Star Wars

Nerd demigod and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson doesn't mess around when it comes to science or sci-fi ... which is why there's one clear winner for him in the 'Stars Wars' vs. 'Star Trek' debate.

Tyson was leaving 30 Rock when we asked him if he was excited about the recently released "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" trailer.

He admits he's never been a big supporter of the Jedi due to scientific inaccuracies -- but says there is ONE thing correct about George Lucas' universe. Just one.

Let the nerd battle begin!

A short time ago in cyberspace not so far away ... nerds were up in arms over the new lightsaber seen briefly in the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" trailer -- but the movie's director says he's got saber support from Hollywood's biggest nerd.

J.J. Abrams was on his way out of Bad Robot's studio ... when he told our photog he's not surprised at the cross-saber backlash -- but he also knew lots of fans would think it's cool.

In case you don't know, the hubbub is over the practicality of the design -- it seems like the sword could easily cut anyone using the Jedi tool.

But Abrams says one celeb nerd with major pull already gave him two wookiee thumbs up.

Hint: he's a big "Lord of the Rings" fan.

Disney thinks the Force is no longer strong with George Lucas ... because the legendary filmmaker says all his ideas for the new "Star Wars" film were tossed out the nearest airlock.

In an interview with Cinema Blend, Lucas was asked if he had come up with any ideas for "Episode VII" before he sold LucasFilm to Disney back in 2012. He told the interviewer, "The ones that I sold to Disney, they came up to the decision that they didn't really want to do those. So they made up their own. So it's not the ones that I originally wrote."

Now while Lucas' writing credits are spectacular -- the first three "Star Wars" movies and the first three "Indiana Jones" movies, to name a few -- the last three "Star Wars" films and the final "Indiana Jones" movie were all ... well, you know.

They sucked.

Peter Mayhew, a.k.a. Chewbacca, has been hospitalized for pneumonia.

The guy who's played Chewie since the '70s cancelled an appearance over the weekend at a comic shop in Texas ... and "Star Wars" geeks went into panic mode when they heard he fell ill.

Peter's wife had good news for his fans, writing on Reddit, "He will make a full recovery, and hope to be discharged within a few days. Doctors are incredibly happy with his improvements."

The 70-year-old is set to reprise his role in the upcoming trilogy ... including "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

"Star Wars" director J.J. Abrams did his best to kick up more 'Black Stormtrooper' debates by hanging out with the guy at the center of it ... like they were Obi-Wan and Luke back in the day.

Abrams and John Boyega -- the alleged stormtrooper -- were side-by-side as they cruised into an L.A. event together Thursday night. Sooo ... does their bro-ing out session mean Boyega plays a much bigger role in the movie than fans thought? Hmmm ... curious, you are.

The first trailer for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is finally here and it’s got action ... it’s got adventure and most importantly ... it’s got a BLACK STORMTROOPER!! Who knew?

#StormtrooperSwag

The guy who wore the Darth Vader suit in the original "Star Wars" movies says he won't be in the new ones ... because he's suffering from dementia.

David Prowse told the Mirror.uk he'd love to join the original cast with a cameo in the upcoming trilogy ... even though Darth Vader is dead -- but says it would be difficult due to his condition.

The 79-year-old is hoping J.J. Abrams gives him a shot anyway.

Prowse, of course, did all the heavy lifting in Vader's helmet ... while James Earl Jones did the voice.

Now ... SOMEONE PLEASE TELL US who's holding the red lightsaber in the "Force Awakens" trailer?!?

"The Wanted" singer Siva Kaneswaran convinced his girlfriend to throw a "Star Wars"-themed wedding ... and he didn't even have to use Jedi mind tricks.

Siva's fiancee Nareesha McCaffrey agreed to the gimmicky nuptials -- actually we're told he just wore her down -- but the one outstanding sticking point was the dress.

We're told his fiancee refused to walk down the aisle in a slave Leia costume. She's insisting on a traditional wedding dress.

Their dog/ring bearer was not so lucky ... he'll be wearing a Chewbacca outfit.

Groomsmen will wear "Star Wars" cuff links and boutonniere's emblazoned with the movie's logo -- along with other fun stuff.

Fun fact: Harrison Ford's trainer is the guy who invented Body by Jake ... and he tells us Han Solo is progressing faster than the Millennium Falcon in a Kessel run.

Jake Steinfeld was hanging out in Beverly Hills when he gave us the 411 on Ford's injury.

Turns out Jake and Harrison have been working together since the "Indiana Jones" days ... and they still keep in close contact.

71-year-old Harrison Ford is now hobbling around in some weird robo contraption after busting his foot in the door of the Millennium Falcon ... but will he be up to speed for the rest of Episode VII?

Of course he will -- if by speed you mean much, much slower than 12 parsecs!

Harrison Ford isn't going to let a little broken foot keep him down -- he was spotted in London over the weekend with his banged up limb strapped to a contraption possibly borrowed from C-3PO.

Ford suffered the injury while filming "Star Wars: Episode VII" earlier this month. The injury required surgery, and some say reports say he could be on the shelf for as long as 6 months.

So far Disney is sticking to the release date of December 18, 2015 ... so the 71-year-old will have to heal quickly to stick to the shooting schedule.

The force is not strong with this one -- and not only because he's not a Jedi ... but Harrison Ford was injured today on the set of "Star Wars: Episode VII."

A Disney rep confirms Ford injured his ankle and was taken to a local hospital.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, he was hit by a door on the Millennium Falcon ... which, as TMZ first showed you, is making its triumphant return to the franchise.

The Disney rep added that 71-year-old Harrison's injury will not affect the shooting schedule for the movie.

George Lucas -- the man who gave the world 6 "Star Wars" movies -- wants everyone to know ... he could give a wookie's ass about 'Episode VII' set pics getting leaked because he's retired and LOVING it!

Lucas was leaving the St. Regis Hotel in NYC when our photog asked George his opinion about the new set photos TMZ posted ... showing the Millennium Falcon, new creatures and more.

Like a true Jedi master, GL had the perfect response -- especially for a guy who sold the franchise (and Lucasfilm) to Disney for $4 BILLION!

We didn't realize it was "Star Wars" week, but after TMZ posted two sets of awesome photos from the set of Episode VII -- we've now captured a real-life "lightsaber" battle in Central Park ... well as real as possible.

These aren't just some random nerds with toys ... they are the Empire Saber Guild, a group that performs at "Star Wars" events around the world and claims to have the blessing of Lucasfilm.

The ESG dudes say the photos we posted of the Millennium Falcon have them super excited for J.J. Abrams' new flick.

J.J. Abrams attempted to shoot down the Millennium Falcon dreams of 'Star Wars' fans -- but is actually going to send them into hyperspace with his first comment about TMZ's super secret set photos.

The Episode VII director tweeted a pic of a handwritten note ... complaining the photos got out and wished people would stop "making ridiculous claims that the Millennium Falcon is in the movie."

Sounds like he's dismissing the pics TMZ posted of what damn sure looks like the Falcon under construction -- but a closer look at his Twitpic reveals J.J.'s really giving fans a nudge and a wink.

J.J.'s note is pinned to something that looks JUST like the famous game board on Han Solo's ship.
So, he's either toying with fans' emotions -- or acknowledging the Falcon's gonna fly again in a very cool way.

We're going with the latter. Message received, J.J.