With Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni overseeing the ‘Mandalorian’ expanded small screen universe, the company has naturally used the success of that first show to build out others, some created by the main duo, some by different creative teams.
There were new details and looks at a variety of shows, so here’s what was talked about…
In production before any of the other series spotlighted today, the series following the further adventures of the Togruta from the planet Shili, a Padawan turned Jedi known as Ahsoka Tano had the most to show off, including a trailer that is now online.
Led by Filoni behind the scenes, the series follows the former Jedi knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy –– specifically Grand Admiral Thrawn, a villain created by Timothy Zahn for his novel series. He’s already in screen canon thanks to appearances on Filoni’s animated series ‘Star Wars Rebels’ and will now be live-action, though his casting as yet to be announced.
Also making the leap from ‘Rebels’ (since Ashoka also appeared on that show) are Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and cranky droid Chopper, with the promise of others. It’s worth noting that another Rebels regular, Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios showed up in one scene of last week’s ‘The Mandalorian’.
“It was natural he would make the transition to live action,” Kathleen Kennedy said of Filoni on stage. “He has done a spectacular job.” Favreau concurred: “He cares deeply. He poured his heart and soul into it. Dave is unique in that he doesn’t ever squash your inspiration or idea but finds a way to fit it in, to keep it in the tradition that George Lucas started.” Dawson, for her part, said she had “so many pinch me moments” making the show. “Because if this does well, maybe we’ll get a second season. It’s up to y’all!” she told the 4,500-strong crowd.
The trailer is stacked with action, primarily Ahsoka showing off her trademark double lightsaber skills, plus plenty of starships dogfighting.
The pair have come up with a series set around the same time as ‘The Mandalorian’, which follows the journey of four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, then get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. Finding their way home — and meeting unlikely allies and enemies — will be a greater adventure than they ever imagined.
Jude Law stars alongside younger actors Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Kyriana Kratter and Robert Timothy Smith and Ryan Kiera Armstrong. There’s no word yet on when the show will land on Disney+.
‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ will be premiering on Disney+ in 2023.
‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’
‘The Acolyte’ promises to take viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era. A former Padawan reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes but discovers the forces they confront are more sinister than they ever anticipated.
Series creator Leslye Headland wowed the crowd with a sneak peek at the upcoming show. Headland arrived on stage, escorted by Kelnacca, and previewed footage from the mystery-thriller series alongside several of the stars.
With production underway now, the series won’t hit Disney+ until next year, but that still is likely to be ahead of the new run of another big series set in the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy…
Lucasfilm’s ‘The Acolyte.’
‘Star Wars: Andor’
There was also word from Team ‘Andor,’ with showrunner Tony Gilroy joined by stars Diego Luna, Adria Arjona, Kyle Soller, Denise Gough, Genevieve O’Reilly, Andy Serkis, Muhannad Bahair and Joplin Sibtain to talk about the successful first season and preview footage from the second and final run of 12 episodes, which have yet to schedule a release date on Disney+.
Oh, and for fans of the show that started it all, there was naturally a ‘Mandalorian’ treat, as the next episode of the series was shown on the big screen for fans.
There is a lot to look forward to on the TV front, and, unlike the big movie announcements, we can be reasonably assured they will all hit screens. Stay tuned for more from the event as it unfolds.
The cast of ‘Andor’ at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
(L to R) Jeff Anderson as Randal and Brian O’Halloran as Dante in ‘Clerks III.’ Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
Releasing in theaters this week, Kevin Smith’s return to his “View Askewniverse” (named for his View Askew production label) with ‘Clerks III’ finds the filmmaker in thoughtful, nostalgic mood.
Much as he did with his last visit to the world kicked off with ‘Clerks’ in 1994 – that would be 2019’s ‘Jay and Silent Bob Reboot’ – this is Smith taking stock of his output.
And even more directly than ‘Reboot’, ‘Clerks III’ serves as the director turning the clock back to where it all began, the Quick Stop convenience store at which he made the original ‘Clerks’ and a full return for the characters who populate it. His trademark mix of pop cultural references and sex jokes is present and correct, but this time he also leavens with a healthy mix of heart… in more ways than one.
‘Clerks III’ catches up with Dante Hicks (Brian O’Halloran) and Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson), the counter jockeys we first met way back when. Following a brief diversion to the fast food trade (in 2006’s ‘Clerks II’) They’re once more at the Quick Stop, still complaining about the customers, but this time co-owning and running the place.
(L to R) Justin Long, and Jeff Anderson as Randal in ‘Clerks III.’ Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
Our heroes are much as we remember them – Dante is still overworked and under satisfied, while Randal remains more confident but lazier. Yet in the middle of a one of his usual rants, Randal keels over, finding it hard to breathe. Turns out he’s in the middle of what is known as a “Widowmaker” heart attack (Smith here drawing from his own life and his own 2018 heart incident, which has led to a resurgence in his filmmaking career).
When he recovers, he’s grateful, at least as much as Randal can be, and decides that his legacy will be a movie made within the environs of the store, featuring customers as characters. Which means he’s essentially recreating ‘Clerks’. It’s an inspired plot turn and leads to some of the strongest humor of the movie.
