Following nods to cult movies Goonies and Tron, ABC's 1980s-set comedy The Goldbergs will team with Lucasfilm for its upcoming Star Wars-themed episode.
George Lucas' production company behind the iconic franchise has signed on for a tie-in with the episode to support the annual international geek holiday Star Wars Day "May the Fourth."
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As part of the tie-in, Lucasfilm partnered with studio Sony Pictures Television and ABC for the May 6 episode titled "A Wrestler Named Goldberg." Lucasfilm will help promote the episode in the lead-up to the broadcast. The episode sees Adam (Sean Giambrone) and Erica (Hayley Orrantia) encounter elaborately costumed Star Wars fans, including Reno 911's Thomas Lennon, while waiting in line at the Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi opening.
The Goldbergs tie-in marks the latest bit of corporate synergy at ABC following Disney's $4 billion purchase of Lucasfilm in 2013.
Star Wars Day -- held May 4 every year as the date, when said aloud, sounds like the iconic Star Wars phrase "May the Force be with you" -- has become an international phenomenon where fans celebrate the franchise with costume contests, tributes and screenings, among other events. For more on Star Wars Day, head to StarWars.com.
The move for The Goldbergs to work with Lucasfilm on the Star Wars Day tie-in comes after CBS' The Big Bang Theory teamed with the company for an entire episode celebrating the occasion. That episode, which will feature Emmy winner Bob Newhart in costume, will air May 1.
The Goldbergs airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
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