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Tag: Star Wars Celebration

  • SWCE: Lucasfilm CEO Offers Update on Rian Johnson and Taika Waititi’s ‘Star Wars’ Films

    SWCE: Lucasfilm CEO Offers Update on Rian Johnson and Taika Waititi’s ‘Star Wars’ Films

    Star Wars Celebration came with an announcement of an entire trilogy of new Star Wars films. Yet, it once again leaves us with quite a few questions surrounding the ones that have been announced. Recent reports hinted that quite a few planned films were scrapped and even the latest announced film just lost its writer. So, there’s a lack of hope that they’d truly move forward with their projects.

    Luckily, Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy was able to offer some insight into where they stand with those films. It seems that the Rian Johnson trilogy that was announced a while back is pretty much on hold for eternity, as Johnson is busy with the Glass Onion sequel and seemingly has no interest to return anytime soon.

    Rian and I talk all the time. He is unbelievably busy. So we’re not actively involved in anything at the moment because he’s doing another one of the ‘Glass Onion’ movies and then God knows what else. But he really wants to step back into the space. It’s a big commitment of time, so that’s really on him.

    Kathleen Kennedy

    In regard to Taika Waititi’s mysterious film, she only stated that he is actively working don’t he’s script all on his own. After Thor: Love and Thunder’s reception, there might be some concern he might take the franchise into a goofier direction given his “very, very unique voice” but it seems they won’t be getting involved until he is ready to direct it.

    Taika is still working away. He’s writing the script himself. He doesn’t really want to bring others into that process and I don’t blame him. He has a very, very unique voice. So we want to protect that and that’s what he’s doing. But we’re going to make that one day.

    Kathleen Kennedy

    It’s definitely interesting to know that at least Waititi’s project is seemingly moving forward, but it is strange that they won’t just outright state that they have no more plans for Johnson’s trilogy. By the time they actually get films out, his project might even be superfluous given whatever his initial goals were with the project. Of course, perhaps them actually pushing out films might inspire him to once again give it his full attention. For now, we can only continue to wait and see if the franchise actually returns to theaters.

    Source: Variety

  • SWCE: Currently No Plans for ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Season 2

    SWCE: Currently No Plans for ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Season 2

    Obi-Wan Kenobi was a unique entry in Star Wars’ Disney+ saga, as it moved away from the show that kicked off the long-form storytelling era of Lucasfilm, but also refocused on a major character from the original Prequel trilogy. Ewan McGregor returned to the role and explored what happened to the former Jedi Master after the Empire started emerging from the ashes of his own failures.

    In an interview with Kathleen Kennedy, the CEO of Lucasfilm, she revealed that while McGregor is quite eager to do another season of Obi-Wan Kenobi, they currently have no real plans to move forward. It was originally imagined as a limited series by showrunner Deborah Chow, there’s also no necessity to move forward as the initial story was wrapped up in the original vision of the series.

    That is not an active development. But I never say never, because there’s always the possibility. That show was so well-received and [director] Deborah Chow did such a spectacular job. Ewan McGregor really wants to do another. Everybody’s all hands on deck with what we’re doing right now, as you can see by what we showed everybody [at the Celebration]. We’ll turn our attention to that again maybe down the road.

    Kathleen Kennedy

    It’s definitely interesting that they are keeping the door open to potentially explore more within this corner of the galaxy, but it does seem like there’s no real necessity. The quiet reunion between the padawan and his former master adds a nice little bow to Kenobi’s story that pushes him forward even with the uncertainty of the future. It would be exciting to know what he was up to after protecting the Skywalkers but perhaps it’s best to leave that to our imagination.

    Source: Variety

  • SWCA: David Tennant to Reprise Huyang Role in ‘Ahsoka’

    SWCA: David Tennant to Reprise Huyang Role in ‘Ahsoka’

    The second day of the Star Wars Celebration has kicked off with its first big panel all about Star Wars‘ next major release, Ahsoka. The Disney+ series will seemingly act as a direct sequel to the original Star Wars Rebels animated series, as many iconic characters like Sabine and Hera are set to return. Now, it seems that we also have the confirmation that Huyang will once again be voiced by David Tennant.

