This week’s Star Wars update is short and sweet because one of our news items turned out to be bogus and the other was an unintentional leak of Rogue One photos and Character names. Since this was not final (and thus possibly not completely accurate) Disney asked that this info not be posted. Which is too bad, because it was good stuff. But there’s lots of other excitement going on.

New Disneyland Commercial

The rope-drop crowd got a fun surprise this week when they ran through a commercial being filmed outside of Hyperspace Mountain, featuring Captain Phasma and her troopers. The crew and extras standing around in front of the Tomorrowland Theater were trying to wrap up shooting when the park opened. A line of Cast Members guided the stampede around the set. A number of guests thought this was a character meet and stopped to take pictures with Phasma before being urged along by CM’s. The name on the slate said “H K Disneyland”.

Star Wars News

The crew prepares for the next shot.
The crew prepares for the next shot.
Captain Phasma finds her mark.
Captain Phasma finds her mark.

 

Force for Change Updates

The Force For Change Campaign launched in April has raised $2.2 million so far. From the official site:

““May the 4th Be With You’ — a statement that represents the passion and love for Star Wars shared by fans around the world, now has an additional meaning: inspiring positivity and goodwill fueled by the Force. This year, thanks to the amazing Star Wars fan community, Star Wars Day launched charitable activations all around the world on behalf of Star Wars: Force for Change.

In the US, over the course of a four-week period which culminated on May the 4th, fans were able to donate to a fundraising campaign through CrowdRise.com/ForceForChange and Star Wars: Force for Change matched all donations up to $1 million. We are proud to announce that over $2.2 million has been raised for Make-A-Wish, American Red Cross, U.S. Fund for UNICEF and Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Lucasfilm gives a heartfelt thanks to support from the worldwide fan community as well as key contributors including Tourism Ireland, Mad Engine, Sphero, Hasbro, PlayStation, and ReedPOP.

Force for Change also partnered with Disney Parks in the United States to help launch exclusive Rogue One: A Star Wars Story merchandise on May the 4th, including an exclusive logo T-shirt and a pin. Twenty-five percent of the sales price of each item sold will go to U.S. Fund for UNICEF to support UNICEF Kid Power”

The Rogue One Shirts released on Star Wars Day are still available in the Star Wars Launch Bay, Star Traders in Disneyland and at D Street in Downtown Disney.

FFC 1

Cool New Merchandise Keeps Coming

Despite the Star Wars Day exclusives, there’s a slew of new items in the parks.

A coffee table book of the original storyboard drawings used to plan shots for the prequel trilogy.
A coffee table book of the original storyboard drawings, used to plan shots for the prequel trilogy.
A vinyl LP of the Force Awakens Soundtrack.
A vinyl LP of the Force Awakens Soundtrack.
A corner dedicated the Boba Fett fans.
A corner dedicated the Boba Fett fans.
Something for the Star Wars romantic in all of us.
Something for the Star Wars romantic in all of us.
A section just for BB-88.
A section just for BB-8.
And the popular new mouse ears!
And the popular new BB-8 Mouse Ears

A rumor popped up this week that Star Wars Land will feature some “Force Opportunities” much like what Universal Studios’ Wizarding World of Harry Potter created for visitors who wave wands purchased in the park. Examples include allowing guests to use the force to lift a boulder or even a space ship. Sounds like the Sword In The Stone meets Jedi Training Academy.

JT Show 3

Construction Update
The earth is moving still in Star Wars Land.

Behind Big Thunder Mountain, the area is becoming more clear and level.
Behind Big Thunder Mountain, the area is becoming more clear and level.
As well as outside of the Hungry Bear Restaurant
As well as outside of the Hungry Bear Restaurant
The main mound continues to grow.
The main mound continues to grow.
As the remnants of the old berm dwindle.
As the remnants of the old berm dwindle.
The foliage behind the recently demolished buildings is gone.
The foliage behind the recently demolished buildings is now gone.
And the scrapers are inching closer to the doomed Chalet.
And the scrapers are inching closer to the doomed Sky Way Chalet (for which Disney has filed demolition permits)

That’s the Star Wars news for this week. May the Force be with you!