The Star Wars celebration in London has yielded many surprises over the weekend and today we have to new Trailers and introductions of this lineup to come on Disney+!
On Saturday, host Krystina Arielle, executive producer James Waugh and showrunner Michael Olsen welcomed fans of all ages to a special screening of “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures.” The screening began with the debut of the trailer, followed by a Q&A with Waugh and Olson. Dee Bradley Baker, the voice of a youngling named Nubs, surprised fans by introducing the screening using the voice of the animated Jedi youngling.
Set 200 years before “The Phantom Menace,” during the High Republic era, the animated series follows Jedi younglings as they study the ways of the Force, explore the galaxy, help citizens and creatures in need and learn valuable skills needed to become Jedi along the way. Produced by Lucasfilm in collaboration with Wild Canary for Disney+ and Disney Junior, “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” is executive produced by Lucasfilm’s James Waugh, Jacqui Lopez and Josh Rimes. Michael Olson (“Puppy Dog Pals”) is showrunner and executive producer.
“Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” stars Jamaal Avery, Jr. as Kai Brightstar, Juliet Donenfeld as Lys Solay, Dee Bradley Baker as Nubs, Emma Berman as Nash Durango, Jonathan Lipow as RJ-83, Piotr Michael as Master Yoda, Trey Murphy as Taborr Val Dorn and Nasim Pedrad as Master Zia.
“Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” releases on Disney+ and Disney Junior, where available, on May 4, 2023.
Later that day, fans were treated to a panel celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Emmy® award winning series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” Moderated by Amy Ratcliffe, the panel included executive producer Dave Filoni, VP, Animation Production Lucasfilm Animation Athena Portillo, sound editor Matthew Wood and art director Kilian Plunkett as well as cast members Dee Bradley Baker, Ashley Eckstein, Matt Lanter and James Arnold Taylor as they reminisced on how the series came to be. Dave ended the panel with the exciting announcement that he had so much fun creating the first season of “Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi,” a second season is currently in production.
On Monday, there was a panel for the acclaimed series “Star Wars: The Bad Batch,” which just wrapped its second season as the Bad Batch continued their journey navigating the aftermath of Order 66 and the rise of the Empire.
Host Amy Ratcliffe welcomed “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” executive producer and supervising director Brad Rau, executive producer and head writer Jennifer Corbett, executive producer Athena Portillo, actors Dee Bradley Baker, who voices The Bad Batch, and Michelle Ang, the voice of Omega, to discuss highlights from the second season. Executive producers Rau, Corbett and Portillo announced that the show will return for a third and final season in 2024 to finish telling this part of the story. Fans in the room were treated to a special Season 3 teaser, sharing a sneak peek at what is to come including the return of Ming-Na Wen’s fan-favorite bounty hunter, Fennec Shand.
To close out Star Wars Celebration’s animation panels, on Monday afternoon there was a “Star Wars: Visions” panel. The panel was filled with an abundance of reveals ahead of the series’ May 4, 2023 release– including first story details for all nine shorts, the full cast list, the trailer and key art.
The newest Volume will continue to push the boundaries of “Star Wars” storytelling, with nine new shorts from nine studios from around the globe. Employing the most captivating animation styles from a variety of countries and cultures, the second volume offers a dynamic new perspective on the storied mythos of Star Wars.
To kick off the panel, host Amy Ratcliffe introduced executive producers of the Emmy® nominated series, Josh Rimes, James Waugh and Jacqui Lopez, who discussed the success of the show’s first season and its unique concept featuring a collection of animated shorts that stretches beyond any one form of animation and serves as a broader framework for Star Wars storytelling.
Amy went on to reveal the trailer for Volume 2 and the voice talents behind the second volume.
The cast includes:
· “Screecher’s Reach”: Eva Whittaker
· “I Am Your Mother”: Maxine Peake, Charithra Chandran
· “Journey to the Dark Head” (English Dub): Ashley Park, Eugene Lee Yang
· “The Bandits of Golak”: Suraj Sharma
· “The Pit”: Daveed Diggs
· “Aau’s Song”: Cynthia Erivo
After revealing the cast, Amy Ratcliffe introduced the series’ filmmakers, who took to the stage in groups of three to reveal the first details about each of their shorts.
· Rodrigo Blaas, writer/director of El Guiri’s “Sith” from Spain
· Paul Young, director of Cartoon’s Saloon’s “Screecher’s Reach” from Ireland
· Gabriel Osorio, writer/director of Punkrobot’s “In the Stars” from Chile.
· Magdalena Osinska, director of Aardman’s “I Am Your Mother” from the United Kingdom
· Hyeong-Geun Park, director of Studio Mir’s “Journey to the Dark Head” from South Korea
· Julien Chheng, director of Studio La Cachette’s “The Spy Dancer” from France
· Milind Shinde, founder of India’s 88 Pictures and executive producer of “The Bandits of Golak.”
· LeAndre Thomas, writer/director/executive producer of “The Pit”; Arthell Isom, founder of D’ART Shtajio and executive producer of “The Pit”
· Nadia Darries and Daniel Clarke, co-directors of Triggerfish’s “Aau’s Song” from South Africa
Panelists shared how they incorporated their country’s history and culture into their stories and created original characters that fit into the Star Wars galaxy and cast local talent to bring these characters to life. At the end of the panel, attendees were also treated to a surprise early screening of Aardman’s short “I Am Your Mother.”
More information about all of the animation announcements out of Star Wars Celebration can be found at StarWars.com.
(Photo/video credit: Disney)
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Lucasfilm showcased some of their exciting upcoming releases yesterday in Anaheim at their STAR WARS Celebration, giving first looks at upcoming Disney+ Series ANDOR and WILLOW, plus THE MANDALORIAN‘s third season and STAR WARS: SKELETON CREW – a new Series starring Jude Law. Harrison Ford also was on-hand to present the upcoming INDIANA JONES film.
