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,…
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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…
How Industrial Light & Magic Shaped The Force Awakens — Ten Years Later
Ten years on, Star Wars: The Force Awakens doesn’t just feel like a movie that restarted a saga. It feels like a technical turning point. To mark the film’s tenth anniversary, Industrial Light & Magic has revisited its Oscar®-nominated visual effects work on the 2015 release — offering a closer look at how the galaxy was rebuilt for a new era without losing its soul. Why this matters now Anniversaries tend to focus on characters and story. This one shifts the spotlight to craft. The Force Awakens arrived with a difficult mandate: make Star Wars feel tangible again after years of increasingly digital spectacle, while still delivering modern blockbuster scale. ILM’s work was central to pulling that off — and a decade later, its influence is even clearer. What was revisited The newly released retrospective highlights ILM’s effects pipeline on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which earned an Academy Award®…
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….
Star Wars: Obi-Wan Was Released on This Day in 2001
Before prestige TV series and open-world adventures, Star Wars experimented in all kinds of directions. On this day in 2001, one of the more unusual entries arrived: Star Wars: Obi-Wan. It wasn’t a blockbuster hit. It wasn’t a critical darling. But it was an early attempt to put players directly in the boots of a Jedi — lightsaber, Force powers, and all — at a time when that idea was still being figured out. Why this matters now With Obi-Wan Kenobi firmly re-established as a central figure in modern Star Wars storytelling, it’s easy to forget how rare solo Jedi games once were. In 2001, playing as a single Force user in a fully 3D action game was still experimental territory. Star Wars: Obi-Wan arrived before Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, before modern combat systems, and long before cinematic third-person action games became standard. This was an early step — and…
Maul – Shadow Lord Gets an Official Plot Description — and It’s Exactly as Dark as It Sounds
Darth Maul has never really fit into neat boxes. Sith apprentice, crime lord, survivor, symbol of unfinished business. Now, Star Wars is finally putting a clear frame around his next chapter — and it lands in one of the franchise’s most volatile eras. An official plot description for Maul – Shadow Lord has been revealed, and it confirms a story rooted firmly in chaos, power struggles, and the moral vacuum left behind after the fall of the Republic. What’s been revealed The new official description reads: “Maul – Shadow Lord explores Maul’s quest for power in the gritty and merciless underworld following the aftermath of The Clone Wars and Order 66.” That’s it. No character list. No timeline specifics beyond the obvious. And that restraint matters. This isn’t about spectacle or legacy cameos. It’s about positioning Maul exactly where he thrives: in the shadows, fighting for relevance in a galaxy…
James Cameron Says Star Wars Is the Reason He Became a Filmmaker
James Cameron didn’t just watch Star Wars.He saw his own imagination projected onto a movie screen. And that realization, he says, is what pushed him toward becoming a filmmaker. A moment of recognition, not imitation In a recent interview with CBS, Cameron reflected on the first time he experienced George Lucas’ 1977 space opera—and how unsettlingly familiar it felt. As a teenager, Cameron would listen to fast electronic music on headphones, imagining elaborate space battles filled with energy weapons and complex maneuvers. Then Star Wars arrived. “I would’ve thought, ‘They took that from my brain,’” Cameron said, before laughing at the idea. His actual conclusion was far more practical—and far more important. If the images in his head matched what audiences were lining up to see in the biggest movie in the world, then maybe his imagination had value. Maybe it was something people would actually pay to experience. That…
What Lucasfilm’s Rogue One Ruling Means for the Future of Games and Digital Characters
The UK court’s recent decision to dismiss the lawsuit over Peter Cushing’s digital likeness in Rogue One isn’t just a footnote in Star Wars legal lore. It’s a marker on a crossroads where storytelling, technology, and entertainment law intersect — and one that could ripple into how video games are made for years to come. Let’s unpack what this could mean for the future of gaming, virtual reality, AI-driven narratives, and the haunting possibility of seeing deceased performers “come to life” in interactive experiences. Cinema and Games Are Crossing Paths More Than Ever Video games have long borrowed from film — storytelling techniques, motion capture, even face scans of actors. But we’re now entering a phase where the boundaries are blurring in the opposite direction. Studios are crafting immersive experiences that feel cinematic. Meanwhile, games are increasingly treating characters as performances, not just polygons. With Star Wars pioneering a legal…
Bobby Moynihan Is Bringing His Voice to Star Wars: Beyond Victory — and That’s the Point
