Timothy Olyphant is back on the small screen, delivering a great performance in one of 2025’s most hyped TV shows. It’s essentially business as usual for the actor who, since Deadwood, has been about as reliable a star as you can get if you want to give your series some serious acting cred. From Justified through to the canceled-too-soon Santa Clarita Diet, he’s always worth watching, and that proves to be the case again in his latest role: the synthetic Kirsh in Alien: Earth, which reunites him with Noah Hawley after their work together on Fargo Season 4.

As Alien: Earth‘s reviews make clear, this is one of the franchise’s strongest entries, and the decision to finally go to Earth pays off. Kirsh is one of many reasons why. Olyphant is every bit as great as we’ve come to expect, and yet Kirsh is nothing like the characters we’ve seen the actor play before. The synth is odd, icy cold, and cuts a frustrated figure as he serves as mentor to Sydney Chandler’s Wendy (the Alien franchise’s new human-synth hybrid), and yet always compelling to watch. But as good as Olyphant is, it’s also a reminder that he needs to return to another show with its roots in Sci-Fi and the 1970s: The Mandalorian.

Olyphant’s debut in the Star Wars franchise came in The Mandalorian Season 2, Episode 1, “Chapter 9 – The Marshal,” where he played Cobb Vanth, the episode’s eponymous Marshal. Olyphant brought all his Western genre experience to the Mayor of Mos Pelgo, instantly winning over audiences. There’s a mix of Han Solo-like coolness with genuine altruism that made him a fascinating, fantastic gunslinger-type character. The actor’s charisma shone through and paired perfectly with Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin, but there was also an emotional vulnerability to him that we rarely see in those roles.

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Vanth seemed like a new hero destined for bigger things, with plenty more of the character’s story to flesh out and definite interest in seeing it. He briefly returned in The Book of Boba Fett, where he was shot and almost killed by Cad Bane, but that itself clearly set up a new future for the character. Boba Fett‘s post-credits scene included Vanth being healed in a bacta tank, and his wounds also being treated by the Modifier, meaning he was going to receive some cybernetic upgrades.

Alas, that was currently the last we saw of him, but while he’s now gone fully synthetic in Alien: Earth, it would still be great to see what happens next to the Marshal after his own augmentations. The Book of Boba Fett had its problems, but Vanth wasn’t one of them; indeed, had the show focused on him, it might’ve fared better, because that’s how interesting a character he is. As Star Wars continues to explore this New Republic era, it would make sense for him to appear again. He’s not confirmed for The Mandalorian and Grogu, but that doesn’t mean a surprise appearance won’t happen.

The Star Wars franchise will never fully leave Tatooine behind, so there should always be hope for his return (Olyphant has played coy about coming back as Vanth). As the Mandoverse builds up to a climactic event with Grand Admiral Thrawn, it’s going to need all the heroes it can get. Olyphant is one of the very best of the Disney+ era, and it’d be a massive shame to let that go to waste.

Alien: Earth Episodes 1 & 2 are now streaming on Hulu. All episodes of The Mandalorian can be found on Disney+.

The post Timothy Olyphant’s New Sci-Fi Is Good, but He Must Return to This 48-Year-Old Franchise appeared first on ComicBook.com.

From thrilling lightsaber duels to epic starfighter battles, Star Wars is best known for its daring action and dazzling sci-fi adventures. Yet while its signature style leans toward heart-pounding excitement, that’s not the only way the galaxy delivers compelling content to its fans. Indeed, Star Wars stories have occasionally ventured into horror — a genre that’s well suited to a universe where the supernatural, the occult, and “magic and sorcery” are just as plausible explanations for the inexplicable as advanced technology or the marvels of human and alien biology. Now, Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories — Dark Horse Comic’s simpler, more accessible entry point into the franchise — revives this fascinating yet rarely explored facet of Star Wars storytelling.

George Mann and Michael Atiyeh’s Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories – Tides of Terror tells the story of one Jedi mission to Torbus, an ocean planet that is home to a controversial underwater research laboratory that Jedi Masters Mace Windu, Kit Fisto, and Padawan Nahdar are sent to investigate. However, during their investigation, the laboratory, which is completely isolated in its underwater home, is attacked by strange and unforeseen forces, forces that even Windu and Fisto are at a loss to comprehend. As the title suggests, the situation quickly descends into true terror.

Even Jedi are Afraid of the Unknown

On the one hand, Tides of Terror contains all the elements of a classic Jedi tale. It starts with a team of Jedi sent to a remote location to investigate troubles beyond the scope of traditional Galactic Republic expertise. Upon arrival, the team of Jedi is immediately forced to confront a challenge they never expected. In this case, rather than the standard military, criminal, or insurrectionist-based threat, the story quickly veers into horror, a tone rarely explored in Star Wars but one that fits the narrative perfectly.

On the other hand, Tides of Terror also embodies all the hallmarks of a classic horror story. There’s the claustrophobic isolation of the underwater laboratory, the shadowy threat of unknown creatures lurking in the depths, and the psychological toll the menace takes, even challenging the understanding of seasoned Jedi like Windu and Fisto. Then there are the grotesque, unnatural forms of the monsters, which seem to know more about the Jedi than the Jedi do about them.

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Finally, there are the existential stakes: the creeping sense that the attack is not random but tied to some past transgression — in this case, perhaps Nahdar’s earlier, senseless killing of a creature that had assaulted the team when they arrived. The vibe is tense, but not in the typical Star Wars story way. There’s a deeper level of uncertainty and dread that even the Jedi Masters struggle to conceal.

What Tides of Terror demonstrates is that horror is not incompatible with Star Wars storytelling. Rather, it’s a genre that can stay true to the spirit of the Jedi while inviting a new audience, one not typically found within the franchise’s traditional fanbase.

There’s More to Star Wars‘ Dark Side Than the Sith

While action and adventure dominate most Star Wars storytelling, it’s still surprising that more horror-themed stories—like Tides of Terror—haven’t emerged. Despite all the lightsaber battles, political intrigue, and dazzling technology, Star Wars offers a perfect setting for horror.

First, there’s the ever-present dark side of the Force. While it’s often framed through the conflict between Jedi and Sith, its influence is much larger than that. It’s a tormenting, corruptive force that can break, twist, and corrupt people into committing unspeakable acts. And that torment isn’t immediate or overt; in classic horror fashion, it haunts, horrifies, and harasses its victims, slowly eroding their will and sanity. More than just a power, the dark side serves as a metaphor for inner demons, madness, and evil incarnate— core elements found throughout horror history, from Dracula to Event Horizon. So, as stories like Tides of Terror have shown, it wouldn’t take much to fully embrace these horror roots in a galaxy far, far away.

Second, the Star Wars landscape itself is a rich setting for horror. The galaxy is filled with uncharted territories, remote planets, battlefields littered with corpses, gloomy abandoned ships, and isolated outposts. Even bustling planets like Coruscant have their own horrors, from dark alleys to torture chambers. These places provide the perfect backdrop for a terrifying story.

We Need More Horror in Star Wars

Beyond the physical landscape, as the Tides of Terror illustrates, the universe is also teeming with monsters, spirits, and sorcerers. From the Nightsisters of Dathomir to the Witches of Brendock, these supernatural creatures are compelling elements of horror. Their talents are often wasted in stories about war and politics, as their true strength lies in their ability to scare. Finally, the technology of the Star Wars universe is another great source of horror. In a world where droids are sentient and technology is integrated into every aspect of life, there are endless opportunities for tech to become the source of a nightmare.

While horror-themed stories have enjoyed a bit of a renaissance in the comic book universe, its impact has been mixed. Much of that arises from the difficulty of converting stories with no basis in horror into horror tales. This is not the case with Star Wars, however. Star Wars is built on a framework that’s intimately attuned to horror storytelling. As Tides of Terror makes clear, horror storytelling doesn’t betray or pollute the Star Wars style – it enhances it. To be sure, horror is rarely used in Star Wars storytelling—but when it is, it resonates deeply. It’s a genre that deserves far more attention than it has traditionally received.Hopefully, Tides of Terror will open the floodgates, so to speak.

The post This Deep-Cut Star Wars Horror Story Still Gives Fans Chills (and You Should Read It) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Most Star Wars fan theories end up being as wrong as Anakin Skywalker killing younglings. Rey isn’t Obi-Wan Kenobi’s granddaughter or the reincarnation of the Chosen One. Star Wars: The Last Jedi reveals that she’s no one before Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker walks that back and explains that she’s the daughter of a Palpatine clone. It’s not worth spending too much time thinking about that can of worms, though, as Rey’s lineage is far from the only aspect of Star Wars that opens the door to speculation. In fact, a detail as minute as an empty chair in a meeting can cause serious debates.

It’s a gamble whenever Star Wars attempts to recontextualize a moment from the original trilogy. After all, those movies are sacred ground. That doesn’t stop Lucasfilm from pushing the envelope though, even going as far as to have Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi meet up one more time after their battle on Mustafar. How the powers that be connect Star Wars: Andor and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story to Star Wars: A New Hope using a supporting character isn’t as brazen, but it’s noteworthy nonetheless.

The Latest Projects About the Empire’s Reign Introduce an Important Imperial Figure

Star Wars loves the era between Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Star Wars Rebels and the Star Wars Jedi: Survivor games are just a couple of the projects that fall in that 19-year window. However, they’re chopped liver compared to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars: Andor, which follow the events leading up to the destruction of the Death Star. It comes to light that the one pushing the super weapon hardest is Director Orson Krennic, who recruits Galen Erso for the project and forces the scientist out of retirement when work stalls. All of Krennic’s hard work, including the destabilization of Ghorman, is an effort to get a real seat at the Imperial table alongside the likes of Grand Moff Tarkin.

What Krennic doesn’t account for is the Rebellion growing right under the Empire’s nose. His subordinates, including Dedra Meero, fail to keep the details of the Death Star in-house, providing Cassian Andor and everyone else on Yavin 4 an opening. Andor and Co. are able to infiltrate the Imperial stronghold on Scarif and transmit the Death Star plans to the Rebel fleet. Krennic is present on the planet, and in a poetic form of justice, the very weapon he worked so hard to get operational kills him. With Krennic being an important part of Imperial history, many fans thought it was strange that A New Hope makes no mention of him. They had to create their own theory to find a place for him in the story. Unlike Director Krennic, though, Star Wars fans can enjoy the fruits of their labor.

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Director Krennic’s Star Wars Legacy Is a Tragic One

A New Hope is, of course, the first Star Wars project to have ever been released, so fans have had nearly fifty years to comb through all its details. One thing that has always stood out is the empty chair in the meeting room on the Death Star. As the Imperials discuss the threat the Rebellion poses with the Death Star plans, Darth Vader and Tarkin walk into the room and assure everyone that there’s nothing to worry about. However, Vader doesn’t sit down, seemingly confirming that the empty chair in the room doesn’t belong to him. A New Hope doesn’t mention a missing Imperial, so fans have taken that to mean Krennic’s death is the reason for the meeting feeling incomplete.

The idea remained nothing but a fan theory until the release of the canon-ish 2017 anthology novel From a Certain Point of View. In the short story “Fully Operational” by Beth Revis, General Cassio Tagge discusses his arrival on the Death Star shortly after the Battle of Scairf and his feelings about Krennic. He remembers the last meeting in the room, when Krennic had discussed using the weapon on something bigger than Jedha City. Of course, that line of thinking got Krennic killed, and while Tagge remembers his colleague’s childish attitude, he also can’t help but think about how passionate he was about acquiring power.

Did you believe the theory that Director Krennic was the Imperial missing from the meeting in Star Wars: A New Hope? How do you feel that it turned out to be true? Let us know in the comments below!

The post A Confirmed Andor Fan Theory Will Change How Star Wars Fans Watch the Original Movie appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Star Wars is all about finding heroes in the unlikeliest of places. At the start of Star Wars: A New Hope, Luke Skywalker is nothing more than a farmer, helping his uncle and aunt make ends meet on Tatooine while searching for a greater purpose. Well, his purpose finds him when a message from Leia Organa and the plans for the Death Star end up on his doorstep. After taking the hologram to Ben Kenobi, the local hermit, Luke’s life is never the same as he discovers his Force abilities and becomes a fully fledged Jedi Knight, like his father, Anakin Skywalker, before him.

Both Anakin and Luke play pivotal parts in taking down the Empire. That kind of accomplishment is enough to make them the stuff of legends, but that doesn’t mean they’re the Star Wars franchise’s most important heroes. In fact, fans have come to the conclusion that another character deserves the honor for always being in the right place at the right time.

R2-D2 Is the Real Hero of the Skywalker Saga

While the prequel trilogy is all about Anakin’s fall to the dark side and the rise of the Empire, it gives plenty of other characters time to shine. Obi-Wan Kenobi is at the height of his powers, facing off against a couple of Sith Lords before settling down in Tatooine to watch over Luke as he grows into a powerful Force user. Sheev Palpatine is also a major part of the prequels, with the movies showing how he gains enough influence to convince the galaxy to hand over power to him at the outset of the Clone Wars. However, while the chess match between the Sith and Jedi is going on, there’s a character in the background who’s present for every major event.

R2-D2 proves to be more capable than the other astromech droids in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, so Anakin teams up with him to take down the Separatist blockade outside Naboo. After winning that battle together, R2 sticks by Anakin’s side and saves his friend’s life on multiple occasions. The droid even drags his buddy C-3PO out of the scrap heap in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones to ensure he lives another day. Losing Anakin to the dark side hurts R2, but he doesn’t give up hope, remaining with the Rebellion long enough for Leia to give him the Death Star plans, which kick off the events that bring the Empire down.

The sequel trilogy even finds room for R2, as he holds the final piece of the map that reveals Luke’s location. Once he wakes up at the end of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, he takes a bit of a backseat, but he can’t help but return to the action during the Battle of Exegol in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, accompanying Poe Dameron in his X-Wing. Neither Anakin nor Luke is there to fight Palpatine when he somehow returns, but their robot pal is, which is why fans can’t help but give him the respect he deserves when they debate who the face of the franchise is outside of Darth Vader. R2 may even get a chance to surpass the Sith Lord if Lucasfilm continues to put him in movies.

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Star Wars’ Future Might Have a Spot Reserved for R2-D2

It’s not a secret that Star Wars has been struggling to find its footing on the big screen. However, the franchise is looking to get its groove back with projects like The Mandalorian & Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter. The Skywalker family isn’t going to be a major part of either movie, and that’s probably for the best, as The Rise of Skywalker‘s reviews reveal critics and fans have had enough of the tired Star Wars formula. But there is one movie in the works that will focus on at least one character from the sequel trilogy.

A film all about Rey’s new Jedi Order is coming down the pike, and while no one but Daisy Ridley is confirmed to be part of it, that doesn’t mean there won’t be familiar faces around. R2 may very well be one of them, especially because he holds the Skywalker family near and dear to his metal heart. The villain of the project has yet to be revealed, but whoever it is, they had better watch out because Star Wars’ most iconic astromech droid is looking to climb the rankings.

Do you think R2-D2 is Star Wars’ most important hero? Would you like to see him appear in an upcoming project? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Star Wars Fans Decided the Galaxy’s Most Important Hero Isn’t Luke or Anakin Skywalker appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Before Ron Howard agreed to become the replacement director on Solo: A Star Wars Story, he asked George Lucas for some advice. What Lucas said is sure to ruffle the feathers of some Star Wars fans, but there’s a lot of truth to it. In an interview with Vulture, Howard reflected on the unusual circumstances that brought him to Solo, the spinoff initially helmed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The Oscar-winning director recalled a conversation he had with Lucas, who made a point to remind Howard who the franchise’s primary target audience is.

“I talked to him once early, when I was just thinking about doing it,” Howard said. “He wasn’t active on the films, but he said, “Just don’t forget — it’s for 12-year-old boys.'”

From the beginning, Lucas has always kept Star Wars’ younger viewers in mind. One of the reasons why Yoda speaks in his distinct manner is so people — “especially 12-year-olds,” Lucas said — pay attention to what he is saying. Lucas also wasn’t overly concerned about backlash surrounding Jar Jar Binks because he knew that the kids who grew up with the prequels and loved Jar Jar would eventually pass that admiration to their own children. Ahmed Best called Lucas a “futurist” for having that foresight.

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Unfortunately, Lucas’ advice didn’t help Solo so much. Though the spinoff earned generally positive reviews, it became the first Star Wars film to bomb at the box office; the unprecedented issues behind the scenes proved too much to overcome. After Solo flopped, Disney slowed down development of future Star Wars movies. Next year’s The Mandalorian & Grogu will be the property’s first new film since 2019.

Star Wars has always had a timeless, multi-generational appeal, and there are projects that show a more mature approach can be extremely effective in the right circumstances (Star Wars: Andor being perhaps the best example of that). So Star Wars isn’t strictly just for kids, but Lucas always intended kids to be the primary demographic first and foremost. The original Star Wars movie was conceived as a fairy tale designed to immerse younger viewers in a fantastical world with memorable characters, creative creature designs, and exciting action. He knew it was important to capture the imagination of children, and it’s what helped propel Star Wars to become a global phenomenon.

An argument can be made that other Hollywood franchises have lost sight of Lucas’ guiding principle. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has struggled at the box office in recent years, and some people believe it’s because the movies aren’t as appealing to kids as they once were. Again, there’s a lot of nuance to this conversation. Not everything has to be presented in PG-rated wrapping to become a hit. Andor earned universal acclaim in part because it mixed things up so much. But movies, which rely heavily on box office grosses, are a different story. For something to become a true four-quadrant smash, kids need to be onboard with the program as well.

The post George Lucas’ Advice to Solo Director Is Sure to Anger Star Wars Fans (but He’s Right) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

When it comes to the three Star Wars trilogies, the original is at the front of the pack. It sets the tone for everything that comes after, building up major figures like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker that have become synonymous with the franchise. It’s a toss-up after that, though, with both the prequel and sequel trilogies having major issues that keep them from reaching the heights of the original. However, whether it’s due to nostalgia or something else, the sequels get more hate than the prequels these days. It’s honestly hard to go anywhere on the Internet without finding a negative conversation about Episodes VII, VIII, and IX.

It’s about time that the world remembers that the prequels are far from perfect, and that there are aspects of them that are hard to defend. Here are seven Star Wars prequel moments that are worse than anything in the sequels.

1) Anakin Skywalker’s Sand Speech

Anakin Skywalker doesn’t hide his feelings for Padmé Amidala in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, so when he gets the chance to go with her to Naboo, he’s over the moon. The dynamic between the two characters is strange, though, with Anakin coming off as creepy at times. However, his worst moment on Naboo comes when he talks about how much he dislikes sand. The dialogue is so clunky that not even Hayden Christensen’s charisma can save the moment.

2) The Jedi Have Super Speed

The beginning of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace is a whirlwind, as it reveals what the galaxy was like before the rise of the Empire. There’s nothing too out of the ordinary until the Trade Federation unleashes droids on the Jedi negotiators Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn. When the Jedi realize they’re out of their depth, they use super speed to escape. The ability never returns, leaving its status in a galaxy far, far away a mystery.

3) Chewbacca Gets Chummy With Yoda

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith has a lot on its plate, completing Anakin’s fall to the Dark Side and taking most of the Jedi off the board. However, George Lucas finds time to cram in a connection to the original trilogy in the form of Chewbacca, who helps lead the Wookie army on Kashyyyk. While Chewie’s cameo isn’t canon-breaking, it does open a can of worms that’s on the same level as some of the sequels’ big misses.

4) Any Scene With Jar Jar Binks

At the time of The Phantom Menace‘s release, Jar Jar Binks dealt with his fair share of criticism. It had nothing to do with Ahmed Best, who was doing the best he could with what he had, but the character wasn’t working because his humor felt out of place. Lucas had to tone down Jar Jar’s role in the next two movies, making him a strange footnote in Star Wars history.

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5) Boba Fett Holding His Dad’s Head

Another way that Lucas tried to set the stage for the events of the original trilogy was by introducing a young Boba Fett, who was a clone of his “father,” Jango Fett. The duo causes problems for Obi-Wan before heading to Geonosis, where the Separatist leadership is hanging out. When the Jedi arrive, Jango ends up in the fight and dies at the hands of Mace Windu. Boba finds his dad’s helmet, with the head still inside, and holds it up in an eerie moment.

6) Padmé Amidala Dying of a Broken Heart

Padmé doesn’t get to see her children grow up, which means she’s living on borrowed time in the prequels. In Revenge of the Sith, she tells Anakin that she’s pregnant, sealing her fate by the end of the movie. Her death ends up being pretty controversial, though, as a robot announces that she lost the will to live. What doesn’t help matter is that moments after Padmé draws her last breath, Darth Vader, now in his iconic suit, loses his composure and screams, “Noooooooo!”

7) The Introduction of Midi-Chlorians

The prequel scene that hurts the Star Wars franchise the most is when Qui-Gon reveals the existence of midi-chlorians, microscopic life forms that give people Force abilities. It takes the magic out of a galaxy far, far, away, turning the Force into something that can be explained by science rather than magic. There’s nothing worse than having to think about formulas and math while watching a Star Wars movie.

How do you feel about the Star Wars prequel moments on this list? Do you think they’re worse than the most controversial sequel scenes? Let us know in the comments below!

The post 7 Star Wars Prequel Moments That Are Worse Than Anything in the Sequels appeared first on ComicBook.com.

August may only be halfway over, but Disney’s flagship streaming service is already looking ahead to the start of September. This week, Disney+ released its newsletter for September, revealing all of the movie and TV titles set to join the streaming lineup over the course of the next month.

September is kicking off with the addition of the biggest movie of the year, as the live-action Lilo & Stitch makes its Disney+ debut on September 3rd. Later in the month, on September 24th, the streamer will release every episode of its highly anticipated animated series Marvel Zombies.

You can check out the full list of Disney+ September additions below!

September 2nd

Minnie’s Bow-Toons: Pet Hotel (Season 1) – New Episodes
The Rich Eisen Show – Premiere

September 3rd

Lilo & Stitch (2025) – Premiere

Reminder (Hulu Original) – All Episodes
Six months after their sudden breakup while planning their wedding, Deniz and Güneş run into each other. That same evening, a mysterious message appears on both their phones, pulling them into a life-changing journey—one that will lead them to confront the missing pieces of their past and rediscover what love truly means.

September 4th

Project Runway (Season 21) – Episode 7 at 10pm PT
Hosted by Heidi Klum, 12 fashion designers from different backgrounds compete for a chance to take their career to the next level in this reality competition.

September 5th

Road Trip Shorts (Season 1)

September 7th

Traveling with Snow Man (Disney+ Original) – Episode 3
Japan’s top male idol group, Snow Man, sets out on a journey of self-discovery across unique locations in Japan. As they reflect on the five years since their debut, they share their dreams of what comes next. Full of laughter, tears, and newfound resolve, this is their most personal journey yet.

September 10th

Tempest (Hulu Original) – Three Episode Premiere
Featuring one of the most impressive international line-ups in a Korean drama to date, “Tempest” follows Seo Munju (Gianna Jun), a skilled former diplomat, as she tries to uncover the truth behind an attempt on a presidential candidate’s life. After discovering the candidate was accused of being a North Korean spy, Munju digs into his past, unlocking a Pandora’s box of deception, state secrets and more. Protected by Paik Sanho (Gang Dongwon), a mercenary with a suspicious history and a hidden backer, Munju repeatedly finds herself under attack as she uncovers an international conspiracy stretching all the way to the White House. But, with danger drawing ever closer, will Sanho be able to keep his principal safe and his emotions in check?

To Catch a Smuggler (Season 9)

September 11th

Project Runway (Season 21) – Episode 8 at 10pm PT
Hosted by Heidi Klum, 12 fashion designers from different backgrounds compete for a chance to take their career to the next level in this reality competition.

September 12th

How Not to Draw: Shorts (Season 4)

September 13th

Lost in the Jungle

September 14th

Traveling with Snow Man (Disney+ Original) – Episode 4
Japan’s top male idol group, Snow Man, sets out on a journey of self-discovery across unique locations in Japan. As they reflect on the five years since their debut, they share their dreams of what comes next. Full of laughter, tears, and newfound resolve, this is their most personal journey yet.

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September 16th

Dancing With the Stars (Season 34) – Premieres Live at 8/7c
Hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, “Dancing with the Stars” is the hit series that pairs celebrities with trained ballroom dancers to compete in themed choreographed dance routines that are judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts, including Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough.

September 17th

Electric Bloom (Season 1) – Thirteen Episodes
The three members of mega-famous pop group Electric Bloom look back and tell the story of their band and friendship, starting with the day they all met in high school. Overachiever Posey, rebellious Jade, and quirky Tulip go on a journey to become the biggest band in the world and the best friends in the universe.

Tempest (Hulu Original) – Episodes 4 & 5
Featuring one of the most impressive international line-ups in a Korean drama to date, “Tempest” follows Seo Munju (Gianna Jun), a skilled former diplomat, as she tries to uncover the truth behind an attempt on a presidential candidate’s life. After discovering the candidate was accused of being a North Korean spy, Munju digs into his past, unlocking a Pandora’s box of deception, state secrets and more. Protected by Paik Sanho (Gang Dongwon), a mercenary with a suspicious history and a hidden backer, Munju repeatedly finds herself under attack as she uncovers an international conspiracy stretching all the way to the White House. But, with danger drawing ever closer, will Sanho be able to keep his principal safe and his emotions in check?

September 18th

Project Runway (Season 21) – Episode 9 at 10pm PT
Hosted by Heidi Klum, 12 fashion designers from different backgrounds compete for a chance to take their career to the next level in this reality competition.

September 19th

LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy: Pieces of the Past – All Episodes
Sig, Jedi Bob, Yesi, Servo, and the villainous Dev return and must face off against a new enemy — the powerful and mysterious Solitus. Our heroes will make unlikely alliances as they traverse new and dangerous parts of the hilariously mixed-up galaxy in an effort to stop the growing threat Solitus poses to all they hold dear.

Random Rings: Shorts (Season 4) – Premiere

September 21st

Traveling with Snow Man (Disney+ Original) – Episode 5
Japan’s top male idol group, Snow Man, sets out on a journey of self-discovery across unique locations in Japan. As they reflect on the five years since their debut, they share their dreams of what comes next. Full of laughter, tears, and newfound resolve, this is their most personal journey yet.

September 23rd

Dancing With the Stars (Season 34) – New Episode Live at 8/7c
Hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, “Dancing with the Stars” is the hit series that pairs celebrities with trained ballroom dancers to compete in themed choreographed dance routines that are judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts, including Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough.

September 24th

Lost Treasures of Egypt (Season 6) – All Episodes
An immersive, action-packed series follows international teams of Egyptologists as they unearth the world’s richest seam of ancient archaeology — Lost Treasures of Egypt. Through excavations and unprecedented access to the teams on the front line of archaeology, we follow these modern-day explorers as they battle searing heat and inhospitable terrain to make the discoveries of a lifetime.

Marvel Zombies – All Episodes
After the Avengers are overtaken by a zombie plague, a desperate group of survivors discover the key to bringing an end to the super-powered undead, racing across a dystopian landscape and risking life and limb to save their world.

