Star Wars

Diego Luna must think the paparazzi are with the Empire, and fans are his fellow rebels ... because he was slow to answer but quick on the draw -- with his pen.

We got the 'Rogue One' actor, who plays Rebel leader Captain Cassian Andor, at LAX Thursday where he got swarmed by an army of clones -- "Star Wars" fanboys -- who all wanted an autograph from the franchise's latest star.

Our photog tries asking some legit questions about Hispanics in Hollywood ... but Diego resists and sticks to signing off for his admirers.

The Force is strong with this one.

Hollywood's looking more like a galaxy far, far away than usual ... with an X-Wing fighter sitting smack in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard ahead of the "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" premiere.

The event doesn't go down until Saturday at the Pantages Theatre, but the prep work alone is already shutting down the street. Luckily, rush hour traffic in the area is extremely light.

The guy who played Darth Maul in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" is under investigation for allegedly assaulting a woman ... TMZ has learned.

Raymond Park was a panelist at Super Megafest Comic-con in Massachusetts last weekend, and law enforcement sources tell us they got a 911 call early Sunday reporting an assault at his hotel. Park's rep says cops woke the actor in his room, and spoke to him about claims he struck a woman.

Park was questioned, but never detained or arrested. His rep says Park was partying with fans Saturday night at his hotel bar, but insists he never assaulted anyone. Witnesses tell us he seemed kinda wasted while throwing darts, but no one saw anything violent.

For what it's worth, Park was back at the convention Sunday. Cops say their investigation is still ongoing.

Make room for a new villian on the 'Star Wars' block -- Lucasfilm is finally prepping to cash in on the legendary "Death Trooper" character.

Lucasfilm just filed docs in Europe to secure rights to make and sell all "Death Troopers"-related gear -- clothing, footwear, toys, games, birthday party paper hats and favors ... even Christmas tree stands. Nothing says happy holidays like a DEATH Trooper under your tree!

The DTs first appeared in the 'Star Wars Legends' novel, but there's heavy fan speculation they'll debut onscreen in 'Rogue One.' No less an authority than Wookiepedia believes this brief image from the trailer is an actual DT.

The merchandising strategy seems to back up that theory -- plus, Lucasfilm pulled the same move earlier this year with the "Shadow Trooper."

1:05 PM PST -- Ben just addressed the interview on Twitter, saying, "For those of you keeping score at home, I gave exactly 18 f***s about my Pats. Upon reflection, 12 probably would have been sufficient. We Boston fans have always been known for our subtlety. One of my favorite interviews; hope you get to see the entire episode. #GoPats"

Ben Affleck as much as told Bill Simmons he was offered 'Star Wars' before J.J. Abrams and turned it down.

Ben doesn't come right out and say it but, in so many words, he makes it clear during the HBO show.

Here's Harrison Ford at the AFI Life Achievement Awards Thursday night in Hollywood.

He was there to honor legendary composer John Williams, but clearly had someone else in mind too.

The Wookie-envy is real.

Candace Payne, best known as "Chewbacca Mom" -- the woman who went record-breakingly viral -- is going into overtime on her 15 minutes, and making good money doing it.

Chewy lovers at Dallas' Fan Expo forked over $20 for a photo and autograph from Candace during her first convention appearance Sunday.

Payne got a prime booth spot too ... right next to Jack Gleeson from "Game of Thrones." We're told her line was "average" compared to other celebs -- with a wait time of about 10 minutes.

Predictably, some Internet haters turned on Candace ... calling her gig "greedy." But it's worth noting, the convention says a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a Texas church.

BEHOLD, THE VERY FIRST JEDI TEMPLE ... the legendary location where Luke Skywalker has been hiding out ... at least, that's what it looks like to us.

Ancient buildings have sprung up on the Ireland set of "Star Wars: Episode VIII" -- the same location where Rey tracked down Luke at the end of 'The Force Awakens.'

The 'Star Wars' supernerds (relax, we mean it lovingly) have already confirmed the name of the planet is "Ahch-To" ... and it IS where the first Jedi temple is located in 'Star Wars' mythology.

So, are we finally gazing at Jedi holy ground? It's possible ... then again, we can't really be sure.

Ever wonder what Chewbacca looked like under all that fur??

Here's Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton doing his best Wookie impression during a gym sesh earlier Wednesday -- a tribute to 'Star Wars' day (May the 4th Be With You).

