Fans of Star Wars are getting a deeper look at one of the franchise’s most complex villains. Sam Witwer, the voice and live-action performer associated with Darth Maul for years, has opened up in a new interview about the upcoming Maul: Shadow Lord series — and what makes this version of Maul so different. In an expansive interview with Star Wars: Insider, Witwer went into detail on everything from Dave Filoni’s mandate for the show to Maul’s evolving motivations, his experience filming live-action scenes, and the role his brother Savage Opress will play. Here’s what we learned. “Filoni’s Mandate Was Clear” When asked what Dave Filoni’s mandate was for Maul: Shadow Lord, Witwer didn’t hold back. “Filoni’s thing was always centering Maul in his own story but in a way that feels earned and connected to the larger mythology.” Unlike earlier appearances where Maul was a secondary antagonist or a…
Author: Matt "ObiWaN" Hansen
Katee Sackhoff Jokes About “Job Security Forever” as Bo-Katan in Star Wars
Bo-Katan Kryze might not be going anywhere anytime soon—at least if Katee Sackhoff has anything to say about it. In a recent interview, the Star Wars actress shared a humorous but telling insight about her Mandalorian character’s future, joking that she’s confident she’ll keep returning to the role for years to come. Why? Because Bo-Katan is closely tied to Star Wars creative chief Dave Filoni in a very personal way. “I Have Job Security Forever” Speaking about her future in the galaxy far, far away, Sackhoff joked that she feels secure continuing as Bo-Katan because the character is loosely inspired by someone very important to Filoni—his wife. “So I have job security forever,” Sackhoff said with a laugh when discussing Bo-Katan’s long-term future. The comment was delivered in good humor, but it highlights just how deeply rooted the character is within modern Star Wars storytelling and Filoni’s creative world. Bo-Katan’s…
Star Wars Galaxies Restoration Prepares Massive “Shatterpoint” Update and Revamped Galactic Civil War
The galaxy is far from quiet in the world of fan-run Star Wars MMOs. While many players are celebrating anniversaries and nostalgia events across the Star Wars gaming scene, Star Wars Galaxies Restoration III is gearing up for something much bigger: a massive new content update called Shatterpoint — and it might be one of the most ambitious overhauls the rogue server has attempted yet. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to jump back into SWG (or try Restoration for the first time), this could be it. A New Chapter for Star Wars Galaxies Restoration The Restoration project — a hybrid CU/NGE sandbox version of the classic MMO — first launched its full 1.0 release back in 2022. Since then, the team has continued expanding and refining the experience with new systems, balance tweaks, and live events. Now, the upcoming Shatterpoint update is set to push things even further….
Tony Gilroy Says Andor’s Ghorman Is Basically Greenland in New Interview
Andor has never exactly been subtle about its political themes, and according to creator Tony Gilroy, that’s very much by design. In a new interview discussing the relevance of the series and its real-world inspirations, Gilroy made a striking comparison between the planet Ghorman and modern geopolitical tensions—specifically referencing Greenland. “Ghorman is Greenland. Ghorman is anything. ‘We want the rare earth, we want this.’ It really is just a crude laundry list of moves that they have… it rhymes with the show.” The comment reinforces something many fans have already picked up on: Andor isn’t just telling a Star Wars story. It’s reflecting real-world power struggles, resource conflicts, and political maneuvering through a galaxy far, far away. A Star Wars Story With Real-World Parallels Gilroy has been open from the start that Andor draws heavily from historical and contemporary politics. From authoritarian crackdowns to corporate-state alliances and resistance movements, the…
Tony Gilroy Shuts Down Rumors of Tension Between Him and Dave Filoni Over Andor
Star Wars fans love a good behind-the-scenes drama almost as much as a lightsaber duel—but according to Andor creator Tony Gilroy, the rumored friction between him and Lucasfilm creative chief Dave Filoni simply doesn’t exist. In a new interview, Gilroy addressed speculation that Filoni may have disliked Andor or had creative disagreements with the team behind the critically acclaimed series. His response? A very clear and repeated no. “No. We’ve only met a couple times, and we’ve only had a half-a-dozen conversations over the last ten years… We’ve always gotten along with those guys, and we’ve never had anything but high praise for everything that they’ve done.” Gilroy went on to emphasize that the success of modern Star Wars Disney+ content—particularly The Mandalorian—is the very reason Andor was able to exist in the first place. “We only have our show because of them, and we’ve always said that was true….