Tempest (Hulu Original) – Episode 6 & 7
Featuring one of the most impressive international line-ups in a Korean drama to date, “Tempest” follows Seo Munju (Gianna Jun), a skilled former diplomat, as she tries to uncover the truth behind an attempt on a presidential candidate’s life. After discovering the candidate was accused of being a North Korean spy, Munju digs into his past, unlocking a Pandora’s box of deception, state secrets and more. Protected by Paik Sanho (Gang Dongwon), a mercenary with a suspicious history and a hidden backer, Munju repeatedly finds herself under attack as she uncovers an international conspiracy stretching all the way to the White House. But, with danger drawing ever closer, will Sanho be able to keep his principal safe and his emotions in check?

September 25th

Project Runway (Season 21) – Season Finale at 10pm PT
Hosted by Heidi Klum, 12 fashion designers from different backgrounds compete for a chance to take their career to the next level in this reality competition.

September 28th

The Simpsons (Season 36)

Traveling With Snow Man (Disney+ Original) – Episode 6
Japan’s top male idol group, Snow Man, sets out on a journey of self-discovery across unique locations in Japan. As they reflect on the five years since their debut, they share their dreams of what comes next. Full of laughter, tears, and newfound resolve, this is their most personal journey yet.

September 30th

Dancing With the Stars (Season 34) – New Episode Live at 8/7c
Hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, “Dancing with the Stars” is the hit series that pairs celebrities with trained ballroom dancers to compete in themed choreographed dance routines that are judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts, including Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough.

Little Angel (Seasons 1-6)
It’s Little Angel! Where baby John, his brother, Jack, and sister, Jill inspire kids and families to have fun and to grow and learn through play. Come sing along!

The post Disney+: Every Movie and TV Show Coming in September 2025 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The 1999 release of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace marked the beginning of the Star Wars prequel trilogy— a cinematic event that drew in fans, both new and old. Stepping back into a galaxy far, far away, audiences were eager to see what came before Luke Skywalker’s journey and how the Republic became the Empire. For all its epic scale and groundbreaking visual effects, however, the film was not without its flaws. While some of these missteps could be chalked up to writing or character choices, many are clear continuity errors and logistical goofs that slipped past even the production crew. These minor mistakes are impossible to ignore once you see them, forever changing the way you watch some of the film’s most iconic scenes. 

From disappearing props to head-scratching plot holes, here are seven mistakes from The Phantom Menace that you will never be able to unsee.

1. The Opening Scrawl

Star Wars is iconic for many reasons, but perhaps none more famous than the opening scrawls that set the stage for the space saga to come. In the opening scrawl for The Phantom Menace, the details tell us that “the Supreme Chancellor has secretly dispatched two Jedi Knights, the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy, to settle the conflict.” 

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Though Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn are immediately identified as those Jedi Knights, one of them— Obi-Wan— has not yet achieved the rank of Knight. In fact, Obi-Wan is still Qui-Gon’s Padawan, as noted many times throughout the film. Though Obi-Wan would eventually go on to be one of the most famous Jedi Knights, he still had not taken that step yet.

2. The Vanishing Lightsaber

The epic final duel between Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Darth Maul is one of the most thrilling sequences in the entire saga. As the iconic “Duel of the Fates” plays over the scene, a small but significant error happens right as the battle is about to end. As Obi-Wan and Maul fight to the death, Maul removes his hand from his double-edged lightsaber to push Obi-Wan into a reactor with the Force. To do so, Maul very clearly uses his right hand.

However, when the camera pans back to Maul, his left hand is raised and his right one now grasps his lightsaber. Though the error can easily be chalked up to multiple shots of the same scene, Maul’s skills with the Force ultimately are no match for Obi-Wan, regardless of which hand he used.

3. R2-D2’s Misplaced Lens

Even the beloved astromech droid, R2-D2, isn’t safe from continuity errors. In a close-up shot of Anakin’s Naboo fighter during the space battle, R2-D2 can be seen perched in his socket. However, for a few frames, his primary lens is on the wrong side of his dome. This brief but noticeable mix-up likely happened when the digital effects team was creating the CGI version of the droid for the scene.

Given the extensive use of practical effects mixed with CGI throughout the film, this mistake is a clear example of the challenges of maintaining visual consistency. While most of R2-D2’s appearances are flawless, this one misplaced lens stands out as a minor error. Even the most advanced special effects can sometimes contain tiny, human-made mistakes.

4. The Droidekas’ Broken Blasters

The Droidekas, also known as destroyer droids, are introduced as a new threat with their deflector shields and rapid-fire blasters. They were an enemy not to be taken lightly, capable of holding their own against even Jedi Knights. However, in the hangar battle scene on Theed, a curious production mistake happens. As the Droidekas are seen firing their blasters, the camera shows their guns recoiling and the tell-tale shooting sounds, but in several close-up shots, no laser fire is actually coming from the weapons.

This error is a simple but clear oversight of visual effects. The sound effects and physical movement of the props are there, but the digital component—the laser blasts themselves—are missing. This detail is especially noticeable during the fight, where the lack of blaster fire from what should be an active threat can pull a viewer out of the moment. It’s a small mistake that slightly undermines the threat of the droidekas.

5. Obi-Wan’s Shifting Lightsaber Hand

During Obi-Wan’s intense duel with Darth Maul, there’s a quick-cut continuity error regarding which hand he is using to hold his lightsaber. In one shot, he is holding Qui-Gon’s lightsaber with his right hand as he lunges at Maul. In the very next frame, however, he is suddenly holding it with his left. 

The quick change in Obi-Wan’s hand is a clear example of an editing inconsistency that happens when multiple takes are used to create one fluid sequence. Obi-Wan shifts his grip without any apparent in-scene reason, a small detail that reveals the filmmaking process. For dedicated fans, spotting this kind of mistake can be a fun game, but it’s a definite goof in an otherwise masterful fight scene.

6. The Podracer’s Faulty Design

Anakin’s podracer is the heart of a major action sequence, but a closer look at its design reveals a scientific error that would prevent it from ever working. The engines of the podracer are shown with their fans turning in the wrong direction, pushing air away from the engine instead of sucking it in. This design flaw means that in reality, the vehicle would either fail to move forward or simply explode upon startup.

While this may be a minor point for some, it’s a glaring mistake for anyone with a basic understanding of physics. The engines are blowing air, which would send the podracer backward, not forward. This detail, however, could be a stylistic choice on the filmmakers’ part, going for a visual spectacle over realistic engineering.

7. Outer Rim Credits

One of the most glaring plot holes in the film is the issue of Republic credits on Tatooine. When Qui-Gon Jinn and the group need to repair their ship, they find that their Republic credits are worthless in the Outer Rim. This forces them to rely on Anakin’s pod racing winnings to get the parts they need. This plot point frankly makes no sense in terms of the common-sense workings of a galactic economy.

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The Republic is the largest government in the galaxy, so it’s illogical that their currency would be completely worthless on a major trade planet like Tatooine. The problem of Republic credits is clearly used as a plot device to move the film forward and force the connection with Anakin. The fact that the Jedi, with all their resources, couldn’t find another way to acquire local currency or barter for the parts makes this a simple mistake that could have been avoided with writing alone.

Did you spot any other mistakes in The Phantom Menace? Let us know in the comments!

The post 7 Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Mistakes You’ll Never Be Able to Unsee appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The path of a Jedi is one of discipline, selflessness, and adherence to a strict code. However, the call of the dark side of the Force is sometimes too stong to avoid, seducing Jedi with power, control, and untold limitations. While many who fall to the dark side are simply driven by greed or ambition, there are those whose motivations are more complex and, in some cases, even understandable. In the sprawling Star Wars galaxy, many Jedi Knights and Padawans abandoned their vows and embraced the dark side, believing they were doing what was right for a greater cause. Their stories are a reminder that the line between light and dark isn’t always as clear as the Jedi Council would have you believe. These characters, in their own tragic ways, wanted to fix a broken system or bring about justice in a way that the Jedi Order were unable or unwilling to do.

Their falls are not just tales of corruption, but cautionary tales about how an institution as respected and long-standing as the Jedi Order oftentimes failed its most loyal servants.

Anakin Skywalker

Anakin Skywalker’s fall was caused by a mix of fear and a desperate desire to protect his loved ones. His journey to the dark side was not a steep dive, but a slow descent initially driven by the shortcomings he saw in the Jedi Order, especially when his Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, was mistreated by the Council. Anakin’s troubles only worsened the deeper he fell in love with Padmé Amidala, who would eventually become his wife in secret. Anakin’s visions of Padme dying in childbirth led him to seek out any way to save her. Unfortunately, Palpatine convinced Anakin the only way was through the dark side.

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His transformation from Anakin Skywalker, respected Jedi Knight, into the Sith Lord Darth Vader was fueled by a belief that he was taking control of his destiny, fixing the wrongs of the Jedi Order, and saving his wife. He saw the Jedi Code as a weakness that prevented the Order from truly helping others. In his mind, he was bringing order to a chaotic galaxy so that no one would suffer in the way he believe he did. This wasn’t a choice made for power alone, but for a twisted form of love.

Count Dooku

Count Dooku, once a respected Jedi Master and Qui-Gon Jinn Master, became disillusioned with the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic as a whole. He saw the Republic as corrupt and the Jedi as its puppets, blindly serving a broken system. His turn to the dark side wasn’t motivated by selfishness or a power grab, but by a desire to bring about radical change to created what he considered to be a more just government. He felt the Jedi had lost their way, becoming more concerned with politics than with serving the people.

Dooku’s belief that the Jedi were corrupt and did not represent the Order the way they should led him to embrace the power of the Sith, seeing it as the only available path to reform the galaxy. He initially joined Palpatine with the hope of creating a new order that was free from bureaucracy and corruption. His fall was a philosophical one that actually was logical, especially during the Clone Wars.

Barriss Offee

Barriss Offee’s betrayal was similar in nature to Dooku’s, as she believe the Jedi’s involvement in the Clone Wars was unjust. She believed that the Jedi had lost their way, becoming generals and soldiers instead of the keepers of the peace they were meant to be. Her actions when defecting from the Jedi Order, however, were extreme. She orchestrated a bombing at the Jedi Temple and framed her friend, Ahsoka Tano in a misguided attempt to expose the Jedi’s hypocrisy. Ironically, Offee’s actions played a major part in both Ahsoka and Anakin losing faith in the Jedi Order, though both took very different paths.

In Offee’s view, the Jedi had become the very thing they fought against: instruments of violence and manipulation. Her radicalism was a desperate cry for attention to the Jedi’s moral failings from someone who was no more than a child soldier. She believed that the only way to save the Order was to tear it down and force them to confront their own actions, which was a tragic irony given the ultimate result of her efforts.

The Grand Inquisitor

The Grand Inquisitor, formerly a Jedi Temple Guard, turned to the dark side after witnessing the Jedi Order’s failure to protect its own. As a Temple Guard, he was a silent and sworn defender of the Jedi’s ideals, but the Jedi Council’s decision to punish Barriss Offee and later, the Jedi’s overall involvmenet during the Clone Wars, led him to question everything he believed in. He came to believe that the Jedi Order was a flawed institution.

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His decision to become an Inquisitor after the fall of the Republic was a conscious choice to bring order to a chaotic galaxy using his Force-sensitivity and skills, even if it meant hunting down his former friends and allies. He believed that the Jedi’s unyielding ways were a threat to peace and that the Empire offered the only path to that peace. His turn to the dark side was a well-reasoned one on his part; a choice to join the winning side and enforce a new kind of order he saw as a necessary evil.

Reva Sevander

Reva Sevander’s turn to the dark side as the Third Sister in Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi was driven by revenge. As a youngling, she was one of the few who survived the massacre at the Jedi Temple, leaving her with untold trauma at seeing her fellow younglings murdered and a burning hatred for the man who was once Anakin Skywalker. She joined the Inquisitorius under a false pretense. She did not want to serve the Empire— she simply wanted to get close enough to Vader to kill him for his betrayal of the Jedi.

Her embrace of the dark side was a means to an end and a tool to achieve her long awaited vengence. She truly did not fall to the dark side, but instead faked her loyalty to the Empire, even though such loyalty required her to do terrible things in the Empire’s name. Her fall was not about power or ideology, but about a personal quest for justice and closure, making her a truly tragic figure whose motivations were due to childhood trauma and a desperate need for revenge.

The post 5 Jedi Who Turned to the Dark Side (For Good Reason) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Sig Greebling is putting the Star Wars galaxy back together — brick by brick. After Force-sensitive nerf herder Sig (voiced by Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo) discovered the Cornerstone of the Galaxy in a Jedi temple on Fennesa, he unwittingly caused space and time to fall apart. “The building blocks of the galaxy are getting mixed up, rearranging,” the Jedi Bobarian “Bob” Afol (Saturday Night Live‘s Bobby Moynihan) warned Sig and brother Dev (Spider-Man‘s Tony Revolori). “Rearranging. Everything we knew about the galaxy will be different.”

“Worlds will change. People will change in ways we cannot possibly imagine,” Jedi Bob said of the new galaxy in which Luke Skywalker was a podracer, Anakin Skywalker had become the white-clad Jedi Vader, and Darth Rey was the apprentice of the Sith Lord Darth Jar Jar. “What’s come before us is gone. All the triumphs and tragedies will be rebuilt into something new.”

2024’s Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy ended with Sig defeating his brother, Dev’s galaxy-breaking Darth Devastator, to reclaim the Cornerstone, only for Darth Rey and Darth Rose Tico to hire bounty hunters to bring in Sig dead or alive: the Landolorian and Grogu, a twisted amalgamation of the Mandalorian Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu.

The story continues in LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy — Pieces of the Past, which sees Sig and Dev combine their powers of Force Building and Sith Breaking to restore the mish-mashed galaxy. Alongside Jedi Bob, Yesi Scala (Marsai Martin), and Servo (Michael Cusack), “They will journey into the deepest corners of LEGO Star Wars lore, uncovering pieces of all the galaxies that have come before,” the logline reads.

A new trailer for the four-part special event introduces villain Solitus (Dan Stevens), Jedi Bob’s former master out to “unmake” the galaxy with a reality-destroying rift, and offers a glimpse of rabbit-like smuggler Jaxxon “Jax” Tumperakki (Ben Schwartz) — a “real deep cut” from Marvel’s 1977 Star Wars comic book — a BrickHeadz version of Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein, who originally voiced Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan in Star Wars: The Clone Wars), and Pirate Queen Amidala (Catherine Taber).

Other new additions from across the Star Wars galaxy include Cameron Monaghan as Cal Kestis from the Star Wars Jedi video games, Andre Sogliuzzo as Cassian Andor of Rogue One and Andor fame, Nika Futterman as Clone Wars era villainess Asajj Ventress, Brian George as Cerean Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, Alan Tudyk, reprising his Rogue One role as an evil K-2SO, Jennifer Hale (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, The Bad Batch) as Viper, and James Arnold Taylor (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) as Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The returning voice cast includes Matarazzo as Sig Greebling, Revolori as Dev Greebling, Moynihan as Jedi Bob, Martin as Yesi Scala, and Cusack as Servo, with Billy Dee Williams as Lando/the Landolorian, Ahmed Best as Darth Jar Jar, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Helen Sadler as Darth Rey, Sam Witwer as Maul, Phil LaMarr as Darth Kit Fisto, Matthew Wood as General Grievous, Jake Green as Greedo, Shelby Young as Princess Leia, Piotr Michael as Yoda, Matt Sloan as Jedi Vader, Trevor Devall as Jedi Master Sheev, Dee Bradley Baker as Darth Nubs, Naomi Ackie as Jedi Jannah, Kevin Michael Richardson as Jedi Jabba the Hutt, Kelly Marie Tran as Darth Rose Tico, and Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker.

LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past premieres September 19 on Disney+.

The post Star Wars Multiverse Disney+ Special Trailer Teases Franchise Deep Cuts appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Ron Howard, who replaced Phil Lord and Chris Miller as director on Solo: A Star Wars Story details some of the behind-the-scenes issues that were plaguing the production. In an interview with Vulture, the Oscar-winning filmmaker discussed his atypical experience helming the Star Wars spinoff. As most fans know, Lucasfilm made the shocking decision to part ways with Lord and Miller deep into principal photography. After Kathleen Kennedy and Solo co-writer Jon Kasdan reached out to Howard to see if he’d come onboard, Howard reviewed some of Lord and Miller’s footage and spotted the problems. Essentially confirming what fans has suspected for years, Howard realized Lord and Miller kept going off script.

“I looked at some edited footage, and I saw what was bothering them,” Howard said. “There was a studio that liked the script the way it was and wanted a Star Wars movie, but there was a disconnect early on tonally, and they weren’t convinced that what Phil and Chris were doing was working effectively. I couldn’t judge that because I didn’t see enough of it to know. But they were sure. Once I said, ‘Okay, I think I can do this script, and I think I understand what you want of this script,’ they said, ‘We’d want to reshoot a lot.’ I looked at the whole movie and then pointed out some things that I thought were great. And Phil and Chris were incredibly gracious throughout that process. They were just seeing two different movies.”

Solo arguably remains the most notorious example of Lucasfilm having creative differences with filmmakers in the Disney era. Despite that tumultuous production process, Solo actually earned generally positive reviews, with critics seeing it as a safe but fun spinoff. Where Solo truly failed was at the box office. The late-stage director change and substantial reshoots caused the production budget to balloon, and Solo was no match for stiff competition like Avengers: Infinity War and Deadpool 2. It earned just $393 million worldwide.

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In the wake of Solo becoming the first Star Wars film to bomb at the box office, Disney CEO Bob Iger instituted a slowdown on the franchise’s film slate. He felt that too many new movies had been released over a short period of time. While there continue to be new Star Wars TV shows on Disney+, the films have been on an extended hiatus since 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. That’s set to change soon with The Mandalorian & Grogu out in theaters next year and Star Wars: Starfighter premiering in 2027.

When Lord and Miller were fired from Solo, the prevailing belief was that their comedic filmmaking style contrasted with Lucasfilm’s vision for the spinoff. Howard’s comment that the studio “liked the script the way it was and wanted a Star Wars movie” implies the issues stemmed from Lord and Miller frequently going off script and encouraging improv on set. It’s disappointing the parties couldn’t find a way to smooth out these issues. On paper, Star Wars spin-off films are an opportunity for Lucasfilm to go off script a bit and experiment with different approaches. Allowing Lord and Miller to make an action comedy in the Star Wars franchise would have been fun and a breath of fresh air, illustrating the wide range of what’s possible in this sandbox.

Hopefully, Lucasfilm has learned its lesson and is willing to be more flexible on what “a Star Wars movie” can be. Evolution is the only way the franchise can keep moving forward and remain at the top of its game. The studio has new movies in development from distinct filmmakers like James Mangold and Taika Waititi, and those unique voices should be allowed to shine through. Nobody’s saying make an R-rated Star Wars movie, but it’s okay to go outside the classic Skywalker Saga mold.

The post Solo’s Replacement Director Confirms Fan Suspicions About the Star Wars Story’s Failure appeared first on ComicBook.com.

There are few entertainment franchises that have seen as many video games as Star Wars. For decades now, players have had no shortage of opportunities to visit a galaxy far, far away across a whole bunch of different platforms. Unfortunately, it can be a little tough to keep up, especially if you’re paying full price. EA in particular has done quite a bit with the franchise over the last few years, and if you missed any of the publisher’s Star Wars games, there’s a chance to rectify that with a new discount on the EA Star Wars Triple Bundle.

The EA Star Wars Triple Bundle contains Star Wars: Squadrons, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Deluxe Edition, and Star Wars Battlefront II: Celebration Edition. That bundle normally costs $89.99, but PlayStation Store users can find it right now for just $22.49, which is a savings of 75%. The deal will run through August 28th at 2:59 a.m. ET. Unfortunately, the bundle remains full price on both Steam and Xbox, as of this writing.

Are These Star Wars Games Worth Buying?

The problem with game bundles is that they can often be a mixed bag. The EA Star Wars Triple Bundle is no exception, as buyers might not love all of the contents. Of the three games included, Star Wars: Squadrons launched to mostly mixed reviews. The aerial dogfight game is on the shorter side, and can be wrapped in about eight hours. That shorter length is easier to overlook when you have a bundle like this, though. Star Wars fans might be more willing to overlook the lack of content when you’re getting two other games for less than $23 total.

Squadrons might leave a bit to be desired, but the other two games are a lot more well-regarded. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is the first entry of EA’s single-player trilogy, which focuses on protagonist Cal Kestis. It’s probably going to be a bit of a wait to find out how Cal’s story comes to an end, but the first two games have become fan favorites. Star Wars Battlefront II has also earned a passionate following. The game launched in a pretty bad state in 2017, with microtransactions that caused a lot of controversy. However, EA managed to turn perception around over the years. Not only has Battlefront II earned a passionate following, but the game saw a huge player increase just this year following the release of Andor Season 2.

Other Star Wars Deals to Check Out

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The EA Star Wars Triple Bundle is the only good Star Wars deal on PlayStation right now, but if you’re a Nintendo Switch owner, there’s a big discount to be found on LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. The game is currently 80% off on the Switch eShop, knocking it down to just $11.99. I was a pretty big fan of the game when it launched back in 2022, and enjoyed the opportunity to play through all nine entries in the Skywalker Saga. The discount will run through September 4th at 2:59 a.m. ET.

Are you planning to grab the EA Star Wars Triple Bundle while it’s on sale? Have you been looking for a good Star Wars game to play? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post EA Selling 3 Star Wars Games for 75% Off appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Mandalorian is moving to the big screen, but a canceled TV spinoff has received an unexpected boost. Star Wars is back as a theatrical franchise in 2026, with The Mandalorian and Grogu the first movie outing since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. Disney+ has been the focus in the period since then, and in particular, Lucasfilm has worked on expanding the “Mandoverse,” with the success of the Pedro Pascal-led series also leading to The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka.

The future of these shows, and Star Wars on Disney+, is now looking uncertain as the Mouse House makes a slight pivot away from streaming and back towards its releases being cinematic events. Still, there is more to come: Ahsoka Season 2 is currently being filmed, with an expected debut sometime in 2026. Next year will also bring Maul: Shadow Lord on the animated side, though that’s very much distinct from The Mandalorian‘s timeline. No live-action shows are confirmed beyond the second season of Ahsoka, but after recent developments, could one be making a comeback?

Rangers Of The New Republic Could Return In Some Way

When Lucasfilm was building out The Mandalorian part of the Star Wars galaxy, its initial plans included three related shows: The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Rangers of the New Republic. The first two of those have happened, but the third was quietly shelved after the firing of Gina Carano, who played Cara Dune in The Mandalorian and was expected to lead the series, due to controversial social media posts (though the cancellation and firing were never officially linked).

The firing led to a lawsuit between Carano and Disney/Lucasfilm, with the actress suing over discrimination and wrongful termination. That has now been settled, which prompted talk of Carano’s potential Star Wars return, and not just among fans of the franchise. In an official statement, Lucasfilm said: “With this lawsuit concluded, we look forward to identifying opportunities to work together with Ms. Carano in the near future.”

Setting aside any moral debates about whether Carano should return (which is usually easier for Hollywood execs than it is for audiences), what this points to is a return not only being plausible, but perhaps even likely. Both sides have shown a clear willingness to work together again, and if that were to happen, then Carano reprising the role of Cara Dune would make the most sense. The character wasn’t written out in a way that prohibits a return, and what’s more, Star Wars’ future remains somewhat dependent on the New Republic storyline that she was a crucial element of.

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Lucasfilm presumably still wants more live-action TV shows, and bringing back plans for Rangers of the New Republic would be a simple way of delivering that. More importantly, there are still plans for everything – including The Mandalorian and Grogu and Ahsoka Season 2 – to build towards Dave Filoni’s culminating event-style movie (which may or may not be a new take on the classic Expanded Universe story Heir to the Empire).

Rangers of the New Republic could form part of that but, even if it’s not made as its own show, it’s not hard to imagine Cara Dune being involved in some other projects to flesh out that story more, or at least return in the movie itself. It’s too late for her to be added to The Mandalorian and Grogu, given it has already finished filming (barring reshoots), but Cara being worked into Ahsoka Season 2 or some as-yet-unannounced project sounds feasible.

Star Wars Has Tried & Failed To Replace Rangers Of The New Republic

Rangers of the New Republic may have been dropped as a separate TV show, but the idea itself never really died. Instead, it’s already been reworked into other projects. Notably, The Mandalorian Season 3 and Ahsoka Season 1 each had New Republic plotlines, both of which felt like they were probably lifted from the canceled series and retooled to fit those respective shows. That will also continue with The Mandalorian and Grogu, after Season 3’s ending established them doing missions for the New Republic, but it also highlights why returning to Rangers in some way could be tempting to Lucasfilm.

The New Republic stories were among the more divisive elements of The Mandalorian Season 3 and Ahsoka Season 1. In the former, the episode “The Convert” isn’t bad, but felt out of place. Similarly, the story with Hera Syndulla and Mon Mothma in Ahsoka Season 2 is also let down by being written like it’s a completely different show. Star Wars clearly needs to push its New Republic plot forward so everything can come to a head with Thrawn, but it’s struggled to do so in a satisfying way, and that’s likely in part because Rangers was canceled.

Of course, there could’ve been ways around this without Carano – such as giving the spinoff to Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee). It’s also possible that the series wouldn’t have worked regardless, given the Disney+ shows have been rather hit or miss, and so the appetite for Rangers of the New Republic may well have dissipated. As Star Wars’ New Republic era forges ahead, though, don’t be surprised to see Cara Dune, now of the New Republic’s Special Forces, playing an important role once again.

The Mandalorian and Grogu will be released on May 22nd, 2026. All episodes of The Mandalorian are currently streaming on Disney+.

The post Star Wars’ Canceled Mandalorian Spinoff Now Has a Chance of Happening appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The galaxy-wide Jedi Purge that rippled through Star Wars lore, executed through Order 66, is a story often told through the eyes of those who fought and fled, or those who fell to the rising Empire. Those fallen Jedi went on to become Jedi-hunters themselves, or high ranking members of the Imperial government. Yet, a new comic reveals a survivor who chose a path of ingenuity rather than confrontation. In Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #7, written by Charles Soule with art by Luke Ross, an elder former Jedi named Grandea recounts a truly unique tale of survival; one that relies not on the blade of a lightsaber, but on the subtle power of the mind. This is a brand new take on a Jedi’s survival after decades of lore; one that leverages a core Jedi ability in a way that is both brilliant and perfectly suited to the shadowy post-Order 66 era.

Grandea’s method offers a fresh perspective on a well-trod piece of Star Wars canon, showing that a Jedi’s greatest weapon is not always what you expect.

A Jedi’s Survival Hinged on an Tried and True Technique

The story of Grandea’s survival during Order 66 is unique because she chose to abandon the traditional tools of a Jedi in favor of a technique often considered low brow for a Jedi. Grandea recounts that she survived the initial assault by clonetroopers not with her lightsaber, but with a different weapon her enemies did not expect. The technique‒ the Jedi mind trick ‒was frequently dismissed within the Jedi Order as undignified and unworthy, but was something Grandea had always been fascinated by. She disagreed with the Order’s negative view of an important tool in a Jedi’s arsenal and, as a result, she lived while those who relied on their lightsabers did not.

