Star Wars Celebration 2022 Recap: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, The Mandalorian & More

Star Wars Celebration 2022 Experience

• 🚀 Brian Gaughn shares his experience covering Star Wars Celebration 2022 in Anaheim, noting the complex reservation system for panels.
• 💡 He describes the overwhelming nature of the event, from the initial queuing in the basement to securing a seat at an overflow stage.
• 👏 The Lucasfilm Studio Showcase featured appearances by Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor, eliciting a huge fan reaction to McGregor's "Hello there."

New Star Wars Series and Films

• 🎬 Andor was presented with a pitch of "Mission Impossible meets The Hunt for Red October," with Diego Luna expressing his enthusiasm.
• 🌟 The Willow series trailer debuted, featuring Warwick Davis, Joanne Whaley, and other cast members, set for a November 30th release.
• 🚀 The Mandalorian season 3 sizzle reel hinted at more Grogu, the return of Carl Weathers, and Bryce Dallas Howard directing an episode, with a focus on Mandalore.
• 🌟 Skeleton Crew, a new series starring Jude Law about children lost in the Star Wars universe, was a surprise announcement.
• 🎶 John Williams conducted the world premiere of the Obi-Wan Kenobi theme for his 90th birthday celebration, followed by a surprise appearance from Harrison Ford for the new Indiana Jones film.

Behind the Scenes and Legacy

• 💡 A panel on ILM (Industrial Light & Magic) explored the early days of visual effects, including anecdotes about George Lucas and the creation of iconic effects.
• 🎬 The Attack of the Clones 20th anniversary panel featured Tim Morrison and Daniel Logan, highlighting the challenges of filming with blue screen technology.
• 🌟 Hayden Christensen's return as Anakin Skywalker was met with immense fan appreciation, reflecting a generational shift in perception of the prequel films.
• 🏞️ A panel on Galaxy's Edge discussed its development, including the addition of characters like Boba Fett, Fennec Shand, The Mandalorian, and Grogu, to align with popular shows.

Obi-Wan Kenobi - First Two Episodes

• 😥 The Obi-Wan Kenobi series is described as a "slow burn" with a pervasive sense of dread, focusing on Obi-Wan's broken state after the events of Revenge of the Sith.
• 🕵️ The Inquisitors, particularly Reva (Moses Ingram), are introduced as formidable and menacing villains, raising the stakes for the Jedi survivors.
• 💔 The series explores Obi-Wan's guilt and his struggle to let go of the past, drawing parallels to a "broken" Rocky Balboa.
• 🌟 The introduction of young Leia Organa is highlighted as a strong element, with her character showing a blend of her parents' traits.
• 😮 The end of episode two featured a shocking reveal of Darth Vader in a bacta tank, eliciting a massive fan reaction.

Other Panels and Observations

• 💥 The Bad Batch season 2 panel featured a reading by Dee Bradley Baker and Michelle Ang, showcasing the series' appeal.
• 🎬 The final episodes of The Clone Wars were screened, with Dave Filoni discussing the emotional depth of Ahsoka's journey.
• 🎤 The podcast theater hosted discussions, including a "Coffee with Kenobi" panel focusing on top Obi-Wan moments from the films.
• 📍 The next Star Wars Celebration is announced for London in April.
• 💬 Brian Gaughn shares his social media handle: Geek with Children (children spelled C H I L D R N, no E).