Star Wars actor in US stamp role

The 41-cent stamp featuring Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi

Star Wars actor Ewan McGregor is to feature in a new set of stamps from the US Postal Service.

The star, from Crieff in Perthshire, appears on one of 15 special edition stamps designed to commemorate the film series' 30th anniversary next month.

The 41-cent stamp shows the 37-year-old in his role of Obi-Wan Kenobi fighting with Anakin Skywalker.

The new stamps take in characters from all six movies in the Star Wars saga. The stamps will go on sale on 25 May.

Blockbuster status

More than five billion copies of the stamps have been printed by the USPS to cope with the expected demand from collectors worldwide.

David Failor, executive director of stamp services at the US Postal Service, said: "Star Wars fans everywhere will delight in the issuance of these exciting new postage stamps.

"Because of the movies's popularity, we believe these stamps have the potential of reaching the blockbuster status of the Elvis stamp, a milestone only the Force could attempt to surpass.

"The Star Wars films have timeless qualities that cross generations."

Other characters featuring in the collection include bounty hunter Boba Fett, Darth Vader, Sir Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Episode IV to VI and Harrison Ford as Han Solo.