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Her use of the mental technique allowed her to escape the initial slaughter and avoid capture in the chaotic aftermath of the Purge. While the clones were instructed to hunt down and kill all Jedi, Grandea simply convinced them that she was not a Jedi. She knew that simply fighting back was a losing proposition against the sheer numbers of the Imperial army, especially as she watched her fellow Jedi die right in front of her. By using this “undignified” method, she was able to outsmart her opponents and survive the day that effectively ended the Jedi Order. Her story is a testament to the idea that a Jedi’s strength is not just in their physical abilities, but in their wisdom and ability to adapt.

Grandea’s survival was a result of her foresight and willingness to choose a different path than her peers. She recounts that after the initial purge, a message was sent from Coruscant telling the Jedi not to return to the temple but simply to trust in the Force to survive. This was a vague message from Obi-Wan Kenobi, as shown in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, that offered no further instructions or help. Grandea listened to the Force, and it told her she could no longer be a Jedi. She understood that living meant abandoning her identity as a Jedi, but that wasn’t enough, as bounties for Jedi were immediately implemented by Emperor Palpatine. In her words, “the danger did not end with Order 66” and she knew she was being hunted and would continue to be hunted her whole life. This realization led her to destroy her lightsaber and burn her robes.

Grandea’s Mind Tricks Became Her Best Defense Against Even the Strongest Foe

Grandea’s continued survival over decades was a direct result of her mastery of the mind trick, a skill that became her primary defense against the Empire. After destroying her Jedi identity, she left behind everything except her connection to the Force and her unique method of survival. She then focused exclusively on her mind-based technique, using it constantly and only becoming more of a master of the skill. This dedication transformed her from a Jedi who simply used the Force to a master of psychological manipulation. She even sought out individuals known to be resistant to mind tricks to test herself, like the Hutts and Toydarians, eventually learning to sway even their strong minds. This deliberate practice made her a virtually untraceable refugee from the Empire.

Her use of mind tricks was so effective that she was able to make people believe she was never present. Grandea even says herself: “everywhere I went, I never went.” This powerful statement reveals the extent of her abilities, suggesting that she was able to erase herself from people’s memories and perceptions. This is a far more sophisticated and effective form of concealment than simply hiding in a remote wasteland, as the Inquisitors could still sense hidden Jedi through the Force. It allowed her to live a life, to be a part of society, without being hunted.

Ultimately, this specialized skill is what allowed Grandea to survive the Empire’s most feared Jedi hunters, the Inquisitors. After a particularly brutal fight with two Inquistors, Grandea was able to convince both of them that they had killed her. Her mind trick was so effective that the two Inquisitors reported Grandea’s death back to Darth Vader with full certainty, ensuring the hunters would no longer search for her.

Grandea, now an old woman in present time of Legacy of Vader #7, reveals to Kylo Ren that she was a Jedi but is not one anymore. When Kylo Ren finds her in a tavern, he tries to read her mind to get information, but she is able to stop him with ease. Instead, she is able to read his mind and knows who he is because he is “screaming it to himself” in his mind. Grandea’s mind tricks were not just a means of escape, even from Kylo Ren decades after Order 66, but a way to permanently live in the open, even with the Empire’s most terrible hunters on the prowl. Her story provides a fascinating new detail about the Jedi Purge and shows that the greatest weapon a Jedi can possess is not always a lightsaber.

The post This Jedi Survived Order 66 In a Brilliant and Never-Before-Seen Way appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars introduced fans to a thrilling, new chapter in the galactic saga, bridging the gap between Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. While the films focused on the grand conflict, the show delved into the personal stories and struggles of the characters (both old and new), showcasing their incredible power and resilience in the toughest of times. Beyond just lightsaber skills, there are various different forms of strength—political influence, mastery of the Force, military leadership, and sheer physical prowess. The series gave us a deeper understanding of what makes a character truly powerful in a galaxy at war, from the tactical genius of Jedi Masters to the terrifying might of Sith Lords and ancient beings. These individuals shaped the destiny of the galaxy before the Empire’s regime and the beloved Rebellion period of the original trilogy.

Their actions and decisions created ripples far beyond the battlefield, influencing the lives of countless beings across the stars and setting the stage for the dramatic events of the final days of the Republic.

Savage Opress

Savage Opress, Darth Maul’s brother, was a Zabrak of enormous physical strength and Force potential. Originally a Nightbrother on Dathomir, he was chosen by Mother Talzin to be her instrument of revenge against the Jedi. She used her dark magic to enhance his abilities, turning him into a dangerous warrior. His raw, untamed power and brute force made him a terrifying opponent, capable of overpowering even skilled Jedi.

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Savage served as Darth Maul’s enforcer and was instrumental in their quest for power, even managing to hold his own against Jedi Masters like Obi-Wan Kenobi. While lacking the finesse and tactical mind of his brother, Savage’s sheer might was a powerful weapon. His tragic end at the hands of Darth Sidious highlighted that even brute force strength was no match for the true masters of the dark side.

Padmé Amidala

While not a warrior in the traditional sense, Padmé Amidala’s power was political. As a former Queen and then Senator of Naboo, she had an unparalleled ability to influence the course of the war with her influence and respect garnered in the Senate. She was a tireless advocate for peace and justice, using her considerable diplomatic skills to challenge corruption and protect the innocent. Her intelligence and unwavering moral compass made her a force to be reckoned with in the Galactic Senate.

Padmé’s strength lay in her ability to rally support and lead, often putting herself in danger to achieve her goals. She navigated the treacherous waters of galactic politics with grace and determination, proving that the pen—or in her case, the persuasive speech—was often mightier than the (laser) sword. Her influence helped shape major events, and her death left an indeliable mark on the would-be Rebellion, showing a different, but equally impactful, form of power.

General Grievous

General Grievous was the supreme commander of the Separatist droid armies; a cyborg with a thirst for Jedi blood. His power came from his unique physiology and brutal fighting style. With four arms and exceptional speed, he was a master of lightsaber combat, having been trained by Count Dooku. His collection of lightsabers from fallen Jedi was a dark and disturbing testament to his lethal skill.

Grievous was a terrifying force on the battlefield, known for his relentless aggression and mechanical precision. He was a strategic genius, leading the droid forces in countless victories against the Republic. While his power was rooted in his cybernetic enhancements rather than the Force, his cunning and ruthlessness made him one of the most feared villains of the Clone Wars.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi-Wan Kenobi was a master of the Force and a strategic genius, revered as one of the most powerful Jedi of his time. Known for his defensive lightsaber style, Soresu, he was a tenacious and patient fighter who could outlast almost any opponent. His wisdom and unwavering calm in the face of chaos made him a pillar of the Republic’s war effort, respected by his troops and feared by his enemies.

As a Jedi Master and a general, Obi-Wan’s power extended beyond combat. He was a skilled diplomat and leader, often tasked with the most difficult missions. His deep connection to the Force and his complex understanding of its ways allowed him to achieve feats that others could not. He was the quintessential Jedi Knight, a symbol of hope and a formidable opponent.

Mother Talzin

Mother Talzin was the leader of the Nightsisters of Dathomir and a powerful Force-sensitive being who wielded a unique form of dark side magic. Her power was not derived from a lightsaber but from her mastery of the obscure mystical arts, which allowed her to perform rituals, conjure illusions, and even drain the life force from others. She was the one who enhanced Savage Opress’ abilities, restored Darth Maul’s sanity, and brought Asajj Ventress back from the dead.

Talzin’s magical abilities made her a threat to both the Jedi and the Sith. She was a cunning manipulator, orchestrating events from the shadows to achieve her own goals. Her influence was vast, and her power was a force to be reckoned with, even for a Jedi with a strong connection to the Force. Her defeat required the combined might of two of the strongest Sith Lords, Darth Sidious and Count Dooku; a testament to her unparalleled strength.

The Mortis Gods

The Mortis Gods were a family of extremely powerful Force-sensitive beings—the Father, the Son, and the Daughter—who lived in a mystical realm called Mortis. They represented the three aspects of the Force: balance (the Father), the dark side (the Son), and the light side (the Daughter). The Father, a being of untold power, kept the balance between his two children for eons, thus keeping the Force itself in balance.

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Their power was beyond mortal comprehension, as they were essentially living manifestations of the Force itself. They could manipulate reality, foresee the future, and even transcend death. The Son’s dark side power and the Daughter’s light side power were so strong that their conflict threatened to unravel the very fabric of the galaxy. The Father was the only one who could contain them. However, when Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka find themselves transported to the strange realm in Wild Space, a conflict causes all three gods to die, leaving the Force irrevocably altered.

Yoda

Yoda was the Grand Master of the Jedi Order and one of the wisest and most powerful Jedi to ever live. His connection to the Force was unlike any other, and his skill with a lightsaber was legendary, despite his small size. He was a master of all forms of combat with a level of foresight and wisdom that few could rival.

Yoda’s true power lay in his deep understanding of the Force. He could sense and influence events on a galactic scale, offering guidance and hope to the Jedi Knights and the Republic. His presence alone was a source of strength for the Jedi, and his wisdom helped to shape the course of the war. He was a living embodiment of the light side of the Force, even in his dying days on Dagobah.

Ahsoka Tano

Ahsoka Tano began the Clone Wars as Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan, a young and often impulsive Jedi who earned the nickname “Snips” due to her snippy remarks. Throughout the series, she grew into a powerful and skilled warrior and leader. Her fighting style, which combined two lightsabers with acrobatic skill, made her a unique opponent for a Jedi. She honed her skills through countless battles, earning the respect of both her master and her peers.

Ahsoka’s strength wasn’t just physical; her emotional maturity and moral compass grew by leaps and bounds as the series progressed. She became a symbol of hope for her clone troopers and a trusted confidante for her master. Her decision to leave the Jedi Order after being framed demonstrated her courage to do what she believed to be right and self-awareness, solidifying her as a character of great power and integrity.

Darth Maul

Darth Maul, who was thought to have been defeated by Obi-Wan in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, returned as a vengeful and terrifying force. Fueled by hatred and a desire for revenge against Obi-Wan, he rebuilt his body with cybernetics and his mind with a new sense of purpose. He was a master of lightsaber combat and the dark side, using his skills to carve out a rather successful criminal empire.

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Maul was a cunning and ambitious villain, capable of challenging even the most powerful Jedi. His return to power, building the Shadow Collective and conquering Mandalore, a world known for its skilled warriors, illustrate Maul’s tactical genius and unwillingness to give up. He was a truly dangerous opponent, whose power and influence made him a threat to the Republic, the Jedi, and even his former master, Darth Sidious.

Anakin Skywalker

Anakin Skywalker was the Chosen One for a reason. He was a Jedi with unmatched power in the Force due to his off-the-charts midichlorian counts. His potential was essentially boundless, and his skills with a lightsaber were legendary. Throughout the Clone Wars, he became a Jedi Knight and a celebrated general, known for his aggressive and rather unorthodox tactics, as well as his tendency to not follow orders. He was a brilliant pilot, a charismatic leader, and an extremely powerful warrior.

Anakin’s power was a double-edged sword, however. His deep emotional attachments and his fear of loss made him vulnerable to the dark side. He often bent the rules and defied the Jedi Council, driven by a powerful desire to protect those he loved. This inner conflict made him the most powerful and tragic figure of the Clone Wars, setting the stage for his ultimate fall.

The post 10 Most Powerful Star Wars: The Clone Wars Characters appeared first on ComicBook.com.

After 26 years, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace star Ewan McGregor has confirms fans’ suspicions about the film’s classic lightsaber duel. During an appearance at Fan Expo Boston (via Collider), the actor reflected on his experience making The Phantom Menace and shed light on some of the technical filmmaking aspects behind the sequence. McGregor and Darth Maul actor Ray Park were performing the fight choreography so quickly that director George Lucas feared audiences wouldn’t it buy it as believable. Since Lucas was shooting The Phantom Menace on film, he employed a trick to slow things down.

“When me and Ray did that fight … George — I’ve got to get this right — over-cranked,” McGregor said. “We used to shoot on film, and you can adjust the speed that the film’s going through the camera. If you want it to be slow motion, you make the camera run really fast so when you play it back, it’s in slow motion. I remember hearing him saying, ‘They’re going too fast. Slightly over-crank the camera.’ So they over-cranked the camera to make it slightly slower because me and Ray were so fast doing this fight. He was worried that people wouldn’t believe it.”

Set to John Williams’ instantly iconic “Duel of the Fates,” the climactic lightsaber duel between Darth Maul and Qui-Gon Jinn & Obi-Wan Kenobi is widely considered to be one of the film’s highlights. It ranks among the best duels in Star Wars franchise history, as it was the first real taste audiences had of Jedi and Sith fighting in their prime. The choreography was unlike anything seen in the original trilogy, demonstrating the tremendous skill sets of the warriors.

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While the Phantom Menace duel is highly regarded amongst fans, Liam Neeson didn’t like that Qui-Gon Jinn was so easily defeated. In a recent video, the actor cracked that Qui-Gon was “hardly a master Jedi” for meeting his ultimate end after falling for one of Maul’s tricks. Despite that sentiment, Neeson still said he had a “great” time overall while making the film.

This bit of insight from McGregor gives fans an idea of how seriously the prequel trilogy actors took their training. The lightsaber duels were intricately choreographed, so you wouldn’t have been able to perform the moves quickly unless you were well-versed with all the steps and had the entire sequence memorized. That obviously takes a great deal of repetition, practice, and commitment. McGregor and Park were seemingly too good at their jobs; it’s ironic that Lucas, famous for his direction of “faster and more intense” felt the Phantom Menace duel needed to be slowed down.

It’s understandable why McGregor and Park acted fast when performing the scene. They were playing a powerful Jedi and Sith, respectively, and it was necessary for the characters’ strength to come through on screen. The lightsaber duels of the prequels were far removed from Alec Guinness’ fight against Darth Vader in Star Wars: A New Hope. Fans were eager to see lightsaber conflicts be elevated to a new level. Fortunately, Lucas had some tricks up his sleeve to ensure audiences didn’t miss anything in all the excitement.

The post Star Wars Fans’ Suspicion About The Phantom Menace Confirmed After 26 Years appeared first on ComicBook.com.

John Boyega reveals how he thought Finn and Rey’s arc was going to progress in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. During an appearance at Fan Expo Boston (via Screen Rant), the actor talked about his experiences in the galaxy far, far away and shared his initial reaction to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Based on how the story in that film played out, Boyega thought Lucasfilm was establishing a foundation for another friends-turned-enemies narrative that would ultimately pit Finn and Rey against each other a la Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in the prequels.

“I think I assumed [Finn] was Force-sensitive from The Force Awakens script or at least by the time I got to the end of The Force Awakens script,” Boyega said. “I thought they were planning dual Jedis. I actually thought that they would Obi-Wan and Darth Vader us a bit. That we would turn against each other or something along those lines.”

Throughout the Force Awakens marketing campaign, several promotional materials depicted Finn wielding the Skywalker family lightsaber, implying the trilogy would be about his journey of self-discovery and learning about the Force. Of course, that turned out to be a misdirect, as Rey is the real protagonist of The Force Awakens, taking her first steps into a larger world as she learns about her abilities. The handling of this arc was part of Boyega’s larger frustrations with the sequel trilogy. He was critical of Disney for pushing Finn to the side in subsequent films after setting him up as an important character in The Force Awakens.

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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker confirms Finn is Force sensitive, but the plot point is severely underdeveloped and doesn’t really go anywhere. Finn doesn’t even reveal the truth to Rey; there were takes where he did, but they weren’t used in the final picture. It remains to be seen if Finn’s Force abilities will be explored in a future Star Wars movie, but the character’s story will continue in the canon novel Star Wars: The Last Order. The book’s story chronicles Finn and Jannah’s mission to help young prisoners of the First Order.

Going this route would potentially have generated controversy. Kylo Ren was introduced as a key sequel trilogy villain in The Force Awakens, with Adam Driver’s nuanced performance earning praise. If Finn and Rey had been destined to become enemies, odds are one of them would have to usurp Kylo (similar to Anakin killing Count Dooku in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith), which would have robbed the sequels of one of their most fascinating characters. Nevertheless, a Rey vs. Finn arc would also have been compelling. Their friendship and natural chemistry is a highlight of The Force Awakens, and watching them become torn apart could have been a poignant development. Yes, it would have been retreading ground from the prequels, but Anakin vs. Obi-Wan was powerful and emotional.

Theoretically, Boyega’s proposed arc could be used in the Star Wars: New Jedi Order movie that follows Rey as she spearheads a new era for the Jedi. Finn could be one of her allies getting a new Temple started and their relationship fractures when they don’t see eye to eye on something. However, not only has New Jedi Order encountered numerous problems in development (cycling through multiple writers), there’s no guarantee Boyega will reprise his role. Daisy Ridley has hinted that she’ll be working with new actors on New Jedi Order, implying Finn’s journey on the big screen is complete.

The post John Boyega Expected Finn & Rey’s Star Wars Arc To Go in Controversial Direction appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Hayden Christensen doesn’t know what the future holds for the Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise, but he’s eager to play his part. The actor has reprised his prequel trilogy role in several recent titles, including Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker, the series Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ahsoka. He will appear in Ahsoka Season 2, and while no further appearances beyond that have been announced, Christensen is hoping for another call. He was asked about his Star Wars future this weekend at Fan Expo Boston, and he said that he would take up the role again “in a heartbeat.”

“One hundred percent… I would love to, yes,” the actor said. “If the powers that be decide that’s something that they want to see, I would be there in a heartbeat.” The “powers that be” likely include a combination of creators at Lucasfilm including writers and producers, as well as the studio executives who choose which projects to fund. That means as long as there is demand for more Anakin among fans, Christensen is willing to meet it.

Ahsoka is a great place to showcase Christensen, and proof that the Star Wars timeline doesn’t necessarily dictate the cast of each series entirely. Ahsoka takes place after Darth Vader’s death, yet Christensen appears as a Force ghost to continue training his former apprentice, Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson). Because Vader was redeemed before his death, he’s able to project a younger version of himself that still looks like Christensen. However, it also doesn’t seem out of place for Christensen to have aged in this context.

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Christensen’s other recent Star Wars cameos have been much more brief, and have also been explained in part by Force projections or visions. He could be heard only in voice-over in Episode IX, while he was seen mostly as Darth Vader in Kenobi. Star Wars has also embraced effects like digital de-aging, so it’s not impossible to imagine Christensen appearing as a flesh-and-blood character again in a show or movie set during the Clone Wars.

However Christensen is brought into the story, it’s clear that fans are eager to see more of him in Star Wars. The actor drew huge crowds at Fan Expo Boston this weekend, and he has generally been embraced by the fandom at every opportunity in recent years. Still, after Ahsoka, it’s hard to guess where Anakin might fit into the other upcoming titles in the Star Wars franchise.

For now, fans are looking forward to Ahsoka Season 2, and Christensen’s return is a considerable part of their excitement. The series has been filming all summer, but there’s no set release date so far. In the meantime, Season 1 is streaming now on Disney+, along with the rest of Christensen’s Star Wars appearances.

The post Hayden Christensen Addresses Playing Anakin Skywalker Beyond Ahsoka Season 2 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

An old wound in the Star Wars‘ history, Order 66, has long been depicted as the final, decisive blow against the Jedi Order. However, Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #7 paints a more nuanced and frankly, much more chaotic picture of the immediate aftermath of the slaughter. While the initial purge was swift and brutal, the Legacy of Vader reveals that the ongoing hunt for Jedi survivors was surprisingly primitive and relied on methods that seemed doomed to fail from the start. Emperor Palpatine’s initial strategy to track down the remaining Jedi was incredibly flawed, highlighting the desperate, and perhaps, premature nature of his new Empire, despite his decades of manipulation and planning.

The crude methods of the early Empire not only explain why so many Jedi survived, but also serve as a compelling justification for the later creation of the more specialized and sinister Inquisitorius.

Emperor Palpatine’s Initial Jedi-Hunting Strategy Was Fundamentally Flawed

In Legacy of Vader #7, the newly established Galactic Empire’s initial approach to tracking down surviving Jedi was shown to be shockingly unsophisticated. The method involved Imperial officers and clone troopers distributing lists of names and descriptions of “possible Jedi survivors” to local magistrates and citizens. This rudimentary system was a far cry from the highly specialized and methodical hunting techniques that would come to define the Empire’s later efforts. This approach was riddled with potential problems and a stunning lack of foresight; a detail that perfectly explains why so many Jedi were able to slip through the cracks.

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The most obvious weakness of this method was the potential for misidentification. A list of physical descriptions, even if accurate at the time of the Jedi’s last known appearance, is not a reliable tool for long-term manhunts. The descriptions could easily be inaccurate, outdated, or apply to multiple individuals, especially in a galaxy of countless species and diverse populations. Many Jedi immediately changed their names and appearances after escape, cutting their hair and dressing unassumingly instead of in robes. The comic even shows an announcement from Emperor Palpatine stating that bounties have been placed on “any traitorous Jedi who yet survive.” This public declaration, while meant to encourage compliance and incentive, could easily backfire.

This strategy also relied on the cooperation and goodwill of the general populace, which was something the Empire couldn’t guarantee, especially after such a drastic political shift. While the Empire offered to “pay most generously for useful information,” this was a double-edged sword. Such an incentive could inspire greed, but also resentment and fear. Citizens could purposefully shield individuals who fit the Jedi descriptions, either out of sympathy or a deep-seated distrust of the new Empire. Jedi sympathizers, or even just people who disliked the Empire, could actively work against the effort, giving false information or simply ignoring the edict. Ultimately, it was for those reasons that the Hidden Path was created; a way for those sympathetic to the Jedi to aid in their safe escape.

However, this could also be seen as turning on one’s own community for a reward. The Jedi’s reputation as peacekeepers, especially among those who remember the Republic, might have provided them with a layer of protection from citizens unwilling to betray them. In essence, the Empire’s initial strategy was a chaotic and decentralized effort that depended on unreliable data and the fickle nature of a war-weary citizens. The lack of a centralized, specialized force made this method highly ineffective and explains why the Jedi, though scattered, were not completely eradicated.

The Inquisitorius Was Born Out of a Need for a More Effective Jedi-Hunting Force

The glaring inadequacies of the Empire’s initial Jedi-hunting method make the rapid establishment of the Inquisitorius not only logical, but also a strategic necessity. The Inquisitorius was a specialized unit of Force-sensitive agents, often former Jedi themselves, who were trained to hunt and eliminate the remaining Jedi and other Force-users. This elite group, directly overseen directly by Darth Vader, was a much more effective tool than simply handing out lists to local magistrates. Unlike the previous approach, the Inquisitorius didn’t rely on the civilian population for information, and their Force-sensitive nature allowed them to track their prey in ways a regular clone trooper or citizen never could.

The Inquisitors’ abilities were a crucial part of their success. The Inquisitorius was designed to exploit the very thing the Jedi were trying to hide: their connection to the Force. The Jedi survivor in Legacy of Vader #7 – Grandea – shows exactly how the connection to the Force could betray someone, revealing that she could sense Kylo Ren’s identity because it was “right there in the front of [his] mind.” While Grandea did not use her ability to probe into Kylo’s mind for evil, it is a prime example of the kind of psychological and Force-based tracking the Inquisitorius would later perfect. They could sense a Jedi’s presence, their fear, or even their attempts to hide from the Force. This was a direct counter to the Jedi’s own methods of survival, which often involved suppressing their connection to the Force and living in anonymity.

The Inquisitorius also provided the Empire with a centralized, dedicated force that was loyal to the new regime and driven by a personal vendetta against the Jedi. The Jedi Purge was a personal affair for Palpatine and Vader, and their hunters needed to be more than just soldiers following orders; they needed to be instruments of their will. The Inquisitorius were a self-contained unit that didn’t need to rely on a civilian bounty system. They operated in the shadows, using fear, intimidation, the Force, and revenge to get what they wanted. Their effectiveness stemmed from their unique abilities and singular focus, making them the ultimate solution to the Empire’s initial, and clearly ineffective, approach to hunting down the last remnants of the Jedi Order.

The post Star Wars Just Revealed How Palpatine Hunted Surviving Jedi After Order 66 (and It Wasn’t Effective) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Star Wars was at another peak in the late ’90s with the re-release of the original trilogy Special Editions in theaters and the impending release of The Phantom Menace and the prequel trilogy. After years of Expanded Universe stories attempting to tell the history of the franchise, fans were on the verge of a fresh return to theaters. This left those writing books within the Extended Universe looking to take the series in fresh directions away from the Empire.

The result was Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, a series of novels that debuted in 1999 to much fanfare. A Star Wars novel hadn’t received this type of attention since Shadows of the Empire was released as a missing piece of the original trilogy. New Jedi Order would make waves by killing off beloved characters, changing the nature of the galaxy, and introducing a horrifying new villain from outside the galaxy.

The Yuuzhan Vong invaded around 22 years after the Battle of Yavin, and almost immediately overwhelmed the New Republic. These invaders were part of an extra-galactic race of nomadic religious zealots who reject technology as blasphemy and use organic creations and experimentation to make their spacecraft, weapons, and other forms of “technology.” The Yuuzhan Vong didn’t arrive as grey-clad fascists or dark Jedi that hid in the shadows; they were a race of brutality and pain, with demon-like faces and technology unlike anything Star Wars had seen to that point.

Then Disney came to town, The Force Awakens was announced, and the Expanded Universe was firmly removed from the canon and renamed to Legends. The Yuuzhan Vong would be stored away for future use, which did come in a way with the introduction of the Grysk. But they’re still far away from what makes the Yuuzhan Vong appealing.

Creation and Origins

The initial thoughts on a new enemy for Star Wars in The New Jedi Order were far more traditional before George Lucas got involved and vetoed the idea. As revealed in a reader’s companion for the series, Lucas nixed a new group of dark Force users and requested that the editorial team “be more original.” That’s when the Yuuzhan Vong were born.

The name was derived from the Yunnan region in China after Del Rey employees stumbled upon names through the menu of a popular French-Thai restaurant named Vong. Mayan and Aztec cultures provided a framework for the race’s culture and faith, while it seems like the race’s monstrous look must be drawn from a skull’s shape, but forged out of pure darkness. The final product is a villain that Star Wars has never encountered, almost being invaded by Hell itself.

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A Killer Entrance

While it was later revealed that the Yuuzhan Vong had been scouting the galaxy since before the Clone Wars, the first New Jedi Order novel, Vector Prime, made the invaders seem to have come from out of nowhere. The initial invasion force arrived under the radar, making a statement to fans by killing off Chewbacca after dropping a planet’s moon on him at Sernpidal.

The invaders considered everyone infidels, especially the Jedi and their belief in the force, which led to them breeding a beast called a voxyn to hunt and kill Force-sensitive characters. The invasion quickly takes Coruscant, which is renamed by the Yuuzhan Vong to Yuuzhan’tar after their former homeworld. The Force Awakens seemed to fall short in this department, showing the First Order and their crippling of the New Republic with Starkiller Base and leaving a lot of details for tie-in material it seems. If you’ve only watched the movies, you could miss it, but we’re not here to re-litigate this time around.

