Moviefone Editorial

Tag: dave-filoni

  • ‘The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White Joins ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’

    (Left) Male Actor in a Comedy Series, Jeremy Allen White, 'The Bear' 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA - 24 Feb 2024. Credit: Photo by Christopher Polk/Shutterstock for SAG. (Right) The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and the Child in 'The Mandalorian,' season two, exclusively on Disney+.
    (Left) Male Actor in a Comedy Series, Jeremy Allen White, ‘The Bear’ 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA – 24 Feb 2024. Credit: Photo by Christopher Polk/Shutterstock for SAG. (Right) The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and the Child in ‘The Mandalorian,’ season two, exclusively on Disney+.

    Preview:

    • ‘The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White has a role in ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu.’
    • Pedro Pascal returned to star in the movie.
    • Jon Favreau directed the film.

    While production has now wrapped on the next ‘Star Wars’ movie, spin-off ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu,’ there is still news to report on the film.

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    With series co-creator Jon Favreau calling the shots, the movie sees the return of Pedro Pascal’s bounty hunter and his adorable green sidekick Grogu for more adventures in that galaxy far, far away.

    Now, according to Jeff Sneider, we know that ‘The Bear’s leading man Jeremy Allen White will be part of the movie, providing the voice of Rotta the Hutt.

    What’s the story of ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’?

    'The Mandalorian' Season 4 Concept Art courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
    ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 4 Concept Art courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    The big announcement of the movie offered up no details on what the plot will be, but you have to figure it’ll continue the story of the characters’ journey from the show –– including Mando’s ongoing struggle with his cultural legacy and Grogu’s increasing Force powers.

    Plus there are plenty of dangling plot threads just waiting to be expanded or tied up in a big screen outing.

    Who is Rotta the Hutt?

    Jabba the Hutt in 'Return of the Jedi.' Photo: Lucasfilm.
    Jabba the Hutt in ‘Return of the Jedi.’ Photo: Lucasfilm.

    As his name suggests, Rotta –– original full name Rotta the Huttlet –– is the son of ‘Return of the Jedi’s sluglike crime boss Jabba.

    Created by Dave Filoni, he made his ‘Star Wars’ debut in the ‘Clone Wars’ movie, there voiced by David Acord.

    Nicknamed “Pedunkee Mufkin” (translated as Punky Muffin) by his father and also nicknamed “Stinky” by Ahsoka Tano, was a male Hutt and the son of Jabba the Hutt.

    During the Clone Wars, he was secretly kidnapped by the Confederacy of Independent Systems, which was orchestrated by Count Dooku with help from Ziro, Rotta’s great-uncle. The plot was meant to discredit the Jedi Order and scuttle negotiations between the Galactic Republic and the Hutts, but the Jedi were able to rescue him.

    He was later kidnapped and rescued again. We do have to wonder what fate will befall him in the new movie, but the choice of White to provide his voice points to him being more of a grown character this time around.

    Who else is in ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’?

    Sigourney Weaver as Hildy Good in Roadside Attractions' 'The Good House.'
    Sigourney Weaver as Hildy Good in Roadside Attractions’ ‘The Good House.’

    A lot about the film is still wrapped in secrecy, but alongside Pascal (and now White, at least via a recording booth), we know that Sigourney Weaver is in the cast.

    Deadline is also now reporting that Jonny Coyne will be reprising his relatively small role of Imperial warlord, who is part of the Shadow Council working with Giancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideon.

    He’ll likely have a bigger part to play in the movie, especially since Gideon was sidelined at the end of the most recent season of the show.

    Related Article: ‘Alien’s Sigourney Weaver in Talks to Join ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’

    What has been said about the new movie?

    (L to R) Dave Filoni, Chief Creative Officer, Lucasfilm and Jon Favreau appears at the Disney Entertainment Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California on August 09, 2024. Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney.
    (L to R) Dave Filoni, Chief Creative Officer, Lucasfilm and Jon Favreau appears at the Disney Entertainment Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California on August 09, 2024. Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney.

    Here’s Favreau’s statement on the new movie:

    “I have loved telling stories set in the rich world that George Lucas created. The prospect of bringing the Mandalorian and his apprentice Grogu to the big screen is extremely exciting.”

    And this is what Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said:

    “Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have ushered into ‘Star Wars’ two new and beloved characters, and this new story is a perfect fit for the big screen.”

    And Filoni recently told Extra about working on the movie:

    “I’m very excited about it as well. Jon and I had a great time working on that, as we always do. It was great seeing Grogu. He’s become such a star, and it’s amazing how it’s evolved, what we can do now with the puppetry compared to Season One and where we are today in a film working with the team which I worked quite a bit with them on the puppetry. Legacy effects did a fantastic job, and what a wonderful little creation Grogu is.”

    What else is in development for big screen ‘Star Wars’?

    (L to R) Director James Mangold, Dave Filoni, and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
    (L to R) Director James Mangold, Dave Filoni, and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.

    While the Mando movie is flying into first position, we do know that Dave Filoni is still putting the pieces together for his own film, while one that continues the story of Rey (Daisy Ridley) is in development from director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy but appears to keep hitting stumbling blocks and has been removed from the schedule for now.

    And then there’s James Mangold’s film, which explores the origins of the Jedi and early force users and is awaiting a release date.

    We’d guess that while Filoni (who promoted earlier this year to Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm) is still going full speed ahead on his movie, he’s also been busy figuring out a second season of ‘Ahsoka.’