Star Wars Galactic Racer PC System Requirements Revealed
The upcoming Star Wars: Galactic Racer is already generating serious hype — especially with former Burnout and Need for Speed developers involved. Now, we finally have our first look at the official PC system requirements, giving players a clearer idea of what hardware they’ll need to jump into the galaxy at full speed. Whether you’re planning to race across desert worlds or blast through neon-lit cityscapes, here’s what your PC needs to handle the action. Minimum System Requirements If you’re aiming just to get the game running, these are the baseline specs required: CPU: RAM: GPU: Storage: OS: These requirements suggest that Galactic Racer will be fairly accessible to mid-range gaming PCs from the last few years, though the 12GB RAM requirement is slightly higher than many modern games’ minimum specs. Recommended System Requirements For smoother performance, higher frame rates, and better visual quality, you’ll want hardware closer to these…
SWG: Legends 10th Anniversary Celebration Begins With Riddles and Giveaways
Star Wars Galaxies: Legends is about to hit a major milestone. The fan-driven MMO revival will celebrate its 10th anniversary on the 26th, and the team is kicking things off with a community event filled with riddles, nostalgia, and prizes. If you’ve spent time crafting, exploring, or running missions across the galaxy, now might be the perfect time to jump back in. A Decade of Galaxies Built by Fans To mark the upcoming anniversary, the SWG: Legends team has launched a special countdown event leading into their celebration party later this month. The message is simple:Ten years of keeping Star Wars Galaxies alive deserves something fun — and a little mysterious. As part of the celebration, the team will release one new riddle each day for seven days, all inspired by the history, milestones, and community memories that shaped SWG: Legends over the past decade. Your Mission: Solve the Riddles…
Embo Returns in The Mandalorian & Grogu — And Yes, His Language Still Comes From French Smurfs Books
With The Mandalorian & Grogu bringing back fan-favorite bounty hunter Embo, one of the strangest and funniest pieces of Star Wars trivia is suddenly relevant again. Because while Embo may look like one of the coolest warriors in the galaxy… his mysterious language has one of the most unexpected origins in franchise history. Dave Filoni Created Embo’s Language by Accident When Dave Filoni and the The Clone Wars team were developing Embo, they faced a creative challenge:What should this silent, hat-wearing bounty hunter actually sound like? Instead of building a fully constructed alien language from scratch, Filoni did something far more improvisational. He recorded himself reading from his editor’s French Smurfs books — originally meant for his child — and used that as placeholder dialogue for Embo. The idea was simple:Use something foreign-sounding and slightly garbled to create a believable alien voice while they figured out a final direction. But…
Steven Soderbergh and Adam Driver “Frustrated” After Disney Scraps The Hunt for Ben Solo
A surprising new chapter in the ongoing Star Wars saga behind the scenes has come to light, and it involves a project many fans didn’t even know existed: The Hunt for Ben Solo. According to recent interviews with director Steven Soderbergh, the unmade film spent years in development before Disney ultimately decided to pull the plug — leaving the creative team disappointed and fans wondering what could have been. Two and a Half Years of Work — For Nothing Speaking during a Brooklyn film series interview, Soderbergh revealed that he, Adam Driver, and writer Rebecca Blunt spent years developing the project, only to see it quietly cancelled. “That was two and a half years of free work for me and Adam and Rebecca Blunt…The stated reason [from Disney] was, ‘We don’t think Ben Solo could be alive.’ And that was all we were told. And so there’s nothing to do…
“Weathers Apollo” — The Mandalorian & Grogu Trailer Includes Touching Tribute to Carl Weathers
Sometimes Star Wars hits you right in the feels — and this time, it’s a subtle moment that fans might have missed on first watch. A new shot from the latest The Mandalorian & Grogu trailer appears to include a quiet but deeply touching tribute to the late Carl Weathers. A Hidden Message in Aurebesh In one scene from the trailer, text can be seen written above a doorway in Aurebesh. When translated, it reads: “Weathers Apollo.” It’s a simple detail, but one loaded with meaning. Carl Weathers famously portrayed Greef Karga in The Mandalorian, becoming one of the show’s most beloved characters across its run. Before joining the Star Wars galaxy, Weathers was also known worldwide for playing Apollo Creed in the Rocky franchise — making the phrase “Weathers Apollo” an especially fitting tribute. Honoring a Mandalorian Legend Carl Weathers passed away in 2024, and his impact on The…
