Star Wars

Unlike the rest of the nerd universe, Captain Kirk (aka William Shatner) isn't offended that J.J. Abrams is directing the new "Star Wars" AND "Star Trek" flicks at the same time -- in fact, he thinks it's "wonderful."

There's been a lot of backlash over Abrams' dual directing roles, particularly because of the rivalry among "Star Wars" fans and Trekkies ... who believe Abrams' involvement in both projects represents some kind of conflict of interest.

But Shatner's different -- he says he's a huge Abrams fan and can't wait to see the movies.

Michael Jackson fans and "Star Wars" geeks brace yourselves -- MJ's former doc, Arnie Klein, is unloading a bunch of his old crap ... including Jabba the Hutt and a ton of other memorabilia from the movie.

It's all part of an estate sale being held next month -- starting Nov. 13 -- where things like a production-used Jabba prototype, a Princess Leia figurine, lightsabers and a treasure trove of action figures will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Klein is also ditching an extensive collection of Michael Jackson lithographs (many autographed by MJ), Disney memorabilia, and an insane amount of pricey paintings.

Kinda fitting ... Klein, famed dermatologist to stars like Liz Taylor and Michael, clearly has his own eccentricities -- hoarding 'Star Wars' DVDs and toy stormtroopers right next to Rembrandts and Rodins.

As you may recall, Klein had been stashing over 100 pieces of wildly expensive art instead of turning them over to his bankruptcy trustee ... but after cops showed up to his home with an arrest warrant, he folded.

It's unclear whether or not this auction is being used to finally pay off all his debt ... but it looks that way. We reached out to Klein, but he hasn't responded.

Ready to feel old? Here's the cast of "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" at some event in Germany today ... and they make Yoda look sprightly.

Hard to believe it's been 30 years since ROTJ was released in 1983.

FYI, from left to right, it's Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), and Mark Hamill (Darth Vader's whiny son).

Not pictured: Harrison Ford (Han Solo). Because he's too rich.

Richard LeParmentier -- the Empire goon who was famously Force-choked by Darth Vader in "Star Wars" -- has died at 66, TMZ has confirmed.

LeParmentier appeared in more than 50 films and TV shows, but he'll be best remembered as Admiral Motti, commander of the Death Star who mocks Vader's "sorcerer's ways" and "sad devotion to that ancient Jedi religion."

Vader finds his lack of faith disturbing, starts crushing his windpipe with the Force ... we've all seen it a hundred times ...

LeParmentier also played a police lieutenant in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," and found steady work as a screenwriter for British TV.

Circumstances of Richard's death are unclear at this point.

He'd been married to British actress Sarah Douglas, who played the baddie Ursa in "Superman 11."

Sure, you can buy a toy lightsaber from Toys 'R' Us for $100 ... but why bother with a cheap imitation when you can own the real thing ... for THOUSANDS MORE?

Luke Skywalker's lightsaber from "Return of the Jedi" is hitting the auction block later this month, courtesy of Profiles in History ... and it could be all yours (if you've got between $30k and $50k to blow).

Other goodies up for grabs from the "Original Trilogy of Star Wars" collection include:

- An original X-wing Fighter miniature (est. price $80k to $120k)
- An Imperial Royal Guard helmet (est. price $40k - $60k)
- A Scout Trooper blaster (est. price $10k - $15k)
- A conceptual Jabba the Hutt sculpture (TBD)

Even the cheapest of the pieces -- a rejected Yoda head -- is still expected to fetch at least $4,000.

Obi-Wan Kenobi WILL be returning to the new "Star Wars" movies -- at least if Ewan McGregor has any say ... telling TMZ, he'd happily reprise his role as the Jedi Master in the next installment.

McGregor was out at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood Tuesday night when we asked if he was down with the new movies -- and Ewan said Ew-betcha.

As we reported, Lucasfilms was bought out by Disney for $4 BILLION -- and the studio is already planning several more SW movies.

In a gas station ... not too far, far away (from our office) ... "Star Wars" actor Billy Dee Williams dropped a potential BOMBSHELL about the greatest franchise in the galaxy to a TMZ reporter.

It all went down when our guy Ryan (pictured below) decided he was in the mood for a refreshing Icee ... the blue kind, naturally.

Once Ryan -- a HUGE "Star Wars" nerd -- entered the gas station, he happened to notice Billy Dee ... who played Lando Calrissian in the original "Star Wars" flicks ... and totally freaked out.

Here's what happened next, according to Ryan:

"I told him I was a huge fan and worked at TMZ. I asked if I could film him for the show and ask about the new Star Wars trilogy, but he declined.

So I said, 'that’s cool … but everyone is dying to know, has anyone reached out to you about being in the new film?' He said, 'No.'

