Lucasfilm D23 Panel Roundup: ‘Tales Of The Jedi’, ‘Willow’, ‘Mandalorian’, ‘Andor’ Trailers, Premiere Dates & More!
This weekend sees Disney’s D23 Expo in full swing, and today at the Lucasfilm portion of the morning panel they dropped a slew of info and trailers including ‘Tales Of The Jedi’, ‘Willow’, and ‘The Madalorian’, along with some new premiere dates. Here is a rundown of what was announced.
Tales Of The Jedi
The six-episode series of animated shorts from Dave Filoni is described as “Two Stories of Fate. One Destiny.” Those two halves are represented by Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku. The new series features both of these iconic characters in three distinct eras of their lives (each will receive three episodes).
In the case of Dooku, we will see a young version of the character when he was still a Jedi, along with his Padawan, Qui-Gon Jinn. Liam Neeson (and his son) return to voice the fan-favourite character. On the Ahsoka side, we are introduced to Pav-ti, her mother, voiced by Janina Gavankar.
‘Tales of the Jedi‘ will premiere Wednesday, 26th October 2022 on Disney+.
The Mandalorian, Season 3
‘The Mandalorian‘ season three picks up after the events of ‘The Book Of Boba Fett’ series, which saw our titular character shunned from his caste, with The Armorer proclaiming “You are a Mandalorian no more.”
The new season promises to be a full-on “father/son” adventure, with Mando and Grogu zipping around the Galaxy in their sweet new ride. Also returning are Katee Sackhoff as Bo-Katan, Giancarlo Esposito as Moff Gideon, and Amy Sedaris as the wonderfully fun engineer, Peli Motto.
‘The Mandalorian‘ Season 3 doesn’t have an exact premiere date, but will land in 2023.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Season 2
We’re going to have to wait a little longer for the return of Hunter, Echo, Tech, Wrecker and Omega, as they announce Season 2 of ‘The Bad Batch‘ has been moved back to January 2023.
‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ follows the elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War. Members of Bad Batch – a unique squad of clones who vary genetically from their brothers in the Clone Army – each possess a singular exceptional skill that makes them extraordinarily effective soldiers and a formidable crew.
‘The Bad Batch‘ Season 2 will now premiere Wednesday, 4th January 2022 on Disney+.
Andor
Lastly on the ‘Star Wars’ side, ‘Andor‘ got a final trailer before its release later this month.
The ‘Andor’ series will explore a new perspective from the Star Wars galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make. The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.
Diego Luna returns as Cassian Andor and is joined by cast members Genevieve O’Reilly, Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough and Kyle Soller.
They also confirmed the series will be limited to two seasons, with 12 episodes each.
‘Andor‘ premieres Wednesday, 21st September 2022 on Disney+ worldwide with a 3-episode launch.
Willow
Stepping away from ‘Star Wars’, ‘Willow‘ got a new trailer, and the announcement of a new cast member!
For the younger readers, the original ‘Willow’ was a fantasy adventure followed Warwick Davis as Willow Ufgood, a young farmer and conjurer who discovers a baby girl in a reed basket on a nearby river. What he doesn’t know at the time is the baby is supposed to fulfil a prophecy which would see the downfall of the evil sorceress Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh), and had been smuggled away by the midwife to keep her safe… Much to the anger of the queen. With the help of a mercenary Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) and warrior Sorsha (Joanne Whalley), Willow embarks on a quest to take the child to safety.
The new series, which is Lucasfilm’s first venture into non-Star Wars storytelling since 2015, takes place years after the events of the original ‘Willow’ film. It introduces all-new characters to the enchanted realm of fairy queens and two-headed Eborsisk monsters, and welcomes back its namesake hero, Willow Ufgood, performed once again by the unmatchable Warwick Davis.
Alongside Davis, the series stars Erin Kellyman as Jade, a servant training to become a warrior and friend of Kit who joins in the quest; Ruby Cruz as Kit, a princess leading the party to rescue her twin brother; Ellie Bamber as Dove, a kitchen maid; And Amer Chadha-Patel as Boorman, a thief who is offered freedom from prison if he assists the group. Tony Revolori, Dempsey Bryk and Talisa Garcia also star.
Newly announced today, Christian Slater is part of the cast! They didn’t say who he is playing, but it was hinted at that he is a friend of Madmartigan.
‘Willow‘ premieres Wednesday, 30th November 2022 on Disney+ worldwide.
Indiana Jones 5
One last little thing… Indiana Jones 5 has a release date of 30th June 2023. They did also show a trailer but have not released it online annoyingly…
Harrison Ford and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who stars with him in the movie, took to the stage at the panel. “I’m very proud to say that this one is fantastic, and this is one of the reasons,” commented Ford whilst pointing at Waller-Bridge. “Indiana Jones movies are about mystery and adventure, but they’re also about heart, and I’m really, really happy that we have a really human story to tell, as well as a movie that will kick your ass.”
Mads Mikkelsen, Boyd Holbrook and Shaunette Renée Wilson also star in the film, which is written by Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth and James Mangold. Mangold also directs the movie, with Kathleen Kennedy,, Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall and Simon Emanuel as producers.
Indiana Jones 5 lands Friday, 30th June 2023 in cinemas.
