Disney’s Star Wars AI video experiment is over before it ever really started. OpenAI has decided to shut down Sora, its consumer video product, and that move also kills the high-profile Disney agreement that would have brought more than 200 Disney-owned characters and settings, including Star Wars, into AI-generated fan videos. Reuters reported that the deal never officially closed and that no money changed hands, even though Disney had announced plans in December to invest $1 billion in OpenAI as part of the broader partnership. A Big Star Wars Bet That Never Reached Launch Back in December, Disney said Sora would be able to generate short fan-style videos using a licensed pool of more than 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars characters, plus costumes, props, vehicles, and iconic environments. The companies also said some curated Sora-generated videos could eventually stream on Disney+. In other words, this was not some…
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Disneyland Is Quietly Erasing Another Galactic Starcruiser Detail From Galaxy’s Edge
Disneyland has quietly removed a Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser reference from Oga’s Cantina, and it looks like more than a simple background update. Reports say a Halcyon-related message on the cantina’s notice board has been replaced as part of the venue’s recent refresh. A Tiny Change With Bigger Timing On its own, this is the kind of detail most guests would never notice. But the timing makes it much more interesting. Disney has already confirmed that starting April 29, 2026, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland will expand beyond its old narrow timeline and start featuring characters from more eras of the saga, including Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Darth Vader. That means this Oga’s Cantina change lands right in the middle of a much bigger creative reset for Batuu. What Was Actually Removed The removed notice reportedly referenced Captain Keevan of the Halcyon and called for a…
Bob Iger Steps Down as Disney CEO Tomorrow — and Lucasfilm Became One of His Biggest Franchise Bets
Bob Iger is set to step down as Disney CEO in March 2026, with Disney naming Josh D’Amaro as his successor. Reuters reported that D’Amaro will take over in March, while Iger will remain a senior adviser through the end of the year. For Star Wars fans, that makes this more than just a Disney boardroom story. Iger was the CEO who pushed Disney to acquire Lucasfilm in 2012 for about $4.05 billion, a deal Disney announced officially at the time as a major long-term franchise play. Lucasfilm Was One of the Defining Iger Moves When people look back at the Iger era, Lucasfilm is going to be one of the first things they mention. Under Iger, Disney did not just buy Star Wars. It turned Lucasfilm into one of the company’s most important franchise engines across films, streaming, merchandise, and theme-park strategy. Disney’s 2024 proxy-fight materials, as reported by…
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord Official Trailer Has Arrived
The official trailer for Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord has landed, and Lucasfilm is clearly done playing coy. The new footage pushes Maul back into full spotlight mode, with revenge, lightsaber combat, and a much clearer sense of where this series is heading. Lucasfilm says the show begins with a two-episode premiere on Disney+ on April 6, 2026, with two episodes releasing weekly through the finale on May the 4th. The Trailer Makes the Tone Crystal Clear This is not being sold as a quiet character study. According to the official trailer coverage, Maul – Shadow Lord is a “pulpy adventure” that follows Maul as he tries to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a world untouched by the Empire. Along the way, he crosses paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan who could become the apprentice he has been looking for. Maul Is Back in Full Revenge Mode The…
Exclusive Mandalorian and Grogu IMAX Footage Is Reportedly Playing in the UK, and It Sounds Like Lucasfilm Is Leaning Hard Into the Big-Screen Upgrade