It allows Smith to revisit his work through the lens (literally) of the filmmaker he has become in the 28 years since he maxed out his credit cards and shot that little black & white movie that would play at the Sundance Film Festival and launch his career.
Though he’s obviously learned a lot through the film and TV he’s made since then, Smith keeps the aesthetic of the original (with monochrome for the movie-within-the-movie). And while detractors point to his lack of visual polish, the stark style works for a return to the convenience store.
(L to R) Jason Mewes as Jay and Kevin Smith as Silent Bob in ‘Clerks III.’ Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
Also still hanging around are Smith stalwarts Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (the director himself, as always), the local drug dealers who have upgraded from slinging weed outside the next door video store to taking it over for a legal dispensary now video retailers have all but gone the way of the dinosaur.
Though Jay and Bob here are a largely one-joke concept (Jay’s a filthy motormouth, Bob only talks when he has a good point to make), Smith has made strides in expanding their characters, and it really wouldn’t be ‘Clerks’ without them.
Yet while it’s enjoyable to catch up with most of the characters, Trevor Fehrman’s Elias from ‘Clerks II’ is unnecessarily squeezed back in with the original gang. It’s no fault of Ferhman, who is committed to the role, but he’s burdened with a ludicrous subplot about rejecting his fervent Christianity after Randal’s heart attack and become an even more devout Satanist. It’s a step removed from the rest of the film and is uncomfortably unfunny.
Likewise some others who crop up, albeit briefly, during Randal’s hospital stay and are surprisingly less effective even though they’re played by reliable performers including Amy Sedaris and Justin Long.
(L to R) Brian O’Halloran as Dante and Rosario Dawson as Becky in ‘Clerks III.’ Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
The movie is at its strongest when it stays within the store environs, focusing on Dante, Randall and the others, touching on plot points from both ‘Clerks’ and ‘Clerks II’, the latter featuring a heartbreaking update on one of the best parts of that first sequel. It will certainly turn some off the movie, but it works as an emotional throughline and offers O’Halloran more layers to play than simple exasperation.
Those who haven’t watched most of Smith’s work or heard one of his lengthy Q&As will be baffled by all of this, unmoved by the collection of cameos and call-backs, but if we’re truly honest, starting your dive into the Kevin Smith oeuvre with a movie called ‘Clerks III’ is a losing proposition to begin with.
Diehard fans, though, will likely be thrilled, lapping up the references to the Salsa Shark scene (a recreation of which sparks possibly the best, angriest monologue Smith has ever written, and delivered with show-stopping force by O’Halloran), roof hockey, characters we haven’t seen since the original film and funny digs at the director’s own style.
And while a scene featuring “local actors” auditioning for roles in the film begins to stretch the boundaries of self-indulgent (the likes of Ben Affleck, Ethan Suplee, Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood are among those showing up), it’s a minor part of the movie and offers enough chuckles to justify its existence.
And more than even ‘Clerks II’, the third movie can be described as hurdling over the bar of worthwhile filmmaking, Smith’s brush with death giving this a depth that a planned previous attempt would likely have lacked. Plus, the writer/director can still spin a yarn and find funny turns of phrase. ‘Clerks III’ is a welcome return to a world that many first visited in their teens and early adulthood, and while its appeal will primarily be to those whose walls were graced by ‘Clerks’ posters, it’s not simply retreading old ground but reframing it.
‘Clerks III’ receives 3.5 out of 5 stars.
(L to R) Jeff Anderson as Randal and Brian O’Halloran as Dante in ‘Clerks III.’ Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
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Lionsgate in partnership with Fathom Events will release director Kevin Smith’s ‘Clerks III’ exclusively in theaters from September 13th – September 18th.
The new movie is a direct sequel to ‘Clerks’ and ‘Clerks II,’ and is the ninth film in Smith’s ‘View Askewniverse’ franchise.
‘Clerks III’ focuses on Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson), who after having a heart attack decides to make a movie with Dante Hicks (Brian O’Halloran) about their lives at the Quick Stop convenience store.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Kevin Smith about his work on ‘Clerks III,’ making the sequel, revisiting the characters, the original’s cult status, his overall career, and how his heart attack changed his outlook on life.
‘Clerks III’ director and writer Kevin Smith.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Smith, Jason Mewes, Brian O’Halloran, and Jeff Anderson.
Moviefone: To begin with, what do you think ‘Clerks’ would look like if you first made it in 2022 rather than 1994?
Kevin Smith: It exists. You can watch it. There’s a guy on TikTok, I got to learn his name. He’s a comedian. He’s very funny. He’s got a mustache and he’s a younger kid, and he works at Ikea or did work at Ikea. So, his bit on TikTok is like, he’ll do an Ikea customer complaining and then he moves the camera dramatically on himself, the music kicks in and he bitches back at the person who’s complaining.
That would be the modern day ‘Clerks.’ You wouldn’t make 90 minutes of a movie. You would just have somebody be like, “This is what we deal with on my job,” and then move on. I don’t think you could do ‘Clerks’ today, or at least I can’t. Number one, you got to work in retail. You got to be in the trenches. I haven’t been in the trenches for a long time. Now I own the trench.
