Star Wars Celebration Chicago 2019: Trailer Reactions, Galaxy's Edge, and Clone Wars

Star Wars Celebration 2019 Highlights

• 🚀 The biggest news from Star Wars Celebration Chicago included the reveal of Episode IX's title, 'The Rise of Skywalker,' and the surprise return of Emperor Palpatine, reprised by Ian McDiarmid.
• 🤩 The trailer screening for 'The Rise of Skywalker' in the main hall was met with an explosive reaction of joy and goosebumps, described as electric.
• 👏 The event fostered a positive, upbeat, and warm atmosphere, with fans expressing joy and goodwill, contrasting with past negative reactions to certain films and actors.

Galaxy's Edge and Themed Experiences

• 🎢 The Galaxy's Edge booth showcased details about the new theme park land, including the Rise of the Resistance ride vehicle and its unique droid pilot.
• 🥤 A notable detail from the Galaxy's Edge panel was the Coca-Cola containers designed to look like thermal detonators, a collectible item for fans.
• 🤖 The Vader Immortal VR experience by ILMxLabs was highlighted as a standout attraction on the show floor, offering an immersive virtual reality adventure.
• 🗣️ Attendees could record personal messages about what Star Wars means to them in booths designed to be recorded into a holocron for display at Galaxy's Edge.

Clone Wars and The Mandalorian

• 🌟 The Clone Wars panel revealed that the series would pick up where it left off with high-quality animation, featuring new characters and stories, including the Siege of Mandalore.
• 🎬 The Mandalorian was previewed with images suggesting an epic feel, emphasizing a dedication to practical sets and props reminiscent of the original trilogy.
• 🎭 Carl Weathers and Gina Carano were highlighted for their energetic and poised performances in The Mandalorian.

Panels and Personal Experiences

• 🎤 Dan Z. hosted and participated in several panels, including a mythology panel that drew a large, enthusiastic crowd despite being scheduled against the closing ceremonies.
• 🎙️ The "Covering Star Wars" panel featured insights from various media personalities, discussing the challenges and rewards of covering Star Wars news and events.
• 🤝 Memorable encounters included meeting Kathleen Kennedy, JJ Abrams, and Anthony Daniels, with Daniels discussing his autobiography title, "Telling the Odds."
• 🌟 The 20th anniversary panel for 'The Phantom Menace' featured Ian McDiarmid and Warwick Davis, with McDiarmid making a witty remark about his return as Palpatine.
• 🫂 The Ahmed Best panel for 'The Phantom Menace' received an overwhelming and emotional reaction, celebrating his role as Jar Jar Binks and his resilience against fan backlash.
• 🎉 The event concluded with the announcement that the next Star Wars Celebration would be held in Anaheim in 2020, with speculation about potential after-hours access to Galaxy's Edge.