Complete Breakdown of Star Wars Celebration News
Star Wars Celebration was an avalanche of news about every aspect of the franchise. We compiled a breakdown of some of the biggest reveals and best highlights.
Before we get into the news, we have to start with the obvious. A huge part of the weekend revolved around tributes to Carrie Fisher. The 40th Anniversary Panel featured a very moving video tribute that was played several times throughout the convention.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE99le5FBrY%5D
The Last Jedi
Of course the moment everyone was waiting for was the first trailer from Star Wars: The Last Jedi. It did not disappoint, featuring shots of Rey in lightsaber and force training, Finn sleeping, possibly healing from his injuries and Luke saying it was time for the Jedi to end.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB4I68XVPzQ%5D
Director Rian Johnson confirmed that the term Jedi in the title is singular, though who that applies to and what it means is still a mystery.
One of the most interesting stories of the weekend is that Carrie Fisher acted as a script doctor on set, giving Johnson advice on a few lines.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi flies into theaters Dec. 15.
Battlefront II
The video game is adding several new elements to the sequel. The most important being campaign mode. This new story features Inferno Squad Commander Iden Versio, voiced by Janina Gavankar (Sleepy Hollow). Since it bridges the gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, the story in the game is now part of Star Wars canon. Even for non-gamers, the trailer includes some fantastic visuals and offers a new side to the story fans are so familiar with.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kae-JjbLsgA%5D
Star Wars: Battlefront II will be available Nov. 17.
Rebels
The bad news is that the animated series will end with season four. The good news is that a new trailer premiered. With an end in sight the trailer plays up the idea that the crew of the Ghost will fulfill their destinies, whatever that might entail. The clip was action packed and gave fans a glimpse of how the show may lead into the events of A New Hope. Of course, this being Star Wars, there’s a chance not everyone will survive to the end.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b7GAhnVwhA%5D
Star Wars Rebels airs on Disney XD.
Forces of Destiny
Star Wars: Forces of Destiny
These three-minute animated shorts will showcase the female heroes of Star Wars. Princess Leia, Padme Amidala, Rey, Jyn Erso, Ahsoka Tano, Sabine Wren and Hera Syndulla will star in new adventures and even crossover and team up. These videos will debut on Disney’s You Tube channel in July, then air on Disney Channel in September as specials.
Captain Phasma
The First Order’s Captain Phasma is set to get her own Marvel comic series. The 4 issue story will take place between The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. It focuses on Phasma’s escape from Starkiller Base and presumably picks up after Finn and Han Solo threw her in a trash compactor. In the film she is played by Gwendoline Christie of Game of Thrones fame. The first issue of the Captain Phasma comics hits shelves in September.
Star Wars Land
Fans of Disney’s theme parks were very excited to finally get some news on Star Wars Land. The new Lands will be featured in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The story takes place on the Outer Rim.
Concept art for Star Wars Land. Source: Disney/Lucasfilm
The remote village was once a busy crossroads along the old sub-lightspeed trade routes, but the prominence of the outpost has been bypassed with the rise of hyperspace travel. Now home to those who prefer less attention, it has become a thriving port for smugglers, rogue traders and adventurers traveling between the frontier and uncharted space. It’s also a convenient safe-haven for others intent on avoiding the expanding reach of the First Order.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwKRHbLbjNQ%5D
Park guests will also be able to build a reputation based on how their day goes. The E-ticket ride of the Land lets guests pilot the Millennium Falcon. So their performance on that attraction will help establish their reputation in the village.
Star Wars Land is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in 2019.
So what was your favorite announcement from Star Wars Celebration? Are you looking forward to one particular event or just obsessed with it all?
Source: Comic Book Resources, Disney, You Tube
