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Star Wars Celebration: Opening Day Presentation

Star Wars Celebration at the Anaheim Convention Center

Star Wars Celebration got off with a bang on Thursday May 25th as thousands of fans gathered at the Anaheim Convention Center for the first day of the big event.

The opening day presentation began with host Yvette Nicole Brown (‘Community’) addressing the packed house, and a video montage of the history of Star Wars Celebration, which featured Anthony Daniels, Warwick Davis, Rosario Dawson, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Oscar Isaac, Diego Luna, Peter Mayhew, Hayden Christensen, Jon Favreau, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams, Pedro Pascal, and Samuel L. Jackson.

After the montage, a full choir dressed in black surrounded by smoke appeared to sing the Darth Vader theme (aka ‘The Imperial March’) live, while Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen took the stage together for the first time in decades to a standing ovation. “Hello everyone, we are back,” said Christensen. President of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy, ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ director Deborah Chow, Moses Ingram and Rupert Friend took the stage to discuss the new Disney+ series which drops its first two episodes on May 27th.

(L-R) Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Deborah Chow, Kathleen Kennedy, President, Lucasfilm, Ewan McGregor, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Hayden Christensen attend the studio showcase panel at Star Wars Celebration for “Obi-Wan Kenobi” in Anaheim, California on May 26, 2022. The series streams exclusively on Disney+. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney).

After Kennedy addressed the crowd teasing what fans will experience over the next few days, McGregor talked about the new show and returning to the character. “It was really special to come back and play him with Deborah, and our brilliant cast,” he said. “In the last few years, we’ve really felt the love from you for the prequels we made. That has meant a lot to us, and me personally. It made the whole experience a lovely thing. It was fun to take the Obi-Wan that we all know and take him to a darker and more broken place. It was a great challenge in a way.”

Hayden Christensen also talked about returning to play Darth Vader. “Thank you so much, It’s been an amazing thing to return to ‘Star Wars’ and pick up a lightsaber again. It’s been incredible.” Rupert Friend, who plays one of the show’s villains discussed his character’s lightsaber. “Mine is double ended, and it’s very hard not to make the noise all the time.”

McGregor then invited everyone in the hall to return this evening to watch the first two episodes of ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ with the cast at the Anaheim convention center, a few hours before it premieres around the rest of the world.

Disney

Kennedy introduced a teaser for ‘Andor,’ which will premiere on Disney+ this summer, then Diego Luna, who plays Cassian Andor from ‘Rogue One’ took to the stage along with other members of the cast. The series will be 12 episodes long and take place five years before ‘Rogue One.’ It will be a two season show, with the second season ending right before ‘Rogue One’ begins.
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Luna discussed returning to his ‘Rogue One’ role. “It feels amazing. When I made the film, I lived everyday like it was the last. I did not know this was possible. I love what he represents. He is of the people, and this story is about the power we have and the awakening we deserve.”

Genevieve O’Reilly returns as Mon Mothma and the actress discussed reprising her role. “It is such a gift to come back to this role. I first played this woman almost 17 years ago, so to continue to play her now, I feel so lucky.” It was also announced that ‘Dune’ actor Stellan Skarsgård will be playing a Rebel leader in the series.

Luna then revealed the official teaser poster for ‘Andor,’ as well as a teaser trailer for the new show. The footage began with a village of people ringing a warning bell as the Empire attacks. We get our first look at Skarsgård’s new character, as well as Mon Mothma, and Cassian piloting a starship. The series will launch on August 31st with a two-episode premiere.

