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'Star Wars' Fans Feel The Force Of New Collectibles

Photo courtesy of LUCASFILM LTD.

Clone troopers fight against an army of battle droids in a scene from the upcoming "Star Wars: The Clone Wars."

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 25, 2008

CLEARWATER - Fans of the "Star Wars" movies are expected to line up outside the empire of Toys R Us stores around the world tonight to get the first shot at a line of toys based on the yet-to-be-released animated film, "Star Wars: The Clone Wars."

The highly anticipated event is the main panel on the toy store's Web site (www.toysrus.com), with a digital clock ticking down until midnight, when the toys — ranging from action figures to video games — go on sale.

A list of stores where the event will take place also is listed. Only two Tampa Bay area Toys R Us stores are on the list: 330 Brandon Town Center Blvd., Brandon, and 26286 U.S. 19, Clearwater.

Marketers say they expect a crush of "Star Wars" fans and fanatics to line up early to get a shot at the merchandise and cash in on some collectors' items.

The Clearwater and Brandon stores expect crowds to begin lining up about 9 p.m., Toys R Us spokeswoman Adrienne Giordano said this morning from her office in New York City.

"We've had it in our weekly ads in the newspapers and the Toys R Us Web site," she said.

A trailer for the new movie is also on the site.

"We have 225 stores across the country and 50 international stores involved," she said of the midnight offering.

The Toys R Us in Japan is also planning an opening, but it is planning its sale for midnight New York time.

The Brandon store already is getting calls from customers about the sale, store managers said.

"We expect a big crowd," said John Casey, a marketer in New York. "Most will be in costume."

The film is slated for theatrical release in the United States on Aug. 15.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

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