The weekend isn’t over yet though, so IGN has gathered every news announcement in one place so you can keep track of it all, and we’ll continue to update this page with every fresh reveal from throughout the weekend.
Let us know your favorite announcement and which project you are most looking forward to in the comments below!
Ahsoka: Grand Admiral Thrawn Live-Action Actor Confirmed to be Star Wars Rebels’ Lars Mikkelsen
Lucasfilm has finally revealed that Lars Mikkelsen will be playing the live-action version of Grand Admiral Thrawn in Star Wars: Ahsoka, the same actor who voiced the villain in Star Wars Rebels.
The arrival of Thrawn in live-action has been something fans have been waiting a very long time to see, and Star Wars Celebration 2023 finally gave them the answer as to who will be bringing the villain to life.
Rosario Dawson Teases the Search for Thrawn in Ahsoka: ‘She Sees a Threat Other People Aren’t Seeing’
One of the major plotlines of Disney Plus’s live-action Ahsoka series will be the titular character’s hunt for Thrawn and today, star Rosario Dawson teased that aspect of the show even more at London’s Star Wars Celebration.
During a panel specifically for Ahsoka – just one day after a teaser and August 2023 release window were unveiled at the Lucasfilm Studio Showcase – Dawson talked about the search and what’s driving Ahsoka so strongly in it.
“Though she is not a Jedi, she has so much of that at heart for her – she’s driven by trying to do good,” she said during the panel. “She sees a threat other people aren’t seeing.”
Star Wars Finally Looks to Old Republic as James Mangold Confirms Movie About ‘Dawn of the Force’
Star Wars: The Old Republic is one of the most beloved eras in the extended universe, but it has been left largely untouched by Disney’s movies and television shows. That may be about to change, though, if a timeline shown during Star Wars Celebration is anything to go by.
Shortly before announcing several new Star Wars movies, LucasFilm studio head Kathleen Kennedy took the stage to share her vision for what Star Wars will look like in theaters.
That means “broadening the timeline,” Kennedy says, as an image appeared highlighting seven major eras, which includes The Old Republic.
Kathleen Kennedy outlines the vision for the future of Star Wars Films. #StarWarsCelebration pic.twitter.com/36qGtiIKKc
— IGN (@IGN) April 7, 2023
Kathleen Kennedy: Star Wars’ Lando Calrissian Series Is Definitely Still Happening
The Star Wars Lando Calrissian series is definitely still in the works at Disney, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has confirmed.
Speaking to IGN at Star Wars Celebration, Kennedy revealed that the long dormant show (probably) starring Donald Glover is still happening, though didn’t share much as to when we might see more.
“I can just tell you it’s still happening, and he’s very excited about it,” she said, all but confirming that Glover is definitely on board.
Star Wars Rogue Squadron Could Still Happen, Says Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has said the Star Wars: Rogue Squadron film could still happen despite its production fizzling away at Disney.
Speaking to IGN at Star Wars Celebration, Kennedy gave fans disappointed by the film’s supposed cancellation a little hope.
“Rogue Squadron, that definitely is something that we still talk about,” she said, though alluded that it may not return in the same way. “Whether it’s a movie, or whether it ends up being in the series space, that’s definitely something.”
Mandalorian Producer Confirms Din Djarin is No Longer the Only Main Character
The Mandalorian began as a show about Din Djarin and Grogu, though fans have begun asking if that’s still the case as Season 3 explores more of the Mandalorians as a people instead of just a person.
Executive producer Rick Famuyiwa has addressed those questions in an interview with IGN, and yes, the fans are right to question it. Turns out, the titular Mandalorian is no longer considered to be just Din.
“I think that’s been interesting as we’ve been on the journey of the show, and now that we’re at this point, is that, what does that title mean?,” Famuyiwa told IGN.
Dave Filoni on Whether His Star Wars Movie Is Mandalorian Finale: ‘The Next Logical Step’
LucasFilm announced a new film by Dave Filoni, which many expect to be a grand finale for The Mandalorian. But will it? The answer is complicated.
Speaking with IGN in a new interview, Filoni said he thinks of the period where the movie is set as less of a “Mandalorian era” and more of a “New Republic period.”
“I don’t know if I’d call it [a finale]. I think of the time period now as the New Republic time period, and it’s something that has existed long before we were ever making the Mandalorian.
“The idea that after Return of the Jedi there was a New Republic, and that the heroes still had to defend that Republic from the remnant Empire is a very old idea that we brought into the first season of the Mandalorian. Because it’s what was always there.”
