The Mandalorian and Grogu gets its Official Trailer
Star Wars returns to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Watch the trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu and experience the film, starring Pedro Pascal, only in theaters and IMAX May 22.
Tag Archives: lucasfilm
Kathleen Kennedy officially steps down as the head from Lucasfilm as Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan take over
After days of rumors, Lucasfilm has officially announced that Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down from the leadership of Lucasfilm and will be returning to producing. Dave Filoni will now lead the studio as President and Chief Creative Officer alongside Lynwen Brennan who will be Co-President. Kennedy as lead the studio for 14 years, starting in 2012 when Disney acquired the company.
Kennedy will return to producing including Lucasfilm’s upcoming The Mandalorian and Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter. She co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall.
Filoni rose to prominence building out Lucasfilm’as animation department which broke through with Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He went on to help launch The Mandalorian along with Jon Favreau. Filoni joined Lucasfilm in 2005.
Brennan joined Lucasfilm in 1999 starting with Industrial Light & Magic eventually leading in starting in 2009. She became the General Manager of Lucasfilm in 2015 and President & General Manager of Lucasfilm Business in 2024.
Exclusive: Get a look at The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope — The Manga Signed Deluxe Collector’s Edition
In 1997, from deep in the heart of Japan’s manga scene, mangaka Hisao Tamaki set out with an extraordinary goal: to capture the spirit of Star Wars: A New Hope — not just retelling the story, but reimagining the landmark motion picture through the lens of manga. The result was a bold, unforgettable adaptation that ultimately earned Tamaki the prestigious Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material. Now, nearly three decades later, Dark Horse Comics and Lucasfilm present a Kickstarter campaign for The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope—The Manga, a stunning, deluxe book that showcases Tamaki’s original never-before-seen art boards.
A retail edition arrives in Summer 2026, but fans can secure exclusive Kickstarter-only editions–and receive them before retail release. Fans can support the project on Kickstarter now. Just 3 days remain, so hurry and don’t miss out!
In 1977, the world was changed by the release of George Lucas’s seminal science-fantasy epic. Fascinating characters, groundbreaking special effects, and breathtaking action affected audiences in ways that movies never had before and seldom have since. Twenty years later, Hisao Tamaki adapted the films in his own singular style that allowed legions of Star Wars fans to enjoy their favorite story in an exciting new way. Now, Dark Horse has meticulously scanned and assembled Tamaki-sensei’s original art boards to chronicle and showcase the creation of a unique artifact of popular culture.
The book is available through Kickstarter in multiple deluxe editions, including:
- The Collector’s Edition is a two-volume hardcover set presenting Tamaki’s artwork in high resolution, with Kickstarter-exclusive cover and a new English translation that’s taken directly from Tamaki’s handwritten Japanese text. This edition is perfect for fans looking to read the masterful adaptation for the first time, with the new translation included in the margins to preserve the original Japanese lettering. The books are printed on archival-quality stock to showcase Tamaki’s intricate linework and rich tones. While a retail version featuring a different cover will be available in 2026, the Kickstarter-exclusive Collector’s Edition features exclusive designs distinguished by bold use of blue and red —a visual nod to the light and dark sides of the Force, as well as special treatments that will not be offered anywhere else.
- The Collector’s Edition – Tamaki Variant is a minimalist, art-forward reinterpretation of the Collector’s Edition, limited to 260 sets.
- The Collector’s Edition + Slipcase. The complete two-volume Collector’s Edition, presented with a custom black slipcase.
- Deluxe Signed Collector’s Edition. An extremely limited version of the Collector’s Edition—only 250 sets will be produced exclusively for Kickstarter backers.
- The Masterpiece Edition is a large-format, premium release that faithfully presents Hisao Tamaki’s original work, with high-resolution reproductions of his unaltered art at its original size—10.85” x 15.05”. Collected in a faux-leather clamshell case, the two 176-page volumes of this edition are accompanied by a separate 104-page companion book that contains a new translation of the authentic Japanese lettering, which itself was inspired by the alternate language dub of the film that has been enjoyed by Japanese-speaking audiences for generations. The Masterpiece Edition format is only available through Kickstarter and will not be produced for retail.
- The Signed Masterpiece Edition, a definitive version of the Masterpiece Edition featuring special enhancements, limited to only 250 sets worldwide.
- The Signed Darth Vader Masterpiece Edition (Limited to 25), the rarest edition of the campaign, limited to only 25 sets worldwide to backers, combining the full Masterpiece Edition with exclusive Darth Vader-inspired features.
As part of the campaign, fans can also purchase the Tamaki Art Print Set, a curated set of six prints featuring standout pages from Hisao Tamaki’s Star Wars: A New Hope manga. While the artwork is black and white, each print is reproduced in full color to capture every nuance of the art boards— from fine pencil marks and paste-ups to editorial notes and the natural aging of the paper. Fans can also select the Tamaki Art Triptych Folio, a large-format, three-panel folio designed to match the height of the Masterpiece Edition, containing two complete triptych print sets.
