version of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” on Sept. 7 for one week.
A week later, on Sept. 15, AMC theatres will hold an “Indiana Jones” marathon. All four movies — “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and 2008’s “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” — will be run consecutively.
This is all in anticipation of the release of all four movies on Sept. 18 in a box set called “Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures.” Along with the restored and remastered movies, there are seven hours of bonus materials including a new documentary based on outtakes and footage from “Raiders.” Probably the gem here will be interviews dating back to 1981 with directors Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, and actor Harrison Ford.
Moving to television and a younger generation, the fifth season of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” starts Sept. 29 on Cartoon Network with the return of the evil (and insane) Sith Darth Maul and his brother Savage Opress, who continue their vendetta against Jedi general Obi-Wan Kenobi. The first two seasons of “The Clone Wars” goes into syndication on broadcast television aimed at a new audience.
Don’t be surprised if you see “Star Wars” storm troopers outside your local library in the first week in October. “‘Star Wars’ Reads” is a joint event held between publishers and Lucasfilm aimed to promote literacy.
With over 1,000 participating libraries, bookstores, including some Barnes & Nobles and gift shops, the intent is to introduce and encourage reading. The date is Oct. 6.
Why use “Star Wars”? As Del Rey Marketing Manager Joe Scalora says, “What’s the gateway book? For kids, I think reading ‘Star Wars’ is just a gateway to reading. So, anything to promote literacy because people need to read.”
The span of Lucasfilm’s reach is clear, with publishers including Abrams (art books), Dark Horse (graphic novels), Del Ray (novels and short-stories), DK Publishing, Scholastic, Titan Magazines, Workman, Chronicle books and Random House Audio participating. Up-to-date information will be on starwars.com/reads.
At some events, “Star Wars” authors will be signing. There will be giveaways and other “free swag,” says Scalora, at other events. “Star Wars”-based characters such as the fan Rebel Legion, 501st Imperial storm troopers, the Mandalorian Mercs and the R2-D2 builders groups may attend.
And if this isn’t enough, then look forward to the re-release of “Star Wars” episodes two and three, “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith” a year from now in September and October 2013.
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