By the end of the New Jedi Order, the Yuuzhan Vong invasion killed upwards of 300 trillion lifeforms. The aftermath saw the Galactic Alliance work out peace terms with the remaining Yuuzhan Vong, who make Zonama Sekot their new homeworld inside the Unknown Regions after revealing it houses a seed connecting to their old home. It wrapped up the saga with a bow, with the race returning 100 years after their invasion in the pages of the Star Wars Legacy as eventual scapegoats for the Sith-Imperial War.

Should They Join Canon?

As previously mentioned, the Yuuzhan Vong did inspire the canon alien race called the Grysk, which were introduced in the 2018 Timothy Zahn book Thrawn: Alliances. What they lack that the Yuuzhan Vong had throughout their run is their terrifying looks. He even attempts to tie his 2006 novel Outbound Flight to the Grysks, noting a “massive” invasion from the “Far Outsiders” was coming, which would be the Grysk according to Zahn, but ended up revealed to be the Yuuzhan Vong at the time.

So if you buy that, the race is already in the canon and free to use with the right approval—assuming that’s how the Lucasfilm product is ushered to the masses. But if that’s it, we’re a bit disappointed. As an elder Star Wars fan, I can remember the introduction of the New Jedi Order and Yuuzhan Vong as villains, and it felt like a true outside invasion that bent the rules of the universe. What some characters had grown to understand about the galaxy was questioned and upended by the fanatical warriors, and they were scrambling.

How The Future is Shaking Out

It seems we’re in the middle of a down period for the Star Wars franchise due to some more recent Disney+ additions not named Andor falling flat. And while any sort of adaptation of The New Jedi Order is unlikely to happen, especially within the current slate, there is no reason the Yuuzhan Vong couldn’t be introduced as a new threat in the animated side of the galaxy.

Some concepts introduced in the New Jedi Order did make a jump to the mainline series, though it remains to be seen how far the influence can go. With the establishment of Rey’s version of the New Jedi Order at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, some comparisons with the EU novel’s version arise. Will it be a look at the Unifying Force between the light and the dark to achieve oneness with the Force? Will it devolve into a mess when authorities are involved?

Do you think the Yuuzhan Vong will arrive in the main Star Wars universe? Could we see some version arise as the villains of the future Rey film? Let us know in the comments.

The post Star Wars Tried Replacing The Empire Before The Force Awakens With a Horrific Twist appeared first on ComicBook.com.

While it might sound utterly absurd at first, Star Wars: Movie Battles II, a mod for a game released in 2003, is arguably the best Star Wars game ever made. A fan-driven total conversion for Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, Movie Battles II has been evolving quietly for over two decades. What it delivers is something most official Star Wars titles have tried and failed to achieve: battles that actually feel like they belong in the Star Wars universe. It reaches deeper than just visuals or music, things that amplify the experience, but don’t define it. Where so many other titles settle for cinematic chaos, Movie Battles II aims for raw moment-to-moment authenticity.

The structure of the game mirrors something closer to a tactical shooter. Matches are round-based and team-oriented, much like Counterstrike, but set across environments inspired by Star Wars films, shows, and extended lore. Light Side and Dark Side teams face off with objective-based missions and a wide roster of characters. The framework is deceptively simple. What elevates it is the depth layered into every decision you make before a match even begins.

Class variety in Movie Battles II is staggering. Trying to list every playable class is a fool’s errand because there are simply too many. Think of any major Star Wars archetype —Mandalorian, ARC trooper, Sith Lord, Wookiee warrior, bounty hunter — and chances are, you’ll find it in this game. Every single class features its own unique set of weapons and abilities, selected during a prep phase before each round. You’ll spend a finite amount of points to customize your loadout, deciding what to bring into each round, which defines how you’ll also play. This level of choice allows players to shape their roles within a match, encouraging experimentation and long-term mastery. That variety keeps the game feeling fresh, even after dozens or hundreds of hours, or even years.

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What’s even more impressive is that all of this is balanced. Jedi and Sith wield lightsabers, complete with a full selection of Force powers from the Light, Neutral, and Dark sides. These classes can kill in a single clean strike. Yet despite that power, they are never overbearing. Every weapon in the game has a counter. Gun-wielding classes can and do handle saber users with the right positioning and awareness. Just like in the Clone Wars, blaster fire can overwhelm a Force user when they are caught out of position or lose control of a fight. A skilled soldier or bounty hunter can absolutely take down a Jedi. All it takes is smart movement, timing, and a clear shot.

Lightsabers kill instantly, but they don’t protect you from everything. That risk vs reward relationship is part of what gives Movie Battles II its edge over other Star Wars titles. The game rewards players who understand mastery of their tools and those who commit to their choices. Players who treat each encounter like a tactical exchange rather than a free-for-all are given the advantage in battle. It is never about who has the most power, but who uses their power most effectively.

The heart of the game beats strongest in its lightsaber versus lightsaber combat. Other Star Wars games often reduce duels to chaotic button-mashing and erratic flips. Movie Battles II chooses a different path. Lightsaber dueling here is built on a foundation of discipline and structure. The system favors players who study their opponents, who read attacks, who understand spacing, and who can remain calm under pressure. Every swing, every block, and every adjustment matters.

This system has grown over the years into something remarkably complex. An entire community thrives on dueling alone, treating it as a standalone art form within the larger game. Duels can last minutes, sometimes longer, with each player probing the other for weakness. There is a manual block system in place, one that allows you to completely disarm your opponent if you block correctly at the right moment. That one detail alone sets Movie Battles II apart from every other Star Wars game in existence. The moment you disarm a fellow duelist and feel the crowd watching the fight react in awe, you know you’ve experienced something special.

Even with all this polish and depth, the mod still bears the marks of its age. Animations can be stiff. Visuals show their age. The engine itself lacks the fluidity of modern releases. But the moment you step into a match, that lack of visual polish simply won’t matter. You’ll quickly realize that you’re playing something that truly taps into the core of what Star Wars battles are meant to be, what it’s about. And the moments stay with you. Clearing a hallway as a Wookiee, launching into combat with a Mandalorian jetpack, landing that perfect saber kill in a duel that could’ve gone either way. Every match offers something new, because the game never stops demanding more from you.

Perhaps the wildest part of all this is that there are no class restrictions. If a server is full at 32 players, every single person in the match could be wielding a lightsaber. That kind of freedom should break the game, but it doesn’t. Not at all. In fact, if your team is all wielding lightsabers, then you’re likely at a disadvantage, surprisingly. The systems are so thoughtfully designed that even with a dozen Jedi and Sith colliding in the same corridor, the balance holds. It is a chaotic cinematic mess, and it’s completely unforgettable.

Movie Battles II is the most Star Wars a Star Wars game has ever felt. Built by fans, refined by competitors, and still evolving over 20 years later, it stands as a testament to what can happen when a community chooses love, skill, and ambition over marketing, budget, and branding. This game understands Star Wars combat on a level that most developers only dream of. And if you’ve never played it, you owe it to yourself to experience what this galaxy has to offer. Movie Battles II is a mod, so you’ll need Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy to play it, but the experience is more than worth the price of entry.

What do you think of Movie Battles II? Let us know in the comments below!

The post The Best Star Wars Video Game Is a Mod From 22 Years Ago appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Star Wars prequel trilogy has its fair share of issues. It focuses far too much on trade routes and Senate floor debates, with George Lucas choosing to highlight the political mistakes that led to the rise of the Empire. Another major prequel problem revolves around Anakin Skywalker, who shows up in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace as a young boy living on Tatooine. Qui-Gon Jinn takes an interest in Anakin because he believes he’s strong with the Force and could be the long-sought-after Chosen One. Shmi Skywalker agrees to let her son travel to Coruscant to begin his training, a decision that has major ramifications.

Of course, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith concludes with Anakin falling to the dark side and embracing his new role as Darth Sidious’ apprentice. However, a common complaint about the third prequel movie is that it packs in too much, making Anakin’s choice in Palpatine’s office feel rushed. Well, that’s not even the half of it because Revenge of the Sith does an important Jedi dirty to prop up Anakin.

The Jedi Temple Is Full of Powerful Jedi in Revenge of the Sith

Despite Palpatine doing everything but waving a red lightsaber in his face, it takes Anakin a while to realize that his mentor is a Sith Lord. The news shocks the young Jedi to his core, and since he still wants to prove himself to the Jedi Council, he immediately tells Mace Windu everything. Mace doesn’t think that Anakin will be helpful on the mission to arrest the chancellor, though, so he leaves him behind at the Jedi Temple, which proves to be the wrong move. Anakin disobeys orders and heads to Palpatine’s office, where he finds Mace standing over the Sith. Not wanting to lose the only hope he has of saving his wife, Anakin betrays the Jedi and accepts Sidious as his new master.

Palpatine’s first order of business after getting Anakin on his side is to wipe out the Jedi by executing Order 66. Clones all over the galaxy turn on their generals, while Anakin leads the 501st into the Jedi Temple. Of course, the Order’s headquarters isn’t at full strength because the conflict against the Separatists demands that the Jedi fight battles all across the galaxy. There are still some heavy hitters around, though, including Shaak Ti and Jocasta Nu. However, one Jedi Temple casualty is far worse than the others because it makes a highly skilled fighter out to be no more powerful than a youngling.

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Cin Drallig Taught Young Jedi Everything That They Knew

Like all organizations, the Jedi Order has experts who pass on everything that they know. Cin Drallig has the honor of serving as the Battlemaster at the Jedi Temple, teaching younglings how to use their lightsabers. His notable students include Obi-Wan Kenobi, as well as Anakin Skywalker, who confronts him in Revenge of the Sith. In addition to his role as Battlemaster, Drallig also serves as the Jedi Temple’s Chief of Security, which puts him in a tough spot when a clone battalion starts marching toward his home. Fortunately, he has two Padawans with him, Whie Malreaux and Bene, who engage the newly dubbed Darth Vader in combat. The battle isn’t shown in real time in Revenge of the Sith, but Obi-Wan and Yoda witness it when viewing the records on Coruscant.

Anakin quickly gets the edge on one Jedi, choking them when Drallig comes in to defend his ally. However, rather than showing why he’s regarded as one of the best duelists in the Order, Drallig does little more than toss a few weak blows in Anakin’s direction before calling it a day. The battle is so lopsided that a fan posted it on Reddit, leading to a serious discussion about Drallig’s plan. There’s no doubt that Anakin has the edge, as he has the full power of the dark side and incredible lightsaber skills in his corner, but it doesn’t need to go down like that. Drallig could have put up a bit of a fight since he was one of Anakin’s first teachers.

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith is streaming on Disney+.

Were you surprised by how easily Anakin Skywalker fought his way through the Jedi Temple? Do you think Cin Drallig should have fought harder? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Revenge of the Sith Tore Down a Major Jedi Figure to Make Anakin Skywalker Look Better appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Despite taking place in a galaxy far, far away, Star Wars has a strong hold on this galaxy. The movies, of course, are the big draw, and while it’s been a few years since one came out in theaters, The Mandalorian & Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter are ready to take the world by storm. The TV shows are going to give the big-screen projects a run for their money, though, especially Star Wars: Ahsoka, which will continue the story of Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice, Ahsoka Tano. The Chosen One will have a role in the second season of the Disney+ series, continuing Ahsoka’s training in another galaxy.

Anakin’s resurgence in the Star Wars franchise is great because Hayden Christensen didn’t get the best material to work with in the prequel trilogy. However, Christensen isn’t the only actor to bring the character to life. Here are all 12 actors who’ve played Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars.

1) David Prowse

Darth Vader needed to be an intimidating force, so George Lucas and Co. brought in strongman David Prowse to be the man in the suit in Star Wars: A New Hope. While Prowse was originally going to provide the voice for the villain as well, things changed because the most iconic voice in the history of cinema agreed to join the production.

2) James Earl Jones

After getting his start in theater, James Earl Jones found himself voicing Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy. He continued to lend his talents to the franchise for decades before his tragic passing in 2024. However, Jones’ family has agreed to allow his work to continue using AI.

3) Bob Anderson

Darth Vader’s fight with Obi-Wan Kenobi in A New Hope left a lot to be desired, so the creative team stepped up their game for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Professional fencer Bob Anderson got in the suit to do Vader’s fight scenes, battling Mark Hamill in the epic lightsaber duels.

4) Sebastian Shaw

Defeating Emperor Palpatine put Vader in a tough spot. He knew he was at death’s door, so he made one final request: to look at his son with his own eyes. English actor Sebastian Shaw was the man behind the mask, delivering a magnificent performance despite having very little screen time.

5) Jake Lloyd

Years after Vader’s death, Lucas turned back the clock in the prequel trilogy, which followed a young Anakin Skywalker before his fall to the dark side. The first prequel, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, cast Jake Lloyd as the Chosen One, and while the actor dealt with harsh criticism after the movie’s release, the years have been kind to his performance.

6) Hayden Christensen

Due to the major time jump in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, another actor had to take over the role of Anakin. Hayden Christensen did the best he could with what he was given in the prequels, but his subsequent appearances in Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka have allowed him to flex his acting chops.

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7) Mat Lucas

Lucas wanted to flesh out the story of the prequels, so he enlisted the help of animation guru Genndy Tartakovsky. The two came up with Star Wars: Clone Wars, which told the story of the galactic conflict that raged between the events of Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Mat Lucas got the opportunity to voice Anakin in the show, as well as a bunch of video games.

8) Frankie Ryan Manriquez

Clone Wars didn’t only focus on present-day Anakin, though, utilizing flashbacks that allowed another actor to get some work in. Frankie Ryan Manriquez, best known for appearances on sitcoms like King of Queens and That’s So Raven, provided the voice for young Anakin in the animated series.

9) Kirby Morrow

Star Wars loves a good collaboration, and one of its biggest partners is the toy company LEGO. Anakin made his fair share of appearances in LEGO Star Wars projects, such as LEGO Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles and LEGO Star Wars: Droid Tales, and veteran voice actor Kirby Morrow was there every step of the way, helping bring the Jedi to life.

10) Matt Lanter

After Star Wars: Clone Wars was struck from canon, Lucasfilm gave it another go with Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which covered a lot of the same ground. However, a mostly new cast was brought in for the project, including Matt Lanter, who took over as Anakin. The voice actor has gone on to voice the character in multiple projects, including Star Wars Rebels.

11) Spencer Wilding

Despite Vader’s death in Return of the Jedi, the villain returned to the big screen in 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which took place right before the events of A New Hope. For most of the movie, Vader played a minor role, acting as a thorn in Director Krennic’s side, with Welsh stuntman Spencer Wilding being the man in the suit.

12) Daniel Naprous

When Vader let loose at the end of Rogue One in an effort to get back the Death Star plans, the production needed someone a bit more nimble than Wilding. Stunt performer Daniel Naprous got his chance, playing the Sith Lord as he cut down the Rebellion soldiers in his way.

Did you know 12 people have played Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars? Which performance is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

The post All 12 Actors Who’ve Played Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The original Star Wars trilogy is great from start to finish. The first movie in the franchise, Star Wars: A New Hope, establishes the threat of the evil Empire, which utilizes a superweapon known as the Death Star to destroy planets and demand respect. The Rebellion isn’t about to let the galaxy’s oppressors ride off into the sunset, though, so they fight back, taking down both versions of the Death Star and bringing peace to the galaxy for the first time in decades. It’s all quite simple, but the Star Wars prequel trilogy believes it can provide additional context that makes the series even richer.

While the prequels have noble intentions, they can’t get out of their own way, opting to focus more on trade routes than the battle between the Jedi and Sith. And it would be easy to forgive many of the trilogy’s mistakes, but it also tries to take down iconic figures in the process. Here are 5 Star Wars characters almost ruined by the prequel trilogy.

1) Emperor Palpatine

The version of Emperor Palpatine that appears in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi is the living embodiment of evil. He doesn’t explain his motivations beyond the fact that he wants to maintain control of the galaxy and is willing to kill anyone to achieve it. Luke Skywalker even has to fight off his advances because Palpatine is willing to accept him as his apprentice, ready to throw out Darth Vader without a second thought.

The prequels set out to explore Palpatine’s rise to power, and for the most part, they do a fantastic job. Watching the politician manipulate the entire galaxy into secretly doing his bidding is bone-chilling. However, near the end of Revenge of the Sith, when Mace Windu defeats the Sith Lord in a lightsaber duel, all of the allure around Palpatine disappears, as he needs Anakin Skywalker to rescue him.

2) Darth Vader

Speaking of Anakin, the original trilogy makes Darth Vader the most iconic villain in movie history. He’s ruthless and conniving, and his breathing is enough to make any character wallow in fear. Of course, in Return of the Jedi, Vader turns over a new leaf, saving his son, Luke, by killing Palpatine.

The entire story of the prequel trilogy focuses on Anakin’s fall to the dark side, revealing how the Jedi, including Obi-Wan Kenobi, fail him. It’s hard to root for Anakin, though, because he comes off like a whiny brat who takes everything for granted. The reality is that Star Wars: The Clone Wars does more for his character than the prequels do.

3) Yoda

When Luke looks to continue his Jedi training in The Empire Strikes Back, he meets Yoda, a wise yet strange creature who calls the swamp planet Dagobah home. The trials that Yoda puts Luke through are tough, but it’s clear that each one has a purpose, as the old Jedi has been around for centuries and learned all he can about the Force.

In the prequels, Yoda tosses all of his wisdom out of the window and plays into Palpatine’s hands at every opportunity. The movies even have him pull out a lightsaber and go a few rounds with Count Dooku and Palpatine. While it’s not surprising that Yoda knows how to use a lightsaber, the prequels would have been better off leaving his combat exploits to the imagination.

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4) Chewbacca

There are few sequences as iconic as Obi-Wan and Luke visiting the Mos Eisley Cantina, where they meet plenty of scoundrels, including Han Solo and Chewbacca. The smuggler’s Wookie companion becomes an important part of the Rebellion, helping blow up the Death Star and fighting in the Battle of Endor. The only problem is that he knows more than he’s letting on.

To make up for Chewbacca not receiving a medal, George Lucas gives the character a role in Revenge of the Sith, having him lead the Wookie army on Kashyyyk. Fighting alongside Yoda doesn’t make Chewbacca look good, though, because he fails to mention anything about him or the Jedi in the original trilogy.

5) Boba Fett

Despite getting very little screen time in the original trilogy, Boba Fett is a standout character. It all starts when Darth Vader alludes to the fact that the bounty hunter is a stone-cold killer, willing to vaporize anyone who crosses him. While Boba gets a disappointing end in Return of the Jedi, there’s more positive than negative in his scenes.

Attack of the Clones doesn’t do the bounty hunter any favors. The fact that he’s a clone of another successful bounty hunter is fine, but his attitude isn’t anything to write home about. Boba is a whiny brat, and it makes his later appearances feel less special.

The Star Wars films are streaming on Disney+.

Do you think the prequel trilogy almost ruined these Star Wars characters? Are there any characters that it made better? Let us know in the comments below!

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There were big plans in place for Gina Carano in the Star Wars universe at one point in time, but those all fell apart after Carano was fired by The Walt Disney Company back in 2021. The firing came after a controversial social media post, but Carano then filed a lawsuit in 2024, alleging wrongful termination and discrimination. Now Variety has revealed that Lucasfilm and the Walt Disney Company have reached an agreement and settled the suit, leaving the question of whether or not Carano could return to the Star Wars franchise someday.

A statement from a Lucasfilm spokesperson reads, “The Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm are pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with Gina Carano to resolve the issues in her pending lawsuit against the companies. Ms. Carano was always well respected by her directors, co-stars, and staff, and she worked hard to perfect her craft while treating her colleagues with kindness and respect. With this lawsuit concluded, we look forward to identifying opportunities to work together with Ms. Carano in the near future.”

That last part is especially interesting, as it actually opens the door for future collaborations between Lucasfilm and Carano. It also says “the near future”, and there is a certain Mandalorian and Grogu movie coming soon, but that’s pure conjecture at this point.

It remains to be seen what will happen with Carano and Star Wars, but story-wise, The Mandalorian never actually shut the door on her character. Carano played Marshall Cara Dune, and she played an important part in Mando’s adventure in season 2. Her character was going to play an even more prominent role in the universe at that point, as she was going to be leading a new spin-off series titled Rangers of the New Republic, but plans for that were scrapped after Carano was fired.

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That said, Rick Famuyiwa and Dave Filoni did address the character’s sudden absence from the story and confirmed that she is still alive and out having adventures, even if they don’t currently intersect with what’s happening in The Mandalorian.

“Cara was a big part and continues as a character to be part of the world,” Famuyiwa told Deadline. “It had to be addressed in the creative and Jon (Favreau) took the time to think about that. It was something that was discussed as we knew it was going to have impact on the show, but at the same time, what has been at the heart of the show are the two characters – Din Djarin and Grogu- so ultimately it felt like a servicing of that, and around the Mandalorians.”

“It’s a big galaxy and we have many characters in it,” Filoni said. “Many characters are fighting for their screen time, we’ll just have to see as the season unfolds what the adventures are, but it’s a great character, someone who was vital to Din Djarin’s beginnings; we’ll see if he has evolved beyond that. Now season 3 is mainly dealing with Mandalorians and the Mandalorian saga, the Mandalorian tale. (There’s) different characters he’s met since Bo-Katan, (who) take a lot more prominence which makes sense where his arc is going, the story of him and Grogu specifically.”

Would you like to see Cara Dune return at some point? Let us know in the comments, and you can talk all things Star Wars and TV with me on Bluesky @knightofoa!

The post Disney Settles The Mandalorian Lawsuit With Gina Carano (Will She Return to Star Wars?) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

As George Lucas infamously said about Star Wars: “It’s like poetry. It rhymes.” The creator may be gone, but his message continues to prove true in myriad ways for the franchise. In 2015, 10 years after the divisive prequels had ended and left its big screen future uncertain, Disney brought the saga roaring back to life. Now, another decade later, the Mouse House is once again gearing up to try to revive Star Wars as a successful movie franchise, after the sequels also proved extremely divisive.

Lucasfilm’s plans for future Star Wars movies begin with The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026, followed by Star Wars: Starfighter in 2027. Beyond that, details are a little murky. Kathleen Kennedy confirmed multiple Star Wars movies are in development, including projects from Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, James Mangold, Taika Waititi, and Simon Kinberg; which ones happen and when are still up in the air. One recent report shed some clarity on things, however, but it also sounds like something we’ve seen before.

New Star Wars Movie Rumors Explained

One of the undated movies that does at least have a star attached is Obaid-Chinoy’s New Jedi Order film, which will bring back Daisy Ridley as Rey. First announced at Star Wars Celebration in 2023, there hasn’t been much progress on it, with the project passing through various writers. But now, according to Daniel RPK on Patreon, there are some firm plans not only for that movie, but for the entire New Jedi Order era, including:

• Rey’s movie will be the first of several taking place in the post-The Rise of Skywalker timeline, not dissimilar to what Dave Filoni has created on Disney+ with The Mandalorian.
• These stories will eventually build to one big event, with multiple old characters returning.

As ever with Star Wars, such things need to be taken with a large pinch of Crait’s surface, as nothing is confirmed and Rey’s movie itself doesn’t have a firm production timeline. It is also worth noting that Starfighter, which stars Ryan Gosling, will technically be the first movie to take place after The Rise of Skywalker‘s events. Presumably, the difference here is that it is designed as a complete standalone, rather than part of the plans that will have a culminating event. Still, the rumors are interesting in what they mean for Star Wars’ future, and how they connect to its past.

The Rise of Skywalker Failed To Be Star Wars’ Endgame

While not the result of multiple disparate stories (though detractors of Star Wars: The Last Jedi might say otherwise), Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was itself a culminating event movie, essentially the endgame of the Skywalker Saga. It wasn’t just bringing together the sequel trilogy, but over 40 years of Star Wars. Multiple old characters came along for the ride, too: Lando Calrissian was back, Luke Skywalker’s Force Ghost turned up, Han Solo appeared as a memory, even Wedge Antilles joined in the fun and, of course, somehow Palpatine returned.

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Unfortunately, it was those attempts at ending the Skywalker Saga – and trying too hard to please fans, particularly those let down by The Last Jedi – that led to so many problems. The Rise of Skywalker was incohesive, overstuffed, and chose fan service instead of genuinely interesting plot or character developments at every turn. Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame was a smash success while doing something similar, because those elements felt logical and earned, which couldn’t be said for Star Wars.

Is This Star Wars Approach A Good Idea?

Based on what happened with The Rise of Skywalker, it’s easy to be skeptical about these plans for Star Wars’ post-sequel timeline – if they ever come to fruition. Firstly, Lucasfilm needs to focus on proving it can get back to making quality movies again, which won’t begin with Rey’s New Jedi Order, but rather The Mandalorian and Grogu and then Starfighter.

Even beyond those, it should be taking things one step at a time. It’s already struggled to get Rey’s movie to a place where it could flesh out its cast and begin production, never mind use it as a launchpad for a whole new era of films. Rey is a great character, and Ridley deserves the chance to star in a Star Wars movie again. If that does set up or lead to a new trilogy or other spinoffs, that could be great, but it has to be because that new adventure is a worthwhile one.

Expanding beyond the sequel trilogy is a good thing because it’s something new. At the same time, that also makes the idea of old characters returning concerning. Star Wars needs to embrace the future and create new things; it can’t simply rely on characters like Luke over and over and over. It’s already made that mistake, and hopefully, Rey’s movie and what comes after it can actually deliver and focus on, well, a New Jedi Order.

The Mandalorian and Grogu will be released in theaters on May 22nd, 2026. Star Wars: Starfighter is currently slated for May 28th, 2027.

The post Disney’s Rumored New Star Wars Plan Risks Repeating The Rise Of Skywalker’s Mistakes appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Emperor Palpatine returned in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker but, somehow, things could’ve been worse for that story. After the backlash to Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Lucasfilm entered fan-service mode to end the Skywalker Saga. J.J. Abrams returned to the franchise and brought the Sith Lord with him, revealing how he had continued to influence galactic events – and Ben Solo’s life – despite his apparent death in Return of the Jedi. It was also revealed that Rey is Palpatine’s granddaughter; her father is a failed clone of the Emperor.

Those were just some of the decisions that led to The Rise of Skywalker being negatively received (it has 51% on Rotten Tomatoes), and it remains the most recent new Star Wars movie to hit theaters. That’s going to change in the next couple of years – first with The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026, followed by Star Wars: Starfighter in 2027 – and the future plans only highlight how Palpatine’s return could’ve been more damaging. Most recently, it was reported that Matt Smith will play the villain in Starfighter, meaning he’ll get to face off with Ryan Gosling’s new hero. However, that wouldn’t have been possible if other plans for Palpatine had happened.

Matt Smith Was Rumored To Play Palpatine In The Rise of Skywalker

Smith’s casting in The Rise of Skywaker was first reported by Deadline back in August 2018, leading to one of the most mysterious parts of Star Wars’ sequel trilogy. Smith’s casting was never officially confirmed by Lucasfilm, but he was added to a cast list on Disney’s UK website in April 2019, before being removed a month later.

Rumors at the time claimed Smith would play Palpatine in a final duel with Rey and Kylo Ren; the actor initially denied his involvement, but in subsequent years confirmed he would’ve played a “transformative” part [via the Happy Sad Confused podcast], and played coy when asked if he was indeed supposed to have played a younger Palpatine.