Star Wars has no shortage of epic heroes, but right now, it’s the side characters who are doing something interesting. In a new interview with Industrial Light & Magic, Bobby Moynihan talks about his role in Star Wars: Beyond Victory, ILM Immersive’s upcoming mixed-reality experience — and why this project feels different from traditional Star Wars storytelling. Not louder. Not bigger. Just more personal. What Beyond Victory actually is Star Wars: Beyond Victory is an immersive Star Wars experience being developed by ILM Immersive, the same team behind Vader Immortal and Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge. It’s designed for mixed reality, blending the physical space around the player with Star Wars environments and characters. Rather than placing players in the middle of galaxy-spanning events, the story focuses on a more grounded corner of the universe, with podracing culture playing a central role. Moynihan voices a key character in that world…
Lucasfilm Wins Key Court Ruling Over Peter Cushing’s Likeness in Rogue One
Nearly a decade after Rogue One reignited debates about digital resurrection in Hollywood, a UK court has delivered a decisive ruling that still echoes across Star Wars — and the wider film industry. Lucasfilm has successfully had a legal challenge dismissed over its use of Peter Cushing’s likeness as Grand Moff Tarkin. The decision doesn’t just close a long-running dispute. It clarifies where the legal ground currently stands as studios navigate the ethics and legality of bringing legacy characters back to the screen. What happened A UK Court of Appeal has ruled in favor of Lucasfilm, striking out a lawsuit brought by Tyburn Film Productions over the digital recreation of Peter Cushing in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Tyburn claimed that a 1993 agreement with Cushing — tied to an unrelated, unrealized project — gave it rights connected to the visual effects use of his likeness. On that basis,…
Harrison Ford to Receive SAG-AFTRA’s Highest Honor
Some careers don’t just age well—they become part of the culture. Harrison Ford’s is one of them. The Screen Actors Guild has officially confirmed that Ford will receive the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award, the guild’s highest honor for an actor, recognizing a body of work that helped define modern blockbuster cinema. This isn’t a legacy award handed out lightly. It’s the actors’ union tipping its hat to one of its own, and to a career that has quietly shaped generations of filmgoers. What was announced, and why it matters SAG-AFTRA has named Harrison Ford as the next recipient of its Life Achievement Award, an honor reserved for performers whose careers embody excellence, longevity, and impact within the industry. The award is decided by fellow actors, which gives it a particular weight. This isn’t about box office math or studio branding. It’s peer recognition for decades of work that still resonates….
Star Wars: Starfighter Has Wrapped Production — And Now the Real Work Begins
Lights, cameras… wrap! 🎬Director Shawn Levy has officially confirmed that principal photography on Star Wars: Starfighter has wrapped, meaning the next major theatrical chapter in the Star Wars saga is now moving into post-production and getting polished for its big debut. With the cameras down and editing underway, fans can now look ahead to Starfighter’s planned release — May 28, 2027 — marking one of the most anticipated theatrical entries in the franchise in years. A Fresh Star Wars Story, Built from Scratch What makes Starfighter particularly interesting isn’t just the wrap announcement — it’s the kind of movie it promises to be. Unlike many recent entries that revisited familiar characters, Starfighter is designed to be a stand-alone adventure. That means new faces, new corners of the galaxy, and a story that isn’t tied directly to past trilogies or sagas. Director Shawn Levy has emphasized that the film isn’t a…
From Game to Shelf: Hasbro Reveals Star Wars Battlefront II ARC Trooper & Commando Droid Black Series 2-Pack
If you’ve ever played Star Wars Battlefront II and thought, “Why doesn’t this exact unit already exist on my shelf?” — Hasbro has been listening. Hasbro has officially announced a Star Wars The Black Series 2-pack featuring the ARC Trooper (Infiltrator) and Commando Droid (Training), both directly inspired by their appearances in Star Wars Battlefront II. And yes, this is very much a from game to figure moment. For Battlefront fans and Black Series collectors alike, this one hits a very specific sweet spot. Straight Out of Battlefront II What makes this release stand out is its unapologetic focus on the game. The ARC Trooper (Infiltrator) comes decked out in the sleek, tactical armor players know from Battlefront II, complete with the aggressive silhouette and battlefield-ready loadout that made the class so popular. It’s a design that instantly says elite, even when standing still on a display shelf. Alongside him…
Missing Sebulba While Waiting for Galactic Racer? Beyond Victory Has You Covered
Let’s be honest: if you’re even mildly excited about Star Wars: Galactic Racer, there’s a good chance you’re also wondering one very specific thing — when do we get Sebulba back? The galaxy’s most infamous podracing menace may not be tearing up the track just yet, but Star Wars: Beyond Victory is stepping in with something arguably even more dangerous: a Solo-era heist, with Sebulba right in the middle of it. And somehow, that feels exactly right. Back to the Galaxy’s Shadier Lanes Beyond Victory is set around the time of Solo: A Star Wars Story, an era that thrives on chaos, questionable deals, and people who smile while planning to double-cross you. This isn’t a story about heroes or destiny. It’s about survival, credits, and knowing when to run. Putting Sebulba at the center of a heist setup immediately tells you what kind of experience this is aiming for….
