Star Wars Celebration is coming back to Anaheim in 2020, with the big reveal coming during the very last moments of Star Wars Celebration Chicago’s closing ceremony.
Host, Warwick Davis, announced the news with the help of members from the audience in a recreation of the final escape from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Celebration’s official tweet can be seen below.
Thanks for Celebrating with us! Star Wars Celebration Chicago was one for the ages and it was all because of YOU! We can’t wait to see you again in Anaheim in 2020! May the Force be with you! #StarWarsCelebration#StarWarspic.twitter.com/zVVSyL44gY
This will be Anaheim’s second time hosting the Star Wars event, shortly after the city’s first time hosting in 2015. Though the details around the convention are not yet known, as there is no planned theatrical release for 2020.
Fans can begin to speculate, as Star Wars Celebration is held primarily to honor a milestone or major film release. This year’s event focused on The Rise of Skywalker in addition to new details surrounding Disney+ exclusives coming later this year.
Catch all you missed from this year’s event by clicking here. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to Celebration Anaheim 2020!
As Obi-Wan Kenobi famously said in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, a lightsaber is an elegant weapon for a more civilized age. Since fans first saw Luke ignite that legendary blue blade, everyone this side of the galaxy has wanted to own their very own lightsaber. Now with the grand debut of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on the horizon, that lifelong dream can become a reality.
Depending on your chosen path, one of these custom lightsabers can be yours.
When Galaxy’s Edge opens, aspiring Jedi and Sith will be able to go to Savi’s Workshop and build their own lightsaber. Four distinct choices can be made, bringing forth the personality and unique qualities of the one who will wield the blade. Though, for the first time, we have a chance to look directly at what it takes to build a saber, including the special kyber crystals that make the blade ignite.
Each saber has the ability to bring forth special traits and color with the help of various kyber crystals as demonstrated below.
Though, fans will also get the chance to bring forth the power of legacy lightsabers, available from all eras of the Star Wars Saga. These sabers can be found within Black Spire outpost from Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.
Darth Vader’s lightsaber, the most infamous weapon in the galaxy, will be one of the many options available.
We can now confirm that you can collect the following legacy character sabers: Rey, Mace Windu, Ahsoka Tano, Darth Maul, Asaj Ventress, in addition to a surprise model that Disney Parks has not yet revealed.
“I am no Jedi!” Ahsoka Tano’s dual white lightsabers will also be part of the land’s Legacy Collection!
Each saber comes with a collectible case and the option to add additional accessories that include a belt clip, crystal bag, and adjustable stand. Though the legacy sabers won’t be customizable, fans will get plenty of opportunity to create a truly personalized experience.
Each crystal controls not only the color of the blade, but the potential to unlock the secret’s of the Jedi and Sith holocrons.
By collecting various kyber crystals, custom blades can change color. When taking the crystal out of the blade, you can also use a special Sith or Jedi holocron, which will illuminate in the crystal’s color and reveal hidden messages from across the Force. Each holocron will have a default message, such as Obi-Wan’s warning to stay away from the Jedi Temple after Order 66.
The holocron will glow based off the color of the chosen crystal, unlocking special messages, including famous Jedi such as Master Yoda.
When collecting crystals, each message will reveal itself, with multiple variations and mysteries. Not all crystals will unlock the same message, so it provides a perfect excuse to collect as many crystals as possible.
Each saber hilt will have a removable blade, allowing you to either display just the hilt, or to wield the saber at full length. It has also been teased that future accessories may allow for dual blades and more customization.
Depending on which trait is chosen, a wide array of parts become available to create a truly custom lightsaber.
Whether you want to live out your dream to be Ahsoka, or find your own story, this is one of the most personalized experiences to date. It’s part of Galaxy’s Edge wider array of merchandise, which includes a vast collection of unique Star Wars items. All of these items await you this summer!
Star Wars: The Clone Wars made a triumphant return to Celebration Chicago this Sunday, following the explosive reveal of Disney+’s The Mandalorian.
The Clone Wars latest season was teased with never before seen concept images, behind the scenes clips, and a full length teaser trailer. New characters were revealed alongside previously teased storylines from Star Wars Celebration Anaheim and Europe.
Bad Batch, a ragtag experimental clone unit storyline, is finally being developed. The storyline was one of many dropped concepts after the original show’s cancellation. Fans cheered, happy to get a chance to see the new clones jump into battle. Show creator, Dave Filoni, also confirmed the concept was developed in line with previous story pitches between himself and George Lucas.