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Some reports suggested that Smith would’ve been a character whose body was simply a host vessel for Palpatine. Other theories included Palpatine being de-aged by his power, such as when he uses Force drain on Rey and Kylo. Whatever the specifics, it seems pretty likely that the former Doctor Who star was set to play some version of Palpatine in The Rise of Skywalker, before plans changed and he was cut from the movie.

A Younger Palpatine Would Have Been A Mistake

It’s difficult to fix Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, because a big part of the problem is his emergence in the movie with no direct setup from Star Wars: The Force Awakens or The Last Jedi. When it comes to Smith’s role, as great an actor as he is, it’s hard to imagine a younger version of Palpatine making things any better.

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If the Emperor had to return, then it was right for Ian McDiarmid to reprise the role, which at least offers a sense of tying together the entire Skywalker Saga – albeit that was an idea better in theory than its execution – and honors just how iconic he was in the part over the decades. Adding Smith-as-Palpatine into the mix, either alongside or instead of McDiarmid, would’ve just made things even more convoluted and been yet another controversial element.

Starfighter Makes It Even Better That Matt Smith Never Played Palpatine

Smith, as he’s shown in projects like House of the Dragon, Last Night in Soho, and, in a way, The Crown, excels at characters with a dark side, which should mean he’s perfect for a Star Wars villain. He’s shown he can be chilling and rageful, yet there’s always a complexity to them as well, and so it’s exciting to have him going against Gosling in Starfighter. That almost certainly wouldn’t have been possible had he played Emperor Palpatine six years ago (and assuming this villain isn’t Palps coming back again!).

Star Wars needs more new villains. It can’t just keep relying on bringing out Palpatine, Darth Vader, and Maul, as great as those characters are (and as much as Disney seemingly wants to test that theory), nor characters who simply feel like retreads of them. Whatever form of villain Smith takes in Starfighter – which is a little hard to predict, with plot details under wraps and an unexplored part of the timeline (it takes place a few years after The Rise of Skywalker) – he can hopefully deliver a fantastic new big screen bad guy, something that’s long overdue in a galaxy far, far away.

The Mandalorian and Grogu will release on May 22nd, 2026. Star Wars: Starfighter flies into theaters on May 28th, 2027.

The post Star Wars Cutting The Sequels’ Plan For Palpatine Looks Even Better Now appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Luke Skywalker is easily one of the best heroes in movie history, but there’s no debate about the best villain. Darth Vader is the cream of the crop, intimidating the entire galaxy with his mysterious appearance and menacing breathing. He’s also great with a lightsaber, defeating any opponent that crosses his path. However, Vader isn’t Star Wars‘ only great bad guy. Emperor Palpatine is as evil as they come, ruling the galaxy with an iron fist after tearing down the Republic, while his first apprentice, Maul, does his fair share of damage on his way to becoming Obi-Wan Kenobi’s rival.

What Vader, Maul, and Palpatine all have in common is that they have live-action appearances. That’s not to say animated shows or comic books are less meaningful, but there’s something special about seeing a realistic-looking villain. A few major Star Wars evildoers have yet to receive that honor despite striking fear in hearts all over the franchise.

1) Asajj Ventress

Count Dooku brings in some help during the Clone Wars in the form of Asajj Ventress, a Dathomirian Nightsister who proves to be effective with a lightsaber. She gives Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker a run for their money on numerous occasions before Dooku abandons her.

After losing her family on Dathomir, Ventress turns over a new leaf, traveling the galaxy as a bounty hunter and forming a bond with Jedi Quinlan Vos. With Ventress headlining her own series, Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld, it might only be a matter of time before she makes the jump to live-action.

2) Savage Opress

Savage Opress and Ventress have a lot in common, being from Dathomir and serving Dooku during the Clone Wars. Their paths diverge, though, once Opress realizes that Ventress is using him. He begins searching for his brother, Maul, who teaches him more about the dark side.

Maul forces his brother to be part of his quest for revenge against Obi-Wan, which ends in disaster. Palpatine eventually catches up to his former apprentice and kills Opress, who dies for a cause he didn’t ask to be part of. The only way Opress makes it to live-action is if Star Wars explores his days on Dathomir.

3) Starkiller

Darth Vader takes on an apprentice in the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed video games, taking in a young Galen Marek after killing his father. Dubbed Starkiller, the young Force user goes around the galaxy taking out threats to the Empire. However, he quickly learns that he’s not on the right side of history.

The big thing keeping Starkiller from showing up in a live-action TV show or movie is that the games he appears in aren’t canon. But if the powers that be at Lucasfilm decide to use Galen Marek’s name instead of his story, they could give him a role somewhere in the franchise.

4) Darth Bane

Thousands of years before the fall of the Republic, the Jedi and Sith fought in a massive conflict that claimed the lives of nearly all of the Sith. The only survivor was Darth Bane, who rebuilt the dark side’s army and created the Rule of Two, which only allowed two Sith to be active at a time.

There have been very few Star Wars projects that take place early enough to show Darth Bane’s life. However, times are changing with James Mangold’s Jedi Order origin movie, which could open the door for the iconic Sith to get his moment in the sun.

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5) Darth Revan

Predating Darth Bane is Darth Revan, who was originally a Jedi before discovering the new Sith Empire and falling to the dark side’s influence. The story plays out in the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic video games, and while Revan eventually goes back to the light side, he’s a great villain.

There have been rumors of a Knights of the Old Republic movie for years, but they’ve never come to fruition. Lucasfilm would be smart to consider retelling Revan’s story on the big screen, though, as it’s one of the franchise’s best.

6) Darth Talon

Legends canon is full of fascinating villains, and one of them is the Twi’lek Sith Darth Talon. She’s a member of the New Sith Order and operates a century after the Battle of Yavin, and her most important mission is to turn Cade Skywalker to the dark side.

Outside of the sequel trilogy, current Star Wars canon doesn’t spend much time exploring the decades after the fall of the Empire. Fortunately, Star Wars isn’t going to run out of opportunities to bring its first Sith Lady to life.

7) The Son

Star Wars: The Clone Wars‘ Mortis arc explores the planet that’s strong with the Force and introduces its inhabitants, the Father, the Daughter, and the Son. The Son doesn’t get along with his family members and attempts to turn Anakin Skywalker to the dark side so he can escape from Mortis.

The Son’s plan fails, and he dies at the hands of the Chosen One. However, Mortis has a rich history, so Star Wars could easily return to the planet and touch on the villain’s past. Maybe Ahsoka Season 2 will lay the seeds for the Son’s live-action debut.

Which of these Star Wars villains would you like to see in live-action? Are there any other bad guys who should make the jump? Let us know in the comments below!

The post 7 Powerful Star Wars Villains Still Missing From Live-Action appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Disney+’s Star Wars series The Mandalorian Season 3 followed up the critically acclaimed second outing with a divisive story. There were plenty of payoffs for plot threads first planted early on in the series, as well as some heartfelt character moments. However, Season 3 also made a number of strange decisions that placed inconsistencies within the lore of the show itself. Moreover, many of these creative choices quickly undermined some of the strongest storytelling of the earlier seasons, which makes Season 3 feel as if it doesn’t always fit within the grand context of the characters’ arcs.

Now, creators Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have an opportunity to recreate the magic of the earlier episodes and undo some of the damage caused by Season 3 with the movie The Mandalorian and Grogu, out in theaters next May. With Pedro Pascal already confirmed to have filmed scenes in the iconic Beskar armor (something that he didn’t do for the entirety of Season 3), signs are promising that the film can hit some of those same heights.  Here are five story elements Season 3 should retcon, or at least alter in some way.

5) Din Djarin’s Helmet Rule

Din Djarin’s “helmet rule” (never removing his helmet in front of others) is the most central aspect of his character arc throughout the show. In Season 1, he takes his helmet off in front of IG-88 in order to save Grogu, then does it again in the penultimate episode of Season 2. Then, in the finale, Djarin takes his helmet off once again in order to say goodbye to Grogu, who was on his way to train with Luke Skywalker. It’s a satisfying arc that shows a once guarded bounty hunter slowly opening up to his adoptive son, and becoming close to another living being for the first time in his life.

Season 3 undoes this, as Djarin is regretful over his decision to remove his helmet. He travels to Mandalore to bathe in the living waters and undo the choice he made, which then sets up the rest of the season as the remaining Mandalorians see that the planet is indeed habitable, allowing them to plan to retake their home world. While that is a good segway from Djarin’s arc into the larger narrative of the season, having Pedro Pascal’s hero go back on the strides forward he made feels as if the creators are undoing all of what they were working towards for two seasons straight. Some argue that Din’s helmet removal moments are sacrifices made for Grogu’s security rather than a sign Din is abandoning the code of his clan, but the shift from one to the other still feels jarring and undermining of the storytelling that came before.

In The Mandalorian and Grogu, Djarin is once again away from his Mandalorian clan as he trains Grogu (but still on good terms), and is now working with the New Republic as a bounty hunter for hire. With Pascal on the set of the movie and filming new scenes, it appears likely that fans will see Djarin’s face once again, a clear sign that his previous character development is being picked back up.

4) Grogu’s Origin

Grogu’s origin was a core mystery heading into Season 3, with fans desperate to learn more about where he was and what he was doing before meeting Din Djarin. It was arguably one of the show’s most mysterious and compelling elements, especially after the revelation in The Book of Boba Fett that Grogu was in the Jedi Temple as Order 66 was occurring. However, Season 3 showed his rescue from the temple and teased a trip to Naboo to escape the wrath of the newly formed Galactic Empire. While this was still an intriguing flashback, this development in the story of Grogu felt somewhat underwhelming.

The appearance of Ahmed Best as Kelleran Beq, while fun to see, felt like a piece of fan service more than anything else. Best is a Star Wars legend and a fan favorite in the community, but with the decision to bring him back into the fold, Favreau and Filoni missed an opportunity to create a brand new character not bogged down by the history of the franchise. However, the upcoming film has an opportunity to right those wrongs. The creators can work to ensure that what happens with Kelleran and Grogu after what happened at the Temple adds to the latter’s character arc in some ways rather than just more fan service, making it integral to the story of the Child. 

3) The Darksaber Should Be Resurrected 

By the end of Season 3, the villainous Moff Gideon was defeated in dramatic fashion. In the process, the Mandalorian Darksaber was destroyed, ending thousands of years of history for the planet and Din Djarin’s clan. The removal of the darksaber from Din Djarin and co.’s story felt like a massive missed opportunity; at the end of Season 2, he won the weapon in combat, even as he didn’t want it or the responsibilities that came with it.

That felt like an interesting and meaningful addition to the arc of Din Djarin, and it was handled well in The Book of Boba Fett (where he was training to use the darksaber more effectively after burning himself in a fight). Din then surrendered the saber to Bo-Katan in Season 3, which caused a mixed reaction amongst fans. This weapon feels like such an important part of Mandalorian lore that it feels a shame to discard it so soon, especially given the potential importance it may have to Grogu moving forward. At this moment in time, the child looks like he might become the first Mandalorian Jedi in centuries, so inheriting the darksaber felt like a natural element to add to that arc. As of now, though, with the weapon destroyed, that looks unlikely.

The Star Wars franchise does have a history of resurrecting lightsabers, it’s important to note. The Skywalker saber was broken in two in The Last Jedi, but was repaired in The Rise of Skywalker. Having that precedent means that it’s certainly not impossible for the darksaber to be rescued from the fire of Mandalore and put back together, which would preserve the narrative weight the saber holds in the arcs of Din Djarin and co. and preserve the possibility of it playing a role in the future of Grogu, too.

2) Moff Gideon’s Plan

Moff Gideon was the big bad across all three seasons of The Mandalorian, but his presence was felt more in his absence, looming over the heroes throughout. In earlier seasons, Gideon’s inherent fixation on Grogu came with significant weight, as he oversaw secret Imperial experiments with Force-sensitive beings, with a plan for cloning. In Season 3, it’s revealed that Gideon wanted Grogu for clones of himself, with a plan to make a version that is Force sensitive, making him smarter and stronger in battle. 

Given the nature of The Mandalorian story, it’s still possible for Gideon’s plot to be added upon. A retcon re-establishing his motives for experimentation, genetic obsessions, ambitious Imperial engineering as something more than just creating a Force sensitive being would restore Gideon as a credible, cold villain grounded in Star Wars’ science-fiction/fantasy.

1) Moff Gideon’s Death 

Moff Gideon then dies at the end of Season 3, seemingly ending his arc and the arc of the Empire wanting him as their property. The defeat came during Mandalorian conquest of Gideon’s base in what was a relatively easy battle all things considered. It felt like a cop-out given how much trouble Gideon has caused the show’s heroes over the years, and it abruptly ended his role in the story. It’s possible for Favreau and Filoni to edit this ending, however, by making it not an ending at all. Given the presence of Gideon’s clones, it would be easily explained that it was a clone who died rather than the real Gideon. Alternatively, a future for his character could come in the form of a reveal that a Force sensitive Gideon clone is still around, thus providing an even greater threat for Grogu and the rest of the New Republic.

Ultimately, these adjustments, if handled correctly, can tweak the journey of Din Djarin and Grogu and make it a more compelling, satisfying watch for the viewer. At its peak, The Mandalorian as a show was one of intense emotional bonds between characters and high stakes, and making these changes would resolve the inconsistencies of the story. A few careful tweaks could restore cohesion and honor the integrity of both the lore and the emotional character arcs.

The post 5 Things The Mandalorian & Grogu Needs to Fix From Season 3 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Matt Smith is making the jump to hyperspace. The Doctor Who and House of the Dragon star has been cast in a villain role in Star Wars: Starfighter, joining Project Hail Mary‘s Ryan Gosling and Pearl‘s Mia Goth in the galaxy far, far away. According to Deadline, which first reported the news, Smith won out over “a number of actors” who met with director Shawn Levy for the key role, but details about the character are under wraps.

Interestingly, the actor was reported to have a “key role” in 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which never materialized. It was rumored that Smith — who previously played villains in 2015’s Terminator Genisys and 2022’s Morbius — might’ve portrayed a cloned Emperor Palpatine in director J.J. Abrams’ finale to the nine-episode Star Wars saga.

“We were close to me being in [Rise of Skywalker], but then it just never quite happened,” Smith said on the Happy Sad Confused podcast in 2021. “I think the thing they were thinking of me for, eventually, the part became obsolete and they didn’t need it. And so I never got to be in Star Wars.”

Asked about whether his secret role was Palpatine’s cloned “son” Dathan, revealed to be the father of Daisy Ridley’s Jedi Rey, Smith teased, “I could not possibly say, but it was a pretty groovy thing. It was a really groovy part and concept.”

“It was a big thing, it was a big story detail. Like, a transformative Star Wars story detail,” he continued, “but it never quite got over the line.”

It’s unclear whether Smith’s role in Starfighter is a carryover from The Rise of Skywalker, but director Shawn Levy has described his film as “a stand-alone” set approximately five years after Episode IX.

“It’s not a prequel, not a sequel. It’s a new adventure,” Levy said at Star Wars Celebration in April. He added Starfighter is “set in a period of time that we haven’t seen explored yet,” referring to what Lucasfilm has officially dubbed the New Jedi Order era.

It was previously reported that Goth is also playing a villain, as one of the “evil pursuers” after the young charge under the protection of Gosling’s character.

Disney has slated its first Star Wars film since The Rise of Skywalker — the Jon Favreau-directed The Mandalorian and Grogu — for May 22, 2026, with Starfighter following a year later on May 28, 2027.

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The post Star Wars: Starfighter Finds Its Villain (And the Actor Has a Weird History With the Franchise) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Star Wars‘ time under the Disney umbrella has been controversial, to say the least. While there have been great moments, such as the end of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the first couple of seasons of Star Wars: The Mandalorian, it’s hard to look past the mess that is the sequel trilogy. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is harmless for the most part, introducing a new generation of characters that will take the baton from Han Solo and Co. However, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker fail to mesh in a meaningful way, with the latter largely undoing the bold decisions made in the former.

There are still arguments online about the sequels’ treatment of Luke Skywalker and the decision to have Rey be a descendant of Emperor Palpatine. But Disney’s biggest Star Wars mistake came long after the sequel trilogy was over, as it decided to retcon one of the series’ most iconic lines to make a lackluster story feel a bit more important.

Obi-Wan Kenobi Isn’t the Star Wars Story Many Expected It to Be

Like the sequels, the prequels have their fair share of issues, but Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi isn’t one of them. Despite filling the shoes of the great Alec Guinness, McGregor brings layers to the Jedi. He can be a bit rigid, but he’s loyal and a great mentor to Anakin Skywalker. Of course, Obi-Wan and Anakin don’t see eye to eye, especially in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. After Anakin realizes he can’t trust the Jedi because they want him to spy on his friend Palpatine, he tells the Sith Lord everything and agrees to become his apprentice to save his wife. Obi-Wan can’t believe what’s going on, so he goes to confront Anakin on Mustafar. The two engage in an epic duel that ends with Anakin burning alive and getting put in his iconic Darth Vader suit. For 20 years, that was the last time the characters saw each other before their confrontation on the Death Star in Star Wars: A New Hope, but Disney decided to complicate matters.

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Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi picks up about a decade after Revenge of the Sith. The Empire has a strong hold on the galaxy, and the Inquisitors are hunting down former Jedi, forcing Obi-Wan to lie low on Tatooine as he watches over Luke Skywalker. Leia Organa getting kidnapped throws a wrench in the Jedi’s plan, though, so he sets out to get her back for his old friend Bail Organa. The mission puts Obi-Wan in direct conflict with the Grand Inquisitor and his lackeys, who aren’t too much trouble for the skilled swordsman. Their boss, Darth Vader, isn’t happy about his former master’s reappearance, so he decides to take matters into his own hands. Once again, Obi-Wan and Vader fight, and once again, the Jedi proves victorious. The only problem is that there’s no way Obi-Wan should have let the Sith Lord walk away.

Disney Makes Obi-Wan Kenobi Out to Be a Coward

It was easy to believe that Obi-Wan hadn’t seen Vader since Mustafar in A New Hope because their dialogue made it seem like that was the case. There’s no doubt that Obi-Wan was the master on the lava planet and taught his former pupil a very valuable lesson about having the high ground. Obi-Wan left for Tatooine immediately after that, and with the Empire having bigger fish to fry, it never took time to set up a big presence on the planet. That allowed Obi-Wan to fly under the radar for 20 years until Luke Skywalker came asking questions and delivered the message from Leia. However, all of that is out the window due to the events of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Star Wars canon now features a second battle between Obi-Wan and Vader before A New Hope, which, while visually stunning, doesn’t make much sense from a character perspective. Once Obi-Wan gets the upper hand, he shouldn’t hesitate to kill Vader because he knows what he’s capable of and understands that he isn’t Anakin anymore. Obi-Wan doesn’t have trouble killing villains like Darth Maul and General Grievous, making his choice to let Vader leave peculiar. The only logical explanation is that Disney wanted to have its cake and eat it, too, even if it meant making one of its greatest Jedi complicit in so much horror.

Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi is streaming on Disney+.

Do you think it was a mistake to have Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader fight again? How would you have changed the events of Obi-Wan Kenobi? Let us know in the comments below!

The post 3 Years Ago, Disney Made Its Biggest Mistake With Star Wars Canon appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Star Wars is plotting its way back to the big screen, but the most interesting movie on Lucasfilm’s docket doesn’t look like it’s happening anytime soon. It’s been six years since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker released, marking not only the end of the Skywalker Saga, but the last movie in the franchise to hit theaters as things stand. That will finally change in May 2026, with the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu, before the Ryan Gosling-starring Starfighter arrives one year later. There are also still plans for Rey’s New Jedi Order movie, featuring Daisy Ridley’s return, and several others in various stages of development.

One of those is James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi movie, which is set to explore the origins of the Jedi and perhaps even the Force itself, taking place around 25,000 years before the timeline of Star Wars Episodes 1-9. However, while the movie was announced at Star Wars Celebration back in 2023, there has been little firm progress on it since then. Mangold first worked on Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, and now he and Timothée Chalamet are reuniting to pitch a motocross heist movie [via Deadline].

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Although the package for the movie is still in its early stages, it’s already generating a lot of buzz – and seems further along than Dawn of the Jedi, given it has a star in place. Mangold already paused to write, direct, and then hit the awards circuit for A Complete Unknown, and there’s a chance this movie could further impede his Star Wars project. Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy confirmed Dawn of the Jedi is still happening at Celebration Japan in April, but didn’t offer any other updates on or timeline for the movie.

Dawn of the Jedi – or whatever it ends up officially being called – is a crucial release for Star Wars, because it’s unlikely anything else we’ve seen from the franchise. New Jedi Order and Starfighter are going a few years into the future beyond The Rise of Skywalker, but going back 25,000 years is the most radical departure from the norm in the saga’s live-action history, comparable only to something like The Knights of the Old Republic video games.

So much is unexplored about the era of Mangold’s movie that there’s a chance to do, well, just about anything he wants. It’s a movie that could completely alter our view of the Jedi Order and our understanding of the Force. More than that, it can change our perception of what a Star Wars movie is, because it could – and should – be so different from anything else, presenting the galaxy far, far away in a whole new light. Or perhaps exploring a new galaxy entirely.

This is what Star Wars needs. For too long, it’s been obsessed with sticking close to the characters, timeline, and iconography of the Skywalker Saga, and even the planned releases that break free of those confines aren’t doing so by much. Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi is the one that can do that – not to mention, he is simply a great filmmaker – and so hopefully it will still happen, and sooner rather than later. We’ve seen too many Star Wars movies stuck in development hell or shelved altogether after being announced, but Lucasfilm can’t afford for this to be one of them.

The Mandalorian and Grogu will hit theaters on May 22, 2026. Star Wars: Starfighter will be released on May 28, 2027. No other Star Wars movies have release dates.

The post Star Wars’ Most Exciting New Movie Just Took Another Hit appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Temuera Morrison holds a unique place in the Star Wars saga, beginning with his role as the bounty hunter Jango Fett in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. As the genetic template for the Republic’s clone army, his face became the face of millions of soldiers. He would go on to voice Jango, Boba, and all of the clone troopers, including fan-favorite characters like Captain Rex and Commander Cody, across numerous animated series. Years later, he returned to the live-action universe to play Jango’s unaltered clone son, Boba Fett, first in The Mandalorian and then headlining his own series, The Book of Boba Fett. However, the fan-favorite bounty hunter’s journey appears to have been put on ice thanks to new comments.

During a panel at Tampa Bay Comic Convention, hosted by Collider, Morrison confirmed that Boba Fett is not currently involved with any upcoming Star Wars project. “No,” Morrison was quick to reply when asked about any upcoming Boba Fett appearance. “I think we really have to treasure those moments now. All of you need to send a fax, or a letter, or an email, to those powers that be at Lucasfilm. I’m sure they’d love to hear from everyone. ‘Please give Daniel Logan and Temuera Morrison another chance and put them somewhere.'”

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The panel also featured Daniel Logan, who played the young Boba Fett in Attack of the Clones, and he was slightly more optimistic about their chances. “There’s going to be plenty of opportunities,” Logan stated. “Especially for this guy [Morrison], especially with this era of Star Wars, like Ahsoka, and all this stuff set after Return of the Jedi.” Logan also took a moment to joke about Morrison’s extensive resume within the franchise. “The crazy part with Star Wars is that you don’t know about filming anything until like, a week, or maybe two, or even less than that, right? But the thing is, Temuera is the greediest person in Star Wars. He’s played so many characters, he’s got the most characters in Star Wars, if you go down the line — from Jango, Boba, all of the Clones, Rex, Cody, Fives — he’s got the most characters in Star Wars.”

Boba Fett Is Not Appearing in The Mandalorian & Grogu

The most logical place for Boba Fett to reappear was in the upcoming film The Mandalorian & Grogu. The movie is set to pick up after the events of The Mandalorian Season 3 and The Book of Boba Fett, and continues the story of Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), a character with whom Boba Fett has a significant history. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film is the first Star Wars theatrical release since 2019 and will continue the adventures of the titular Mandalorian and his Force-sensitive foundling. However, Morrison has now confirmed on multiple occasions that he was not called to participate in the film, a sentiment echoed by his co-star Ming-Na Wen, who confirmed her character Fennec Shand will also be absent.

Morrison’s absence, and Lucasfilm’s apparent hesitation to bring the character back, likely stems from the mixed critical and fan reception to The Book of Boba Fett. While the series was initially praised for bringing back the iconic bounty hunter, it was also heavily criticized for its pacing, inconsistent tone, and for sidelining its own protagonist for two full episodes to function as a mid-season continuation of The Mandalorian. This divisive response may have made the studio more selective about how and when to deploy the character next, choosing to keep the focus of the new film squarely on Din Djarin and Grogu.

Despite the show’s reception, Temuera Morrison remains a beloved figure within the Star Wars community. A more fitting venue for Boba Fett’s return could be Dave Filoni’s planned crossover Star Wars film, which is set to serve as the climax for the entire New Republic era of storytelling. This event will bring together heroes from The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and other series to face off against Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen). As a major crime lord on Tatooine and a powerful ally to Din Djarin, it would be a significant omission for Boba Fett to be absent from such a galaxy-altering conflict.

The Mandalorian & Grogu is scheduled to premiere in theaters on May 22, 2026. Where do you want to see Boba Fett show up next? Let us know in the comments!

The post Boba Fett’s Star Wars Future Gets a Disappointing Update (But Fans Could Still Change It) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon are like two star-crossed lovers. When fans were introduced to the Millennium Falcon in 1977’s A New Hope, it was in the possession of Harrison Ford’s Han Solo. As we later learned in Empire Strikes Back, Han won the Falcon from Lando Calrissian during a game of sabacc. Though Han wasn’t the Millennium Falcon‘s original owner, he has become synonymous with the Corellian freighter. A new Star Wars series looks to fill in the gaps of the Millennium Falcon‘s history between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, when it was out of Han Solo’s possession.

ComicBook has the exclusive first look at Star Wars: Han Solo – Hunt for the Falcon #1 by Ramon Rosanas. The first page features a gray-haired Han Solo dressed in a regal black jacket as he enters a room. On the table are hologram picture frames of him with his wife, Leia Organa, and with their son, Ben Solo. Of course, this is before Ben betrayed his uncle, Luke Skywalker, and broke away from his Jedi Academy to become the evil Kylo Ren, the antagonist in The Force Awakens.

Next, we flash back to one of Han Solo’s many adventures with the Millennium Falcon. The artwork by Ramon Rosanas features Han piloting the Falcon through mountainous terrain while it’s being fired on by attacking ships. Han pulls off a slick maneuver to get the drop on one of the ships. The third page shows Han and Lando reminiscing over another old photo, no doubt trading old war stories with each other.

Last but not least is the final page of Han jumping through a crowd to steal a car to go on some type of chase. What he’s after is unknown, but it’s more than likely tied to Millennium Falcon.

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“Han Solo – Hunt for the Falcon is a dream come true,” Barnes told Newsarama. “Han, Leia, Chewbacca and Lando were my heroes when I was a kid. To write an adventure that includes that quartet (and more!) is truly an honor. One huge check off my bucket list!”

