Innholdsfortegnelse for Star Wars Insider #225 i Star Wars Insider

“May the 4th be with You!” There. I thought I’d get that out of the way straight off the bat. Another year has whizzed by like a purrgil hyperspace-jumping between galaxies, making the birth of the Star Wars saga an event from even longer ago, and a world that feels ever further away.… Ignoring the 47 years since this all began, 2024 is the 25th anniversary of when it all came storming back into our lives. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace arrived in theaters on May 19, 1999, and we’re commemorating that event by remembering the incredible expectation and excitement that swept over fans ahead of the movie’s release—and their hunt for the merchandise that came with it! We also speak to Industrial Light & Magic animation supervisor Hal Hickel…

Guided by Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Force spirit, Luke Skywalker traveled to the Dagobah system to train with Jedi Master Yoda. Gentle Giant LTD captures this iconic pairing with its Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Luke Skywalker with Yoda Mini-Bust, a 1/6-scale creation depicting the two Force users on their journey through the planet’s swamps. The mini-bust, which is scheduled to ship in the second quarter of 2024, stands 6 inches tall atop a black pedestal and arrives with a numbered certificate of authenticity. You can pick up your own Luke Skywalker with Yoda Mini Bust for $150 on GentleGiantLTD.com.…

Fascinating features and articles from the digital vaults of StarWars.com Add StarWars.com/Insider to your browser bookmarks to enjoy Insider’s pick of the best of the official Star Wars website. The Phantom Poster Acclaimed artist Matt Ferguson tells StarWars.com about how he created the 25th anniversary Star Wars: The Phantom Menace poster. Michelle Ang StarWars.com speaks to the actor who voices Omega in Star Wars: The Bad Batch. Bad Batch of Cookies Love The Bad Batch? Love cookies? Then follow Jenn Fujikawa’s recipe for these tasty Clone Force 99 treats.…

While Sabine Wren was notorious for her perseverance and strength, her signature art style became recognizable to citizens throughout the galaxy. Loungefly has embraced the Mandalorian’s artful endeavors in its Sabine Spray Paint Mini Backpack, which features an applique of Sabine’s helmet on a colorful spray-painted background. You can even pair the pack with the matching Sabine Spray Paint Handbag. Also adorned with Sabine’s helmet and a vandalized stormtrooper helmet, the handbag features a cartoon of Sabine and a removable crossbody strap. The Sabine Spray Paint Mini Backpack ($74.90) and Handbag ($69.90) are each available on BoxLunch.com.…

The New Jedi Archive! Insight Editions’ in-depth celebration of the original trilogy finale. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) may have been the final chapter of the first Star Wars trilogy, but it provided a launchpad for themes that are still being explored in Star Wars storytelling to this day. To celebrate the 40-plus years since it’s theatrical release, Insight Editions have created Star Wars: Return of the Jedi: A Visual Archive, a 306-page deluxe coffee-table volume, as the ultimate tribute to the movie. And as we’ve come to expect from Insight, the book offers readers a mammoth journey into every aspect of the film, featuring a wealth of photography and concept art alongside anecdotes covering the film’s production. It thoroughly explores the legacy of Return of the Jedi,…

The Jedi Strike Back Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann reunited! Star Wars: The High Republic: Temptation of the Force is Tessa Gratton’s thrilling sequel to The Eye of Darkness, in which the Jedi attempt to finally turn the tide against the Nihil. Following her audacious escape from the Occlusion Zone, Avar Kriss is finally reunited with Elzar Mann after being separated for a year. No longer willing to deny the bond that drew them back together, the Jedi duo devise a plan to liberate the planet Naboo and return hope to those still trapped behind the Stormwall. Joined by Jedi Knights Bell Zettifar, Burryaga, and Vernestra Rwoh, they embark upon a hunt for the Nihil’s dangerous leader, Marchion Ro, but to find him they will have to face the Nameless…