Fans can look forward to the standard edition of The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope—The Manga arriving in comic shops and bookstores in Summer 2026–or support the Kickstarter to receive exclusive editions ahead of retail launch. Get a, exclusive look at The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope — The Manga Signed Deluxe Collector’s Edition below and go support the project today!
Around the Tubes
It’s a new week, and we have a lot coming at you. So, let’s kick things off with some news and reviews from around the web you might have missed from the weekend.
The Beat – Japanese digital manga distributor Infocom bought by Blackstone Inc. in billion dollar move – Wow, that’s a hell of a lot of money.
Kotaku – With The Acolyte, Lucasfilm Is Done Staying Silent About Bigoted Reactions To Star Wars – Good. About time.
Reviews
The Beat – The Jellyfish
The Beat – Makinaphobe
Journey further into the world of Star Wars Jedi with The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Dark Horse joins forces with Lucasfilm and Respawn Entertainment to present a new art book, The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. This behind-the-scenes peek into Cal Kestis’ latest journey in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor gives fans a deeper dive into how it all came to life. This oversized, full-color hardcover art book collects concept art and creator commentary from the next entry in Cal’s thrilling saga. The book will also be available in a Deluxe Edition including bonus content such as an exclusive slipcase and new print treatments.
Cal and his allies continue to evade the Empire’s clutches in the Dark Times following the events of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, but just as a hidden hope reveals itself, new dangers emerge and threaten to destroy everything that the young Jedi has fought to preserve.
Explore the process of developing the newest Star Wars Jedi adventure with a tome that intimately chronicles the game’s development, from visionary design to inspirational artwork to stunning final renders. With heroes and villains both familiar and new to the Star Wars Jedi series, breathtaking locales, and incredible ships and weapons, The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor offers a unique look at the inner workings of a galaxy far, far away.
The deluxe edition will include metallic printing treatments, a protective slipcase, and a folio enclosing an archive-quality lithograph.
The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor will arrive in bookstores December 12, 2023 and in comic shops December 13, 2023. The 192-page hardcover art book is available for pre-order now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and at your local comic book shop and bookstore and will retail for $49.99 for the Standard Edition and $99.99 for the Deluxe Edition.
Gina Carano is Booted From Star Wars
After months of petitions to get her booted, Lucasfilm has stated that Gina Carano is no longer part of Star Wars. Carano had played Cara Dune on The Mandalorian.
#FireGinaCarano was the latest movement to get the actress removed from the show/universe after she shared anti-Semitic posts on her Instagram.
A Lucasfilm spokesperson stated:
Gina Carano is not currently employed by Lucasfilm and there are no plans for her to be in the future. Nevertheless, her social media posts denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities are abhorrent and unacceptable.
For months, Carano has been a lightning rod for complaints. She regularly mocked covid mask mandates, spread election conspiracies, made Transphobic statements, and liked posts that were anti-Black Lives Matter.
Even with that, the actress played her role in the second season of The Mandalorian with Disney not responding. It’s only after the second season was done has Lucasfilm and Disney done anything. When the show was going in another direction anyway. We award them no credit for their actions.
A lot of tie-ins have been released for the character including toys from Hasbro and LEGO. It’s unknown if future release plans may change for those items.
Carano’s Dune was expected to play a future role in upcoming Star Wars television shows, and while that was speculation, we’ll see if she’s indeed done or those “no plans” might change.
(via iO9)
Alan Dean Foster Goes Public with his Dispute with Disney Over Royalties
Earlier today, Alan Dean Foster and the Science Fiction Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) held a press conference concerning Disney‘s refusal to pay royalties to Foster for work he has done. Foster was originally contracted to write the Alien novelizations through Warner Books which were eventually licensed to Titan Books, and the Star Wars novelizations by Lucasfilms. Both Warner Books and Lucasfilms regularly paid his royalties.
When The Walt Disney Company acquired the rights to these novelizations in or around 2015, the payments stopped although the books continue to be sold. Disney continues to get money for the books. Alan Dean Foster, and possibly other authors with similar contracts, have not been paid.
Disney’s defense is they have purchased the rights but not the obligations of the contract. They are claiming they have the right to publish the work but not pay the writer based on the original contract.
If this stands, it stands to set a precedent with chilling effects within publishing, and creative industries as a whole.
SFWA President Mary Robinette Kowal has laid out three solutions to the dispute:
- Pay Alan Dean Foster all back royalties as well as any future royalties.
- Publication ceases until new contract(s) are signed, and pay all back royalties to Alan Dean Foster as well as any future royalties.
- Publication ceases and pay all back royalties to Alan Dean Foster.
In his public letter to the company Foster says Disney wanted him to sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) before even talking and negotiating. The publisher has since ingnored requests from his agents and the SFWA.
Foster also included his need that there’s a medical need for the money. He’s not looking for charity, he just wants what he’s owed.
The SFWA is also looking to see if this is a systemic issue with Disney and is asking for other creators to report if they’ve experienced similar experiences. You can do so here. Disney purchased Marvel Comics in 2009 and one would assume contracts with royalties in that deal. Unless there’s something specific about Foster’s original contract, Disney’s stance would be inconsistent by their own actions assuming they’re abiding by those Marvel contracts.