Disney original series ‘Willow’

The presentation then transcended the ‘Star Wars’ world to give a sneak peek at another George Lucas-created property, ‘Willow.’ Original film director Ron Howard appeared to present the upcoming Disney+ series based on the 80’s film. “I’ve had a lot of great experiences throughout my career but nothing like making ‘Solo,’” Howard said. Then he welcomed on stage “Willow” himself, Warwick Davis. “I’m back playing the character and it is something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a dream come true. Making the movie was one of the best experiences of my life, and I’ve been in ‘Star Wars’,” said Davis.
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Joanne Whalley was also announced to return from the original movie for the new series and then appeared to address the crowd. “It’s incredible to be back and have her sword in my hand again,” said Whalley. The new series will take place 25 years after the original and feature all new characters in addition to the return of Davis and Whalley. It was also announced that Davis’ real-life daughter will play Willow’s daughter in the new series, while his son is his stunt double. The presentation ended with footage from the new show

Kennedy, who left the stage to put on a cowboy hat, then introduced ‘The Mandalorian’ team of Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. Favreau began by complimenting Kennedy on being the “best producer in the business.” The two filmmakers are also working on the upcoming ‘Ahsoka’ series, as well as ‘The Mandalorian’ season three.

“I know I don’t get to do any of this without the support I get from fans and Lucasfilm. ‘Ahsoka’ is going great. We are lucky to have Rosario Dawson fronting this. She is not here because she is shooting scenes so you can see it soon.” Dawson in full costume appeared in a short video teasing the new series and saying, “Maybe I’ll see you next time.” ‘Ahsoka’ will premiere in 2023 according to Filoni.

Pivoting to season three of ‘The Mandalorian,’ Favreau announced that actress Katee Sackhoff will be returning as Bo Katana, and the actress was on hand to appear. Releasing in 2023, Favreau said that they have wrapped filming, and are now in the editing process. He then showed footage from the upcoming season.

Katee Sackhoff attends the studio showcase panel at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California on May 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney).

Opening with ‘The Mandalorian’ theme, Mando is told he is no longer a Mandalorian because he removed his helmet. We get many shots of Grogu, as well as Bo Katan and the return of Carl Weathers as Greef Karga. Mando then says that he is returning to Mandalore to be punished for his transgressions.

Favreau then introduced director Jon Watts, who is working on a secret new ‘Star Wars’/Disney+ show. “So, this is a show we have been working on for a long time. It is about a group of kids that get accidentally lost in the Star Wars world and are now trying to get home. It’s a story about kids, but it’s not just a show for kids,” he explained. Watts then revealed that it takes place in the same ‘Star Wars’ timeline as ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘Ahsoka.’ The series will be titled ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ and stars Jude Law. Watts said that they begin shooting soon, and that it will be released next year.

Finally, to celebrate the 90th birthday of ‘Star Wars’ composer John Williams, he took to the stage with a full orchestra to perform for the first time ever, the new theme to ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi.’

“Thank you all so much for being here. I know this is a ‘Star Wars’ convention, and this is not ‘Star Wars’, but you might know it,” said Williams before conducting the orchestra performing the “Indiana Jones Theme.” Then, Harrison Ford shocked the audience by walking on stage.

Harrison Ford of the upcoming fifth installment of the “Indiana Jones” franchise honors composer John Williams on his 90th birthday at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California on May 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney).

”It’s a great honor to be here and congratulate John on his 90th birthday. That music follows me everywhere I go, and I am happy about it,” said Ford. “What I’ve come to appreciate is the generosity of this man, and what a wonderful talent we are blessed with,” the actor said of Williams, fighting back tears. “We are looking forward to the next ‘Indian Jones.’ We had a great time working with James Mangold and I am very proud of the movie we have made. So, I will be seeing you around campus.”

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in the upcoming fifth installment of the “Indiana Jones” franchise ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Finally, Ford announced that the ‘Untitled Indiana Jones‘ will be released on June, 30th 2023, while Williams and the orchestra played “The Imperial March.”
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You can watch our exclusive red carpet interviews with the casts of ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi,’ ‘Andor,’ and ‘Willow’ by clicking on the vide player above.

May 26, 2022
Fennec Shand and the Women of ‘Star Wars’

Ming-Na Wen as Fennec Shand in ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ on Disney+

With the recent release of ‘Book of Boba Fett’, the galaxy far, far away is expanding in ways that is bringing old and new fans into the fold. It’s giving people the chance to see characters from extended lore, new ones, and familiar locals we haven’t seen in decades.

