'Star Wars' DVD Set No Longer Far, Far Away

The classic "Star Wars" trilogy is back -- and, for the lack of a better word, it's hitting full "Force."

But anyone familiar with the "Star Wars" universe knows The Force is a good thing. And it's just gotten a whole lot better with the release of "Episode IV: A New Hope," "Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back" and "Episode 6: Return of the Jedi" on DVD (Fox Home Entertainment). The four-disc set, out Tuesday, features the "Special Edition" versions of the films re-released for the 20th anniversary of the first "Star Wars" film in 1997.

The new set includes the films, of course (with yet more technical tweaks by creator George Lucas -- some very significant) and commentary tracks by Lucas, star Carrie Fisher and various filmmakers who worked on the trilogy.

The bonus disc contains fascinating featurettes on the characters, the birth of the lightsaber and the re-emergence of Darth Vader for the upcoming "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith," as well as "Empire of Dreams" -- a brilliantly structured two hour-plus documentary on the making of the trilogy.

Without question, one of the best parts of my job over the years has been to get the opportunity to talk with actors and filmmakers about the magic of movies -- especially those with "Star Wars" in the title.

Most recently, it was the prequel trilogy's Natalie Portman (Amidala), who reflected on the impact of the original trilogy and the opportunity it afforded her.

"It's been a really wonderful opportunity to get a chance to enter that something that was already ingrained in the culture and to get expand on that," Portman told me during an interview for her latest film, the indie hit "Garden State." "And, it's been so nice to be able to make kids smile, when they see you and say, 'Oh, its Amidala!' That's such a gift."

Here are some more reflections on the trilogy from some of the integral players who made them, culled from various interviews with the stars over the years.

Mark Hamill: A Positive Force
Although he's done hundreds of voice roles for animated television shows and films since his "Star Wars" days, Mark Hamill has hardly been able to protect his anonymity when encountering fans of the film and his character, Luke Skywalker, in public.

In a 2000 interview, Hamill told me that it's been a thrill to be a positive influence for younger generations.

"For the most part, it's really a positive experience in that the fans are so young, and they need an optimistic message like those in the 'Star Wars' pictures," Hamill said. "I'm really proud of being a part of something that was so uplifting and optimistic for young people."

And the message of optimism has clearly rubbed off on Hamill. Both in 2000 and in an interview for his directorial debut for "Comic Book: The Movie" in 2003, Hamill was an infectious interview bursting with enthusiasm and love for the work, no matter how people perceive his post-"Star Wars" career.

"I am so grateful to be living my dream and being part of the creative community," Hamill said in 2000. "I'm always astonished with people who say, 'Gee, you must hate Harrison Ford.' I love Harrison Ford. I think he's one of the greatest actors ever.

"It's always a surprise to me that people would assume I'm unhappy that I'm not as successful as he is -- it's ridiculous," Hamill continued. "It always comes down to the idea of being grateful for what you have or being covetous of what other people have. I have to say I love what I do and sure enjoy performing."

Carrie Fisher: Twisted Sister
Anybody who has read Carrie Fisher's works, like the book-turned-movie "Postcards From the Edge," very well knows the actress/screenwriter has a biting sense of humor.

In a 1998 interview, when I asked her about the surreal nature of being immortalized in plastic as a Princess Leia action figure, I got to experience the humor first hand. She said "Star Wars" creator George Lucas would send her the new action figures every time a new one was released -- and then gave me her "Star" warped observations.

"My daughter (then 5 years old) likes them because she can stick pins in them when she's mad at me," Fisher deadpanned.

Of course, "Star Wars" collectibles have appeared in every way, shape and form since the original film was released in 1977. In regard to Princess Leia, Fisher "came clean" with me about her favorite collectible, and I nearly got whiplash thinking about it.

"It was the shampoo, where you could twist off my head and pour liquid out of my neck," Fisher mused. "Lather up with Leia and you'll feel like a princess yourself. I don't think they make it anymore, but that was my favorite."

Anthony Daniels: Following Protocol
For C-3PO star Anthony Daniels, the "Star Wars" experience has never really ever gone away. Apart from R2-D2 star Kenny Baker, Daniels is the only actor to have a role in all of the films, including the upcoming "Episode III."

I talked with Daniels in 2002, just prior to the release of "Episode II: The Attack of the Clones."

The film found him back in the metal suit as the protocol droid for the first time since the original trilogy (he provided the voice and puppeteered the "naked" version of the droid in "Episode I: The Phantom Menace"), and in a way, he oddly felt like he was transported back to the scenes of the first film that were shot in the sands of Tunisia.

"The first scene that I was in, in the original 'Star Wars,' was exactly the same location we ended up in (for my first scene) for Episode II,'" Daniels told me prior to the "Celebration II" fan convention, which he emceed. "You could tell from the hole in the ground that we were in the right place. That was weird after all these years to be back to that first spot. It was quite a weird sensation."

Peter Mayhew: The Return Of Chewy
Daniels and Baker will have some familiar company in "Episode III" when the original trilogy's "walking carpet" (as Princess Leia called him in the first film), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) makes an appearance.

News of the casting came right before I talked with Mayhew in 2003, as he prepared for his annual trek to Disney for the theme park's "Star Wars Weekend."

What he will be doing in "Episode III" is a mystery. In fact, at the time of the interview, Mayhew knew he had the part -- and that was it.

"I haven't seen the script I don't even know what we're going to be doing," Mayhew told me. "I know that the character will be there. What he will be doing, I don't know."

But whether Mayhew's going to be onscreen a minute or an hour, he's going to savor playing the character again: "I had feeling from a long time that Chewie would be back," Mayhew said. "Where or when I didn't know, but I am still really excited. I want to do the role as well and efficiently as I can. It's a wonderful opportunity."

If anything, Mayhew added, we should at least expect to hear a familiar noise coming from our furry friend.

"The growl will be there -- I'm almost certain," Mayhew said, musingly.

Jeremy Bulloch: Not Fett Up
Undoubtedly one of the most popular characters in the "Star Wars" universe is the bounty hunter Boba Fett, played by British actor Jeremy Bullock in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi."

Like Mayhew, Bulloch has frequented the convention circuit quite a bit in the past few years, catching up with fans of the character. I caught up with Bulloch earlier this year as he prepared to embark on his annual trek to Disney's "Star Wars Weekend."

"Kids especially seem to love the character because he's sort of an anti-hero," Bulloch said. "Because of that, since Disney started the thing started in 1997, I've been lucky to have been invited every year they've put it on."

Bulloch said he only did one convention before 1997 and is thrilled by the positive influence the "Star Wars" films have had on people.

"All those years ago, in 1982, I met a young kid with his dad and recently that young kid came to a convention," Bulloch recalled. "Here he had grown up and had become an animator because of the "Star Wars" movies. It's extraordinary how many people have caught on to George Lucas' dream, and many of those youngsters are now working in animation studios or are directors or film cameramen. It's done an awful lot of good."