Ahsoka Star Rosario Dawson Trained 14 Hours a Week to Recreate Animated Show Stunts
Ahsoka star Rosario Dawson trained for 14 hours a week to recreate the acrobatic combat style and stunts performed by the titular character in The Clone Wars and Rebels animated series.
Speaking to IGN at Star Wars Celebration, Dawson explained the challenges of taking a character that had once only existed in animated shows and bringing them to the live-action universe.
“I think there’s definitely difficulties there, even just for the entire stunt team watching the animation, because we’d be working off of just the most amazing feats that someone could draw or imagine,” she told IGN. “And then it was like, how do we actualize that in real life? And so the team of it was just really remarkable.”
Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau Discuss Their Star Wars Film, Ahsoka, and More
The Star Wars canvas keeps getting bigger for Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, the dynamic duo behind the success of The Mandalorian.
During Star Wars Celebration, Kathleen Kennedy took to the stage to formally announce Dave Filoni’s Star Wars movie, which will be set during The New Republic. For Filoni and Favreau, it’s the “next logical step” and a case of “where the rubber hits the road,” though they’re hesitant to call it a finale for The Mandalorian.
In a new interview with IGN, which you can watch below, Filoni and Favreau talk about the new project; their evolving understanding of how to approach the Star Wars universe, and Filoni’s giant whiteboard featuring the Star Wars timeline.
Ahsoka Cast Explains How They Brought Beloved Rebels Characters to Live-Action
When Ahsoka arrives on Disney+ in August 2023, it will come complete with many character fans of the galaxy far, far away loved from Star Wars Rebels, including Hera Syndulla, Sabine Wren, and, obviously, Ahsoka Tano.
These characters originated in animation with different actresses and are now being brought to life in live-action by Mary Elizabeth-Winstead, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, and Rosario Dawson, respectively.
IGN had the chance to speak to all three of the actresses at Star Wars Celebration 2023, and they shared with us how they are bringing their characters to life in live-action.
The Acolyte’s Showunner Is Here to Challenge the Star Wars Universe
The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland is here to take on the Star Wars universe, and it’s not just because her show is told from the perspective of the Sith.
Speaking to IGN at Star Wars Celebration, Headland explained that she started brainstorming The Acolyte by challenging the status quo.
“You just go, ‘Well, where’s the part that nobody’s going, what about that?’ And so to me, the institution of the Jedi was that,” Headland said. “So they trained children and that seems super complicated of a thing. It’s not criticism. It’s just like, ‘well, that seemed strange.'”
She even questioned decisions made by Lucasfilm previously, and ones regualrly brought up by fans, such as how Palpatine became supreme chancellor without Yoda knowing.
Star Wars The Acolyte Showrunner Breaks Down Which Part Is Frozen, Which Is Kill Bill
Following on from her earlier comments that The Acolyte was pitched as part Froze, part Kill Bill, The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland broke down what the heck that means.
Headland told IGN: “So much of it was about the sister relationship, so much of it was about the villain actually being a powerful, misunderstood woman. There was just so much of it that I couldn’t believe what I was watching. I couldn’t believe that it was a cartoon with music. It was hitting me on such a deep level and yet servicing the genre so well.”
As for Kill Bill: “I think it’s a really good reference for the modern day martial arts film,” Headland explained. “Obviously, Tarantino took inspiration from a lot of the movies that our action team and a lot of our design team pulled from — which is stuff from the Shaw brothers to Akira Kurosawa in his samurai films, but also films like Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”
Mon Mothma Actress Reacts to Ahsoka Trailer Appearance, Talks About Growth in Andor
Mon Mothma actress Genevieve O’Reilly sat down with IGN at Star Wars Celebration 2023 to discuss not only her exciting appearance in the Ahsoka trailer, but also how her character has grown through hardships in Andor’s first season.
Starting off with Ahsoka, we catch a glimpse of Mon Mothma in a hologram as Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka talks about the whispers of the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Mon Mothma has been a part of Star Wars since Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, and now she’ll get a chance to stand in the spotlight once more and O’Reilly couldn’t be happier.
Lucasfilm Announces Three Live-Action Star Wars Movies are in Development with Directors Dave Filoni, James Mangold, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
Star Wars fans have been waiting since 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker for the franchise to return to the big screen, and Star Wars Celebration has finally confirmed that return will happen with three films directed by James Mangold, Dave Filoni, and Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy.
James Mangold, the director of Logan and the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, will create a film that “will go back to the dawn of the Jedi.”
