The Story Behind Star Wars' Dinosaur Skeleton and Other Lucasfilm News

The Star Wars Book: A Comprehensive Guide

• 📚 Dan Zehr co-authored "The Star Wars Book" with Pablo Hidalgo and Cole Horton, a comprehensive reference guide suitable for both new and experienced fans.
• 🗺️ The book features detailed maps, such as one of the entire Star Wars galaxy, which can be explored for hours.
• ✍️ Zehr contributed significantly to character sections, the Force, the Jedi, and a third of the glossary, finding the process rewarding and a way to contribute to the lore he loved since childhood.
• 🍎 The book is described as a "Star Wars textbook" due to its organized and easy-to-read format, making it an ideal holiday gift.

Josh Gad's "Olaf Recaps Star Wars"

• 🎬 Actor Josh Gad fulfilled a promise to recap the entire Star Wars saga as Olaf from "Frozen" after reaching 10,000 retweets.
• 😂 His recap, starting with the prequels, is praised for its comedic timing and fresh take on the story, including a joke about Obi-Wan's future Disney+ series.
• 🎙️ The hosts expressed interest in having Gad on the podcast to discuss his process.

Lucasfilm's Tuskegee Airmen Initiative

• ✈️ Lucasfilm is launching an educational initiative celebrating the Tuskegee Airmen, inspired by George Lucas's original film trilogy plans for "Red Tails."
• 📜 The initiative includes the documentary "Double Victory: The Tuskegee Airmen at War" and an educational curriculum guide for grades 6-12.
• 📣 A social media campaign using the hashtag #flylikethem aims to raise awareness.

Lego Star Wars Holiday Special and Obi-Wan Series

• 🎄 The upcoming "Lego Star Wars Holiday Special" will feature characters from across timelines crashing together in a charming and fun way, directly following "The Rise of Skywalker."
• 🌌 Rey will journey through beloved Star Wars moments, interacting with younger versions of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.
• 🎬 Pre-production for the Obi-Wan Kenobi limited series is progressing well, with Ewan McGregor discussing costume tests conducted on "The Mandalorian's" set.

Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge and Willow Series

• 🎮 The Oculus Quest game "Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge" will feature Frank Oz as Yoda in a short, standalone tale within the game.
• ⚔️ Players will be able to wield lightsabers, and the experience ties into the existing lore of Galaxy's Edge parks.
• 🌳 A "Willow" sequel series is announced for Disney+, with Ron Howard returning as executive producer and Jon M. Chu directing the pilot, inspired by his childhood love for the film.

The True Story of the Tatooine Dinosaur Skeleton

• 🦴 The iconic dinosaur skeleton draped over a dune in "Star Wars: A New Hope" is revealed to be a prop from the 1975 Disney film "One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing."
• 🏜️ The large diplodocus skeleton was shipped to Tunisia for filming but was left behind due to its weight and the cost of transport back to the UK.
• 🔍 Archaeologist David West Reynolds rediscovered the skeleton in 1995, and George Lucas even found it again during "The Phantom Menace" filming when sets were damaged by a sandstorm.
• 🏛️ The skeleton remains in the Tunisian desert, similar to Cecil B. DeMille's buried set for "The Ten Commandments."