    Here’s what he said about that:

    “I’m so well into that as well… I’ve been writing it, and I’m still the single writer on it, and so I’ve been enjoying doing that, but it’s a challenge, of course, and working some of these arcs through has been a challenge and making sure it’s all going to come out in a way that I think is exciting for fans. I know that they’re interested in where some of the things I developed in Season One. I’m pretty happy with it… Love working with Rosario [Dawson], so I can’t wait to get back to that.”

    Where else have I seen Jeremy Allen White?

    Jeremy Allen White in 'The Bear.'
    Jeremy Allen White in ‘The Bear.’ Photo: Courtesy of FX.

    White these days is best known as –– and has received awards for –– driven chef Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto in cooking drama ‘The Bear.’

    Before that, he was seen in ‘Shameless,’ ‘Homecoming’ and since he’s been in movies including ‘The Rental,’ ‘Fingernails’ and ‘The Iron Claw.’

    More recently, he’s been filming the Bruce Springsteen pic ‘Deliver Me from Nowhere’ (as Springsteen) and ‘The Bear’s fourth season will be with us next year.

    When will ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ be on screens?

    The Mando movie will be rocketing into theaters on May 22nd, 2026, so we still have a bit of a wait for that one.

    'The Mandalorian' season 3 starring Pedro Pascal premieres March 1st on Disney+. Photo: Lucasfilm.
    ‘The Mandalorian’ season 3 starring Pedro Pascal premieres March 1st on Disney+. Photo: Lucasfilm.

    List of ‘Star Wars’ Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy ‘Star Wars’ Movies On Amazon

    Please click on the video player below to watch our interviews with the cast and crew of ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’:

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  • Simon Kinberg to Write and Produce New ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy

    (Left) The cast of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'. Photo: Lucasfilm. (Right) 'Invasion' series creator Simon Kinberg.
    (Left) The cast of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’. Photo: Lucasfilm. (Right) ‘Invasion’ series creator Simon Kinberg.

    Preview:

    • Simon Kinberg is reportedly developing a ‘Star Wars’ movie trilogy.
    • He’d write the movies and produce them with Kathleen Kennedy.
    • This trilogy is apparently about new characters.

    Stop us if you’ve heard this one before.

    A respected name in filmmaking (and particularly in this case, genre producing) has been hired by Lucasfilm to come up with new ‘Star Wars’ movies. Yes, it’s a story we’ve heard multiple times in the past –– more on that below –– with little to show for it so far.

    Still, shoving cynicism aside for a moment, we’re certainly intrigued to learn via Deadline that Simon Kinberg is reportedly making a deal with Disney and Lucasfilm to develop, write and produce a new trilogy set in that galaxy far, far away.

    And it’s not like Kinberg –– who has worked on a variety of projects in the past, including 20th Century Fox’s ‘X-Men’ movies, the ‘Deadpool’ films and a host of others more as a writer/producer –– doesn’t also already boast ‘Star Wars’ bona fides.

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    He co-created animated series ‘Star Wars Rebels’ with Dave Filoni and Carrie Beck, with the show running for four seasons from 2014-2018, and certainly influencing the direction of the current live-action ‘Star Wars’ shows.

    Kinberg was also a consultant on ‘Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens,’ the J.J. Abrams-directed movie that kicked off Disney’s expansion of the galaxy after it bought Lucasfilm.

    And talking of the companies, we must still take all of this with enough salt to sate a Sarlacc, since neither Disney nor Lucasfilm is officially commenting just yet. Deadline mentions that Kinberg’s deal has closed, but these things usually have to wait for more solid confirmation, often at an event such as Star Wars Celebration, a Comic-Con or Disney’s D23.

    What would the Simon Kinberg ‘Star Wars’ movies focus on?

    1977's 'Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.' Credit: Lucasfilm.
    1977’s ‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.’ Credit: Lucasfilm.

    That question is, for now at least, largely a mystery.

    While Deadline initially heard that it would continue the “Skywalker Saga” (AKA Episodes I through IX, which kicked off back in 1977 with the original ‘Star Wars’ before spawning the prequel and then sequel trilogies), that has since been shot down like a TIE Fighter by the Falcon, with focus now apparently on a new story with different characters (but with the door open for familiar faces to potentially appear).

    Related Article: Simon Kinberg Reportedly to Oversee Future ‘Star Trek’ Movies for Paramount

    A bigger issue is whether this actually comes to fruition. After all, as recently as this May, Kinberg was reported as being involved with driving the ‘Star Trek’ movie franchise for Paramount, who we’re sure aren’t looking to repeat the situation with J.J. Abrams, who oversaw the first two movies of the studio’s rebooted ‘Trek’ movie universe before jumping ship to ‘Star Wars.’

    And the future of ‘Star Wars’ on the big screen has seemed a little shaky of late, with famous genre names announced (or rumored) as working on new ‘Wars’ projects, only for nothing to come to screen.

    Which brings us to…

    Who else has been reported as involved with new ‘Star Wars’ movies?

    (L to R) Director James Mangold, Dave Filoni, and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
    (L to R) Director James Mangold, Dave Filoni, and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.

    The list for this is fairly long, with little to show for it thus far.

    Right now, we have current co-overlord of the ‘Star Wars’ TV universe, Jon Favreau, in post-production on a ‘Mandalorian and Grogu’ movie, which is scheduled to be on screens in May 2026.

    Still in development are projects from Favreau’s main collaborator, Dave Filoni (who, like his colleague, would likely draw from their TV universe), James Mangold (who has been working on a film chronicling the birth of the Jedi order) and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who is aboard to direct a movie featuring Daisy Ridley’s Rey as she continues her own quest.

    (L to R) Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Daisy Ridley at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
    (L to R) Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Daisy Ridley at Star Wars Celebration 2023.