Dave Filoni’s film will “focus on the New Republic” and is a big deal as Filoni has been an integral part of Star Wars for many years and this will be his first live-action film. Among many other things, Filoni was the creator of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels, an executive producer, episodic director, and writer on The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, and is the creator and executive producer on Ahsoka.
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, the Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning director behind such projects as Ms. Marvel and Saving Face, will lead a film “set after the events of Rise of Skywalker” that will “feature Daisy Ridley back as Rey as she builds a new Jedi Order.”
Just revealed at #StarWarsCelebration, Kathleen Kennedy welcomes James Mangold, Dave Filoni & Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on stage as future directors of three new upcoming Star Wars films. pic.twitter.com/v2os1tdHJH
— Star Wars | #TheMandalorian is Now Streaming (@starwars) April 7, 2023
Daisy Ridley Returning to Star Wars in Movie Set After Rise of Skywalker
As mentioned in the blurb above, Daisy Ridley will officially be returning to Star Wars as Rey in a new movie set 15 years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker. In this new movie directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Rey will attempt to rebuild the Jedi Order as a Jedi Master.
“I’ve always been attracted to the hero’s journey and the fact that the world needs many more heroes,” said Sharmeen.
“My heart is pounding,” Ridley said as she walked on stage. “I’m very thrilled to be continuing this journey.”
Daisy Ridley! #StarWarsCelebration pic.twitter.com/0rNTYyPmai
— IGN (@IGN) April 7, 2023
Star Wars Ahsoka Gets Release Window and Trailer at Star Wars Celebration, Season 2 Teased
Star Wars: Ahsoka will officially be released on Disney+ in August 2023, and Star Wars Celebration released the official trailer for the much-anticipated series. Furthermore, a second season was hinted at.
“If this does well, maybe we’ll get a second season,” said Rosario Dawson. “It’s up to y’all. I’m ready if you are.”
The trailer was an action-packed one that saw the return of Star Wars: Rebels characters, including Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), and Chopper. Mon Mothma was also shown!
While we didn’t get to see him in full, we did get our first glimpse of live-action Grand Admiral Thrawn.
“I started hearing whispers about Thrawn’s return,” Ahsoka said. “as heir to the Empire.”
Ahsoka: Mary Elizabeth Winstead Playing Live-Action Version of Beloved Star Wars Rebels Character
Mary Elizabeth Winstead has finally revealed her role in Ahsoka, confirming she will play the live-action version of beloved Rebels character Hera Syndulla.
Winstead was also briefly shown in her full costume as Twi’lek, which can be viewed in the tweet below. We’ve known since May last year that Winstead would be joining the cast, though didn’t know who she’d be playing until now.
It does make sense, however, as fellow Rebels character Ezra Bridger was confirmed to be appearing in the show, played by Eman Esfandi.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead will be playing Hera! #StarWarsCelebration pic.twitter.com/V0Y1GVg8ZK
— IGN (@IGN) April 7, 2023
The Mandalorian: Season 3 Episode 7 Clip Teases the Return of a Beloved Star Wars Character
Guests in attendance at Lucasfilm’s Studio Showcase were treated to a clip from next week’s seventh episode of The Mandalorian’s third season, and it teased the return of a beloved Star Wars character.
Spoilers ahead for Season 3, Episode 7 of The Mandalorian!
The clip begins with Elia Kane speaking to Moff Gideon on hologram, and she tells the character played by Giancarlo Esposito that “Karga was aided by Mandalorians.” Gideon then says he will deal with them before speaking to Captain Pallaeon about the whereabouts of Grand Admiral Thrawn.
“Grand Admiral Thrawn is missing,” Moff Gideon says.
“With respect, our one hope for success relies upon the secrecy of his return,” Pallaeon replies.
“I never hear a word of Thrawn. You’ve spoken of his imminent return. Perhaps it’s time that we look to new leadership.”
It’s Mando Time. Here’s Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, with Pedro Pascal joining us for a little video hello. #StarWarsCelebration pic.twitter.com/sKXOJvhohl
— IGN (@IGN) April 7, 2023
Andor Season 2 Is Aiming for an August 2024 Premiere Date
While we didn’t get an exact date as to when Andor Season 2 will arrive on Disney+, series creator Tony Gilroy has confirmed the team is planning on having it ready for an August 2024 premiere date on Disney+.
“We started shooting in November,” Gilroy said. “We’re about halfway through. We’re going to shoot through August. We’re on the exact schedule. Finish in August, spend another year on post. I suppose we’ll come out the following August.”
We were also given a few clips from Season 2, and we hear Mon Mothma say, “If we do not stand together, we will be crushed.” It also showed Cassian, Dedra, Syril, and Bix.
