Shooting for the ‘Stars’

Anthony Daniels, the British actor who has portrayed the protocol droid C3PO in every “Star Wars” movie, was munching on a Subway sandwich last week, wondering if Jabba the Hutt had ever consumed one of these, when the subject turned to fans of George Lucas’ storied sci-fi saga. “There’s something about ‘Star Wars’ fans, something quite special,” Daniels said. “Most fans still keep their feet on the ground, which I think we all should do.” But he cautioned them to remember that it’s only a film. “They should come out of the darkened theater and enjoy the daylight,” he said. “Obsession with anything is just crazy.” Daniels will find out just how crazy this weekend, when 40,000 fans are expected to descend on Denver for a three-day “Star Wars” celebration. Dan Madsen, who runs the official “Star Wars” Fan Club and is helping to organize the Denver event, said this marks only the second time that Lucasfilm has taken part in an official “Star Wars” convention. The first one was held in Los Angeles in 1987, he noted, and was much smaller in scale. This year’s convention will be held at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in a 100,000-square-foot hangar on the former site of Lowry Air Force Base. The convention will feature a question-and-answer session with many cast members from Lucas’ new film, “Star Wars: Episode 1--The Phantom Menace,” including Daniels, Ray Park (Darth Maul), Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker), Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks) and Pernilla August (Shmi Skywalker). “We’re also going to have a life-size X-wing fighter like the one Luke Skywalker flew in,” Madsen said, adding that all the “Star Wars” merchandise licensees will be on hand to display their wares for the first time. Lucasfilm will also have its archives on display. Anticipating the crush of fans, organizers have set up a special travel agency toll-free hotline for people wanting to book trips to Denver for the event. The number is (800) 367-7842. Tickets are priced at daily rates of $15 for adults on Friday and $18 on Saturday and Sunday; children under 5 will be admitted free with a paying adult.

A Taste of ‘Matrix’ to Go

Is “The Matrix” soundtrack for real? The hit sci-fi film shows a world where computers rule by duping humans with a fabricated reality, but the success of “The Matrix: Music From the Motion Picture” doesn’t seem to be an illusion. Preliminary reports from retailers suggest the rock and electronica compilation could crack the Top 5 on Wednesday, when the nation’s new album sales chart is released, which is especially impressive considering that it features only one new song (Ministry’s “Bad Blood”). Russ Rieger, general manager of Maverick Records and co-executive producer of the album, says that he “would have loved” to have new hit songs to drive sales but that the success of this soundtrack has as much to do with what’s on the screen as on the album, which features Marilyn Manson, Prodigy, Rage Against the Machine and Rob Zombie. “The reason is the movie, which is astounding,” Rieger says. “The soundtrack is the only thing [fans] can take home to relive the movie.”

It’s Springer’s Turn to Sit in the Hot Seat

Will fists, chairs and hair fly through the air Thursday when the Friars Club of California puts controversial talk-show host Jerry Springer on the hot seat during its annual roast? Probably not, but the festivities are sure to be more than a bit raw and raucous at the event, which is being held at the Beverly Hilton. “Politically Incorrect” host Bill Maher will be the roast master for the skewering of Springer, whose show has risen to the top of the talk-show arena with its mix of combative guests, outrageous topics and Springer’s “final thought.” The all-star dais includes Rodney Dangerfield, Roseanne, Milton Berle, Larry King, Sid Caesar, Dave Barry, Norm Crosby and Frank Gorshin, and proceeds will benefit the Friars Charitable Foundation. Friars President Irwin Schaeffer said he is hoping to attract more young people to the organization with the roast. “The Friars has been regarded as a group of elderly gentlemen, and we want to bring some new young life into the group. Jerry will be just perfect for that.” As for the roast, Springer said he is honored and is looking forward to the barbs. “I can’t imagine what people can say that hasn’t already been said,” he noted. “I don’t know if it will be a roast as much as it will be a reheating. They’ll just be putting me back in the microwave.” He said he is pleased with the continuing popularity of his syndicated program, which airs weekdays at 11 p.m. on KCAL-TV.

--Compiled by Times Staff Writers