“Rodney is pulling all these characters who’ve had history with the Falcon and having them cross their deadly paths,” editor Mark Paniccia explained. “It’s a very fun ride that captures the heart of who Han Solo is while throwing him into some ‘uncomfortable’ situations. And Ramon Rosanas is doing some of the best work of his career on this. This is a special project for him and the detail he brings to the ships and locations is magnificent.”

STAR WARS: HAN SOLO – HUNT FOR THE FALCON #1 (OF 5) 

• Written by RODNEY BARNES
• Art and Cover by RAMON ROSANAS
• On Sale 9/3
• IN THE TIME BEFORE THE FORCE AWAKENS, WHERE IS THE MILLENNIUM FALCON?!
• Less than satisfied with a settled life, Han Solo lands on the idea of reclaiming the Falcon and returning to a life of adventure. The problem is, he can’t find it. After enlisting a less than enthusiastic Chewbacca, the duo embarks upon a quest to reclaim the greatest ship in the galaxy. Standing in their way are a laundry list of rogues who have staked a claim to the Millennium Falcon as well, like the villainous scoundrel who stole the Falcon, Ducain.

Star Wars: Han Solo – Hunt for the Falcon #1 goes on sale September 3rd. Stay tuned to ComicBook for an interview with writer Rodney Barnes.

The post Han Solo Wants His Iconic Star Wars Ship Back in Hunt for the Falcon First Look (Exclusive) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Manny Jacinto is no stranger to franchises, but one got away. The Freakier Friday star is best known for his role as drug-dealing DJ Jason Mendoza on The Good Place, which Jacinto followed with a turn in the blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick before donning the grinning mask and helmet of the Stranger on Star Wars: The Acolyte. A Sith Lord in the High Republic Era, Jacinto’s Stranger took an apprentice in Amandla Stenberg’s Osha Aniseya, a former Jedi Padawan who murdered Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) before turning to the dark side and taking her place as the Sith’s acolyte.

Although the Star Wars series ended on a cliffhanger and set up a season 2, Lucasfilm cancelled the Disney+ series last August. Set 100 years before the events of Episode I: The Phantom Menace, creator Leslye Headland’s show had more planned for Osha and the Stranger — plans that were scuttled when Disney announced the series would not be renewed.

“I would love to,” Jacinto told ComicBook in an interview pegged to Freakier Friday when asked about potentially popping up elsewhere in the Star Wars galaxy. “I would love to run it back. I love that character, that franchise, that team.”

“We’ll put it out there,” he continued. “Star Wars is a big universe, galaxy, what have you. But if the fans want it, I’m down and ready to go.”

Last year, Jacinto revealed Headland had planned “for us to do three seasons, not just this one.”

“There’s something about having a finite ending to things that makes it so much more special,” the actor said at Fan Expo months after the cancellation. “So, yeah, I don’t know if I’d do it or not, but you know, three seasons and a movie would have been incredible, and I know we had so much more to explore with that second season.”

That same month, Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman explained the decision to cancel The Acolyte, telling Vulture the show’s ratings weren’t “where we needed it to be given the cost structure of that title, quite frankly, to go and make a season 2.”

Disney has since released a prequel novel, The Acolyte: The Crystal Crown, centered on Dafne Keen’s Jecki Lon and Charlie Barnett’s Yord Fandar, and a Marvel one-shot comic about the Wookiee Jedi Kelnacca.

Freakier Friday, staring Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Mark Harmon, and Chad Michael Murray, opens in theaters August 8.

The post Freakier Friday’s Manny Jacinto “Would Love” to Return as His Star Wars Villain appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Star Wars has always had its ear to the ground. Following the release of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, the cuddly creatures that helped take down the Empire were so popular that George Lucas and Co. cooked up the animated series Star Wars: Ewoks, which ran for two seasons. It didn’t get the best reception, but that didn’t deter Lucasfilm from trying its hand at another spin-off during the prequel era. Star Wars: Clone Wars and its successor, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, told the story of the major galactic conflict and the soldiers who fought in it. After that, it was fair game for any character with a worthwhile story to get their own spin-off.

Star Wars: Ahsoka and the Tales series are some of the biggest successes on Disney+ right now, but there’s no reason to stop there. Here are the seven Star Wars TV spin-offs that Disney needs to put next on its massive to-do list.

1) Bo-Katan Kryze

Bo-Katan Kryze’s story starts all the way back in The Clone Wars, with her fighting to remind her home world, Mandalore, of its original purpose. Many people disagree with her plan, including Maul, who seizes control of the planet before the Empire decimates it. After that, Bo-Katan travels the galaxy in shame, hoping to one day unite her people again.

The best part about Bo-Katan is that she’s around for countless major events, including the Clone Wars and the Galactic Civil War. Her spin-off can follow her during any period and still have an interesting story to tell.

2) Baylan Skoll

Ahoksa Tano’s solo series features her searching for Grand Admiral Thrawn, who she knows is amassing power in the galaxy. A former Jedi, Baylan Skoll, works for one of Thrawn’s lackeys, Morgan Elsbeth, and he gives Ahsoka a run for her money when they fight.

Skoll isn’t interesting because of his lightsaber skills, though, which are impressive. No, his fascination with the Force and the beings behind it is what makes him a great candidate for a spin-off. All Lucasfilm needs to do is follow the character in his early days, when he begins to learn more about the power that binds the galaxy.

3) Kleya Marki

Star Wars: Andor is easily the most popular spin-off set in a galaxy far, far away. It’s all about the early days of the Rebellion and how Cassian Andor finds himself searching for the Death Star plans. However, the titular spy is far from the most interesting character in the show.

Kleya Marki, Luthen Rael’s assistant, is as dedicated as anyone, willing to do anything to destroy the Empire. Sadly, her boss doesn’t live to see the Death Star’s destruction, but Kleya makes it to Yavin 4, which means she has some role to play in the franchise’s future.

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4) Dedra Meero

While Andor focuses on its heroes, it has its fair share of villains as well, and some of them must have more to say. Dedra Meero is an Imperial officer who bites off more than she can chew when she goes after Luthen and his rebel cell.

Despite only wanting to impress the higher-ups, Dedra ends up in prison at the end of Andor, building parts for the Death Star. While the New Republic isn’t going to let her walk when the war is over, she won’t want to rot in a cell forever, opening the door for a story about her escape.

5) Darth Plagueis

Star Wars: The Acolyte takes some huge swings by pitting a misguided group of Jedi against a mysterious dark-side user. Well, it turns out the enemy they’re facing has a master, and he’s one of the most mysterious Sith Lords in history.

Darth Plagueis makes a brief appearance in the only season of The Acolyte that’s supposed to set up a future storyline. Even though the show isn’t going to return, Disney would still be smart to capitalize on the Plagueis hype and reveal why he’s considered so wise.

6) Captain Rex

The 501st Legion and its captain, Rex, get plenty of time to shine in The Clone Wars, as Anakin Skywalker is the one in charge of them. However, Rex always has to play second fiddle to someone, even during his appearances on Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars: The Bad Batch.

Rex has so much to offer, though, especially because he fights with the Rebellion all the way up to the Battle of Endor. Making him the focus of a series would make up for all the time he had to spend in the background, propping other characters up.

7) Hondo Ohnaka

Star Wars: The Skeleton Crew finally gives love to a profession in a galaxy far, far away that has long gone overlooked: piracy. At Attin finds itself under siege by pirates who want to take everything of value, but the show is missing an important scallywag.

Hondo Ohnaka plays a major role in several Star Wars animated series, often playing both sides of a conflict in order to land a big score. There have long been calls to bring him to live-action, and there’s no better place to do it than his own show.

Which of these characters would you like to see get a Star Wars spin-off? Who else is deserving of the honor? Let us know in the comments below!

The post 7 Star Wars Spin-Offs Disney Needs To Make Next appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Theatrical re-releases of Star Wars films are a longstanding tradition dating back to the franchise’s earliest days. After all, the inaugural installment of Star Wars was re-released in theaters in August 1982 (to help promote the 1983 debut of Return of the Jedi), just five years after its initial release. Since then, several theatrical reissues have constantly reaffirmed that the only “proper” place to watch Star Wars is on the biggest screen possible.

With Revenge of the Sith scoring major box office returns in its April 2025 theatrical reissue and the original Star Wars poised for a 50th anniversary re-release in April 2027, the prominence of Star Wars in the theatrical re-release space is more tangible than ever. That’s why the Mouse House should open up the gates on giving Disney-era Star Wars properties theatrical reissues, starting with The Force Awakens.

The Force Awakens‘ Anniversary Is Approaching

Star Wars theatrical reissues tend to tie into a nice round anniversary number. There are exceptions to this, such as The Phantom Menace’s 2012 digital 3D re-release happening due to the resurgence of 3D exhibition rather than a year easily divisible by five. Typically, though, the 1997 Star Wars reissue was intertwined with the film’s 20th anniversary, while the various 2020s Star Wars re-releases (including Revenge of the Sith’s 2025 reissue) have been connected to similar anniversaries. That makes it a no-brainer to give The Force Awakens a proper theatrical reissue in 2025.

After all, the 10th anniversary of its release (on December 18, 2015) is drawing closer and closer. A film that once looked like it would never actually exist (a motion picture set after the continuity of Return of the Jedi) will soon have existed for years in the double-digit range. That’s a momentous occasion, especially since this is also the first title in the Disney Star Wars era of the franchise. The Mouse House’s control of new big-screen entities in this saga is officially a decade old, a tremendous feat worth commemorating with a theatrical reissue.

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Plus, while subsequent sequel trilogy installments have inspired divisive responses from fans, The Force Awakens has largely been shielded from such criticisms. There aren’t constant mocking memes online about it, nor have snippets of its dialogue become go-to punchlines when snarky YouTubers talk about poor screenwriting. Unleashing The Force Awakens back into theaters, even if it’s just for one week like Revenge of the Sith’s 2025 reissue, wouldn’t be as much of a lightning rod for immediate controversy.

All Eras of Star Wars Media Need to Be Big Theatrical Deals Again

As Disney prepares to relaunch new Star Wars movies on the big screen with May 2026’s The Mandalorian & Grogu, the studio is grappling with how to sell this franchise as a must-see theatrical event after years of costly live-action Star Wars media being exclusive to Disney+. Revenge of the Sith’s lucrative theatrical reissue, which inspired countless stories of audience members joyfully cheering together over certain sequences, was one step towards reminding people of the wonders of communal Star Wars experiences in movie theaters.

Bringing The Force Awakens back to movie theaters could be an optimal way to remind people of the virtues of Star Wars on the big screen. After all, it isn’t just pre-2010s Star Wars media that’s valuable in a theatrical setting. All eras of Star Wars cinema should be reaffirmed as theatrically valuable so that any new movie in the saga (like The Mandalorian & Grogu) is seen as similarly vital. Plus, putting The Force Awakens on the big screen once more could remind people of joyful memories they made in theaters ten years ago when this title first hit lightspeed in pop culture.

There are even box office reasons why The Force Awakens should come back to theaters: namely, it’s still the biggest movie ever at the domestic box office. Something that’s clearly a beloved theatrical event should never remain out of theaters for too long – or be afraid to redeploy for another battle to keep its crown (see also: Avatar). Disney+ is not the ideal destination to watch a film that towers over all North American films in terms of raw dollars. Especially not a film within a franchise that’s famous for constantly rotating its installments (save for Attack of the Clones) back into multiplexes. Before 2025 draws to a close, The Force Awakens deserves a 10th anniversary theatrical reissue so that it can properly “rhyme” with its cinematic brethren.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is now streaming on Disney+.

The post Why The Force Awakens Deserves a Theatrical Re-Release appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Liam Neeson isn’t the biggest fan of his death scene in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. While promoting the new comedy The Naked Gun, Neeson did a video with GQ where he looked back on some of his most famous roles. A section of the video is dedicated to his portrayal of Qui-Gon Jinn in the prequel trilogy. Reflecting on his experience making the film, Neeson seemed to suggest that Qui-Gon’s ultimate fate could have been handled better. He believes a wise, powerful Jedi should have fared better in a fight against Darth Maul.

“I’m supposed to be a master Jedi, you know,” Neeson said. “My character fell for that ‘Oh! I’m going for your face! No I’m not. I’m going for your stomach.’ [makes death noises] ‘Oh, you got me!’ Like, oh please. Hardly a master Jedi. But still, [making the film] was great.”

After starring in The Phantom Menace, Neeson reprised his role in 2022’s Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi. He makes a cameo as Qui-Gon’s Force ghost in the show’s final episode as the character reunites with his old apprentice at the end of what had been a long, grueling journey. Neeson also voiced Qui-Gon in an episode of the animated anthology series Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi. His son, Micheál Richardson, voiced a younger Qui-Gon on the program.

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Despite returning for Obi-Wan Kenobi, Neeson doesn’t appear interested in coming back to the franchise again. He feels that there are now too many spinoffs these days. “It’s diluting it to me, and it’s taken away the mystery and magic in a weird way,” he said when addressing another potential return to the galaxy far, far away.

While Maul is a highly skilled warrior trained by the most powerful Sith in the galaxy, a case can be made that Qui-Gon shouldn’t have been as easy to kill. Unlike Obi-Wan’s death in Star Wars: A New Hope, Qui-Gon wasn’t sacrificing himself; he was fighting to defeat Maul and survive so that he could train Anakin Skywalker. As a Jedi Master, it stands reason to believe that Qui-Gon is incredibly strong with the Force and more than capable with a sword himself. Throughout The Phantom Menace, he dispatches several battle droids with ease, proving his action prowess.

Of course, there’s a big difference between carving up helpless battle droids and dueling a hungry Sith apprentice eager to prove himself. It’s also worth keeping in mind that the Sith were believed to have been extinct for a millennium prior to the events of The Phantom Menace. Perhaps the Jedi, in their hubris, decided it wasn’t necessary to train as vigorously since the Sith had been dormant for so long, allowing complacency to sink in. After his brief encounter with Maul on Tatooine, Qui-Gon appears out of breath, as if he hasn’t been challenged like that on a physical level before. Maybe his death can be chalked up to fatigue; he had no experience battling Sith, so he was unprepared for Maul.

The post Liam Neeson Tears Into His Star Wars Death Scene: “Hardly a Jedi Master” appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The original Star Wars film is set to return to theaters, but fans are going to have to wait a while before they get a chance to see it on the big screen again. On the official Star Wars website, it was announced that Star Wars: A New Hope will be re-released on April 30, 2027, commemorating the movie’s 50th anniversary. This will be a limited theatrical engagement, running through May the 4th (Star Wars Day). Details beyond that are being kept under wraps for now. No tickets are available to be purchased yet.

A New Hope will be re-released in theaters amidst a busy time for Lucasfilm. Star Wars Celebration 2027 takes place in early April in Los Angeles, and the studio will also be gearing up for the premiere of Shawn Levy’s new movie Star Wars: Starfighter, which opens in late May 2027. These are all just some of the many ways Lucasfilm will be celebrating Star Wars’ 50th anniversary in a couple of years.

Disney has made a habit out of re-releasing old Star Wars films in theaters recently. Last year, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace returned to the big screen in honor of the film’s 25th anniversary. Earlier this year, it was Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith‘s turn, coinciding with its 20th anniversary. The Revenge of the Sith re-release proved to be a lucrative box office draw, earning $55.5 million worldwide in its own limited engagement.

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Since it initially premiered back in 1977, A New Hope has been re-released in theaters multiple times. The most famous example is when the special edition debuted in 1997 to commemorate the 20th anniversary. Before that, the film was re-released in the 1980s, which is when Episode IV — A New Hope was added to the opening text crawl. Unadjusted for inflation, Star Wars remains one of the highest-grossing films in history; its $460.9 million domestic total ranks 27th on the all-time charts.

It isn’t specified which version of A New Hope will play for this re-release. After a print of the original, unaltered theatrical cut was screened at this year’s BFI Film on Film Festival, some fans are probably hoping that version will return to the big screen in all its glory. However, until further notice, it’s safe to assume it will be the most recent special edition that released in 2019 with the launch of Disney+. That’s the version that features Greedo’s infamous “Maclunkey” line, but it also boasts better picture quality than past home media releases.

With the premiere of Starfighter and whatever reveals are in store at Celebration, Star Wars fans will have an exciting future to look towards in 2027. But even with all the new projects on the horizon, it’s always a great time to experience the film that started it all on the big screen again. The 50th anniversary re-release of A New Hope will surely be a sizable draw, perhaps even surpassing what Revenge of the Sith brought in this year. Hopefully A New Hope will screen in some premium formats, further immersing viewers in the galaxy far, far away.

The post Star Wars Is Returning To Theaters (But You’ll Have To Wait for It) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

When thinking about Star Wars, it’s hard not to also think about movies. The two go hand in hand, with it feeling strange when a year goes by that doesn’t feature an opening that starts with, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….” However, these days, Lucasfilm is churning out more TV shows than films, opting to focus on making the most of the Disney+ streaming service. Star Wars: Andor is the biggest success so far, receiving universal praise on its way to Emmy nominations. The story of the rebel spy and his allies doesn’t feature any lightsaber battles or Force duels, though, which is what some people tune into Star Wars shows for.

Fortunately, there are plenty of Star Wars shows that house their fair share of heavyweights. In fact, some of Star Wars‘ most powerful characters are introduced in TV shows. Here are a few of the notable ones.

7) Baylan Skoll

Ahsoka Tano’s mission to find Grand Admiral Thrawn puts her on Morgan Elsbeth’s radar. The Nightsister has backup in case someone comes snooping around, including former Jedi Baylan Skoll and his apprentice, Shin Hati. While he doesn’t consider himself a Sith, Baylan is still very powerful, defeating Ahsoka in a lightsaber battle that nearly costs her everything. But he’s not overly concerned with winning battles, as he wants to learn more about the secrets Peridea hides.

6) Kanan Jarrus

Like Skoll, Kanan Jarrus survives Order 66 and puts his Jedi past behind him. However, after meeting a young Force user, Ezra Bridger, Kanan embraces his power and helps build the Rebellion. While he isn’t the best Jedi duelist in Star Wars history, he can hold his own against the likes of the Grand Inquisitor and Maul. Kanan’s strong connection to the Force also allows him to return as a loth-wolf after his death and continue to guide Ezra.

5) The Stranger

Clearly, Star Wars loves to have former Jedi embrace the dark side. The Stranger begins his Sith training after leaving the Order, learning under Darth Plagueis the Wise. Once he reveals himself in Star Wars: The Acolyte, the Jedi try to put him down, but he proves to be too powerful. While it hurts his case a bit that the Jedi are out of practice fighting Sith when he arrives on the scene, his abilities with a lightsaber are still impressive.

4) Ahsoka Tano

Star Wars TV shows cover most of Ahsoka’s life, starting with her early days as a member of the Jedi Order in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. She grows into a formidable warrior under Anakin Skywalker before leaving her master behind after being framed for an attack on the Jedi Temple. Ahsoka’s time alone allows her to learn more about the Force and her place in the galaxy, which prepares her for fights against powerful enemies, such as Maul, Darth Vader, and Grand Admiral Thrawn.

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3) Darth Plagueis

Chancellor Palpatine reveals a bit about his former master in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, telling Anakin that he was obsessed with cheating death. Plagueis makes his official debut in The Acolyte, and while he doesn’t show off any Sith moves, the aura surrounding him is hard to ignore. Despite failing to make an impact just yet, Plagueis deserves a spot near the top for training both the Stranger and Palpatine.

2) Mother Talzin

Dathomir produces plenty of powerful Star Wars characters, including Maul and Asajj Ventress. However, the planet’s claim to fame is the Nightsisters, led by Mother Talzin. The witch unites all of the Nightsisters on Dathomir and makes them one of the most formidable powers in the galaxy. It takes Palpatine and Grievous working together to take her down, as she’s able to call on the dead and use powerful magick.

1) The Ones

It’s a bit of a cop-out to put all three of the Mortis gods in the top spot, but they’re a package deal. They first show up in Star Wars: The Clone Wars when the Father lures Anakin to Mortis to get him to take his place. His plan doesn’t work out, but while the Chosen One and his allies are on the planet, they learn what the Ones are capable of. Mortis has a strong connection to the Force, after all, and the gods that run the planet take advantage of that.

Do you think these are the most powerful Star Wars characters introduced in TV shows? Who else deserves to be on this list? Let us know in the comments below!

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LEGO launched a ton of new sets for August 2025 this morning, but some last minute additions came via Walmart. Their exclusive LEGO bundle offerings have been popular in the past, and now fans have two new options – the LEGO Star Wars: The Clone Wars & The Mandalorian 3-in-1 Gift Set (66804) and The LEGO Minecraft 5-in-1 Gift Set (66805). Each set bundles several existing sets into a package that offers a significant discount over buying them separately. What’s more, collectors can get a lot of bang for their buck as there are a ton of minifigures included with each bundle. You’ll find a breakdown of the bundles below. Just keep in mind that Walmart’s LEGO bundles tend to sell out quickly.

LEGO Star Wars #66904 Set / 423 pieces / $45 / Walmart Exclusive

order at walmart

• Includes: LEGO Star Wars Clone Trooper & Battle Droid Battle Pack 75372, LEGO Star Wars Ambush on Mandalore Battle Pack 75373, and LEGO Star Wars Captain Rex Y-Wing Microfighter 75391
• 9 Minifigures and 5 Droid Figures: 1x Captain Rex, 1x Mandalorian Warrior, 1x Mandalorian Nite Owl, 1x Clone Shock Trooper, 2x Imperial Commandos, 3x Clone Troopers, 2x Battle Droids, 3x Super Battle Droid figures.

The LEGO Minecraft 5-in-1 Gift Set (66805) / Walmart Exclusive

order at walmart

• Includes: Minecraft Steve’s Desert Expedition 21251, The Armory 21252, The Nether Lava Battle 21266, The Illager Desert Patrol 21267, and The Lush Cave Fight 30705
• 15 Minifigures: Steve, Baby Camel, Phantom, 3x Alex, Armorsmith, Wither Skeleton, Blaze, Strider, Cactus Knight, Vindicator, Skeleton, and 2x Pillager.

As noted, August 2025 includes a ton of new LEGO set releases, and that includes additions in the Star Wars and Minecraft lineups. Below you’ll find a list of what’s new in both categories.

New LEGO Star Wars Sets / August 2025:

• AT-ST Walker / 75417 / $199.99
• Battle of Felucia Separatist MTT / 75435 / $159.99
• Republic Juggernaut / 75413 / $159.99
• Wicket the Ewok / 75430 / $129.99
• K-2SO / 75434 / $89.99
• Jango Fett’s Starship / 75433 / $69.99
• V-19 Torrent Starfighter / 75432 / $64.99
• The Force Burner Snowspeeder / 75414 / $54.99
• 327th Star Corps Clone Troopers Battle Pack / 75431 / $44.99

New LEGO Minecraft Sets / August 2025:

• Minecraft The Enderman Tower / 21279 / $99.99
• Minecraft The Pillager Outpost and Ravager / 21278 / $79.99

The post These New LEGO Star Wars and Minecraft Gift Sets Are Big Bundle Deals appeared first on ComicBook.com.

While the early Star Wars movies have mature moments and themes, younger audiences can still appreciate them. After all, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi features the cuddly creatures known as Ewoks that help the Rebellion take down the evil Empire. Older fans may not love the Ewoks, but they don’t have to focus on them because there are lightsaber fights and dogfights in space to keep them busy. It’s harder to block out the noise when watching Star Wars cartoons, though, because they’re completely geared toward children, with the powers that be hoping to use them to introduce a galaxy far, far away to kids around the world.

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures and LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy, in particular, are hard to sit through without a kid being present. However, there’s one Star Wars animated series that goes to some pretty dark places. In fact, it features an arc that many consider to be the most devastating story in the franchise.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Puts the Spotlight on the Republic’s Soldiers

There is so much going on in the Star Wars prequel trilogy that it’s hard to keep up. The Jedi are so busy dealing with the return of the Sith and the threat of the Separatists that they don’t even think twice when a mysterious army falls into their laps. The clones, which are created from the DNA of bounty hunter Jango Fett, prove to be capable warriors in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, helping the Republic win the Battle of Geonosis. The soldiers continue to prove their worth during Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, but there’s no time to focus on them because Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side is all that matters. Fortunately, Lucasfilm doesn’t leave them hanging because it gives them a show all their own.

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Star Wars: The Clone Wars, while still featuring characters like Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi, doesn’t push its soldiers to the background. Clones like Fives and Captain Rex appear in numerous episodes and get to tell their stories leading up to the tragic events of Order 66. Fives even gets close to revealing the plan that Chancellor Palpatine has for him and his brothers, but he’s silenced before the truth can come out. Going after the leader of the Republic isn’t uncharted territory for Fives, though, because he was there when the 501st Legion had to stand up to their superior.

Clone Wars‘ Umbara Arc Shows What Happens When the Wrong Person Is in Charge

By the time The Clone Wars Season 4 rolls around, the Republic army is a well-oiled machine. The next big task is to take the capital of the planet Umbara, but it’s not going to be a normal mission. Circumstances force Anakin to hand over command of the 501st to another Jedi, Pong Krell, who, by all accounts, is a stand-up guy. Captain Rex gets his men ready for the mission and tries to get on Krell’s good side. He has a bit of trouble, and it becomes clear that his new boss doesn’t like clones all that much. While the 501st’s Clones are used to Anakin treating them like friends, Krell takes a different approach, viewing them more like mindless droids.

Krell makes his disdain for his subordinates clear by creating plans that put them in harm’s way. When Fives and other clones disobey orders to help their brothers, Krell orders them to be executed, which shocks Rex. Things don’t get any better for the captain when Krell reveals that insurgents are about to attack them using Clone armor, and it turns out to be a lie. The Jedi pits two groups of clones against one another, killing many in the process. Without any other choice, Rex sets out to arrest Krell, who reveals that he’s done with the Republic and wants to get Count Dooku’s attention.

Watching Rex wrestle with the fact that he’s responsible for killing some of his brothers is rough. However, what the Umbara arc is really trying to say is that people with power can abuse it at the drop of a hat. Despite the clones giving their all for the Republic, some still view them as fodder that’s no more important than a dismantled battle droid they step over on the battlefield.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars is streaming on Disney+.

How do you feel about Star Wars: The Clone Wars‘ Umbara arc? Do you think it’s one of the darkest moments in franchise history? Let us know in the comments below!

The post 14 Years Ago, Star Wars Went Darker Than It Ever Had Before appeared first on ComicBook.com.

When it comes to iconic Star Wars characters, few command as much quiet fear, or nerdy adoration, as Boba Fett. The bounty hunter with the Beskar armor, stoic silence, and a jetpack that launches missiles has been a fan-favorite ever since his barely-there debut in The Empire Strikes Back.

Over the years we’ve got to know Fett better. And from the original trilogy to The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, we’ve seen just how stacked his arsenal of weapons really is. Flamethrowers, blasters, gauntlet gadgets, gaffi sticks, darts — the guy’s a walking one-man-army.

But out of all the tech and tricks at his disposal, which are the ones that he can rely on most? We’ve ranked every weapon Boba Fett has ever used, from his low-key backups to his high-caliber death-dealers.

15) Firespray Gunship

Let’s kick this off with Boba’s deadly transport. The Firespray-class gunship is as intimidating as its pilot. With rotating wings, a unique silhouette, and a cockpit that looks like it was stolen from a sci-fi nightmare, the Firespray is more war machine than space vehicle.