    That latter movie has been having some issues getting its script together, with ‘Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight the latest writer to depart.

    Then we have Taika Waititi, who keeps talking about how he wants to move forward with his idea, while Donald Glover continues work on a story about Lando Calrissian, which was being touted as a Disney+ series but currently appears to be a movie.

    As for those who have been reported as developing ‘Star Wars’ output that has yet to see much forward movement? They include ‘The Last Jedi’s Rian Johnson (who was apparently going to make a trilogy but is currently busy with his big Netflix deal for the Benoit Blanc mystery movies and crime series ‘Poker Face,’ Patty Jenkins (whose ‘Rogue Squadron’ movie flits between active development and being grounded in a hangar) and ‘Game of Thrones’ duo David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, who likewise were going to produce a new trilogy but are instead adapting beloved sci-fi novel ‘The Three Body Problem.’

    What can we actually expect coming up from ‘Star Wars’?

    'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ will be premiering on Disney+ in 2023.
    ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ will be premiering on Disney+ in 2023.

    Besides Favreau’s ‘Mando’ movie, the next confirmed ‘Star Wars’ releases will be on the small screen, with ‘Skeleton Crew’ a ‘Goonies’–inspired adventure launching on Disney+ on December 3rd, and Season 2 of ‘Andor,’ due next year.

    We also know that Filoni is at work on a second season of ‘Ahsoka,’ though that has yet to land a date.

    (L to R) Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley in 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.' Photo: Lucasfilm.
    (L to R) Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley in ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’ Photo: Lucasfilm.

    Other ‘Star Wars’ Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy ‘Star Wars’ Movies On Amazon

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  • Sigourney Weaver in Talks for ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’

    (Left) Sigourney Weaver at the premiere of 'Master Gardener,' a Magnolia Pictures release. (Right) 'The Mandalorian' Season 4 Concept Art courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
    (Left) Sigourney Weaver at the premiere of ‘Master Gardener,’ a Magnolia Pictures release. (Right) ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 4 Concept Art courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    Preview:

    • Sigourney Weaver’s in talks for ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’.
    • Her role is a mystery for now.
    • Jon Favreau is directing the movie.

    With ‘Star Wars’ seemingly ready to put that galaxy far, far away back on the big screen via a variety of movies in development, the big one leading the charge comes from the small screen: Jon Favreau’s ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’.

    While much of the movie remains shrouded in secrecy, we do know –– via The InSneider –– that sci-fi stalwart Sigourney Weaver is in talks for a role.

    The actor, a veteran of genre movies such as the ‘Alien’ franchise, ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Avatar’ looks set to add ‘Star Wars’ to the list.

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    What’s the story of ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’?

    The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and the Child in 'The Mandalorian,' season two.
    The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and the Child in ‘The Mandalorian,’ season two. © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    The big announcement of the movie offered up no details on what the plot will be, but you have to figure it’ll continue the story of the characters’ journey from the show –– including Mando’s ongoing struggle with his cultural legacy and Grogu’s increasing Force powers.

    Plus there are plenty of dangling plot threads just waiting to be expanded or tied up in a big screen outing.

    We don’t yet know who else is behind the movie, but surely Dave Filoni –– Favreau’s creative partner in all things ‘Star Wars’ –– has had a hand in the script.

    Related Article: TV Review: ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 3

    What has been said about the new movie?

    Jon Favreau
    Jon Favreau attends the panel for “The Mandalorian” series at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California on May 28, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney).

    Here’s Favreau’s statement on the new movie:

    “I have loved telling stories set in the rich world that George Lucas created. The prospect of bringing the Mandalorian and his apprentice Grogu to the big screen is extremely exciting.”

    And this is what Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said:

    “Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have ushered into ‘Star Wars’ two new and beloved characters, and this new story is a perfect fit for the big screen.”

    What else is in development for big screen ‘Star Wars’?

    Dave Filoni, Daisy Ridley and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
    (L to R) Dave Filoni, Daisy Ridley and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.

    While it appears the Mando movie is flying into first position, we do know that Dave Filoni is still putting the pieces together for his own film, while one that continues the story of Rey (Daisy Ridley) is on the way from director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and writer Steven Knight, due in 2027.

    And then there’s James Mangold’s film, which explores the origins of the Jedi and early force users and is awaiting a release date.

    We’d guess that while Filoni (who was recently promoted to Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm) is still going full speed ahead on his movie, he’s also been busy figuring out a second season of ‘Ahsoka’, which may well lead to his big screen outing.

    When will ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ be in theaters?

    Lucasfilm has yet to confirm a release date, but a 2024 shoot points to a potential return for ‘Star Wars’ Christmas premieres in 2025.

    'The Mandalorian' season 3 starring Pedro Pascal premieres March 1st on Disney+.
    ‘The Mandalorian’ season 3 starring Pedro Pascal premieres March 1st on Disney+.

    Other ‘Star Wars’ Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy ‘Star Wars’ Movies On Amazon

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  • TV Review: ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’

    Morgan Elsbeth in a scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    Morgan Elsbeth in a scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

    Landing on Disney+ on –– when else? –– May the 4th, new animated limited series ‘Tales of the Empire’ aims to do for two notable Dark Side personalities what ‘Tales of the Jedi’ did for the likes of Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku: fill in some of their backstory.

    Yet unlike that 2022 effort, which had some connective tissues but was more of an anthology offering, this focuses on Morgan Elsbeth (as seen in the live-action ‘Ahsoka’) and ‘Attack of the Clones’/‘The Clone Wars’ Barriss Offee.

    Related Article: Thrawn, Vader and More Appear in the ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’ Trailer

    Does ‘Tales of the Empire’ do the characters justice?

