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The time has come for Star Wars Celebration 2023, which is taking place in London. Billed as Celebration Europe, the first panel on the schedule for this year is the Lucasfilm Showcase. There could be news about ANYTHING Lucasfilm, which isn’t JUST “Star Wars.” It also includes “Indiana Jones,” maybe the fate of “Willow,” and more.
The panel was supposed to kick off at 3:00am (PST), 11:00am local time, but as often happens, is running a little behind. We’ll be updating as the news comes, so check back.
It’s a packed house, clearly.
Ali Plumb is hosting, and Kathleen Kennedy is on hand to kick off the panel. They’re showing a sizzle reel, which we may or may not get to share with the public.
“Andor“
“Andor,” which will return for a second season, is the first project up. The cast, including B2EMO, is on stage.
Andy Serkis commanded the audience “to get ON PROGRAM.” Showrunner/creator Tony Gilroy teased season 2 as “the second half of the story.”
A teaser for season 2 was shown. The show is looking at an August 2024 release.
“The Acolyte”
“The Acolyte” showrunner Leslye Headland joins Kathy Kennedy on stage. Kathy says she’s seen 4 episodes of the series already, and calls it “incredible.” Headland describes the show as as “’Frozen’ meets ‘Kill Bill.'” Timeline wise, It’s set between the High Republic and the beginning of the prequels. “When the bad guys are outnumbered. They are the underdogs,” she continued.
ALSO, we’re getting a Wookie Jedi, and Joonas Suotamo will play Kel Naka! One of the series stars, Amandla Stenberg, is DRESSED AS PADME! Footage was shown, featuring Carrie Ann Moss WITH A GOLD LIGHTSABER.
“The Acolyte” will debut on Disney+ sometime in 2024.
“The Mandalorian“
Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, and Rick Famuyiwa are on stage to talk about “The Mandalorian.” Pedro Pascal appeared via a video message. Favreau talked about bringing Ahmed Best back, especially after that thunderous applause (and standing ovation) the audience gave Best during Chicago’s Celebration in 2019.
“We were talking about that process, who could it be, who should it be,” Favreau said. It needed to be “someone who cares about Star Wars as much as we do,” Filoni said. “I don’t think there is anyone better than Ahmed.”
The beginning of s3e5 of “The Mandalorian” is being shown. It hits Disney+ next Wednesday. Reactions are…good? Giancarlo Esposito, who plays Moff Gideon, just stormed the stage screaming “Long live the Empire!” Everyone in the panel (and the two overflow rooms) gets to go to a screening of episode 5 later tonight.
“Skelton Crew“
Next up is “Skeleton Crew,” which we know very little about. Other than it starring Jude Law, of course. Directors have been revealed for the show- Jon Watts (Tom Holland‘s “Spider-Man” films who also co-created this series), David Lowery (“The Green Knight“), the newly minted Oscar winning team of The Daniels (“Everything Everywhere All At Once“), Jake Schreier (Marvel Studios’ upcoming “Thunderbolts“), Bryce Dallas Howard (“Dads“), and Lee Isaac Chung (“Minari“).
“I was like 6 years old when this galaxy gripped me…I’ve been in preparation ever since,” Jude Law says about joining “Star Wars.”
A trailer was shown. No idea when it’ll be publicly released, but, we’ll let you know when it does. The series is theoretically releasing sometime this year.
“Ahsoka“
Next up is the Rosario Dawson-starring “Ahsoka” series, which centers on the Jedi. This one does have its own breakout panel tomorrow, so we’re not expecting too much ‘news’ today. We say that, and yet-
Mary Elizabeth Winstead has been confirmed as Hera, and a first image of her in costume has been revealed!
Dawson came out on stage, and introduced some new footage before revealing a lovely new poster.
“Ahsoka” will hit Disney+ in August of 2023!
And we got our first look at Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren! There were flashes of Ezra Bridger! Droids and ships from the animated series! And even THRAWN.
OKAY OKAY, and a teaser (which was actually released!) was shown!
Dave Filoni is Directing a Live-Action “Star Wars” Movie
This has been rumored for some time, but was just confirmed during the panel.
James Mangold is also Directing a “Star Wars” Movie
Apparently after he finishes with another little Lucasfilm property (“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny“), James Mangold will also direct a “Star Wars” movie.
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is Directing a “Star Wars” Movie
Mangold’s will be set in the deep past, Filoni’s is the present and one that brings the TV shows together, Obaid-Chinoy’s set 15 after Rise of Skywalker. Daisy Ridley will return as Rey, and be a Jedi Master teaching a new generation the ways of the force.
