TODAY’s ‘Star Wars’ Halloween 2009

In conjunction with Lucasfilm, TODAY paid tribute to the “Star Wars” trilogy with anchors dressed as the films’ iconic characters. Matt Lauer went as Luke Skywalker, Meredith Vieira as Princess Leia and Hoda Kotb as Yoda.

Al Roker, as Han Solo, gets defensive while wearing Harrison Ford’s original blaster, belt and holster from the original "Star Wars."

Matt Lauer dressed as hero Luke Skywalker, Al Roker went as Han Solo and Ann Curry did her best impression of villain Darth Vader. Al is wearing Harrison Ford’s original blaster, belt and holster, and Matt is holding Luke Skywalker’s original lightsaber from the original “Star Wars.”

George Lucas and Lucasfilm Ltd. outfitted the TODAY plaza with special elements and prop pieces from Lucas’ private “Star Wars” archive and replicas of favorite characters, including 30 Stormtroopers.

Meredith Vieira donned the iconic hair buns of Princess Leia, while Ann Curry was fully enclosed in her Darth Vader costume for TODAY’s Halloween extravaganza. Ann’s Darth Vader costume is an exact replica from “The Empire Strikes Back.”

Beloved android characters C-3PO and R2-D2 greet the crowd on Rockefeller Plaza. (C-3PO is actually TODAY host Kathie Lee Gifford.)

Natalie Morales celebrated TODAY’s Halloween in a regal Queen Amidala gown and headdress, the original costume from “The Phantom Menace.”

Fans dressed as Muppets characters line up along Rockefeller Plaza to participate in TODAY's annual Halloween costume contest.

In conjunction with Lucasfilm, TODAY paid tribute to the “Star Wars” trilogy with anchors dressed as the films’ iconic characters. From left to right: Natalie Morales (Queen Amidala), Kathie Lee Gifford (C-3PO), Chewbacca from Lucasfilm Ltd., Matt Lauer (Luke Skywalker), Al Roker (Han Solo), Ann Curry (Darth Vader) and Hoda Kotb (Yoda).

TODAY anchors, dressed as beloved “Star Wars” characters, participated in a game of “Jedi Jeopardy” on the plaza. Trivia categories included “space aliens” and “space junk.”

Meredith Vieira, wearing Princess Leia's trademark hair buns, flashes a smile for Ann Curry, dressed as Leia's nemesis, Darth Vader.

A cowgirl complete with diminutive cow attends TODAY's annual Halloween costume contest on the plaza.

The Moser and Soyster-Heinz families dressed up as a xylophone to compete in TODAY's Halloween costume competition on the plaza.

Serra Hirsh from Brooklyn, N.Y., won TODAY's costume contest competition for her portrayal of a damsel in distress tied to a railroad track.

TODAY hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb paid tribute to "Star Wars" by dressing up as beloved android C-3PO and Jedi master Yoda.

TODAY anchors costumed as "Star Wars" characters pose on Rockefeller Plaza by an X-wing fighter plane that is a full replica from the orginal movie.

Mary Matthews from Brooklyn, N.Y. shows off her creative View-Master creation for TODAY's Halloween costume competition on the plaza.

Stormtroopers from Lucasfilm Ltd. took over the plaza to help celebrate TODAY's intergalactic Halloween extravaganza. George Lucas sent TODAY a number characters, including several Ewoks, Chewbacca, R2-D2, "Clone Wars" characters Ahsoka and Cad Bane, and 30 Stormtroopers. Lucasfilm Ltd also brought 1,000 lightsabers as giveaways for the plaza audience.