by Damon Martin

For years, George Lucas has said that he wanted to pass along the Star Wars franchise to a new generation of fans, and with a $4 billion sale he’s done just that.

Lucas, who was the 100-percent sole owner of Lucasfilm, sold the property to Disney on Tuesday for a reported $4 billion sale price. Half of the transaction will be paid to Lucas in cash, with the other half coming in the form of 40 million shares of stock.

The purchase of Lucasfilm will also ensure a new Star Wars movie currently titled “Episode 7” will make it into theaters in 2015.

Current Lucasfilm co-chairman Kathleen Kennedy will now become Lucasfilm President, reporting directly to Disney head Alan Horn. Kennedy will also oversee the Star Wars franchise, and along with George Lucas, will begin immediate development on Star Wars: Episode 7. This will be the first major Star Wars film in theaters since Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, which was released in 2005.

“For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next,” said George Lucas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lucasfilm via press release. “It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime.

“I’m confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come. Disney’s reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment, and consumer products.”

Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm adds onto its already impressive list of companies already under the corporation’s control. Over the last few years, Disney has purchased Marvel Comics and Pixar Films, and now Lucasfilm joins the family as well.

Disney executives announced on a conference call with media that following the release of Star Wars: Episode 7, they will continue with episodes 8 and 9, with plans in place to release a new Star Wars film “every 2 to 3 years” after that. Executives stated that Episode 8 will likely land in theaters in 2017, followed by Episode 9 in 2019.

The purchase also includes the entire Indiana Jones franchise, Industrial Light and Magic, and Skywalker Sound. Disney also announced that the Star Wars franchise will become an integral part of their theme parks world wide.

But fans are no doubt wondering, will this move introduce a new generation to a rebranded and reinvigorated version of Star Wars or will the franchise be watered down with new films that ruin the legacy of the original trilogy and the iconic status of the sci-fi legend?

by Aadie Suicide

I am sure you have heard of them, the walking dead, the zombies. Flesh falling off there limbs, drained of blood, intellectually dull and hungry for brains – a walking dead horror story phenomena. But have you seen one or met one? Would you really want too? Looks can be deceiving, I had the pleasure of interviewing a Mr Rick Genest a.k.a. Rico the Zombie. This zombie art collecting gentlemen is full of heart, phenomenal inner strength (he survived a brain tumor at age 15), and intelligence to boot. With the majority of his body covered in ink inspired by the rotting corpse, you may know him as ‘Zombie boy,’ a Canadian artist and tattoo clad fashion model.

Aadie Suicide: Where did you grow up?

Rick Genest: From the ground, from the grave; alive with no pulse but a craving for brains. Growing up happened in different places and in different ways. I loved spending the better half of my time keeping it in the streets of Montreal.

AS: How do you like to spend your free time?

RG: Getting high on rooftops and low under bridges. Telling jokes and lighting smokes.

AS: Do you have any pets?

RG: My shadows were twin sister and brother Rottweiler cross German Sheppards, Skullz and Bonez. When they passed, I became more involved in circus…I recently gave away my 8 foot Albino Boa, Lucifer, due to excessive traveling and lack of time for her.

AS: What did you want to be when you where little?

RG: I do believe I did become what I wanted to be. I still want to creep more in horror movies, as well as freak more at sideshows. Asides from these things, I would like to spend more down time on taxidermy projects.

AS: If you weren’t the Zombie Boy that you are today, what career path would you be on and why?

RG: I always thought that zombies could do anything. Just more dead-ish.

AS: I understand your artwork is a tribute to the horror movie genre, what is your favorite director and film?

RG: There are so many masterpieces, it would be hard to choose. Ultimately, Tobe Hooper’s 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

AS: What was the first horror movie you can recall seeing and how old where you?

RG: The earliest I can remember, Tremors, was the first to traumatize me. But it was The Adams Family and Batman that got to me first. As for comic books, Morbius The Living Vampire and Ghost Rider were my favorites.

AS: When you were 16 you got first Tattoo; What was it?

RG: My first tattoo was an outline of a Jolly Roger, but instead of a skull, a living zombie’s head.

AS: You were featured in Lady Gaga’s music video for “Born This Way.” How did that come about?