Ahsoka Tano stole the spotlight though, ringing in a new chapter for fan favorite. Now distanced from Jedi Order, Ahsoka will face new challenges in addition to finding her place among her past allies.
One of the most memorable moments came from Ahsoka actress, Ashley Eckstein, who shared tears of joy over seeing behind the scenes footage highlighting Captain Rex and the 501st’s touching tribute to the former Jedi’s return.
Darth Maul will also continue on in the series, tying together the two character’s story arcs from Star Wars: Rebels with “The Seige of Mandalore”. Briefly referenced, the new episodes will bring Maul head to head with Ahsoka. The details left the crowd speechless, waiting to hear more about what was to come.
It all led up to a surprise cast reunion, bringing out the entire main cast of the show including James Arnold Taylor, Matt Lanter, and Catherine Tabor. According to Filoni, the season is better than anything that comes before, bringing the story to a close in a way that the entire team feels Clone Wars truly deserves.
The Clone Wars is back, and we are thankful for a chance to finish the adventure!
Jon Favreau (writer/executive producer), Dave Filoni (director/executive producer) and Kathleen Kennedy (executive producer) hosted a lively and informative panel discussion at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago on the upcoming Disney+ series THE MANDALORIAN.
They were joined by stars Pedro Pascal (“The Mandalorian”), Gina Carano (“Cara Dune”) and Carl Weathers (“Greef”) as they teased an early look at the first ever live action Star Wars series.
THE MANDALORIAN series premieres on Disney+ on November 12, 2019.
Galaxy’s Edge led the day’s events with the first main panel, hosted by Disney Star and Star Wars fanboy, Josh Gad. Along with members of Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Imagineering, Gad gave fans new images, footage, and details surrounding what’s coming this summer.
One of the biggest reveals was that Coca-Cola would be creating custom Star Wars themed bottles in Aurebesh, the official Star Wars language. All panel guests received an exclusive shirt, fearing the Coke logo in Aurebesh. John William’s score was also revealed, along with more song samples for the area’s music.
Later that day, EA took the stage and debuted the trailer for the new Jedi: Fallen Order, bringing fans into the world of a former Palawan on the run after the disastrous events of Order 66 from Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
The game will tie in elements of Star Wars Rebels, in addition to combat software set at intuitive mastery of Force powers and lightsaber combat.
The biggest cheers came from EA confirming the game will not feature micro transactions, which modern gaming has been struggling with in recent game releases, including EA’s own Star Wars Battlefront II.
Hasbro had their own panel, revealing the next line of Black Series figures and Disney Parks exclusive items for Galaxy’s Edge.
Emperor Palpatine was confirmed among that list, causing a big wave of intrigue after his tease in the new Episode IX trailer. Though, the spotlight easily was taken over by the surprise reveal of a prototype lightsaber. The toy is still in production, but instead of a plastic blade, had a focused beam of light. No photos or video were permitted.
Yet, the fun doesn’t stop there, as Ashley Eckstein brought the world of women in Star Wars front and center with her Sisters of the Force panel. Eckstein was joined by Clone Wars Star, Catherine Tabor, Rebels Star, Vanessa Marshall, Author Amy’s Radcliffe, and others.
Each of them shared personal stories of strength and courage, showcasing fans and inspiring moments throughout their experiences with Star Wars. The panel also gave multiple opportunities for fans to take the spotlight, including shoutouts, a special happy birthday message, and a touching group photo with an overwhelming crowd of female cosplayers.
Day three was nothing short of extraordinary and with two more days of Star Wars to come, there’s no telling what comes next. Stay tuned for more!
The big event drew in a packed house at the Wintrust Arena, with lines wrapping around the perimeter for their chance to be part of the magic.
The new trailer was introduced by a star studded panel that featured host, Stephen Colbert, bringing down the house with his traditional comedic charm. Colbert was joined by director JJ Abrams, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, as well as the film’s leading cast. Mark Hamill and Adam Driver were not in attendance.
The conversation was led with behind the scenes images, shooting location details, and the reveal of the film’s eagerly awaited title, The Rise of Skywalker. Though fans may speculate as to the title’s meaning, more details are left to uncover, including the ominous alluding laughter of Emperor Palpatine from the original six films.
Fans exploded, providing proof once again that December couldn’t come any sooner. The panel also gave the opportunity for some heartwarming moments, including JJ Abrams going over the details of Carrie Fisher’s posthumous return as Princess Leia as well as a standing ovation for Rose Tico actress, Kelly Marie Tran.
