A fascinating piece of behind-the-scenes insight reveals that Darth Plagueis was intended to grow into the “larger threat” in future seasons of The Acolyte. The detail comes from The Art of Star Wars: The Acolyte, which explores early creative direction and long-term narrative thinking for the series. Rather than being a background name-drop or mythological reference, Plagueis was positioned as a looming presence — a figure meant to expand into something much more central over time. A Villain Introduced Like Gollum The book also notes that Plagueis’ introduction was conceptually inspired by how Gollum is introduced in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. That comparison says a lot. Gollum isn’t introduced as the main antagonist at first. Instead, he’s: Applying that model to Plagueis suggests the creative team saw him not just as Sith backstory, but as a slow-burning, long-game threat designed to unfold gradually. What…
Author: Matt "ObiWaN" Hansen
Kathleen Kennedy Suggested Lighter Jedi Robes in The Acolyte
A small costume decision in The Acolyte actually came from the top. According to material from The Art of The Acolyte, Kathleen Kennedy was the one who pushed for Jedi Order costumes in the series to move away from the familiar beige and off-white tones seen across much of Star Wars history. Her reasoning? Toy shelves. “Every time I go into toy departments and see Jedi action figures, they’re always beige and off-white. They look kind of bland on the shelves.” It’s a reminder that Star Wars design decisions often live at the intersection of storytelling, visual identity, and merchandising reality. Why the Color Shift Matters For decades, Jedi robes have been closely associated with earth tones — a visual shorthand for humility, tradition, and monastic simplicity. But in a retail setting, subtle costume palettes don’t always stand out. By encouraging brighter or more visually distinct looks for Jedi in…
6 Years Ago Today, Battlefront II Rolled Out the BB Update
On this day six years ago, Star Wars Battlefront II received one of its most memorable post-launch updates — the BB Update. It was the patch that added BB-8 and BB-9E as playable heroes, bringing some of the most unconventional — and surprisingly tactical — gameplay the game had seen up to that point. And yes, people absolutely underestimated the droids at first. The Day Support Heroes Stole the Spotlight BB-8 and BB-9E weren’t traditional blaster or lightsaber heroes. They were fast, low-profile support units built around: BB-8’s cable spin and support skills made him a chaos machine in tight objective modes, while BB-9E excelled at debuffing enemies and backing up frontline villains. They didn’t just “feel different” — they changed how teams approached choke points and close-quarters objectives. Sequel Era Supremacy Expands The update didn’t just add heroes. It also expanded Supremacy into the sequel trilogy era, letting players…
Trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu Set to Debut During the Super Bowl
A new trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu is expected to premiere during Sunday’s Super Bowl broadcast, according to industry reporting from Deadline. That puts the first major new look at the next big-screen Star Wars story in one of the most high-profile TV slots of the year — right alongside major studio tentpoles and blockbuster campaigns. For Star Wars fans, that’s not just a trailer drop. That’s a statement. Star Wars Returns to the Biggest Stage in Entertainment The Super Bowl has become as much a movie marketing event as a sports one. Studios use the broadcast to launch: Positioning The Mandalorian and Grogu in that lineup signals Disney sees this film as a flagship theatrical event, not just an extension of streaming storytelling. This is the movie that moves the Mandalorian era from Disney+ to the cinema — and the marketing push is clearly scaling up to match….