But that’s what I could bring to it. I could bring the movie to it. Somebody online was trying to tag me a couple months ago saying, “Oh, his last three movies have been about movies and making movies.” And I’m like, well, that makes sense. My first movie is about working at a convenience store because guess what? That’s what I did. Now I make movies. I’m not that creative. I just crib from my own life and change the names around. So, at the end of the day, whatever’s happening in my real-life winds up in the work.
MF: What would you say to someone who is watching ‘Clerks III,’ but hasn’t seen ‘Clerks’ or ‘Clerks II?’
KS: I’d be like, did you see that there’s a three in the title? Are you curious about the one and the two by any chance? At one-point Lionsgate said to me, “Do you want to do test screenings?” I was like, why? The movie’s got a three in the title. The only people who are coming are people who liked one or two. Their point was, no, I think the movie works. I was like, what do you mean? They were like, “I think it works without one at two.”
I was like, you’re out of your mind. They’re like, “No, you actually retell ‘Clerks’ and ‘Clerks II’ in ‘Clerks III.’” I was like, you know what? I can’t argue with that. So, I think there are people that can watch this movie and not be lost even though they didn’t see the other ones. But if they’re in a theater with other people, and other people are laughing at literally every reference, they might be like, “I think I’m missing something here.”
Director/Writer Kevin Smith on the set of the comedy, ‘Clerks III,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of John Bayer/Lionsgate.
MF: ‘Clerks’ has become a cult classic, at what point did you realize that you had created something special that was really resonating with audiences?
KS: I think when at Quick Stop, people started making the pilgrimage. So, you’d get people coming in from out of state, first. New Yorkers would come and take pictures in front of Quick Stop. Then you had people coming from outside of the East Coast, then you had people coming from outside of America, all to stop by this little convenience store and take pictures with Gatorade and stuff like that, and stand behind the counter. So, I realized at that point.
Early on, somebody described it as a cult movie and as a big movie fan, I was like, oh, that’s good because that doesn’t mean worldwide popularity, but it means a hardcore love by a certain amount of people that’ll keep you alive for a while. So, once we got 10 years in and people started floating the term cold classic, I was safe. It felt like no matter what happens for the rest of my career, I got one. I got a movie that they’re going to remember, good or bad, I made an Impact. Then years later, if you’re still in a career, you get to a place where you’re like, let’s make a movie about that movie.
MF: In the film, after having a heart attack Randall has a big epiphany that he wants to be a film director. Did you have a big epiphany after you had your heart attack?
KS: There was that aspect of it. Also, the fact that you’re painfully aware of living on borrowed time, so you’re like, well, act accordingly. So, that means I’m going to get to ‘Clerks III.’ It means make ‘Clerks III’ happen sooner rather than later. Because I’ve changed my life, I want vegan, and I lost weight. But my heart attack was more about my genetics than anything else. I can’t change that.
So, the heart attack could come back around. Best to be on a movie set when that happens. Not dreaming about, well one day I’ll do it, actually doing it. Because that’s been my whole career, my whole life. Nobody’s going to give you permission. Nobody’s going to give you help. Help is never coming. Do it yourself. So, that kicked back in a big bad way after the heart attack.
MF: Finally, does it feel like it’s been 28 years since you made the first ‘Clerks?’
KS: Yes, but not in a bad way. Not where I’m like, oh my God, what a life. But I know that we’ve been around. I know we’ve done a lot of stuff. I was waiting for this moment in the beginning. I was always fixated on the future because I wanted to get to a place where people considered me seriously because I’d been around for a while. They don’t treat you that seriously or consider you that seriously off the first movie. My second movie almost killed me. ‘Mallrats,’ oddly enough, a movie that people love now, but when it came out, it didn’t do that well.
So, I dreamed of being in a place in my career where people were like, “Oh, director Kevin Smith.” That people knew my name and that people knew what I did. So, I was always dreaming about getting here, having a decade, two decades, three decades in. What I never dreamed about was that we would continue the story. The first ‘Clerks,’ when we shot it ends with Dante getting killed. So, it’s clearly not a guy going like, “Wait till ‘Clerks II.’” That came kind of later on. So yeah, after the heart attack, it just became about ramping things up, and getting there faster.
(L to R) Jason Mewes as Jay and Kevin Smith as Silent Bob in ‘Clerks III.’ Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
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Walt Disney Studios kicked off the first day of D23 Expo 2022 in style today with tons of advance looks at what the House of Mouse has in store for fans in the coming days, months, and years. You can watch Moviefone‘s exclusive backstage interviews by clicking on the video player above.
The first D23 Expo in three years began with the president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, Sean Bailey, revealing the first-ever footage from ‘Hocus Pocus 2’.
Bailey was joined by the wacky Sanderson Sisters themselves – stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy – who appeared via video to show how their characters are back for the first time since 1993 for more soul-stealing Halloween action.
Battling them this time around are aspiring witch Becca (Whitney Peak) and magic shop owner Gilbert (Sam Richardson).
But the audience’s biggest applause went to the original film’s Billy Butcherson (‘The Shape of Water’s Doug Jones) upon his return from the grave. ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ hits Disney+ on September 30th. The trailer is in the video player above.
