What To Expect For Disney+ From Star Wars Celebration?
This coming Easter, Star Wars fans from around the world will come together at the Excel Center in London, England for Star Wars Celebration Europe.
Fans of all ages from all over the world will come together to celebrate the cultural phenomenon, Star Wars. Star Wars Celebration revels in the excitement of new movies, television shows, books, art, and comics while also commemorating the vast history of the Star Wars universe. Star Wars Celebration has something special for every kind of Star Wars fan!
Star Wars Celebration is a four-day event filled with major announcements, immersive exhibits, an interactive show floor, screenings, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panels, autograph sessions, fan-inspired activities, costumes, and other surprises celebrating all things Star Wars! Star Wars Celebration is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience where memories are made, families are brought together, old friends are reunited, and new friendships forged — all in the setting of the ever-evolving Star Wars universe.
The first Star Wars Celebration event took place in 1999 in Denver, Colorado, to promote “The Phantom Menace”, and since then events have been taking place almost annually in many locations around the world, including Japan, Germany and across the US.
The event has been used in the past to promote upcoming films and shows from Star Wars, and this year will be no different as Disney has announced lots of interesting panels to showcase some of the shows and films, available on Disney+ now and many that will be coming in the future.
While the majority of the panels throughout the event can only be seen by those in attendance, Disney will be running the Star Wars Celebration LIVE stage, which is livestreamed throughout the event. This Star Wars Celebration LIVE stage will feature commentary, surprise celebrity guests, and exclusive interviews on the livestream with your hosts, Anthony Carboni, Krystina Arielle, Kristin Baver, and Jamie Stangroom. Just don’t expect to see every major panel showcased on the Celebration LIVE stage, but its very likely that some trailers or clips will be released out to everyone on social media.
The good news for many in attendance, even if you can’t get into the main panels on the Celebration stage in the ICC Auditorium, which can hold over 4000 people, they are livestreaming the event to the Star Wars Galaxy Stage at the North Hall 16-17 and to the Twin Suns Stage, which can be found in the Platinum Suite on Level 3.
What are we likely to see announced?
Without question, the biggest panel of the event is the Lucasfilm Studio Showcase, which takes place on Good Friday between 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM. This panel will be taking place on the Celebration Stage; and streamed to the Galaxy and Twin Suns Stages for those in attendance.
With this being a “Lucasfilm” showcase, we should expect to see some new information on the upcoming film, “Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny”, which is coming out during the summer. It’s also possible, if there was to be an announcement of future seasons of the Disney+ Original series, “Willow”, this is likely where it would happen. There are plenty of other options when it comes to predictions, such as second seasons of “The Book Of Boba Fett”, “The Mandalorian” or “Obi-Wan Kenobi”.
Disney has confirmed that there will be some special guests to discuss the many current and upcoming Star Wars adventures, including The Mandalorian, Andor, and more! So hopefully, we get to hear more about “Skeleton Crew” and “The Acolyte” Disney+ shows. And possibly, confirmation of what Disney is doing with its upcoming Star Wars film slate.
“Ahsoka” is also getting its own panel on Saturday, so any information on this show, such as a trailer, is likely to be revealed here, since it would have all the attention, rather than being shared with other titles.
Disney is also hosting panels throughout the weekend for the second season of “Star Wars: Visions”, so I’d expect a trailer or clips from that show to be released on Monday. And there is going to be a panel on “The Bad Batch” on Monday, so if a third season is happening, this is likely when we will find out.
Star Wars Celebration Panel Lineup
Here’s the full rundown of the main panels:
Friday, April 7
Lucasfilm’s Studio Showcase
11:00AM – 12:30PM, Live on the Celebration Stage; streamed to the Galaxy and Twin Suns Stages
Star Wars Celebration returns, launching with a must-see showcase that will kick the weekend’s festivities into hyperdrive. Lucasfilm’s current crop of live-action filmmakers will be joined by special guests to discuss the many current and upcoming Star Wars adventures, including The Mandalorian, Andor, and more!