The ongoing phenomenon that is Star Wars Celebration, which has hosted 15 fan events around the world since it first took place in Denver in April 1999, was originally conceived as a literal celebration of the return of Star Wars to the silver screen. “I flew more than 1,500 miles to attend the original Star Wars Celebration in Denver,” says Dave McKew. “By that point, The Phantom Menace hype was at fever pitch, and it was so amazing to stand in the rain on a muddy airfield with likeminded fans who had traveled far and wide to get an advanced glimpse inside a film we could not wait for. I had to leave Celebration a few hours early on the final day just so that I could be back in…

Billy Dee Williams not only portrayed Lando Calrissian in three Star Wars movies, he has lent his voice to a variety of projects away from the silver screen. He reprised the character in multiple animated series, including Star Wars Rebels, and LEGO Star Wars, and the radio adaptations of both The Empire Strikes Back and the Dark Empire comicbook series. You’ll also hear Calrissian’s smooth talking aboard Disney Parks’ Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, videogames, and even in Robot Chicken spoofs of the movie saga.…

STAR TOURS The Ultimate STAR WARS Adventure! STAR TOURS From the Creative Forces of Disney and George Lucas Disney Parks allow everyday guests to step out of their ordinary lives and into cinematic adventures. When Disneyland opened in 1955, they could choose from stories inspired by movies as diverse as Westerns, animated fairy tales, science fiction, and exotic travelogues. Over the years, living out cinematic dreams continued to fuel Disneyland’s changes and enhancements. In 1977, Lucasfilm released Star Wars: A New Hope, and although the film wasn’t Disney’s, the company’s Imagineers, responsible for theme park design, pondered an attraction based on the space fantasy. By 1984, Lucasfilm and Disney had formally agreed to create attractions for both Star Wars and Indiana Jones in the Disney Parks. The Imagineers had already been…

Hal Hickel’s work at ILM has been recognized with multiple awards nominations and wins, including an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects Oscar for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest in 2007. His Star Wars awards include: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 2017 Saturn Awards Winner: Best Special Effects Shared with: John Knoll, Mohen Leo, and Neil Corbould The Mandalorian: Chapter 2 "The Child" 2020 Primetime Emmy Winner: Outstanding Special Visual Effects Shared with: Richard Bluff, Jason Porter, Abbigail Keller, Hayden Jones, Roy K. Cancino, John Rosengrant, Enrico Damm, and Landis R. Fields IV The Mandalorian 2021 Primetime Emmy Winner: Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or a Movie Shared with: Joe Bauer, Richard Bluff, Abbigail Keller, Roy K. Cancino, John Knoll, Enrico Damm, John…

“I love where Ahsoka is at [the start of the series],” says Rosario Dawson, the actor who brought Tano to life starting with Season Two of The Mandalorian in 2020. “She’s just this samurai warrior, out there fighting and battling and being on the good side of things.” We soon learn that Ahsoka stepped away from training Sabine at some point, and the show takes its time revealing why. “There is a deep-seated fear that we start to explore with Ahsoka that has never left her, about watching [Anakin Skywalker], whom she loved and considered family, turn to the dark side,” says Dawson.…

BOUNTY HUNTERS Scouring the galaxy for the stars of star Wars… Meet the stars, show the evidence, win the bounty! Bounty Hunters is sponsored by Kotobukiya. Each issue's winner will receive a fantastic Kotobukiya Star Wars statue kit! To see more, visit www.facebook.com/kotobukiyaofficial. Hailing from Liverpool, England, Andrew Parker had an incredible time at Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023 while enjoying a chat with Irish actor Denise Gough, known for playing Imperial Security Bureau agent Dedra Meero in Star Wars: Andor. The pair discussed everything from accents to theatre. “A mega person and a fantastic experience,” Andrew recalls. However, Gough was not the only Imperial the fan met at the event. Giancarlo Esposito, who has made quite the impression as Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian, also took a picture with…

