2026 has barely begun, and already one of the most unexpected gaming stories of the year has emerged — not because of a new game announcement, but because of an obscure Star Wars title suddenly becoming one of the most expensive discs on the second-hand market. For years, Star Wars Racer Revenge — a high-speed podracing sequel originally released in 2002 on PlayStation 2 and re-released for PS4 in 2019 — was a relatively quiet part of the Star Wars legacy. Its PS4 port from Limited Run Games was always rare, but until recently it was a budget title that popped up on eBay for about $20–$50. That has all changed in the last week. A Bug Becomes a Bidding War The trigger wasn’t nostalgia or a sudden surge in fan interest. It was a rumor from the PS5 homebrew and hacking scene about a way to use the PS4…
Author: Matt "ObiWaN" Hansen
Was the Battle of Naboo Actually a Defeat for Palpatine?
At first glance, the Battle of Naboo looks like a clean Sith loss. The Trade Federation is humiliated.The Gungans and the Naboo unite.The Jedi Order get a very public win.And Darth Maul, the Sith’s attack dog, is cut down in front of witnesses. If you stop there, it’s tempting to argue that Palpatine—still playing the role of Senator from Naboo—lost control of events at the climax of The Phantom Menace. Especially if you’ve read Star Wars: Darth Plagueis and view Naboo as the long-term laboratory of Sith manipulation rather than a disposable pawn. But the deeper you dig, the more uncomfortable the question becomes: Did Palpatine actually lose… or did he simply win differently than planned? The Darth Plagueis Problem: Canon vs. Intent Before going further, it’s worth acknowledging the elephant in the room. Darth Plagueis is officially Legends, not canon. That matters—but only to a point. Many of its…
The Complete Chronological Watching Order of Every Canon Star Wars Movie and TV Show in 2026
If you’ve ever tried to watch Star Wars “in order,” you already know the problem: release dates lie, flashbacks complicate things, and Disney-era shows now weave between films like hyperspace lanes. That’s where a true chronological watching order comes in — one that follows the timeline inside the galaxy, not the year something hit theaters. Below is a complete, canon-only chronological order of every Star Wars movie and TV series, from the High Republic era to the fall of the First Order, with a short explanation of what each entry adds to the saga. This guide includes films, live-action series, and animated shows currently considered canon. The High Republic Era Young Jedi Adventures Set centuries before the Skywalker saga, this animated series introduces the High Republic at its most peaceful. It’s aimed at younger viewers but establishes the Jedi Order at its height — confident, numerous, and unchallenged. The Acolyte…
Bryce Dallas Howard Says Directing Ahsoka Season 2 Was “The Most Fun” of Her Adult Life
When Bryce Dallas Howard describes a job as “fun, fun and more fun,” Hollywood usually listens politely and moves on. When she adds that directing episodes of Ahsoka Season 2 was “the most fun that I have had in my adult life”—and calls the experience “magical”—that’s a different signal entirely. This isn’t hype. It’s a seasoned filmmaker talking about a creative high point inside one of the most closely watched productions on Disney+. And for Star Wars fans, it offers a revealing look at why Ahsoka continues to feel both confident and playful as it expands its corner of the galaxy. A Director Who Knows This Galaxy Howard isn’t a guest passing through Star Wars. By now, she’s one of the franchise’s most reliable behind-the-camera voices. Her work on The Mandalorian—including fan-favorite episodes like “Sanctuary” and “The Heiress”—earned her a reputation for balancing emotional character beats with clean, readable action….
