The folks at The Walt Disney Studios have been dropping some major bombs at their D23 Expo in Anaheim this weekend, and it’s no surprise that many of them are coming from a galaxy far, far away. The STAR WARS news is big and plentiful, covering everything from the next couple of movies to the long-awaited announcement regarding STAR WARS expansions at the Disney Parks. Here’s the rundown…
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (December 16, 2016)
Star Wars: Rogue One. Left to Right: Actors Riz Ahmed, Diego Luna, Felicity Jones, Jiang Wen and Donnie Yen. Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley ©Lucasfilm 2016
Disney made it official that Gareth Edwards’ ROGUE ONE is shooting now, the story of the brave Rebels who set out to steal the plans to the infamous Death Star in the days prior to 1977’s A NEW HOPE. Full details on the cast and crew can be found here.
STAR WARS EPISODE IX (2019)
JURASSIC WORLD director Colin Trevorrow will direct the final chapter in the third STAR WARS Trilogy with the currently-untitled STAR WARS EPISODE IX. The trilogy begins this year with J.J. Abrams’ STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, and will wrap-up with Trevorrow’s film in four years.
“New & Enhanced” STAR WARS Experiences coming to Disney Parks
Three initiatives were announced for Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California.
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue – Later this year, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disneyland park in California will include a new adventure featuring locations and characters from the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
- Season of the Force – This new seasonal event, beginning early 2016, brings new experiences to both coasts. In Tomorrowland at Disneyland park, guests will explore the Star Wars galaxy with special entertainment, themed food locations and Hyperspace Mountain – a reimagining of the classic Space Mountain attraction in which guests will join an X-wing starfighter battle. Disney’s Hollywood Studios will feature a new fireworks spectacular set to the iconic score of the Star Wars movies on weekend nights.
- Star Wars Launch Bay – Opening later this year, this interactive experience will take guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disneyland park in California into the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as well as the first six films in the Star Wars saga.
STAR WARS-themed Lands Coming to Disney Parks
Perhaps the biggest announcement was also one of the worst-kept secrets as it was made official that STAR WARS lands are coming to Disneyland in Anaheim, California and to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
The 14-acre expansions “will have two signature attractions, including the ability to take the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, on a customized secret mission, and an epic Star Wars adventure that puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle.”
Keep your browser on http://www.therockfather.com/starwars for more STAR WARS news as I have it!