Robert Duvall, George Lucas’ First Leading Man, Has Passed Away at 95
Hollywood has lost one of its most legendary actors. Robert Duvall — a towering presence in film for more than seven decades — has passed away at the age of 95. And while many will remember him for The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and Tender Mercies, Star Wars fans have a unique reason to reflect on his legacy: Duvall was George Lucas’ very first leading man. Before lightsabers, before the Death Star, and long before a galaxy far, far away took over pop culture, there was THX 1138. George Lucas’ First Leading Man Released in 1971, THX 1138 was George Lucas’ first full-length feature film and a bold, experimental entry into science fiction cinema. At its center was Robert Duvall, who played the film’s titular character — a worker in a dystopian future society stripped of identity, emotion, and freedom. The film wasn’t a mainstream blockbuster, but it became a cult…
Star Wars: Galactic Racer Interview Reveals Story Mode, New Mechanics, and Why It’s Not Open World
Following the recent gameplay reveal for Star Wars: Galactic Racer, the developers at Fuse Games have shared a huge amount of new information about how the game works — from its story-driven campaign to new racing mechanics and why the team deliberately avoided making it open world. A major new interview has revealed key details about Star Wars Galactic Racer, including story mode, gameplay systems, and why it avoids open-world racing. Built by Former Burnout and Need for Speed Developers Galactic Racer is the first project from British studio Fuse Games, founded in 2023 by former Criterion developers — the team behind Burnout and several Need for Speed titles. That racing DNA is central to the project. “We always play to our strengths… a shared love for thrilling, fast arcade racing games and a shared love for the Star Wars universe.” The idea for the game came from combining those…
Star Wars: Empire at War Released 20 Years Ago Today — Still One of the Greatest Star Wars Strategy Games Ever
Real-time strategy fans still talk about it.Modders never stopped playing it.And somehow… it’s already been 20 years. Star Wars: Empire at War originally launched in February 2006, and it quickly became one of the most beloved Star Wars strategy games ever released. Two decades later, it still has an active player base, a thriving modding scene, and a legacy that few Star Wars games can match. Yes — we’re officially that old. The RTS That Let You Control the Galaxy Developed by Petroglyph Games and published by LucasArts, Empire at War put players in command of either the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire during the Galactic Civil War. Unlike most Star Wars games at the time, this wasn’t about controlling a single hero.It was about controlling entire fleets and planetary invasions. Players could: For many fans, it was the first time Star Wars felt like a fully interactive galactic…
Star Wars: Dark Forces Released in 1995 — and Changed Star Wars Gaming Forever
Before Jedi Knight.Before Battlefront.Before modern Star Wars shooters. There was Dark Forces. Released in February 1995, Star Wars: Dark Forces didn’t just give fans another licensed game — it helped redefine what a Star Wars video game could be and quietly laid the foundation for decades of Star Wars gaming that followed. And yes… it’s officially a classic. A Different Kind of Star Wars Game When Dark Forces launched for MS-DOS in 1995, Star Wars games were still finding their identity. LucasArts had delivered flight sims and platformers, but a fully realized first-person shooter set in the Star Wars universe felt new. Inspired by the popularity of DOOM, Dark Forces combined fast-paced FPS gameplay with cinematic storytelling and original characters. Most notably, it introduced: At the time, it was one of the most technically ambitious Star Wars games ever made. The Birth of Kyle Katarn If Dark Forces has a…
The Art of The Mandalorian & Grogu Cover May Confirm a Visit to Nal Hutta
The swamp looks familiar. The newly revealed cover for The Art of The Mandalorian & Grogu appears to feature what looks very much like Nal Hutta — the homeworld of the Hutt species. If that’s accurate, it could quietly confirm that part of The Mandalorian & Grogu takes place on one of the galaxy’s most infamous crime-ridden planets. And that would be a big deal. That Landscape Looks… Hutt-Like The right side of the cover features: That aesthetic lines up almost perfectly with how Nal Hutta has been depicted in previous canon and Legends material. Nal Hutta isn’t just any world. It’s the political and criminal heart of the Hutt Cartel. Why Nal Hutta Would Make Sense If Din Djarin and Grogu are stepping into theatrical territory, upping the scale makes sense. And Nal Hutta offers: It fits Din’s roots as a bounty hunter far more than polished Core World…