33 Years Later, X-Wing Still Defines Star Wars Space Combat
Star Wars: X-Wing turns 33 years old, and honestly? A lot of modern space games still live in its shadow. Released in February 1993 on good old-fashioned floppy disks, this wasn’t just another licensed Star Wars title. It helped define what Star Wars flight combat should feel like — tense, tactical, and very, very deadly if you got cocky. For many players, this was the first time the fantasy of sitting in the cockpit of an X-wing felt real instead of arcadey. The Game That Took Star Wars Into True 3D Space Back in the early ‘90s, most space games still leaned heavily on sprites and tricks. X-Wing went another direction. It became one of the first games to use 3D polygon graphics for spacecraft, meaning ships were fully rendered objects in space, not flat illusions. That sounds basic now, but in 1993 this was cutting-edge stuff — especially on…
That 2003 KOTOR Ad That Made Revan Look Almost Live-Action
Long before cinematic game trailers were standard, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic was already being marketed like a film. One of the most striking examples is a 2003 print advertisement built around the phrase “Choose Your Path.” Instead of showing gameplay or ships, the ad centers on a hyper-realistic human face split down the middle — half heroic, half Sith. And it still looks wild today. A Face Between the Light and the Dark The ad’s design is simple but powerful: This wasn’t just cool art. It was a visual summary of what made Knights of the Old Republic revolutionary in 2003: your choices shape who you become. Is That Revan? Yes… and No Fans often look at this ad and ask: “Is that supposed to be Revan?” Marketing-wise, yes. Literally, no. Revan in KOTOR is a player-defined character, not a fixed face. The person shown in the…
Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes Launching Major Andor Update Featuring Partagaz, Dedra Meero & New Cassian Variants
Fans of Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes have something exciting on the way. After more than a decade on mobile, the popular collectible RPG is preparing a major update based on the acclaimed Disney+ series Andor — bringing brand-new character versions and iconic antagonists from the show to the holographic battlefield. New Andor Characters Join the Game The upcoming Andor expansion for Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes will introduce a selection of characters directly from Disney’s hit spy drama, including: These additions expand the roster of playable figures tied to the Rebel-Empire conflict and bring fresh tactical options for players. Developers Share Behind-the-Scenes Insight According to developers at EA’s Capital Games and Lucasfilm Games, the Andor update is designed to capture the feel and tone of the series as authentically as possible. Lucasfilm Games executive producer Orion Kellogg told Variety that the team wants players to feel connected to the…
51 Years Ago Today, George Lucas Completed Adventures of the Starkiller, Episode I: The Star Wars
Long before A New Hope changed cinema, Star Wars existed in a very different form. On this day 51 years ago, George Lucas completed the second draft of his screenplay titled: Adventures of the Starkiller, Episode I: The Star Wars It’s one of the most fascinating “what if” moments in film history — a version of Star Wars that looks familiar, strange, and wildly ambitious all at once. A Galaxy That Almost Was This draft wasn’t just a stepping stone. It was a radically different blueprint for the saga. Elements that would later define Star Wars were already present: But nearly everything was shaped differently. Names, relationships, and roles shifted constantly in this era. Characters we now know as Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Obi-Wan Kenobi existed in early forms — but not yet as the figures fans recognize today. “Starkiller” Before Skywalker One of the most famous relics from…
Star Wars: Starfighter Writer Says Shawn Levy Made a “Phenomenal Movie”
We still don’t know much about Star Wars: Starfighter, but the people making it sound seriously confident. Screenwriter Jonathan Tropper has shared new comments about the project — and the tone suggests this isn’t just another familiar saga chapter. It’s aiming to be something new. Speaking about the film, Tropper praised director Shawn Levy and the creative direction of the movie. “Gosling is amazing to watch and I’m super excited to just bring new characters and new worlds to the franchise. You know, we’re doing something totally new and that’s really exciting.” He also made it clear he believes Levy delivered in a big way. Levy “made a phenomenal movie.” That’s strong language — especially for a franchise entry that’s stepping outside the usual legacy character orbit. A Focus on New Characters and Worlds The biggest takeaway from Tropper’s comments is the emphasis on originality. Star Wars projects often balance…