London Calling: Designing Star Wars Productions in the UK
1:00PM – 2:00PM, Live on the Twin Suns Stage
Host Amy Ratcliffe sits with Lee Sandales (set decorator), Kevin Jenkins (production designer), Jake Lunt Davies (concept designer and storyboard artist) and Glyn Dillon (costume designer) for a behind-the-scenes look at their design work on Lucasfilm’s UK productions of the sequel trilogy as well as Solo and Rogue One.
The Making of Andor Season One
3:00PM – 4:00PM, Live on the Celebration Stage; streamed to the Galaxy and Twin Suns Stages
Executive producers Tony Gilroy and Diego Luna and their team of creatives recount the making of the epic first season of Star Wars: Andor.
Saturday, April 8
Ahsoka
11:00AM – 12:00PM, Live on the Celebration Stage; streamed to the Galaxy and Twin Suns Stages
Join executive producers Dave Filoni, Jon Favreau, and special guests for a look at the upcoming Disney+ series, Ahsoka.
Bringing Worlds to Life: The Concept Artists of ILM
12:30PM – 1:30PM, Live on the Twin Suns Stage
Join host Clayton Sandell alongside Doug Chiang and members of the Industrial Light & Magic Art Department as they take you behind the scenes to explore what goes into bringing a director’s vision to the silver screen. From their work on the original trilogy to the Star Wars prequels, and to the latest films in the franchise and beyond, you’ll learn how iconic movie moments are made.
Star Wars: The High Republic
1:00PM – 2:00 PM, Live on the Galaxy Stage
Centuries before the Skywalker saga there was the High Republic! Join luminous authors and Lucasfilm editors for an in-depth conversation about epic new tales spanning books, comics, audio, and beyond. Including all-new announcements and reveals from Star Wars: The High Republic Phase II, and a sneak peek of what is to come in Phase III!
40 Years of Return of the Jedi
2:00PM – 3:00PM, Live on the Celebration Stage
Forty years ago, Return of the Jedi was the highly-anticipated sequel that Star Wars fans had been waiting years to see, and the last Star Wars theatrical adventure to be released for the foreseeable future. Counted as a favorite episode by many, Return of the Jedi’s story, characters, settings, and score still resonate with fans today, and its 40th anniversary offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate this time-honored classic. Join special guest host Ming-Na Wen as she chats with Star Wars legends of the past, present, and future about the influence of this beloved chapter in the galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars Creator Cosplay Workshop
2:00PM – 3:00PM, Live on the Twin Suns Stage
Join The Mandalorian’s Shawna Trpcic (costume designer), Maria Sandoval (hair department head), and Josh Roth (prop master) as they lend their expertise to give you tips and tricks on your own cosplay. The talented team will also be guest judges for Celebration’s official cosplay competition, so come by and get a tune-up before the big contest. This is the Way!
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures Screening
3:00PM – 4:00PM, Live on the Galaxy Stage
Families and fans of all ages are invited to attend an advance screening of the first two episodes of Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures! Join host Krystina Arielle and special guests for an exciting sneak peek at the new animated series. Set during the High Republic era, Young Jedi Adventures follows younglings as they study the ways of the Force, explore the galaxy, and learn valuable skills needed to become Jedi. Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures will premiere on Disney+ and Disney Junior on May 4, 2023.
Hasbro Star Wars & Indiana Jones Panel
4:00PM – 5:00PM, Live on the Twin Suns Stage
Join Hasbro’s Marketing & Design team members as they discuss the popular Hasbro Star Wars and Indiana Jones lines, including the Black Series, The Vintage Collection, Adventure Series, and the Retro Collection. Attendees will get an in-depth look at Hasbro’s latest action figure and premium roleplay offerings from throughout the sagas. Word is there may also be a few surprises.
