Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker D23 Teaser

Took a few days but Disney released its teaser from D23 Expo for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The first half of it is quick moments from the previous episodes in order of box office release, not episode order for some reason. The second half is almost all new scenes that look great but really can't read much into them. Except the final bit with Rey and her double-blade. That screams force dream.

Star Wars Mandarlorian Trailer, New Skywalker Poster, Obi-Wan Series and Other News

This weekend D23 Expo (D for Disney + year of founding in 1923) was held in Anaheim, California. Disney used that time to show off a bunch of news about various Disney properties and Disney+ plans. On the Star Wars front its pretty straight-forward but light on details. Here are the main things:

- Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 7 comes February 2020 on Disney+. The 12 episode series will show the near end of the Clone Wars and so final time period of the Jedi including the Siege of Mandalore.

- New The Mandalorian trailer below. Series set five years after Return of the Jedi (remember the EU of previous 30 years was trash-canned). The series will debut on Disney+ on November 12.

- Obi-Wan TV series set for Disney+. Ewan McGregor will reprise his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi. This series is retooled from the planned movie but Han Solo's box office failure caused Disney to put the brakes on future movies. No other detail were released.

- New Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker poster (below). A featurette was shown but not posted online. Just quick glimpses of characters, quick shot of Rey and Kylo fighting, and later Rey holding a dual-bladed red lightsaber.

- Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge expansion will include "Star Wars: Galactic Star Cruiser" which is a Star Wars themed hotel in a starship shape. It will have activities and designs to create an "emmersive experience" including windows that look out into space. As for pricing, well a cabin for five starts at $3,300.

Ending on Rise of Skywalker Gets a Different Beat

In an interview with /Film, Daisy Ridley briefly discussed that the ending to Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker changed as production continued with the film. Its actually pretty normal for a film to change as it goes from the script, filming, and then editing phase. Its said a film is made three times as a result and most of the time those changes can result in three wildly different films from source point.

“J.J. had told me [the ending], and then I read the script, and then it was sort of shifting. The ending was always pretty similar, and then I was told there was sort of a new—I guess a slightly different beat added that I was told, which was awesome. Because it’s nice to be told the thing and then you can like experience it with the filmmaker. But also, we don’t know how it’s gonna turn out. We did the thing on this side of the camera, so we don’t know how it’s gonna turn out. So I’m as excited to see it as everyone else.”

Ultimately I suspect that JJ Abrams will have been forced to retcon most of The Last Jedi out of necessity to tell decent ending to the Skywalker saga. In that film the Rebellion was decimated (which makes a climatic fight between good and evil forces difficult), the big bad was killed (Snope), and supposedly Rey's parentage was unimportant. Fixing all those is pretty easy and takes, what 30 seconds of screen time? All is takes is one characters commenting how the Rebellion is ready to defeat the First Order thanks to support from the Republic, explain Rey's parent are important by having her discover who they are, and the simple act of replacing Snope and Luke with Force Ghost Emperor and Force Ghost Luke. The nature of the set up is the finale would be a final fight between The First Order vs Rebellion and (for 3rd time) Kylo vs Rey so the only role Luke and Emperor/Snope had was giving advice to their proteges. Being dead doesn't change that role. To be honest my only real concern is this is shaping up to feel like a re-hash of Return of the Jedi. I hope I am wrong on that.

Star Wars: Episode IX Official Title and Trailer

Today is the beginning of Star Wars Celebration in Chicago and with it comes the first real news regarding Star Wars: Episode IX. The official title is Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker as revealed in a visually stunning teaser trailer that reveals nothing story wise. This is considered the conclusion of the "Skywalker Saga", after which Disney plans to take a brief hiatus of unknown number of years before they start up with a new saga. The movie hits theaters December 20, 2019. Screenshots with potential explanations here.

Star Wars: Episode IX Wraps Principle Photography

In a tweet, director JJ Abrams revealed that Star Wars: Episode IX finished principle photography as the cast hugged it out. John Boyega also tweeted a message, "That’s a wrap on Star Wars episode 9 and the end to a chapter of my life that I couldn’t be more thankful for. What a process! It really has been a joy to be in these movies surrounded by amazing people. JJ thank you for making my dreams come true." This is about the sum-total of what we know of the film as Abrams successfully kept his cone of silence going throughout the production. The movie will hit theaters on December 20, 2019.

