Star Wars Celebration officially kicked off today and boy what a news day we had.
The main focus of the day was the “Lucasfilm’s Studio Showcase”. While this was “Star Wars” Celebration, that didnt prevent Lucasfilm from pushing other properties during the event. Is this something to complain about….Absolutely not. The Lucasfilm presentation exploded with new shows, new trailers, new info, new images and old friends.
As with any Celebration fans got first hand and personal looks at Star Wars Disney+ series updates including Obi Wan, Andor, The Mandalorian and new development “Skeleton Crew”. Loyalist were thrilled with on stage interviews with Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen along with the premier of the series in house. The panelists sat down to discuss the series, the filming process and what expect in the upcoming limited series.
Along with that fans got first looks at Andor with a series trailer, announcement of The Mandalorian’s release date of February 2023( huge disappointment) and news about a new show coming titled “Skeleton Crew” starring Jude Law.
Oh and that wasn’t all….”whats that you say?”. You heard me….Lucasfilm also brought along two extra goodies.
Harrison Ford joined John Williams on stage for a first image reveal and release date announcement for Indiana Jones 5!. This was capped off later in the event by the premier of the long awaited “Willow” sequel, oddly titled uuum..”Willow”. Is it a reboot, or a remake? No its a Willow series making it Willow part 2, titled Willow. whatever, its not as confusing at it sounds. Fret not, the trailer looked fantastic. So…..without further adieu here are the top 4 moments from the “Lucasfilm’s Studio Showcase” at Star Wars Celebration 2022
#4 Skeleton Crew
Skeleton Crew is a new Disney+ series in development. The anouncement was made on stare during the Lucasfilm Studio Showcase while promoting Star Wars’ Disney+ line of series. It will star Jude Law. Skeleton Crew is set in the New Republic era, after the events of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, around the same timeline as The Mandalorian (so we can probably expect some cross overs). As stated by director Jon Watts at the event, it follows a group of kids, about ten years old, who get “lost in the Star Wars universe” and are trying to find their way home. No official plot summary has been revealed yet, since Lucasfilm has been keeping most of it a secret. Chris Ford, screenwriter, is teaming up with director Jon Watts again after working together on the 2017’s Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Spider-Man: Homecoming.
So far, Jude Law is the only name that was confirmed to the project. Skeleton Crew is set for a 2023 release
#3 Willow
Surprising news was revealed during the Lucasfilm panel which came in the form of the new Willow series trailer. Along with an appearance fan favorite and Lucasfilm alum, Warwick Davis.
The series, which picks up years after the events of the first movie, and “introduces new characters and is set in a world where brownies, sorcerers, trolls and other mystical creatures flourish. An unlikely group of heroes set off on a dangerous quest to places far beyond their home, where they must face their inner demons and come together to save their world” according to Lucasfilm.
Ellie Bamber, Ruby Cruz, Erin Kellyman, Amer Chadha-Patel and Tony Revolori star alongside Warwick Davis, who is reprising his title role as Willow Ufgood, a reluctant farmer who plays a critical role in protecting a special baby from a tyrannical queen who vows to destroy her and take over the world.
The new incarnation comes from Jonathan Kasdan, who wrote the pilot and serves as co-showrunner alongside Wendy Mericle; Howard and writer Bob Dolman. Kathleen Kennedy and Michelle Rejwan are also executive producers. Davis made an appearance calling his return to the character “a dream.”
#2 Indy 5
Probably the biggest surprise was the introduction of the first image for the still untitled Indiana Jones 5. Harrison Ford made an appearance on stage sharing the first image below along with a release date of June 2023. Will that date hold? Most likely not.
Harrison took to stage, unexpectedly at Star Wars Celebration. He has made it clear in the past that Hes not really a Star Wars fan, never understood the hype, telling nerds and fans alike “its just a movie”. Hes even gona as far as wanting his character Han Solo killed off, which finally came to fruition in 2015 The Force Awakens. "I'm really proud of the movie that we made," Harrison Ford told the audience. "So, I'll be seeing you around campus."
#1 Andor
Probably the most notable moment was the first viewing of the Andor traler. While some fans haven’t had high hoped for this series which focuses on a pre-Rogue One, Cassian Andor. Along with the teaser trailer, Lucasfilm provided a brief synopsis for the series explaining it “will explore a new perspective from the Star Wars galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make.”
“The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.”
The series has been mired in controversy since it was announced back at D23 in 2019 by Kathleen Kennedy. If you recall at the time, Kennedy claimed the show would see both Diego Luna and Alan Tudyk reprising their roles from Rogue One as Cassian Andor and K-2SO. At that event Kennedy said, “And now I’d like to bring out two actors who will star in a new spy series inspired by Rogue One that’s coming to Disney+ and is currently in pre-production. Reprising their roles from Rogue One, Diego Luna as the charismatic Rebel leader Cassian Andor, and Alan Tudyk as the wise-cracking reprogrammed Imperial droid.”
However, Tudyk revealed in January 2021 that he would not be in the show’s first season. He told Collider, “They’re shooting it right now, I’m not in it.” However, he did add the caveat, “But, if it stays on the air, stories keep getting told, I’ll end up in there.” He further add, “I’m going to be in the show. It’s just that the story that Tony [Gilroy] is telling doesn’t involve K-2SO until later on… I can’t be too specific, but I can definitely say that I’m not going to be in the first season.”
Along with Diego Luna and Genevieve O’Reilly (Mon Mothma), the series also stars Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough and Kyle Soller. The show is created by Tony Gilroy, who also serves as the showrunner.Kathleen Kennedy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Diego Luna, and Michelle Rejwan are the show’s executive producers.
The series is expected to hit Disney+ on August 31. Lucasfilm revealed the first two episodes will be available to stream on the 31st. You can watch the amazing trailer below that gave us all the feels of Rogue One all over again