Here are the news stories we are tracking for ATGLive, Thursday December 12 LIVE at 9pm EST on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@TheSSWNetwork
Star Wars Celebration Japan Taking Shape
Lucasfilm has officially announced that Diego Luna, star of Andor and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, will be among the celebrity guests at Star Wars Celebration Japan next year.
The announcement was made via social media, alongside a reminder that limited tickets are still available for the event, which is set to take place from April 18-20, 2025.
Luna joins an impressive roster of confirmed guests, including his Rogue One co-stars Mads Mikkelsen (Galen Erso) and Alan Tudyk (K-2SO). With Andor Season 2 set to premiere just two days after the event, Celebration Japan is expected to heavily feature content from the series.
Fans are speculating about potential sneak peeks, including rumors of a preview screening of the first three episodes.
Additional guests include Manny Jacinto from The Acolyte, Star Wars veteran Temuera Morrison, Daniel Logan, Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka Tano), C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels, and Lucasfilm designer Doug Chiang.
Japanese-inspired key art and badge designs have already been unveiled, showcasing a unique fusion of Star Wars themes and traditional Japanese aesthetics. Attendees can also look forward to updates on The Mandalorian, new casting news, and potential announcements regarding Daisy Ridley’s upcoming Star Wars film and James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi project.
As more guest announcements are anticipated in the coming months, Star Wars Celebration Japan is shaping up to be an unmissable event for fans of the galaxy far, far away.
Details Emerging from Mando Casting
Production on Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu wrapped recently, but casting news continues to surface. Deadline reports that Jonny Coyne, who portrayed an Imperial Warlord in the Shadow Council during The Mandalorian Season 3, will appear in the upcoming film.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Allen White, known for The Bear, has been cast as the voice of Rotta the Hutt, a character introduced in The Clone Wars movie.
The film, scheduled for release on May 22, 2026, will mark Star Wars’ return to theaters after a seven-year hiatus. While plot details remain under wraps, it’s confirmed that Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and Grogu will embark on a new adventure. Speculation suggests the story may explore the Shadow Council’s response to Moff Gideon’s demise and the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn, tying into the broader New Republic-era narrative.
According to Lateef Crowder on social media, Pedro Pascal was on-set shooting scenes for the movie earlier this week. Adding intrigue, Sigourney Weaver, whose casting was revealed earlier this year, will play an undisclosed role. The teaser shown at D23 Expo featured Zeb Orrelios, another animated character crossing into live action.
Ahsoka Moves to The UK
Lucasfilm has announced that Ahsoka Season 2 will move production to the United Kingdom, marking a notable shift from the Los Angeles-based sets used for the first season. This change coincides with an unusual development: for the first time in over six years, no live-action Star Wars projects are in production at Lucasfilm's Los Angeles facilities.
IndieWire broke the news, revealing that the second season will depart from the Volume-heavy production techniques of its predecessor. Instead, a broader range of filming methods is expected, likely influencing the decision to relocate overseas.
Currently, Ahsoka is the only live-action Star Wars Disney+ series actively in pre-production. With no new series announced and several projects completed, this move might signal a strategic pause as Lucasfilm re-evaluates its live-action pipeline. While sources indicate that more live-action series are in development, there are no immediate plans to begin filming.
This lull in Los Angeles productions may also reflect delays in Lucasfilm's numerous announced film projects, none of which have begun principal photography. However, insiders emphasize that the relocation for Ahsoka Season 2 does not represent a permanent shift, with future productions potentially returning to Los Angeles.
It remains unclear whether Lucasfilm will offset the reduced live-action content for Disney+ by expanding its animated offerings. Meanwhile, fans can catch up on Ahsoka Season 1, streaming in full on Disney+. The second season is currently in development, with no confirmed release date.
A Tree Grows in Baatu
A peculiar sight at Walt Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge caught the attention of fans last week when a small plant was spotted growing on the exterior of the Millennium Falcon. The plant was visible from the queue for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, nestled among the iconic ship’s weathered panels and pipes.
The unexpected greenery quickly sparked interest online, with fans amused by the idea of nature finding a way aboard the legendary ship. However, Disney has since removed the plant, likely to maintain the integrity of the immersive storytelling at Galaxy’s Edge. According to the in-park narrative, the Millennium Falcon is frequently flown on daring missions, making it implausible for any foliage to survive hyperspace travel.
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run has been a staple attraction at Galaxy’s Edge since its debut on August 29, 2019. Guests step into the cockpit of the Falcon, taking on roles as pilots, gunners, or engineers in a thrilling simulation of intergalactic smuggling. The attraction’s detailed recreation of the ship, complete with weathered mechanics and industrial design, immerses visitors in the Star Wars universe.
While the plant has been removed, the moment serves as a reminder of the fine balance between maintaining thematic immersion and the natural world’s unpredictable charm. Fans can still enjoy their missions aboard the Millennium Falcon, now free of its brief brush with nature.
Catch these stories and more on ATGLive Thursday night at 9pm EST at YouTube.com/@TheSSWNetwork
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