Another Star Wars Day has come and (almost) gone. “May the Fourth” was with us, but before it’s “Revenge of the Fifth,” let’s take a look at some of today’s big announcements that thrilled fans of the galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars Celebration 2017 Set For Orlando
Star Wars Celebration, the annual official fan convention, is coming to Orlando in 2017. After a 2015 reboot in Anaheim, the show moves to London this July, and now we know it will return to the US East Coast on April 13-16 next year at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
“Star Wars Celebration has always been about the fans,” said Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, said in a statement on StarWars.com. “It allows Lucasfilm to connect directly with the thousands of fans who have given their dedication and support to the world of Star Wars over the years, and is the perfect opportunity for us to give something back.”
Exactly what they’ll “give back” is a mystery, but announcements for guests and events should begin soon. Regardless, fans can expect there to be plenty of Star Wars: Episode VIII awesomeness — it releases in December 2017. The event could serve as the coming out party for the young Han Solo movie that’s planned for 2018.
EA Announces New Star Wars Game
The Force is strong with EA. The publisher announced the upcoming release of a brand new Star Wars game being developed by Respawn Entertainment. Details will have to wait, unfortunately. All we know right now is that it’s a third-person action-adventure game set in the Star Wars universe.
Patrick Söderlund, EA Studios’ Executive Vice President, said of Respawn, “Their obsession with making games that feel amazing has helped make Titanfall one of the most successful new game launches of this generation. And now, with a new team led by Stig Asmussen, we get to see what they can do when you combine that great attention to gameplay with the power of Star Wars.”
Full Version of “Jabba Flow” Released
Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and J.J. Abrams announced the release of the full version of “Jabba Flow,” their reggae-inspired tune written for the introductory Maz’s castle sequence in The Force Awakens. The complete track, which was omitted from the original score released earlier this year, is now streaming online.
Abrams appeared in Miranda’s Live #Ham4Ham video this morning to make the announcement. Miranda noted that the track’s main lyrics translate from Huttese to “No lover lover, it wasn’t me,” which he joked makes it a “Shaggy intergalactic remix.”
Chris Miller Teases Young Han Solo Movie
Can't wait to get "shooting"!#MayThe4thBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/HlteYut6m0
— Christopher Miller (@chrizmillr) May 4, 2016
Chris Miller, one of the filmmakers working on 2018’s “young-ish” Han Solo movie, tweeted out a visual tease of the still untitled movie today. It’s only a photograph of Han’s DL-44 heavy blaster pistol set on what looks like an Imperial control panel. The fact that this has us super excited is a sign of just how hard Miller and co-writer/director Phil Lord are going to have to work to meet expectations for the upcoming “Star Wars Story” film.
What Miller didn’t mention was anything about the casting of Han Solo, which some fans thought might be announced today. As of last month, the latest rumors pegged Hail, Caesar! actor Alden Ehrenreich as the frontrunner. Don’t be surprised if the reveal is saved for a big fan event like Star Wars Celebration.
Daisy Ridley Wishes Fans Happy Star Wars Day
Daisy Ridley, joined by a few friends, wishes fans a happy Star Wars Day in the final promo video for Star Wars: Force for Change, Lucasfilm’s charitable giving contest. Ridley thanks fans for all the money raised so far, while contending with a gag featuring The Force Awakens creatures and a staged John Boyega action figure prank.
The video marks fans’ last chance to donate, and the last chance to enter to win a trip to Ireland and Skellig Michael, the iconic location of Rey’s fateful meeting with Luke Skywalker.
For more Star Wars Day fun…
Check out StarWars.com’s May the 4th Hub with a special greeting from NASA, a parody attack ad “paid for by the Emperor’s Committee to Destroy May the 4th,” as well as a round-up of deals on games and other merchandise.
