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…
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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…
New The Mandalorian and Grogu Teaser Debuts During the Super Bowl — Sam Elliott Narrates, Tauntauns Return
Just when you thought the Super Bowl was only about football and snack commercials, Star Wars casually rolls in with a big-screen reminder that The Mandalorian and Grogu is on the way — and yes, it brought tauntauns with it. A brand-new teaser for the upcoming film dropped during the Big Game, and while it doesn’t spill major plot secrets, it does something arguably more powerful: it sets the tone. And that tone? Classic Star Wars adventure, emotional stakes, and a bond that just won’t quit. Sam Elliott’s Voice Brings Western Energy to Star Wars The biggest surprise from the teaser isn’t a spaceship or a blaster — it’s the voice guiding the whole thing. The narration is widely attributed to Sam Elliott, whose legendary gravelly voice instantly gives the spot a frontier, almost Western feel — which honestly fits The Mandalorian vibe perfectly. Here’s the line that’s already getting…
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….
New “The Mandalorian & Grogu” Images Arrive — And They Look Very Theatrical
We’re still months away from The Mandalorian & Grogu landing in theaters, but marketing is slowly starting to warm up — and a fresh set of promotional images just surfaced, showing Din Djarin and Grogu in full cinematic mode. Fantha Tracks shared the newly spotted visuals, and even if they’re “just promo,” they already feel like a reminder that this isn’t simply Season 4 with a bigger screen — Lucasfilm clearly wants this to look like a proper Star Wars movie event. One of the standout images (appearing as a Brazil promo) frames Din Djarin in classic Mandalorian hero lighting, with Grogu perched behind him like a tiny green co-pilot who absolutely did not sign up for this level of danger… and yet here we are. The vibe: less TV episode, more movie poster What makes these images interesting isn’t just that they exist — it’s the presentation. This feels…
Kathleen Kennedy Looks Back on The Last Jedi Nine Years Later: “One of the Best Star Wars Movies”
Nine years after The Last Jedi hit theaters and permanently split the Star Wars fandom into factions, Kathleen Kennedy isn’t backing away from it. In a new Deadline exit interview, the outgoing Lucasfilm president not only praises Rian Johnson’s film — she calls it one of the best Star Wars movies — but also suggests the online backlash left a lasting impact on Johnson’s future in the franchise. Why this matters now This isn’t just “old Star Wars drama” being rehashed. Kennedy is stepping away from Lucasfilm leadership, and these interviews are essentially her final on-the-record reflections on the modern Star Wars era — including the moments that shaped it, and the projects that changed the studio’s relationship with fans. And no movie defines that tension more than The Last Jedi. What Kathleen Kennedy said about The Last Jedi Kennedy didn’t hedge her opinion. She directly praised Rian Johnson’s work:…
LEGO Star Wars: Castaways Brings Back Holiday Special Content for Life Day — Snow, Festive Minifigs, and Pure Chaos
It’s that time of year again — the season when Wookiees gather around glowing globes, stormtroopers mysteriously become less accurate, and every Star Wars game suddenly leans hard into red-and-green color palettes. Yep: Life Day has arrived in LEGO Star Wars: Castaways, and with it comes the glorious return of the Holiday Special content. Snow? Back. Festive minifigure parts? Back. Holiday chaos? Absolutely back. Let’s unwrap it. The Holiday Special Returns — Don’t Pretend You Aren’t Curious The infamous Star Wars Holiday Special may not be the franchise’s proudest moment, but in LEGO form? It’s pure charm. This year’s event brings back: ❄️ Snow covering key areas of Castaways Island🎅 Seasonal minifigure pieces (ugly sweaters included — because LEGO understands us)🌟 Life Day–themed accessories and cosmetics🌌 A re-run of Holiday Special missions and activities for anyone who missed them last year It’s equal parts nostalgia and meme energy, but in…
Jeremy Allen White Had No Idea Who Rotta the Hutt Was Before Being Cast in The Mandalorian and Grogu
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…
Lucasfilm Tells Shawn Levy: “Do Something New” for His Star Wars Movie
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…
Happy Birthday to the Man Behind the Mask of Kylo Ren: Adam Driver Turns 42!
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…
A New Order 66 Survivor Emerges in Legacy of Vader—Meet Grandea
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…
Kathleen Kennedy Is Plotting a New Star Wars Strategy — And It Might Just Work
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…
Carrie Beck: The Quiet Force Behind Star Wars—and Possibly the Future of Lucasfilm
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…
Mark Hamill Officially Bows Out of Star Wars—And Here’s What That Means for the Galaxy
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…
Star Wars Just Had Its Biggest Month on Google in 5 Years — Here’s Why That’s a Big Deal
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…