The Acolyte Creator Confirms The Stranger Was Meant to Be the First Knight of Ren
One of the biggest lingering mysteries from The Acolyte just got a major lore twist. According to series creator Leslye Headland, The Stranger wasn’t just another dark side wildcard — he was designed to be the first Knight of Ren. The reveal comes from The Art of The Acolyte, which dives into the deeper creative intentions behind the show’s characters and mythology. A Sith Rule Problem… and the Solution Headland explains that the character’s role had to work within established Sith canon — specifically the Rule of Two. “It was in the design of the character, as well as knowing that we were going to introduce Darth Plagueis, who has to end up with Palpatine as his apprentice. Following the Rule of Two – a precept that limited the Sith to just two at any given time, a master and an apprentice – one way to keep it going is…
Star Wars Scores Big at the Saturn Awards with Andor Leading the Charge
The nominations for the 53rd Annual Saturn Awards are out, and Star Wars is very much in the spotlight. Between Andor, Skeleton Crew, and Tales of the Underworld, the franchise picked up multiple nominations across major television categories — plus recognition for actors and Industrial Light & Magic in the film awards. Here’s how the galaxy far, far away is showing up. Andor Dominates the TV Nominations Andor leads the Star Wars pack with recognition in top-tier categories, reinforcing its status as one of the franchise’s most critically respected series. Nominations include: That’s a strong showing for a series that leaned into political tension, grounded storytelling, and character-driven drama rather than traditional space fantasy spectacle. Skeleton Crew Breaks Through as a New Series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew made its mark in the genre newcomer space and acting categories: It’s a sign that Lucasfilm’s newer storytelling directions are getting attention beyond…
Star Wars Actor Noshir Dalal Praises Writer Aaron Contreras for “Unparalleled Love” for the Franchise
Actor Noshir Dalal, known for his role as Bode Akuna in Star Wars Jedi Survivor, had high praise for writer Aaron Contreras — calling his passion for Star Wars “unparalleled.” The comment came in a recent interview discussing Contreras’ history with the franchise, including his work on Star Wars Jedi titles and his new role as narrative lead on Star Wars Zero Company. From Survivor and Fallen Order to Zero Company Contreras has become one of the most talked-about writers in Star Wars gaming due to his work on Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Both titles have been widely praised for their narrative depth, character development, and ability to expand Star Wars lore in game form. Now, Contreras has shifted roles to lead the narrative vision for Star Wars Zero Company, a project slated for release in 2026 that is already generating buzz within the…
Report: Dave Filoni’s MandoVerse Crossover Movie May Be Reworked Into a Disney+ Series
A new report suggests that the planned Dave Filoni–helmed crossover project set in the so-called MandoVerse may no longer be moving forward as a theatrical film. According to industry scooper DanielRPK, the project is being reworked into a limited series for Disney+ instead of a feature movie. At this stage, the information should be treated as unconfirmed, as Lucasfilm and Disney have not issued any official statement. What Was the MandoVerse Crossover? The project, first announced during Lucasfilm’s broader film slate reveal, was intended to bring together story threads from: Filoni was set to direct the crossover event, which was positioned as a culmination of the interconnected storytelling built across these Disney+ series. Why a Shift to Series Could Make Sense If the report is accurate, moving the project from film to limited series wouldn’t be unprecedented in the modern franchise landscape. The MandoVerse storyline is already structured like long-form…
SWTOR Game Update 7.8c Goes Live With Cartel Market Additions, UI Improvements, and Bug Fixes
BioWare is taking Star Wars: The Old Republic servers offline to deploy Game Update 7.8c, with an estimated downtime of 4 hours. While this is a smaller point update, 7.8c delivers a wide range of bug fixes, quality-of-life improvements, UI customization options, and a new Cartel Market addition inspired by Star Wars: Visions™. Below is a breakdown of what players need to know. Update Highlights New Cartel Market Items A brand-new Shadow Sentry Lightsaber, dualsaber, and armor set, inspired by Star Wars: Visions™, has been added to the Cartel Market. Mac Launcher Update A new version of the Mac launcher has been released.This update resolves an issue where some Mac players were getting stuck on a black screen after launching the game. Subscriber Event Removed The Subscriber Event tokens and vendor have now been fully removed from the game. Major Bug Fix Categories Game Update 7.8c is heavily focused on…