Lydia Kang @LydiaYKang Poet, practicing physician, and author of young adult and adult fiction, Lydia’s The High Republic novel Cataclysm is available now. Jay Stobie @StobiesGalaxy Writer, media consultant, and Wookiee fan, Jay is a regular Star Wars Insider contributor, and commentator for many sci-fi outlets. Lucas O. Seastrom www.starwars.com Lucas O. Seastrom is a historian and writer at Lucasfilm. He grew up on a farm in California and is a lifelong Star Wars and Indiana Jones fan. James Clarke @jasclarkewriter Author of The Year of the Geek, James is a journalist and lecturer who has written features for Empire, 3D Artist and Sci Fi Now magazines. Chelsea Zukowski @ChelseaTatham Journalist, educator, and historian, Chelsea is a Star Wars fan who writes about all aspects of pop culture from books…

LAUNCHPAD Emmy-nominated series Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi and Star Wars: Andor arrive on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray in the U.S. on April 30. Originally released on streaming service Disney+ in 2022, both series will now be available as physical discs in the form of premium SteelBooks that boast numerous bonus features and come with exclusive concept art cards. Each features key art by Poster Posse artist Attila Szarka. Obi-Wan Kenobi: The Complete Series includes director’s commentary in which Deborah Chow talks about the show’s actionpacked finale, with featurettes covering the epic lightsaber fights between Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan and Hayden Christensen’s Darth Vader, the Inquisitors, and Princess Leia’s droid pal, Lola. Bonus material for Andor: The Complete First Season focuses on the story arcs of the season across five…

Order 66 survivor Cal Kestis and his companion droid BD-1 traversed the stars, carrying the legacy of the Jedi Knights forward while clashing with the Emperor’s agents. RockLove’s Star Wars collection sheds light on these resolute wanderers, as the antiqued sterling silver BD-1 Droid Necklace ($135) shines with a three-dimensional BD-1 miniature complete with swinging articulated legs and a blue cubic zirconia crystal. Cast in artisan brass and plated in black rhodium and silver, the Cal Kestis Kyber Crystal Necklace ($150) features a blue Austrian crystal and a 24-inch brass curb chain. Both pieces are available now on RockLove.com.…

Fighting under General Hera Syndulla’s illustrious command, the crew of the Ghost blossomed from a mere thorn in the Empire’s side into an irreplaceable force within the Rebel Alliance. HerUniverse’s Star Wars Rebels Faces Vintage Fit Denim Pants celebrate these legends by portraying embroidered images of Hera, Sabine Wren, Ezra Bridger, Bo-Katan Kryze, Ahsoka Tano, and Chopper as they appeared in the hit animated series. The 99% cotton and 1% spandex blend jeans also have the Rebel Alliance logo and the word “Rebels” embroidered on the back pocket. Order your own pair on HerUniverse.com, priced $59.90…

A Sith Assassin Unleashed Palpatine’s apprentice pushes his limits in Darth Maul: Black, White & Red #1 The 25th anniversary of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace is the perfect time to feature Darth Maul — one of the most iconic villains in cinematic history — in his very own Marvel Comics miniseries. Each issue in the four-part Darth Maul: Black, White & Red will deliver a powerhouse standalone story, with new superstar creative teams joining for each installment. In issue #1, writer Ben Percy and artist Stefano Raffaele show what happens when a prison ship transporting dangerous members of the Final Occulation cult suddenly vanishes from scanners. When Darth Sidious dispatches his apprentice to investigate, Maul finds that the stricken vessel contains the stuff of nightmares. The Sith Lord must…

