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reunion 2 |
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Report by Chris Gereke |
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Once again
proving its global appeal, the Star Wars 30th anniversary bandwagon
rolled into the REX Theatre in Paris over the weekend of the 27th - 28th
October for a saga spectacular. Galactic guests, stellar
exhibitions and cosmic collections were the order of the day, all
wrapped up with gallic hospitality galore... |
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With Rick
McCallum, Anthony Daniels, Richard LeParmentier, Garrick Hagon and many
more in attendance, the show was a worthy European successor to the
summers Celebration Europe and held in store a great number of surprises
for the guests and Star Wars fandom at large... |
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Chris Gereke,
North American Reporter |
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Chris - "Star
Wars fans all over France convened at the REX Theatre in Paris for the
Reunion II Convention that highlighted a 6 movie marathon that featured
the Star Wars Complete Saga dubbed in French. The Star Wars Reunion was
held in the intimate art deco Rex Theatre in Paris." |
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Le
Grand Rex Theatre |
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Photo
by Chris Gereke |
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Chris - "The
Star Wars movies and presentations were hosted by Jabba the Hutt in the
3 level main theatre and the exhibitors were set up in the theatre
lobbies on three levels. The 501st French Garrison and the
Rebel Legion were set up on the first level of the theatre. Elaborate
costumed fans and kids were all over convention. The first floor had a
photo op with Anakin and Padme from the Attack of the Clones set. Young
troopers or rebels could shoot gungan or ewok shaped targets for a
trooper certificate (poor Jar Jar and Wicket)." |
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Shoot
Jar Jar |
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Photo
by Chris Gereke |
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Chris - "
As you walked up the stairs on the second level attendees were given a
Star Wars goodie bag filled with Cartimundi cards, a Lucasfilm Reunion
magazine, a Hasbro action figure poster, and a Sponge Bob, Star Wars
Nickelodeon poster. Attakus, Kotobuyika, Lego the Complete Saga, and
Mint in a Box showcased their collectibles and a chance to win a
collectible Boba Fett Coin by winning a game of Star Wars concentration
at the Mint in a Box booth. Also, Anthony Daniels and Dan Madsen were
signing autographs for the fans." |
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One of
the many Fetts on display |
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Photo
by Chris Gereke |
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Chris
- "The
third level was home to the Star Wars Reunion Official Star Wars Fan
Club and Reunion store. The Reunion store was selling Reunion II shirts,
posters, figures, books, lightsabers, magazines, Steve Sansweet’s The
Vault (which sold out of its copies at the convention), and other
collectables including plastic commemorative Star War Reunion II
popcorn bucket. Steve Sansweet was signing his Star Wars, The Vault
book, cards, and collectables for the fans. Lorne Peterson, Robert
Watts, Garrick Hagon, Orli Shoshan, and Richard LeParmentier were
signing autographs. Doug Wheatley was signing his Dark Times card and a
cool sci-fi print." |
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Spot
the LFL Content Manager |
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Photo
by Chris Gereke |
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Chris
- "The
Reunion II programming highlights included Steve Sansweet’s Star Wars
Spectacular (subtitled in French) highlighted the Clone Wars Trailer,
the Lucas Arts Force Unleashed Video game, and the Star Wars is Forever
clip. Rick McCallum and Robert Watts held a great Q&A over Star Wars
past, present, and future. The duo hosted the Clone Wars trailer once
again and Rick described the Clone Wars series as “F***ing Amazing”
which somehow need no translation into French. " |
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Robert
Watts and Rick McCallum |
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Photo
by Chris Gereke |
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Chris
- "Rick
answered a fan’s question pertaining to the Star Wars live action series
central character, Boba Fett!!! The costume contest was
hosted and judged by the Star Wars celebrities in attendance. All the
costumes were amazing… the Tusken Raider Couple took first prize, a
Knights of the Old Republic Darth Revan inspired custom costume took
second place, and a battle damaged Darth Vader took 3rd
place." |
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Just
two of the excellent costumes from the competition |
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Photo
by Chris Gereke |
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Chris
- "I have
never experienced a Star Wars viewing with a French audience. The
opening crawl was accompanied by a host of French fans in the audience
singing the score and every time a character appeared for the first time
on screen or if there was a heroic scene, the audience cheered “Yeah”!
For example, Han blasts the Stormtroopers, “Yeah”! Luke and Leia swing
across the Death Star to safety “Yeah”! Darth Vader appears, “Yeah”? Darth Vader slashes his lightsaber through Obi Wan Kenobi, “Yeah”? As an
American fan I thought the French fan participation was amusing." |
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The
guests, including Rick McCallum, Robert Watts, Dan Madsen,
Stephen Sansweet and Lorne Peterson |
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Photo
by Chris Gereke |
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Chris - "Other
Star Wars happenings around Paris were Doug Wheatly was signing the Dark
Horse hardcovers at Virgin Megastore in Paris. Also, Steve Sansweet had
two Paris signings for his book, Star Wars, The Vault at the Virgin
Megastores. Overall, Star Wars Reunion II was a wonderful celebration of
the Star Wars Saga (in French) in a cool and stylish way. Viva La Star
Wars!" |
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