Last weekend ReedPop held it’s annual Star Wars Show Star Wars Celebration in Orlando Florida. This year was an extra special year since it is the 40th Anniversary of STAR WARS: EPISODE IV – A NEW HOPE. Because of this I decided to fly down to Orlando and experience the show and everything it had to offer for this extra special year.
Other than the show floor one of the main draws at any convention are the panels, featuring the biggest Star Wars stars discussing everything from the 40th Anniversary Panel, The Last Jedi Panel, Star Wars Rebels Panel, a Droids of Star Wars Panel all the way to the most minute panel such as releases in Lego Star Wars, Hallmark, and even a panel covering fakes and scandals in collecting. So below is a look at some of the amazing panels I attended at Star Wars Celebration 2017 Orlando.
Didn’t attend Celebration; you can still see many of the panels as they were live-streamed. I have provided links to those panels that I attended so that you can fully enjoy them as well!
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.
Which included a very special appearance by John Williams conducting the Orlando Symphony Orchestra to Princess Leia’s Melody, The Opening Theme, and the Imperial March. This to me in all the years I have attended conventions was the greatest experience ever.
Guests: Warwick Davis, Kathleen Kennedy, George Lucas, Dave Filoni, Ian McDiarmid, Hayden Christensen, Peter Mayhew, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Billy Lourd, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and John Williams
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
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.
The panel included a lot of discussion but still kept the plot fairly secret. One bit of news was a new character Rose to be played by Kelly Marie Tran. Of course the new trailer debuted at the panel leaving many people to look at every fine detail. Again the panel can be viewed from the link below so I will just let my photos from the panel speak and you can watch it all!
Guests: Josh Gad, Kathleen Kennedy, Rian Johnson, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill, and Kelly Marie Tran
Star Wars Rebels Season Four Sneak Peek
Executive Producer Dave Filoni and special guests will bring an epic sneak peek at what’s to come in Star Wars Rebels fourth season. From the exclusive reveals, to the always lively audience Q&A, Celebration fans know this panel is not one to miss!
This panel gave me the shivers. Not only did they announce Warwick Davis joining the cast as Rukh a personal bodyguard of Thrawn but Dave Filoni also told fans that Season 4 will be the final season. For fans of this massively popular show it is a huge upset and I just hope it ends well for the crew of the Ghost. If Rogue One is to be believed though some of the crew including chopper do make it through! The big question which Filoni teased but did not answer was, Does Ahsoka Live?
Guests: Dave Filoni, Taylor Gray (Ezra Bridger), Freddie Prinze Jr. (Kanan Jarrus), Vanessa Marshall (Hera Syndulla), Steve Blum (Zeb Orrelios), Tiya Sircar (Sabine Wren), and introducing Warwick Davis as Rukh a personal bodyguard of Thrawn
See the Season 4 trailer below.
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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.
Not a dry eye in the house after this panel a very moving tibute to Carrie Fisher by Mark Hamill sharing anecdotes and stories of know Carrie throughout her life.
Guests: Mark Hamill, Warwick Davis
These Are the Droids You’re Looking For
Warwick Davis and some very famous droids take to the Celebration Stage to reveal what goes into creating the nuts and bolts…and the heart and soul…of some of the Star Wars saga’s best-loved characters. Expect a Droid Spectacular!
A lively discussion all things droids from the very proper C-3P0 to the cold demeanor of K-2SO and including a tribute to Kenny Baker the actor behind our favorite droid R2-D2.
Guests: Warwick Davis, Anthony Daniels, Alan Tudyk, and BB8