With over 42 years of the Skywalker Saga, it will be hard to imagine what comes after this winter’s release, but until that fateful day arrives, we can only guess and hope for a bright future in our favorite galaxy far far away.
The Walt Disney Company presented an extensive overview of its comprehensive direct-to-consumer strategy, including presentations on Hulu, Hotstar, ESPN+, and the upcoming Disney+ service at its highly-anticipated Investor Day, which took place on the Company’s studio lot.
The Investor Day event featured remarks from The Walt Disney Company’s senior management team, including Robert A. Iger, chairman and chief executive officer; Kevin Mayer, chairman, Direct-to-Consumer and International; Christine McCarthy, senior executive vice president and chief financial officer; Lowell Singer, senior vice president, Investor Relations; and Jimmy Pitaro, president, ESPN and co-chair, Disney Media Networks. The event also featured presentations by Michael Paull, president, Disney Streaming Services; Randy Freer, chief executive officer, Hulu; Russell Wolff, executive vice president and general manager, ESPN+; Uday Shankar, president, The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific and chairman, Star and Disney India; Ricky Strauss, president, Content and Marketing, Disney+; and Agnes Chu, senior vice president, Content, Disney+.
“Disney+ marks a bold step forward in an exciting new era for our company – one in which consumers will have a direct connection to the incredible array of creative content that is The Walt Disney Company’s hallmark. We are confident that the combination of our unrivaled storytelling, beloved brands, iconic franchises, and cutting-edge technology will make Disney+ a standout in the marketplace, and deliver significant value for consumers and shareholders alike,” Mr. Iger said.
During the presentation, the Company unveiled a first look at the Disney+ offering, which will launch in the U.S. on November 12, 2019 at $6.99 per month. The service will offer fans of all ages a new way to experience the unparalleled content from the Company’s iconic entertainment brands, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, and will be available on connected TV and mobile devices.
Home of Great Storytelling
The Investor Day event also featured presentations by several of the creative executives behind Disney+’s impressive and extensive content slate, including: Jennifer Lee, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios; Pete Docter, chief creative officer, Pixar Animation Studios; Kathleen Kennedy, president, Lucasfilm; Kevin Feige, president, Marvel Studios; Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide; Sean Bailey, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Productions; Courteney Monroe, president, National Geographic Global Television Networks; and Jon Favreau, executive producer and writer, “The Mandalorian.”
In addition to its robust library of theatrical and television content, in its first year Disney+ will release more than 25 original series and 10 original films, documentaries, and specials by some of the industry’s most prolific and creative storytellers. New original titles for Disney+ announced today include:
Marvel Studios:
“The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” live-action series with Anthony Mackie returning as Falcon and Sebastian Stan reprising his role as Winter Soldier
“WandaVision” live-action series with Elizabeth Olsen returning as Wanda Maximoff and Paul Bettany reprising his role as The Vision
“Marvel’s What If…?,” the first animated series from Marvel Studios, taking inspiration from the comic books of the same name. Each episode will explore a pivotal moment from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and turn it on its head, leading the audience into uncharted territory
Walt Disney Animation Studios:
“Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2” documentary series showing the hard work and imagination that go into making one of the most highly-anticipated Walt Disney Animation Studios features
Pixar Animation Studios:
Toy Story-based projects, “Forky Asks a Question” animated short series and “Lamp Life” short film
National Geographic:
“The World According to Jeff Goldblum” documentary series where Jeff pulls back the curtain on a seemingly familiar object to reveal a world of astonishing connections, fascinating science, and a whole lot of big ideas
“Magic of the Animal Kingdom” documentary series which takes viewers behind the scenes with the highly respected animal-care experts, veterinarians, and biologists at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot’s SeaBase aquarium
Disney Television Animation:
“The Phineas and Ferb Movie” (working title) animated film featuring many of the original voice cast
These titles will join previously announced scripted originals including “The Mandalorian,” the world’s first scripted live-action Star Wars series, the exclusive new season of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” the untitled Cassian Andor series starring Diego Luna and Alan Tudyk, the Marvel Studios series “Loki” starring Tom Hiddleston, “Monsters at Work,” “Diary of a Female President,” and live-action films “Lady and the Tramp,” “Noelle,” “Togo,” Timmy Failure” and “Stargirl.” Nonfiction series also announced earlier this week include “Be Our Chef,” “Cinema Relics: Iconic Art of the Movies (wt),” “Earthkeepers (wt),” “Encore!,” the untitled Walt Disney Imagineering documentary series, “Marvel’s 616,” “Marvel’s Hero Project,” “(Re)Connect,” “Rogue Trip,” and “Shop Class (wt).”