Finn Wolfhard Calls The Last Jedi “Underrated” in Recent Interview
Every few years, Star Wars: The Last Jedi finds a new defender. This time, it’s coming from someone who knows a thing or two about pop-culture pressure. Finn Wolfhard, best known for Stranger Things, recently spoke about his love for Star Wars: The Last Jedi, calling it “so good and underrated.” His praise wasn’t vague or polite, either. He singled out the film’s willingness to take risks. “I loved that movie,” Wolfhard said. “I think that movie is so good and underrated. At least there was a thing like let’s take a swing and try some new ideas.” The comments come via Vanity Fair, and they land in a familiar fault line of modern Star Wars conversation. Why this still matters Nearly a decade after its release, The Last Jedi remains one of the most divisive films in the franchise. Some viewers see it as a bold, character-driven shake-up. Others…
A Small Droid, a Quiet Tribute — and a Thoughtful Nod to Carl Weathers
Sometimes Star Wars honors its legacy in loud ways. Other times, it does so with restraint. This one falls firmly in the second category. Lucasfilm has confirmed that the copper assistant droid seen alongside Greef Karga in The Mandalorian carries the designation CW-24 — a deliberate tribute to the late Carl Weathers, who portrayed Karga across the series’ run. It’s subtle. Easy to miss. And exactly the kind of gesture that fits both the character and the man behind him. What Lucasfilm Has Done — and Why It Matters Now The naming choice comes as Star Wars continues to reflect on Weathers’ impact following his passing in early 2024. Beyond his on-screen presence, Weathers also directed several standout episodes of The Mandalorian, shaping the show’s visual language in its formative seasons. Rather than a title card or a public dedication, Lucasfilm opted for something woven directly into the universe. CW-24…
The Star Wars Games That Quietly Shaped Canon
Not all Star Wars canon was forged on the big screen. Some of the most important ideas, characters, and concepts in the galaxy far, far away didn’t arrive with a theatrical release or a Disney+ premiere. They slipped in quietly—through controller prompts, dialogue trees, and mission briefings—often unnoticed outside gaming circles. Over the years, Star Wars games have acted as a kind of narrative testing ground. A place where new ideas could be explored without the pressure of box office expectations. And in more than a few cases, those ideas didn’t stay in games—they reshaped canon itself. Games as a Narrative Sandbox For decades, Star Wars games occupied a strange middle ground. They weren’t movies.They weren’t novels.And for a long time, they weren’t treated as “important” canon either. That freedom turned out to be their greatest strength. Developers could explore moral ambiguity, alternative Force philosophies, and unexplored eras of the…
Star Wars: The Clone Wars on Xbox Was an Experiment That Still Feels Bold
When Star Wars: The Clone Wars debuted on the original Xbox in 2003, it wasn’t just another licensed tie-in. It was one of the first attempts to translate the sprawling, chaotic energy of large-scale Clone Wars battles into an interactive experience — and it did so in a way that still resonates with fans who grew up with the console. A Different Kind of Star Wars Combat Unlike lightsaber duels or ground-level infantry skirmishes, Star Wars: The Clone Wars on Xbox put you in the driver’s seat of the machines of war itself. This was a game about vehicles and battlefield roles: Rather than a traditional infantry-focused shooter, the game blended arcade action with objective-driven missions that required tactical thinking and situational awareness. In an era where Star Wars games often focused on cinematic set pieces or character quests, this title leaned into scale and strategy — letting players feel…
You’ve Played Knights of the Old Republic for Years — and Still Missed This
Even longtime Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic players have moments where the game surprises them. The kind of realization that hits hard because you’ve sunk dozens—maybe hundreds—of hours into it and somehow never noticed something obvious in hindsight. One such moment comes late in the game, right before the final confrontation with Darth Malak. Most players remember this stretch clearly: a tense buildup, repeated enemy encounters, and a sense that the game is deliberately testing your endurance before the finale. But here’s the thing: one of those encounters isn’t mandatory at all. The Detail Many Players Overlook In the area leading up to the final elevator sequence, the game pushes you into a combat-heavy scenario that feels completely scripted. Droids keep spawning, the pacing slows, and most players assume this is simply part of the intended challenge. What often goes unnoticed is that the elevator itself can be…
Ewan McGregor Wants One More Star Wars Wish Fulfilled — Obi-Wan in Clone Wars Armor