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Next up on the panel was another eagerly anticipated sequel, ‘Disenchanted’. Returning stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, Idina Menzel, and James Marsden took the stage, alongside Maya Rudolph, the film’s new villain. ‘Disenchanted’ finds Adams’ Giselle and hubby Dempsey moving to the suburbs with their infant and teenage children.
“I was a huge fan of the original,” said Rudolph. “I can’t believe I got to be part of this… It’s not easy being mean to Amy Adams.” The new teaser trailer for the sequel is in the video player above.
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As far as live-action remakes of Disney animated classics go, ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’ was the first on deck today: with star Jude Law (Captain Hook) flanked by newcomers Alexander Molony (Peter Pan), Ever Gabo Anderson (Wendy), and Alyssa Wapanatâhk (Tiger Lily).
Expect more empowered female characters this time around, including at least one Lost Girl among Peter’s Lost Boys.
“Disney has worked very hard to give her more depth and a lot more character,” said Anderson of Wendy. “She and Peter are equals in this film.”
Law added that Hook and Pan’s prior relationship is also fleshed out. “We got to mine their back story a little bit more. You get to understand their past,” he said, hinting that the two were once friends.
“I got to make sure all the little details, all the Easter eggs are there. Because I’m a nerd,” confessed Simien. He then joined another of the film’s stars – scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis – in a Doom Buggy rolling across the D23 Expo stage.
Few Disney films are so beloved as 1994’s ‘The Lion King’. And fans will get more of the film’s animal kingdom in the 2024 prequel ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’.
Director Barry Jenkins appeared to explain how “Mufasa is the origin story of one of the greatest kings of the Pride Land… It’s the real story of how Mufasa found his place in the circle of life. What you learn is that Mufasa is great because of the family and the friends he has with him.”
Of course Disney Studios wouldn’t exist without its very first animated classic, 1937’s ‘Snow White’.
Director Marc Webb is tackling the live-action 2024 remake, featuring Gal Gadot as the Wicked Queen and Rachel Zegler as its eponymous heroine. The two were touched by the warm response they received as they presented a first look at their characters.
“Just your reaction means the world to us,” said Gadot.
A visibly moved Zegler explained that, “Snow White is the girl you remember, but she’s definitely made for the modern age,” stating the film redefines what it means to be the fairest of them all.
Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot at Disney D23 Expo 2022 Getty Images
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While ‘Snow White’ is Disney’s first animated feature, 1989’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ is responsible for the studio’s renaissance. As well as its renewed dedication to musicals, as Rob Marshall, director of May 2023’s live-action adaptation, reminded fans today.
“It was very important for us to honor the original. We went to Alan Menken, who was divine to work with, and also our dear friend Lin-Manuel Miranda. They had never worked together before… There are four new songs. We still retain the beauty of the original score, written by the late great Howard Ashman as well.”
Fans were treated to the film’s entire “Part of Your World” number, featuring a note-perfect Halle Bailey, who appeared on stage with Marshall.
“Three days of filming ‘Part of Your World,’” said Bailey, “that was the most beautiful experience of my life. Just getting to sing a song I’ve loved since I was a child was so exciting.”
“The camera loves you,” Marshall told Bailey. “But it’s more than that. [It] loves what’s inside. [It] loves what you bring.”
The two then unveiled a teaser that recalled ‘Finding Nemo’ in the color and detail of its underwater world. You can find a teaser version of the clip in the video player at the top of the page.
It was then time for Pixar Animation Studios’ turn in the spotlight, with chief creative officer Pete Docter introducing next summer’s ‘Elemental’.
Director Peter Sohn spoke of how the film’s Element City was inspired by the culturally mixed New York of his childhood. Footage shown depicted the star-crossed romance of its fire-based heroine Ember (Leah Lewis) and her watery boyfriend Wade (Mamoudou Athie).
Pixar also unveiled its first original long-form series in the form of ‘Win or Lose’, each episode of which follows the perspective of a different character connected to a co-ed softball team, the Pickles.
With this year’s ‘Lightyear’, Pixar returned to the science fiction of ‘Wall-E’. Expect more in this vein soon, starting with ‘Elio’.
Announced today at D23 with star America Ferrera on stage, the film’s title character is an 11-year-old boy who doesn’t feel like he fits in his world. His mom (Ferrera) runs a top-secret military project, which inadvertently results in Elio making first contact with alien life and becoming our planet’s ambassador to the rest of the universe. It’s due out in spring 2024.
Last but by no means least on the Pixar slate – ‘Inside Out’ star Amy Poehler made a surprise appearance alongside Docter to announce ‘Inside Out 2’.
“Joy and the emotions are back for an all new adventure inside Riley’s head,” said a fittingly ebullient Poehler. “Only this time she’s a teenager!”
New emotions will also appear in the film, as Kelsey Mann takes over the directing chores from Docter, with Meg LeFauve returning to write the summer 2024 release.
To cap off the panel, Disney Animation’s chief creative officer (and Oscar-winning ‘Frozen’ director) Jennifer Lee greeted the D23 Expo audience to show what’s in store for the studio’s 100th anniversary next year.
But first, Disney’s fan-favorite 2016 ‘Zootopia’ will get a spin-off series this November on Disney+. And attendees got an advance look at the aptly titled ‘Zootopia+’, consisting of six short ‘Zootopia’-style spoofs of everything from ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ to ‘The Godfather Part II’.