Creature Cantina
4:30PM – 5:30PM, Live on the Celebration Stage
Step into the amazing world of Neal Scanlan’s Creature Cantina, responsible for the creation of all the droids, creatures, and aliens of each UK-based Star Wars production in the last ten years. Join Neal and his team on a journey as they show you for the first time ever, how they create, build, and perform the characters you’ve fallen in love with.
Clone Wars – 15 Year Anniversary Panel
5:30PM – 6:30PM, Live on the Galaxy Stage; streamed to the Twin Suns Stage
Join Dave Filoni, Athena Portillo, Matthew Wood, Dee Bradley Baker, Ashley Eckstein, Matt Lanter, and James Arnold Taylor for a look back at the beginning of Lucasfilm Animation and how Star Wars: The Clone Wars came to be.
Sunday, April 9
Villains of the Sequel Trilogy
11:00AM – 12:00PM, Live on the Celebration Stage; streamed to the Galaxy Stage
The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many panels some consider to be…can’t-miss! Join host Amy Ratcliffe as she sits down with Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine), Andy Serkis (Supreme Leader Snoke), and Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma) as they discuss their villainous roles in the final chapters of the Skywalker Saga.
Behind the Magic: The Visual Effects of Andor
12:00PM – 1:00PM, Live on the Twin Suns Stage
Join Industrial Light & Magic and members of the creature effects and special effects teams for a deep dive into the special and visual effects that brought a burgeoning rebellion to life in Star Wars: Andor.
Hyperspace Stories: Dark Horse Comics Returns! (all-ages)
12:30PM – 1:30PM, Live on the Galaxy Stage
Dark Horse Comics returns to a galaxy far, far away with a wide range of stories for fans of all ages. Join editor Matt Dryer and a group of all-star authors as they dive into Hyperspace Stories, The High Republic Adventures, and more! Featuring sneak peeks and reveals!
A Look Back at Obi-Wan Kenobi
1:30PM – 2:30PM, Live on the Celebration Stage
Take a look back at the hit limited series with Obi-Wan Kenobi cast members Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Indira Varma and Vivien Lyra Blair, and executive producer/director Deborah Chow.
Funko: Collect Across the Galaxy!
2:00PM – 3:00PM, Live on the Twin Suns Stage
Funko is proud to present, Funko: Collect Across the Galaxy at Star Wars Celebration, a journey of discovery through the collection of new pop-culture products celebrating the Star Wars galaxy! From Pop! to Funko Games, Loungefly to new form factors, panel attendees will get a first-hand look at never-before-seen Funko products!
Star Wars Cosplay Competition
2:30PM – 3:30PM, Live on the Galaxy Stage
Both veteran and amateur cosplayers alike will join the most exciting Cosplay Competition in the galaxy at Star Wars Celebration Europe! It is more than just a competition — it’s a fun-filled celebration of the very best Star Wars cosplayers that want to share their talent, skill, and determination with the universe.
Beyond the Spires: Making of Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge
3:30PM – 4:30PM, Live on the Twin Suns Stage
Hear from key creators of Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge – Enhanced Edition, the hit experience on PlayStation VR2 that expands and explores the world of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and get a behind-the-scenes look at how this VR adventure came together.
Disney Parks: Where Star Wars Comes to Life
4:00PM – 5:00PM, Live on the Celebration Stage
Join some of the creative minds from Walt Disney Imagineering and Lucasfilm for a special look at how Disney brings Star Wars to life in its parks and beyond. Discover more about immersive experiences from a galaxy far, far away, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, and more.
Star Wars Animation Game Night
4:45PM – 5:45PM, Live on the Galaxy Stage
Star Wars Animation Game Night is a competition of galactic proportions starring voice actors from your favorite animated Star Wars series. Watch as Ashley Eckstein, Dee Bradley Baker, James Arnold Taylor, Matthew Wood and Matt Lanter compete in feats of knowledge, skill, and luck to prove who is the ULTIMATE Star Wars fan.