In a franchise that rarely looks backward without a plan, Ewan McGregor just made a surprisingly grounded request: he wants to wear Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Clone Wars armor in live action—and he wants to do it alongside Hayden Christensen. “I want to get that [Clone Wars] armor on,” McGregor said at Fan Expo Chicago. “That armor stuff. Come on now… Hopefully, Hayden and I get to do more.” It’s a simple wish. And that’s exactly why it matters. Why This Matters Now Star Wars is in a moment of recalibration. After years of rapid expansion, Lucasfilm has slowed its pace, choosing projects more carefully and letting nostalgia breathe instead of flooding the market with it. Against that backdrop, McGregor’s comment doesn’t feel like fan-service bait. It feels like a reminder of an era that still hasn’t been fully explored in live action—despite being one of the most beloved periods in Star…
Mark Hamill on AI, Luke Skywalker & the Future of Star Wars
When the topic of AI-generated characters comes up in Hollywood, few voices resonate like that of Mark Hamill — the maIn an interview with Variety, Mark Hamill was asked a question that sits right at the intersection of fandom, technology, and legacy: would he want AI to be used to depict Luke Skywalker in future Star Wars projects? His answer wasn’t a yes. It wasn’t a no. It was something more thoughtful—and far more revealing. “It’s hard to predict the future, but I may have to ask my family if they want me in a Star Wars movie 30 years from now after I’m gone.” That single sentence captures the uncertainty Hollywood is now wrestling with as AI-generated performances move from novelty to inevitability. Why Mark Hamill’s Opinion Matters Hamill isn’t just another actor — he is Luke Skywalker. That role has spanned nearly five decades, from the original 1977…
ILM’s 2025 Holiday Card Is a Subtle Nod to 50 Years of Visual Storytelling
When Industrial Light & Magic released its official 2025 holiday card, it didn’t feel like marketing—or even a celebration in the usual sense. It felt deliberate. Quiet. Confident. At first glance, the card shows a glowing Christmas ornament hanging on a tree. Inside the glass: a bright red “50”, an X-wing silhouette, and tiny sci-fi details embedded in the glow. It’s festive, sure—but it’s also doing something more interesting than just wishing people happy holidays. Why People Are Searching for This Card Most searches around the ILM holiday card come down to a few clear questions: The short answer: this card isn’t about hype. It’s about legacy. What the Design Is Actually Communicating ILM was founded in 1975, making 2025 its 50th year. Instead of spelling that out, the card lets the number speak for itself. The choice of a glass ornament matters. Ornaments are handled carefully, brought out once…
Dave Filoni Honored With Lucasfilm Service Award After 20 Years of Shaping Star Wars
Some milestones don’t need hype. They speak for themselves. Dave Filoni has received a Lucasfilm Service Award, recognizing 20 years with the company and a body of work that has quietly, steadily reshaped how Star Wars tells its stories. It’s a moment that feels overdue—and entirely fitting. Why this matters now Star Wars has changed dramatically over the last two decades. Formats shifted. Audiences broadened. Expectations hardened. Through all of that, Filoni became a constant. Not because he chased trends, but because he understood the connective tissue of the galaxy far, far away—its themes, its rhythms, and its emotional logic. The Service Award isn’t about a single show or character. It’s about continuity. Stewardship. Trust. What the award recognizes The Lucasfilm Service Award is an internal honor, given to individuals whose long-term contributions helped define the company’s creative identity. In Filoni’s case, that contribution spans animation, live-action television, character creation,…
How Many Seasons and Years Will Maul: Shadow Lord Run For?
When Maul: Shadow Lord was announced, the excitement wasn’t just about seeing Darth Maul return to the spotlight—it was about how Lucasfilm plans to tell his story this time. With the animated series set to debut on Disney+ in 2026, one question keeps surfacing among fans who’ve followed Star Wars animation closely: how long will this show actually last on Disney+? Not in terms of hype cycles or wishful thinking, but in the practical, story-driven sense that determines whether a series feels complete or overstays its welcome. Looking at how Lucasfilm has handled recent animated projects, Maul’s established place in canon, and the realities of modern streaming production, there’s a surprisingly clear answer hiding in plain sight. Will it be a tight, prestige-style run?A longer, Clone Wars–style epic?Or something deliberately limited? Let’s break this down properly—based on how Lucasfilm actually treats animated Star Wars, not wishful thinking or hype cycles….