Gilroy also discussed how knowing this show is ending with Season 2 has actually been a great thing for the team.
“If you know you’re ending, it really helps,” Gilroy said. There are lot of shows, shows that I love, and they’re trying to figure out where they’re going. We know where we’re going. It’s kind of like the escape from prison: you know where you’re going.”
The cast of Andor and Tony Gilroy take the stage! #StarWarsCelebration pic.twitter.com/IoztokiHyg
— IGN (@IGN) April 7, 2023
Star Wars: The Acolyte Is ‘Frozen Meets Kill Bill,’ First Details and 2024 Release Window Revealed
Star Wars: The Acolyte, the upcoming Disney+ series set during the end of the High Republic era, will make its way to Disney+ in 2024. While we weren’t given an exact date, the cast and crew behind the series stopped by Star Wars Celebration to share a few details as to what fans can expect.
Star Wars: Acolyte’s series creator Leslye Headland shared that she had always wanted to “delve into the Star Wars universe and tell the story of this entire world that I loved so much from the perspective of the bad guys.”
“What I pitched to Kathleen Kennedy was Frozen meets Kill Bill. Shockingly, she didn’t kick me out of the building,” Headland said. “It’s High Republic near the beginning of the prequels and an exciting part of the timeline. This is when the bad guys are outnumbered. They are the underdogs. I’m really excited for you guys to see things you haven’t seen in live action yet.”
She also noted it was “the furthest back in time we’ve been in live action,” and that there will be “lots of Jedi.” At lease one of these Jedi will be a wookiee played by Chewbacca actor Joonas Suotamo, as it’s always been a dream of Headland to tell the story of one.
There was also a clip shown, and it featured Lee Jung-jae’s character saying, “The Force is powerful. It is a power we must respect.” There are also big fights, aliens, Jung-jae leading a bunch of Jedi, and more.
The Acolyte is set between the Old Republic and the prequels, and is pitched as “Frozen meets Kill Bill.” #StarWarsCelebration pic.twitter.com/O62fN0la25
— IGN (@IGN) April 7, 2023
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Gets First Reveal at Star Wars Celebration, But No Release Date
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is an upcoming Disney+ series that is set to arrive in 2023. Star Wars Celebration has yet to reveal an exact date, but it did share the first trailer.
The trailer for Skeleton Crew, which stars Jude Law and is focused on a younger cast of characters, honed in very much on the show’s Goonies inspirations. This was shown with kids in class, going through a residential area, running through a forest, and much more.
Lucasfilm also confirmed the directors for the series, and they include on Jon Watts, David Lowery, The Daniels, Jake Schreier, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Lee Isaac Chung.
Here are your directors for Star Wars Skeleton Crew episodes! #StarWarsCelebration pic.twitter.com/3iAgXsAnuo
— IGN (@IGN) April 7, 2023
Mandalorian Showrunners on Ahmed Best’s Celebrated Return to Star Wars: ‘It Was a Big Decision’
The Mandalorian showrunners Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni stopped by Lucasfilm’s Studio Showcase to discuss the “big decision” to cast Ahmed Best as Jedi Master Kelleran Beq in The Mandalorian and have him be the one to save Grogu from the events of Order 66.
“Ahmed walked out on stage [at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago in 2019] and just the outpouring of appreciation,” said Favreau. “The opportunity for this role came up, and we knew we had to have someone – who was gonna be the one who rescues Baby Grogu? We were talking about that process of, who would it be and who should it be?”
“It was a big decision, but I don’t think there is anybody better than Ahmed,” said Filoni. “The appreciation when he appeared on screen was such a wonderful moment, also the fact that we kept it all a secret until it came out. It was tremendous outpouring of appreciation, that was as much fun as the episode itself.”
Massive applause for this shout out to Ahmed Best. #StarWarsCelebration pic.twitter.com/jwl0LDznXO
— IGN (@IGN) April 7, 2023
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Trailer Released During Celebration
Indiana Jones is back in a new glimpse at Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. the new trailer gives us a closer look at what’s going on in the upcoming Indiana Jones sequel, with hints of an artifact that can change the course of history.
Harrison Ford returns as famed archaeologist Indiana Jones in a new adventure alongside Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Helena Shaw, Indy’s goddaughter and partner in crime during his upcoming adventure.
There’s also a brief glimpse of Mads Mikkelsen’s villainous Jurgen Voller who seems to be aiming to bring about the return of Hitler and the Nazis. “Hitler made mistakes,” he says. “And with this, I will correct them all.”