But what ‘Book of Boba Fett’ is also bringing ‘Star Wars’, is something the franchise hasn’t seen in a very long time. A strong, badass female character in Fennec Shand, portrayed by Ming-Na Wen. She brings something the ‘Star Wars’ franchise, and just recent science fiction has been kind of lacking; a strong, powerful female lead.

But why should you care? Come with us as we dig a little into the history of strong female characters in ‘Star Wars’, and how this leads to Fennec Shand and the ground she’s laying for others. But, before we can dive into that, let’s give a little history of female characters in science fiction.

Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in ‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope’

The Princess and the Scrapper

While not the first instance, many credit 1966’s ‘Star Trek’ with introducing strong science fiction characters (especially with Nichelle Nicols’ Uhura), with the second thought being our very own Princess Leia. And since this is a ‘Star Wars’ related piece, let’s focus on Leia.

In the first ‘Star Wars’ film, Leia is seen as the “damsel in destress” trope, a common one for female characters in that era of film. While we do indeed see her wielding a blaster (and obviously knowing how to use it) but she still is needing to be saved. Needing the help of the male characters around her.

There are multiple times in not just the first movie, but all through the original trilogy it is shown that Leia cannot be on her own without being captured, and a big scene of this is being captured by the greedy Jabba the Hutt, which happens as she’s going to save Han Solo.

This scene is incredibly interesting. It follows Leia’s characterization up to this point. Strong, determined, but once again, stripped of her power. Just falling back into another trope. While captured, she is forced to be his slave, even attached to chain and dressed not in her princess robes, but a metal bikini, almost like his own pet.

Obviously, there Is so much wrong with this scene and how they portray Leia as a character. Putting the focus on her body and her as an object. As if everything she had done up to that point against the empire was null and void. Being stripped of everything, but most importantly, her power.

Yes, this was just one movie, but Leia’s change from powerful space princess to chained up slave to an ugly space slug is jarring and apparent. While I do acknowledge Leia becoming much more powerful as the series goes on, there are still little bumps in the road.

Whenever there is something incredibly positive, something else more troubling always comes with it, and for every “Princess to General”, there is the offhand comment of lightsaber and force training offscreen.

Daisy Ridley as Rey in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

This can also translate to Rey as well. Starting off being rough and tumble, foraging for herself on Jakku until she discovers Finn. Rey is a great example of twenty-first century female characters in science fiction, but it’s clear she takes just a little bit too much from Leia.

We can thankfully rule out the metal bikini, but there are multiple times in the new trilogy we see her relying heavily on those around her. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, the fact she relies on others is seen as a hindrance towards her. It doesn’t bring her strength, it actively strips it.

Relying on the characters around her takes away her urgency. She basically goes through the same pitfalls Leia does; in that she relies on those around her. Completely changing the image we are given of her in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’. It’s like teaming up with others made her less dependent.

Rey is played out to be the new ‘chosen one’, but seemingly being given that title lowers her agency. Now, while I bring this up, I absolutely love these characters. Leia especially is a hero to me. But I truly believe these characters were steppingstones, to the next strong woman to enter the galaxy.

The Galaxies Deadliest Assassin

Now what does all of this have to do with Fennec? A rather newish character to the ‘Star Wars’ canon, she was introduced in ‘The Mandalorian’, and appeared on ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ before becoming a main character in ‘The Book of Boba Fett’. And while one might suggest her being a supportive character in the show, I’d argue she’s far more than just that.

Since Fennec Shand’s first reveal in ‘The Mandalorian’ TV show, we are told she is the most dangerous assassin in the galaxy. But she doesn’t fit the female assassin tropes. When one hears of a “female assassin” you imagine a sexy, scantily clad femme fatale, with a gun at her thigh.

(L to R) Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen in ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ on Disney+

But when we see her, she’s cool, collected and deadly. It’s not her gender that makes her deadly or powerful. It’s her skill, and the fear she implants in others in the galaxy. This also translates over to her ‘Bad Batch’ appearance as well. Nowhere in any of her cameos is she falling into said old tropes.

This leads into her ‘Book of Boba Fett’ role. Even next to the most ruthless bounty hunter in the galaxy…she is his equal. Fett does not look down on her or even try to control her. He saves her, offers her a chance to escape once her “debt” is paid, but she chooses to stay. Fennec can see the freedom and chooses to have that while also having her own power.

