This week we take a look at some adorable new Star Wars Tsum Tsums, a new spaceship and something strange about Rey.
But first, breaking news…
Word leaked out from the Television Critics Association executive session with ABC that the network is in “active conversations” with Lucasfilm about a Star Wars Television Series. No details were provided and this is something that is still developing. I’ll have more on this next week along with a little background on Star Wars: Underworld, a series George Lucas was developing before he sold the company to Disney. In the mean time, what do you think of Star Wars joining Marvel on ABC?
Star Wars In The Park
Before we head down the Rancor hole, let’s get a quick photo update from Disneyland as the Season Of The Force winds down.
Swag Has No Season
We can always count on new merchandise being released year-round. Here’s a look at Tsum of the fun stuff in the park (see what I did there).
Rogue One TV Spot
We got a new commercial this week. While there isn’t any new footage in this that isn’t in the trailer or sizzle reel from Celebration, it is a sign that we will have more coming. The movie opens in four months! Here it is in case you missed it.
I love the use of the alarm in these ads. It’s very effective!
New Ship Revealed
This week, the Star Wars show introduced us to the U-Wing. It’s a cargo craft and gunship that is used by the Rebels on the mission to steal the plans for the Death Star. We got a glimpse of the craft in concept art a year ago at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim.
The craft can operate with multiple wing configurations as seen here:
But I’m not sure how this ship will fare on the mission based on photos leaked from the set a year ago:
SPOILER ALERT!
Which brings me to the next item…
Rey Palpatine Theory
There are tons of ideas generated by fans about Rey and her family. A popular theory is that Rey is somehow a Skywalker. But another interesting theory has been corroborated in video showing hints from the movies and even from Lucasfilm staff.
A little background first…Palpatine was a Senator from Naboo in Episode 1 who was also secretly Darth Sidious. In Episode 2 he took control of the Clone Army, which he used to destroy the Jedi in Episode 3. He took a break in Episode 4, but was back to hunt down Luke in Episodes 5 and 6. Vader threw him in a hole on the Death Star before it blew up. He SHOULD be dead.
The theory is that Rey is actually Palpatine’s Granddaughter. We won’t know if this is true for a least a year (maybe three). But a video was assembled showing the evidence that points in that direction. Here it is:
Whether it is true or not, it does point to the significance of the books in Star Wars cannon. Each one may have clues to what happens in the movies.
Aftermath At Jakku
Speaking of which, the second book in Chuck Wendig’s Star Wars: Aftermath trilogy came out in July. It was announced that the third book, Empire’s End, would conclude at the battle of Jakku. So we’ll finally get to find out how that place became such a mess! It’s set for release January 31, 2017.
Star Wars Land Construction
Now let’s visit a place that kind of resembles Jakku at the moment. We’ll start in the north end of Star Wars Land, where the Dirt Star has been dominating the horizon for some time.
Behind Big Thunder Mountain, more of what will be the turn at Tom Sawyer’s Island. The new Fantasmic backstage is also coming together. Remember…this part of the project is supposed to be open by next summer!
Around the Hungry Bear Restaurant, we can see the future train tracks.
On the west side of SWL, there is a flurry of activity where the backstage access road will relocate.
And it looks like something new may be starting. Beams are beginning to be placed into the ground on the west side of SWL. What’s this? We’ll see next week…
Come back again next week for the next episode in the Star Wars News saga. May the Force be with you!