Additionally, Disney+ announced that all 30 seasons of “The Simpsons” will be available on the service on day one. In year one, audiences will also have access to family-friendly Fox titles like “The Sound of Music,” “The Princess Bride,” and “Malcolm in the Middle.” This content will join an impressive collection of more than 7,500 television episodes and 500 films including blockbuster hits from 2019 and beyond.
“We’re extremely excited about our growing portfolio of direct-to-consumer offerings. As we demonstrated today, with Disney+ we will deliver extraordinary entertainment in innovative ways to audiences around the world,” said Mr. Mayer. “We’ll continue to enhance the user experience with a constant pipeline of high-quality programming, making the service even more appealing to consumers.”
High-Quality Consumer Experience
Designed to super-serve the most ardent fans, Disney+ will provide subscribers with a feature-rich product experience that makes it easy to navigate, discover, and watch their favorite programming with immersive brand tiles and dedicated pages for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. Subscribers will have the ability to create custom profiles with each receiving personalized experiences curated to their unique tastes based on past behaviors and preferred content.
The Disney+ service will be available on a wide range of mobile and connected TV devices, including gaming consoles, streaming media players, and smart TVs, and will adjust to the best possible high definition viewing experience based on a subscriber’s available bandwidth, with support for up to 4K HDR video playback. Fans will also have access to an unprecedented amount of content for offline viewing.
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Following its U.S debut, Disney+ will rapidly expand globally, with plans to be in nearly all major regions of the world within the next two years.
Visit DisneyPlus.com to register your email and be kept up to date on the service.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker product will be available starting October 4, 2019 as one part of Triple Force Friday – a celebration that will see product set for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, The Mandalorian and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Packaging reveals for The Mandalorian and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order to come at a later date.
Fans on-site at Star Wars Celebration Chicago got the chance to fulfill their action figure fantasy by taking a photo in a life-size packaging replica.
Director/Writer J.J. Abrams and Producer Kathleen Kennedy were joined by stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Kelly Marie Tran, Oscar Isaac, Billy Dee Williams, Naomi Ackie, Joonas Suotamo and Anthony Daniels, and droids BB-8 and D-0, for a panel discussion at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago, moderated by Stephen Colbert.
It was a day of surprises at Star Wars Celebration for the enthusiastic fans in attendance as the title of the final installment of the Skywalker saga was also revealed, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and along with the first trailer for the film a brand-new teaser poster!
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in U.S. theaters on December 20.
The galaxy has converged at McCormick Place in Chicago for Star Wars Celebration, bringing in unprecedented crowds eager to be the first to see this year’s exclusive offerings and content.
The halls were filled with countless surprises, including an in depth look at the upcoming, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, beautiful artwork, as well as more exclusive merchandise than you can shake Rey’s staff at.
Lines were everywhere, creating a frenzy of fans across the entire show floor. From Hasbro to Her Universe, there wasn’t a lull or quiet moment to be found.
The Star Wars Celebration Store contained lines that consumed some convention goers entire day, bringing in droves of Star Wars fans desperately trying to get their hands on the latest exclusive merchandise.
The day was a preview of what’s to come, with no panels, which will commence in day two with the highly anticipated Episode IX trailer and reveal.
One of the most memorable moments leading into the first day was the completion of the Star Wars Celebration mural, encompassing the entire universe in one epic painting. Though there will be a final piece revealed for Episode IX, the mural brings forth some of the franchise’s most memorable heroes, moments, and key elements.
Day 2 brings us big details, with panels coming out in full force. There is plenty of exciting news ahead. Make sure to stay tuned for every bit of Celebration, as we will be there covering each day. Until then, may the Force be with you!
From a tropical twist on Return of the Jedi, to a more conventional promotional tee, there’s plenty for everyone at this year’s con.
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. There are commemorative shirts, plushes, jackets, and more up for grabs.
Supplies are limited, with long standby wait times to boot, so make sure to plan your trip accordingly. Take a look at some of the exclusive items below and stay tuned for more from Star Wars Celebration Chicago!
