True? False? There's only one way to find out and that's by tuning in to Would I Lie ToYou on BBC One tonight.

Or by watching this video clip, that might give you the answer as well...

Combined with the excellent news that he would be more than interested in doing a sequel to one of the best superher films of recent years, The Incredibles, Brad Bird also explains why he felt he had no choice but to say no when the opportunity to direct Episode VII came knocking.

THR: Your name was bandied about very early on for Star Wars: Episode VII – was that ever a real thing, or just fervent internet dream?

Bird: I’ve known Kathy [Kennedy] for a while and I know George. And they did come to me. But the problem was, the schedule they had in mind made it impossible to do…unless I dropped Tomorrowland. And I was just really deeply into this film at that point. It’s easy to say, “Just put it on hold.” But you’re moving now; you don’t know if you’re going to be able to move later. Maybe it’s true of filmmakers like Cameron or Spielberg, but I have to act on momentum. We had reached a critical mass where it would’ve thrown the furniture around from the train stopping. I really want to see this movie. I love the Star Wars films, and I can’t wait to see what J.J. does, but it meant I’d have to shut down one dream to participate in another. I feel like [with Tomorrowland] we’re making something that’s really special and unique.

Ash over at Brick Horizon brings us his 75019 AT-TE set review. Click here for the review.

Jedi News is working with Roqoo Depot and the 501st Legion to bring you the very latest activity from garrisons across the planet. Here's this weeks events:

The awesome looking Deluxe Darth Vader Sixth Scale Figure from Sideshow Collectibles will be available for pre-order on May 23rd. In the meantime, if you'd like the opportunity to win one of these figures take the link below to Sideshow's site.

George Lucas was in a bad way. His marriage was falling apart, and though he had some of the biggest success in history, he was becoming more and more burnt out by the monstrosity of Star Wars. Still, by hook or by crook as he put it, he had to get what he was beginning to think was his final part made. Figuring it would be the end, he did away with the original bittersweet ending in favor of a happy one more in keeping with the classic adventures Star Wars was a love-letter to. Why leave Star Wars on such a down-note?

Kershner was out. Gary Kurtz, the producer who convinced 20th Century Fox to take a risk on A New Hope and helped The Empire Strikes Back along, left Lucas in the dust under the unfair assumption that his happy ending was more about the merchandising than anything else. But Lucas still had his co-writers, and still had his cast. After a lengthy search, Lucas tapped Richard Marquand to direct the film, though ended up having to take over on numerous occasions due to Marquand’s inexperience with special effects.

Trueblood was the nickname of a Galactic Republic Clone Trooper living during The Clone Wars and appears in Ryder Windham's young readers novel, Star Wars: The Clone Wars Secret Missions 1: Breakout Squad.

True Blood is also a successful TV series and Season 5 comes out on Blu-ray and DVD on Monday 20th May in the UK.  Come back on Monday for a chance to win a copy!

Read on for the latest update from site sponsor Big Bad Toy Store featuring lots of new pre-orders and arrivals including lots of new Star Wars items...

While making a guest appearance on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' last night, director J.J. Abrams was offered some advice from a select group of fans in the audience on what direction he should take Episode VII in.

The suggestions? Well, you'll just have to watch the video above and hear them for yourself. One "audience member" had a story idea that was as cool as the other side of the pillow...

Follow Justin on Twitter: @JustinL81

Prisoner of Bogan Part Three

Xesh, a powerful warrior attuned to the dark side of the Force, and Daegen Lok, a Je’daii obsessed with a vision of himself as ruler of the Tython System, have escaped from their exile on the dark moon Bogan.

Believing that Lok will want to reproduce Xesh’s powerful Forcesaber weapon, two teams of Je’daii dispatch to intercept the escapees. One group sets course for the crystalline world of Krev Coeur, the other for the toxic manufacturing planet Nox.

But the Je’daii are not the only ones seeking Xesh. Also on the trail is Trill, Xesh’s former brood mate,sent by her mysterious masters, the Rakata...

That's how writer, penciller and scripter John Ostrander and Jan Duursema, inker Dan Parsons, colourist Wes Dzioba, letterer Michael Heisler and cover artist David Michael Beck set up the third issue of Prisoner of Bogan, but what's in store for the readers?

The cat's out of the bag and we can reveal that our very own James has taken part in a brand new show for the BBC called Collectaholics.  The series will feature 3 x 60 minute episodes.

Here's what distribution company Zodiak Rights has to say...

To help collectors in crisis, the Collectaholics team will comfort, catalogue, curate, clear out and showcase precious items.

