It’s the post-Star Wars Celebration Edition of The Week in Star Wars, and we’ve got a lot to cover including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Episode VIII, Star Wars Rebels, LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars Battlefront and more…
Right, let’s kick things off with everything from Star Wars Celebration Europe – which was held here in our country’s capital – by starting with Gareth Edwards’ Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. While those in attendance were treated to a new trailer (which was teased last week), those who didn’t go got this fantastic new poster and concept art, and this wonderful behind-the-scenes sizzle reel. We also got a new look at the Imperial Shoretrooper and, more importantly, Mads Mikkelsen’s Galen Erso. And during the Rogue One panel, host Gwendoline Christie presented star Felicity Jones with an action figure for her character Jyn Erso, leading to Hasbro officially releasing promotional images for the Jyn Black Series figure…
…Our own Gavin Logan was down at the event, and had this to say about the trailer:
Rogue One panel was amazing. Behind the Scenes footage was incredible. New trailer blew me away. More of the same good stuff…and Vader
— Gáibhín (@Logiebaird) July 15, 2016
Will say the Vader tease was just that. Didn't really get to see him other than a reflection…and the breathing #StarWarsRogueOne #SWCE
— Gáibhín (@Logiebaird) July 15, 2016
…Moving over to Star Wars: Episode VIII (which has now wrapped) and Rian Johnson revealed during the closing Future Filmmakers panel that the movie will take place directly after the closing moments of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Johnson also spoke about the difference between the two films, stating that, while The Force Awakens was “an incredible explosion of adventure”, Episode VIII will delve into the characters, and challenge them. No title was announced, so maybe that’s being saved for San Diego…
…At the same panel, Phil Lord and Chris Miller spoke about Star Wars: Han Solo, also confirming that Alden Ehrenreich will be playing the popular nerf herder. “We turned over every rock to find someone who has the charisma and magic swagger,” the directors said. “But it was a waste of money because the person to get the part was literally the first person to walk through the door…”
…Now let’s move over to Star Wars Rebels and series creator Dave Filoni suggested that Ahsoka may yet play a role in the third season of the animated show. “It just might be possible [that we’ll see her again],” he told the audience. “It doesn’t necessarily mean what some of us would hope it means. But it might be possible to see her again. She might have something to do…”
…But bigger than that, it was confirmed at the event that Grand Admiral Thrawn was going to appear in the third season, finally bringing Timothy Zahn’s popular character into Star Wars cannon. Thrawn can be seen in the first trailer for the show which you can watch here. Not only that, but Zahn is going to pen a new book entitled Thrawn which will hit shelves in April 2017. You can also see the first image from season three, which reveals Ezra Bridger’s new look for the latest run of episodes, and more images, a clip and a poster here…
…Check out this video from Gavin Logan from the audience…
Lively crowd at the Rebels panel today. This was about 15 minutes before it kicked off. Thank you @dave_filoni #SWCE pic.twitter.com/66vWSb9MZQ
— Gáibhín (@Logiebaird) July 16, 2016
…Moving over to the wonderful world of video games now and EA announced that a new offline battle mode, Skirmish, is coming to Star Wars Battlefront this Wednesday (July 20) while the Death Star expansion pack is also set to arrive in September (watch a teaser trailer for it here). The Skirmish mode will allow gamers the option of playing offline against bots in solo missions, or teaming up with a friend for some split screen co-op action. Walker Assualt and Fighter Squadron will be playable in the mode, as well as multiple locations from Hoth to Sullust…
…The cinematic VR experience Star Wars: Trials on Tatooine is coming to Steam VR today, and will be available to download free of charge (although you’ll need an HTC Vive to enjoy it). Watch a trailer for it here. And speaking of VR experiences, Lucasfilm announced that it is developing a new VR story/experience centred on the Dark Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader, which is being scripted by David S. Goyer (Batman Begins, Man of Steel)…
…In celebration of its release, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, TT Games and The LEGO Group released a few gameplay trailers for LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens which you can watch here, here and here…
…Some toy news for you now, and Hot Toys have unveiled a batch of promotional images for its 1/6th scale Star Wars: The Force Awakens figure Ridley’s Rey in her Resistance Outfit from the final scene of the movie, 1/6th scale Bossk figure from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (limited to just 2000) and 1/6th scale Jumptrooper collectible figure from Star Wars Battlefront. You can pre-order all these figures – and more – here…
…Looking past Star Wars Celebration to San Diego Comic Con for a moment, we got our first look at Hasbro’s Star Wars exclusives for the show, which include 12″ electronic Darth Vader and Kanan figures from Star Wars Rebels, along with 12″ Scout Trooper and Speeder Bike from Return of the Jedi, a 3.75″ Hera and an A-Wing fighter from Rebels, and a 3.75″ Rey in her Jakku costume from Star Wars: The Force Awakens…
…Disney unveiled a new piece of concept art for Star Wars Land, the upcoming 14-acre attraction at Disneyland Resort, which you can see here…
…You can read Ricky Church’s review of Star Wars: Aftermath – Life Debt here…
…Lastly, here’s your comic book preview for the week in Star Wars: Darth Vader #23: Vader vs. Morit on the shell of the Executor! DO YOU NEED MORE THAN THAT??? Fine: Cylo’s secret revealed!
That’s all for this week – may The Force be with you.
Order Star Wars: The Force Awakens via Amazon UK or Amazon US
Luke Owen is the Deputy Editor of Flickering Myth and the co-host of The Flickering Myth Podcast and Scooperhero News. You can follow him on Twitter @ThisisLukeOwen and read his weekly feature The Week in Star Wars.
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