next season's family guy opener, season V, episode IV

[Brian MacKenzie]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20646

Fox's animated hit "Family Guy" will kick off its fifth season this September with an hourlong episode that retells the "Star Wars" saga using "Family Guy" characters.

Variety says Lucasfilm has blessed the event, which will have the Griffin family acting out all the key scenes and narrative from Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane is a major "Star Wars" fan and was personally involved in getting Lucasfilm on board.

Not surprisingly, family patriarch Peter Griffin will play the role of Han Solo, while mom Lois will appear as Princess Leia. Evil baby Stewie will be Darth Vader, natch.

Brian the family dog will serve as Chewbacca, while son Chris is Luke. Robots R2-D2 and C-3PO will be handled by Cleveland and Quagmire, respectively, while creepy old guy Herbert gets the Obi- Wan character.

The plot of the episode has the Griffin family stuck at home during a blackout. With no TV to entertain them, Peter decides to tell a story --- leading to the "Star Wars" flashback.