    General Grievous in a scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    General Grievous in a scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

    Also overseen by Dave Filoni, whose work on the animated and now the sprawling live-action ‘Star Wars TV universe has seen him promoted to Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm, ‘Tales of the Empire’ proves to be more of a frustrating offering than its ‘Jedi’ equivalent.

    Partly that’s because of the far narrower focus of the new, six-episode show, which suffers from some spotty pacing and the feeling that a thin story is being stretched across the time, even given relatively short runtimes (episodes typically run between 11 and 15 minutes each). At the same time, some episodes come across as lightweight and less than satisfying, dedicated to one incident, yet some of their time taken up with indulgently long establishing shots.

    And if you’re excited to learn that Darth Vader shows up in the series, don’t expect much from the wheeze-breathing Big Bad, who appears so briefly, he might as well have been riding by on a bicycle.

    ‘Tales of the Empire’: Script and Direction

    Grand Inquisitor and Barriss Offee in a scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    (L to R) Grand Inquisitor and Barriss Offee in a scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

    With Filoni in full charge of this one –– he’s the main executive producer/writer and director, with Athena Yvette Portillo and Carrie Beck as his fellow executive producers and Josh Rimes as co-Executive Producer –– in certainly bears his hallmarks.

    The dialogue and animation style will be familiar to anyone who has watched the small screen work he created prior to ‘The Mandalorian’, including ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ and ‘Star Wars Rebels.’

    Here, seizing the opportunity to fill in more exposition about how the two featured characters came to be part of the wider ‘Star Wars’ galaxy, he’s both in full flow and slightly hamstringing himself with the limited series format. The storylines both feel padded and yet certain episodes also feel wanting, their particular chunk of each woman’s story not enough to justify the screen time.

    Still, the result is a stylish, quality affair that offers more from the likes of Grand Admiral Thrawn and the sneering Grand Inquisitor. It also boasts some impressive lightsaber clashes and one or two effective battles, pushing the scope towards set pieces that might be a challenge even for the sophisticated current live-action series.

    ‘Tales of the Empire’: Performances

    Morgan Elsbeth in a scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    Morgan Elsbeth in a scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

    At the heart of the series are the vocals from Diana Lee Inosanto (who of course had the chance to bring Elsbeth to life in live-action form on ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘Ahsoka’) and Meredith Salenger, who voiced Offee in ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’, and they are both, as you might expect, excellent, infusing Filoni’s more basic scripts with all the emotion and steel you might hope for.

    It feels as though Inosanto gets more to do, Elsbeth’s storyline playing out more thoroughly from the ruination of her home world to her time as the Magistrate on Calodan. You can feel her anger seething from the screen, but Inosanto never makes her into a stock villain.

    Salinger does well as Offee, the Jedi who ended up turning against her order and ends up becoming an Inquisitor (even if she’s not fully committed to their ruthless methods).

    Around them, there are some entertaining performances, particularly Jason Isaacs going full upper crust baddie as the Grand Inquisitor, Lars Mikkelsen once more coldly logical as Thrawn and Matthew Wood wheezing his way through the earliest chunk of Elsbeth’s story as the multi-armed menace General Grievous. Most of the supporting cast, however, are just that, popping up for a scene or two and leaving you honestly wanting more. Who is up for a two-episode special following the Inquisitor home to his chambers, where he complains to his wife and kids about what a bad boss Vader is?

    ‘Tales of the Empire’: Final Thoughts

    A scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    A scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘Tales of the Jedi’ was definitely a more satisfying look at ‘Star Wars’ lore than ‘Tales of the Empire’ proves to be. To be brutally honest, both stories might have worked better given room to breathe as separate limited series, though we can understand that Filoni might be a little bit busy to handle everything.

    At this point, while both characters are worth exploring, there remains the slight whiff of a bridge too far in terms of backstories, and surely the five-episode story of how Salacious Crumb got his gig at Jabba’s palace can’t be too far behind.

    Yet if you’re looking for more ‘Star Wars’ content on the biggest day of the year for the franchise, this is certainly worth your time ahead of the likes of ‘Caravan of Courage’.

    ‘Tales of the Empire’: receives 6 out of 10 stars.

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    What’s the story of ‘Tales of the Empire’?

    ‘Tales of the Empire’ is a six-episode journey into the fearsome Galactic Empire through the eyes of two warriors on divergent paths, set during different eras.

    After losing everything, young Morgan Elsbeth navigates the expanding Imperial world toward a path of vengeance, while former Jedi Barriss Offee does what she must to survive a rapidly changing galaxy.

    The choices they make will define their destinies.

    Who lends their voices to ‘Tales of the Empire’?

    ‘Tales of the Empire’s voice cast also includes Diana Lee Inosanto, Meredith Salinger, Lars Mikkelsen, Jason Isaacs, Matthew Wood, Rya Kihlstedt and Wing T. Chao.

    'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

    Other ‘Star Wars’ Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy ‘Star Wars’ Movies On Amazon

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  • Trailer for ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’ Anthology Series

    Preview:

    • The trailer for Disney+ series ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’ has landed.
    • Morgan Elsbeth and former Jedi Barriss Offee are the focus.
    • ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’ will be with us on May 4th.

    Back in 2022, we followed the earlier adventures of Ahsoka Tano and other warriors for the forces (or The Force) of good in the ‘Star Wars’ universe via ‘Tales of the Jedi’, created by recently minted Lucasfilm creative overlord Dave Filoni.

    He’s back with a follow-up, and this time, he’s digging into darker corners of that galaxy far, far away. Because the next animated anthology series to happen along on Disney+ is ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’.

