Star Wars

The new Star Wars movie just started shooting, and sci-fi geeks have plenty to celebrate ... 'cause we scored the first pics of some strange new characters over in Abu Dhabi!!

And no, that’s not a new planet in a galaxy far, far away -- it’s part of the United Arab Emirates, and yeah ... you don't really care. Star Wars!!!

Earlier this month in a galaxy far far away, known as Abu Dhabi, J.J. Abrams began filming "Star Wars: Episode VII" ... and TMZ has obtained pics from the ultra-secretive set -- including one GIANT creature.

Jedi sources tell us the new alien was manned by 5 men inside its belly ... and was used in two scenes taking place in what looks like a Tatooine marketplace (Star Wars nerds get it)

According to reports, producers intend to use less CG in the new movies -- instead, relying heavily on practical effects like the original trilogy ... which is evident in these photos.

We don't wanna give too much away ... but if you're a Star Wars fan, you should probably be clicking through the gallery already.

Lando Calrissian hasn't gotten the call yet from Luke, Han or Leia to be in the next "Star Wars" film, but Billy Dee Williams says he'll be there ... if they want him.

TMZ spotted Cloud City's finest citizen after doing a little food shopping. Williams -- who looks AMAZING for 77 -- hadn't heard the new "Star Wars" film had already begun shooting because so far ... no one has asked him to be in it.

With Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Peter Mayhew all expected to reprise their roles, Williams says he'd be more than happy to join the fun if he got the call.

Han Solo's hairy sidekick Chewbacca was extremely tight with Princess Leia during filming of the "Star Wars" flicks -- at least that's how some new behind the scenes pics make it seem.

Sure, it's damn near bestiality ... but it beats kissing your sister. Right, Luke?

Just ask Han Solo -- or any other intergalactic smuggler you know -- "hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side" ... and now you can own the one Harrison Ford used a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

Profiles in History, the auction company from the SyFy show "Hollywood Treasure" ... is putting Han's piece on the auction block -- it's the one he used in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi."

And it's not just "Star Wars" stuff collectors will be able to bid on, come Dec. 21. Other highlights include:

- a Hoverboard from "Back to the Future II"
- Michael Keaton's batsuit from "Batman"
- used Wilson from "Castaway"
- a Golden ticket from "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory"
- LeVar Burton's cool visor glasses from the "Star Trek" flicks.

Disney kicked off its new "Star Wars" marketing campaign by releasing a Darth Vader an Instagram selfie -- which is kinda cool -- but freakin' Jar Jar Binks better not get a Tumblr.

That's the line, Mickey. Don't cross it!

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 ...