(Excluding Comics & Manga) PHASE I Light of the Jedi Writer: Charles Soule Random House Worlds, Adult novel A Test of Courage Writer: Justina Ireland Disney Lucasfilm Press, Middle Grade novel The Great Jedi Rescue Writer: Cavan Scott Artist: Petur Antonsson Disney Lucasfilm Press, 8x8 storybook Into the Dark Writer: Claudia Gray Disney Lucasfilm Press, Young Adult novel The Rising Storm Writer: Cavan Scott Random House Worlds, Adult novel Race to Crashpoint Tower Writer: Daniel José Older Disney Lucasfilm Press, Middle Grade novel Out of the Shadows Writer: Justina Ireland Disney Lucasfilm Press, Young Adult novel Tempest Runner Writer: Cavan Scott Random House Worlds, Audio original novel Showdown at the Fair Writer: George Mann Artist: Petur Antonsson Disney Lucasfilm Press, 8x8 storybook Mission to Disaster Writer: Justina Ireland Disney Lucasfilm…

Just a couple of years ago at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim, Dennis Muren and Bill George joined a panel of Imagineers celebrating 35 years of Star Tours. For Muren, it was an especially poignant moment to reflect on the legacy of the original version. “That was a really nice experience,” he says. “There were about a thousand people there, and they loved this thing. It was pretty neat to have worked on something that long ago and have people still appreciate it. I appreciate them.”…

"Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is,” Jedi Master Yoda wisely said to Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002). Yoda’s affirmation of the potential of children is a notion close to the heart of the saga and reminds us that the spirit of fairy tales is reflected in Star Wars storytelling. In fairy tales, children embody and symbolize the idea of hope, often portrayed as virtuous and open-hearted (unless the moral of their story is that bad behavior will be rewarded in kind). That spirit is clear to see in the youngest heroes of the galaxy far, far away. The children of Star Wars are often the characters who ignite action and change or make a stand against tyranny. In Star Wars: Visions Volume 2,…

“One thing I love about Sabine’s journey is that she struggles with her emotions, she’s impulsive,” explains actor Natasha Liu Bordizzo. “She’s got good intentions but so many unfair things are happening around her and to her, and she doesn’t always make the right decisions.” Bordizzo trained for three months before filming commenced. “The physicality of the role is completely tied in with the identity of the character— they can’t be separated,” she says. “I really had been swinging a sword for months, every single day, and it just felt like part of my arm at that point, and I was very used to my blasters. We were all really committed to the intensity of the action that this show required, and I’m really proud of what we did.”…

C-3P0 Secluded away in Bright Tree Village on the eve of the Battle of Endor, C-3PO regaled the Ewoks with his stories about the Rebel Alliance’s fight against the Empire. The Ewoks were riveted by the account, and C-3PO’s history of events even inspired emotional responses from the likes of Han Solo and Leia Organa. Dexter Jettster As someone who ran weapons, crewed rigs, and prospected across the galaxy, Dexter Jettster became an invaluable resource for Obi-Wan Kenobi. Jettster identified a Kaminoan saberdart and recounted rumors about Kamino’s connection to cloning, all while emphasizing the difference between knowledge and wisdom. The Armorer More than just the individual who outfitted Mandalorians with weaponry, the Armorer acted as a cultural historian for her sect. Upon reuniting with Din Djarin on the Glavis…

California-based Star Wars fan Nicole Jowett began cosplaying in high school after attending her first convention. “Seeing so many total strangers dressing up as their favorite characters, coming together and connecting over a shared love of something was a beautiful, eye-opening experience,” she says. “It made me feel a little less alone in the world.” Star Wars Rebels struck a chord with Jowett, who found inspiration in the character Hera Syndulla. “She is witty, strong, and steadfastly fights for what she believes in,” explains the fan. “Yet she is also compassionate, caring, and no matter how bad things get, Hera always holds on to hope.” The Syndulla outfit was the first time Jowett made a costume by hand, which she found to be both challenging and rewarding. “I hadn’t sewn…

NOW STREAMING Season Three Starring Dee Bradley Baker and Michelle Ang Disney+ COMING SOON Starring: Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-Jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Charlie Barnett, Dean-Charles Chapman, and Carrie-Anne Moss Disney+ Starring Jude Law, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Kratter, and Robert Timothy Smith Disney+ IN DEVELOPMENT Season Two Starring Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano. Disney+ THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU Directed by Jon Favreau.…

