"Star Wars" fanatics can relive their love of the original trilogy in an entirely new way on Apple's iPad thanks to the new "Star Wars Scene Maker" app from Disney, which allows users to re-imagine and re-create scenes from the films.
The new app, which launched on Thursday, is the first in what Disney plans to be a series of "Scene Maker" downloads for iOS, featuring animated 3D models of characters, vehicles and environments. Users can manipulate these elements to create their own scenes from the iconic "Star Wars" films "A New Hope," "The Empire Strikes Back," and "Return of the Jedi."
The scene "The Battle of Endor" from the third film in the trilogy comes free with the app. Two more scenes -- "Cloud City Duel" from "Empire" and "Death Star Trench Run" from the first film --Â are available for $2.99 each, or $3.99 for both.
The app boasts dialog from the films, and even the classic music from legendary composer John Williams. Nine official "Star Wars" film scores are available, as well as five lines of dialog from the original trilogy.
When filming, users can position three movable cameras within the 3D environment with three different shooting modes: fixed camera, fixed tracking camera, and chase camera.
Users also add their own characters, vehicles and props such as weapons -- each with their own custom actions -- to the scene. Options available in the free "Endor" scene include Han Solo, C-3P0, an AT-ST, Stormtroopers, and Ewoks.
While Han Solo comes with selectable lines of dialog from the film, users can also record their own. And when recording lines for characters like Stormtroopers, built-in voice filters allow the custom-made movie to have a more authentic feel.
Once the set pieces are in place, users can let the scene play out and add different actions or lines of dialog as it progresses. The three customized camera angles can also be switched between on the fly, choosing close-up, wide or action shots as needed.
When that's completed, the app also allows the addition of an iconic "Star Wars" title crawl to the beginning of the scene, as well as credits at the end. Naturally both of these can be modified to say whatever fits the scene that has just been created.
Videos can then be exported to YouTube or Facebook where they are free to be shared with others.
"At Disney Publishing, we are committed to reaching today's consumers in deeper, more engaging ways through innovative and immersive storytelling experiences," Andrew Sugerman, executive vice president of Disney Publishing Worldwide, said in a press release. "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."
"Star Wars Scene Maker" is now available for free for iPad on the iOS App Store. Disney has promised that new content will be released through updates and in-app purchases, and that some of that content will focus on the upcoming "Star Wars Rebels" animated series on the Disney XD channel.
