Howard the Duck: Lucasfilm's First Marvel Movie & Trailer Talk

Trailer Comparisons: Rise of Skywalker vs. The Mandalorian

• 🚀 The final trailer for "Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker" debuted during a low-scoring Monday Night Football game, while the trailer for "The Mandalorian" was released a week later.
• 💡 "The Rise of Skywalker" trailer was praised for its visual beauty and capturing the Star Wars spirit, but surprisingly revealed little about the plot, which was seen as a brave and JJ Abrams-like move, contrasting with more revealing trailers for "The Last Jedi" and "The Force Awakens."
• 🎯 The trailer for "The Mandalorian" was considered more effective by one host in establishing the world and character for viewers unfamiliar with the series, though the other host felt it didn't increase his existing excitement.
• 📊 "The Rise of Skywalker" trailer garnered significantly more YouTube views (30 million) than "The Mandalorian" trailer (6.5 million) in their initial 48-hour periods, though the latter had less time to accumulate views and was for a less established property.

Benioff & Weiss Departure from Star Wars

• 🎬 David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have stepped away from their planned "Star Wars" trilogy, with Kathleen Kennedy stating the door is open for them to return.
• 💰 The primary reason cited for their departure is a lucrative nine-figure, five-year deal with Netflix to produce film and television series exclusively.
• 🤔 There's speculation that fan dissatisfaction with the final season of "Game of Thrones" may have influenced this decision, though the hosts suggest the financial opportunity is the most straightforward explanation.

Galaxy's Edge Menu Testing

• 🍽️ A three-day test at Galaxy's Edge in Orlando involved temporarily changing themed menu item names (like "Ronto's Roasters" and "Docking Bay 7") to more user-friendly descriptions.
• 📈 The test revealed no significant difference in customer throughput or sales, leading Disney to consider if the restaurant layout or theming itself might be contributing to slower service.
• 🧩 The hosts discussed the importance of theming in Galaxy's Edge, with one noting that the lack of visible signs for major shops could be a bigger risk than menu names.

The Making of "Howard the Duck"

• 🦆 "Howard the Duck" (1986) was the first feature film based on a Marvel character, predating the current Disney-Marvel synergy.
• 💥 The film's production involved challenges, including George Lucas initially considering animation, John Landis turning down directing duties, and the use of Ewok actors in duck costumes.
• 💰 With a budget of $36 million, the film was a box office disaster, grossing only $16 million and winning seven Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Supporting Actor for Tim Robbins.
• 🌟 Despite its failure, "Howard the Duck" has a cult following, and the character has made brief cameos in later Marvel films like "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Avengers: Endgame."

Lucasfilm Leadership and Industry Recognition

• 🏆 Kathleen Kennedy was honored as an honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by the British film industry.
• 🤝 The ceremony was attended by notable figures such as Lawrence Kasdan, John Williams, Bob Iger, and Kevin Feige, highlighting Kennedy's significant contributions to the film industry.
• 🌟 Both hosts expressed respect for Kathleen Kennedy, defending her tenure at Lucasfilm against fan criticism and acknowledging her role as a fan herself.