    Related Article: How to Watch the ‘Star Wars’ Movies in Chronological Order!

    What’s the Story of ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’?

    Morgan Elsbeth in a scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    Morgan Elsbeth in a scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

    As you might predict from the title, we’re now following the stories of some of the baddies within the universe George Lucas created a long time ago.

    ‘Tales of the Empire’ is described as is a six-episode journey into the fearsome Galactic Empire through the eyes of two warriors on divergent paths, set during different eras.

    After losing everything, young Morgan Elsbeth navigates the expanding Imperial world toward a path of vengeance, while former Jedi Barriss Offee does what she must to survive a rapidly changing galaxy. The choices they make will define their destinies.

    While those two are the focus, we can expect to see interactions with notable baddies including blue-hued Grand Admiral Thrawn, wheezy robo-menace General Grievous, and some masked guy who is apparently A Big Deal within the Empire… We want to say, Dave, is it? Dave Vader? Anyway, we’re sure it’ll come to us.

    From the looks of it, the new series will be filling in some background for Elsbeth in particular, who cropped up in ‘Ahsoka’.

    Who is Voicing the Characters of ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’?

    General Grievous in a scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    General Grievous in a scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

    The cast for the new anthology includes Diana Lee Inosanto (who has played Morgan Elsbeth in live-action form for both ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘Ahsoka’), Meredith Salenger (Barriss Offee), Rya Kihlstedt (Lyn aka Fourth Sister), Wing T. Chao (Wing), Lars Mikkelsen (Thrawn), Jason Isaacs (Grand Inquisitor) and Matthew Wood (General Grievous).

    Who is Making ‘Star Wars” Tales of the Empire’?

    Barriss Offee (center) and Clone guards in a scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    Barriss Offee (center) and Clone guards in a scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

    Alongside Filoni (who created, wrote and is supervising director here), the creative team includes producers Athena Yvette Portillo and Carrie Beck, plus co-executive producers Josh Rimes and Alex Spotswood.

    When will ‘Star Wars” Tales of the Empire’ be on Disney+?

    Grand Inquisitor and Barriss Offee in a scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    (L to R) Grand Inquisitor and Barriss Offee in a scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’ has been scheduled for the most suitable galactic date imaginable… May the 4th. Not really, surprising, is it? All six episodes will arrive at once.

    Morgan Elsbeth in a scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    Morgan Elsbeth in a scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
    Barriss Offee in a scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    Barriss Offee in a scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
    A scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    A scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
    A scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    A scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
    A scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    A scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
    Fourth Sister (center) and clone troopers in a scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    Fourth Sister (center) and clone troopers in a scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
    Thrawn and Morgan Elsbeth in a scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    (L to R) Thrawn and Morgan Elsbeth in a scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
    (L-R): Morgan Elsbeth and Thrawn in a scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    (L-R): Morgan Elsbeth and Thrawn in a scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
    A scene from 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    A scene from ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
    'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire', exclusively on Disney+.
    ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’, exclusively on Disney+. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

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  • Patty Jenkins Offers ‘Star Wars: Rogue Squadron’ Update

    A scene from in 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.'
    A scene from in ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.’ Photo: Lucasfilm.

    Preview:

    • Patty Jenkins has offered an update on the status of ‘Star Wars: Rogue Squadron’.
    • The ‘Wonder Woman’ director says that her movie is back in development.
    • ‘Rogue Squadron’ was announced in 2020 but has been in limbo ever since.

    One of the more exciting ‘Star Wars’ related projects announced a long time ago has seemed to be far, far away in terms of development and release date. ‘Rogue Squadron’ was touted as the next big, non-‘Wonder Woman’ movie from director Patty Jenkins, who at the time was riding high on the success of the Gal Gadot-starring superhero film and had the eagerly-anticipated follow-up, ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ on the way.

    What a difference four years makes. Since then, we’ve seen ‘1984’ land to mixed critical response and with its box office hit by the pandemic and the simultaneous release on what was then called HBO Max. ‘Rogue Squadron’ has been seemingly stuck in development limbo with re-writes, and Disney unceremoniously yanked the movie from its release schedule in 2022. Add to that the fact that diminishing returns from the big screen ‘Star Wars’ movies led to the company switching focus to the more successful TV.

    Meanwhile, part of the ‘Rogue Squadron’ delay was Jenkins pivoting to a third ‘Wonder Woman’ movie with Gadot expressing excitement to return, a desire that has since been scuppered by a change in regime at DC Studios, the Warner Bros. comic book arm handed to James Gunn and Peter Safran to oversee.

    But it appears there is some potentially promising news on the ‘Star Wars’ front…

    What has Patty Jenkins said about ‘Star Wars: Rogue Squadron’?

    'Wonder Woman' director Patty Jenkins at Comic Con International in San Diego, California.
    ‘Wonder Woman’ director Patty Jenkins at Comic Con International in San Diego, California.

    Speaking on the Talking Pictures podcast, Jenkins had this to say about the movie:

    “When I left ‘Star Wars’ to do ‘Wonder Woman 3’, and I started working on that, we talked about, ‘Well, maybe I’ll come back to ‘Star Wars’ after ‘Wonder Woman 3’,’ so we started a deal for that to happen. When ‘Wonder Woman 3’ then went away, Lucasfilm and I were like ‘Oh, we’ve got to finish this deal.’ We finished the deal right as the strike was beginning, so I now owe a draft of ‘Star Wars’.”