Fun Fact -- the new 'Star Wars' movie reportedly made $2 BILLION at the box office. Giancarlo's current contract is worth roughly 1/6th of that.

Fetty Wap's son had the best birthday in the galaxy ... shutting down an entire fun center for a 'Star Wars' themed bounce session.

Sources tell us Fetty dropped 5 stacks to rent out BounceU in Paramus, NJ for Aydin's 5th birthday party ... making the entire place VIP only.

We're told around 50 kids showed up for the bash, which included cosmic bounce houses, cotton candy, face painting, balloon twisting, tons of pizza, and a mobile video game trailer.

For dessert ... a two-tiered Stormtrooper cake complete with fondant light sabers.

Lucky his son is.

The biggest mystery in the 'Star Wars' galaxy -- the identity of Rey's parents -- was partially and accidentally leaked by Lucasfilm lawyers ... at least that's how super fans will see it.

Lucasfilm just filed docs, obtained by TMZ, to own all merchandising rights for a character named Jyn Erso -- specifically for toys, clothing, footwear, books, school supplies, and stationery.

The filing happened one day after the trailer for "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" dropped ... introducing Jyn as the main character in that prequel.

Now, the connection to Rey -- the heroine of 'Force Awakens.'

'Star Wars' geeks immediately spotted similarities between Jyn and Rey -- facial features, British accents, and generally being kick-ass chicks. So, with the rumor mill already buzzing ... you know how this merchandising move looks.

Jyn's gonna be a big player ... and there's no bigger role than birthing Rey.

When Harry met hairy ... it was pretty awesome.

The Prince and his bro, Prince William, got big ole wookiee hugs from Chewbacca and met a bunch of other 'Star Wars' actors Tuesday while touring Pinewood Studios near London.

William made the visit as part of his duties as President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Harry looked more than happy to tag along.

The royal bros even geeked out over lightsabers, but Will needs a better grip.

Rian Johnson is as cold-blooded as Boba Fett ... so claims his ex-agent who says the director axed him right before he signed on to direct "Star Wars: Episode VIII" ... just to dodge the bill.

Brian Dreyfuss claims in a new lawsuit he took on Johnson as a client before the guy ever directed a single film ... even getting his own dad to invest in Johnson's debut flick, "Brick."

Dreyfuss claims his deal with Johnson called for him to get 10% of any project he helped Johnson land.

According to the suit, Kathleen Kennedy from Lucasfilm hit up Dreyfuss in January 2014 to gauge Johnson's interest in working together. Dreyfuss says Johnson declined the meeting.

Two months later, Dreyfuss claims Johnson fired him out of the blue. In August of 2014 ... Johnson announced he was writing and directing 'Episode VIII.'

Dreyfuss is suing Johnson for the 10% he believes he's owed for 'Star Wars.'

Here's George Lucas -- seller of Lucasfilm for $4 billion -- throwing down some $6 Asian noodles in a food court in Adelaide, Australia ... all by himself.

#ThaiFighter
#ObiWanKenoodle
#Ewokdintoafoodcourt
#TheFirstOrder
#SobaFett
#BBAte
#C3PPho
#ImSolo

It's the kind of 'Star Wars' secret normally kept under lock and key, but the new "Shadow Trooper" just got exposed by Lucasfilm's need to make big money merchandising the character.

Lucasfilm filed docs to lock up the trademark to manufacture and sell all things "Shadow Trooper" -- such as clothing, footwear, toys, gymnastic and sporting articles, electronic games, Christmas stockings, Christmas tree ornaments, snow globes ... pretty much everything under Tatooine's 2 suns.

Shadow has already been introduced to the 'Star Wars' universe via video games, but hasn't been in any of the movies. This move is a strong sign that's about to change. 'Star Wars' geeks have speculated a debut in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" ... which comes out in December.

Lucasfilm filed similar docs for Kylo Ren, BB-8 and Poe Dameron long before 'The Force Awakens' was released.

Filming for 'Star Wars: Episode VIII' is underway in Croatia and there are a lot of new faces on set.

We got pics of two new alien species ... and a land speeder, which looks like an upgrade from any of the pod racers in 'Episode I.' Then again, anything is an upgrade from 'Episode I.'

Production moved from a London studio to Dubrovnik this month and set designers got creative with the Old Town's gothic architecture ... giving it some 'Star Wars' flare! Filming is about 5 weeks in, but the movie won't hit theaters until December 2017.