Disney Star Wars

Jeremy Allen White Had No Idea Who Rotta the Hutt Was Before Being Cast in The Mandalorian and Grogu

Side-by-side image of Jeremy Allen White and animated character Rotta the Hutt, with a beige quote card reading “I Had No Idea Who Rotta the Hutt Was – Jeremy Allen White.”

Jeremy Allen White — the Emmy-winning star of The Bear and longtime favorite from Shameless — is joining the Star Wars galaxy in one of the most unexpected ways imaginable: by playing Rotta the Hutt. And according to a new interview, he had absolutely no idea who that was before he got the role. Source Yes. The man cast to voice Jabba the Hutt’s son learned about the character after being hired. And honestly? That might be the coolest part of this entire story. A “Wait… Who?” Casting Moment In the interview, White openly admits that he didn’t know Rotta even existed until the creative team walked him through the character. That’s right: no Clone Wars memories, no deep Hutt lore, no childhood trauma from the 2008 animated movie. Just a director telling him:“You’re going to play a Hutt.”And White going:“Great! …What’s a Hutt’s kid like again?” In a franchise…

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Lucasfilm Tells Shawn Levy: “Do Something New” for His Star Wars Movie

Portrait of director Shawn Levy smiling at a table, with the phrase “Do Something New” in bold white text beside him.

It looks like Lucasfilm is finally ready to chart a new course for Star Wars films — and director Shawn Levy just gave us the clearest confirmation yet. In a new interview with KCRW’s The Business, the Starfighter director revealed that Lucasfilm has specifically encouraged him not to use existing Star Wars characters in his upcoming movie. According to Levy, every time he’s floated the idea of borrowing a familiar face from the films, he gets the same answer: “Every time I’ve asked, ‘Should I use this character that was maybe in that movie?’ Every time it’s, ‘You know what? People have seen that. Do something new.’” Source That’s a surprising — and frankly refreshing — creative directive. For years, new Star Wars projects have often leaned heavily on legacy characters, cameos, and nostalgia-driven storytelling. Whether it’s Luke Skywalker showing up in The Mandalorian or familiar Clone Wars characters weaving…

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Happy Birthday to the Man Behind the Mask of Kylo Ren: Adam Driver Turns 42!

Adam Driver shares his mixed feelings about Star Wars, emphasizing character-driven roles over high-budget films despite financial success.

Today we celebrate the birthday of one of the most compelling actors to join the Star Wars galaxy in the modern era—Adam Driver, the man who brought Kylo Ren to life with a mix of rage, vulnerability, and that unmistakable, simmering intensity that made the character unforgettable. Whether you loved Kylo as the conflicted villain of the sequel trilogy, admired Ben Solo’s final heroic turn, or simply appreciated Driver’s raw acting power, there’s no denying the impact he’s had on the franchise. Few modern Star Wars performances have sparked as much debate, analysis, and “wait… is he actually hot?” discourse across the fandom. A Complex Villain for a New Era Kylo Ren could have easily been a one-note character—a masked dark side enforcer trying too hard to be Darth Vader 2.0. But thanks to Adam Driver’s ability to balance anger, insecurity, and emotional depth, Kylo became something else entirely: a…

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A New Order 66 Survivor Emerges in Legacy of Vader—Meet Grandea

Kylo Ren battles Grandea in Legacy of Vader #6 comic cover with fiery background

Star Wars lore just got richer. A fresh face—Grandea, a Jedi survivor of Order 66—emerges in Legacy of Vader #6, landing squarely between The Last Jedi and Rise of Skywalker. Written by Charles Soule, the series sheds new light on Kylo Ren’s hunt for identity and power… and it might just tip the scales of the entire saga. What You Need to Know: Grandea’s Big Reveal Set on the frigid Mid‑Rim world Lahtee, Legacy of Vader #6 brings Kylo and his mysterious guide Vaneé to a remote cantina, where they cross paths with Grandea, a Jedi who survived the purge decades ago. Vader knew of her existence but never pursued her—too busy focusing on Luke. Fast-forward, and now Kylo is on the scene, lightsaber drawn. But Grandea isn’t just any old Jedi. She disarms Kylo, ignites her blade in his face, and stares him down. It’s a classic moment: experienced survivor versus…