Boba Fett sits on that throne, yes, but Fennec shares it. She’s under no one’s control, she’s not a slave…she’s just powerful. Able to hold her own and even be on par with someone like Fett. She’s not leaning on him for help but using him and his skill.

Having a character like Fennec is new to the franchise, and I hope this isn’t the last of this type of character we see.

Looking Forward into the Galaxy

‘Star Wars’ has had so many female characters up to this point. And while you can argue their place in the “strong female science fiction” character spot, none of them have taken the mantle more than Fennec Shand.

One can argue that she maybe a “testing ground” for characters like her to come, and I truly believe this to be the case. A character that can stand on her own, share the power of the male characters around her without relying on them. Showing that characters like her don’t need to fit in a mold or a trope to be badass.

It’s not just ‘Star Wars’ that needs more characters like this, but all of science fiction. I hope we see more like her in the future of the franchise. While not fitting the same mold but breaking their own and showing just how badass someone in a galaxy far, far away can be.

‘The Book of Boba Fett’ streams on Disney+

February 9, 2022
How Joan Micklin Silver Paved the Way for Chloé Zhao & Other Women Directors Today

The films of the late Joan Micklin Silver

One of the first celebrity deaths to hit in 2021 was that of filmmaker Joan Micklin Silver. Not as well-remembered by the public today as she was at the height of her career – Silver was not included in the In Memoriam video that played at this year’s Oscars – she left a legacy that can be found in the careers of the women directors who came after her.

This week Chloé Zhao’s third feature film ‘Nomadland’ was awarded three Oscars- including two for Zhao herself. She became the first woman of color, the first Asian woman, and only the second woman ever to win the award for Best Director. This success follows her previous critically-acclaimed features ‘Songs My Brothers Taught Me’ (2015) and ‘The Rider’ (2017). Later this year Zhao’s highest-profile film – Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ – will finally make its debut after being pushed back from 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic.

Zhao’s rise from the world of independent cinema to an Oscar-winning film to a big budget Marvel film like ‘Eternals’ recalls the similar rise to prominence from Ava DuVernay, whose feature film debut ‘I Will Follow’ she self-distributed, and whose third film ‘Selma’ made her only fifth woman nominated for Best Director at the Golden Globes (and first Black woman to be nominated), as well as the first Black female director to have her film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture (though she was pointedly not nominated for Best Director at the Oscars that year). She followed that up with ‘A Wrinkle in Time’, which made her the first Black woman to direct a live-action film earning $100 million.

But before both of these women smashed through the celluloid ceiling there was Joan Micklin Silver. In the 1970s, when there were so few women directors, women only made up 0.05% of all working directors (in 2020 they made up 12% of directors of the highest grossing films), and Silver fought like hell to forge a career in Hollywood.

Like DuVernay, she self-financed her debut film, 1975’s ‘Hester Street’, which told the story of Jewish immigrants living on the titular Hester Street in the Lower East Side of New York City at the end of the 19th century. The film would go on to play at the Cannes Film Festival and its star Carol Kane received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

Prior to making her directorial debut, Silver had worked as a writer in Hollywood, even selling a script called ‘Limbo’, a collaboration with Linda Gottlieb, to Universal Pictures in 1972. The film, directed by Mark Robson, follows the lives of women whose husbands are missing in action in Vietnam. Gottlieb would later write the screenplay that would become the basis for ‘Dirty Dancing.’ (The history of how her screenplay became the finished film is an entirely different story.)

Silver reflected that she “had absolutely no chance of getting work as a director,” within the studio system and even after her success with ‘Hester Street’ she was told by a studio executive that, “feature films are very expensive to mount and distribute, and women directors are one more problem we don’t need.”

She followed up ‘Hester Street’ with another self-financed film, 1977’s ‘Between The Lines,’ a prophetic look at the lives and loves of the staff at an alt-weekly that launched the careers of many actors including John Heard, Lindsay Crouse, Gwen Welles, Bruno Kirby, Joe Morton, Marilu Henner, Lane Smith, and Jeff Goldblum. Although the film played the Berlin International Film Festival and spawned a short-lived sitcom, it was largely hard to find until a recent restoration and revival from Cohen Media Group.

