The long-awaited in-person return of Star Wars Celebration kicked off in major style. A massive, 90-minute presentation of everything on the way from Lucasfilm. The Lucasfilm Studio Showcase gave us updates and first looks at a number of brand new live-action series, and maybe even some movies. We got Andor, Ahsoka, The Mandalorian season three, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and of course Obi-Wan Kenobi which will debut Friday on Disney+. If it’s a show or movie in a galaxy far, far away, we learned about it in this showcase! And Willow, too. It’s not Star Wars, but hey.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Nothing new here to report, since the show premieres for everyone on Friday, but the cast did take the stage to give everyone a nice greeting. Plus, folks in attendance will get to see the premiere episodes a few hours before they drop on Disney+. So, hey, fun for them.
Andor
The first big bit of news was for the upcoming series Andor which focuses on the early days of the Rebellion with lead hero Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) who works as the 007 to Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly)’s M. They dropped a teaser for the series, which will premiere on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. Just one episode? No, you fool! Two! Two premiere episodes!
Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning composer Nicholas Britell (Moonlight, Succession) will serve as Andor‘s composer.
Synopsis:
The “Andor” series will explore a new perspective from the Star Wars galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make. The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero. Diego Luna returns as Cassian Andor and is joined by cast members Genevieve O’Reilly, Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough and Kyle Soller. The executive producers are Kathleen Kennedy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Diego Luna and Michelle Rejwan. Tony Gilroy is the creator and showrunner.
Willow
Some real not-a-Star Wars energy here, but we’re no less excited for Lucasfilm’s follow-up to the fan-favorite 1988 movie Willow. Ron Howard and screenwriter Jonathan Kasdan met on the set of Solo: A Star Wars Story and that led to their collaboration on a Willow TV series. The one and only Warwick Davis took the stage to introduce the first teaser for the series, which will premiere on Disney+ November 30, 2022.
According to the official synopsis:
An epic period fantasy series with a modern sensibility set in an enchanted land of breathtaking beauty, “Willow” features a diverse international cast with Jonathan Kasdan, Ron Howard, Wendy Mericle, Kathleen Kennedy, and Michelle Rejwan serving as executive producers. The story began with an aspiring magician from a Nelwyn village and an infant girl destined to unite the realms, who together helped destroy an evil queen and banish the forces of darkness. Now, in a magical world where brownies, sorcerers, trolls, and other mystical creatures flourish, the adventure continues, as an unlikely group of heroes set off on a dangerous quest to places far beyond their home, where they must face their inner demons and come together to save their world.
The Mandalorian Season 3
The folks in attendance at the showcase got to see a little sizzle for The Mandalorian season three, though they haven’t released that to the public. It evidently depicted a number of things including meeting the Armorer, meeting with Bo-Katan, and reuniting with Greef Carga. Mando says “I’m going to Mandalore so that I may be forgiven for my transgressions.” Dr. Pershing in hiding, Peli Motto, Carson Teva out of an X-Wing uniform, and Bo-Katan sitting on the throne of Mandalore. Surely that won’t lead to anything bad, right?
The Mandalorian season three will debut in February, 2023.
Ahsoka
Even less new info about Ahsoka. The panel showed a brief hello from star Rosario Dawson in her costume. The creators are still working on the show, so it’ll definitely come out post-Mandalorian. Some time in 2023.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew
The biggest bit of new-news is that there’s another new show in the works! MCU-era Spider-Man director Jon Watts evidently stepped away from the Fantastic Four movie to exec produce (and probably direct) the new series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. It will star Jude Law and will be “Amblin-esque.” Exec producer Dave Filoni said it stars kids but is “as much for kids as The Clone Wars.” That’s fairly significant considering The Clone Wars ended with the slaughter of hundreds of Jedi. Fun!
We know Skeleton Crew takes place in the same time period as The Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka. So, firmly post-Empire, pre-First Order territory. The series will also premiere some time in 2023.
Indiana Jones 5
And finally, Harrison Ford took the stage (to deafening applause) to say the movie is almost completed and John Williams (the legend) will compose the music. Williams was also in attendance, conducting the new Obi-Wan Kenobi theme and the Indiana Jones theme. Guy just turned 90 in February. Nothing really new in terms of news, but we do know a fair amount, and the movie will come out on June 30, 2023. They also shared this really rad teaser image.
And there you have it! A lot of Star Wars but just as much other stuff. And that’s only day one of Star Wars Celebration. What will the rest of the weekend hold?
Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.
