Lucasfilm Episode 52: Mando Mondays, Empire Strikes Back Re-release, and First Star Wars Books

The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Re-release

• 🚀 The 40th anniversary re-release of "The Empire Strikes Back" was screened in theaters, with one host sharing a personal experience of watching it on his birthday.
• 💰 Despite a modest $1.9 million in North American ticket sales for its re-release, it became the number one re-release of 2020 and ranked fourth at the box office that weekend.
• 🎭 The experience of watching "The Empire Strikes Back" on a big screen was described as unparalleled, even with home theater setups.

Star Wars Merchandise and Mando Mondays

• 📦 The upcoming 40th-anniversary merchandise includes a Nebulon-B Frigate LEGO set, slated for release on October 30th.
• 🗓️ "Mando Mondays" is a new program launching before Season 2 of "The Mandalorian," where new products related to each episode will be released weekly.
• 💰 The Haslab Razor Crest project has exceeded its funding goal, demonstrating significant fan support for large-scale collectibles.
• 👨‍🚀 John Favreau is stepping back from directing the "Lion King" sequel to focus on his extensive Star Wars projects, including "The Mandalorian."

Star Wars Literature and Reads Day

• 📚 The podcast discusses "Star Wars Reads," a month-long event celebrating literature tied to the franchise, which transitioned from a single day to the entire month of October.
• 📖 The hosts delve into their first Star Wars books, including the novelization of "Star Wars" by Alan Dean Foster and "The Empire Strikes Back Notebook."
• 🎨 "The Empire Strikes Back Notebook" is highlighted for its inclusion of the full script, storyboards, and behind-the-scenes interviews, surpassing "The Art of Star Wars" in its appeal.
• 🖼️ The legacy of production designer Ron Cobb is remembered, noting his contributions to iconic films like "Star Wars," "E.T.," and "Back to the Future."

Behind-the-Scenes and Production News

• 🎬 Tony Gilroy stepped down from directing early episodes of the "Rogue One" spin-off series due to COVID-19 travel concerns, not mismanagement by Lucasfilm.
• ✈️ The decision was driven by quarantine requirements and the desire to balance professional commitments with family time during the pandemic.
• 📰 Teases of upcoming news from a "galaxy far, far away" are mentioned, aligning with the ambitious retail program for "The Mandalorian" Season 2.