It feels impossible, but today wrapped photography on Episode IX. There is no adequate way to thank this truly magical crew and cast. I’m forever indebted to you all. pic.twitter.com/138AprtFuZ

— JJ Abrams (@jjabrams) February 15, 2019

Fisher, Hamill Round Out Episode IX Cast

Wednesday begins principle photography of Star Wars: Episode IX to conclude the current trilogy of stories. Ahead of that Disney announced the cast of the film. The key surprise castings is Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Carrie Fisher (General Leia Organa). The former didn't survive the end of the movie while the latter tragically died unexpectedly. While probable Luke will appear as a force ghost, the return of Leia is less obvious.

“We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” director J.J. Abrams said in announcing the news on StarWars.com. “Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie [Lourd], we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.”

The use of previous footage was also approved by her brother Todd with Hamill tweeting "It’s bittersweet facing my final chapter without her-She is simply irreplaceable. I’m finding solace in the fact that she won’t BE replaced & would love the worldwide outpouring of affection from those who loved her when they heard the news."

Joining the pair will be returning cast members Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Issac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong'o (Maz Kanata), Domhall Gleeson (General Hux), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO). New cast members (so far) are Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Naomi Ackie (role unknown), and Richard E Grant (role unknown).

Original Lando Returns to Star Wars

We might have had a new Lando in Solo: A Star Wars Story but the original isn't done with the character. Billy Dee Williams has signed on for Episode IX to reprise the role of Lando Calrissian. He is essentially the last original trilogy human character standing. Details on the role or really anything about Episode XI remains on lock down. We know the movie will exist for a December 20, 2019 release date and that's about it.

Abrams: Episode IX Script Ready, Filming Begins This Summer

In an interview on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Star Wars Episode IX director JJ Abrams provided an update on the movie.

“We have a script, which is a big deal for me. It starts shooting end of July … Sometimes having the script in advance is something I haven’t always been lucky enough to have … But I’m writing this with Chris Terrio, who’s a genius, and I’m having a great time.”

The script is written with Abrams, Derek Connolly, Chris Terrio, and Colin Trevorrow while aiming for a December 20, 2019 release date.

JJ Abrams To Direct Episode IX as Movie Moves to December

Disney and Lucasfilm has officially announced the replacement for Colin Trevorrow on Star Wars: Episode IX. The Force Awakens director and co-writer JJ Abrams will once again perform his dual role work for the the ninth movie with co-writer Chris Terrio. The studio said "J.J. Abrams, who launched a new era of Star Wars with The Force Awakens in 2015, is returning to complete the sequel trilogy as writer and director of Star Wars: Episode IX. Abrams will co-write the film with Chris Terrio. Star Wars: Episode IX will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Abrams, Bad Robot, and Lucasfilm. 'With The Force Awakens, J.J. delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for, and I am so excited that he is coming back to close out this trilogy,' said Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy."

In addition, the movie is moving from its planned May 24, 2019 release to December 20, 2019. The change isn't really a surprise since Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, Rogue One, and Han Solo are all December releases. Might as well stick to the pattern and own the Holiday movie season year after year rather then getting mixed up with all the summer tent pole movies.

This should eliminate any director strife as JJ Abrams set the template that Kathleen Kennedy has really been following even if has not quite recognized it. Her stated goal was to seek out new voices that would add to the franchise but really she wanted safe voices and you can't get safer then JJ Abrams. I can't say I am excited by the choice as making The Force Awakens a rehash of A New Hope didn't do anything to grant confidence and his long history of TV shows and movies have indicated an strong ability to setup interesting mysteries but poor ability at follow through and concluding those mysteries in a satisfying way as I suspect he forgets that to figure out the solution while coming up with the problem/mystery. I guess we will see in two years.

Star Wars IX Seeking New Director

The Star Wars franchise director problems continue as director Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World) has left Star Wars: Episode IX. "Lucasfilm and Colin Trevorrow have mutually chosen to part ways on Star Wars: Episode IX. Colin has been a wonderful collaborator throughout the development process, but we have all come to the conclusion that our visions for the project differ. We wish Colin the best and will be sharing more information about the film soon," read a Lucasfilm statement.

The movie is currently in the scripting, pre-production design phase so best guess is just too many arguments between Lucasfilm and Trevorrow on the tone, story, and look and feel of the movie. Trevorrow showed he can play in others playground and build on what came before with Jurassic World so can't help but wonder exactly what happened to indicate that wasn't possible here. One theory is that Lucasfilm lost confidence in him after the commercial failure of The Book of Henry (which suffered from a horrible script and lazy ending) but that strikes me as unlikely as that film was never high on anyone's radar to begin with. Apparently some of the problems could be with the script as Jack Thorne (Wonder) was hired last month to give the Episode IX another pass.