    She also commented on the potential for the new movie, given that the development schedule for ‘Star Wars’ movies has begun to ramp up again:

    “They have a hard job in front of them of, ‘What’s the first movie they’re going to do? They have other directors who have been working, but I am now back on doing ‘Rogue Squadron’. We’ll see what happens. We need to get it to where we’re both super happy with it.”

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    What’s happening with the other ‘Star Wars’ movies?

    Dave Filoni, Daisy Ridley and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
    (L to R) Dave Filoni, Daisy Ridley and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.

    The leader in terms of forward movement right now is ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’, which Jon Favreau is gearing up to direct based on the sprawling TV universe he’s created alongside Dave Filoni.

    Then there is a new story for Daisy Ridley’s sequel trilogy character Rey –– rumored to be titled ‘New Jedi Order’ –– directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, which is inching towards pre-production.

    Others in the works (but not as near to shooting) include a ‘Dawn of the Jedi’ film from James Mangold, and still-to-be-revealed movies being written/directed by ‘Knives Out’s Rian Johnson and ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’s Taika Waititi.

    Related Article: Jon Favreau to Shoot ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ Movie This Year

    When will ‘Rogue Squadron’ be in theaters?

    Before you go setting your S-foils to ticket buying position, cool your thrusters: the movie is still at the development stage. The next likely release from the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy is ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’, which looks to be targeting a 2026 slot alongside ‘New Jedi Order’.

    'The Mandalorian' Season 4 Concept Art courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.
    ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 4 Concept Art courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

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  • ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ Movie in the Works

    'The Mandalorian' Season 4 Concept Art courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.
    ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 4 Concept Art courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    Preview:

    • ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ is official at Disney and Lucasfilm.
    • Jon Favreau is in the director’s chair.
    • The movie has yet to announce a release date.

    For the past few years, ‘Star Wars’ has lived on the small screen much more than cinemas thanks to the success of ‘The Mandalorian’. But while there has been talk of a film set in the same universe from Dave Filoni, Disney and Lucasfilm have now announced that its Jon Favreau who is heading up the shows’ transition from TV to theater.

    ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ is the first movie announced as actually entering production.

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    What’s the story of ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’?

    The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and the Child in 'The Mandalorian,' season two.
    The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and the Child in ‘The Mandalorian,’ season two. © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    The big announcement of the movie offered up no details on what the plot will be, but you have to figure it’ll continue the story of the characters’ journey from the show –– including Mando’s ongoing struggle with his cultural legacy and Grogu’s increasing Force powers.

    Plus there are plenty of dangling plot threads just waiting to be expanded or tied up in a big screen outing.

    We don’t yet know who else is behind the movie, but surely Filoni –– Favreau’s creative partner in all things ‘Star Wars’ –– has had a hand in the script.

    What has been said about the new movie?

    Jon Favreau
    Jon Favreau attends the panel for “The Mandalorian” series at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California on May 28, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney).

    Here’s Favreau’s statement on the new movie:

    “I have loved telling stories set in the rich world that George Lucas created. The prospect of bringing the Mandalorian and his apprentice Grogu to the big screen is extremely exciting.”

    And this is what Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said:

    “Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have ushered into ‘Star Wars’ two new and beloved characters, and this new story is a perfect fit for the big screen.”

    Related Article: TV Review: ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 3

    What else is in development for big screen ‘Star Wars’?

    Dave Filoni, Daisy Ridley and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
    (L to R) Dave Filoni, Daisy Ridley and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.

    While it appears the Mando movie is flying into first position, we do know that Dave Filoni is still putting the pieces together for his own film, while one that continues the story of Rey (Daisy Ridley) is on the way from director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and writer Steven Knight, due in 2027.

    And then there’s James Mangold’s film, which explores the origins of the Jedi and early force users and is awaiting a release date.

    We’d guess that while Filoni (who was recently promoted to Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm) is still going full speed ahead on his movie, he’s also been busy figuring out a second season of ‘Ahsoka’, which may well lead to his big screen outing.

    When will ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ be in theaters?

    Lucasfilm has yet to confirm a release date, but a 2024 shoot points to a potential return for ‘Star Wars’ Christmas premieres in 2025.

    The cast and crew of 'The Mandalorian' season 3 at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
    The cast and crew of ‘The Mandalorian’ season 3 at Star Wars Celebration 2023.

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  • ‘Ahsoka’: The Ending Explained

    Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) and Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi) in Lucasfilm's'Star Wars: Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.
    (L to R) Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) and Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi) in Lucasfilm’s’Star Wars: Ahsoka,’ exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    Quite a finale for ‘Ahsoka’, the latest ‘Star Wars’ spin-off series, eh? The show, which wrapped its first (and so far only; there has been no announcement of a second yet) season on Tuesday has already generated plenty of debate between those who found the ending a fun wrap up to the story (albeit with a tantalizing cliffhanger) and others who feel it left much to be desired.

    But what if you were left mostly confused about certain elements –– what, for example, is Grand Admiral Thrawn’s (Lars Mikkelsen) plan now he has reached the planet Dathomir? What is that giant statue that Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) was standing on at the end? Where does Ahsoka go from here?

    You have questions. We have… well, perhaps not answers, but certainly some compelling theories. Take a read!

    What is Thrawn’s plan at the end of ‘Ahsoka’ Season 1?

    Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) in Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.
    Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka,’ exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    Grand Admiral Thrawn managed to complete his plan and escape the planet Peridea with his Star Destroyer, his legions of Night Troopers, the Great Mothers of the witchy Nightsisters and… a whole lot of something in his cargo hold.

    Exactly what is in those cargo containers remains to be seen, but unless Thrawn is particularly fond of Blue Milk or really needed lots of power converters to sell at Toshi Station, our best guess at this point is that it contains Nightsisters, either dead or in suspended animation.