Andor Writer Dan Gilroy Reveals the Historic Roots Behind Mon Mothma’s Senate Speech
One of the most talked-about moments in Andor wasn’t a battle, a betrayal, or a spy operation — it was a speech. Now, writer Dan Gilroy has shed light on just how carefully that moment was constructed, revealing that Mon Mothma’s Senate address was inspired by some of the most significant political speeches in modern history. A speech built like history Gilroy pointed out a striking detail: Mon Mothma’s speech measures 269 words — just three words shorter than Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. That comparison wasn’t accidental. The speech’s structure and tone draw directly from Lincoln’s rhetorical style, particularly the moral clarity and sense of historic urgency found in his first inaugural address. A blend of global voices But Lincoln wasn’t the only influence. Gilroy explained that Mon’s words also echo the oratory traditions of: That combination of voices helps explain why the scene carries such weight. Rather than sounding…
STAR WARS: STARFIGHTER Will Not Feature Any Legacy Characters, Says Screenwriter
Lucasfilm’s upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter movie is shaping up to be a fresh start for the franchise — and that includes no appearances by legacy characters from previous films. According to screenwriter Jonathan Tropper, Starfighter is intentionally distancing itself from familiar faces like Luke Skywalker, Rey, or other established heroes and villains. Instead, Tropper says the story will entirely focus on new characters and a new chapter of the galaxy far, far away. “No legacy characters” means a clean slate In a recent comment addressing rumors ahead of the film’s planned 2027 release, Tropper confirmed the decision directly: “I think it’s known that we have no legacy characters. You’re not going to see any of the characters you’ve seen in the other movies.” That’s a significant creative choice, especially in a franchise that has often tied new projects closely to its past. Why this matters for Starfighter In recent years,…
Rian Johnson Says He Wants New Star Wars Stories Following Kathleen Kennedy’s Exit
Filmmaker Rian Johnson is looking ahead with optimism for the future of Star Wars, expressing excitement about fresh creative voices entering the galaxy far, far away following Kathleen Kennedy’s departure from Lucasfilm leadership. Johnson, who directed Star Wars: The Last Jedi, shared his perspective in a recent interview, focusing on what he sees as the most thrilling possibility in the post-Kennedy era: new storytellers and new stories. “Fresh voices” driving the future of Star Wars “As a Star Wars fan,” Johnson said, “the most exciting thing for me is always seeing when they bring in fresh voices and fresh filmmakers to come in and tell new stories in that world. That’s what I am looking forward to seeing more happen.” His comments emphasize a creative approach that values diversity of perspective over repetition of familiar formulas — a sentiment shared by many within the industry as leadership at Lucasfilm transitions….
Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon Offers a First Listen with Exclusive Audio Excerpt
Fans of Star Wars literature can now get an early taste of what’s to come from the soon-to-be-released novel Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon — complete with an exclusive audio excerpt featuring main characters Jaylen Vrax and ND-5. An audiobook snippet has been made available ahead of the official launch, giving readers a unique first look at this Star Wars Outlaws prequel and its gritty, character-driven narrative. What the Audio Excerpt Reveals The exclusive audio preview, narrated by Eric Johnson and Jay Rincon, focuses on pivotal early moments in the story. It introduces Jaylen Vrax — a former heir stripped of wealth and status — alongside the reprogrammed battle droid ND-5, whose loyalty and sense of purpose have become central to their survival. In the excerpt, we hear how Jaylen is forced into a new life after tragedy strikes his family, and how the unlikely partnership with ND-5 becomes…
Maul – Shadow Lord Shows a Galaxy Tightening Under Imperial Control
As Maul – Shadow Lord takes shape, new comments from executive producer Matt Michnovetz offer a clearer picture of the political and psychological landscape the series will explore. According to Michnovetz, the galaxy at this point in the timeline is not yet fully crushed by the Empire — but it’s well on its way. The Empire is expanding, quietly and relentlessly Rather than depicting a galaxy already living in open rebellion, Maul – Shadow Lord is set during a period of consolidation. The Empire is spreading outward from the core worlds, tightening its grip system by system. Many in the galaxy don’t yet fully understand what the Empire represents. Some see it as stability. Others view it as distant authority. That uncertainty is part of the tension the series aims to explore. Power is growing — but not always visibly. The Inquisitorius operates in the shadows A major element of…