Some highlights:
“Obi –Wan Kenobi”
After a dramatic entry to the tune of “Duel of the Fates,” stars Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen were joined by executive producer Kathleen Kennedy, director Deborah Chow and cast members Moses Ingram and Rupert Friend. Following a lively discussion about the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series, there was a surprise announcement that there would be a red-carpet premiere of the first two episodes later tonight… and the whole audience was invited.
To the delight of the audience, at the end of Lucasfilm’s Studio Showcase, the iconic composer John Williams led the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in the Obi-Wan Theme—played live for the first time ever.
“Obi-Wan Kenobi” begins 10 years after the dramatic events of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” where Obi-Wan Kenobi faced his greatest defeat—the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, who turned to the dark side as evil Sith Lord Darth Vader.
“Obi-Wan Kenobi” stars Ewan McGregor, reprising his role as the iconic Jedi Master, and also marks the return of Hayden Christensen in the role of Darth Vader. Joining the cast are Moses Ingram, Joel Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Sung Kang, Simone Kessell and Benny Safdie. “Obi-Wan Kenobi” is directed by Deborah Chow and executive-produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Deborah Chow, Ewan McGregor and Joby Harold.
“Obi-Wan Kenobi” begins streaming exclusively on Disney+ tomorrow, May 27.
“Andor”
On hand to talk about “Andor,” an upcoming new series for Disney+, were star Diego Luna, who returns to the role of Cassian Andor, creator and showrunner Tony Gilroy, executive producer Sanne Wohlenberg and Genevieve O’Reilly who portrays Mon Mothma once again. To the delight of the fans, Luna unveiled the new poster and showed the teaser trailer for the series.
The “Andor” series will explore an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue. Cassian Andor embarks on a path that will turn him into the rebel hero who will challenge the evil Galactic Empire.
Diego Luna returns as Cassian Andor and is joined by cast members Genevieve O’Reilly, Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough and Kyle Soller. The executive producers are Kathleen Kennedy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Diego Luna and Michelle Rejwan. Tony Gilroy is the creator and showrunner.
“Andor” launches exclusively on Disney+ August 31, with the first two episodes.
“Willow”
Executive producers Jonathan Kasdan and Ron Howard came on stage to talk about “Willow,” an all-new live-action fantasy adventure series from Lucasfilm and Imagine Entertainment based on the classic 1988 feature film. In a fun moment, Warwick Davis who played Willow in the feature film and is coming back for the series, surprised everyone on stage. He was joined by some of the other cast members, including Joanne Whalley, who is returning to her role of Sorsha, Ellie Bamber, Ruby Cruz and Erin Kellyman. The audience got a first look at “Willow” when the teaser trailer was revealed.
An epic period fantasy series with a modern sensibility set in an enchanted land of breathtaking beauty “Willow” features a diverse international cast with Jonathan Kasdan, Ron Howard, Wendy Mericle, Kathleen Kennedy, and Michelle Rejwan serving as executive producers. The story began with an aspiring magician from a Nelwyn village and an infant girl destined to unite the realms, who together helped destroy an evil queen and banish the forces of darkness. Now, in a magical world where brownies, sorcerers, trolls, and other mystical creatures flourish, the adventure continues, as 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.
“Willow” premieres November 30, exclusively on Disney+.
“Ahsoka”
Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni took the stage to roars from the excited crowd. They announced that they had just come from the set of “Ahsoka,” which is in production now. Filoni confirmed that he is directing some episodes of the series, and then they shared a video greeting from Rosario Dawson, who is playing the title character, Ahsoka.
“Ahsoka” will follow the former Jedi knight as she investigates an emerging threat to the vulnerable New Republic. The new series is slated for 2023 and will be excusive to Disney+.
“The Mandalorian,” Season 3
A lively discussion about Season 3 of “The Mandalorian” ensued, then Favreau and Filoni brought out Katee Sackhoff, who plays Bo-Katan, and treated fans to a surprise sneak peek at Season 3 – created just for the fans in attendance. And as an extra special “thank you” for the fans, Jon Favreau announced The Mandalorian Experience, an exhibit of props and costumes that will be on display for the duration of Star Wars Celebration.
The Mandalorian and Grogu are reunited and continue their journey, facing enemies and rallying allies as they make their way through a dangerous galaxy in the tumultuous era after the collapse of the Galactic Empire. Season 3 of “The Mandalorian” is set to launch exclusively on Disney+ in February 2023, and is executive produced by Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Rick Famuyiwa, Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson.
“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew”
As if that wasn’t enough excitement from Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, the duo surprised the audience with the announcement of a new series for Disney+ that they are executive producing called “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.”
Favreau and Filoni went on to introduce creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford, who are joining them as fellow executive producers on the series. “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,” set in the New Republic era, is about a group of kids lost in the Star Wars galaxy trying to find their way home.
Watts and Ford had the pleasure of announcing that Jude Law would be starring in the series, set to launch on Disney+ in 2023.
“Indiana Jones”
Star Harrison Ford and filmmakers James Mangold, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall of the upcoming fifth installment of the “Indiana Jones” franchise took the stage to unveil an early photo from the film, and to wish composer John Williams a happy 90th birthday. As on all four previous “Indiana Jones” films, Williams is composing the score for the new film, which opens on June 30, 2023.
Harrison Ford returns to the role of the legendary hero archaeologist for this fifth installment of the iconic franchise. Starring along with Ford are Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Antonio Banderas, Boyd Holbrook, Shaunette Renee Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann and Toby Jones. The film is directed by James Mangold, with Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Simon Emanuel serving as producers, and Steven Spielberg as executive producer.
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