    While no details have been shared on how he’ll factor into the story or if we’ll see a lot more of Huyang, the panel did at least share with us a first look at the character who looks quite true to his animated counterpart. Of course, it is easier to bring a CG droid into live-action than an alien that requires a real person behind it. Still, it’s great to know he’ll be back and hearing Tennant voicing the character is always a joy.

  • SWCE: New ‘The Mandalorian’ Footage Further Hints at Admiral Thrawn’s Arrival

    SWCE: New ‘The Mandalorian’ Footage Further Hints at Admiral Thrawn’s Arrival

    The lucky attendants of the Star Wars Celebration event got a look at the seventh episode of The Mandalorian‘s third season. While they can’t divulge anything and we only have to wait a few more days until we get access. They only showed the opening of the next episode, but what has been shared seems quite promising for the future of the franchise, such as the arrival of the one and only Admiral Thrawn.

    It seems that the next episode will see the long-awaited return of Moff Gideon, who is certainly not happy to see Bo-Katan once again. He’s also the one that seemingly discusses the arrival of Thrawn. It seems that this season may also set up the Ahsoka spinoff. So, we might have to tackle these series as a continuing story rather than as individual shows moving forward.

    Source: Twitter

  • SWCE: ‘Andor’ Season 2 Eyeing Late Summer 2024 Release

    SWCE: ‘Andor’ Season 2 Eyeing Late Summer 2024 Release

    After a long wait, Star Wars Celebration is back with its big panel teasing what the future has in store for Lucasfilm. They kicked off the panel with their sleeper hit from last year: Andor. The more grounded story of the early days of the rebellion has sparked with many fans and may have become the one series that many believe is even Lucasfilm and Star Wars’ best entry to date.

    We’ve known for some time though that the series isn’t quite done yet and would wrap up with a second season. During the big Lucasfilm panel at SWCE, the series showrunner and creator Tony Gilroy unveiled that we might expect the series sometime next year. He highlights that they are already halfway through production and once again confirms that the series will end where Rogue One starts.

    Source: Twitter

  • SWCA: ‘Solo’ Spinoff ‘Lando’ Still in Development at Lucasfilm

    SWCA: ‘Solo’ Spinoff ‘Lando’ Still in Development at Lucasfilm

    When Lucasfilm announced the future of Star Wars at an Investor’s Day event in late 2020, it included an exciting new Disney+ series that has yet to come to fruition. Lando is a show focused on everyone’s favorite scoundrel and it was revealed to be in the works by the creator of Dear White People, Justin Simien. The series was set to bring back Donald Glover in the titular role, which he took over from the iconic Billy Dee Williams in 2018’s cult-favorite film Solo: A Star Wars Story. However, since that initial reveal, almost nothing has been revealed about the project, causing many fans to fear it’s been put on indefinite hold.

    During Star Wars Celebration over the weekend, CinemaBlend was able to speak with Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy and get an update on the long-awaited series. After being asked about Lando, she explained that Glover‘s busy schedule is the main culprit in the show’s extended production process:

    You need to ask Donald. He’s the one that holds all the cards here. But there’s no movement. I will say that honestly. But it’s not for lack of trying. It’s just that he’s a very busy guy… He’s got another series, and I think one other thing, and then he’ll come our way. So patiently waiting.

    Kathleen Kennedy

    While it’s great to hear the project hasn’t been outright canceled, it is a little disappointing to know it’s still so far off from being a reality. Glover is currently finishing up the final season of his hit FX series Atlanta, and will then jump into work on Amazon’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith reboot. Over a year ago, during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the former Community star gave more or less the same update as Kennedy when asked about his future with Star Wars:

    No, yeah, I have a lot of things. I like to blossom and then go away. Right now is the start of another one of those. I have like a ton of stuff I’ve been working on, but I just want it all to come out at the same time, so I feel like that’s what’s important.

