JON FAVREAU TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCE AND WRITE LIVE-ACTION STAR WARS SERIES

Lucasfilm is excited to announce that Emmy-nominated producer and actor Jon Favreau has signed on to executive produce and write a live-action Star Wars series for Disney’s new direct-to-consumer platform. Favreau is no stranger to the Star Wars galaxy having played roles in both the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series and in the upcoming Solo: A Star Wars Story.

“I couldn’t be more excited about Jon coming on board to produce and write for the new direct-to-consumer platform,” says Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “Jon brings the perfect mix of producing and writing talent, combined with a fluency in the Star Wars universe. This series will allow Jon the chance to work with a diverse group of writers and directors and give Lucasfilm the opportunity to build a robust talent base.”

Favreau is thrilled to be returning to the Star Wars galaxy: “If you told me at 11 years old that I would be getting to tell stories in the Star Wars universe, I wouldn’t have believed you. I can’t wait to embark upon this exciting adventure.”

Disney’s collaborations with Favreau extend back a decade, when he helped launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe as director of Iron Man and Iron Man 2 and as an executive producer of the Iron Man and Avengers films for Marvel Studios. For Disney, he directed and produced the massively successful The Jungle Book, which won an Academy Award for its groundbreaking visual effects. He is currently in production on Disney’s highly anticipated reimagining of The Lion King, set for release in 2019.

The untitled Star Wars live-action series does not yet have a release date.

PHOTOS FROM STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI JAPAN RED CARPET FAN EVENT

Photos from the STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI red carpet fan event in Tokyo!

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI opens in U.S. theaters on December 15.

In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past. 

The film stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro.            

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman. J.J. Abrams, Tom Karnowski and Jason McGatlin are the executive producers.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI - Backstage Photos

Backstage photos from this morning’s panel at Star Wars Celebration Orlando celebrating STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI are now available.

Hosted by surprise moderator and Star Wars superfan Josh Gad, fans in attendance were treated to an exciting look at the next episode in the Saga for the first time! Gad was joined on stage by Kathleen Kennedy, director Rian Johnson, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill, BB-8 and making her first appearance on the Celebration stage, Kelly Marie Tran.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is in theaters December 15, 2017!

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI - Panel Photos

Photos from this morning’s panel at Star Wars Celebration Orlando celebrating STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI are now available.

Hosted by surprise moderator and Star Wars superfan Josh Gad, fans in attendance were treated to an exciting look at the next episode in the Saga for the first time! Gad was joined on stage by Kathleen Kennedy, director Rian Johnson, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill, BB-8 and making her first appearance on the Celebration stage, Kelly Marie Tran.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is in theaters December 15, 2017!

STAR WARS 40th ANNIVERSARY AT CELEBRATION PANEL PHOTOS

Star Wars Celebration Orlando kicked off with an epic tribute for the Saga’s 40^th Anniversary featuring surprise guests including George Lucas, Kathleen Kennedy, Warwick Davis, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Dave Filoni, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Billy Dee Williams and Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford.

The panel’s finale was an emotional tribute to Carrie Fisher with remarks from her daughter Billie Lourd and a surprise appearance by legendary composer John Williams, who conducted the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra while they played “Leia’s Theme.” 

And The Title For Star Wars Episode 8 Is...

The title of the next chapter in the Skywalker saga is:  STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

THE LAST JEDI is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is scheduled for release December 15, 2017.

How do you feel about the title? What could the title mean? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

D23 JOINS THE REBELLION TO CELEBRATE THE ARRIVAL OF ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY

DISNEY TWENTY-THREE JOINS THE REBELLION TO CELEBRATE THE ARRIVAL OF ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH STARS FELICITY JONES AND ALAN TUDYK, DIRECTOR GARETH EDWARDS, AND PRODUCER KATHLEEN KENNEDY GIVE FANS A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE MAKING OF THE NEW FILM.

PLUS, A PREVIEW OF THE NEW IRON MAN EXPERIENCE AT HONG KONG DISNEYLAND, A TOUR OF THE REIMAGINED DISNEY WONDER, AND A CONVERSATION WITH MOANA STAR AULI‘I CRAVALHO 

BURBANK, Calif. – November 2, 2016 – On December 16, Star Wars fans will blast off once again to a galaxy far, far away—only this time, it’s with a new set of characters (save for one Sith Lord) in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The film’s stars Felicity Jones and Alan Tudyk, director Gareth Edwards, and producer Kathleen Kennedy give readers a glimpse into the making of the film, which is centered on a group of rebels determined to steal the plans for the menacing Death Star. Kennedy reveals the origins of this first “stand-alone” film, while Edwards discusses the detailed planning that went into bringing Darth Vader back to the big screen.

The winter issue, exclusively for Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, also includes a look at the 30th anniversary of Disney Parks’ Star Tours, with detailed concept artwork and in-depth interviews. And Tudyk, who gives voice to droid K-2SO in Rogue One, talks about being a “lucky charm” for Walt Disney Animation Studios, having provided his vocal talents for such films as Big Hero 6, Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, and this month’s Moana. 

