Last year was an all round terrible time, the world came to a complete stop, life as we know it changed in ways we could never imagine, and we had no new Star Wars movie at Christmas. For us nerds all movie releases were pushed back, new ways of watching new releases were introduced and again no new Star Wars movie at Christmas. For someone who loves the build up to new releases it was a trying time, don’t get me wrong we got some great TV last year but it doesn't beat the build up of excitement to go to the cinema and enjoy your favourite fandom on the big screen.
I don’t know if I'm the only one here but I had never heard the “Disney Investor day” let alone have any idea what it was, but after following twitter all day and started to see some of the announcements made for upcoming “Star Wars” movies/TV I didn't care, I was tuned in and glued to the TV to the early hours. It was the little pick me up I was looking for after the UK was facing its third lockdown, that excitement that I was missing last year was certainly coming back with all these marvellous announcements.
In a green screen studio, Kathleen Kennedy took centre stage and announced the upcoming releases that would be expanding the “Star Wars universe. Let's take a look at what we have to look forward to in a galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021 on Disney+)
The bad batch is all new animated series that will see us follow a squad of elite, genetically-enhancd clones, that were introduced in an arc on “the clone wars.” We will follow these guys through a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War. “Dee Bradley Baker” will be returning to the role and voicing all of the clone troopers, we will also see “Ming-Na Wen” reprising her role as “Fennec Shand” as a younger version of her character from “The Mandalorian.”
As a fan of the animated shows I know what level of care and detail go into each episode, that I can’t wait for a new instalment with the clone troopers.
Ahsoka (TBA on Disney+)
Her arrival into live action was much talked about, her entrance was incredible and who she was looking for probably made fans cross the world scream with excitement! Did we honestly think that we wouldn't be seeing “Ahsoka Tano” again?
The answer is simply no! She is coming back, in her own series and bringing the villainous “Grand Admiral Thrawn” with her! This is the one I'm most excited about, Ahsoka is one of my favourite characters from the animated series. I did have my reservations with the casting of Rosario Dawson at first, but once she hit that screen and got straight into action, I was hooked! The ending of the show was incredible but my favourite episode by far was the introduction of “Ahsoka Tano.”
Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett (December, 2021 on Disney+)
After an explosive and emotional ending to the second series of “The Mandalorian,” we were gifted with a post-credit scene. We saw Boba Fett and Fennec Shand retuned to Jabba the hutts palace on Tatoonie. Bib Fortuna has assumed the seat on the throne, the years were not kind to him, he is starting to get that Jabba look about him. Boba wastes no time in killing him, seating himself on the Throne and we get the credits come up “ The book of Boba Fett.” Confusing among the community started, all thinking that this was replacement of season three of “The Mandalorian.”
The Mandalorian, Season 3. (TBA on Disney+)
As you can see there is no need to fear on season three, we will be seeing “Din Djarin” back in the Mandalorian suit, but will he get to see Grogu again... We will have wait and see.
Rangers of the New Republic (TBA on Disney+)
The team of Filoni and Favreau are taking a lot on in the “Star Wars” universe, they thought added another to their name wasn't a big deal. “Rangers of the “New Republic” will be a spin of show se in the timeline of “The Mandalorian” that will be woven with series 2. As we know Cara Dune was enlisted but declined to join the “New Republic”, so hopefully we will see “Gina Carano” back as the kickass character she is to finally accept her position.
Andor (2022 on Disney+)
This one has been in talks for a long time, and “Kathleen Kennedy” has finally put us out of our misery. The Rogue one prequel starting “Diego Luna” will be back as the rebel spy Cassian Andor for his own series. We all know the demise of “Cassian” and his sidekick K2S9, but the part before, we will get to explore in a 12 part series coming to Disney +.
Obi-Wan Kenobi ( TBA on Disney+)
This is another that has been rumoured for years, and in 2019 “Ewan McGregor” confirmed that he will be returning as the Jedi master “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” The show is set 10 years after the events of Revenge of the Sith, where Obi-Wan faced his greatest defeat. Obi-wan’s story would not been complete if it didn’t have his once Jedi apprentice, in his new position as the Sith Lord Vader. No recasting for this one, as the one and only “Hayden Christensen” will be returning to reprise his role for this new series. Along with Ashoka’s series, this is another that I can’t wait to see! I might be one of the few who actually likes the prequels and likes Hayden as Anakin, I never blamed him once for poor dialogue and terrible direction. I was overjoyed when he returned to the Star Wars community and took part in the 2019 Star Wars celebration, it warmed my heart to see him welcomed back into the community with loving arms.
The Acolyte ( TBA on Disney+)
The series is teamed as a Mystery Thriller that will take us the darkest side of the galaxy In the final days of the High Republic era, set years before the Star Wars prequels in the golden age of the Jedi.
Rogue Squadron (Dec 22, 2023)
The first movie set for the big screen will see “Pattie Jenkins” step aside from “Wonder Woman” and the join the Star Wars universe as the first ever female director. “Rogue Squadron” will introduce a new generation of Starfighter pilots as they earn their wings. Nothing more has been given away as yet, but we know it’s going to be a fresh and original story.Untitled Taika Waititi Movie (TBA)Very little has been said about this movie, as you can see it doesn’t even have a name yet, but what it does have is a director attached to it that has already rocked the Star Wars universe. I don’t care what it is, when it will be, or who is going to be in…In Taika we trust!
Lando (TBA on Disney+)
“Lando Calrissen” is a Smooth, talking, amazing dresser and notorious scoundrel, who will finally see himself in his own series. Not much information has been given, we don’t know which version of Lando we will see, but if I don’t see “Billy Dee Williams” return to the role, i’ll be fuming!Star Wars: Visions (TBA on Disney+)Visions will expand beyond CG animation, a collection of 10 short films, with one of the best anime creators offering a fresh new look. No further details on this as yet.
A Driod Story (TBA on Disney+)
I love my Star Wars driods and the two that started this love affair are getting their own animated series on Disney +. The duo of R2D2 & C3PO will be travelling the galaxy and getting into all sorts of trouble.There are three untitled movies by “Rian Johnson” and “Kevin Feige” that are in the works but no other details have been given.It will defiantly be interesting to see “Rian Johnson” do a Star Wars movie that doesn’t have such a massive fan base to start with. I don’t hate TLJ, it had some really interesting parts in, which you could tell he was taking risks on. These risk didn’t however satisfy the fans of the Skywalker story. It will be nice to see him doing a trilogy with no other attachments to it.
Let’s be honest whatever Keven Feige touches turns to gold, so we are in for treat with his movie instalment.A lot of things for us “Star Wars” fans to be getting excited over in the upcoming years. This really was the boost I needed to help me get through last year. Theres a-lot of details up in the air, and delays are expected to happen as we are still in uncertain times, but what we do know for sure is that we are in for a hell of a lot more than we ever imagined.
Be sure to check back for updates on these releases and any more news. Let me know what you guys think of the upcoming releases, you can find me on instagram at @sammiefett13 or at @nerdyupnorth
Until Next Time
Peace, love &Peanut Butter
Sammie Bryce