R2-D2 mailbox announcement confirms rumors

Associated Press and other news sources are reporting that R2-D2 collection boxes will temporarily replace approximately 400 boxes in highly visible locations across the country today to promote "an exciting new adventure" on which the U.S. Postal Service is embarking on with Lucasfilm Ltd.

USPS Chief Marketing Officer Anita Bizzotto said the R2-D2 deal didn’t involve any payment to Lucasfilm and the cost of overhauling the collection boxes was minimal. The marketing alliance with Lucasfilm is designed to promote a stamp commemorating the 30th anniversary of Star Wars which is set to be unveiled March 28.

According to a USPS press release, "Customers can, of course, drop mail into them just like any other of our 280,000 collection boxes, but there’s a striking difference visually. Not only do the R2-D2 boxes look like the ever-popular Star Wars character, they feature the address of a website that gives clues about the real meaning behind this unprecedented promotion — uspsjedimaster.com."

"Hopefully fans will remember that these are real mail boxes, with real mail inside, and will face a serious federal offense if they try to steal one," writes Dustin [no last name given] on TheForce.net

Click here to view teaser for more on the USPS "Star Wars" promotion slated for March 28.