Star Wars Celebration kicks off today – here’s what to expect

The Star Wars Celebration kicks off today with the 40th anniversary session and here’s what we can expect. The full celebration runs from Thursday 13th to Sunday 16th and so let’s explore what we’re in store for, starting with today:

THURSDAY:

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM ET – 40 Years of Star Wars

A very special tribute to the 40th anniversary of Star Wars will kick start Celebration Orlando in grand fashion. The panel, hosted by Warwick Davis, will feature Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and discussions with some of the saga’s brightest stars, highlighting the impact of the galaxy far, far away and the fandom that has propelled it for the last four decades. As is tradition, this marquee Celebration event will undoubtedly include many not-to-be-missed surprises.

Davis is best known for playing WIcket the Ewok in the films.

A host of big names have been announced as part of the panel:

Warwick Davis, Billy Dee Williams, Hayden Christensen, Peter Mayhew, Kathleen Kennedy, Mark Hamill, Ian McDiarmid, Anthony Daniels, Dave Filoni.

Could The Last Jedi trailer arrive earlier than expected?

Starwarscelebration.com has promised “surprises” with the Celebration’s opening. Could one of those be the highly-anticipated Episode 8 trailer? It seems unlikely as Friday is when it’s expected with The Last Jedi event taking place that day. Still, stranger things have happened in the galaxy!

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM ET – Smooth Talkin’ With Billy Dee Williams

Hello. What have we here? The master of smooth on stage with Warwick Davis for a one-on-one about his extensive career in entertainment and art.

Williams of course played Lando Calrissian in the 80s films.

3:15 PM – 4:00 PM ET – Ian McDiarmid: Tales from the Dark Side

The Master and the Apprentice, reunited on stage for a Sith-inspired talk with host Warwick Davis. At last they will reveal themselves to the Celebration audience….

McDiarmid played Emperor Palpatine.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET – Doug Chiang: The Production Design of Rogue One

Join Doug Chiang, the Academy Award-winning artist, author and production designer, as he talks about designing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Chiang served as co-Production Designer on the movie, so can share unique insights into the process of creating the worlds of Star Wars. Currently the Vice President and  Executive Creative Director at Lucasfilm, Chiang oversees designs for all new Star Wars franchise developments including films, theme parks, games and new media.

Chiang with George Lucas.

FRIDAY

11:00-12:30 ET – The Last Jedi panel

Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson will appear on stage. There will be plenty of surprises and special guests on the panel to keep the excitement brewing and speculation spinning throughout the rest of the weekend. 

13:30-14:30 ET – The Making of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Join senior members of the Rogue One creative team for a deep dive into the film’s inception, story development, visual development and production design, groundbreaking visual effects and the film’s unique soundscape. You’ll be treated to never-before seen footage.

Rogue One was a huge success

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM ET – Mark Hamill’s Tribute to Carrie Fisher

Fans remember her not only as their princess or general, but as part of the Star Wars Celebration family. Join Mark Hamill as he remembers the talent, humor and enduring legacy of one of the Star Wars galaxy’s most luminous beings, Carrie Fisher.

Fisher tragically passed away in December.

SATURDAY

13:30-14:30 ET – Anthony Daniels: 40 Years with Threepio

The legacy of C-3PO throughout the Star Wars saga, brought to life by actor Anthony Daniels. Expect the unexpected as Daniels and host Warwick Davis have a marvelous time, sometimes at the expense of unsuspecting audience members.

16:00-17:00 ET – Marvel Comics presents Star Wars

The Star Wars universe continues to expand in the pages of Marvel Comics! From the ongoing Star Wars series to critically acclaimed fan-favorites like Poe Dameron and Doctor Aphra, new Star Wars stories of all kinds are being released every month in the Mighty Marvel Manner!

SUNDAY

13:00-14:00 ET – Hamill Himself – Mark Hamill panel

Spend an hour with the Jedi Master himself, Mark Hamill!

Hamill as our favorite Jedi, Luke Skywalker

So that’s all the highlights , you can watch the events unfold via the live streams:

LIve Stream – Official Star Wars site

Live Stream – Official Star Wars YouTube

In the meantime, check out the 8 things we hope to see in the Star Wars: The Last Jedi trailer.