R2-D2’s contributions to the galaxy are too numerous for anyone other than C-3PO to calculate, as the trustworthy astromech helped out his friends battle tyranny from Naboo to Exegol. LEGO has honored the dedicated droid with its R2-D2 buildable display toy model, a 1,050-piece set that features a 360-degree rotating head, a detachable third leg for mobility, a periscope for navigating Dagobah’s treacherous waters, and an array of attachable tools. The set also includes a 25th anniversary minifigure of Darth Malak and an R2-D2 information plaque. Measuring over 9 inches in height, the brick-built LEGO R2-D2 droid figure is priced at $99.99 and can be purchased on LEGO.com.…

The thrilling confrontation between Ahsoka Tano and Darth Vader on Malachor proved to be one of Star Wars Rebels’ most thrilling moments, and the Ahsoka Tano T-Shirt for Women by Ashley Eckstein draws you right back into that fateful duel. Designed by Eckstein, the garment is emblazoned with a reprint of the script from the “Twilight of the Apprentice” twopart story arc. The text is presented alongside an image of Ahsoka, who stands ready to engage Darth Vader while holding her dual lightsabers. Add this 100% cotton Ahsoka Tano piece to your wardrobe on DisneyStore.com, priced $32.99.…

Carry The Cause It's time to pack your bags and represent the Rebellion Whether headquartered on Yavin 4 or Hoth, the Rebel Alliance and its leaders were no strangers to packing up and setting course for a new location. Heroes & Villains brings that on-the-move excitement to life with its Rebel Scum Weekender Bag ($150). The rebel-inspired design features detailed embroidery and a metal badge depicting the Rebel Alliance symbol, and the ballistic nylon bag can be converted from a duffle to a tote to enhance its capacity. An adjustable shoulder strap, a vented shoe compartment, and a detachable laundry bag make the set even more versatile. To purchase the Rebel Scum Weekender Bag, make the jump to HeroesVillains.com. Stay on Target! Set your sights on the Death Star with…

Don’t Miss These Upcoming Releases MAY Darth Vader #46 Marvel Comics Writer: Greg Pak Artist: Raffaele Ienco Cover Artist: Leinil Francis Yu Darth Maul: Black, White & Red #2 Marvel Comics Writer: Mark Russell Artist: Carlos Nieto Cover Artist: Tyler Kirkham Jango Fett #3 Marvel Comics Writer: Ethan Sacks Artist: Luke Ross Cover Artist: Leinil Francis Yu JUNE Star Wars #47 Marvel Comics Writer: Charles Soule Artist: Madibek Musabekov Cover Artist: Stephen Segovia Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi Trade Paperback Marvel Comics Writer: Jody Houser Artist: Salvador Larroca Cover Artist: Phil Noto…

FAITH, FERVOR, AND FANTASY On May 19, 1999, fans flocked to movie theaters to see Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, the first Star Wars movie in 16 years and the beginning of a much-heralded trilogy of new films from creator George Lucas. It’s arrival, along with the preceding marketing campaign, was a pivotal moment in pop-culture history and one that would forever change Star Wars fandom. Tyler Trautman, a fan from Oregon, recalls the atmosphere of the time. “All of a sudden, Star Wars was as big as the galaxy it was set in. You could see it. You could feel it. This was a real story, a piece of history,” he recalls. “It was a great time to be a Star Wars fan,” Danielle Wright, also from Oregon, remembers.…

INTERVIEW: JOHN JACKSON MILLER John Jackson Miller is among the most prolific Star Wars writers in publishing. His Knights of the Old Republic series for Dark Horse Comics ran for four years, spanning dozens of issues, and paved the way for his widely successful novels Star Wars: Kenobi and Star Wars: A New Dawn. His work has explored the complexities surrounding what it means to be a Jedi, a theme which takes center stage in Miller’s latest Star Wars novel, The Living Force. Star Wars Insider: It looks like 2024 will be a pretty big year for you. Not only does it mark the tenth anniversary of your novel Star Wars: A New Dawn, but your latest tale is about to be released. How did you get your start in…