Her next film ‘Chilly Scenes of Winter’, a biting romantic dramedy about an unfulfilled man named Charles (John Heard) whose infatuation with a woman named Laura (Mary Beth Hurt) becomes an unhealthy obsession, was produced in association with United Artists. Before the film’s release UA insisted Silver alter the film’s bleak ending to something happier and changed the name to ‘Head over Heels’. It bombed. In 1982 Silver convinced them to re-release the film with its original title and ending, to much better acclaim and box office success.

Silver also found success working in television, like DuVernay’s ‘Queen Sugar’ and ‘When They See Us’. In 1976, she directed an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘Bernice Bobs Her Hair’ starring Shelley Duvall and in the 1980s she directed ‘How to Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days’ for PBS and ‘Finnegan Begin Again’ for HBO.

1987 saw Silver’s biggest hit to date: the romantic comedy ‘Crossing Delancey’ starring Amy Irving and Peter Reigert, an adaptation of the stage play by Susan Sandler. Irving plays Izzy Grossman, an independent 30-something who works at an upscale bookstore whose bubbe (Reizl Bozyk) hires a marriage broker (Sylvia Miles) to find a nice young Jewish man for her granddaughter. Izzy rebels against the match at first, but slowly finds herself falling for the most charming pickle salesman (Reigert) you’ll ever see on screen. The film had a rocky start as studios told Silver the film was “too ethnic,” which in an interview with the New York Times she said was a euphemism “for Jewish material that Hollywood executives distrust.” Eventually the film found its way to distribution by Warner Bros. thanks to a push from Irving’s husband at the time – Steven Spielberg.

‘Crossing Delancey’ received rave reviews and made more than four times its budget, but Silver’s next few films – 1989’s ‘Loverboy’ starring Patrick Dempsey, Kirstie Alley, Carrie Fisher, 1991’s ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ starring Hillary Wolf, Griffin Dunne, and Jenny Lewis, and ‘A Fish In The Bathtub’ starring Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara – received mostly mixed reviews and were box office disaster. She continued to direct films for television throughout the next decade; her last credit was 2003’s ‘Hunger Point’ starring Barbara Hershey and Christina Hendricks.

Silver passed away at the age of 85 from vascular dementia on December 31, 2020.

What was so remarkable about Silver’s career was her commitment to her vision and her voice, despite struggling against both sexism and anti-semitism within the industry. She paved the way for filmmakers like Zhao and DuVernay, who themselves have fierce voices and unique visions for what film can do. As more women break through in Hollywood and women helming multiple films becomes the rule rather than the exception, it’s important to remember the trailblazers like Joan Micklin Silver who paved the way.

April 28, 2021
Get ready for the ‘End’ of the Skywalker saga with this ‘Rise of Skywalker’ TV spot.

John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, and Oscar Isaac star in ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’

In this latest TV spot from Lucasfilm we get a couple of title cards that ominously tell us that “The Saga will end.” That shouldn’t be too big a surprise; you can only have three movies in a trilogy, right?

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This trailer definitely plays up the idea of things coming to a close. Not only do we hear Mark Hamill talking about destiny, we also hear Threepio say something about looking at his friends “one last time.” That might mean this is the last ride for the fussy protocol droid. On the other hand, the trailers for ‘The Force Awakens’ and ‘The Last Jedi’ were pretty good at using misdirection to subvert our expectations, so it won’t be too surprising to see that happening here. In any event, all will be revealed in less than a month when ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ opens on December 20.

November 23, 2019
Oscar Isaac Says His Scenes With Carrie Fisher Are a Key Part of ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’

Lucasfilm

We now know that those extra scenes of Carrie Fisher that weren’t used in “The Force Awakens” — but will be in “Star Wars: Episode IX” — will involve Leia’s relationship with Poe Dameron.