Armed with twin blaster cannons, concussion missile launchers, and the devastating seismic charge (more on that later), Boba’s ship was first seen in The Empire Strikes Back and has since appeared in Attack of the Clones, The Mandalorian, and The Book of Boba Fett. It can outmaneuver starfighters, land in tight spaces, and obliterate multiple targets with precision. And let’s be real — the vertical take-off alone makes this thing cooler than most Star Destroyers. It’s his mobile base of operations and a flying deathtrap rolled into one.

14) Seismic Charge

And with the gunship comes the space mines attached to it. If sound design alone could win a ranking, this would be number one. The seismic charge space mine is deployed from the back of Boba’s gunship, and is one of the most satisfying weapons in the entire Star Wars galaxy.

First introduced in Attack of the Clones when Jango used it to try and lose Obi-Wan in the asteroid field, Boba brought it back in The Mandalorian, detonating one behind him to wipe out multiple TIE Fighters mid-chase. What makes it so good isn’t just the explosive power, but it’s the eerie silence followed by that thunderclap WUB-WUB sound and a perfectly vertical shockwave. Tactically, it’s a rare-use weapon best suited for space dogfights. But when it lands It’s the stuff of legend.

13) Dual WESTAR-34 Blaster Pistols

The WESTAR-34 pistols hold a heavy Mandalorian legacy. Carried by Jango Fett, before being passed to Boba after his father’s death in Clone Wars, these blasters are fast-firing and high-powered; perfect for close-range showdowns and crowd control.

These blasters are stylish, efficient, and distinctly Mandalorian, making them great for dueling.  But their limited range and ammo reserves mean they’ve taken a backseat to more versatile options. In Boba’s live action appearances, the WESTAR-34s have been replaced by the EE-3.

12) Blaster Pistol

Blaster pistols aren’t exclusive to Boba, but it’s a weapon he favors, using several different variations over the years, especially in The Book of Boba Fett. You can’t beat a reliable, solid blaster, and his is based on a Sedgley Signal Pistol Mk 5. It functions as a mid-tier holdout weapon; compact enough to draw quickly but lacking the punch of his main carbine or sniper rifle.

Think of this one as the bounty hunter equivalent of keeping a baseball bat under the bed. Not ideal, but it gets the job done if someone kicks down the door. It’s reliable, yes, but for someone like Boba Fett, “reliable” just isn’t enough when your enemies are flying, armored, or Force-sensitive.

11) Cycler Rifle (Tusken Raider Edition)

While not originally part of Boba’s gear, the Tusken cycler rifle became a major symbol of his transformation during The Book of Boba Fett. After being accepted into the Tuskan tribe, he learned to wield their traditional long-range slugthrower, a quiet but deadly alternative to blasters.

It’s slow to reload and doesn’t fire plasma bolts, but what it lacks in speed, it makes up for in power. Boba used the rifle to snipe train-riding Pykes with precision, and it reflected a more spiritual, purposeful version of the character. It’s a meaningful weapon, loaded with narrative significance. But tactically? It’s a bit too specialized to rank any higher.

10) Whipcord Launcher

The whipcord launcher has been one of Boba Fett’s oldest tools, built right into the gauntlet of his Mandalorian vambrace. It first appeared on-screen in The Empire Strikes Back, when he used it to successfully snare Luke Skywalker during the skirmish over the sarlacc pit.

This tool is all about control — not damage. Whether you’re catching a target, tripping up a foe, or keeping someone from escaping, the whipcord offers non-lethal versatility in a pinch. It’s basically the bounty hunter equivalent of a lasso, but one that can tangle up Jedi. It may not be flashy, but it’s saved Boba’s life more than once — and earned him a fair number of bounties.

9) Flamethrower Gauntlet

Few things scream “back off” like a stream of fire shooting from your wrist. It’s not subtle. It’s not graceful. But it has true fear power when unleashed and can be used to disperse attackers and roast enemies hiding behind cover. This short-range flamethrower is perfect for crowd control, intimidation, or turning a close-quarters ambush into a literal hot mess. We see it in both the classic trilogy and The Book of Boba Fett, and it’s always a fan-pleaser.

Boba’s flamethrower gauntlet is one of his more dramatic tools — especially effective in tight corridors, ambushes, or when he’s completely outnumbered. In The Book of Boba Fett, he uses. It’s not Boba’s most practical weapon — you can’t just set everything on fire — but when it hits, it hits hard.

8) Knee Darts

You know you’re dealing with a real problem when a guy can knock you out without moving his arms. Yes, Boba Fett has rockets in his knees. These tiny but mighty concussion rockets come built into his armor, and we see them in action during his brutal reintroduction in The Mandalorian: Chapter 14. They might seem like a Health and Safety nightmare, but functionally, they’re brilliant. Not quite main-weapon material, but they earn bonus points for originality.

7) MM-9 Wrist Rockets

Of darts in the knees aren’t enough, have no fear! Boba has something just as powerful… up his sleeves (sorry not sorry)… These are the real deal. They’re full-on explosive micro-rockets that Boba stores right in his gauntlets. The MM-9 wrist rocket system allows for precision targeting with a high yield of destruction in a small, compact form.

We see versions of these used during his shootouts in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, especially in moments where close-range firepower just isn’t cutting it. When Boba’s blasting enemies off rooftops or clearing out a hover-bike gang, there’s a good chance it’s these mini-rockets doing the heavy lifting.

6) Wrist Laser (Dur-24)

Even more weaponry lashed to his arms. Enter the Dur-24. Need to blast a lock, a droid, or a guy in armor? This bad boy gets it done. This wrist laser is a compact beam weapon built into Fett’s gauntlet and is perfect for when Boba needs firepower without pulling a blaster. It might not be as cinematic as a rocket or a rifle, but its versatility and convenience make it one of his most practical tools. And when you’re getting ambushed on Tatooine, practical matters.

5) Jetpack Missile

One of the most iconic images in Star Wars is Boba Fett firing a rocket straight from his jetpack. It’s not subtle, and it’s not subtle for a reason. Seen in The Empire Strikes Back, The Mandalorian, and The Book of Boba Fett, this missile is an anti-vehicle weapon capable of leveling armored speeders and clearing out enemy clusters. It’s flashy, powerful, and uniquely Fett. It’s a limited-use weapon but when he uses it, you don’t want to be on the receiving end.

4) Retractable Wrist Blades

Sometimes blasters aren’t enough, especially when you need to get up close and finish the fight by hand. That’s where Boba Fett’s retractable wrist blades come in. Introduced during his most brutal moments in The Mandalorian and further showcased in The Book of Boba Fett, these hidden blades extend directly from his gauntlets. Whether used to parry a vibroblade, deliver a killing strike, or slice through reinforced armor, they are sleek, deadly, and deeply efficient.

In a universe where lightsabers and blasters reign supreme, Boba brings knives to a gunfight… and still wins. He’s not afraid to brawl, grapple, and close the gap, and these razor-sharp, Mandalorian-made edges literally give him the edge. They might not be flashy like a missile, but in terms of effectiveness? They’re lethal, and that’s what counts.

3) EE‑3 Carbine Rifle

And speaking of his Carbine… The EE‑3 is Boba Fett’s signature weapon. Based on a modified Webley & Scott flare gun, this blaster carbine is accurate, powerful, and fully associated with Fett’s silhouette. First seen in The Empire Strikes Back, it’s been his primary ranged weapon across decades of Star Wars canon. It’s compact enough for close-quarters, deadly at medium range, and always reliable. If Boba has this on his back, you know he means business.

2) Gaderffii Stick (Gaffi Stick)

Who knew a piece of carved wood and metal would become one of Boba’s most meaningful weapons? A traditional melee weapon with brutal efficiency, and one Fett forges after earning his place among the Tuskens in The Book of Boba Fett.

In his hands, the weapon becomes almost artful in its violence. It dispatches stormtroopers and bounty hunters with swift, devastating strikes. It’s a symbolic, brutal, and deeply personal weapon that represents his transformation from feared bounty hunter to respected leader.

1) Himself

Okay, you could technically argue that Boba Fett isn’t a weapon in the traditional sense, but let’s be honest, the rest of his arsenal would be nothing without him. He is virtually indestructible thanks to his Beskar armor, and his mind is sharper than any blade. Honed from decades of bounty hunting, warzones, and betrayal, Bob Fett has seen enough, and done enough to earn the top spot here. Give him a stick, a blaster, or just his fists, and the bounty hunter will turn the tide.

Every other weapon on this list is just an extension of his experience, and the reason why even Jedi hesitate to fight him.

The post Star Wars: All of Boba Fett Weapons Ranked appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The vast galaxy far, far away has expanded way beyond its cinematic origins, flourishing into a vibrant universe of television series. From animated epics to live-action adventures, Star Wars TV shows have delivered countless hours of storytelling, deepening lore, introducing beloved characters, and exploring uncharted corners of the cosmos. A particular delight for many fans, however, comes in the form of unexpected appearances – the fleeting yet impactful cameos that bridge different eras, pay homage to the franchise’s rich history, or simply add a touch of star power. These brief moments can range from a familiar face returning to a beloved role to a surprising celebrity popping up in a galaxy of stormtroopers and Jedi. 

These memorable cameos serve as delightful surprises, enriching the viewing experience and solidifying the interconnectedness of the Star Wars world across all its forms. They remind us that even in a sprawling galaxy, everyone is connected in some way.

1. Ahmed Best (The Mandalorian – Chapter 20: “The Foundling“)

Ahmed Best, famously known for portraying Jar Jar Binks, made a triumphant and emotional return to the Star Wars universe as Jedi Master Kelleran Beq in The Mandalorian. His appearance as the “Sabre-wielding Jedi” who saved Grogu during Order 66 was a powerful moment of redemption and a testament to Best’s enduring talent.

Best’s portrayal of Kelleran Beq was met with widespread praise, as it allowed him to showcase a different facet of his acting abilities within the Star Wars framework. This cameo not only offered a vital piece of Grogu’s backstory but also served as a heartwarming moment for fans who appreciated Best’s return.

2. Mark Hamill (Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 6, Episode 13: “Sacrifice”)

While not appearing physically, Mark Hamill’s vocal performance as the ancient Sith Lord Darth Bane in Star Wars: The Clone Wars was a chilling and unforgettable cameo. Hamill, iconic for his role as Luke Skywalker, lent his voice to the spectral manifestation of Bane on Moraband, offering a dark counterpoint to his heroic legacy.

This voice cameo was particularly impactful as it connected the animated series directly to the deeper lore of the Sith, with Hamill’s menacing delivery perfectly encapsulating Bane’s power and malevolence. It was a subtle yet important nod to the overarching Star Wars saga, showcasing Hamill’s incredible vocal range.

3. Jack Black (Star Wars: The Mandalorian – Season 3, Chapter 22: “Guns for Hire”)

Jack Black brought his signature quirky energy to the Star Wars galaxy as Captain Bombardier in “Guns for Hire.” His character, a flamboyant and somewhat bumbling leader of a private security force, provided a much-needed moment of levity amidst the episode’s more serious undertones. Black’s comedic timing and unique delivery made his brief appearance stand out.

His interaction with Din Djarin and Bo-Katan Kryze was a highlight, showcasing his ability to seamlessly blend into the Star Wars universe while still retaining his distinctive charm. The role perfectly played into Black’s established persona, making his cameo a delightful and truly unexpected surprise for viewers.

4. Lizzo (The Mandalorian – Season 3, Chapter 22: “Guns for Hire”)

Sharing the screen with Jack Black in “Guns for Hire,” Lizzo appeared as The Duchess, the regal and eccentric ruler of Plazir-15. Her cameo was a vibrant addition, with Lizzo fully embodying the character’s lavish style and authoritative yet whimsical demeanor. Her presence added another layer of star power to an already star-studded episode.

Lizzo’s appearance as The Duchess was notable not just for her celebrity status, but also for the playful dynamic she created with her on-screen partner, Jack Black. Their combined energy contributed significantly to the episode’s unique tone, leaving a lasting impression despite their limited screen time.

5. Dante Basco (Star Wars Rebels)

Dante Basco, known for his iconic voice work as Prince Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender, made a memorable appearance in Star Wars Rebels as Jai Kell. A former Imperial cadet who defected to the Rebel Alliance, Jai played a significant role in several episodes, becoming a recurring ally to the Ghost crew.

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Basco’s voice brought a youthful earnestness and determination to Jai Kell, making him a relatable and engaging character. His journey from disillusioned cadet to committed rebel added depth to the series, and Basco’s performance ensured Jai’s arc resonated with viewers.

6. Neil Patrick Harris (Star Wars: Visions – Season 1, Episode 3: “The Twins”)

Neil Patrick Harris lent his distinctive voice to the English dub of Karre in the Star Wars: Visions episode “The Twins.” While Visions is an anthology, Harris’s involvement brought a recognizable gravitas and intensity to the conflicted Force-user, elevating the emotional stakes of the animated short.

His vocal performance helped to convey Karre’s internal struggle and his desperate fight against his twin sister, Am. Harris’s ability to express both vulnerability and power through his voice made his contribution to this visually stunning and thematically rich episode particularly memorable.

7. Bill Burr (The Mandalorian – Season 1, Chapter 6: “The Prisoner”)

Comedian Bill Burr made a surprising yet ultimately celebrated turn as the cynical and tough-as-nails mercenary Migs Mayfeld in The Mandalorian. His initial appearance in “The Prisoner” contained his signature dry wit, which was a stark contrast to the more traditional Star Wars characters.

Burr’s performance as Mayfeld was a refreshing departure, offering a character who was both morally ambiguous and surprisingly complex. His evolution over subsequent seasons, particularly in “The Believer,” solidified his place as a fan-favorite, demonstrating that even a stand-up comedian could find his place in the galaxy.

8. Christopher Lloyd (The Mandalorian – Season 3, Chapter 22: “Guns for Hire”)

Veteran actor Christopher Lloyd graced the screen in “Guns for Hire” as Commissioner Helgait, the chief of security on Plazir-15. Lloyd brought his legendary status and an air of subtle menace to the role, even in a relatively brief appearance. His presence added a classic Hollywood touch to the episode.

Lloyd’s performance as Helgait was a masterclass in subtlety, as he conveyed a sense of unease and hidden motives without overt theatrics. His cameo was a delightful surprise for fans, showcasing that even after decades in the industry, Lloyd continues to deliver captivating performances.

9. Mark Hamill (The Mandalorian – Season 2, Chapter 16: “The Rescue”)

The climactic arrival of Luke Skywalker in The Mandalorian Season 2 finale, “The Rescue,” was arguably one of the most impactful and emotionally charged cameos in Star Wars history. A de-aged Mark Hamill reprised his iconic role, single-handedly dispatching a squad of Dark Troopers and taking Grogu into his care.

This cameo was a monumental moment for fans, delivering a powerful sense of nostalgia and hope. The visual effects were groundbreaking, and the emotional weight of Luke’s appearance, especially his connection with Grogu, solidified its place as an unforgettable television moment.

10. Ray Park (Star Wars: The Clone Wars – “The Siege of Mandalore”)

While not a traditional on-screen cameo, Ray Park’s return to provide the motion capture performance for Darth Maul during “The Siege of Mandalore” arc in Star Wars: The Clone Wars was crucial. His physical portrayal brought an unparalleled intensity and fluidity to Maul’s movements, particularly during his epic duel with Ahsoka Tano.

Park’s involvement ensured that Maul’s fighting style remained consistent with his live-action appearances, adding a layer of authenticity and ferocity to the animated sequences. This behind-the-scenes “cameo” was instrumental in making Maul’s final arc in The Clone Wars so visually stunning and emotionally resonant.

The post 10 Most Memorable Cameos In Star Wars TV Shows appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Hayden Christensen’s return to the Star Wars galaxy has been a celebrated and vital part of the franchise’s recent storytelling. After years away from the role, he made a powerful comeback in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, exploring the torment of Darth Vader while also appearing as Anakin Skywalker in crucial flashbacks. He later returned for a contained but pivotal role in the fifth episode of Star Wars: Ahsoka‘s first season, manifesting within the World Between Worlds to guide his former Padawan, Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson). Now, information from multiple fan conventions strongly suggests that Christensen’s role in the upcoming second season of Ahsoka is set to be much more substantial.

Spacecon San Antonio recently posted an update to their social media channels, explaining a change to their guest lineup that inadvertently revealed a key detail about the ongoing production of Ahsoka Season 2. “We had attempted to have Hayden Christensen return to appear with The Emperor ‘Ian McDiarmid’……but Hayden is still filming the next season of Ahsoka and is unable to commit,” the official post stated. “We got that disappointing news on Wednesday, so sad!” This follows a similar announcement from Comic Con Manchester, which cited “night-time film shoots” as the reason for Christensen’s cancellation of a July appearance.

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Production on the second season of Ahsoka has been underway for months in London, and an extended filming commitment for a specific actor strongly implies a role that goes beyond a single-episode cameo. A prolonged shot suggests that his character, likely as a Force Ghost, is not a one-off plot device but a consistent part of the ongoing narrative, interacting with the story and its characters across multiple episodes. That’s great news for Christensen’s fans, as the actor keeps expanding his importance in the Star Wars franchise.

Everything We Know About Ahsoka Season 2

While an official release date has not yet been announced, production on the second season of Ahsoka is in full swing, and several key details have emerged about the continuation of the story. The plot is expected to pick up directly from the Season 1 finale, which left Ahsoka Tano and her apprentice Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) stranded on the desolate planet of Peridea. Conversely, Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi) successfully returned to the main galaxy, with a first-look photo from San Diego Comic-Con revealed Ezra sporting a clean-cut look and uniform. The image signals his formal reintegration into the New Republic military, where he will likely serve alongside his former captain, General Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), in the coming war.

The season will also be forced to address the fates of its breakout antagonists. Following the tragic passing of actor Ray Stevenson, who delivered a widely praised performance, the role of the enigmatic dark-side mercenary Baylan Skoll has been recast with Rory McCann. Baylan’s quest on Peridea ended with him discovering massive statues of the Mortis gods, a major cliffhanger that will be central to the new season’s mythological arc. His former apprentice, Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno), was also left stranded on the planet, and Sakhno has confirmed her return, teasing an intense filming schedule and promising fans “some really cool fights.” 

All of these character journeys are unfolding under the shadow of Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen), who has successfully escaped his exile and is now poised to rally the remnants of the Empire. The escalating conflict is expected to be a direct lead-in to Dave Filoni’s planned feature film, which will serve as a climactic event for this entire era of Star Wars storytelling.

Are you excited about the possibility of an expanded role for Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Ahsoka Season 2? Join the discussion in the comments!

The post Hayden Christensen Update Could Be Good News for Star Wars: Ahsoka Season 2 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Star Wars galaxy is vast and teeming with incredible characters, many of whom have only scratched the surface of their potential on screen. While the Skywalker Saga has been the focus of the franchise for decades, a new era of storytelling is upon us, opening doors for fresh perspectives and unexplored corners of this beloved universe. Imagine delving deeper into the lives of those whose stories ended too soon, or those that are ripe for expansion, offering unique insights and thrilling adventures beyond what we’ve seen. From untold origins to unexplored destinies, these 10 characters embody the heart and soul of what Star Wars is at its core. 

Each of these characters have the depth, charisma, and endless potential to easily carry their own dedicated film or streaming series, promising exciting new chapters in the Star Wars saga.

1) Princess Leia Organa

The glimpse fans got of young Leia in Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi was a revelation, embodying the inherent bravery, quick wit, and compassionate spirit Leia displays in her adulthood, but in this case, as a child. A series focusing on her early years on Alderaan would be incredibly compelling, exploring her relationship with Bail and Breha Organa, her political awareness, and perhaps even her first encounters with the Empire’s oppressive reach. This could be a coming-of-age story that highlights the formation of the iconic rebel leader we know and love, revealing the experiences that shaped her unwavering commitment to freedom.

Star Wars Rebels briefly touched on a teenage Leia’s involvement with the Rebellion while still working under the guise of providing humanitarian aid. Expanding upon that, such a series could delve into the intricate politics of the Galactic Senate from a child’s perspective, offering a unique look at the tensions brewing beneath the surface of Imperial rule. It could also introduce new characters and expand on Alderaanian culture, showcasing the sophisticated yet peaceful society that Leia grew up in. Vivian Lyra Blair herself has already expressed a deep desire to continue Leia’s story during her teenage years. With the fan interest and the actor also lobbying for more stories, a Princess Leia series would not only enrich her character but also provide a fresh lens through which to view the early days of the Empire and the seeds of rebellion.

2) Kelleran Beq

Jedi Master Kelleran Beq (played by former Jar Jar Binks actor Ahmed Best) from The Mandalorian, instantly captivated audiences with his impressive combat skills and his pivotal role in saving Grogu at the Jedi Temple. However, the very short but exciting action packed sequence barely scratched the surface of who the mysterious Jedi is, where he came from, or what he went on to do. A series centered on Beq, perhaps set before the events of Order 66, could explore his origins, his training as a Jedi, his relationship with other Jedi, and his unique role within the Order. With so little known about Beq, there is endless potential to see more of his fighting style and delve into the specialized training and philosophy.

Such a series could offer a different perspective on the Jedi Order, focusing on the more specialized roles and less explored areas of their hierarchy. We could see him on missions to protect vital Jedi artifacts, training new recruits, or even facing down early threats to the Republic that predate the Separatist crisis. This would be an opportunity to highlight a different kind of Jedi hero, one dedicated to the preservation and protection of the Order itself, beyond the traditional roles of diplomat or general.

3) Padmé Amidala

Padmé Amidala’s story, particularly after Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and leading up to Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, is ripe for exploration. We know her as a senator and a queen, but a series could explore her political maneuvering in greater depth, expanding on her struggles against the rising tide of corruption and Palpatine’s shadowy movements in the Senate. Her attempts to forge alliances and champion democratic ideals in a crumbling Republic, alongside Mon Mothma and Bail Organa, would be a fascinating look into the political underbelly of the prequel era, far removed from lightsaber duels.

A franchise centered on Padmé could also delve into her personal life, including her secret forbidden relationship with Anakin and the emotional toll it took on her. It could highlight her role as a leader during the Clone Wars, showing her efforts to provide humanitarian aid or negotiate peace treaties on various planets. This would offer a more nuanced portrayal of her character, solidifying her as a force not just in politics, but also as a beacon of hope and resilience in a galaxy descending into chaos.

4) Anakin Skywalker

While Anakin’s tragic downfall is well-documented, a series focusing on his adventures during the Clone Wars, particularly with a young Ahsoka and Obi-Wan, could offer a deeper dive into the dynamic that made them such a beloved trio. This wouldn’t be about foreshadowing his dark turn, but rather celebrating the heroism and camaraderie of “The Chosen One” before his fall in the style of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The animated series, though touching on many significant events during the conflict, could not cover everything that happened. A series could explore more of Anakin’s unique missions with his Padawan and Master, their strategic brilliance, and the lighter moments that cemented their bond amidst the chaos of war.

Further, it could explore the challenges of leading clone troopers, the moral dilemmas of war, and the evolving relationship between Anakin and Ahsoka. It could introduce new planets, alien species, and tactical challenges that showcase Anakin’s unconventional genius and Obi-Wan’s steady guidance. This would be an opportunity to expand on the beloved Clone Wars era from a more focused, character-driven perspective, highlighting the triumphs and trials of these iconic Jedi before their ultimate fates were sealed.

5) Mara Jade 

Mara Jade, a fan favorite from the Legends continuity, is arguably one of the most pivotal characters awaiting a proper introduction into the Star Wars canon. Her journey from Emperor’s Hand to Jedi Master and eventually Luke Skywalker’s wife is filled with rich potential. A series focusing on her could explore her life as an Imperial agent, her eventual disillusionment with the Empire, and her complex path to redemption and the Light Side of the Force.

Bringing Mara Jade into canon would answer a longtime fan request and allow for exciting new stories that bridge the gap between the original trilogy and the sequel era, offering a fresh perspective on the post-Empire galaxy. Her unique skill set, sharp wit, and nuanced moral compass would make her an incredibly engaging character that falls somewhere between a hero and a wayward Imperial agent. This series could explore her internal conflicts, her encounters with iconic characters, and her eventual role in shaping the New Jedi Order, providing a much-desired expansion of the Star Wars universe.

6) Satine Kryze

Duchess Satine Kryze’s story, deeply intertwined with the politics of Mandalore and her complicated relationship with Obi-Wan Kenobi, is ripe for a standalone series. Exploring her reign as the pacifist leader of Mandalore, her struggles against the aggressive traditionalists, and her desperate attempts to keep her people from succumbing to war would offer a fascinating look into a different side of the Clone Wars. The political intrigue, personal sacrifices, and moral dilemmas she faced all set the stage for a series that would keep fans on the edge of their seats.

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A story focusing on Satine could extensively feature her strained but ultimately loving relationship with her sister, Bo-Katan, and the constant threat of the Mandalorian militant group, Death Watch. It could delve deeper into Mandalorian culture beyond just its warriors, showcasing the artistic and intellectual aspects of their society that Satine championed. This would not only give Satine the spotlight she deserves but also expand on the complex history and politics of Mandalore, offering a fresh perspective on one of the galaxy’s most iconic planets.

7) Qui-Gon Jinn 

Qui-Gon Jinn, the maverick Jedi Master who discovered Anakin Skywalker, always felt like a character with a much deeper backstory than what was seen in The Phantom Menace. Qui-Gon’s history has been explored over the years in the comic medium, but a live-action series featuring the return of Liam Neeson and set before the events of that film could explore his early career as a Jedi, his philosophical disagreements with the Jedi Council, and his unique connection to the Living Force. It could touch on the missions and experiences that shaped his unconventional wisdom and his unwavering belief in the Force’s will, even when it contradicted the Jedi Code.

This series could delve into his relationship with his own master, Count Dooku, before Dooku’s fall to the dark side, offering insights into their shared philosophy and eventual divergence. It could also introduce new characters and explore unexplored planets, showing Qui-Gon’s adventures as a wandering Jedi, always seeking knowledge and defending the innocent. Such a series would provide a fascinating look into the Jedi Order prior to its decline, seen through the eyes of one of its most enigmatic and principled members, as well as explore how a young Obi-Wan came to be under his tutelage.

8) Avar Kriss 

Avar Kriss, the “Hero of Hetzal” and one of the most prominent Jedi of the High Republic era, offers a unique opportunity to explore a period of galactic history largely untouched by live-action Star Wars. Her story, as a beacon of the Jedi Order and a symbol of their peak, is perfect for a series that delves into the golden age of the Jedi and the Republic. A series could focus on her leadership during major galactic crises and her deep connection to the Force as expressed by her extremely rare talent to hear the Force as music, known as “sabresong.”

A series centered on Avar Kriss would allow for the visual exploration of the stunning High Republic aesthetic, filled with grand Jedi Temples, innovative starship designs, and a galaxy brimming with discovery. It could introduce audiences to the Nihil, the mysterious and dangerous raiders who challenge the Jedi’s authority, and explore the early conflicts that tested the limits of the Republic’s power. This would be a chance to build a brand new corner of the Star Wars universe, free from the constraints of existing Skywalker Saga narratives.