    After all, he’s back in the regular ‘Star Wars’ galaxy, (at the sisters’ home planet of Dathomir, no less) and if he hopes to crush the New Republic, he’s going to need troops and/or weapons. What better than powerful witches to help his crusade? Even if he’s ultimately doomed to fail.

    What is Baylan Skoll up to in ‘Ahsoka’?

    Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) and Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) with Peridea bandits and howlers in Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.
    (L to R) Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) and Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) with Peridea bandits and howlers in Lucasfilm’s ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka,’ exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    Through the later episodes of the show, it became clear that former Jedi, now mercenary Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson, often one of the best things in the series) had his own plans once transported to the planet Peridea. He essentially ditched his apprentice, Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) and went off to find a giant statue.

    It’s one of three statues that depict the Ones, a family of Force gods who dwell on the planet Mortis. As seen in a pivotal story arc on ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’, these characters serve as living embodiments of the Force itself.

    The Son (Sam Witwer) is the Dark Side. The Daughter (Adrienne Wilkinson) is the Light Side. The Father (Lloyd Sherr) represents the balance between the two.

    Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Ahsoka Tano (Ariana Greenblatt) in Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.
    (L to R) Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Ahsoka Tano (Ariana Greenblatt) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka,’ exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    Ahsoka, Anakin and Obi-Wan encountered these three beings when they traveled to Mortis, and Anakin was given a brief glimpse of the monster he later became.

    And if you’re wondering, Skoll is standing on the statue of The Father. It’s all, apparently in aid of his idea to end the constant conflict between the Jedi and the Sith (though knowing what happens in the sequel trilogy, it doesn’t appear he’s successful.)

    The most heartbreaking aspect of the Skoll story, of course, is the fact that Stevenson won’t be the one to continue it. The Northern Irish actor died in May, so assuming Dave Filoni and co. had a future plan in mind for Baylan other than looking like he’s exploring Middle-earth, the role will need to be re-cast.

    What next for Shin Hati on ‘Ahsoka’?

    Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) in Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.
    Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka,’ exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    Shin, meanwhile, who was also left on Peridea, appears to have ambitions as a warlord, gathering support from others on the planet. It seems assured that she and Sabine will meet –– and clash –– again.

    Related Article: TV Review: ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka’ 

    Where does the story of ‘Ahsoka’ go from here?

    Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) in Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.
    (L to R) Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka,’ exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson), Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) and Jedi training droid Huyang (voiced by David Tennant) are left stranded on Peridea at the end of Season 1. So, what happens next?

    Right now, that question can only be answered by show boss Dave Filoni and whoever he has discussed it with.

    But there are several possibilities –– we could well see a second season of ‘Ahsoka’, which has been a buzzy success for Disney+ ordered before too long.

    Ahsoka’s story could be picked up in ‘The Mandalorian’, though that series is already carrying several plotlines of its own.

    Filoni and Jon Favreau might be building to some connected big series that weaves the various shows’ plot strands together (after all, who doesn’t want to see Ahsoka Tano hanging out with Grogu again?)

    Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi) and Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) in Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.
    (L to R) Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi) and Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka,’ exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    And then there’s the movie that Filoni is developing, as originally confirmed at Star Wars Celebration this past April. Leaving Ahsoka, Sabine and Huyang stranded on Peridea opens up potential new storylines (albeit risky to have a movie kick off with characters that many fans may not be familiar with.

    He may opt to have Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi) freshly reunited with his other old ‘Star Wars Rebels’ comrade Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) force Thrawn back to Peridea where we could catch up with Ahsoka and co.

    Because, cute as they are, a season of our heroes hanging around with the crab-meet-Ewok-like Noti doesn’t exactly hold the same appeal as a big space adventure full of thrilling battles, daring do and giant space whales (depending, of course, on how many of the poor Purrgil creatures are left after their unfortunate run-in with an Imperial mine field.)

    Right now, we’re in a holding pattern until Disney and Lucasfilm choose to confirm the future plans for these characters on screens big or small. We were surprised no announcements were made about a new season or anything else but given the sheer number of projects either rumored or announced that have not come to pass, we’re not entirely shocked.

    And that’s without the delays likely from the strikes. As Yoda might put it, “clouded this story’s future is…” But hopefully not for too long.

    Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) in Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.
    Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka,’ exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

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  • ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka’ Trailer Promises, Rebels, Revelations and Thrawn

    The big screen adventures set in ‘Star Wars’ galaxy far, far away are finally starting to gear back up, but the TV equivalent keeps on expanding in interesting directions.

    Spinning off from ‘The Mandalorian’ (and to an even greater degree, the animated ‘Star Wars Rebels’ series), ‘Ahsoka’ promises to be a thrilling adventure series that hews closer to the fun we’ve come to expect from Mando and co, compared to the listless yarn that was ‘The Book of Boba Fett’.

    As played in live-action form by Rosario Dawson, the character made an impact on ‘Mandalorian’ and ‘Boba Fett’ and here gets her proper spotlight.

    What’s the story of ‘Ahsoka’?

    Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano in Lucasfilm's 'Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.
    Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano in Lucasfilm’s ‘Ahsoka,’ exclusively on Disney+. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘Ahsoka’ continues the characters story from both ‘Rebels’ and her live-action adventures. The Jedi warrior, who has effectively turned her back on the order (though still performing heroic deeds).

    She’s on the hunt to find both Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi) a jedi in training who disappears at the end of the ‘Rebels’ series. And then there’s Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen, who also voiced the character on ‘Rebels’), who is making his own plans to become heir to the Empire and bring the baddies roaring back.