Sean Kiner and Deana Kiner Confirmed as Composers for Maul – Shadow Lord
Lucasfilm has confirmed that Sean Kiner and Deana Kiner are composing the score for Maul – Shadow Lord, the upcoming animated Star Wars series centered on Darth Maul. The announcement immediately signals a familiar musical direction for longtime fans of Star Wars animation, as the Kiners have been responsible for much of the franchise’s modern animated soundscape. A familiar musical signature for Star Wars animation Sean and Deana Kiner’s previous work spans nearly every major animated Star Wars project of the past decade. Their credits include: Across those series, the Kiners developed a musical identity that blends orchestral Star Wars tradition with darker, more modern textures — an approach that feels particularly well-suited to a Maul-centered story. Why the score matters for a Maul series Darth Maul has always been a character defined as much by mood as by action. From his silent menace in The Phantom Menace to his…
How George Lucas’ Original Vision Influenced MAUL – SHADOW LORD
When MAUL – SHADOW LORD was first announced, one of the most frequent questions from fans was: What kind of story will this animated Star Wars series be? Now we’re getting an answer — straight from executive producer Matt Michnovetz. In a recent interview, Michnovetz explained how George Lucas’ original inspirations — the thrill-heavy serials that guided the creation of Star Wars itself — helped shape the tone and pacing of MAUL – SHADOW LORD. “We wanted to create an action-packed thrill ride, something that had the rush of a roller coaster, so we do a lot of homages to the classic serials of the day, which gave George Lucas the inspiration for Star Wars. And we’ve got the perfect character to drive us through this in Maul.” This insight offers an important piece of context: MAUL – SHADOW LORD isn’t just another animated project. It’s intentionally channeling the same…
The Mandalorian & Grogu Will Be “A Lot Bigger Than the Series,” Says Lateef Crowder
The scale of The Mandalorian & Grogu just got a little clearer. According to Lateef Crowder, the upcoming Star Wars film isn’t simply an extended episode of the Disney+ series — it’s something much bigger. “I want people to be surprised. One thing I will say is there’s a lot of great action, a lot bigger than the series.” Crowder shared the comment during a recent interview, offering a rare on-the-record hint about what fans should expect when Din Djarin and Grogu make the jump from streaming to the big screen. Full video interview: “Bigger Than the Series” Is the Key Phrase Here That specific wording matters. The Mandalorian already delivers cinematic action by TV standards, but Crowder’s comment suggests the film is leaning fully into theatrical-scale storytelling — not just in visuals, but in action design. In other words:this isn’t a “Disney+ movie.” It’s a Star Wars movie. What…
MAUL – SHADOW LORD Used Hand-Painted Glass Art to Create the City of Janix
One of the most striking elements in MAUL – SHADOW LORD isn’t a lightsaber duel or a Sith monologue — it’s the city of Janix itself. According to new behind-the-scenes information, the city was created using a surprisingly old-school technique:artists physically painted the city on pieces of glass and canvas, then used those paintings as background elements in the series. Yes — actual paint. Actual glass. In 2026. A Practical Technique in a Digital Star Wars Series Rather than building Janix entirely in 3D, the art team chose to lean on a method with deep roots in film history. The process involved: The result is a city that feels layered, distant, and slightly surreal — perfect for a story centered on Maul’s shadowy rise. Why Glass Paintings Still Matter This technique isn’t new. It’s a classic filmmaking trick used long before CGI became dominant — and Star Wars itself has…
On This Day in Battlefront: The Darth Tyranus Update Dropped 7 Years Ago
If you were playing Star Wars Battlefront II back in its glory days, you probably remember exactly where you were when this happened: The Darth Tyranus Update released 7 years ago today. And it wasn’t just another patch — it was one of those updates that instantly changed the feel of the game, mainly because it finally brought in one of the most requested prequel-era villains. Yes… Count Dooku arrived. Count Dooku (Serenno’s Sith) Entered the Battlefield The update was headlined by Serenno’s Count Dooku, aka Darth Tyranus — smooth, brutal, and absolutely built for people who enjoy deleting enemies with elegant lightsaber swings and zero mercy. Dooku didn’t just feel like “another hero.” He felt like a statement:Battlefront II was going all-in on the Clone Wars era. And honestly? That era is where the game truly started to shine. Geonosis Expanded Into More Modes The update also brought Geonosis…