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Kathleen Kennedy Is Plotting a New Star Wars Strategy — And It Might Just Work

Kathleen Kennedy Teases More Standalone Star Wars Films Like Starfighter

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has never been afraid to stir the pot in the galaxy far, far away. Her latest comment? A tease that’s caught the hyperspace lane of every Star Wars watcher: more standalone films like the upcoming Starfighter could be on the way. So yes, while the Skywalker saga may be retired (again), and Disney+ is drowning in Jedi side quests and bounty hunter brooding, it looks like Lucasfilm is preparing to take more creative risks on the big screen — and it might actually be the most strategic move they’ve made since reviving Darth Maul’s legs. What Did Kathleen Kennedy Say? In a recent interview, Kennedy praised the creative potential of Starfighter — a film still shrouded in mystery, but reportedly more character-focused, intimate, and unburdened by galactic prophecy. “It’s not just about trilogies anymore,” she said. “Standalone movies give us freedom to tell stories that don’t…

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Carrie Beck: The Quiet Force Behind Star Wars—and Possibly the Future of Lucasfilm

Carrie Beck standing confidently with a Star Wars logo background

Carrie Beck might not be a household name (yet), but behind the scenes of a galaxy far, far away, she’s been quietly shaping the Star Wars universe for years. And now, the Force-sensitive whispers around the Holonet are getting louder: Could Carrie Beck be the next big leader at Lucasfilm? Let’s punch it to hyperspace and break it down. Carrie Beck’s Role in Star Wars (So Far) Currently serving as EVP of Lucasfilm’s Story Group, Carrie Beck has been instrumental in helping guide the narrative threads of Star Wars across movies, shows, books, and games. While Kathleen Kennedy still captains the Lucasfilm ship, Beck has played the role of co-pilot with increasing visibility. Beck was involved in: Essentially, when a Jedi says something lore-breaking in a script meeting, it’s likely Carrie Beck who steps in with a raised eyebrow and a continuity-saving retcon. Why Her Name Is Buzzing Now The…

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Mark Hamill Officially Bows Out of Star Wars—And Here’s What That Means for the Galaxy

"Mark Hamill's Force Ghost: Will He Reappear in Daisy Ridley's 2025 Star Wars Film?"

Well, it’s finally official. After decades of lightsaber duels, force ghost cameos, and one unforgettable moment with a carton of blue milk, Mark Hamill has confirmed he’s done with Star Wars. That’s right—the man behind Luke Skywalker is hanging up his Jedi robes for good, and he’s not looking back (unless it’s in a documentary narrated by Werner Herzog, maybe). Hamill’s recent comments during a press appearance didn’t leave much room for interpretation. Asked whether he’d ever return to the Star Wars universe, his answer was crystal clear: No plans. No desire. No more Force ghost cameos.If you’re feeling reflective, check out The Impact of Luke Skywalker and Mark Hamill on Our Society Will Never End—a book that dives deep into how a farm boy from Tatooine helped shape pop culture and beyond. 🌠 Mark Hamill and the End of a Jedi Era Let’s rewind for a second. Mark Hamill…

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Star Wars Just Had Its Biggest Month on Google in 5 Years — Here’s Why That’s a Big Deal

Star Wars Google Trends spike in futuristic sci-fi theme

Charting the Galaxy’s Search Domination from Mandalorian Hype to Andor’s Firestorm If you thought Star Wars was fading into the outer rim of pop culture, think again. According to Google Trends data for the United States, Star Wars just hit its highest search interest in the past five years—beating even the December 2020 spike during The Mandalorian Season 2. Yes, we’re talking peak Jedi Google-fu here. Star Wars: Back On Top of the Search Galaxy So, what’s fueling this meteoric spike in search traffic? It’s not just one thing—it’s the culmination of several events all going supernova at once. Let’s break it down like a lightsaber through a blast door. 1. Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Theatrical Re-Release Anakin’s descent into darkness? Back in theaters? Yes please. With the special anniversary theatrical re-release of Episode III, nostalgia hit hyperspace speeds. Memes, tweets, reaction videos—you name it. Everyone wanted to…

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