Los Angeles -- Singer Mariah Carey has landed the coveted role of inter-galactic crime lord 'Jabba The Hutt' in the upcoming live-action Star Wars television series. Ms. Carey is pictured above during her audition for the role.

Lucasfilm announced the casting early this morning. Production on the television series will begin in roughly six months, for an expected air date of January, 2008. The series will take place in the time between the third and fourth films in the epic, record-breaking space saga.

Lucasfilm spokesperson Harry Carter said "Mariah has the advantage of tremendous name recognition, and the fact that she is a fat cow, which will allow us to turn her into Jabba The Hutt in less than half the time it would normally take our effects crew."

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