Celebration Orlando News Digest – 18 April 2017
Star Wars Celebration Orlando is now over. Welcome therefore to the last special edition of the SWNZ News Digest, with a round-up of the Star Wars news headlines and links revealed at, or related to, Celebration Orlando. As always, stay tuned to the SWNZ Facebook Group for the most up-to-date kiwi fan discussions on these topics.
Hasbro TBS6 Action Figures Revealed
As well as the action figures on display at the Hasbro booth from the start of Celebration, Hasbro showed a few new TBS6 figures during their panel presentation, and later had those figures on display too. The panel also confirmed the return of the highly-articulated 3.75″ Vintage Collection line, and the fact that that line would not be limited to a particular US department store chain, meaning we are far more likely to see them on New Zealand shelves. Check out a full article with many more details and high-resolution images at StarWars.com.
The Freemaker Adventures Panel
The Freemaker Adventures is an LEGO-style animated series set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, aimed at kids but actually quite fun to watch for all ages. It has been confirmed for a second season starting on May 4th. Although its stories are non-canon, the characters involved in the tales generally fall into their respective appropriate roles and place in the overall chronology – on that note it is particularly interesting that Hera Syndulla will make an appearance.
As season two takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, does this mean that Hera survives up to this point in the timeline? “The answer is, pretty much, yes,” said [Leland] Chee. Rest easy, Hera fans.
Read the full summary of that panel at StarWars.com.
Star Wars-themed Lands at Disney Parks Update
At the “Star Wars and Disney Parks: A Galaxy in the Making” panel, there was some talk about the upcoming Star Wars-themed attractions at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Although not a lot of new information was shared, a follow-up article on the Disney website D23.com has a video clip showing some behind-the-scenes and work-in-progress material. You can view that clip and read the whole article about the panel and park progress here.
Archives of the Panel Livestreams
Over the next few days, we expect to see videos of many of the bigger panels showing up on the official Star Wars YouTube channel. A couple, arguably the best and most significant from Celebration, are already up and available for viewing:
Next Celebration in 2019
Although there was an expectation that the venue and date would be announced at the Closing Ceremony, it was not. At this stage, all we know is that it will be in 2019 (from StarWarsCelebration.com). It will coincide with the year that Episode IX will be released, as well as the 20th anniversary of Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and the opening of the Star Wars attractions at both Anaheim and Orlando Disney Parks. It may be a while before that announcement is made (in fact, they may be waiting on clarity about the project timelines for the Disney Park attractions to set a date), but stay tuned, as we will surely mention it when it comes to hand.
In closing, this official photo is worth sharing, to highlight the magnitude of the guest list in attendance to celebrate 40 years of Star Wars!