Jon Favreau Says Directing The Mandalorian & Grogu Is Like Playing With Star Wars Toys
Jon Favreau isn’t just a director — he’s a storyteller who learned his craft the same way many fans did: by playing with toys. In a new interview, Favreau explained his approach to directing The Mandalorian & Grogu by comparing it to those early imaginative play sessions many of us had with action figures. “That’s how I learned how to tell stories. You take these characters. You’re talking with your friends, and you’re acting things out [with the toys]. My job is not that different from that.” That one sentence says a lot about how Favreau views his work — with creativity rooted in play, imagination, and character interaction. From Toy Box to Director’s Chair Favreau’s comparison isn’t just cute nostalgia — it reveals a storytelling philosophy. Growing up with toys, you didn’t have scripts. You had: It’s the same bones of narrative structure directors use today — only with…
The Official Mandalorian Cookbook Announced – 70 Recipes from the Outer Rim
This is the way… to dinner. The Official Mandalorian Cookbook has officially been announced — and it’s bringing 70 recipes inspired by Din Djarin’s adventures across the galaxy. Release date? October 27. And yes — it includes food inspired by Din, Grogu, Bo-Katan, Greef Karga, Ahsoka, Peli Motto, and more. From Pog Soup to Krayt Dragon Sliders This isn’t just blue milk and vague sci-fi desserts. The cookbook dives deep into fully themed dishes like: And yes — dessert is absolutely covered. Beskar Bark.Jawa Chews.Darksaber Chocolate Cake. You can even wash it down with drinks like: This is full Outer Rim immersion. Tied to The Mandalorian & Grogu The book also includes exclusive tie-in recipes inspired by dishes seen in The Mandalorian & Grogu. That’s a subtle but interesting move. Lucasfilm Publishing continues the cross-media expansion strategy — blending film, Disney+, and lifestyle products into one cohesive ecosystem. This isn’t…
Skeleton Crew Season 2 Reportedly in Development According to Production Weekly
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew — the coming-of-age adventure that debuted on Disney+ in late 2024 — has just taken a big step toward a return. According to the latest Production Weekly Issue 1489 (Thursday, February 12, 2026), Skeleton Crew Season 2 is now listed as in development alongside other high-profile projects like The Mandalorian Season 4. This doesn’t confirm a full green-light with a public announcement from Lucasfilm or Disney+, but it’s one of the most concrete industry signals yet that Skeleton Crew could continue. Production Weekly’s listings are widely used by industry pros to track what’s entering pre-production, early development stages, or active planning — so inclusion usually reflects real movement behind the scenes. Here’s what we know — and what it might mean — for Skeleton Crew’s future. From Limited Series to a True Franchise Entry? Star Wars: Skeleton Crew premiered on Disney+ on December 2, 2024, with…
Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes – Feb 10 Updates, Fixes, and Investigations
The dev team has shared a comprehensive status update covering current issues, fixes, and ongoing investigations in Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes. If you’ve run into bugs or odd behavior recently, here’s where everything stands. Andor Image Appearing Early on Webstore Episode Pass An Andor-themed image appeared on the Episode Pass earlier than planned while the Anniversary Episode Pass was still active. This was accidental.To make things right, the team has sent Andor Episode Passes to players who purchased the pass during that period. Zerek Ability Modules Not Converting Zerek Ability Modules failed to convert along with other era materials. Rather than a hotfix, the devs will ensure this is properly resolved at the end of the Andor era. Players Blocked from Kleya’s Marquee Event Some players were unable to continue in Kleya’s Marquee event. This has been fixed, and affected players were granted the necessary shards to progress. Missing…
THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU Is the Lowest-Budget Star Wars Movie Disney Has Ever Made