So I said, 'Well if the new trilogy is based on the same characters from the movies you were in, do you wanna be in it?”

And he said, 'I suppose so.'"

Translation -- LANDO'S DOWN FOR A COMEBACK!!!!!

We reached out to Disney for comment -- so far no word back.

BUUUUT ... in case you were wondering, Ryan says the Icees were delicious.

The force is strong with Boba Fett -- or at least with the actor who played the "Star Wars" villain in the 2002 prequel "Attack of the Clones" ... because the guy helped save an elderly couple from a NASTY real-life car wreck ... and TMZ has a photo of the hero in action.

A rep for Daniel Logan tells TMZ ... the 25-year-old actor was driving in Orange County last week when he spotted a completely wrecked SUV sitting on the side of the road ... we're talking real bad ... like half-the-car-ripped-off bad.

We're told the Logan pulled over to help -- since no emergency vehicles were on scene yet -- and found an elderly couple trapped inside with their grandchild.

Daniel's rep says the actor started to clear the wreckage to get to the trio -- and about the time Daniel broke through, the paramedics arrived.

We're told the paramedics took over from there, and pulled the family to safety before taking them to the hospital.

The upcoming Disney-owned "Star Wars" movie will star a much older Princess Leia ... at least if Carrie Fisher gets her way -- because the actress tells TMZ, she'd love to star in the next installment.

Carrie was at LAX yesterday when we asked if she'd accept a role in "Episode 7" -- currently in development at Disney -- and she said, "Yes. Sure. Wouldn't you?"

It would make sense too -- because "Episode 7" would follow "Return of the Jedi" in the Stars Wars timeline, meaning Leia could conceivably be a lot older in the new movie.

Carrie also said Disney low-balled George Lucas with its $4.05 billion deal -- saying he should've gotten about $500 million more.

Disney just gobbled up all things George Lucas for the reasonable price of $4 billion -- which includes the "Star Wars" franchise. So we gotta ask ...

George Lucas got straight Jedi mind tricked into taking a crappy $4 BILLION deal for the "Star Wars" deal ... this according to former Jedi council member Mace Windu ... aka Sam Jackson.

Sam had just purchased some earth food at a Bristol Farms in L.A. when we asked about George's blockbusted deal with Disney.

"He got cheated," Jackson told us.

Photog: That's a lot of money!
Sam: Not to some people.

George Lucas has passed the "Star Wars" baton to Disney, and nerds can rejoice -- at least until the Mouse does something dumb ... like NOT killing off Jar Jar Binks! C'mon, who do we gotta know?!

Mickey Mouse just got the wookie stamp of approval ... 'cause the guy who played Chewbacca in the original trilogy tells TMZ he's totally stoked Disney will continue the "Star Wars" franchise.

We spoke with Peter Mayhew ... who tells us, “I have no doubt Disney will respect and continue the legacy of Lucasfilm. I have worked with Disney for many years during their Star Wars Weekends Celebration and seen how much they love the films and the fans.”

Mayhew -- who currently runs the Peter Mayhew Foundation for special needs and at-risk children -- says he's impressed by the way Disney involved Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee in the "Avengers" movies. "[Disney] has an excellent track record for listening to the creator's voice."

And Chewie ain't the only "Star Wars" character on board ... we also spoke with Ahmed Best -- the voice of Jar Jar Binks -- who tells us, "George has always been a hero and a mentor. I am happy that the saga will continue."

Daniel Logan – who played young Boba Fett in Episode II – adds, "I think Disney acquiring Lucasfilm is a wonderful thing! There are exciting times ahead for Star Wars fans!”

If George Lucas wasn't rich before, he sure as hell is now -- because Disney just bought his movie company Lucasfilm Ltd. for $4.05 BILLION ... and has already announced a NEW STAR WARS MOVIE!!!

Lucas said in a statement, "It's now time for me to pass 'Star Wars' on to a new generation of filmmakers." According to Disney, "Star Wars: Episode 7" is slated for release in 2015.

It's pretty crazy ... considering Lucas said he would never make another "Star Wars" movie -- telling the New York Times, "Why would I make any more, when everybody yells at you all the time and says what a terrible person you are?"

Lucas even told us directly back in March ... "Star Wars" was DEAD forever.

Curry called police around 3:00 AM on Sunday to report the incident that allegedly went down in front of the hotel where the Star Wars expo was going down ... but claims it took more than an hour before cops arrived on scene.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, the officer who arrived at the hotel claims he "came in contact with the male as he lay in the bushes at the entrance to the hotel."

The officer claims he spoke to multiple witnesses -- one of which said the suspect "attempted several times to fight several other people as they stood outside waiting to be picked up for the Star Wars convention."

The man was eventually arrested for disorderly intoxication.