Perhaps Disney’s most unique offering at the Expo was ‘Iwaju’. Coming this year to Disney+, it finds the animation studio partnering for the first time in its long history with an overseas animation studio – Africa’s Kugali. Its three founders appeared today, describing their Afrofuturism fable and its characters as a love letter to their hometown of Lagos, Nigeria.
More sci-fi arrived with a new look at ‘Strange World’, described by Lee as “a film about family, legacy, and what we leave behind for the generations that follow.” Director Don Hall explained how the film chronicles three generations coming together on an alien planet in order to save their world.
Stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, and Lucy Liu introduced a rip-snorting clip of an exciting chase through ‘Strange World’s creature-packed planet.
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The Disney Animation segment, and indeed entire panel, concluded with the revelation of the studio’s 100th anniversary feature film – ‘Wish’. The tale of the star upon which so many Disney characters have wished throughout the past century, ‘Wish’ is co-directed by the attending team of Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn.
Buck, who co-wrote the film with Lee, explained how ‘Wish’ explores a kingdom of wishes, in which wishes can literally come true. Offering a lush, animated watercolor style coupled with CG animation, it stars newly minted Oscar winner Ariana DeBose as 17-year-old Asha, who pleas to the heavens for help, and gets an actual star from the sky, named Star, who communicates through pantomime.
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Disney “good luck charm,” actor Alan Tudyk appeared with footage of his character, a goat named Valentino who wishes to communicate with people. Finally, DeBose saw fans off with a sizzling live performance of “More for Us,” one of the film’s songs by Grammy winner Julia Michaels.
Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle in Marvel’s ‘The Punisher.’
Given two recent examples, Marvel must be exploring some technology to stop actors saying much of anything about their movies and TV shows at all. Perhaps they could call it the Tom Holland Technique.
Still, spoilers about projects that actually exist is one thing, but the company has now had to face performers who have roles in past projects announcing future work that isn’t yet official.
Take Rosario Dawson, who played Claire Temple – a version of the Marvel character Night Nurse – on ‘Daredevil’ and various other ‘Defenders’ Marvel/Netflix series including ‘Jessica Jones’ and ‘Luke Cage’, took to the stage at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo this weekend.
And that excited Dawson, since ‘The Punisher’ was one of the few shows she never got the chance to appear on, and she loves Bernthal.
Sadly for her, and for fans of the characters, it appears she had some bad intel and was indulging in some wishful thinking. Dawson walked back her comments on Twitter this morning:
I can’t be trusted…! Getting intel from fans during signings is iffy apparently. My bad. I get excited. Confirmation is key when you’re told what you want to hear…
While we’re sure Team Marvel has at least discussed the return of Bernthal’s character, we doubt Kevin Feige and co. are all that happy with actors making announcements, especially given how secretive the studio tends to be about its new movies and shows.
Which brings us to Patton Oswalt, nerd favorite and regular genre actor, who made his MCU debut (after, of course co-writing, producing and voicing a MODOK animated series) as Pip the troll in a post-credit scene for ‘Eternals’ opposite Harry Styles as Eros/Starfox.
Appearing on ‘The Today Show’ last week, Oswalt told the hosts and audience the following: “They have announced there’s going to be an Eternals sequel. Chloé Zhao is going to direct it. So, hopefully there will be more adventures of Starfox and Pip” (See the full video via Today Show’s TikTok account.)
Of course, Marvel has made no such announcement as of yet – even in its big Comic-Con presentation, ‘Eternals’ did not feature. It’s not to say Feige and his team aren’t considering more ‘Eternals’ action but given the muted reaction to the movie and its box office results, it hasn’t seemed to be a big priority for the company.
We doubt Oswalt is in big trouble, though we’re sure someone from Marvel has at least said something to him.
Right now, on the TV front, the return of Cox’s Matt Murdock and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin is official, on a show called ‘Daredevil: Born Again’. And the previous shows are available properly on Disney+. As for the future of ‘The Punisher’? We’d be thrilled to see the return of Jon Bernthal as Castle, and only too happy if Rosario Dawson shows up to interact with him.
As for ‘Eternals’? Let’s wait and see, shall we?
(L to R) Don Lee, Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan, and Lia McHugh in Marvel Studios’ ‘Eternals.’
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It’s the story of a doctor (Dawson) and her 9-year-old son (Chase Dillon), looking to start a new life, who move into a strangely affordable mansion in New Orleans. They soon discover that the place is much more than they bargained for. Desperate for help, they contact a priest (Wilson), who, in turn, enlists the aid of a widowed scientist-turned failed-paranormal expert (Stanfield), a French Quarter psychic (Haddish) and a crotchety historian (DeVito).
Leto is reportedly playing the Hatbox ghost, who pops up occasionally during the ride, while One Take News has heard that Curtis is aboard as Madame Leota, the ghost of a psychic whose head is encased in her crystal ball. The character is an iconic element in the attraction, so it makes sense to have someone as respected as Curtis in the role.
Jamie Lee Curtis in 2018’s ‘Halloween.’