Andor Season 2 Named Best Television Series of 2025 by Total Film
Some awards feel ceremonial. This one feels declarative. Total Film has named Andor Season 2 the Best Television Series of 2025, putting a firm stamp on what many viewers sensed long before year-end lists began to roll out: this was prestige television operating at full confidence. And it matters because Andor didn’t win by leaning on legacy. It won by out-thinking the medium. Why this matters now Season 2 closed the loop on a bold experiment—one that asked whether Star Wars could thrive as a grounded political thriller without lightsaber spectacle as its engine. Total Film’s recognition arrives as a clear answer. Not only could it work—it could lead the year. What Total Film recognized The publication’s top honor acknowledges Season 2’s sustained focus on consequence, ideology, and character rather than escalation for its own sake. Across its final run, Andor doubled down on the ideas that defined its first…
SWTOR Releases “Tumble in Yusinduu Factory,” a New Track That Leans Into Momentum and Mood
SWTOR continues to quietly expand its soundscape — and this time, it does so with movement, tension, and a sense of controlled chaos. A new music track titled “Tumble in Yusinduu Factory” has been released from Star Wars: The Old Republic, composed by Gordy Haab, Samuel Joseph Smythe, and Yitong ET Chen. It’s the latest standalone piece to surface on YouTube, and it reinforces how deliberately SWTOR is still using music to shape moment-to-moment storytelling. Why this matters now More than a decade into its lifespan, SWTOR doesn’t need new music drops to stay functional. The fact that it keeps producing original, location-specific tracks like this one is a choice — and a telling one. “Tumble in Yusinduu Factory” isn’t background filler. It’s propulsive, reactive, and designed to push the player forward. That signals an ongoing investment in atmosphere, not just content volume. What was released The SWTOR team has…
This Year’s Lucasfilm Christmas Card Continues a Festive Star Wars Tradition
The holidays have always brought something special from Lucasfilm, but this year’s Christmas card captures the season with a distinctly Star Wars twist. Lucasfilm has revealed its 2025 holiday card artwork, featuring Andor characters K-2SO and B2-EMO hauling in a Christmas tree, set against a wintry backdrop that feels both festive and fitting for a galaxy far, far away. The piece was illustrated by Logan Crist of Industrial Light & Magic, keeping alive a tradition that stretches back decades. Why this matters now Star Wars holiday cards aren’t just seasonal niceties. They’re part of Lucasfilm’s long-running tradition of celebrating the franchise’s creative community while giving fans a collectible piece of art that reflects the tone of a given year. At a moment when Star Wars continues to expand across film, television, games, and immersive experiences, a lighthearted artwork like this offers a shared cultural touchpoint — a reminder that the…
A Sweet Slice of the Galaxy: New Star Wars Minis Holiday Short Arrives
This Christmas season, Star Wars isn’t just about big blockbusters and sprawling sagas — it’s also about playful creativity and holiday cheer. Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic have quietly released a stylized short as part of the Star Wars Minis series, offering fans a whimsical twist on a classic scene from the original saga. Why This Matters Now The holidays are a time for traditions, nostalgia, and rediscovery — and this Star Wars short taps into all three. Rather than launching another high-stakes story or trailer, Lucasfilm has delivered something lighter: a festive reinterpretation of the iconic Death Star trench run, rebuilt entirely out of gingerbread cookies and holiday spirit. It’s a reminder that Star Wars can connect with audiences of all ages in creative, unexpected ways — not just through sprawling epics, but through bite-sized, joyful moments that celebrate the franchise’s place in pop culture. What Was Released…
Vince Zampella, Architect of Modern Star Wars Games and Shooters, Has Died
Some names shape genres. Vince Zampella shaped eras. The game industry is mourning the loss of Vince Zampella, a defining creative force behind Call of Duty, Titanfall, and Respawn Entertainment’s modern Star Wars games. His death marks the end of a career that quietly, decisively changed how action games are made—and how millions of players experience them. Why this matters now Zampella’s influence stretches across two decades of gaming history. From competitive shooters to cinematic single-player adventures, his fingerprints are everywhere—including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor, which redefined what a modern Star Wars game could be. His passing isn’t just the loss of a studio head. It’s the loss of a design philosophy built on feel, precision, and respect for players. What happened According to confirmed reporting, Zampella died following a single-vehicle car crash in Southern California. Emergency services responded to the incident after an automated alert,…