    He’s aided by some dark associates including Baylan Skoll (the late Ray Stevenson) and Ivanna Sakhno’s Shin Hati.

    Ahsoka reaches out to some old ‘Rebels’ accomplices, including heroic pilot Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) the latter of whom, it’s revealed here, was training to be a Jedi under Ahsoka –– before Tano walked away.

    And we can expect to see Hayden Christensen show up, most likely in flashback, as Anakin Skywalker, who helped to train Ahsoka in the ways of the Jedi before… well, you know.

    Related Article: Disney+ Announces August 23rd Premiere Date for ‘Star Wars’ Series ‘Ahsoka’

    Ahsoka’s path

    Rosario Dawson is Ahsoka Tano in Lucasfilm's 'Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.
    Rosario Dawson is Ahsoka Tano in Lucasfilm’s ‘Ahsoka,’ exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    According to executive producer Dave Filoni, Ahsoka is still very much seeking her place in the galaxy.

    Here’s what Filoni told Empire about the character in the show:

    “She’s a wanderer at this point and is in a lot of ways wary of any organization as such because of the power that comes with it as a group. She walks a path that basically died out a long time ago. And there aren’t many like her left, if any. So that’s a lonely thing. What is that life like? If you are a loner, you have a very small circle of friends. What is it like, then, when you try to open back up?”

    And he’s also clear about people embrace this character as she makes her full leap to the live-action world.

    Filoni adds:

    “The biggest challenge was, there’s a whole bunch of audience that know her, and a whole bunch that don’t. But there’s plenty of potential in that. She has one foot in the ‘Star Wars’ that a lot of people know because of her connection to Anakin, and yet she’s all new and can go in her own direction, in her own way. I think that makes her an interesting bridge between what came before and what’s really possible.”

    ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka’ will launch on Disney+ with its first two episodes on August 23rd.

    Scene from Lucasfilm's 'Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.
    Scene from Lucasfilm’s ‘Ahsoka,’ exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

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  • Disney Shuffling Release Dates for Marvel Movies and More

    The ongoing writers’ strike (and potential action from other guilds such as the actors’ union) is having a major impact on studio output. And Disney is not immune to changes in schedule. The company has announced that it is moving the release dates for a lot of its big upcoming movies, and that means we’ll all have to be patient when it comes to the likes of Marvel, James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ and the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy.

    MCU shifts

    Falcon/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Marvel Studios' 'The Falson and the Winter Soldier' exclusively on Disney+.
    Falcon/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Marvel Studios’ ‘The Falson and the Winter Soldier’ exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

    Marvel, of course, has been delaying some of its films’ production and that is having a domino effect for the highly connected cinematic universe, which relies on films to set up the next entries. Lest the tapestry all unravel, that means moving some movies back.

    ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ is moving to August 26th next year, which pushes ‘Thunderbolts’ to December 20th, 2024, ‘Blade’ to February 14th, 2025, and the still in-development ‘Fantastic Four’ to May 2nd, 2025.

    And because there is only so much space on the calendar (and Disney seemingly already takes up a third of it), that means the next giant, phase-ending team-up movies are also on the move. ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty’ will be bumped back a year, to May 1st, 2026, inheriting the release date for follow-up ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’, which itself is headed to May 7th, 2027.

    It’s not all delays for the MCU, though; ‘Deadpool 3’, which is in production, will move up from its original November 8th, 2024, date to May 3rd of that year.

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    More ‘Avatar’ delays

    'Avatar: The Way of Water' will be available exclusively to purchase on Digital March 28th.
    ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ will be available exclusively to purchase on Digital March 28th.

    Though James Cameron’s movies would seemingly not be impacted by a writers’ strike since their scripts are essentially finished, the series can’t avoid the release date shuffle.

    That means ‘Avatar’ fans, already well used to the waiting game, will see their patience tested further, since ‘Avatar 3’ has moved to December 19th, 2025, ‘Avatar 4’ to December 21st, 2029, and ‘Avatar 5’ all the way to December 19th, 2031! which means the apparent final movie will land 22 years after the original 2009 film.

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    New ‘Star Wars’ movie dates

    Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Daisy Ridley at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
    (L to R) Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Daisy Ridley at Star Wars Celebration 2023.

    Related Article: ‘Star Wars’ Movie News and a New ‘Indiana Jones’ Trailer Revealed at Star Wars Celebration

    If you were starting to wonder when we might ever see a new ‘Star Wars’ movie, then there’s good news.

    2026 will see two movies set in that galaxy far, far away from Lucasfilm, one on May 22nd, 2026 (not the fourth?) and another set for the more traditional recent slot of December 18th that year.

    A third film is reportedly headed our way on December 17th, 2027. Disney has yet to clarify any details of which of its in-development movies are taking those berths, but we can assume one is the Rey follow-up starring Daisy Ridley which has Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy in the director’s chair and was confirmed at Star Wars Celebration. On the basis of that, we can also predict that Dave Filoni’s film and possibly James Mangold‘s movie might be in the other two slots.

    obcW6PjkRaHz7xGx7NFXW1

    Live-Action ‘Moana’ and more

    Dwayne Johnson announces live-action 'Moana.'
    Dwayne Johnson announces live-action ‘Moana.’ Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.

    There are also dates on the calendar now for films that didn’t have them previously –– the live-action ‘Moana’ is set to surface on June 27th, 2025, while Fede Álvarez’ movie set in the ‘Alien’ universe is arriving on August 16th next year. Espionage thriller ‘The Amateur’, starring Rami Malek, is set for November next year.

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    Frustration ahead for film fans, then, but hopefully the movies will be worth the wait.

    Star Wars Celebration 2023.
    Star Wars Celebration 2023.

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