Disney’s newest entry in the Star Wars franchise, The Mandalorian and Grogu, has achieved something unexpected: it’s now officially the lowest-budget feature film in Star Wars history under the Disney era. According to production figures, the total production cost for The Mandalorian and Grogu landed at $166.4 million — a remarkably modest sum compared to the blockbuster budgets of previous entries in the galaxy far, far away. A Lean Approach in a Blockbuster Era To put that in context, most modern Star Wars films — especially theatrical releases under the Disney banner — have hovered well above $200 million in production costs, even before marketing. That makes The Mandalorian and Grogu’s $166.4 million figure stand out, not just within the franchise but among big-studio tentpoles in general. This leaner price tag could reflect a number of production decisions: Not a Sacrifice, Just Smart Spending Being the lowest-budget movie in the…
Lucasfilm Clarifies The Mandalorian & Grogu Super Bowl Ad: A Playful Nod to Classic Big Game Spots
Lucasfilm has cleared up confusion surrounding the recent Super Bowl commercial for The Mandalorian & Grogu, and the explanation reveals the spot was designed as a deliberate tribute to iconic ads of the past. According to Ryan Stankevich, Lucasfilm’s marketing brand lead, the creative team intentionally leaned into a familiar Super Bowl advertising style — one that longtime viewers of the Big Game would instantly recognize. “Our creative and marketing team landed on a unique concept that gave a nod to classic Big Game spots of years past. It captured the warmth, humor, and emotional connection between these two beloved characters and was the perfect next step for our campaign as we lead up to their big screen debut this summer.” Rather than focusing on plot reveals or spectacle, the ad centered on the heart of the franchise’s most popular duo: Din Djarin and Grogu. The goal wasn’t to expand…
Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes February Update – Andor Era Fixes & Major Imperial Touchups
The latest February update for Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes is less about flashy new characters and more about something players actually love: fixing broken stuff and making old units dangerous again. Between Era of Andor adjustments, long-requested bug fixes, and serious reworks for Imperial Probe Droid and Director Krennic, this patch quietly shifts parts of the meta — especially for Empire and ISB teams. Let’s break it down. 🚀 News Highlights Hunter (Mercenary) Is Now Accelerated More shards, faster farming. Always a win for roster growth. Era of Andor Continues No major system overhaul here — but this patch supports the ongoing Andor-era focus, especially with ISB synergy upgrades (more on that below 👀). 🛠️ Bugs & Fixes (AKA The “Finally” Section) This update hits a lot of lingering issues: This is one of those patches where the game just plays smoother across modes. ⚙️ CHARACTER TOUCHUPS – THE…
A Horror-Themed Star Wars Novel for Young Readers Is Coming This Fall
tar Wars is officially leaning into the shadows. A new horror-themed middle grade novel set in the galaxy far, far away is on the way from Kiersten White, and it’s bringing haunted mystery energy to younger readers this fall. The book is scheduled to release September 1, 2026, published by Random House Worlds, and runs approximately 240 pages — marking one of the clearest pushes yet into horror storytelling for the middle grade Star Wars audience. The Official Synopsis The tone is unmistakably spooky: “Venture beyond the dark side in this chilling horror-themed middle grade novel based on the Star Wars galaxy. Haunted by an evil presence, a young girl tries to solve a nightmarish mystery. Is her bogeyman a Sith…or something darker? Horror readers and Star Wars fans of all ages will thrill to this fright-filled middle grade novel.” That’s not just “creepy corridor on a ship” atmosphere. This…
Dathomir Was Originally Planned as a Location in The Acolyte
One of the most interesting design revelations from The Art of Star Wars: The Acolyte shows that The Acolyte almost took a major detour into one of the darkest corners of Star Wars lore. Dathomir — the infamous homeworld of the Nightsisters — was originally intended to be part of the series’ early worldbuilding plans. Specifically, Mother Aniseya’s temple was first conceived as being located on Dathomir before the creative direction shifted. Why the Change Happened According to the art book’s development insights, a key piece of feedback came from Dave Filoni. Filoni reportedly reminded showrunner Leslye Headland that not all witches in Star Wars are Nightsisters. That single clarification reframed the mythology behind the Force-sensitive coven seen in the series. Instead of tying Mother Aniseya’s group directly to established Nightsister lore, the production leaned toward a broader interpretation of Force traditions — expanding the galaxy’s spiritual diversity rather than…