One of the easiest ways to tell Lucasfilm knows The Mandalorian and Grogu needs to feel like a real movie is this: it apparently is not just pushing trailers anymore. According to Bespin Bulletin, an exclusive behind-the-scenes-style featurette has been playing at Odeon IMAX screenings in the UK over the last few days, giving audiences a little extra look at the film before its May 22, 2026 release. That alone is enough to make Star Wars fans perk up, because once studios start attaching exclusive footage to premium screens, they are not just selling a title — they are selling the idea that this thing belongs in theaters. The Reported Footage Sounds More Cinematic Than Routine Promo Filler Bespin Bulletin says the IMAX-exclusive material includes Din Djarin walking down a dark urban street at night, Din unmasked in a cave with water up to his neck, more shots of the…
Kathleen Kennedy Confirms Grogu Still Won’t Speak in The Mandalorian & Grogu — and Says Filoni’s Lucasfilm Transition Was a 10-Year Plan
Kathleen Kennedy just dropped two very clean, very quotable Star Wars updates in a Variety interview — one about Grogu, and one about Lucasfilm’s leadership shift. And both are the kind of details that quietly tell you what era of Star Wars we’re walking into next. Grogu is going big-screen… and still won’t say a word Asked what it was like the first time she “heard Grogu speak,” Kennedy flipped the premise and used Grogu as the perfect example of a character that has to emote without dialogue. Her answer is blunt: audiences are going to fall even deeper in love with him on the big screen, and he never speaks a word. She also explicitly confirms Grogu won’t suddenly gain speech in The Mandalorian & Grogu — despite Yoda’s famous broken-English cadence. In other words: no “Grogu talks now” twist. No “cute sidekick monologue.” The character is staying in…
Kathleen Kennedy Is Picking Up Another Major Industry Honor — and Whatever You Think of Modern Star Wars, That Part Is Not Debatable
Kathleen Kennedy is adding another major industry honor to a résumé that was already ridiculous. At the 73rd Annual Golden Reel Awards on March 8, 2026, Kennedy is set to receive the MPSE Filmmaker Award, one of the honorary awards handed out by the Motion Picture Sound Editors. The event listing from MPSE names Kennedy as the Filmmaker Honoree, with sound editor Mark Mangini receiving the Career Achievement honor. That is the dry version. The more interesting version is this: whatever arguments people want to keep having about modern Star Wars, Kennedy’s status inside the film industry is still massive. Variety reported the honor back in December, noting that the MPSE Filmmaker Award goes to someone outside the sound community whose work has had a meaningful impact on the art of sound in film. That makes the award less about fandom discourse and more about the size of Kennedy’s overall…
Disneyland’s Star Wars Nite 2026 Is Basically a Buffet of Maul, Phasma, Oga’s, and Questionable Financial Decisions
Disneyland has once again looked at Star Wars fans and decided the correct response was: “yes, all of it.” Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite 2026 is set for April 28, April 30, May 4, and May 6, with the actual event running from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. inside Disneyland Park and ticket holders allowed in as early as 6 p.m. without a separate park reservation. As of the official announcement, April 30 and May 4 are sold out, while April 28 and May 6 still have tickets available, starting at $174 per guest. So yes, this is very much one of those “special ticketed experiences” where Disney invites you to feel the Force and also feel your bank account leave your body. Darth Maul, Captain Phasma, and a Suspicious Amount of Fan-Service To be fair, Disney is not exactly being subtle about what it thinks will get people…
Temuera Morrison Thought The Book of Boba Fett Would Run for Four Seasons
When The Book of Boba Fett premiered on Disney+ in 2021, it looked like Lucasfilm was building a long-term story around one of the most iconic bounty hunters in the Star Wars galaxy. According to star Temuera Morrison, that was exactly what he expected as well. In a recent interview, the actor revealed that while filming the series he assumed the story would continue for multiple seasons — possibly as many as four. Morrison Expected a Long Run for the Series Speaking about his experience working on the show with co-star Ming-Na Wen, Morrison admitted that he thought the series was just getting started. “When you do a series like Boba Fett and work with Ming-Na [Wen], I started to think, ‘Man, this is it. I’m away. Season 2, 3, 4.’” Instead, The Book of Boba Fett ended after a single seven-episode season, leaving many fans wondering whether the story…
