Menu
25/07/2003
'Star Wars Kid' sues classmates over 'stolen tape'
An internet prank has seen a 15-year-old boy from Quebec – dubbed 'Star Wars Kid' – sue classmates at his school for CD$225,000 (£100,000) for allegedly causing him mental anguish.
The boy, Ghyslain Raza, began the legal action after a videotape of him mimicking the high-flying martial artistry of a Star Wars character was posted up on a peer-to-peer internet site in April.
The tape has become cult viewing and one website dedicated to 'Star Wars Kid' has registered over eight million hits and one million versions of the tape have been downloaded from the site.
Ghyslain apparently videotaped himself emulating the character Darth Maul, from 'Episode One: The Phantom Menace', who uses a double-ended light sabre. However, he left the tape in the video recorder and it appeared on the internet a short time later.
The two-minute tape has since been updated with a variety of sci-fi special effects and there are now 38 different versions available for downloading.
However, the unwanted attention has seen Ghyslain launch a suit against four classmates for causing him harassment at school and the teenager has since sought psychiatric care.
Ghyslain's antics, however, has seen one weblog raise over $4,000 to buy him an iPod MP3 player and a petition has been launched urging George Lucas to give the teenager a walk-on part in the third instalment of the Star Wars saga. The online petition has generated more than 20,000 signatures so far.
(GMcG)
The boy, Ghyslain Raza, began the legal action after a videotape of him mimicking the high-flying martial artistry of a Star Wars character was posted up on a peer-to-peer internet site in April.
The tape has become cult viewing and one website dedicated to 'Star Wars Kid' has registered over eight million hits and one million versions of the tape have been downloaded from the site.
Ghyslain apparently videotaped himself emulating the character Darth Maul, from 'Episode One: The Phantom Menace', who uses a double-ended light sabre. However, he left the tape in the video recorder and it appeared on the internet a short time later.
The two-minute tape has since been updated with a variety of sci-fi special effects and there are now 38 different versions available for downloading.
However, the unwanted attention has seen Ghyslain launch a suit against four classmates for causing him harassment at school and the teenager has since sought psychiatric care.
Ghyslain's antics, however, has seen one weblog raise over $4,000 to buy him an iPod MP3 player and a petition has been launched urging George Lucas to give the teenager a walk-on part in the third instalment of the Star Wars saga. The online petition has generated more than 20,000 signatures so far.
(GMcG)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 June 2014
Harrison Ford Injured On New Star Wars Movie Set
Actor Harrison Ford has been injured while filming the new Star Wars movie at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire. Mr Ford was airlifted to hospital after a hydraulic door fell and hit him during filming. The 71-year-old is believed to have suffered an ankle injury.
Harrison Ford Injured On New Star Wars Movie Set
Actor Harrison Ford has been injured while filming the new Star Wars movie at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire. Mr Ford was airlifted to hospital after a hydraulic door fell and hit him during filming. The 71-year-old is believed to have suffered an ankle injury.
08 September 2015
Star Wars UK Release Date Brought Forward
The eagerly-anticipated Star Wars movie, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, is to be released earlier in the UK than previously announced. The film was initially due to hit cinemas on 18 December, but it has now been moved forward by a day.
Star Wars UK Release Date Brought Forward
The eagerly-anticipated Star Wars movie, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, is to be released earlier in the UK than previously announced. The film was initially due to hit cinemas on 18 December, but it has now been moved forward by a day.
11 April 2008
'Star Wars' Actor Takes Ill On Trip
'Star Wars' actor Kenny Baker has been admitted to hospital. Baker, 73, took ill on a trip to the US, where he had been attending film conventions. The actor's son, Kevin Baker, told the 'Lancashire Evening Post' that his father had suffered a "recurring problem with asthma" and that it "flares up every now and then".
'Star Wars' Actor Takes Ill On Trip
'Star Wars' actor Kenny Baker has been admitted to hospital. Baker, 73, took ill on a trip to the US, where he had been attending film conventions. The actor's son, Kevin Baker, told the 'Lancashire Evening Post' that his father had suffered a "recurring problem with asthma" and that it "flares up every now and then".
21 February 2008
'Star Wars' Missile Attack 'Successful'
There was relief all round last night with news that the US has successfully struck a disabled 'spy' satellite, hopefully destroying the rapidly 'decaying orbit' facility.
'Star Wars' Missile Attack 'Successful'
There was relief all round last night with news that the US has successfully struck a disabled 'spy' satellite, hopefully destroying the rapidly 'decaying orbit' facility.
24 May 2005
Two people suffer burns in mock 'Star Wars' fight
Two people are critically ill in hospital after an apparent attempt to recreate a ‘Star Wars’ lightsaber fight went tragically wrong. Police said that a 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old woman had been found in woodland in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, suffering from severe burns.
Two people suffer burns in mock 'Star Wars' fight
Two people are critically ill in hospital after an apparent attempt to recreate a ‘Star Wars’ lightsaber fight went tragically wrong. Police said that a 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old woman had been found in woodland in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, suffering from severe burns.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