We don’t yet know whether either actor was on set for the movie itself, or whether they’ve simply been digitally scanned and will be providing their performances via a little post-production magic.
The original ‘Haunted Mansion’ attraction originally opened at Disneyland in California in 1969, a few years after it was initially dreamt up by Walt Disney as a walk-through attraction. It then evolved into a ride that takes guests through a supernaturally charged mansion in Louisiana.
Later versions at other parks have altered the theme and location, with both Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland’s editions featuring more show scenes, a longer ride time, and a Gothic aesthetic, while Disneyland Paris’ version, known as ‘Phantom Manor,’ is themed to a decimated house on the American frontier.
That adaptation didn’t exactly win over the critics and it was far from a smash at the box office either, though it did manage to scare up $180.2 million worldwide (though it cost $90 million to make before marketing costs).
‘Haunted Mansion’ will glide into theaters on March 10th, 2023.
Jared Leto in Columbia Pictures’ ‘Morbius.’
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Though he’s forged new horizons (‘Red State’, a ‘He-Man’ TV series among others), writer/director Kevin Smith has never been afraid to look back. He doesn’t so much wallow in nostalgia as dive in fully, crafting what he used to refer to as the View Askewniverse to chart the misadventures of characters in New Jersey.
For his latest, ‘Clerks III’, he’s gone full meta, merging his more recent life-threatening experience via a heart attack with the start of his career, committing the eccentricities of convenience store work to celluloid for the original 1994 ‘Clerks’.
We’re back at the Quick Stop, which, while some of the products and adjoining stores might have changed, is still the same grudge work occasionally patronized by locals and local weirdoes (including Smith and Jason Mewes as drug dealers Jay and Silent Bob).
Our focus once again is on Dante (Brian O’Halloran) and Randal (Jeff Anderson), who are back slinging smokes, coffee and gum at the store. After a heart incident of his own, Randall decides he’s going to stop being a wastrel and make a movie about his experiences.
[L to R] Elias (Trevor Fehrman), Dante (Brian O’Halloran), Becky (Rosario Dawson), and Randal (Jeff Anderson) in the comedy film, ‘Clerks III,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of John Baer.And Smith, in his usual self-deprecating style, is unafraid to poke fun at the whole endeavor, going so far as to reference the darker deleted ending where Dante is shot during a robbery. “I’m
not letting you kill me off in the third act! What if there’s a sequel?” bleats Dante. “What am I, a hack?” replies Randal. Cue Smith – as Silent Bob – pointing at him.
Jay and Bob, meanwhile, are referred to as the C3PO and R2D2 of the ‘Clerks’ world – “they’ve been here since the first movie, which was the last time they were cool, but they’ve been with the franchise so long they still give them cameos and put them on lunchboxes.”
There are lots of other callbacks to the original movie, such as hockey played on the roof and some of the customers. Oh, and one of the most famous, quoted snippets of ‘Clerks’ dialogue, Randal musing on how many innocent independent contractors died when the unfinished Death Star was destroyed in ‘Return of the Jedi’. Though this time updated with a worry that Disney might sue if they use it.
Fans of Smith’s oeuvre will no doubt be happy to see the various references and it’s honestly fun to be hanging out with this people again.
As has become common with Smith’s big-screen work, the release is not your standard opening, tied instead to Fathom Events for two nights of screenings across the country on September 13th and 15th. You can get tickets here.
(L-R) Emily Swallow, Katee Sackhoff, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Dave Filoni, Rosario Dawson, Giancarlo Esposito, Brendan Wayne, Rick Famuyiwa, Lateef Crowder, Carl Weathers, Pedro Pascal and Jon Favreau attend 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).
Day three of Star Wars Celebration got kicked off on Saturday at the Anaheim Convention center with thousands of fans gathering to watch ‘The Mandalorian’ season 3 presentation.
On hand were the show’s creators and executive producers Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. “For me it’s been a dream come true,” Favreau began. “The type of story I wanted to tell fits the small screen. I wanted to set it in a small part of the larger Star Wars universe.”
“Star Wars TV, I’m up for it since 2008,” said Filoni. Favreau went on to explain that it was difficult keeping the big secrets from the first and second seasons, which included Grogu in season 1 and Luke Skywalker in season 2.
Favreau also talked about the direction ‘Star Wars’ television is taking on Disney+. “When I first saw ‘Star Wars’, it was a continuation of serialized stories,” he explained. “So, with television, you get six or eight a year, and they are a lot of fun to write. We also can tell the story over several hours and this job is the most fun I’ve ever had. I’m going to keep doing it for a while.”
Pedro Pascal 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).
But it wouldn’t be a ‘Mandalorian’ panel without Mando himself, Pedro Pascal, who quickly joined the producers on stage. Pascal began by talking about his favorite moments “Luke would be up there, but there are too many to choose.” Pascal also discussed Mando’s relationship to Grogu and how difficult their time apart was. “It’s very hard to be separated and it’s the closest I’ve ever come to being a dad. You watch the show, and you see how much that child loves his dad. Maybe it’s time for me to have one now.”
Filoni talked about the plan to bring Grogu and Mando back together in ‘The Book of Boba Fett.’ “What was interesting, is that we already had the plan to have Luke train Grogu,” he explained. “So, it made sense to have him train him based on the philosophy that began in the original trilogy. Which is why I wanted to direct the episode, and bring Ahsoka in, which made a significant moment.”
