'Star Wars' fever invades Orlando (photos)
Road Trip 2010: CNET reporter Daniel Terdiman checks out the "Star Wars" scene at Celebration V, the global fan convention.
Rebel Alliance and the Tie Fighter
ORLANDO, Fla.--If one thing is clear in this central Florida city this weekend, it's that "Star Wars" hasn't lost any of its luster. Indeed, tens of thousands of fans of the movies, books, comics, video games, and toys have flocked here for Celebration V, the huge fan convention.
As the last stop on Road Trip 2010, CNET reporter Daniel Terdiman, who saw "Star Wars" on the day it opened, is checking out the scene at Celebration V, and despite having gone to Celebration IV three years ago in Los Angeles, is suitably impressed by fans' devotion to their passion.
Here, a group of fans dressed in Rebel Alliance garb pose in front of a life-size tie fighter, an odd juxtaposition--unless they had captured it from the Galactic Empire.
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R2 and C-3PO
At a panel discussion about the 501st Legion, the worldwide fan club that is devoted to creating and wearing Galactic Empire costumes, a couple of unlikely visitors showed up: C-3PO and R2-D2.
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R2-D2 makes kids happy
A young girl is delighted to meet R2-D2 rolling around the floor at Celebration V.
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Anthony Daniels
Walking through the hallways at Celebration V, you never know who you might run across. In this case, it was Anthony Daniels, the actor who played C-3PO in all six "Star Wars" movies.
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501st weapons
A display showcasing some of the many weapons used by the Empire in the "Star Wars" movies.
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Gone with the Empire
At a "Star Wars" art exhibition at Celebration V, there are many unique interpretations of the movies' messages. Here, artist Ken Steacy has blended "Gone with the Wind" with "The Empire Strikes Back."
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Fight for the Empire
This is "Fight for the Empire," by artist Marc Wolfe.
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See the Galaxy
Another "propaganda" poster for the Galactic Empire, in this case, by artist Cliff Chiang.
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Carbonite is Forever
If Boba Fett had his own movie, it might be "Carbonite is Forever," imagined here by artist Cliff Chiang.
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Mario Jedis
A group of fans mixed the characters from Nintendo's Mario Bros. video games with "Star Wars."
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Female Tusken
In a "Star Wars" art exhibit, this is a representation of a female Tusken Raider, by Timothy Boyle.
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Android phone
A forthcoming Android phone, known as the R2-D2, was on display at Celebration V. It should be out in September.
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Lego Darth Vader
In the Lego area at Celebration V, this is a Lego Darth Vader.
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Jabba the Hutt
A life-size model of Jabba the Hutt that Celebration V visitors could sit on and pose with for pictures.
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Droid electronics
A peek into the rear of a droid rolling around Celebration V shows some of its electronics. Droids were everywhere at the convention, usually accompanied by a human with a controller.
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Posing
"Star Wars" fans in every imaginable costume were dominant at Celebration V, and everywhere you looked, they were posing for pictures.
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Headless wompa
This is Rusty the Wompa, with its head detached and being held by its owner. Rusty had a hard day.
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Droid racing
One of the main attractions at Celebration V is droid racing, pitting two racers at a time in an obstacle course. If a droid hit a cone, it lost two seconds of time, meaning their owners were trying to be both fast and careful.
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Musical
A diorama of some of the most beloved musicians in "Star Wars" history.
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Bathroom sign
At Celebration V, there were restrooms for humans--and other species as well.
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Posing with wookie
A wookie and friends pose for a photo at Celebration V.
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Autumn and Jawa with friends
Autum Frink, 9, (right), poses for a picture with a young Jawa and a couple other friends at Celebration V.
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Posing with light sabers
There was no shame in posing in fighting position with light sabers at Celebration V, especially not if someone nearby had a camera.
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Commitment chapel
Where better to get married--or at least go through a commitment ceremony--than at Celebration V? And who better to perform the ceremony than Darth Maul?
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The Women of Mandalorian Mercs
A group of female members of the nationwide fan club the Mandalorian Mercenaries, poses for a photo on the steps at Celebration V.
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Chillin' wookie
A man wearing a wookie outfit feels the need to take a break.
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Battle of Naboo
A large Lego exhibit featured Lego dioramas of famous "Star Wars" battle scenes, including this one, the Battle of Naboo.
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Battle of Endor
Another famous "Star Wars" scene, the Battle of Endor, done in Lego bricks.
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Lunchtime
Even members of the Rebel Alliance need to eat lunch.
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Life-size packaging
This may look like just a "Star Wars" toy package, but it's actually life-size, and the toy inside the box is a "Star Wars" fan in full costume.
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