SWTOR Drops “Shae vs. Heta” — A New Music Track That Carries the Weight of a Feud
SWTOR doesn’t always announce its biggest moments with fireworks. Sometimes, it lets the music speak first. That’s exactly what just happened with “Shae vs. Heta,” a newly released Star Wars: The Old Republic music track that quietly arrived on YouTube — and immediately signaled that a long-simmering Mandalorian conflict still matters. Why this matters now SWTOR has been steadily releasing new, original music outside the game client, and each drop tells us something about where the story’s emotional gravity currently sits. “Shae vs. Heta” isn’t ambient filler. It’s pointed. Personal. And titled like a confrontation that refuses to stay in the past. When a live-service MMO continues to invest in bespoke, story-driven music more than a decade in, that’s not nostalgia. That’s intent. What was released The SWTOR team has published a new standalone track titled “Shae vs. Heta” on YouTube. The music is credited to Gordy Haab, Samuel Joseph…
December 21 Changed Star Wars Forever — Not October 30
This is one of those Star Wars facts that almost everyone gets wrong — including major news outlets. Disney did not officially buy Lucasfilm on October 30, 2012. That was the announcement day.The deal itself came later. And the distinction matters more than people think. Why this matters now “On this day” anniversaries tend to flatten history into a single headline. Over time, that headline becomes accepted truth, even when it skips important details. The Disney–Lucasfilm deal is a perfect example. October 30 is remembered as the moment Star Wars changed hands — but legally and financially, that wasn’t the case. What actually happened in 2012 On October 30, 2012, Disney announced its intention to acquire Lucasfilm in a deal valued at roughly $4.05 billion. The news dominated entertainment coverage and instantly reshaped expectations for the future of Star Wars. But announcing a deal isn’t the same as completing one….
Andor Season 2 Named TV Show of the Year by Empire Magazine
This isn’t just another accolade. It’s a statement. Empire Magazine has named Andor Season 2 TV Show of the Year, placing a grounded, politically sharp Star Wars series at the very top of television in 2025. For a franchise better known for spectacle than subtlety, that recognition lands with real weight. Why this matters now By the time Season 2 reached its conclusion, Andor had already earned a reputation for doing things differently. No Force mysticism. No legacy comfort beats. Just pressure, consequence, and the slow grind of rebellion. Empire’s decision confirms that approach didn’t just work for Star Wars fans — it worked for television as a whole. What Empire recognized In naming Andor its top series of the year, Empire highlighted the show’s ability to fuse political tension, character-driven storytelling, and moral complexity without losing momentum. Season 2 expanded its scope while keeping its focus tight. Cassian’s arc…
Somehow, Palpatine Returned
The line everyone remembers — and Star Wars still hasn’t escaped There are movie lines that become iconic because they’re brilliant.And then there are lines that become iconic because… well… everyone stops and stares at the screen. “Somehow, Palpatine returned” belongs firmly in the second category. It’s not dramatic.It’s not clever.It’s not even especially informative. And yet, years later, it’s still one of the most searched Star Wars quotes on the internet — a meme, a punchline, and a shorthand for an entire era of frustration. Whether you love the sequel trilogy, hate it, or have achieved the rare state of peaceful acceptance, you know this line. You don’t even need context anymore. The line is the context. So why does it still matter? And why do people keep googling it in 2025? Let’s talk about it. Where the line comes from (and why it hit so wrong) The line…
Did You Know? Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005) on PS2 Was Bigger, Bolder, and Smarter Than You Remember
There’s a reason Star Wars: Battlefront II still comes up in conversations nearly two decades later. At a time when licensed games often played it safe, this one went wide—wider maps, deeper systems, and a confidence that trusted players to handle more than just run-and-gun chaos. In 2005, that mattered. Console shooters were evolving, Star Wars games were everywhere, and expectations were high. Battlefront II didn’t just meet them. It quietly rewrote what large-scale Star Wars combat could feel like on a PlayStation 2. A True Expansion of the Original Vision The original Battlefront laid the groundwork, but Star Wars: Battlefront II treated that foundation as a starting point, not a ceiling. Galactic Conquest returned with more purpose. Instead of being a novelty mode, it became the strategic spine of the experience. Players weren’t just hopping between battles—they were moving fleets, choosing targets, and managing resources across a galactic map….