Disney’s 2026 Slate Confirms Two New Star Wars Shows — And They Couldn’t Be More Different
Disney has quietly updated its 2026 release slate, and tucked inside it are two brand-new Star Wars series that say a lot about where the galaxy is headed next. On one end: a dark, character-driven story led by one of Star Wars’ most dangerous villains.On the other: a visionary anime-style continuation of one of Star Wars: Visions’ most beloved shorts. Meet your future watchlist additions: Same universe. Completely different vibes. Maul – Shadow Lord: The Galaxy’s Angriest Survivor Returns If you thought Darth Maul’s story was done, Star Wars would like a word. Maul – Shadow Lord is set to explore the criminal underworld side of the galaxy—an area Maul knows very well. This isn’t about Sith empires or galactic domination. It’s about power in the shadows, manipulation, and survival after everything you believed in collapses. Maul has always been at his most interesting when he’s angry, broken, and scheming,…
Mark Hamill Says Luke Skywalker’s Ending in The Last Jedi Was “A Nice Exit” — And He Means It
Few topics in modern Star Wars spark debate quite like Luke Skywalker’s fate in The Last Jedi. But while fans have argued about it for years, the man who is Luke Skywalker has been remarkably consistent about one thing: Mark Hamill is at peace with how it ended. In a past interview with CBS This Morning, Hamill explained that not only did he accept Luke’s death—he felt it was the right moment to step away from the franchise. And in classic Hamill fashion, he framed it with grace rather than controversy. “You Want to Dignify a Good Exit” Hamill’s words were simple, thoughtful, and very on-brand for someone who’s spent decades navigating pop-culture immortality. “In fact, not only did I think that was the right time to leave that franchise, I thought that’s a nice exit. Because as much as you enjoy a good entrance, you want to dignify a…
The Mandalorian Joins Disney’s Billion Hours Club — And It’s a Star Wars First
Cue the slow, dramatic helmet turn. The Mandalorian has officially joined Disney’s Billion Hours Streamed Club, becoming the first and only Star Wars series to cross the one-billion-hours-watched mark on Disney+. And yes, that’s billion with a B. For a franchise built on box office records, toy aisles, and cultural milestones, this one hits a little differently. Because this isn’t about opening weekend hype or ticket sales—it’s about what people keep coming back to, night after night, long after the credits roll. A Quiet Launch That Changed Everything When The Mandalorian premiered in 2019, it wasn’t supposed to carry the entire weight of Star Wars on its beskar-clad shoulders. There were no opening crawl speeches, no Skywalker surname, and no expectation that a helmeted bounty hunter with a soft spot for a tiny green child would reset Disney+ overnight. And yet… here we are. The series didn’t explode because of…
Sigourney Weaver Cheekily Breaks Down What It’s Like to Hang with A Group of Grogus on The Mandalorian & Grogu
If you ever wondered what it looks like when Alien royalty meets the galaxy’s cutest little green Force-sensitive, Sigourney Weaver has given us the delightfully nerdy behind-the-scenes scoop. And it’s just as charming as Grogu himself. In a recent interview, the legendary actress—who’s joining the cast of The Mandalorian & Grogu—let slip a wonderfully specific detail: that filming with Grogu actually meant spending time with a whole group of them. Yep, not just one. A group. And according to Weaver, they each brought something special to the set. “There’s the Grogu that walks sometimes, and the Grogu that does weird faces, and then there’s another Grogu that does that, whatever it is — the Force?” Weaver laughed, recalling the mechanics behind bringing the beloved character to life. A Multi-Grogu Ensemble (Seriously) Here’s the fun part: Grogu isn’t just one puppet or CGI creation. On set, multiple performers and puppeteers work…
