The big screen is going back long, long ago, to a galaxy far, far away, as three new Star Wars films have been announced by Lucasfilm.
The three movies will take place at different stages of the Star Wars timeline, and will be directed by James Mangold, fresh from the new Indiana Jones film, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, from Ms Marvel, as well as Dave Filoni – the man behind The Mandalorian and the upcoming Ahsoka.
Mangold’s project is said to go back to the “dawn of the Jedi”, with Filoni’s film concluding the stories told in The Mandalorian and Ahsoka in the era of the New Republic.
Obaid-Chinoy’s movie will see Daisy Ridley reprise her role as Rey, who was the focal point of the final trilogy in the original Skywalker Saga.
Lucasfilm, which is owned by Disney, said Rey will spend the film, which will be set 15 years after The Rise Of Skywalker, building a new Jedi order.
The announcements were part of a busy opening session at the annual Star Wars Celebration event, which this year is taking place in London.
Talking on stage, Obaid-Chinoy said: “I’ve always been attracted to the hero’s journey and the fact that the world needs many more heroes,” adding she has been working with “a powerful Jedi master” – who was revealed to be Ridley.
“My heart is pounding,” she said, appearing on stage. “I’m very thrilled to be continuing this journey.”
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Elsewhere, convention-goers saw the new trailer for the upcoming series Ahsoka, which stars Rosario Dawson in the title role, as well as footage from the next series of Andor.
Upcoming television series in the Star Wars franchise had full casts revealed. The Skeleton Crew will star Jude Law and The Acolyte will be led by The Good Place’s Manny Jacinto, Matrix star Carrie-Anne Moss and Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae.
The cast of The Mandalorian appeared on stage too, though without lead star Pedro Pascal, to discuss the fan-favourite series, where creator Jon Favreau admitted the story is beginning to conclude.
And though it’s not a Star Wars project (though made by Lucasfilm), a trailer was shared for the latest Indiana Jones film, introduced by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Mads Mikkelsen.
Six minutes of footage from the new Harrison Ford-led movie was also shown.
The annual celebration of one of the world’s biggest film franchises will run through the entire Easter weekend at London’s Excel venue, where more announcements are likely to be made, and other stars will appear – including the likes of Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine) and Obi-Wan Kenobi himself, Ewan McGregor.