Between 1999 and 2009 Lightsabre.co.uk brought news, fanfic, podcasts and much, much more to the masses. Our forty-fourth guest wrote for theforce.net, rebelscum.com and r2d2central.com and became the president of the official Star Wars fan club – Dustin Roberts.
Lightsabre – Dustin, welcome to Lightsabre.
DR – Hey Mark, thanks for having me.
Lightsabre – Star Wars has had a profound effect on all of us, it’s why we’re here talking about it, but what was it that started you off on your Star Wars journey?
DR – I’ve always been a fan, I grew up on Star Wars like most males who were very young and impressionable at the time it hit the big screens. However my interest spike in 1996 when I saw the toys return to the stores. I joked with my now ex-wife about how cool it would be to have a few of these for nostalgia, and that Christmas I got about a dozen or so of the POTF2 orange carded figures! So it’s all her fault I’m here today 😉
Lightsabre – You’re involved in Star Wars fandom through a number of outlets, including your work on theforce.net, rebelscum.com and r2d2central.com. How does it feel to have carved yourself such a prominent niche in the Star Wars fan community?
DR – I guess I don’t look at it any differently than when I started. I love the hobby and I love being involved with the community!
Lightsabre – Which of the six episodes stands out as your favourite?
DR – The Empire Strikes Back hands down. It’s got just about everything you need for a great story!
Lightsabre – As we speak your aim to become the president of the official Star Wars site has yet to be realized. If you do win, what would you do to change the official site?
DR – If I win I will not have the power to change anything. The contest is for an honorary title of Star Wars Fan Club President for one year, and a prize package that involves a trip to San Diego Comic Con.
Lightsabre – As a fellow fan you must have many golden Star Wars memories. Tell us about some of them.
DR – There are so many how do I choose?! If there is one I’d really like to talk about it has to be my first trip out to visit Rancho Obi-Wan. We had planned the trip for late September 2001, and were very excited to be going. Then 9-11 hit out of nowhere. Roughly two weeks after it happened I had to fly on a plane from Ohio to California. Talk about being scared! We got there safely and within three days I had managed to view the collection of Mr. Sansweet, ( so many “ooo’s! & ahhhs!” ) Meet Don Bies, as well as one of his favorite droids, R2-D2. Now this wasn’t any ordinary R2, this one had been in the first three original trilogy films and had recently been modified for a shot in Episode II (Battle arena scene where R2’s panel opens and he secures C-3PO’s head). Being a big R2-D2 fan, that was pretty dang cool I gotta say!
Lightsabre – Which of the many Star Wars characters are you closest to?
DR – Well collecting wise, it’s gotta be R2-D2. But if you’re asking which character I’m most like I’d have to say that guy in the cantina, third one from the right in frame 28,346 😉
Lightsabre – What would you change about Star Wars if you could go back in time and make alterations?
DR – Nothing.
Lightsabre – The state of Star Wars fandom is ever changing, with the end of the movies, the start of new comics and the forthcoming television series. How do the sites that you are involved in fit into that picture?
DR – We will continue to support Star Wars no matter what direction it takes.
Lightsabre – Where do you think Lucas will take us next on our trip through the Star Wars galaxy?
DR – I’d like to see a band of renegade Jedi fleeing the Empire. Always one step ahead of the bounty hunters, jumping from system to system, helping others along the way!
Lightsabre – What do you foresee for yourself in the future?
DR – Always in motion the future is.
Lightsabre – A quick question about our site. Any comments?
DR – You guys are doing a great job and are contributing to the overall online Star Wars community in a very positive way!
Lightsabre – It’s been a great interview, and thanks for being our guest. Just one final question. Your running mate R2-D2 suddenly announces that he has found a new running mate and sides with Darth Vader in an effort to forge a new order for the fan club. You have to quickly find yourself a new running partner to stand against this potentially evil new regime. Who do you opt for and why?
DR – This is easy, I’ll just have his memory banks erased 😉
This interview was originally posted on lightsabre.co.uk on 14th May 2006.