Oscar Isaac, who plays rebel Poe, told Sirius XM Insight’s John Fugelsang in a new interview that the relationship between the hotshot pilot and the older, wiser general, is a big part of the film.

He says he’s glad that the scenes, which were shot before Fisher’s death in 2016, will be seen.

“I wasn’t surprised because … [Fisher] and I worked together so much. We would talk about the scenes, and we got very tight during the shooting of that. So it was a beautiful thing to see, and it gets carried over into the new film as well.”

He added, “It was definitely an unusual thing, but I also think it was right to engage with her character, and not just let it be something that fades away.”

We’re just glad that the footage exists and that we’ll get to have some more time with Leia.

Isaac, who is currently costarring in the Netflix action thriller “Triple Frontier,” says that ‘Episode IX’ will give Fisher and Leia “a proper place of honor.”

Director J.J. Abrams, who directed both “Star Wars” films, secured the blessing of Fisher’s family and daughter Billie Lourd before using the footage. He had previously stated that he would never recast the role or use CGI to bring Leia back, as was done with the late Peter Cushing‘s Grand Moff Tarkin character in “Rogue One.”

Todd Fisher, Carrie’s brother, recently told “Good Morning America” that the footage is definitely not just outtakes: “This is unused, new content that could be woven into the storyline. That’s what’s going to give everybody such a great kick. It’s going to look like it was meant to be. Like it was shot yesterday… we’re thrilled at what’s been done.”

‘Episode IX,’ which doesn’t yet have a full title, opens December 20.

[Via EW, Indiewire]

March 15, 2019
‘Star Wars: Episode IX’: Carrie Fisher’s Brother ‘Thrilled’ With Use of Leia Footage

Lucasfilm

Carrie Fisher deserves an epic farewell, and her brother seems to think she’s going to get it.

The actress tragically died in December 2016, but she lives on in the Star Wars Universe. Thanks to unreleased footage, her character, Princess Leia Organa, will appear in the upcoming “Star Wars: Episode IX,” and her brother, Todd Fisher, approves of how it is being used, according to Good Morning America.

“We’re not allowed to talk about the details of anything,” he said. “But we’re thrilled at what’s been done.”

Todd shared that there are “a lot of minutes of footage,” not “just outtakes.” He described it as “unused, new content that could be woven into the storyline.” While he couldn’t reveal specifics, he did say that it’s “going to give everybody such a great kick.”

He isn’t the only member of the family who stands behind Fisher’s role in the film. Her daughter, Billie Lourd, previously gave her support and blessing, according to director J.J. Abrams in July.

“Star Wars: Episode IX” hits theaters Dec. 20.

[via: GMA]

January 3, 2019
Oscar Isaac Says ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ Honors Carrie Fisher in ‘A Really Beautiful Way’

Lucasfilm

The sudden death of actress Carrie Fisher almost two years ago left a gaping hole not only in Hollywood, but in a galaxy far, far away, as the “Star Wars” saga lost one of its brightest stars. While Fisher’s princess-turned-general Leia was meant to play an integral role in the upcoming “Episode IX,” she’ll have to take somewhat of a backseat, appearing only in previously unused footage unearthed by director J.J. Abrams.

But according to Oscar Isaac, who plays Resistance fighter pilot Poe Dameron in the new trilogy, and who shared many scenes with Fisher/Leia, the new installment still finds a way to properly honor the late actress. In an interview with The Daily Beast, Isaac said that the film’s set had “a looseness and an energy” that was very much in keeping with Fisher’s fun-loving spirit, and though she wasn’t physically present, her presence was very much felt.

“The story deals with that quite a bit,” the actor told The Daily Beast of Fisher’s loss. “It’s a strange thing to be on the set and to be speaking of Leia and having Carrie not be around. There’s definitely some pain in that.”

He added, “It deals with the amazing character that Carrie created in a really beautiful way.”

We’d expect nothing less from this cast and crew. While we’re not entirely emotionally prepared to say a final goodbye to Fisher, it’s comforting to know that it will be the sendoff she deserves.

“Star Wars: Episode IX” is slated to open on December 20, 2019.