You can watch the full press conference below.
Lucasfilm Announces Star Wars: The Bad Batch Animated Series, Coming to Disney+ in 2021
Lucasfilm has announced that Star Wars: The Bad Batch is coming to Disney+ in 2021. The series spins out of the series finale for Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
The series follows the elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch as they find their way through the galaxy after the Clone War. Each member of the Bad Batch has a singular exceptional skill which makes them a formidable crew. They’ll take on daring mercenary missions as they find their purpose in this new era.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch is executive produced by Dave Filoni (The Mandalorian, Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Athena Portillo (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels), Brad Rau (Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Resistance) and Jennifer Corbett (Star Wars Resistance, NCIS) with Carrie Beck (The Mandalorian, Star Wars Rebels) as co-executive producer and Josh Rimes as producer (Star Wars Resistance). Rau is also serving as supervising director with Corbett as head writer.
Review: Star Wars: The Legends of Luke Skywalker – The Manga
In a franchise as loved by millions as the Star Wars saga, there are still mysteries to be uncovered about the main characters. The last trilogy of movies made for a passing of the torch for many fans. Every generation in the last 50 years, who have been fans of the franchise has had their own relationship with it. My generation grew up on the original trilogy while other generations got to know the universe the new movies and television shows created.
This is why when we hear that there are new stories culled from this universe about our most beloved characters we are mostly overjoyed. When Ken Liu released his book based on new adventures with Luke Skywalker I was definitely in line to pick it up. As I read the stories contained, it occurred to me just how much he loved this world as well. In VIZ Media’s graphic adaptation, Star Wars: The Legends Of Luke Skywalker, they bring to life the adventures he went on in Liu’s brilliant novel.
In the first story, “The Starship Graveyard”, with art by Akira Fukuya and Takashi Kiskaki, a Star Destroyer pilot crashes near a rebel base and has his own encounter with the infamous Jedi Knight, one which gives him a totally different view. In “I Droid”, Haruichi illustrates how R2-D2 and C-3PO get sent to a work colony and Luke not only frees them but liberates the whole colony. In “The Tale Lugubrious Mote” Subaru brings to life a tale where an insect in Jabba The Hut’s lair tells from a different perspective Luke Skywalker’s meeting with Jabba in Return Of The Jedi and how Leia was not truly alone in her time there. In the final story, “Big Inside”, Akira Himekawa illustrates a story of a young biology student who gets rescued by Luke, only to go on her own adventure with the intrepid Jedi Knight as he encounters an old friend through the Force.
Overall, an engaging set of stories, though they rethread some familiar territory, it strikes that rich balance of nostalgia and intrigue. The stories by Liu are pure fan service. The art by the different creators is imbued with love and is very striking. Altogether, this book is the reason why so many fans have stayed in love with the franchise.
Story: Ken Liu Art: Akira Himekawa , Haruichi, Akira Fukaya, Takashi Kisaki, Subaru
Story: 9.7 Art: 9.8 Overall: 9.8 Recommendation: Buy
Yen Press Announces Two New Star Wars Manga
Join the Rebel Alliance as they launch an epic battle against the Galactic Empire in a pair of riveting new Star Wars manga taking place before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope.
Yen Press, in collaboration with Lucasfilm, presents Star Wars Leia, Princess of Alderaan and Star Wars Rebels. Both ongoing series will be available in print and digital.
Star Wars Leia, Princess of Alderaan
Story by Claudia Gray
Art by Haruichi Furudate
A manga adaptation of the beloved YA Star Wars novel, Leia, Princess of Alderaan, by Claudia Gray.
The never-before-told story of how young Leia Organa comes to join the rebellion against the evil Empire. Claudia Gray is the author of Star Wars Lost Stars, a Star Wars YA novel adapted into a manga published by Yen Press.
A young Princess Leia spends her days learning the ways of politics, aiding those in need and preparing for the traditional ceremony in which she declares her intention to one day rule Alderaan. But as Leia prepares herself to be named the heir of the throne, she becomes aware of the growing distance between her and her parents, who behind closed doors are leaders of the newly-formed Rebellion. Upon learning her parents’ secrets, Leia must now make a choice between her responsibility to the people of Alderaan and her responsibility to save a galaxy crushed by the rule of the Empire.
Star Wars Rebels
Story and Art by Akira Aoki
A manga adaptation of the hit 3D animated series Star Wars Rebels seen on Disney XD.
The animated series launched with the first two episodes titled Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion and was followed by four seasons that aired from 2014 to 2018. The critically-acclaimed show featured fan-favorite Star Wars characters, such as Kanan Jarrus, who was the focus of his own novel and comic book series, and Chopper, a droid who made a brief appearance in the film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Set during an era when the Galactic Empire is hunting down the last of the Jedi, a fledgling rebellion against the Empire begins to take form. Star Wars Rebels takes place in the area surrounding the planet Lothal, where the Galactic Empire battles against Ezra, a teenage con artist with latent Force abilities, Kanan, one of the last surviving members of the Jedi Order, and the rest of the ragtag rebels on board the starship Ghost.