Star Wars Games (2012–2018): The EA Exclusive Era
When we closed the book on 2006–2012, it felt like LucasArts was wobbling. When 2012–2018 began, the wobble turned into a restructuring. And everyone felt it. This wasn’t a loud collapse. It wasn’t dramatic overnight silence. It was something slower and stranger — like watching the galaxy shift ownership while you were still standing in it. In April 2013, Disney shut down internal development at LucasArts.In May 2013, Electronic Arts was announced as the exclusive publisher for core Star Wars console and PC games. And just like that, an era ended. But what followed wasn’t a drought. It was a recalibration. Where This Era Sits in the Timeline If you’re reading this as part of the complete SWTORStrategies Star Wars Games archive, here’s the path so far: Now we enter 2012–2018. This is the EA Exclusive Era. And it is defined by two forces working at the same time: It’s…
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Is Now an Emmy Award-Winning Series
The Star Wars universe just added another major victory to its trophy shelf. Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Lucasfilm’s coming-of-age space adventure on Disney+, has officially taken home multiple awards at the 2026 Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards — including Outstanding Young Teen Series and top technical honors for visual effects and sound. This marks a huge milestone for the show, cementing it not just as a fan favorite, but as one of the most acclaimed entries in the franchise’s recent television lineup. Here’s everything Skeleton Crew won. 🏆 Skeleton Crew’s Emmy Wins (2026 Children’s & Family Emmys) At the 2026 ceremony, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew earned four wins — a testament to both its storytelling and technical excellence. ⭐ Outstanding Young Teen Series The series took home the top honor in its category, recognizing it as the year’s standout live-action program aimed at young teen audiences. 🎬 Outstanding Editing for…
39 Finished Star Wars Episodes Were Never Released — And Probably Never Will Be
One of the strangest lost chapters in Star Wars history just resurfaced. More than 39 fully completed episodes of the animated series Star Wars: Detours were finished years ago — but never released. And according to creator Seth Green, fans shouldn’t expect them to appear anytime soon. Yes, an entire Star Wars show exists.Fully produced.Ready to go.And still locked away. A Complete Star Wars Series That Never Aired Before Disney reset the direction of Star Wars in the early 2010s, Lucasfilm was working on a very different animated project. Star Wars: Detours was a comedic series created by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich (Robot Chicken) and developed alongside George Lucas. It was designed as a lighthearted, parody-style look at the galaxy far, far away. But this wasn’t just a concept that never got off the ground. According to Green, over 39 episodes were fully completed before the show was shelved….
MAUL – SHADOW LORD Timeline Revealed — And It Starts Right After The Clone Wars
We finally know exactly when MAUL – SHADOW LORD takes place. According to Star Wars Insider #236, the upcoming Maul story is set immediately after The Clone Wars Season 7 — placing it right in one of the darkest and most chaotic moments in the entire Star Wars timeline. For fans who have followed Maul’s long and brutal journey across the galaxy, that timing is a big deal. Picking Up Right After Order 66 The final episodes of The Clone Wars showed the Republic collapsing, Order 66 unfolding, and the galaxy transforming almost overnight into the early Empire. Maul survived — but just barely. Now we know Shadow Lord begins right after those events. That means the story will likely explore: This is one of the most unstable periods in Star Wars history, where former Sith, Jedi survivors, and crime syndicates were all trying to find their place in a…
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue at Disneyland Paris — What You Need to Know (and Cast Member Tips!)