Favreau compared the moment in ‘Book of Boba Fett,’ where Luke makes Grogu choose between going back to Mando or becoming a Jedi and compared it to the Peter Bogdanovich film ‘Paper Moon.’
Joining the panel were actors Giancarlo Esposito (Moff Gideon), Carl Weathers (Greef Karga), and Emily Swallow (The Armorer), who all had something to say about their time on the show.
Giancarlo Esposito 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).
Esposito started things off in jokingly villainous style: “I will squash that little Baby Yoda!” But he continued with his heart on his sleeve. “I want the child within me to come back through the child in Grogu. But that child has been reunited with his father now and I am so happy to be part of this franchise.”
He also described part of his process. “I make up a backstory for myself and that sometimes does not correspond with the backstory they write for me,” he admitted. “The creators of the show give me hints that allow me to fill in the blanks of my character. But when you work with people that are as playful as they are, you get a sense of what they want. The most compelling moment for me was when Jon and Dave came on set and saw what I was doing. Jon said, ‘You’ve been doing this for a longtime and I trust you.’ When you work with people that trust you, that empowered me. and that is what this show is about. It elevated and uplifted me, and I will never forget it.”
Swallow clearly gets a kick out of playing the mysterious, Zen-like Mandalorian Armorer. “I love inhabiting her space. She is wise and she waits,” the actress said. “The bond of community that the Mandalorians have, especially with the armorer, speaks to what ‘Star Wars’ is about, and I really love that about this character.”
Carl Weathers was taken aback by the large crowd in the hall and thanked them for their support with the show. Weathers, who also directs ‘The Mandalorian’, discussed his work on the series. “I owe it all to Jon Favreau. If Jon hadn’t invited me to be in this, I wouldn’t be sitting here right now. Working with Dave has also been phenomenal, and I owe so much to those guys.”
Asked to tease a little bit about directing an episode from season 3, Weathers got playful, threatening Filoni and Favreau that he was about to reveal a spoiler. “I can run faster than you!” taunted Weathers, before continuing. “Okay, here is the spoiler: in the spring of 2023 ‘The Mandalorian’ will be out again! No, no spoilers, it along with the other episodes will be spectacular. I’m just really lucky that I got a good script, good actors, and help from Jon and Dave who know everything about ‘Star Wars’. It’s a lovely sandbox to play in.”
Temuera Morrison 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).
The panel then shifted to talk of ‘The Book of Boba Fett,’ with Fett himself, Temuera Morrison taking the stage and thrilling the crowd with a Fett version of a Māori Haka war dance. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare anyone. Just thought I’d wake you all up,” the actor said.
Morrison discussed what it was like making ‘Book of Boba Fett’, but first recalled his time on ‘Star Wars: Attack of the Clones’. “We had a wonderful time in Sydney,” he said. “Many. many years later, I think Boba had to look a little bit like me, so. I want to thank everybody. They’re the ones who work hard making us look good in front of the camera, so I want to acknowledge everybody from our crew. We have a lot of crew and people behind the scenes out there in the crowd with us.“
Co-star Ming-Na, who plays Fennec Shand, couldn’t be there because she has covid. The crowd cheered for her. “Ming-Na sends her apologies,” said Morrison.
After that, it was time for more ‘Mandalorian’ season 3 talk. Katee Sackhoff, who played Mandalorian Bo-Katan Kryze in two episodes of season 2, then took to the stage. She’s primed to return in a big way for the third season, especially since she still wants to get her hands on the Darksaber that is in Mando’s possession.
Also new on stage? Rick Famuyiwa, who has directed three episodes of the show as well as cameoing as X-Wing pilot Jib Dodger. He’s been promoted to executive producer alongside Filoni and Favreau for the third season.
(L-R) Rick Famuyiwa and Katee Sackhoff attend 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).
“Jon saw my film ‘Dope’ and said, ‘that is Star Wars material,” Famuyiwa explained. “The first film I saw in a movie theater was ‘Star Wars’. I went to see that movie and from the moment I saw the opening crawl, my life was changed. So, this has always been a dream of mine to tell stories in this universe. It was an honor and I have been around for the ride ever since. I’m excited for next season!”
“My dad raised me on Science fiction and strong characters,” said Sackhoff. “When I was little, you didn’t have a lot of strong female characters to choose from. We had Sigourney Weaver, but I wanted to be Bruce Willis. Playing this character is such a gift. Jon and Dave are responsible for creating so many strong characters. To be able to start with her ten years ago and that Dave trusted me to bring her to live-action means the world to me, and you are in for a treat.”
Favreau then introduced some exclusive footage of ‘The Mandalorian’ season three. The trailer is mostly the same footage that was shown during the opening day presentation on Thursday, but is much longer and contains some new shots, and also features Mando and Grogu together again, as well as actors Katee Sackhoff, Carl Weathers and Amy Sedaris (who plays tech expert Peli Motto).
What can you expect? More moments of multiple Mandalorians (try saying that three times fast) roaring into the sky using their rocket packs, a white colored protocol droid, several creatures the same species as ‘The Rise of Skywalker’s Babu Frik (hey-heeeey!) and a grounded Star Destroyer were all spotted during the screening.