Plus, Auli‘i Cravalho talks about her star turn as the title character in Moana, and reveals she almost didn’t audition for the dazzling animated film, which opens November 23. The creators of the exhilarating new Iron Man Experience unveil details about the Marvel-themed attraction, which opens at Hong Kong Disneyland next January. And the team behind the enhancements on the Disney Wonder cruise ship gives fans an inside look at the unique experiences and exquisite details guests will enjoy when they next set sail.

There’s much more Disney magic in the winter issue of Disney twenty-three, including:

• An exploration of the new book Maps of the Disney Parks, which highlights stunning works of art that have gone into park cartography over the years
• The reunion of Newsies original Broadway cast members for a new filmed version of the hit musical
• Famous Disney characters from around the world that you (may) have never met
• The storytelling and artistry of Marvel’s Enchanted Tiki Room comic books
• A celebration of 60 years of the delightful Daisy Duck
• Regular features including A Walk with Walt, D Society, and Ask Dave

And starting December 1, D23.com will once again kick off the “D23 Days of Christmas.” Each day will include sweepstakes for incredible Disney prizes, dazzling photography, delicious recipes, original stories and videos, colorful crafts, and much more. D23 will also host several exclusive holiday events for members including: Light Up the Season with D23 on Sunday, December 4, at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank and D23’s Disney Springs Holiday Celebration at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando on Tuesday, December 13. Visit D23.com/D23Days to unwrap the holiday fun.

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in mid-November. 

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($74.99), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.

Photos from Star Wars Celebration's Future Filmmaker Panel

LONDON -  Today at Star Wars Celebration Europe, Alden Ehrenreich was introduced to fans for the first time as Han Solo, the new star of the untitled Han Solo Star Wars Story at the Future Filmmaker Panel. The panel featured Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy (Producer) and Kiri Hart (Senior Vice President of Development), who were joined by director Rian Johnson (Star Wars: Episode VIII) and directing duo Chris Miller and Phil Lord (the untitled Han Solo Star Wars story). Hosted by Lucasfilm Story Group's Pablo Hidalgo, the filmmakers were joined by surprise guests John Boyega (Finn), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Carrie Fisher (General Leia Organa) from Star Wars: Episode VIII

Rogue One Teaser Poster and Star Wars Celebration Behind-The-Scenes Look

Today in London, Gareth Edwards (Director) and Kathleen Kennedy (Producer) kicked off Star Wars Celebration with an exclusive new look at ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY. They welcomed surprise special guests from the film: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, John Knoll, Executive Producer and Kiri Hart, Head of Story. The talented team of filmmakers and actors shared a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming film and debuted a brand-new teaser poster.  

Star Wars: Force for Change - Mark Hamill and Kathleen Kennedy Announce New Campaign

SHOW YOUR FORCE! MARK HAMILL AND KATHLEEN KENNEDY ANNOUNCE NEW STAR WARS: FORCE FOR CHANGE CHARITABLE CAMPAIGN

Star Wars: Force for Change will match up to $1,000,000 in donations made by fans to four charities between April 5^th and May 4^th.

 

(April 5, 2016) Today, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and Star Wars veteran Mark Hamill announced a new campaign sponsored by CrowdRise in support of Star Wars: Force for Change, an initiative that inspires people to make a positive impact on the world. Starting April 5^th, Star Wars: Force for Change will match the donations of Star Wars fans to four select charities up to $1,000,000!

To date, Star Wars: Force for Change has raised over $10,000,000 with the help of the amazing Star Wars community. This month-long campaign will lead up to “Star Wars Day” on May the 4^th. The four select charities include the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in support of UNICEF Kid Power, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Make-A-Wish®. 

“Star Wars fans are some of the most generous, thoughtful, and sympathetic people I have ever met,” says Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “I am so proud of the charitable work they have done over the years and hope this month-long donation-matching campaign will go some way to express our sincere thanks for their tireless efforts.”

Over the course of the four-week period, which culminates at 11:59pm (PST) on May 4^th, fans will be able to donate through CrowdRise.com/ForceForChange to these four charities and have their donations matched dollar for dollar up to $1,000,000.During the first week, the first 20 fans to raise or donate at least $500 will win a Blu-ray of The Force Awakens signed by the cast[i], with more incentives to come. All participants who enter will also have a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Ireland, including Skellig Michael along the Wild Atlantic Way, the location of the dramatic final scene from The Force Awakens[ii]. 

Show your Force and visit CrowdRise.com/ForceForChange now for more details.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is available now on Digital HD and Blu-ray Combo Pack

Star Wars: The Force Awakens World Premiere After Party Photos

Tonight, the stars came out for the World Premiere of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS at the Dolby, El Capitan and TCL Theatres in Hollywood, CA and stayed for a lavish After Party!