Star Wars Celebration returns to the UK for the third year since it began in 1999. Following a certain global event, I was eager to return to a convention. There have been many conventions before, but nothing prepared anyone for this. The Lucasfilm Studio Showcase made Star Wars Celebration feel truly special. Here is everything discussed and shown at the event.
The first show discussed was Andor, with series creator Tony Gilroy announcing that the second season was halfway through production. The stage was then led by cast members Diego Luna, Denise Gough and Andy Serkis, as well as a short teaser to whet the appetite of the 4,500 fans packed into the hall. The 12-part season two, due to air on Disney+ in August 2024, will see the timeline move forward a year every three episodes, leading to Rogue One.
Leslye Headland is next on stage to present her creation; The Acolyte. Set during the end of the High Republic, this series will mark the earliest point in the timeline presented in live action. Lee Jung-jae (Squid Game) leads the cast a Jedi Master, with Amandla Stenberg as a former padawan. One of the biggest reveals was Chewbacca actor Joonas Suotamo would be starring as Kelnecca, a wookiee Jedi. The show will have a mystery/thriller theme and is due to air in 2024.
The biggest scream from the crowd was simply from the title of The Mandalorian flashing on the screen. Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni and Rick Famuyiwa discussed the ongoing third season and what to expect from the show. An extended look at episode 7 (titled “The Spies”) revealed some major talking points (no spoilers here, though.) and screened episode 7, which was possibly the best episode of the season so far.
The Mandalorian season three is due to air Episode 7 on 12th April and Episode 8 on 19th April on Disney+.
Favreau and Filoni stayed on the stage to talk about Ahsoka, and were joined by it’s star Rosario Dawson. They revealed that Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Natasha Liu Bordizzo would star as Hera and Sabine respectfully. The trailer also teased Grand Admiral Thrawn’s return, and it was confirmed that Lars Mikkelsen would play Thrawn again.
Ahsoka will consist of eight episodes with the potential for future seasons, and is due to air on Disney+ in August 2023.
Jude Law arrived on the stage, bringing some of the cast from Skeleton Crew, which was been teased as The Goonies in space. The series will follow four children as they try to find a way home, with the help of a Jedi (Jude Law). Set at the same time as The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, this show was an idea by Spider-Man director Jon Watts. The trailer for Skeleton Crew has a sense of wonder and adventure unlike any other Star Wars project and the series due to air later this ear on Disney+.
The official Star Wars timeline has been updated to accomodate new stories, some of which will take place the furthest into the past and future than we have seen so far.
The first announced film was Dawn of the Jedi, with James Mangold as its director. The film is set 25,000 before Episode I, establishing the first force user in the galaxy. Little has been revealed so far, but it will define the canononical beginnings of Star Wars. No release date has been confirmed yet, but Lucasfilm obviously trust Mangold, given his recent work on the latest Indiana Jones film.
Dave Filoni finally makes his own Star Wars movie, with Age of Rebellion. Few details have emerged, but it has been teased as a conclusion to The Mandalorian and other projects.
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is set to direct New Jedi Order, which will take place fifteen years after The Rise Of Skywalker and has Daisy Ridley returning as Rey. This film will be set the furthest in the future, with Rey becoming a Jedi Master. As the title suggests, she will lead a new Jedi Order. No other cast members announced, but Steven Knight will pen the script.
The convention itself was a brilliant experience overall. Witnessing all these trailers excited me for the future of Star Wars and Lucasfilm. Star Wars is definitely going in the right direction.