Star Wars fans visiting Disneyland Paris have a thrilling intergalactic experience waiting for them: Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, a 3D motion simulator ride that takes guests on unpredictable journeys across the galaxy. Here’s everything you need to know before you board your Starspeeder 1000 — plus insider tips from Disneyland Paris cast members to make your ride even better. A Galaxy of Possibilities — Ride Overview Star Tours: The Adventures Continue is a Star Wars–themed 3D motion simulator located in Discoveryland at Disneyland Park Paris. It’s the updated version of the classic Star Tours attraction, originally opened in 1992 and replaced by the new simulator experience on March 26, 2017, as part of the park’s 25th anniversary celebrations. The attraction puts guests inside a Starspeeder 1000 vessel — piloted by familiar droids like C-3PO and R2-D2 — for a flight full of twists, turns, and unexpected planetary destinations. Unlike…
Millennium Falcon Ride Gets Mandalorian & Grogu Mission Starting May 2026
Big changes are officially coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge — and this time it’s not rumor or speculation. Disney has confirmed that Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will receive a major new Mandalorian-themed mission beginning May 22, 2026, tying directly into the release of The Mandalorian & Grogu in theaters. And yes — this is a full gameplay and story expansion. Din Djarin and Grogu Take Over Smugglers Run Starting May 22, 2026, guests boarding the Millennium Falcon will join Din Djarin and Grogu on an all-new mission across the galaxy. The updated attraction will focus on tracking down elusive ex-Imperial officers, bringing riders directly into a fresh Star Wars storyline connected to the upcoming theatrical film. This marks the biggest update to Smugglers Run since Galaxy’s Edge first opened — and it firmly places The Mandalorian era front and center inside Disney’s parks. New Destinations Across the Galaxy One…
Disney Insiders Concerned About The Mandalorian & Grogu Buzz — But Ryan Gosling’s “Starfighter” Is Getting Strong Early Praise
There’s growing chatter inside Disney about the future of Star Wars on the big screen — and not all of it is centered on The Mandalorian & Grogu. According to new reporting, some Disney staffers are concerned that the film’s unconventional Super Bowl marketing push didn’t generate the level of excitement the studio had hoped for. At the same time, early buzz around Shawn Levy’s upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter is reportedly much more optimistic, with insiders praising Ryan Gosling’s performance and the film’s tone. Let’s break down what’s happening behind the scenes. Disney Reportedly Concerned About Super Bowl Reaction Disney used the Super Bowl to spotlight The Mandalorian & Grogu, the first Star Wars movie headed to theaters in years. Instead of a traditional trailer, the studio opted for a short, nostalgic-style commercial that leaned into humor and parody. While the creative approach stood out, it may not have delivered…
Rise of the Resistance Reopening at Disneyland After Refurbishment
After a temporary closure for refurbishments, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland is reportedly set to reopen tomorrow. And yes — that means boarding groups, First Order interrogations, and that massive Star Destroyer hangar moment are back on the table. The attraction, located inside Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort, has been closed for scheduled updates and technical work. While Disney hasn’t publicly detailed every change, refurbishments typically focus on ride system reliability, animatronic maintenance, and show element upgrades. For a ride as ambitious as this one, that’s a big deal. Why This Matters Rise of the Resistance isn’t just another theme park ride. It’s one of the most technologically complex attractions ever built by Disney Imagineering. The experience blends: When it works at full capacity, it’s arguably the most immersive Star Wars attraction ever created. What Could Be Updated? Disney rarely publishes detailed patch notes (imagine if they…
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…
Disneyland Parks Hit by Global Tourism Boycott — Galaxy’s Edge Sees Impact
Disney theme parks, long a symbol of global family travel and entertainment, are currently facing a notable decline in international visitors, and a key driver appears to be political backlash tied to U.S. policies and cultural debates. While Disney has not used the word “boycott” formally, declining attendance from overseas markets — particularly Asia and Europe — is widely being attributed to overseas travelers choosing to avoid U.S. parks for political reasons. This shift is affecting even some of the parks’ biggest draws, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which was once seen as a near-guaranteed crowd-puller for international tourists. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge — Still a Showcase, But Facing Changing Crowds When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened at Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida, it was one of the most ambitious and immersive themed lands Disney had ever produced. Guests could interact with the Millennium Falcon, test…
