Disney Publishing Worldwide today re-defines the storytelling experience with the release of “Star Wars Scene Maker,” a new line of creativity apps that gives kids and Star Wars fans of all ages the tools to create, control, customize, capture and share their own 3D animated Star Wars scenes. Utilizing simple, intuitive commands, the apps give fans an unrivaled user-generated storytelling experience that allows them to re-imagine and re-create iconic scenes from the Saga.

Featuring 3D models of characters, vehicles, and environments, “Scene Maker” allows fans to zoom in, pull back and explore each animated Star Wars scene. Users have the freedom to place characters and vehicles wherever they choose, and then customize them with a variety of weapons to create new storylines and dialogue.

Three movable cameras can be maneuvered and switched to different film modes, with options to rotate and adjust vertical heights to give scene makers complete creative control of how they film their scenes. Additionally, iconic music and dialogue deepen the scene making experience, while options to record original dialogue expand the level of customization. A save and share option provides opportunities for fans to socialize their content online.

“At Disney Publishing, we are committed to reaching today’s consumers in deeper, more engaging ways through innovative and immersive storytelling experiences,” said Andrew Sugerman, executive vice president, Disney Publishing Worldwide. “Star Wars Scene Maker allows us to put kids and fans of all ages in the director’s seat and provide them with ways to unleash their creativity and share their passion for the Star Wars brand in a new way.”

The first app in the “Scene Maker” series launches with iconic scenes from the original trilogy: “The Battle of Endor,” fromStar Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, “Cloud City Duel” from Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and “Death Star Trench Run” from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. “The Battle of Endor” is free with download, and each additional content pack is $2.99, or $3.99 for both.

The “Scene Maker” apps will continue to feature content from the Star Wars Saga, with plans to expand to new content from the upcoming “Star Wars Rebels” animated series on Disney XD. Additional content packs will be released through app updates, and available through in-app purchase.

“Star Wars Scene Maker” is available now for free for iOS on the App Store. For additional Star Wars mobile apps updates and information, visit http://www.StarWars.com, http://www.DisneyStories.com, Facebook at Facebook.com/disneyreads and Twitter at @DisneyReads.

About Disney Publishing Worldwide
Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world’s largest publisher of children’s books, magazines, and Apps, with over 700 million products sold each year. DPW consists of an extensive worldwide books and magazines licensing structure as well as vertically integrated publishing imprints, including Disney-Hyperion and Disney Press in the U.S. and Disney Libri in Italy. DPW’s digital products include bestselling eBook titles and award-winning original apps. Disney English is DPW’s English language learning business, which includes learning centers in China and a worldwide retail-licensing program. Headquartered in Glendale, California, DPW publishes books, magazines, and digital products in 85 countries in 75 languages. For more information visit www.disneypublishing.com.

About Lucasfilm Ltd. 
Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production. In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company’s activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARSand INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California.

STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks in the United States and/or in other countries of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM 2014 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

DISNEY PUBLISHING WORLDWIDE LAUNCHES STAR WARS™ APPS FOR NEXT GENERATION OF FANS

New Portfolio of Apps Introduces Legendary Saga in Unique Ways; “Star Wars Journeys: The Phantom Menace” Available Now on the App Store

GLENDALE, Calif., May 1, 2014 – Drawing from the success of its interactive storytelling products, Disney Publishing Worldwide today announced the launch of “Star Wars Journeys,” a new episodic series of apps featuring the stories, heroes and villains from a galaxy far, far away. With immersive story content and fast-paced activities and game play, “Star Wars Journeys” apps will introduce the epic Star Wars universe to the next generation of fans like never before. More than half a dozen apps are slated for release for the Kids and Entertainment categories of the App Store; “Star Wars Journeys: The Phantom Menace” is available now and additional apps in the portfolio will roll out in sequential order leading up to the release of Star Wars Episode VII.

Each “Star Wars Journeys” app includes interactive features that fully immerse readers in the franchise’s epic adventures, including a 180-degree parallax viewing experience, infinite zoom scene transitions, collectible character profiles, brand new art, and unlockable hidden content. As The Force is strong with these apps, each will also feature a set of unique activities that deepens the story experience.

“The Star Wars film franchise has continuously excited and engaged audiences of all ages for more than 30 years” said Andrew Sugerman, executive vice president, Disney Publishing Worldwide. “Now, Disney Publishing is connecting Star Wars fans to their favorite franchise through a series of innovative new apps that combine storytelling, play, and technology for an epic experience. We are thrilled to help introduce the Star Wars universe to the next generation of fans, and provide those already familiar with the power of The Force new ways to connect with this legendary franchise.”

“Star Wars Journeys: The Phantom Menace,” which is available now for iOS, reveals the first story in the classic saga in an explosive new way. As readers tap and swipe their way through the story, they are challenged to fast-paced races across four different galaxies in customizable anti-gravity podracers where they can earn special rewards that allow them to complete the story. Additional apps in the “Star Wars Journeys” portfolio rolling out in the coming months include:

• “Star Wars Journeys: Attack of the Clones”
• “Star Wars Journeys: Revenge of the Sith”
• “Star Wars Journeys: A New Hope”
• “Star Wars Journeys: The Empire Strikes Back”
• “Star Wars Journeys: Return of the Jedi”

The Star Wars mobile apps portfolio will continue to evolve with the addition of an all-new category of user generated creativity apps, leading up to the release of Star Wars Episode VII. The new suite of apps will offer fans unrivaled storytelling experiences by providing them unprecedented access to the rich Star Wars universe they know and love. Through technology and innovative storytelling tools, these new apps will deliver deeper engagement and unlock imaginations in only a way Disney can.

“Star Wars Journeys: The Phantom Menace” can be found on the App Store in the Kids and Entertainment categories. For additional Star Wars mobile apps updates and information, visit www.DisneyStories.com, Facebook at Facebook.com/disneyreads and Twitter at @DisneyReads.

About Disney Publishing Worldwide

Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world’s largest publisher of children’s books, magazines, and Apps, with over 700 million products sold each year. DPW consists of an extensive worldwide books and magazines licensing structure as well as vertically integrated publishing imprints, including Disney-Hyperion and Disney Press in the U.S. and Disney Libri in Italy. DPW’s digital products include bestselling eBook titles and award-winning original apps. Disney English is DPW’s English language learning business, which includes learning centers in China and a worldwide retail-licensing program. Headquartered in Glendale, California, DPW publishes books, magazines, and digital products in 85 countries in 75 languages. For more information visit www.disneypublishing.com.

About Lucasfilm Ltd.

Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production.  In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company’s activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California.

STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks in the United States and/or in other countries of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM 2014 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

Disney Publishing Worldwide is proud to announce their first step into that larger world, beginning with Del Rey Books. The publishing program will feature new adult fiction novels set in the beloved galaxy far, far away, and will be closely connected to the cinematic entertainment currently in development at Lucasfilm.

Following the release of Star Wars: A New Dawn, look for these titles to be released in 2014/2015

STAR WARS: TARKIN
James Luceno
November 2014 

STAR WARS: HEIR TO THE JEDI
Kevin Hearne
January 2015 

STAR WARS: LORDS OF THE SITH
Paul Kemp
March 2015