The force will be with D.C. Barns, a lifelong Star Warsfan who wona walk-on role inEpisode VIIinthe franchises Force for Change charity contest. Barns was surprised with the news while recording a donor video for Omaze the fundraising platform that helped run the contest in which he talkedabout seeing the first Star Wars when he was just five: It really split my head open, he recalled. Theres movies that I love, and then theres Star Wars.
Whiletrying to rememberhis favorite Star Warsmoment, a film crew busted in anddelivered Barns the good news. After gathering himself, he proclaimed: This is probably my favorite Star Wars moment.
Barns won the grand prize after donating $10 to the Star Wars: Force for Change contest, which ultimately raised $4,261,410 for UNICEF (enough to fund multiplenew UNICEF Innovation Labs). Disney which bought the rights to the franchise last yearand planned the reboot also donated $1 million.
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Along with thecameo, Barns and a guest will get a behind-the-scenes look at the secretive Episode VII shoot in London, and a chance to meet the cast, including the starsof the original trilogy Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill. Our condolences go out to all who wont get this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity especially this kid.
While director J.J. Abramsis keeping the big secrets ofEpisode VIIclose to home, he tweeteda newsnippet of what the movie has in store: A possibledroids hand or maybe eventhe robotic limb of a certain Skywalker holding a place card congratulating Barns on his win and fans for raising so much money. Its not as ridiculous as the updated X-Wing, but no ones complaining.
Though Star Wars: Episode VII will be the de facto litmus test for the franchises reboot (it hits theaters December 18th, 2015), Disney is already planning for the future: Looperdirector Rian Johnson was tapped to helm Episode VIII, while Gareth Edwards (Godzilla) and Josh Trank (Chronicle will each handle a stand-alonespinoff film.