[via: The Daily Beast]

November 20, 2018
Mark Hamill Posts ‘Bittersweet’ Tribute to Ending Skywalker Saga With, and Without, Carrie Fisher

Lucasfilm

It’s beautiful, but “bittersweet,” for Luke and Leia to still be together at the end of the “Star Wars” Skywalkers Saga.

Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher started this journey together in “Star Wars: Episode IV” in 1977, and it was announced on Friday that they will both be together in the upcoming “Star Wars: Episode IX” in 2019.

Carrie Fisher’s death in December 2016 shocked the world, but she had already filmed her scenes for Episode VIII, “The Last Jedi.” It was thought that she wouldn’t be able to be in Episode IX, but then Lucasfilm announced that Leia Organa would still be played by Carrie Fisher using previously unreleased footage from J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Mark Hamill reacted to the news about his on-screen twin’s inclusion, and the fandom’s reaction:

It's bittersweet facing my final chapter without her-She is simply irreplaceable. I'm finding solace in the fact that she won't BE replaced & would love the worldwide outpouring of affection from those who loved her when they heard the news.#CarrieOnForever pic.twitter.com/7ueMqBxQwa

— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) July 29, 2018

Here’s what J.J. Abrams said in the announcement about Carrie Fisher’s inclusion in Episode IX:

“We desperately loved Carrie Fisher. Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.”

Mark Hamill also reacted to his Luke Skywalker returning for the end of the Saga, even after the events of “The Last Jedi”:

It's finally fine to admit #ImInIX-Billy Dee @realbdw too-which is long overdue (No one's ever really gone) Now only 17 months of "no comment"s when asked about it to avoid revealing details or fueling speculation #SeeYouAroundKids https://t.co/REUTX571c6

— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) July 28, 2018

“Star Wars: Episode IX” opens in theaters December 20, 2019.

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July 30, 2018
‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ Cast Announced, Carrie Fisher Appearing in Unreleased Footage

Lucasfilm

The cast for “Star Wars: Episode IX” includes two returning members from the original movies — one of whom is a major surprise.

Lucasfilm confirmed reports that Billy Dee Williams will reprise his role as the dashing Lando Calrissian. What was more unexpected is that the late Carrie Fisher will appear once again as General Leia Organa.

Fisher’s tragically early death came after completing filming on “The Last Jedi.” After Leia survived the events of that movie, fans wondered how the final film in the new Skywalker trilogy would handle Fisher’s absence. Perhaps Leia would die off screen? Or be called away to an important mission in a remote corner of the galaxy?

Turns out, director J.J. Abrams will use unreleased footage of Fisher from “The Force Awakens.”

“We desperately loved Carrie Fisher. Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character,” Abrams said in a statement.

“With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.”

The rest of the cast includes returning stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, Anthony Daniel, and Mark Hamill. Joining “Episode IX” are Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant.

Not on this list? Keri Russell, who is reportedly in talks to re-team with “Felicity” creator Abrams.

July 27, 2018
Billy Dee Williams Set to Return for ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’

Lucasfilm

Billy Dee Williams is about to return to a galaxy far, far away.

The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Williams will return to play Lando Calrissian in J.J. Abrams’ as-yet-untitled “Star Wars: Episode IX,” which will begun production later this summer. Williams of course introduced the character in 1980’s “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” and reprised the role in 1983’s “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.” This is very exciting news, especially for those of us inexplicably drawn to smooth talking scoundrels.

It’s also not that much of a surprise. Williams reprised his role as Lando in two episodes of the animated series “Star Wars: Rebels,” which wrapped up this March. And, of course, the character was splashily reintroduced in this summer’s “Solo: A Star Wars Story” (this time the cape-loving lothario was portrayed with considerable swagger by Donald Glover). There’s also the more practical element of bringing back Lando, who will effectively bridge the gap between the original trilogy and these new films, considering that both Han and Luke have been killed off and Carrie Fisher died tragically between installments.

“Star Wars: Episode IX,” which will once again star John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, and (god willing) Kelly Marie Tran, also recently added regular Abrams confederate Keri Russell to the cast. It’s set to open December 20^th, 2019.

July 10, 2018