Rian Johnson Says The Last Jedi and Wake Up Dead Man Are Spiritually Connected — And Suddenly Everything Clicks
Rian Johnson has never been shy about talking themes, subtext, or why The Last Jedi hit audiences the way it did. But his latest comment might be one of the most revealing things he’s ever said about the film—and it reframes The Last Jedi in a way that feels both heavier and more human. According to Johnson, there’s a “spiritual connection” between Star Wars: The Last Jedi and his upcoming Knives Out sequel, Wake Up Dead Man. And no, this isn’t about plot, genre, or cinematic Easter eggs. It’s about grief. Faith. And asking uncomfortable questions when the universe goes quiet. Star Wars, But Make It Spiritual (On Purpose) Johnson recently explained that when he wrote The Last Jedi, Star Wars wasn’t just a sci-fi sandbox—it was something closer to religion. And honestly? That tracks. Star Wars has always borrowed heavily from myth, belief systems, and spiritual ideas. The Force…
The Classiest Clapback in Star Wars History: Ron Howard Defends 9-Year-Old Jake Lloyd
Before The Phantom Menace even hit theaters in 1999, the Star Wars discourse machine was already warming up its hyperdrives—and somehow decided that a nine-year-old child was a perfectly acceptable target. Yes, really. Long before social media outrage cycles, YouTube essayists, and algorithm-fueled pile-ons, Newsweek published a piece criticizing Jake Lloyd’s performance as young Anakin Skywalker… before the film was even released. And that’s when Ron Howard stepped in—with a letter so calm, measured, and devastatingly polite that it still reads like a masterclass in public decency. A Letter That Aged Better Than Most Hot Takes Dated January 14, 1999, the letter came directly from Ron Howard, co-CEO of Imagine Entertainment and someone who, conveniently, actually knew what it meant to be a child actor under public scrutiny. Howard didn’t yell. He didn’t grandstand. He didn’t threaten.He simply dismantled the article with quiet precision. He called the critique of Jake…
John Cena’s Final WWE Moment Had an Obi-Wan Kenobi Energy — And That Wasn’t an Accident
When John Cena tapped out in his final WWE match, the moment felt different. Quieter. More deliberate. Less like a loss — and more like a decision. Now, Cena has implied that the choice was intentional, drawing inspiration from an unexpected place: Obi-Wan Kenobi. For fans watching in real time, it suddenly makes sense why that ending landed the way it did. A Choice, Not a Collapse In Star Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi doesn’t lose to Darth Vader because he’s overpowered. He chooses to stop fighting. He understands that his role has changed — that the future no longer depends on him winning, but on him stepping aside. Cena has suggested that his final WWE match followed a similar philosophy. Instead of going out on top, or dragging out one last heroic victory, he tapped out. A rare move for a performer whose entire legacy was built on endurance, strength, and…
Star Wars Legend Ahmed Best Wins Impact Award at The Game Awards
Ahmed Best has officially added another milestone to his career — and this one hits especially hard for Star Wars fans. At The Game Awards, Best received the Impact Award for South of Midnight, the video game he directed. The award recognizes projects that make a meaningful cultural, emotional, or social impact — and the moment marked a powerful full-circle achievement for one of Star Wars’ most misunderstood and ultimately vindicated figures. From Jar Jar Binks to Industry Recognition For Star Wars fans, Ahmed Best will always be remembered as the performer behind Jar Jar Binks, a character that became one of the most controversial in the franchise’s history. What often gets lost in that conversation is the toll that backlash took on Best personally — something he has spoken about openly in recent years. That context makes this award matter. Winning the Impact Award isn’t just recognition of South…