Luke Jacobz Star Wars BB-8 Droid Race Interview

Duracell Star Wars Challenge

TV personality and Star Wars super fan, Luke Jacobz, set a unique challenge for kids this morning to celebrate the upcoming release of Lucasfilm's Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Little Star Wars fans and their parents, including Ada Nicodemou and son Johnas rose to the challenge, with Luke overseeing their Jedi skills at the Duracell-hosted event.

The event, which is on at Macquarie Centre in Sydney until Sunday, December 10th, saw Duracell power a unique activation inspired by A Galaxy Far, Far Away. Kids had the opportunity to use remote controls, imagination and their best Star Wars strategy to guide BB-8 through an intergalactic maze, racing against the clock to prove their Jedi skills. There were also prizes up for grabs, the chance to meet the Duracell Bunny and some cool photo opportunities - the event was a must for any Star Wars fan.

Luke says, 'Today was an awesome day of Star Wars fun, it was great to meet some of the biggest Star Wars fans out there. The maze was a real challenge but some of the kids really nailed it! BB-8 proved to be one powerful droid - the kids felt like real Jedi remote control racing him!"

In Lucasfilm's Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.

The film stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman. J.J. Abrams, Tom Karnowski and Jason McGatlin are the executive producers.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in Australian cinemas on December 14, 2017.

Interview with Luke Jacobz

Question: What is the Duracell Star Wars challenge?

Luke Jacobz: Duracell have put this entire thing together, and it's brilliant. It's a BB-8 maze escape - it's a very cool opportunity for kids to get involved in a Star Wars themed activity before The Last Jedi is released. Kids get to race remote controlled BB-8 toys (I've got one, they're so good!) through a maze, with the top race time taking out some awesome prizes. It's a chance for them to test their Jedi skills! I'm hosting the event and I'm really looking forward to it.


Question: Why did you choose to participate in this challenge?

Luke Jacobz: Who wouldn't?! It's so cool! I'm a huge Star Wars fan, I love the movies – I've seen every one of them (multiple times) so this was a no-brainer!


Question: What is the best Star Wars strategy to win this BB-8 maze race?

Luke Jacobz: Use the force (laughs)! It's going to be a tough one, BB-8 sometimes has a mind of his own but I think some serious concentration and consistent speed, along with avoiding any dead ends in the maze should help take out the top spot.


Question: Can you tell us about the BB-8?

Luke Jacobz: To me, BB-8 is like R2D2's little brother – he's this very cool little character, and he's got some attitude too. He appeared for the first time in the last Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens, and I can't wait to see what he's up to in The Last Jedi. He's a bit cheeky and likes to get his way, so it will be fun to see the kids testing their Jedi skills to control him!


Question: Have you seen Star Wars: The Last Jedi? Can you share your review?

Luke Jacobz: I haven't seen the movie yet, I'll be one of the first when it's released though!


Interview by Brooke Hunter