VFX Disney to unveil 'Star Wars' merch on 3 September via YouTube -

Disney to unveil ‘Star Wars’ merch on 3 September via YouTube

It seems Disney is gearing up for ‘The Force Awakens’ in a big way. Star Wars fans won’t have to wait to get their hands on toys and memorabilia tied to the movie as the company is set to hold a global online event to roll them out.

The toys will be introduced over an 18-hour period in 15 cities and 12 countries beginning early on 3 September, Disney said in a press release. The unboxing of the items will be carried live on YouTube.

“Star Wars toys have always played an important role in how our fans interact with the Saga,” said Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. “These spectacular Star Wars: The Force Awakens products will continue that tradition.”

Fans around the world are already gearing up for the 18 December release of “The Force Awakens,” the opening film in a new “Star Wars” trilogy. The first “Star Wars” movie was released in 1977 and became embedded in pop culture.

The new toy line will be rolled out beginning with a live-broadcast event in Sydney, Australia, then moving through Asia, Europe, Canada, and North and South America, Disney said.

YouTube Spaces in Berlin, Tokyo and London will join the live stream, with Star Wars commentators Anthony Carboni and Andi Gutierrez hosting the event from the YouTube Space in Los Angeles, the release said.

Every lightsaber, every action figure, every costume, every box of Lego tells a story for generations of fans. And this global celebration continues to tell those stories and new ones that were excited for on Force Friday, said Josh Silverman, EVP of Global Licensing at Disney Consumer Products.

Disney earlier this month announced partnerships with seven global brands, including cereal maker General Mills, car maker Fiat Chrysler, and make-up line Covergirl.

Japans biggest airline, ANA, has also announced that three of its planes will be decorated with Star Wars characters and that they will offer all six of the current Star Wars movies as part of their in-flight entertainment.

The Star Wars YouTube channel will host the livestream of the unboxing event in which each of the 15 locations around the world will reveal a new product, ending with San Francisco on the morning of 3 September. Fans will be encouraged to Tweet their comments with the Twitter hashtag #ForceFriday.

Star Wars Zone

VFX