In doing so, we get a vivid insight into the lives, loves and dilemmas of the owners. People like Stuart whose love for all things railway-related has led to him to build a station in his garden, and James whose lifelong obsession with Star Wars means that his three children have to climb over heaps of memorabilia just to get to their beds. Whether they’re keen to offload the lot, or searching for an elusive final piece, this show can offer a solution to their out-of-control obsessions. Sometimes they’re sitting on a gold mine! With huge human interest, fascinating social history and big money reveals, Collectaholics is educational and entertaining.

Shooting with presenters Mel Giedroyc and Mark Hill has finished and we're waiting for air dates which we'll let you know as soon as we find out.  Until the show has aired, James is not allowed to talk about the process - so don't ask - although James has this to say "It was an amazing experience that I can't wait for people to see.  I want to thank everybody at RDF Television for their help, patience and support and I'll add more when I'm allowed to!"

This Saturday, 18th May, our friends at Aston's Auctioneers & Valuers are running a Toy & Sci-Fi Auction which features LOTS of Star Wars items featuring products from Cards Inc., Gentle Giant, Hasbro, Kenner, Master Replicas, Sideshow Collectibles and others.  Here's a little bit about Aston's...

We are a family-run auction house, owned by father and son Phil and Chris Aston, and pride ourselves on being one of the leading specialist auctioneers of collectable toys, dolls and model railways in the UK.

You can view the auction items in person on Friday 17th May from 10am - 7pm and from 8am on sale day, 18th May.  The auction starts at 10am with the Star Wars items expected to be on sale around 1pm.  You can view the illustrated catalogue and join in with live bidding here (you just need to register to bid enabling you to take part from the comfort of your living room) or attend in person at Baylies Hall, Tower St, Dudley, DY1 1NB.  A printable text-only PDF catalogue is available from here.  Happy hunting!

Just like the story title says: 3-Day tickets for NY Comic Con are available for purchase now.

Get 'em while they're hot!

Follow Justin on Twitter: @JustinL81

Just announced and heading your way first quarter 2014, the jumbo figure of Zuckuss from Gentle Giant.

• Regular Price: $80.00
• Scale: 12" Scale
• Release Date: Q1 2014
• Edition Size: TBD
• Availability: Pre-Order
• Product Code: 80305

Another celebrity from the Original Trilogy has made known the desire to reprise his iconic role in Episode VII, as Kenny Baker had this to say about returning as R2-D2:

“I will drop them a few hints and hopefully they will give me a call eventually!”

It goes without saying - if Kenny's health and physical condition permit him to hop into the R2 body for another go-around, he should be the first and ONLY choice for that role.

Follow Justin on Twitter: @JustinL81

Clark Gregg reprises his role of Agent Phil Coulson from Marvel’s feature films as he assembles a small, highly select group of Agents from the worldwide law-enforcement organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D. Together they investigate the new, the strange, and the unknown across the globe, protecting the ordinary from the extraordinary. Coulson’s team consists of Agent Grant Ward (Brett Dalton), highly trained in combat and espionage, Agent Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen) expert pilot and martial artist, Agent Leo Fitz (Iain De Caestecker); brilliant engineer and Agent Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) genius bio-chemist. Joining them on their journey into mystery is new recruit and computer hacker Skye (Chloe Bennet). From Executive Producers Joss Whedon (“Marvel’s The Avengers,” ”Buffy the Vampire Slayer”); Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen, “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” pilot co-writers (“Dollhouse,” “Dr.Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog”); Jeffrey Bell (“Angel,” “Alias”); and Jeph Loeb (“Smallville”) comes Marvel’s first TV series. “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” is produced by ABC Studios and Marvel Television.

Essential information for when stranded on a bog planet with no power, no crane to lift your X-Wing out of the swamp, minimal rations to survive on and a little green fella constantly in your ear lifting rocks.

Following the success of How to Speak Wookiee comes this essential manual for inter­acting with droid units in various situations. Droids are made to be reliable, helpful, and daring, but they can be frustratingly stubborn. This convenient sound guide will help new droid users bypass that malfunction and utilize them to their full capacity. Featuring helpful scenarios—like convincing a droid to play back full messages, serve beverages and hors d’oeuvres at events, diagnose and repair mechanical issues on an X-wing, or just walk the dog—plus a sound module of 10 different droid phrases demonstrated by R2-D2, this handbook is a necessity for any new droid user.

Urma Droid is an expert on human-droid relations, special­izing in R2 character studies. She lives and conducts research on Coruscant.

JAKe was born in Hull, England, but was raised by Wookiees from a young age. He speaks the Wookiee language fluently, but can communicate with an R2 unit enough to get his pencils sharpened. He lives and works in London.

Stay tuned for preorder info, and May the 4th Be With You!

The Telegraph picks up on this wonderful poll, conducted by BBC Radio 2's long-running Friday Night is Music Night that once again shows the power of Star Wars.

The survey, of Radio 2 listeners, found the recognisable John Williams composition was more popular than more traditional classical music such as Ride of the Valkyries and Waltz of the Flowers.