Lucasfilm Publishing: Stories From a Galaxy Far, Far Away…
5:30PM – 6:30PM, Live on the Twin Suns Stage
From adult-aged novels to non-fiction, from kids comics to audiobook epics, Lucasfilm Publishing explores the stories from a galaxy far, far away. Featuring all-new announcements, exciting details and reveals for new and upcoming titles from the time of the High Republic to the time of the First Order, this panel is not to be missed!
Monday, April 10
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
11:00AM – 12:00PM, Live on the Celebration Stage; streamed to the Galaxy and Twin Suns Stages
Join host Amy Ratcliffe as she invites Star Wars: The Bad Batch executive producer and supervising director Brad Rau, executive producer and head writer Jennifer Corbett, executive producer Athena Portillo, and actors Dee Bradley Baker (the Bad Batch) and Michelle Ang (Omega) to discuss highlights from the second season of the acclaimed series!
Marvel Comics Presents: Star Wars
12:30PM – 1:30PM, Live on the Galaxy Stage
Make mine Star Wars, and make mine Marvel! Join Marvel editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski and some of Marvel’s top talent for a comics conversation unlike any other. Including all-new announcements and reveals from a galaxy far, far away!
From Screen to Tabletop
12:30PM – 1:30PM, Live on the Twin Suns Stage
From Screen to Tabletop is an exploration of the process behind making miniatures games for fans across the galaxy. The team at Atomic Mass Games will pull back the curtain and breakdown the development differences between skirmish-based games and full army games as well as share insights into their philosophy that multiple game lines within the Star Wars galaxy allows space for gamers of all types. For those that enjoy the creative process, enjoy behind-the-scenes peeks at concepting work, rules philosophy, art selection, and more!
Star Wars: Visions Volume 2
1:00PM – 2:00PM, Live on the Celebration Stage
Join host Amy Ratcliffe, Star Wars: Visions executive producers, and filmmakers from Aardman, Cartoon Saloon, D’ART Shtajio, El Guiri, La Cachette, Lucasfilm, Punk Robot, Studio Mir, Triggerfish, and 88 Pictures for an exclusive first look at Star Wars: Visions Volume 2.
Star Wars: Galaxy-Sized Collecting in a Micro World with Jazwares
2:00PM – 3:00PM, Live on the Twin Suns Stage
Now more than ever fans are demanding new ways to collect and connect within the vast Star Wars saga. With micro trends continuing to permeate some of the world’s most beloved toys and collectibles, Star Wars is positioned for an epic renaissance. Where will this new galaxy go? Enter the world of Star Wars Micro Galaxy Squadron from Jazwares!
Doug Chiang: Designing Obi-Wan Kenobi and The Mandalorian
2:30PM – 3:30PM, Live on the Galaxy Stage
Doug Chiang, Obi-Wan Kenobi and The Mandalorian production designer and Lucasfilm’s vice president and executive creative director, will present an in-depth talk about designing the characters, spaceships, and worlds for Obi-Wan Kenobi and The Mandalorian Season 3. He will share the challenges they faced in revisiting iconic Star Wars characters like Obi-Wan and Darth Vader.
Celebration Europe Closing Ceremony
4:00PM – 5:00PM, Live on the Celebration, Galaxy, Twin Suns, & Star Wars Celebration LIVE! Stages
Gather with your friends and fellow Star Wars fans to relive the best moments of the weekend and bid farewell to another Star Wars Celebration. Featuring special guests, weekend highlights, and much more, this is a send-off you won’t want to miss!
There will also be lots of the stars of the films and Disney+ shows such as “The Mandalorian”, “Willow” and “Andor” available throughout the weekend for photo and autograph opportunities. Plus, there will be lots of stalls selling merchandise throughout the event, cosplay and much much more.
What are you looking forward to seeing announced at Star Wars Celebration? Let us know on social media!
Roger Palmer
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