RG: As an illustrated man, street busker, and performing artist, I had not been a stranger to photography. Being tattooed as a living skeleton, I found work easily that way. I’ve preformed in stage shows, carnivals, landed small parts on TV, worked once as a talent on a movie named Carny staring Lou Diamond Philips. I worked at a pirate themed bar and often get stopped in the street for pictures. I had already been published in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, Bizarre, and National Geographic, as well as others. One afternoon, a man named Ludo stopped me in the street and offered me a sum to model one afternoon for a fashion magazine named Dressed to Kill. This was the shoot that got the attention of Nicola Formichetti. Thierry Mugler is the brand name that Nicola Formichetti hired me to work for, and soon after, he offered me an appearance in Lady Gaga’s “Born this Way” video. I love showbiz, and it makes it so much more fun when you get to work with positively charged people like Gaga. She is one down cat – passionate about what she does, very head on earth, and treats everyone with respect.

AS: What is the general reaction you get from people who see you in public? Positive, negative or mixed?

RG: Most people can tell I’m just a tattooed man, but, previous to working with Gaga, often authority figures, the old fashioned, the elderly, and the upper class, would be quick to judge.

AS: Have you had to cover up any work you no longer favored or just to complete the art of the rotting cadaver? And if so, what was it?

RG: Many years ago I got my hyena head- Baphomet covered with a biohazard symbol.

AS: Since GaGa’s discovery of you, you have kind of exploded. How does that feel?

RG: I have a lot of work to do and Gaga gave me the chance to get things done. If any of you creeps out there are reading this, I’m the right monster for the job!

AS: Are you enjoying your new found fame?

RG: I have always loved entertainment and have been entertaining since I first discovered I could pick my nose. I’m grateful I’ve still got blood left.

AS: I saw a video clip of makeup artists completely covering over your tattoos. When you looked in the mirror, what was that like for you? How did that feel?

RG: The job was fun, and the people’s reaction funnier. I love practical jokes!

AS: You have your own Character Figure! That for me is basically one of the highest honors. What was that like for you?

RG: I have been turned into a metal statue and also a wax statue. Honestly, I was waiting for a downsized plastic guy. He is very well made; I thank the good people at Tonner.

AS: Any words of wisdom for people who have never had a tattoo but are thinking of getting one?

RG: Chewing gum helps with the tough spots.

AS: Do you have anything else you would like to say?

RG: Stay fresh or smell bad J

Photos by Colin Singer. For more info visit RickGenest.com/.

by Blogbot

Every week we ask the ladies and gentlemen of the web to show us their finest ink in celebration of #TattooTuesday.

Our favorite submission from Twitter wins a free 3 month membership to SuicideGirls.com.

This week’s #TattooTuesday winner is Nat Zen a.k.a. @wikdlydlishus.

Enter this week’s competition by replying to this tweet with a pic of your fav tattoo and the #tattootuesday hashtag.

Good luck!

A few things to remember:

• You have to be 18 to qualify.
• The tattoo has to be yours…that means permanently etched on your body.
• On Twitter we search for your entries by looking up the hashtag #TattooTuesday, so make sure you include it in your tweet!

Check out the Tattoo Tuesday winners of weeks past!

by Daniel Robert Epstein

“You have to know who you are and where you are at all times and never lose track of that.” – Queen Latifah

After Will Smith, Queen Latifah is the only person to have crossed so successfully from hip-hop into movies and television. Even though Queen received her first Oscar nomination for her performance in 2002’’s Chicago, she still hasn’’t forgotten her music or comedy roots. Her next album is being released this month, her next big budget movie is Taxi with Jimmy Fallon, and her latest is a film she produced herself, The Cookout.

Read our interview with Queen Latifah on SuicideGirls.com.

Veda Suicide in Wrong Side of The Tracks

• MAKES ME HAPPY: Sleeping in, genuinely nice people, good beer, NY pizza, and 2 Chainz.
• MAKES ME SAD: Internet trolls.
• HOBBIES: Learning to read tarot, forensics TV, nail art, collecting lighters, discovering new beers.
• 5 THINGS I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: Pizza, bagels, pizza bagels, my iPhone, and Seinfeld reruns.
• VICES: Oversleeping, coffee, cigarette breaks, drunk texting.
• I SPEND MOST OF MY FREE TIME: Cleaning up after my cats because they run the house and I just live here.

Get to know Veda better over at SuicideGirls.com!