Rosario Dawson 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).
The panel then pivoted to ‘Ahsoka’. Dave Filoni said of making the series, “I’m very happy because no one knows anything about that or where it is filming.” As he said that, Ahsoka Tano herself, actress Rosario Dawson, took to the stage in a surprise appearance that thrilled the crowd.
Dawson told the audience that it has been amazing filming so far and that cameras have been rolling for three weeks. “We started filming on my birthday, May 9th!” she enthused.
And according to Dawson, she always wanted to play Ahsoka. “It’s because of people like you that I’m here,” she told the audience. “I was a fan cast online so I just retweeted that and when Jon and Dave started working on ‘Mandalorian’ they looked at the timeline and I was the right age now. It’s been an honor to bring this character to life and to see how much everyone wants to see her come to life in this series.”
Another big surprise – Dawson summoned Chopper, the droid from the Filoni-created animated series ‘Star Wars Rebels’ on stage. The chatty character (for whom Filoni also provided the electronic ‘voice’ on the show) was a huge hit with the audience.
(L-R) Temuera Morrison, Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder attend 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).
Then It was time for a sizzle reel of footage from that initial ‘Ahsoka’ shooting period. It featured Dawson’s Jedi walking on to the bridge of the ship Ghost from ‘Rebels’, with characters from that show in live action, including Twi’lek pilot Hera Syndulla (though only from behind and without revealing her casting). Cut to ‘Rebels’ own Mandalorian, Sabine Wren (played in the ‘Ahsoka’ show by Natasha Liu Bordizzo) looking at the image of the animated ‘Rebels’ cast as seen in the series finale.
After the footage screening, Bordizzo herself walked on stage. “I feel like I have just been adopted into a new family,” she said. “It is the most welcoming and creative set I’ve ever been on. I know how much Sabine means to people in the room. She means a lot to me too, and I think you’ll be really excited about the journey she is about to have.”
Finally, to end the presentation, Favreau reached below his table and lifted up Grogu, who was moving and waving to the crowd. Pascal was excited and referred to himself, Filoni and Favreau as Grogu’s “My Three Dads.” The entire cast finished the panel by taking a group photo with “the artist formerly known as Baby Yoda.”
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).
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You can watch our interviews with the casts of ‘The Mandalorian,’ ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ and ‘Ahsoka’ at Star Wars Celebration by clicking on the video player above.
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.
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.”
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.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead in Netflix’s ‘Kate’ (2021)
Though ‘The Book Of Boba Fett’ might be getting the attention of ‘Star Wars’ fans on TV screens via streaming service Disney+ now, plenty are also anticipating another spin-off from ‘The Mandalorian’, ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka’. The series, which will star Rosario Dawson as the skilled Jedi warrior Ahsoka Tano, is adding Mary Elizabeth Winstead to its cast.
Ahsoka Tano, for anyone unfamiliar with the character, made her debut in the animated series ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’, where she was voiced by Ashley Eckstein. She also appeared in ‘Stars Wars: Rebels’ and then was introduced in live-action form in ‘The Mandalorian’s second season episode ‘Chapter 13: The Jedi,’ played by Dawson. Ahsoka was able to communicate with The Child, long dubbed “Baby Yoda” by fans, before his real name was revealed to be Grogu.
The actress had lobbied to play the part and the fan reaction was warm, leading to this spin-off series. This being Lucasfilm and Disney, we have no official plot details for the show yet, but it’s rumored that she’ll be hunting down the Imperial character Grand Admiral Thrawn, who has appeared in novels and animated shows. The ‘Ahsoka’ series is set five years after the events of ‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi’ (1983).
We do know that Hayden Christensen will be back as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, which makes sense as Anakin was one of Ahsoka’s Jedi tutors in ‘Clone Wars’. It seems likely that Christensen will be playing Skywalker in flashback, rather than Vader (as in the upcoming ‘Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi’, starring Ewan McGregor as the iconic Jedi Master).
Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka in season 2 of ‘The Mandalorian’ on Disney+
Australian actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo is confirmed as playing Sabine Wren. She’s one of the main characters from ‘Rebels’, voiced by Tiya Sircar. The character is a young Mandalorian warrior and graffiti artist, Imperial Academy dropout and a former bounty hunter with expert knowledge of weapons and explosives. The casting increased speculation that we might see a live-action version of fellow ‘Rebels’ character Ezra Bridger.
Ivanna Sakhno, seen in ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’ (2018) and ‘The Spy Who Dumped Me’ (2018), is aboard as a mysterious new character. We can expect more casting to follow as the series gets closer to shooting, but there is no confirmed date yet for it to hit Disney+.
‘Star Wars’ TV boss Dave Filoni is overseeing the series, writing this one and executive producing alongside Jon Favreau. Production is set for this spring in California. ‘The Mandalorian’ will launch its third season following the conclusion of ‘Boba Fett’, and other ‘Star Wars’ shows in the works include ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’, ‘Andor’ and ‘The Acolyte’. The Lucasfilm team also has a show based around Lando Calrissian in development.
Ahsoka from season 5 of ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’