    Donald Glover

    There are currently no plot details on Lando and no release window. It’s also unknown whether or not Billy Dee Williams will reprise his role as an older Lando Calrissian, or when the show takes place in the Star Wars timeline.

    Source: CinemaBlend, Jimmy Kimmel Live!

  • SWCA: Lucasfilm Executive Promises More Anime Like ‘Star Wars Visions’

    SWCA: Lucasfilm Executive Promises More Anime Like ‘Star Wars Visions’

    Star Wars Celebration is winding down, but there’s still one more event currently going on and that is the special panel on Star Wars Visions. We’ve long hoped for an update on what the future has in store for the franchise, and luckily Lucasfilm executive James Waugh confirmed that there will definitely be more anime in the future of the Star Wars franchise. When he was asked if we’ll see more like Visions, he didn’t yet say anything about a second season but that there’s a bright future ahead for anime and Star Wars.

    Star Wars and anime has a very, very bright future.

    James Waugh

    Source: Twitter

  • SWCA: ‘Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’ Takes Place in the Same Year as ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi

    SWCA: ‘Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’ Takes Place in the Same Year as ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi

    Star Wars Celebration has given us a lot of teases of what’s to come for the franchise in television and books. Now, we also got a first look at Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. The title has been teased for some time, as it leaked earlier in May, but we even got a trailer that confirms a 2023 release for the new entry. While we don’t get a good look at the game’s updated gameplay, a tease of whatever the hell the story is going to be, the official press release offers more insight.

    Turns out, the game takes place five years after the original, which places it in the year 9BBY. The reason that is significant is that it’s the exact same year that the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi takes place. Not only does it open the floodgates on Cal Kestus showing up in the series, but also confirms that the teased villain is very likely now who we think it is. Respawn’s Stig Asmussen also offers some insight into how they approached the story and why it got the subtitle Survivor.

    That’s the purpose in the tone of it, is to leave the player with a lot of questions but they’re very intrigued. The game is all about survival. That’s why it’s called Jedi: Survivor. They are in dark times, and Cal and the crew are doing whatever it takes to stay alive. That might mean that they are making connections with people that, in other times, might be considered unsavory. Some of that is portrayed in the trailer, and again, I don’t want to give anything away, but there’s definitely a sense of… I don’t want to spoil anything, sorry! [Laughs.]Stig Asmussen

    Speaking of how the timeline confirms the absence of a character. We see a member of the alien race known as Pau’an. Most might remember the character due to the character’s appearance in the animated series in the form of the Grand Inquisitor. He also just recently appeared in the live-action Obi-Wan Kenobi series where he is played by Rupert Friend. As it takes place around the same time, that means the one we meet in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is likely a new Pau’an, as he also lacks the iconic markings.

    The trailer is quite promising, especially how it gives us a tease of a story that seems quite disconnected from the events of the first. Most of the supporting cast is oddly absent in the trailer, but with that title, it makes sense they want to keep us guessing on what exactly is heading our way.

    Source: Star Wars, Business Wire

  • SWCA: ‘Indiana Jones’ to Release in June 2023

    SWCA: ‘Indiana Jones’ to Release in June 2023

    Not only did we get some news on the new Willow Disney+ series, but now Harrison Ford arrived on stage to share some details on the upcoming Indiana Jones sequel. It looks like the fifth installment directed by James Mangold will release on June 30th, 2023. So, the wait is only a little over a year, as John Williams also return to conduct the score for the film.

  • SWCA: Jon Watt’s Star Wars Series Titled ‘Skeleton Crew’, Jude Law Confirmed to Appear

    SWCA: Jon Watt’s Star Wars Series Titled ‘Skeleton Crew’, Jude Law Confirmed to Appear

    It looks like we finally got a title for the long-rumored Jon Watts series. Star Wars Celebration gave us the confirmation that his series will be named Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and explore the story of kids that got lost in space. While the cast will be 10-years old, the series isn’t meant for kids. Jude Law has also been confirmed to appear in the series, but his role is kept a secret for now.