It was beaten into first position by Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March no.1, with The Dambusters March by Eric Coates in second place.

The poll, of listeners to Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night, was intended to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the show, which is now the world’s “longest running orchestral music programme” The Star Wars theme, written in 1977, has won an Oscar, Bafta, Golden Globe and three Grammy awards, and was voted the most memorably film score of all time by the American Film Institute in 2005.

“All these great musical pieces from Friday Night is Music Night remain timeless and unforgettable. The versatility in the BBC Concert Orchestra’s performances is wonderful. From Star Wars to Waltz of the Flowers, their repertoire is astonishing.”

To be the third most popular movie score would be impressive. To be the third most popular piece of classical music? Impressive, most impressive...

Great news via the team at The Official Star Wars Site.

Dear Star Wars Fan:

We wanted to let you know about Lucasfilm’s new Star Wars camp toolkit, a free resource to help bring the universe of Star Wars to life in your local camp or even the backyard! Housed at www.StarWars.com/camptoolkit the new kit is a downloadable activity book that has a wide variety of games, arts, crafts and trivia to help add to your child’s summer.

We would love help getting the word out about this great resource. We made it free so that we could get Star Wars in the hands of as many kids as possible this year. Let us know if you can help by forwarding on, posting on blogs, twitter, Facebook pages or including in newsletters, email blasts, etc.

We really appreciate your support and look forward to seeing the Force in action this summer!

The ultimate book for fans of the career of the late, great Peter Cushing.

Leading fantasy film historians Wayne Kinsey (Hammer Films – the Bray Studios Years, The Elstree Studios Years, A Life in Pictures, the Unsung Heroes and On Location) and Tom Johnson (Hammer Films – an Exhaustive Filmography, Peter Cushing – the Gentle Man of Horror and his 91 Films and The Films of Oliver Reed) come together with Joyce Broughton (Cushing’s secretary and aide for over 35 years) to present the definitive pictorial history to Peter Cushing. A perfectionist in his work and a talented artist in every sense of the word with a great sense of humour and always a boy at heart, 26 May 2013 would have been the 100th birthday of this much loved actor. Join us as we celebrate his centenary with this unique pictorial book packed with Cushing memorabilia that showcases his private and professional life

The book is only be available DIRECT from Peveril Publishing for £35.00+P&P, and you can order by clicking here.

Friend of Jedi News Chris Jones from Physical Graphiiti in Cardiff who's work we feature from time to time will be at Celebration Europe II this summer working in the tattoo area. He is now super easy to spot as he spent the last three days at Broad Street Studio in Bath doing a guest spot and today went under the skilful hands of Fil there who put this stunning dot work Imperial cog around Mr Jones' ear.

All we can say is you're totally wizard Mr Jones!

Further to our exclusive report last week that told of Star Wars returning the UK and specifically Pinewood Strudios, more news surfaces via the BBC of planning applications beinmg submitted to further develop the site.

Plans for the £200m expansion of film company Pinewood Studios are to go before councillors this week. The 15-year project includes building studios, stages and streetscapes at the site in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire. A report to South Buckinghamshire District Council says it has received 254 letters supporting the plans - which could create 3,100 jobs. But nearby parish councils oppose the plans as an "inappropriate" expansion into green belt land. The proposal would add 100,000 sq m (108.000 sq ft) to the current 100-acre (40-hectare) site, which has been home to more than 1,500 films over 76 years.

Last year the government rejected a previous project, which included more than 1,000 homes, as it would be "inappropriate in the green belt". The studios were recently used to film the latest James Bond instalment, Skyfall, as well as the Oscar-nominated hit Les Miserables.

The report says Pinewood Studios "recognises" the plans would see development of the green belt but adds that the "development is needed to maintain and expand UK film, television and screen-based industries". The firm says if the plans are refused "significant harm" will be done to the UK economy. The report says Iver Parish Council objects to the plans because they would have a "harmful impact on the character of the area". Fulmer Parish Council says: "Roads around the site are narrow and unsuited to commercial vehicles."

The council's planning committee meets on Wednesday.

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This weeks 15 Quickfire Questions over at The Bearded Trio are aimed at none other than Paul Bateman. Awesome!

What was the most embarrassing moment of your life?

When I almost knocked Stanley Kubrick flying on the set of ‘Eye’s Wide Shut’.

What is your favourite Spielberg movie?

Has to be ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’. Harrison Ford was already a film star in the old fashioned sense, but ‘Raiders’ made him an icon. In recent years nothing has really gotten close for me. I’m really an old school Spielberg fan, in fact I’d actually say my favourite recent ‘Spielberg’ movie was J.J. Abram’s homage ‘Super 8’. I really enjoyed it - felt like something I’d missed from the 80’s. I can’t wait to see what he brings to the sequels.

Next week it's the turn of Matt Booker.