This is the fourth director to be replaced in that last two years with JJ Abrams and soon Rian Johnson (The Last Jedi) to emerge unscathed from Lucasfilm desire to get director's with new takes while not really wanting them to bring any new takes to the table. Gareth Edwards was effectively replaced on Rogue One by Tony Gilroy. Josh Trank was fired from a potential Boba Fett film that has now been indefinitely tabled for rumors of being extremely indecisive (an absolute no-no for any director since their day is nothing but decision making) on the Fantastic Four movie which eventually bombed spectacularly. The final two was Phil Lord and Chris Miller being replaced by Ron Howard on the Han Solo film near the end of principle photography due to conflicts with Lawrence Kasdan (Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi) along with entirely to much improv for what is not supposed to be a pure comedy film. Basically there is not true pattern to the firings except it seems that maybe Lucasfilm is following one hit wonder directors a little to much instead of waiting until they have a few hits under their belt. Ultimately they really want directors that are use to merging their vision (or compromising depending on point of view) with the studio's vision and that is something that comes with experience.

A rumor has already emerged that Rian Johnson is being considered as the replacement director which is possible but I imagine Lucasfilm would want to see how The Last Jedi does first. Regardless without a script the director position can wait a little while. ILM can work on pre-production designs without a director but it will mean redoing things once one is picked as the first thing a new boss always wants to do is add their stamp to things whether it needs it or not so any designs they come up with, no matter how good, will get notes on things to change by the new director. From a fan perspective it doesn't mean a thing as this occurred early enough in the film-making process to have no impact on the release date for Episode IX and likely no real impact on the already planned conclusion to the current trilogy.

Colin Trevorrow Hints At Episode 9

In a new interview with Entertainment Tonight, Star Wars: Episode IX director Colin Trevorrow spoke a little bit about some of his plans for the film which isn't due until summer 2019 (and likely will not have a script until around 2017). Suffice it to say its so early in the process that its great he is thinking about it but whatever he is saying is pretty much meaningless. For example one quote "spoils" that Luke and Leia survive Episode VIII but that film is still in the scripting stages so...

On wrapping up the trilogy
A lot of scribbling and a lot of notes thinking about the story that I want to tell"

Is she actually Rey Skywalker, daughter of Luke (Mark Hamill)? Or could she be Obi-Wan Kenobi's granddaughter?
We're going to make sure that that answer is deeply and profoundly satisfying. Rey is a character that is important in this universe, not just in the context of The Force Awakens, but in the entire galaxy. She deserves it. We'll make sure that that answer is something that feels like it was something that happened a long time ago, far away, and we're just telling you what happened.

Creating new characters
What's interesting is I'm not creating a host of new characters. I have a lot of characters that people really love that we're going to make sure are all honored. No one's going to be left behind.

Leia and Luke in Episode IX
[wants] to find new places that we can take those characters. They are icons, but they're also people that have suffered tremendous loss and challenge over the course of all these films. [Episode IX] is something that needs to honor a story that's been told over a period of 40 years. I don't want to ignore any of it, and I respect all of it. It's something I think the fan base is going to embrace.

D23: New Star Wars Director, Poster, Theme Park, and Force Awakens Runtime

At the D23 Expo (D for Disney) in Anaheim, California some new information has been revealed about the Star Wars movies. To start take a look at the new poster by Drew Struzan that is currently exclusive to the D23 Con but hopefully will hint at future posters to promote the movie. Next, Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow has been tapped to direct Star Wars: Episode IX. Pre-production on the film is expected to start soon so that means he is out for directing Jurassic World 2. Third, the runtime for Star Wars: The Force Awakens is set at about 124 minutes (2h, 4m) which hits right in the length for the original trilogy.

After that we have news that Disney is planning a Star Wars themed land for Disneyland Anaheim and Disney World Orlando. The land will be their largest yet covering 14 acres of land with attractions of a new planet, catina, trading post, a battle between The First Order (Empire) and Resistance (Alliance) and a ride to fly the Millennium Falcon. Essentially it will be like Harry Potter World only Disneyfied. No opening date but something that scale will probably take at least five years to build. Concept images can be found here.

Finally The Force Awakens director JJ Abrams discussed some random bits with the press: