Star Wars TV

The Maul Gap: Why Shadow Lord’s 18 BBY Setting Matters

Star Wars timeline highlighting The Bad Batch 19BBY

For a Star Wars show built around one of the franchise’s angriest survivors, Maul: Shadow Lord picked a very smart place to land. The series is set in 18 BBY, about a year after Revenge of the Sith and the fall of the Republic. That alone makes it more than just another “Maul is back” project. It drops him into one of the ugliest, most unstable corners of the timeline: the moment when the Jedi are broken, the Empire is tightening its grip, and the galaxy is still trying to figure out what just happened. GamesRadar and Fantha Tracks both place the series in 18 BBY, while official Star Wars material describes the show as following Maul after The Clone Wars as he tries to rebuild his criminal power. That matters because Maul’s story has always had a weirdly large hole in the middle. We know who he was in…

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Andor Lands a Peabody Nomination — And That Feels Exactly Right

Star Wars Andor Season 2 Peabody Awards nomination promotional header image

There are awards that scream hype, and then there are awards that quietly tell you a show actually mattered. Andor just picked up a nomination at the 86th Peabody Awards, with the official nominees list placing the series in the Entertainment category. Fantha Tracks spotlighted the news on April 14, adding another nice little victory lap for one of the most critically respected Star Wars projects of the Disney era. That is a pretty big deal. The Peabody Awards are not the kind of honors people usually associate with lightsabers, bounty hunters, or giant space worms. They tend to reward storytelling with weight, ideas, and craft. So seeing Andor turn up there feels less like a surprise and more like a formal confirmation of something Star Wars fans have been arguing for a while: this series did not just look good or sound prestige-adjacent. It genuinely hit on a different…

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Sam Witwer Says Maul: Shadow Lord Was Built for Newcomers — and Compares Maul to Jack Torrance

Sam Witwer during an interview discussing Maul: Shadow Lord in a red-lit studio with Darth Maul imagery in the background

Sam Witwer has now said the quiet part out loud: Maul: Shadow Lord is not just a reward for longtime Clone Wars diehards. In a new YouTube interview, Witwer said the series was shaped so even people with little or no Star Wars background can jump in and understand it, which is a pretty revealing statement about what Lucasfilm seems to want this show to do. That matters because Maul has never exactly been a beginner-friendly character. His timeline is messy, his rage is old, and half his best material is spread across movies, animation, and a surprise live-action cameo. But Witwer said Shadow Lord was constructed “with an eye toward” new viewers, with the story designed to explain itself rather than demand homework first. That lines up with the official setup for the series, which places Maul on Janix in the early Imperial era as he tries to rebuild…

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Maul: Shadow Lord Season 2 May Have to Wait as Lucasfilm Juggles Other Star Wars Projects

Darth Maul header image for an article about Maul Shadow Lord Season 2 and Lucasfilm’s other Star Wars projects

Lucasfilm is already looking beyond Maul Maul: Shadow Lord has not even finished its first run, and Lucasfilm is already being asked about Season 2. That is usually a good sign. The less reassuring part is the answer. Executive producer Athena Yvette Portillo says the studio has other Star Wars projects in development and in progress, which suggests any second season may depend on both audience response and what else Lucasfilm wants to get moving first. Portillo did not say Season 2 is off the table. Quite the opposite. Her comments leave the door open, but they also make it clear that Maul: Shadow Lord is not the only thing on Lucasfilm Animation’s radar right now. That makes this feel less like a renewal update and more like a polite reminder that Maul is part of a bigger pipeline. That distinction matters, because headlines like this can get stretched fast….

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Disney+ Announces Tales of the Moisture Farmer for May 4 Release

Cinematic Star Wars-inspired poster image for Tales of the Moisture Farmer showing a desert farmer, vaporators, and twin suns in a Disney+ style layout

Lucasfilm has apparently found its next great Star Wars story, and this time it is not about Jedi, Sith, bounty hunters, clones, or criminal syndicates. It is about something far more dangerous: trying to keep a moisture farm alive on Tatooine. According to a teaser image now circulating online, Tales of the Moisture Farmer is set to arrive on May 4 as a four-episode Disney+ event series, promising what may be the most aggressively grounded Star Wars project ever pitched. If the title is real, the series looks aimed squarely at the most underserved corner of the galaxy: overworked Outer Rim labor, broken vaporators, and the kind of dry agricultural despair only twin suns can provide. A Smaller, Stranger Kind of Star Wars On paper, this sounds ridiculous. Which is exactly why it sounds weirdly plausible. Lucasfilm has spent the last few years exploring more specific corners of the Star…

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Dave Filoni Says Maul: Shadow Lord Will Finally Bring Some of George Lucas’ Maul Plans to Life

Split-style Star Wars header image featuring Darth Maul and George Lucas with headline text about Maul: Shadow Lord using Lucas’ original ideas

One of the most intriguing things Lucasfilm has said about Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is not about a trailer shot or a release date. It is about George Lucas. In the official reveal coverage for the series, Dave Filoni said he and Lucas had discussed Maul’s future over the years, and that Shadow Lord became a way of honoring some of those original ideas and finally bringing part of that unseen future to light. That is a big statement for a character whose post-Phantom Menace life has already been one of the strangest and richest arcs in modern Star Wars. For the wider rollout, characters, and earlier reveals, check out our Maul: Shadow Lord complete guide. This Makes Shadow Lord Feel Bigger Than Just Another Spinoff What makes Filoni’s quote land is that it frames the series as more than a simple Maul comeback vehicle. In StarWars.com’s official…

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Maul: Shadow Lord Is Not Making Maul a Hero — and That Is Exactly the Point

Darth Maul with a red lightsaber in a dark scene used as header image for an article about Maul: Shadow Lord not turning Maul into a hero

One of the more interesting things Lucasfilm has said about Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is also one of the most clarifying: this is not a redemption story. Writer and co-creator Matt Michnovetz and Maul voice actor Sam Witwer have framed the series around a simple idea — Maul is “a bad guy fighting worse guys.” That is a much sharper promise than the usual vague “darker Star Wars” marketing, because it tells you exactly where the show wants to live morally. For more on the series overall, you can also check our Maul: Shadow Lord complete guide. This Is a Better Angle Than a Fake Redemption Arc Honestly, this is the smartest move Lucasfilm could make with Maul. He does not need to be softened up, cleaned up, or rebranded as some secretly misunderstood antihero. The whole appeal of Maul is that he is dangerous, obsessive, proud, and…

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Maul: Shadow Lord Is Taking Inspiration From Heat — and That Might Be the Best News Yet

Maul Shadow Lord header image featuring Darth Maul and supporting characters with headline text about the series taking inspiration from Heat

If Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord needed one more reason to look dangerous in the best possible way, here it is: writer and co-developer Matt Michnovetz says Heat was a key influence on the series.In a new interview, Michnovetz called the Michael Mann crime classic “a good touchstone for Maul,” framing the show around a noir-ish underworld atmosphere instead of a cleaner, more traditional Jedi-vs-Sith setup. If you want the broader picture around the series, release rollout, and earlier reveals, check out our Maul: Shadow Lord complete guide. This Is Exactly the Kind of Comparison Maul Should Be Getting Honestly, this makes a ton of sense. If you are building a show around Maul in the early Empire era, the obvious temptation would be to go full revenge opera and just let him glare at people in dark corridors for 10 episodes. That might still be fun, but it…

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Maul: Shadow Lord Gets Its First Full Clip as Disney+ Premiere Nears

Lucasfilm logo glowing red in the official trailer for Star Wars Maul Shadow Lord

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord just took a small but meaningful step closer to launch. After months of teasers, posters, and trailers, the upcoming animated series has now released its first full clip, giving fans a more direct look at how Lucasfilm wants Maul’s return to feel in motion rather than in quick-cut marketing bursts. Star Wars News Net and Jedi News both flagged the clip’s arrival this week. For a broader breakdown of the series, release rollout, and what to expect, check out our Maul: Shadow Lord complete guide This Is Where the Real Promo Push Starts There is a difference between a trailer and an actual scene. Trailers sell mood. A full clip has to sell rhythm, dialogue, staging, and confidence. That is why this matters a bit more than it might seem at first glance. Maul: Shadow Lord already had attention thanks to its striking painterly…

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Lucasfilm Is Building Hype for Maul’s Return With a New Official Look Back at His Darkest Moments

Darth Maul in a dark close-up header image about Lucasfilm revisiting his most devious moments ahead of Maul Shadow Lord

Lucasfilm is turning up the heat on Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord with a new official StarWars.com feature that revisits some of Darth Maul’s most devious moments across the saga. The piece, titled “Maul’s Most Devious Moments,” looks back at the former Sith apprentice’s most important battles and appearances in film, animation, and comics ahead of the new Disney+ series. It is clearly part of the bigger push toward Maul – Shadow Lord, which premieres on April 6, 2026. StarWars.com Is Framing Maul as More Than Just a Villain One of the more interesting things about the official feature is how it presents Maul not as a one-note bad guy, but as one of the most persistent and unpredictable figures in Star Wars history. StarWars.com highlights Maul’s journey through The Phantom Menace, The Clone Wars, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Rebels, and Marvel’s new Star Wars: Shadow of Maul…

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Lucasfilm Reveals the Full Maul – Shadow Lord Episode Release Calendar

Release calendar for Star Wars Maul Shadow Lord showing episode dates from April 6 to May 4 on Disney Plus

Lucasfilm has now shared the full release calendar for Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, giving fans a much clearer look at how the series will roll out on Disney+. The official schedule confirms that the show begins with a two-episode premiere on April 6, 2026, followed by two new episodes each week until the finale lands on May 4, which is fittingly Star Wars Day. StarWars.com had already confirmed that release pattern in its official trailer coverage, and the newly shared calendar now lays out the episode titles by date. The Full Maul – Shadow Lord Release Schedule According to the release calendar image shared by Lucasfilm, the schedule looks like this: April 6Chapter 1: The Dark RevengeChapter 2: Sinister Schemes April 13Chapter 3: Whispers in the UnknownChapter 4: Pride and Vengeance April 20Chapter 5: InquisitionChapter 6: Night of the Hunted April 27Chapter 7: Call to the OblivionChapter 8:…

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Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord Official Trailer Has Arrived

Lucasfilm logo glowing red in the official trailer for Star Wars Maul Shadow Lord

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…

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Mercedes Varnado Says Koska Reeves Wasn’t Originally in The Mandalorian Script

Mercedes Varnado beside Koska Reeves in The Mandalorian with text about the role not being written for her at first

Some Star Wars characters arrive with years of canon behind them. Koska Reeves did not. According to a recently resurfaced behind-the-scenes comment from Mercedes Varnado, her The Mandalorian character was not originally in the script. She said Jon Favreau did not initially have a role for her, but later found a way to create one. Koska Reeves Was Created for the Series That detail makes Koska Reeves more interesting than ever, because she was not pulled from older Star Wars canon. When she debuted in Chapter 11, “The Heiress,” she was introduced as a brand-new Mandalorian character made for The Mandalorian, not an existing figure from The Clone Wars or Rebels. Why the Character Worked So Well What makes this reveal stand out is how natural Koska felt on screen. She showed up as part of Bo-Katan’s crew and immediately looked like she belonged in that world. There was no…

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Werner Herzog Says Jon Favreau Personally Invited Him to Play The Client in The Mandalorian

Werner Herzog as The Client in The Mandalorian casting story header image

Werner Herzog showing up in The Mandalorian as “The Client” is still one of those wonderfully weird Star Wars casting choices that somehow works perfectly. Now, Herzog has explained how it happened—and it turns out he didn’t audition, compete, or chase the role at all. He was simply invited. “I Never Competed for That Part” In a recent chat (via CinemaBlend), Herzog said Jon Favreau personally asked him to join the series—because Favreau is a genuine fan of Herzog’s films and wanted more people to recognize him on sight: “Well, I never competed for that part. I was invited by Jon Favreau… because he loves my films, and he said people have to see what this man looks like.” That’s such a Favreau move: “I love your work, please come be an Imperial bureaucrat with terrifying vibes.” Herzog Was Also Blown Away by the Tech Herzog also praised how The…

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Maul: Shadow Lord — The Complete Guide to the Upcoming Star Wars Series

Darth Maul holding a double-bladed red lightsaber in the upcoming Star Wars animated series Maul Shadow Lord

For more than two decades, Darth Maul has remained one of the most intriguing characters in Star Wars. Introduced as a terrifying Sith assassin in The Phantom Menace, Maul quickly became one of the saga’s most visually iconic villains. What began as a short-lived movie appearance eventually turned into one of the franchise’s most fascinating character arcs across animation, comics, and games. Now that journey is about to enter a new chapter. Maul: Shadow Lord is an upcoming Star Wars animated series that will explore the dark and chaotic years of Maul’s life following the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Galactic Empire. The series promises to dive deeper into Maul’s transformation from Sith apprentice into a shadowy power broker operating within the galaxy’s criminal underworld. This guide collects everything currently known about the show, including production details, trailers, interviews, and lore connections that help place the…

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Sam Witwer Reveals New Insights Into Maul: Shadow Lord — Filoni’s Mandate, Maul’s Motivations, and Savage Opress’ Role

Sam Witwer and Darth Maul side-by-side promotional header for Maul Shadow Lord Star Wars series news

Fans of Star Wars are getting a deeper look at one of the franchise’s most complex villains. Sam Witwer, the voice and live-action performer associated with Darth Maul for years, has opened up in a new interview about the upcoming Maul: Shadow Lord series — and what makes this version of Maul so different. In an expansive interview with Star Wars: Insider, Witwer went into detail on everything from Dave Filoni’s mandate for the show to Maul’s evolving motivations, his experience filming live-action scenes, and the role his brother Savage Opress will play. Here’s what we learned. “Filoni’s Mandate Was Clear” When asked what Dave Filoni’s mandate was for Maul: Shadow Lord, Witwer didn’t hold back. “Filoni’s thing was always centering Maul in his own story but in a way that feels earned and connected to the larger mythology.” Unlike earlier appearances where Maul was a secondary antagonist or a…

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Tony Gilroy Says Andor’s Ghorman Is Basically Greenland in New Interview

Tony Gilroy compares Andor’s Ghorman to Greenland protest image showing Andor rally scene beside Greenland demonstration

Andor has never exactly been subtle about its political themes, and according to creator Tony Gilroy, that’s very much by design. In a new interview discussing the relevance of the series and its real-world inspirations, Gilroy made a striking comparison between the planet Ghorman and modern geopolitical tensions—specifically referencing Greenland. “Ghorman is Greenland. Ghorman is anything. ‘We want the rare earth, we want this.’ It really is just a crude laundry list of moves that they have… it rhymes with the show.” The comment reinforces something many fans have already picked up on: Andor isn’t just telling a Star Wars story. It’s reflecting real-world power struggles, resource conflicts, and political maneuvering through a galaxy far, far away. A Star Wars Story With Real-World Parallels Gilroy has been open from the start that Andor draws heavily from historical and contemporary politics. From authoritarian crackdowns to corporate-state alliances and resistance movements, the…

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Skeleton Crew Season 2 Reportedly in Development According to Production Weekly

Star Wars Skeleton Crew Season 2 reportedly in development according to Production Weekly listing

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew — the coming-of-age adventure that debuted on Disney+ in late 2024 — has just taken a big step toward a return. According to the latest Production Weekly Issue 1489 (Thursday, February 12, 2026), Skeleton Crew Season 2 is now listed as in development alongside other high-profile projects like The Mandalorian Season 4. This doesn’t confirm a full green-light with a public announcement from Lucasfilm or Disney+, but it’s one of the most concrete industry signals yet that Skeleton Crew could continue. Production Weekly’s listings are widely used by industry pros to track what’s entering pre-production, early development stages, or active planning — so inclusion usually reflects real movement behind the scenes. Here’s what we know — and what it might mean — for Skeleton Crew’s future. From Limited Series to a True Franchise Entry? Star Wars: Skeleton Crew premiered on Disney+ on December 2, 2024, with…

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ANDOR Creator Tony Gilroy on How the Show Has Helped People Process Trump’s “Cosplay Fascism”

Tony Gilroy discussing themes of sacrifice and resistance in Andor

In a recent interview, Tony Gilroy, the creator and showrunner behind Andor, shared how the critically acclaimed Star Wars prequel series has become unexpectedly relevant to contemporary political conversations — especially for viewers grappling with the rise of what Gilroy described as “cosplay fascism” during the Trump era. Gilroy acknowledged that while Andor was conceived long before recent political turbulence, its themes — particularly sacrifice and resistance — have struck a chord with audiences trying to make sense of modern realities. Andor isn’t just a galactic tale of rebellion against the Empire; it’s a narrative that invites viewers to reflect on their own moral choices. As Gilroy put it: “I do hope we have some small part to play. You know, we’re one of many pieces, one of many paddles in the water… We spent like, five years thinking about sacrifice. The whole show is based on sacrifice. You’re trying…

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Star Wars Scores Big at the Saturn Awards with Andor Leading the Charge

Star Wars Andor and Skeleton Crew Saturn Awards nominations banner with trophy

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…

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Tony Gilroy Pushes Back on Claims That Andor Is a Left-Leaning Show

Creator of the Star Wars series Andor speaking during an interview about the show’s political themes and storytelling approach

Andor has often been described as one of the most politically grounded Star Wars series ever made. That framing has led some viewers to label it as explicitly left-leaning. According to Tony Gilroy, that interpretation misses the point. In a recent interview, Gilroy addressed the assumption head-on, making it clear that while his own political beliefs lean left, Andor was never designed to argue for a specific political program. Why This Conversation Keeps Coming Up Andor arrived at a moment when audiences are primed to read politics into everything. The show deals with authoritarian power, surveillance, bureaucracy, and rebellion—topics that naturally invite real-world comparisons. But Gilroy’s position is that Andor isn’t interested in policy debates. It’s interested in pressure. That distinction matters, especially as Star Wars storytelling has increasingly been filtered through modern political lenses rather than narrative intent. What Gilroy Actually Said Speaking on a podcast interview, Gilroy explained…

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Ahsoka Season 2 Will Dive Deeper Into the Nightsisters of Dathomir

Nightsisters of Dathomir wielding green magic on their homeworld, representing deeper exploration of Nightsister lore in Ahsoka Season 2

One of Ahsoka’s most intriguing elements wasn’t a Jedi, a Sith, or even a familiar legacy character. It was the Nightsisters of Dathomir—and Season 2 is set to take them much further. According to Jane Edwina Seymour, who portrays Mother Lakesis, the next season will explore the Nightsisters “more fully and deeply” than before. That’s not a throwaway promise. It hints at a shift in focus that could reshape how this corner of Star Wars mythology is understood on screen. Why This Matters Now Season 1 of Ahsoka introduced the Nightsisters less as background lore and more as active players with their own agendas. They weren’t relics of The Clone Wars or Rebels. They were alive, strategic, and clearly operating on a long game. Season 2 appears ready to pay that setup off. For fans who’ve followed the Nightsisters across animation, novels, and games, this is the first time live-action…

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Ewan McGregor Wants One More Star Wars Wish Fulfilled — Obi-Wan in Clone Wars Armor

Two Jedi warriors seen from behind with blue lightsabers in Clone Wars–inspired armor, representing a potential live-action Obi-Wan Clone Wars story

In a franchise that rarely looks backward without a plan, Ewan McGregor just made a surprisingly grounded request: he wants to wear Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Clone Wars armor in live action—and he wants to do it alongside Hayden Christensen. “I want to get that [Clone Wars] armor on,” McGregor said at Fan Expo Chicago. “That armor stuff. Come on now… Hopefully, Hayden and I get to do more.” It’s a simple wish. And that’s exactly why it matters. Why This Matters Now Star Wars is in a moment of recalibration. After years of rapid expansion, Lucasfilm has slowed its pace, choosing projects more carefully and letting nostalgia breathe instead of flooding the market with it. Against that backdrop, McGregor’s comment doesn’t feel like fan-service bait. It feels like a reminder of an era that still hasn’t been fully explored in live action—despite being one of the most beloved periods in Star…

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Dave Filoni Honored With Lucasfilm Service Award After 20 Years of Shaping Star Wars

Dave Filoni holding a Lucasfilm Service Award at a celebration event, marking 20 years of contributions to Star Wars storytelling

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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