Wailua Falls in Kauai is a paradise (photo by Greg Aragon)
Hawaii is a great place to visit no matter the season. The islands are always warm and inviting, like a swaying palm tree. But one of my favorite times to go is spring, just before the big summer rush. With this in mind, I would like to talk a little about the islands of Maui, Lanai and Kauai.
To me, Maui is one of the most beautiful places on earth. One of my favorite spots is Iao Valley State Park, located in the center of Maui. This magical, 4,000-acre reserve is carpeted with thick, tropical vegetation and guarded by towering mountain peaks. It is home to one of Maui’s most popular landmarks, the 1,200-ft Iao Needle, a giant jagged rock shooting above the Iao stream.
A sacred, historical place in Hawaiian history, the Iao Valley is a great place for a nature hike, as there are well-maintained trails leading to the needle above and to an old village below. Near Iao Valley is Makena Beach, Maui’s largest beach and one of its best spots for swimming, snorkeling, picnicking, sunbathing and strolling along white sand stretching nearly a mile long and 100 yards wide.
One of my favorite spots to stay on Maui is Hotel Wailea, an authentic tropical paradise, surrounded by palm and avocado trees, rolling hills, thick gardens, waterfalls and streams, and lots of Hawaiian charm. Nestled on 15 acres, Hotel Wailea (www.hotelwailea.com) is located a few blocks above the beach and offers an intimate, romantic atmosphere not found at larger, busier resorts. The hotel also boasts a full-service spa and fitness center, a sparkling pool, an award-winning restaurant, complimentary breakfast, and an efficient shuttle service to and from the beaches and shopping areas.
Across the Auau Channel from Maui is the remote island of Lanai. On my last visit here, I stayed at the enchanting Lanai Hotel (www.hotellanai.com). Built as a retreat in 1923 by pineapple pioneer James Dole, the inn sits on the edge of town in a lush garden setting, beneath tall Norfolk pine trees. It features 10 charming guestrooms, a gourmet restaurant, and lots of Hawaiian atmospheres and a romantic plantation feel.
Shipwreck Beach on Lanai is a hidden treasure (photo by Greg Araogn)
While on the island I rented a Jeep Wrangler and explored mysterious Shipwreck Beach. To get there I drove up a mountainous road lined with volcanic rock and red clay. In a few miles I came to a narrow turnout, where the road became a tunnel of trees, paved with deep sand and bumpy rock, requiring a four-wheel drive.
For the next 1.6 miles I bounced along the northeast coast with intermittent views of the ocean and an outline of Maui. The road ended at Big Rock, where I parked and continued on foot over black volcanic rock and sand, and then through warm tropical water until I discovered a an old sunken ship about 100 yards off the shore. Leaning in a reef, the rusting vessel, built in the 1940s, was once an oil tanker that the navy unsuccessfully tried to sink after WWII. Today, it provides a hauntingly beautiful backdrop to Lanai.
Kauai is another tiny island full of incredible beauty. While here, I stayed at the (www.kauaibeachresorthawaii.com). Set on 25 acres of lush Hawaiian gardens, the hotel is surrounded by palm trees, pools and the Pacific Ocean.
During my stay at the Kauai Beach Resort I loved walking along the shoreline, watching colorful fish swim through coral in the emerald colored water. On my walks I admired the rocky outlines of the islands many mountains, discovered a small, hidden canal flowing through dense vegetation next to the resort, and encountered the ubiquitous wild island chicken.
A highlight of my Kauai getaway was a Sunset Dinner Sail catamaran ride along the legendary Napali Coast. Led by Holo Holo Charters (www.holoholokauaiboattours.com), this memorable journey cruised past legendary Hawaiian landscapes made famous in movies such as Jurassic Park, King Kong, and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
With its jagged peaks, secluded beaches, lost sea caves and sapphire waters, it’s easy to see why Hollywood directors regularly pay $10,000 per day to film along the Napali Coast. During my sail I saw wild goats, sea turtles, dolphins and lots of colorful fish. The voyage was topped-off by a great lasagna dinner while watching the sun set into the sea.
For more information on visiting Maui, Lanai, Kauai, or any of the Hawaiian Islands, visit www.gohawaii.com/lanai.
Ahsoka Tano stole the spotlight though, ringing in a new chapter for fan favorite. Now distanced from Jedi Order, Ahsoka will face new challenges in addition to finding her place among her past allies.
From a tropical twist on Return of the Jedi, to a more conventional promotional tee, there’s plenty for everyone at this year’s con.