9) Asajj Ventress

Asajj Ventress’ journey from Sith assassin to independent bounty hunter and eventual light side Force-user is one of the most compelling arcs in The Clone Wars. A series focusing on her post-Sith life, particularly adapting elements of the Dark Disciple novel with Quinlan Vos, would be an incredibly rich tale to tell. While Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld began at the very end of the Dark Disciple, a series focusing on Ventress could adapt the entirety of the story and could explore her struggle to find her place in the galaxy after leaving Dooku, her reluctant alliances, and her gradual shift away from the darkness that once consumed her.

This would offer a unique perspective on the criminal underworld of the Star Wars galaxy, showcasing Ventress’ skills as a master of disguise and combat. Her complex relationship with Quinlan Vos, filled with espionage, romance, and moral complexities, would resonate with viewers on a deep, emotional level. This series would be an opportunity to delve into the redemption of a character who constantly walked the line between light and shadow, offering a nuanced exploration of what is and isn’t ethical in the Star Wars universe.

10) Darth Vader 

While Darth Vader’s presence looms large over the Star Wars saga, Charles Soule’s comic run Darth Vader– focusing on Vader immediately after Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith– offers a uniquely brutal and emotional period ripe for adaptation. A series set during this time could explore his initial struggles with his new mechanical body, his relentless hunt for surviving Jedi by establishing the Inquisitorius, and his terrifying consolidation of power under Palpatine. This would be a raw, unflinching look at the birth of the ultimate villain, showcasing his internal torment and his ruthlessness.

An adaptation, even a loose one, of Soule’s Darth Vader would delve into the true horror of Vader’s transformation, not just physically, but psychologically, as he grapples with the loss of Padmé and his descent into twisted darkness. It could feature his first mission to confront Jedi Kirak Infil’a in order to obtain his legendary lightsaber, his brutal training of the Inquisitors, and the process (and secret reasoning) of building his fortress on Mustafar. This would be a powerful, character-driven exploration of one of fiction’s most iconic villains, revealing the shattered remains of Anakin Skywalker beneath the imposing mask.

The post 10 Star Wars Characters That Could Lead Their Own Franchise appeared first on ComicBook.com.

While he is globally renowned as the creator of the epic fantasy series Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin has been a significant voice in the science fiction community for decades. Long before the Starks and Lannisters, Martin was penning award-winning sci-fi stories like the novella “A Song for Lya” and his debut novel Dying of the Light. He also created and edited the long-running Wild Cards shared universe of superhero anthologies, which also draws heavily from sci-fi themes. As a veteran of the genre, Martin’s opinion carries substantial weight, and he recently took to his blog to share high praise for two of 2025’s most talked-about sci-fi television shows, singling out Apple TV+’s Murderbot and Disney+’s Star Wars: Andor as standout examples of excellent science fiction storytelling on television.

“There’s been some great SF on television,” Martin wrote. “The Murderbot stories are always a lot of fun, and the TV show did them justice. I look forward to another series.” Murderbot is based on the Hugo and Nebula award-winning book series The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. The series stars Alexander Skarsgård as a security android that has hacked its own governor module, gaining free will. Now, it must hide its autonomy while protecting its human clients, a task it finds far less interesting than its true passion: watching soap operas. Martin’s hope for more of the series was fulfilled even before its first season concluded, as Apple TV+ announced it had renewed Murderbot for a second season just ahead of its Season 1 finale.

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“ANDOR was this year’s highlight, though,” Martin continued in his blog post. “Far and away the best of the Star Wars spinoffs. Looked gorgeous, Diego Luna was first rate, and there was a realism and tension to the story that was sadly lacking in most of the other spinoffs.” His praise aligns with the universal acclaim the Star Wars series has received. The show, which concluded its two-season run earlier this year, explores the nascent days of the Rebel Alliance through the eyes of thief-turned-spy Cassian Andor (Luna). The second and final season was a critical juggernaut, earning an impressive 14 Emmy nominations, including nods for guest actor Forest Whitaker and voice actor Alan Tudyk.

How Murderbot and Star Wars: Andor Left Their Mark on 2025 Television

Martin is not alone in his praise for Murderbot and Star Wars: Andor. Murderbot quickly established itself as a breakout hit for Apple TV+, earning a “Certified Fresh” rating of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics. The show’s success is built on a faithful adaptation of Martha Wells’ beloved source material, capturing the unique and wry voice of its titular character. Skarsgård’s performance as the media-obsessed android has been singled out for praise, perfectly balancing the character’s disdain for humanity with his begrudging sense of duty. As such, the series provides another victory for Apple TV+’s growing lineup of acclaimed sci-fi TV shows, which includes hits like Silo and Severance.

Andor, in its turn, carved its mark on television history by delivering a level of narrative maturity and grit that many fans felt had been missing from the Star Wars franchise. The show’s second season became the highest-rated Star Wars project ever on Rotten Tomatoes, also with a 96% score. This critical adoration was matched by strong viewership, particularly for its finale week. According to Nielsen data, Andor climbed to the number one spot on the overall streaming chart for the week of May 12-18, accumulating an incredible 931 million minutes watched. This viewership peak was the culmination of a successful season that defied early concerns about franchise fatigue. By focusing on a tense, grounded story of espionage and political radicalization, free of Jedi and overt fantasy elements, Andor expanded the boundaries of what a Star Wars story could be.

Both Murderbot and Andor are currently available for streaming on Apple TV+ and Disney+, respectively.

What did you think of Murderbot and Star Wars: Andor? Let us know in the comments!

The post 2 Of 2025’s Biggest Sci-Fi TV Shows Earn Huge Praise From George R.R. Martin appeared first on ComicBook.com.

To date, Star Wars has released seven live-action TV shows on Disney+, and some are a lot better than others. The launch of Disney+ in 2019 kick-started Star Wars’ endeavors on the streaming platform, beginning with Star Wars: The Mandalorian and continuing with a variety of series — both limited and recurring. Some of Star Wars’ live-action shows function as contained stories whereas others pull material from other projects. In either case, the franchise has delivered memorable highlights and disappointing failures over the last six years.

Star Wars fans are constantly debating where each project ranks, and following the conclusion of Star Wars: Andor, a definitive hierarchy of live-action shows is clear. The following live-action Star Wars shows are ranked from worst to best according to their overall quality.

7) The Book of Boba Fett

Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett swings and misses at the opportunity to make up for the titular bounty hunter’s long-standing underdevelopment. Temuera Morrison seamlessly sells an aged Boba Fett as the elite and unflappable bounty hunter he was always meant to be, but a painfully unfocused narrative proves The Book of Boba Fett‘s downfall. Instead of maintaining a close focus on Boba’s business with the Tusken Raiders, Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen), and others on Tatooine, the show dramatically shifts its story to incorporate Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), Grogu, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Cad Bane (Corey Burton), and more characters that probably should have been saved for another project. As a result, Boba becomes a side character in his own show, and The Book of Boba Fett devolves into an incoherent mess.

6) Skeleton Crew

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew deserves credit for attempting a totally different story away from legacy characters and reused plot lines, though in the end, it’s only mediocre. The idea of a group of kids embarking on an outer space adventure away from their clandestine home planet sounds like fun, yet, somehow Skeleton Crew is really boring. The episodes drag on as the show’s mystery doesn’t turn out as engaging as it initially appears. Meanwhile, Skeleton Crew‘s lack of a real connection to the Star Wars universe at large renders it far from compulsory to watch. The series still has a charming band of characters going for it — namely the Myykian youngling Neel, (Robert Timothy Smith). Even so, most viewers likely won’t find too much to be thrilled about in Skeleton Crew.

5) Obi-Wan Kenobi

Star Wars fans were rightfully ecstatic to see Ewan McGregor portray Obi-Wan Kenobi for the first time in almost two decades. Even so, Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi struggles to justify its existence. Filling in the gap between the events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: A New Hope, the show sends its main character and a young Princess Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair) on the run from the Empire. Obi-Wan Kenobi technically doesn’t retcon future Star Wars events, however many of its character interactions and plot threads seem forced. Despite a few standout moments like Obi-Wan and Darth Vader’s (Hayden Christensen) duels, the show still feels unnecessary and hasn’t aged as a memorable piece of Star Wars media.

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4) The Acolyte

Star Wars: The Acolyte introduces a fascinating and previously unexplored realm of the franchise. What begins as a mystery involving a former Jedi Padawan, her estranged identical twin, and a murder paves the way for remarkable revelations about the Force and reflections about the Jedi. The Acolyte‘s intriguing concept and brand new cast of characters inject a breath of fresh air into Star Wars, though the show needed more episodes to develop its story. Sadly, Lucasfilm and Disney opted not to greenlight a second season, which leaves The Acolyte in a state of unfulfilled potential. Still, the series’ eight episodes provide a good deal of entertainment and a unique look into the supernatural side of Star Wars.

3) Ahsoka

The long-awaited live-action solo venture of Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) finally arrived with Star Wars: Ahsoka, and it does not disappoint. In its first season, the series details the titular Jedi Knight’s adventures following the Empire’s defeat in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. In addition to Ahsoka, viewers get to see live-action versions of other animated Star Wars characters, such as Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) and Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi). Surprisingly, Ahsoka doesn’t let fan service get in the way of telling a great story, as the brief appearances of Anakin Skywalker (Christensen) only serve to further develop Ahsoka’s journey in the present. Ahsoka‘s solid foundation of compelling characters and their various storylines come together to create one of the best live-action Star Wars shows, which promises an exciting Season 2.

2) The Mandalorian

The first live-action Star Wars series to debut on Disney+ is still exceptional. Each of The Mandalorian‘s three seasons fixates on a unique story against the backdrop of Din Djarin’s bounty hunting and babysitting duties with Grogu. From facing off against the villainous Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) to helping Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) lead the restoration of Mandalore, Djarin’s journey is riveting to watch. Brimming with interesting supporting characters, exhilarating action, and plenty of heartwarming moments, The Mandalorian represents Star Wars television near its peak. The Season 2 finale’s Luke Skywalker cameo remains the show’s only blemish, but generally, The Mandalorian‘s commitment to spotlighting new and unconventional Star Wars characters stands out as its biggest strength.

1) Andor

A prequel to the film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Andor is a masterful work of science fiction that transcends the greatness of Star Wars. The spark of rebellion begins to ignite over the course of the series’ two seasons as Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) finds himself increasingly embroiled in a large-scale effort to overthrow the Empire. Andor‘s array of layered characters, gripping drama, and meaningful stories cement it as the best live-action Star Wars show. A detailed portrait of resistance to a fascist regime, Andor deftly weaves deeply personal stories into its overarching narrative. Rogue One was already an outstanding Star Wars project, but Andor completely blows it out of the water.

All of these entries are available to stream on Disney+.

The post Every Live-Action Star Wars Show Ranked, Worst To Best appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Star Wars is about to get a whole lot more chaotic. In the thrilling conclusion of Star Wars: Doctor Aphra – Chaos Agent #2, written by Cherish Chen with art by Gabriel Guzman, a revelation dropped that is poised to send ripples through the galaxy: Luke Skywalker, in his infinite wisdom (or perhaps, naivete,) has decided that Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra’s next partner in galactic shenanigans will be none other than Han Solo. If ever there were a pairing destined for glorious disaster, it’s this one. Aphra, the morally ambiguous archaeologist with a love for relics and reckless abandon, meeting Solo, the charming scoundrel whose luck is as legendary as his blaster skills, promises an upcoming arc ripe with double-crosses, witty banter, and an astronomical body count of droids and stormtroopers caught in their wake. 

This isn’t just a team-up: it’s an unholy alliance of two of the Star Wars universe’s most unpredictable rogues and nothing good – in the traditional sense, at least – can possibly come from it. Prepare for an epic saga of comedic misfortune and reluctant heroism, because when these two are in the same room, chaos is not just a possibility; it’s a guarantee.

Their Similarities Create a Dangerous Partnership

At first glance, the pairing of Doctor Aphra and Han Solo might seem like a recipe for constant conflict, and it undoubtedly will be. However, digging a little deeper reveals that these two characters have quite a lot in common, making their dynamic less about opposition and more about a volatile, yet strangely complementary, synergy. Aphra, in many ways, embodies the perfect combination of Han Solo’s roguish charm and Harrison Ford’s other famous hero’s‒ Indiana Jones’‒academic adventurism. Like Solo, she operates on the fringes of the law, driven by self-interest and a sharp wit that often gets her out of tight spots. She’s not above a little (or a lot) of larceny, and her moral compass frequently points in the direction of whatever benefits her most at the moment. This makes her incredibly unpredictable, much like Solo, who can swing from cynical smuggler to heroic rebel on a whim, often when the stakes are highest for his friends.

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Aphra’s similarities to Solo extend beyond their shared disregard for established authority. Both characters have an uncanny ability to talk their way out of trouble, usually employing a blend of bluster, sarcasm, and quick thinking. They are survivors, adaptable and resourceful, capable of navigating the galaxy’s most dangerous corners with a seemingly effortless cool. Whether it’s negotiating with crime lords, outsmarting the law, or escaping crumbling ruins, Aphra and Solo consistently demonstrate a knack for turning impossible situations into narrowly avoided catastrophes. This shared talent for improvisation and their natural, deepseated distrust of institutions make them kindred spirits in chaos, even if neither would ever admit it. They are pragmatists in a galaxy of idealists, preferring to rely on their own cunning and a well-placed blaster shot rather than grand pronouncements or unwavering faith. 

Their shared core nature, therefore, is not just about their capacity for mischief, but also their resilience and commitment to self-preservation‒ traits that will undoubtedly clash and combine in fascinating ways.

The Galaxy Is Not Ready For The Pure Mayhem The Duo Will Unleash

The prospect of Aphra and Solo teaming up is exhilarating because of the sheer, unadulterated mayhem they are destined to unleash upon the Star Wars galaxy. Individually, both characters are agents of chaos (it’s no coincidence that Agent of Chaos is the title for this particular Aphra comic run). Aphra’s adventures often leave a trail of destroyed Imperial facilities, enraged bounty hunters, and unexplained archaeological discoveries that may or may not have been achieved through illegal means. She thrives in shades of gray, often making choices that give a quick fix rather than an ethical answer, and her unpredictable nature ensures that no plan ever goes exactly as intended – usually for the worse, but occasionally for a surprising (though almost always accidental) success. 

Solo, on the other hand, is a walking embodiment of “fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants” heroics. His most famous moments involve audacious gambits, impossible shots, and a healthy dose of exasperated sighs from those around him. When these two forces of nature collide, the result will not be a meticulously executed plan in the way Luke handled Aphra over the past two issues, but rather an explosion of improvisational brilliance, comedic blunders, and narrow escapes.

The duo of two of the galaxy’s most famous (or infamous) rouges will likely attract every unsavory element in the galaxy, from underground crime syndicates to rival bounty hunters and disgruntled ex-lovers. There is sure to be constant bickering, thinly veiled respect for each other’s antics, and a shared exasperation at the absurdity of the situations they will inevitably find themselves in. 

Luke Skywalker might have thought he was bringing two valuable assets together, but what he’s actually done is set a fuse on a galactic powder keg. Nothing good, in terms of order or predictability, can possibly come from this pairing. But for fans, the certain trouble Solo and Aphra will certainly cause translates directly to absolutely glorious storytelling. This upcoming alliance is a testament to the unpredictable joy that Star Wars continues to deliver, proving that even in a well-established galaxy, there’s always room for a little more chaos.

The post Star Wars is Pairing Two of Its Most Unpredictable Rogues and Nothing Good Can Come From It appeared first on ComicBook.com.

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 is officially underway, and new products are flying around left and right. It’s always difficult to keep track of everything, but we’re here to simplify things and give you a heads up about what to look out for and when with regard to the Star Wars: The Black Series, The Vintage Collection, Marvel Legends, G.I. Joe Classified Series, and Transformers figures that Hasbro will make available to pre-order online during the event. Everything you need to know can be found below, including details on what might be coming and when. UPDATE: Full pre-order information for July 26th and July 29th added.

Fortunately, Hasbro’s product strategy and schedule for pre-order drops is pretty consistent from year to year. The most important thing to keep in mind is that pre-orders for the majority of Hasbro’s SDCC reveals will go live on Saturday, July 26th at 2pm PT / 5pm ET and on Tuesday, July 29th at 10am PT / 1pm ET. At those times you should be able to find everything here at Entertainment Earth and, most likely, here on Amazon and here at Walmart in addition to Hasbro Pulse. Hasbro is also releasing a handful of items on July 24th and 25th. Below you’ll find a breakdown of Hasbro items that have been revealed or are expected for SDCC 2025. That will be followed by full list of Hasbro’s panels for the event, which will set the tone for the release schedule.

Hasbro SDCC 2025 Walmart Collector Con Exclusives (Launched 7/24):

• Marvel Legends Series Spider-Man Hellfire Gala Figure / $24.99
• Marvel Legends Series Gamerverse War Machine vs Omega Red 2-Pack / $49.97
• Marvel Legends Series Gamerverse Velocity Suit Peter Parker / $29.98
• Star Wars The Black Series Imperial Stormtrooper (The Mandalorian) / Re-issue / $29.98
• Star Wars The Black Series Night Trooper (Halloween Edition) Figure / $24.97
• G.I. Joe Classified Series #164, Night Force Beach Head & Quick Kick / $54.97
• Transformers Toys Autobot Seaspray, Retro G1-Inspired 5″ Action Figure / $29.97
• Transformers Toys Autobot Brawn Retro G1-Inspired 5″ Action Figure / $29.97
• You can check out the full collection of exclusives right here at Comicbook.

Spider-Man: Homecoming Marvel Legends Electronic Expressive Mask (Launched 7/24) – See at Entertainment Earth ($129.99): Note that a Marvel Legends Wolverine mask replica is teased in the image above. “Hasbro Marvel Legends proudly presents this 1:1 scale reproduction of Spider-Man’s mask in the Spider-Man: Homecoming movie! Roleplay helmet with premium design and deco features a soft silicone texture and electronic eye movements. Using the included remote control, you can select from 8 different eye movements in Manual Mode, or select one of 5 pre-programmed sequences in Automatic Mode. Sequences are designed to create lifelike expressions and reactions inspired by the character! Expressive eye movements can be activated when the mask is worn or displayed on the included stand. Great for displaying in fans’ collections or wearing with a Spider-Man Halloween costume or Marvel cosplay.”

Shop Hasbro SDCC 2025 Releases on July 26th at 5pm ET

see at entertainment earth

See on Amazon

Hasbro San Diego Comic-Con 2025 Pre-Orders

Below you’ll find a list of information that’s currently available regarding the pre-orders that Hasbro will launch online for SDCC 2025. A list of show-only exclusives is available further down the page. You should be able to find everything here at Entertainment Earth and, most likely, here on Amazon and here at Walmart at the pre-order times indicated below. Early, direct links are added where available.

• Marvel Legends: An X-Men ’97 wave is heavily rumored for SDCC 2025 (Pre-orders launch at 5pm ET on July 26th). UPDATE: X-Men ’97 wave confirmed (Full Details Here). The Collection will include:
  • Marvel’s Cable
  • Marvel’s Logan
  • Marvel’s Sunspot
  • Jubilee
  • Emma Frost
  • Marvel’s Morph
  • Memphisto with Infernal Throne (Pulse Exclusive)
• Transformers: Hasbro likes to launch Transformers collabs during events like these, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see something along these lines. (Pre-orders launch at 5pm ET on July 26th). UPDATE: The figures that will be available for pre-order are as follows:
  • Hot Wheels x Transformers Bone Shaker / Approx. Retail Price: $29.99 / July 26 @ 5PM ET / It will be available here on Amazon
  • Hot Wheels x Transformers Twin Mill / Approx. Retail Price: $29.99 / July 26 @ 5PM ET / It will be available here on Amazon
• Star Wars The Black Series and TVC: No details thus far outside of the debut of a new Vintage Collection HasLab launch. There will definitely be new Black Series and TVC figures however. (Pre-orders launch at 5pm ET on July 26th). UPDATE: Comicbook got the exclusive reveal of the new Vintage Collection releases, which you an check out right here in full detail (UPDATE 2: Black Series figure pre-orders have been added). The collection will include:
  • TVC Han Solo from Star Wars: A New Hope
  • TVC Chewbacca from Star Wars: A New Hope
  • TVC Imperial Shock Trooper inspired by Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series
  • Black Series Jango Fett: Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones
  • Black Series: The Stranger (Qimir): Star Wars: The Acolyte
  • Black Series Darth Vader & Luke Skywalker: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
  • Black Series Anakin Skywalker & Clone Captain Rex
• G.I. Joe Classified Series: No details thus far. (Pre-orders are expected to launch at 1pm ET on July 29th) UPDATE: The figures that will be up for pre-order are detailed in full right here. A quick breakdown can be found below.
  • Grim Viper / Approx. Retail Price: $24.99 / Pre-orders launch on July 29 at 1pm ET / It will be available here on Amazon
  • Cobra Desert Scorpion & SKRP10N / $TBA / Pre-orders launch on July 29 at 1pm ET / It will be available here on Amazon
  • Seymour “Sci-Fi” Fine / Approx. Retail Price: $24.99 / Pre-orders launch on July 29 at 1pm ET / It will be available here on Amazon
  • Wet-Suit / Approx. Retail Price: $24.99 / Pre-orders launch on July 29 at 1pm ET / It will be available here on Amazon
  • Blaine “Mainframe” Parker / Approx. Retail Price: $24.99 / Pre-orders launch on July 29 at 1pm ET / It will be available here on Amazon
  • Steel Corps Sentry & Modular Defense Post – Hasbro Pulse Exclusive / Approx. Retail Price: $54.99 / Pre-orders launch on July 29 at 1pm ET /
• Power Rangers: You can check out a review of Playmate’s Power Rangers Re-Ignition toy takeover right here at Comicbook.

HASBRO BOOTH #3213 

• Convention Exclusives – Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the following Hasbro products: TRANSFORMERS VOID RIVALS AUTOBOT JETFIRE, ZERTONIAN SOLILA, AND AGORRIAN DARAK, G.I. JOE CLASSIFIED SERIES #163, DREADNOKS COLD SLITHER: BAND OF VIPERS TOUR COMMEMORATIVE ACTION FIGURE SET,  BEYBLADE 25^TH ANNIVERSARY SET, GHOSTBUSTERS KENNER CLASSICS THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS ECTO-GLOW HEROES COLLECTOR’S SET, STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES ANAKIN SKYWALKER & OBI-WAN KENOBI FIGURES, and MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES GAMERVERSE MARVEL SNAP SAVAGE LAND 3-PACK.  

HASBRO BRAND AND PARTNER PANELS 

Thursday, July 24 

• The New Era of Power Rangers: 5:00PM – 6:00PM | Room: 23ABC – BOOM! Studios’ epic Power Rangers universe relaunched last year with the explosive Power Rangers Prime! This year, the Universe got a little bit bigger with the launch of the long-requested VR Troopers series! Join the creative teams behind the new Power Rangers Universe, alongside surprise guests for a behind-the-scenes look at all things Power Rangers! 

• The Loyal Subjects Panel featuring JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS: 7:00PM – 8:00PM, Room: 28DE – Retro 80’s Toys & Talent – Join The Loyal Subjects (TLS Toy) on an epic journey to bring back the vibe of the 80’s with the coolest retro toys of all time. The TLS panel will be filled with buzzworthy conversations around the best 80’s brands including M.A.S.K., Jem & the Holograms, Popples, My Pet Monster, Strawberry Shortcake, Rainbow Brite and My Buddy. The design team will share ‘behind the design’ fun facts about many of the toys and will have some much-desired reveals of upcoming new releases to unveil. Tune in for even more exciting JEM & The Holograms music news! In addition, the panel will host OG voice actors from the 80’s animated shows the toys are based on, so fans can hear and see their toys brought to life like never before!  

Friday, July 25 

• Hasbro G.I. JOE Panel: 10:00AM – 11:00AM, Room: 6DE -Join the G.I. JOE development team for a behind-the-scenes look at what’s next! The panel will feature exciting new product news, never-before-heard stories, digital character renders, in-hand figure prototypes, and pre-order launches.  

• Marvel Legends Panel with Hasbro: 11:30AM – 12:30PM, Room: 5AB – The Hasbro and Marvel product experts will discuss exciting news about Hasbro’s ever-popular Marvel Legends product line! Attendees will also get a sneak peek of upcoming, never-before-seen items, followed by a Q&A for your burning Marvel Legends questions. 

• MAGIC: THE GATHERING| Marvel’s Spider-Man First Look: 12:30PM – 1:30PM, Room: 5AB – In a celebration of the team-up between two iconic franchises, join us for a first look at Magic: The Gathering | Marvel’s Spider-Man. Previewing new cards and artwork, join Mark Rosewater, C.B. Cebulski, Aaron Forsythe and Sarah Wassell to learn how this set came to be. 

• Hasbro Star Wars Panel: 2:00PM – 3:00PM, Room: 7AB – Join members of the Hasbro Marketing & Design teams as they discuss the popular Hasbro Star Wars figure lines, including the Black Series and The Vintage Collection. Attendees will get an in-depth look at Hasbro’s latest action figure offerings from throughout the saga. Word on the Holo Net is there may also be a few surprises. May the Force be with you! 

• Hasbro TRANSFORMERS Panel: 5:00PM – 6:00PM, Room: 25ABC – Join the Hasbro TRANSFORMERS Toy Development team as they take you behind the scenes to unveil the latest character figures from across the iconic brand and celebrate its ongoing partnership with Mattel’s iconic Hot Wheels line featuring the latest additions, Bone Shaker and Twin Mill. Plus, time permitting, there will also be a Q&A session filled with trivia and epic giveaways! 

Saturday, July 26 

• Celebrating DUNGEONS & DRAGONS 2025: 2:30PM – 3:30PM, Room: 24ABC – DUNGEONS & DRAGONS continues its monumental rise in pop culture after 50 years! With more people rolling dice and telling stories every day, come hear from expert Dungeon Masters and Storytellers share how Dungeons & Dragons has secured its place in society and the tabletop. 

• TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE: All Out War in the Energon Universe: 4:30PM – 5:30PM, Room: 5AB – THE BIGGEST YEAR FOR THE ENERGON UNIVERSE IS HERE! TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE, and VOID RIVALS from Skybound continue to top charts, and we aren’t letting up. Superstars Robert Kirkman (Void Rivals), Daniel Warren Johnson (TRANSFORMERS), Joshua Williamson (G.I. Joe), and Sean Mackiewicz (SVP/Publisher, Skybound) reveal their plans for the Quintesson War, the Dreadnok War, and more in a panel that will have everyone on the edge of their seats! Moderated by Arune Singh (VP, Brand, Skybound). 

• Collectible Figures and More News from Playmates Toys: 5:30PM – 6:30PM, Room: 10 – Get the latest news on collectibles, exclusives and first-look debuts from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and more! – Playmates Toys’ Jeff Trojan, Ray Geiman, Pat Linden, John Stelzer, Lydia Whitman and Aidan Rutten (marketing and design leaders) will review the calendar of collectible figures and exclusives from those brands and more.  

The post Here’s How To Pre-Order Hasbro’s SDCC 2025 Star Wars, Marvel Legends, G.I. Joe, and Transformers Reveals (Updated) appeared first on ComicBook.com.