Star Wars: Ahsoka delivers thrilling lightsaber action in every episode, and it required a particular skillset to realize the breathtaking duels on screen. “There are things about the Jedi that feel like the samurai,” explains Ahsoka creator, writer, director and executive producer Dave Filoni. “For a trained warrior, the sword is the last thing they’d resort to, not the first,” he says. “The sword doesn’t make you powerful. Your will, your self-control, and your thoughts are what make you powerful. To express this, we needed a real martial artist to work with the actors, so we hired Ming Qiu and her team.” “Ming is a Jedi Master,” confirms Rosario Dawson, when asked about working with the respected stunt performer and martial-arts expert. “She is someone who has worked hard since…

22 BSW4: Madame Jocasta Nu, chief librarian of the Jedi Archives, had so much confidence in the comprehensiveness of the facility’s records that she balked at Obi-Wan Kenobi’s suggestion that the Archives might have been incomplete. 10 BSW4: Before their coaxium heist on Vandor, Tobias Beckett and his gang sat around a campfire and shared stories about their aspirations. Chewbacca captivated the group with the tale about his search for his family. 5 BSW4: Cassian Andor consumed Karis Nemik’s rebellious manifesto prior to the uprising on Ferrix. 5 ASW4: A Tusken chieftain revealed his tribe’s history to Boba Fett using sign language to describe how his camp remained hidden after Tatooine’s oceans had dried up, while other Tusken tribes survived by killing. 34 ASW4: Convinced that the Jedi Order must…

01 "BOONTA EVE" AND "THE CONVERT" BY ASHLEY RAYE The Mandalorian’s third season served as a source of inspiration for fan artist Ashley Raye. “The sight of the N-1 starfighter flying through the fireworks on Boonta Eve was a moment in episode two that simply made me smile,” remarks Ashley. “I had been wanting to draw a detailed helmet for a while, and the gravity of Bo-Katan Kryze choosing to add a Mythosaur insignia to her armor inspired the design of that piece.” 02 "THE SABERED HAND" BY MARCUS EAKERS Kelleran Beq’s appearance in The Mandalorian Season 3, Episode 4: “The Foundling” was a surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one. Viewers were ecstatic to see Ahmed Best in the role, as was artist Marcus Eakers, who commemorated the…

Stage combat performer and New York City-based fan Oliver Baer has participated in everything from choreographed fight scenes to off-off-Broadway plays. He considers himself more of a theatrical martial artist than a traditional cosplayer, since he enjoys performing as the character more than designing the costume itself. About 10 years ago, Baer started to perform with a group that stages shows with iconic Star Wars weapons: lightsabers! While his extensive martial arts background (Baer has 30 years of experience) was helpful, performing with the group came with new challenges, particularly when it came to timing and choreography. “It takes me a while and a lot of repetition to learn movements,” he explains. Baer has primarily studied Chinese internal martial arts, which include Tai Ji Quan, Ba Gua Zhang, and Xing…

"ALWAYS TWO, THERE ARE." Are you the master or an apprentice of The Phantom Menace facts? THE SENATE 1: Who served as the Republic’s supreme chancellor when the blockade of Naboo began? A/ Mon Mothma B/ Bail Organa C/ Finis Valorum D/ Onaconda Farr 2: How did the Trade Federation’s delegate respond to Queen Amidala’s tale of the invasion? A/ Claimed she had no proof. B/ Agreed to her demands. C/ Blamed it on pirates. D/ Apologized for the crime. 3: Who did Senator Palpatine identify as wielding true power over the Senate? A/ Lawyers B/ Bureaucrats C/ Ambassadors D/ Generals 4: Why was Queen Amidala so frustrated by the Senate’s slow pace? A/ Her bribes hadn’t paid off. B/ Her term was almost up. C/ Her Jedi protectors abandoned…