Josh D’Amaro Named New CEO of Disney — What His Star Wars History Tells Us
Disney leadership just shifted in a major way. Josh D’Amaro has officially been named the new CEO of The Walt Disney Company, with his tenure set to begin on March 18. While this is corporate news on the surface, D’Amaro’s background makes this especially interesting for Star Wars fans — because his fingerprints are already all over some of the franchise’s most ambitious real-world experiences. From Parks Chief to Disney CEO Before stepping into the top role, D’Amaro served as Chairman of Disney Experiences, overseeing parks, resorts, cruise lines, and consumer products. Under his leadership, Disney leaned heavily into immersive, tech-forward environments rather than just traditional attractions. That approach had a direct impact on how Star Wars moved from screen to physical space. His Biggest Star Wars Contributions Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Walt Disney World D’Amaro helped lead development on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the massive Star Wars lands…
Disney+ to Feature AI-Generated Content by September 2026, Bob Iger Confirms
Disney’s streaming service Disney+ will introduce AI-generated short-form videos by the end of September 2026, CEO Bob Iger confirmed during the company’s recent first-quarter earnings call. The new content will be powered by OpenAI’s Sora, enabling the creation of 30-second videos featuring beloved characters from Disney’s vast library. This marks one of the most ambitious applications of artificial intelligence within a major entertainment platform, blending fan-driven creativity with Disney’s storytelling heritage across franchises like Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. What the Sora Integration Means for Disney+ The integration revolves around OpenAI’s generative video model, Sora, which can produce short video clips based on text prompts. Under the licensing agreement between Disney and OpenAI — part of a multi-year, multi-billion dollar partnership — users will be able to prompt Sora to generate AI-driven videos up to 30 seconds long using a selection of over 200 Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars…
Disney Board Reportedly Favors Josh D’Amaro to Succeed Bob Iger as CEO
The board of directors at The Walt Disney Company is reportedly aligned behind Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, to become the company’s next chief executive officer, according to a new report from Bloomberg. If approved, D’Amaro would succeed Bob Iger, who has led the entertainment giant in two separate stints and is expected to step down before the end of his contract in 2026. 👉 Read the full Bloomberg report here A Parks and Experiences Leader Takes the Lead Josh D’Amaro, 54, has overseen the Disney Experiences segment — which includes the company’s globally recognized theme parks, resorts, cruise operations, merchandise, and consumer products — since 2020. During his tenure, that division has become a significant revenue driver for Disney, even as other business segments like streaming and traditional entertainment face headwinds. According to the Bloomberg report, the board is expected to vote on the leadership transition as soon…
Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite Returns for 2026 — Dates, Tickets & What to Expect
Star Wars fans are getting another chance to experience the magic after park hours — because Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite is returning to Disneyland Park in 2026 with multiple nights of galactic fun, entertainment, specials and more. This separately-ticketed after-hours event invites fans of all ages to dive into a galaxy “not so far away” during four special nights in April and May 2026, complete with themed entertainment, photo opportunities, unique food, merchandise, and immersive Star Wars experiences. 📅 Dates & Time Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite will be held on these dates: Each night runs from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM, with early access granted as soon as 6:00 PM for ticket holders. 🎟️ Tickets & Presales Tickets for Star Wars Nite go on sale in stages: Tickets for each date are limited and subject to availability, so fans are encouraged to buy early before sell-outs…
Walt Disney Studios at CinemaCon: Extended Look at The Mandalorian & Grogu Likely — Starfighter Less So
Walt Disney Studios has confirmed its presentation at CinemaCon on April 16, and Star Wars fans are already speculating about what Lucasfilm might reveal at the event. With The Mandalorian & Grogu now less than two months from its theatrical release, an extended look at the movie could be part of the showcase. The presentation comes at a key moment in Disney’s promotional calendar — CinemaCon is one of the first major film industry gatherings of the year, where studios often unveil new footage, extended trailers, and exclusive clips ahead of summer movie season. The Mandalorian & Grogu Is a Big Disney 2026 Release The Mandalorian & Grogu is already one of Lucasfilm’s most anticipated releases, scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 22, 2026. Directed by Jon Favreau and co-written with Dave Filoni, the movie brings the beloved characters from the Disney+ series to the big screen. So far,…