Last night Disney had their investors conference, which with a four-hour runtime was basically their delayed D23/ San Diego Comic-Con presentation and they announced some awesome things.
It should come to no surprise I don’t care about the Marvel Studios or the MCU. Still, the reveal of Fantastic Four is joining the family would’ve gotten me more interested if they didn’t hire the blandest choice for director, Spider-Man helmer Jon Watts.
Nothing against the bloke but I don’t think directing two of the worst Spider-Man films gives me hope for his vision of the first family.
What did get me excited was Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy unveiled the future of Star Wars. Seeing this half-sleep in the middle of the night, I didn’t appreciate it. However, now, these 10 projects are so different and exciting I can’t wait to see the future of a galaxy far, far away.
The reason for my excitement is because they’re so different from each other take part in different times and parts of the galaxy.
Rogue Squadron
The biggest news was the reveal of the next feature film, Rogue Squadron.
The main reason for the excitement is because it has the incredible Patty Jenkins, the mastermind behind the triumph Wonder Woman movies, who has a personal backstory that will only make this project even better.
As for the story, it will focus on a new generation of starfighters pilots earning their wings and risking their lives. It’s being described as a high-speed, thrill-ride and I believe will be the breath of fresh air Rogue One was.
It will come to us hopefully on Christmas 2023.
Also, all announcements should be made on rollerblades in future.
Excitement Levels – In A Galaxy Far, Far Away
The Taika Waititi Project
The other feature film in development is the projected helmer by Oscar winner Taika Waititi.
Not much was revealed, but Kennedy did describe it as a “fresh, unexpected, and…unique” with “his enormous talent and sense of humor will ensure that audiences are in for an unforgettable ride.”
It does sound all exciting, but I hope we get some better than the disappointing Thor: Ragnarok. Something alongside his other smaller films, Hunt For The Wilderpeople and Jojo Rabbit.
Excitement Levels – Like Taika, but the middle of the road
Obi-Wan Kenobi
We got an official title for the series, through Kenobi sounds better, and we have more idea about the story.
The series will be set 10 years after the events of Revenge of the Sith, and he’ll probably be a much different person we saw in the prequels and not the man he becomes in A New Hope. Having been heartbroken by his greatest loss and betrayal of Anakin Skywalker becoming Darth Vader.
What has made this my number one anticipated Star Wars project is the fact Hayden Christensen is coming back and honestly I couldn’t be happier.
After the years of shit he took, the welcome home by Star Wars fans at Celebration a couple of years ago was heartwarming and opened the door for this return.
The awesome Deborah Chow is directing the whole series, and Kennedy described the return as “the rematch of the century.”
Excitement Levels – I need a new excitement level machine; this is broken.
The next two series are set within the timeline of the highly popular The Mandalorian. Firstly, there’s Ahsoka and it’s not surprising this character has been given a spin-off with the love series writer and exclusive producer Dave Filoni as for the character.
We will Rosario Dawson reprising the role she brought to life in season two of the series.
The next is an interesting one called Rangers of the New Republic. Not a lot of info was given it will be executive produced by Filoni and Jon Favreau, and they intersect with future stories and is leading to a climatic story.
Excitement Levels – You have my attention.
Lando
Same again with this Lando project, not much was give just that it’s a new Disney+ series and is being developed by Dear White People creator Justin Simien.
Best bet we’ll see the return of Donald Glover as the loveable smuggler having played him previously in Solo.
Excitement Levels – Need to know more, but love the character.
Andor
The sizzle-reel really helped sell me on this series (which has been filming for three weeks in London), but what also grabbed me was Tony Gilroy, replacement director of Rogue One during reshoots, created this series as a spy-thriller.
I’m so down for this, Rogue One is my favourite Disney era Star Wars film and probably top three favourite Star Wars ever.
Diego Luna is leading as rebel spy Cassian Andor and is joined by a terrific cast including Stellan Skarsgard, Adria Arjona, Fiona Shaw, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller and Genevieve O’Reilly is coming back as Mon Mothma.
Excitement Levels – Bond meets Star Wars? Count me in!!
The Acolyte
Probably my surprise of the night as I have no idea what The Acolyte will be about, and this will be my first entrance into the newly created High Republic. The series will focus on a galaxy of shadowy secrets and the dark side emerging.
This is the series that the Emmy-nominated creator of popular Netflix series Russian Doll, Leslye Headland will be heading.
Excitement Levels – A dark side show maybe possibly Darth Plagueis. Oh hell yeah!
Animation
Elsewhere, there wasn’t a lot announced on the animated side of things, I was expecting, similar to The Acolyte, that we might’ve gotten something within this new High Republic.
Following the end of Clone Wars, we knew a spin-off was in the works focusing on The Bad Batch. A unique squad of clones with a particular set of exceptional skills.
This series follows right after the Clone War and Order 66, and we see the team find new purpose under the Empire as they continue to take missions.
The sizzle reel did help to sell the show as it looks like it takes place a couple of years before Rebels.
The most interesting animated reveal was Star Wars: Visions. It’s interesting to me as they’re a series of 10 shorts brought to life by several Japanese anime studios. So we could see awesome perspectives like Genndy Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars series back in 2003.
This is what Lucasfilm needs to do to bring something fresh to the property, and I can’t wait to see that trailer and the different stories they will tell.
The final animated show announced is A Droid Story, I’m not sure I’m the target audience as this sounds like similar to the LEGO shows aiming at a younger audience.
A Droid Story focuses on a new hero and is helped along the way by legendary duo R2-D2 and C-3PO.
Excitement Levels – Attention is grabbed, especially with Visions.
The Bear Cave 