Cantina Talk: Episode IX Might Feature Lando's Daughter
Sure, we're past the 40th anniversary of the Star Wars Holiday Special by now, but it's still the season of giving. If it wasn't, how would you explain the fact that we might have learned about new characters for Star Wars: Episode IX or new cast members for The Mandalorian? And if that isn't enough, there's also brand new music from John Williams and the chance to see a British politician embarrass himself with a story that's almost certainly not true. Happy Extended Life Day, everyone!
Episode IX Might Feature Lando Calrissian's Daughter
The Source: An anonymous source on an internet message board, of all places
Probability of Accuracy: There's nothing to make this seem legitimate beyond the fact that it feels legit, so … who can say, really?
The Real Deal: A curious new rumor emerged from the depths of Reddit recently when a user named Termiriblagg1, who claimed to have been an extra on the set of Episode IX, offered a couple of pretty dramatic spoilers. Firstly, that General Hux will surrender to the Resistance during the first act of the movie—something rumored elsewhere before now—and, perhaps more interestingly, that Naomi Ackie's character in the movie is Veranada Calrissian, Lando's daughter. Vera, as the character will apparently be called, is part of the Resistance, and seems to hold some kind of leadership role from what was described. (Would anyone expect any different from the daughter of the former boss of Cloud City?) Of course, if audiences are going to get to meet the offspring of Lando in the new movie, does this mean fans should be worried about the fate of Billy Dee Williams' alter ego when he shows up onscreen? Expect to find out more as we approach the movie's December 2019 release.
Finally, Star Wars Is for Kids Again
The Source: An official Lucasfilm announcement
Probability of Accuracy: As with all studio announcements, it's pretty much impossible to find something more accurate, in intent if nothing else.
The Real Deal: Seemingly conscious about the need to bring new young fans to the franchise, Lucasfilm and Disney have unveiled Star Wars Kids, a multi-prong effort to bring younger viewers into the fandom. The most prominent part of the initiative is Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures, a series of animated shorts to be shared at StarWarsKids.com and on a Star Wars Kids YouTube channel, launching November 30 with new installments running throughout December and into 2019.
The cartoon is, according to Lucasfilm, just part of a year-long program to promote Star Wars ahead of next year's release of Episode IX—which raises the question of how much of the previous movies are going to be covered by this animated series. Keep watching the internet to find out.
More Mandalorian Casting News
The Source: Fansite Making Star Wars, which tends to be good about this kind of thing
Probability of Accuracy: For now, let's call it 70/30. The source has proven to be strong in the past, and there's something undeniably cool about the possibility, if nothing else.
The Real Deal: In case you're wishing there was another reason to get excited about The Mandalorian, the Making Star Wars site has come up with one: Carl Weathers is apparently in the show. If seeing a veteran of Rocky, Predator, and Arrested Development show up in a galaxy far, far away doesn't seem like a good idea to you, you're probably reading the wrong web site right now. Of course, there's no clue yet as to who he's playing or even how long he'll appear in the show, but as with all things Mandalorian, we should just appreciate the uncertainty for a while longer, as difficult as that may be.
More Mandalorian Casting News, Part 2
The Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Probability of Accuracy: Seems legit.
The Real Deal: In a less gossipy bit of Mandalorian casting news, The Hollywood Reporter ran a story last week announcing that Nick Nolte will also be joining the cast of Jon Favreau's forthcoming series for the Disney streaming service Disney+. No word on who Nolte will be playing, but it's further proof Lucasfilm is setting up The Mandalorian to be a massive show.
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Is Getting Some John Williams Music
The Source: Disney Theme Parks themselves (well, the corporate division, not the actual parks)
Probability of Accuracy: You can hear it for yourself.
The Real Deal: John Williams may not be scoring all of the Star Wars movies anymore, but that doesn't mean that he's no longer involved in the franchise beyond the core Skywalker Saga movies, a fact proven by the debut of his score for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, the theme park attractions opening at Disneyland and Walt Disney World next year.
Unveiled at the same time were teaser videos for two of the attractions at Galaxy's Edge, and … well, let's just say that fans look set to have the experience they've been dreaming of.
George Lucas Is Returning for One More Movie
The Source: An infamous British politician
Probability of Accuracy: Almost certainly untrue.
The Real Deal: One of the more surprising things British politician Boris Johnson has said recently—and, as those who follow Johnson's career know, that's really saying something—was the seeming announcement of a new director for the maybe-still-in-development-who-knows solo Obi-Wan Kenobi movie. Giving a speech in Belfast recently, he said, "The biggest-grossing movie around the world of 2017 was Star Wars. Whatever it was called, it was the latest edition of Star Wars. But where does George Lucas propose to make the follow-up biopic of the life of Obi-Wan Kenobi? Anybody know? Here in Northern Island." There are multiple reasons to be suspicious of what he said here, not least because Johnson is famously wrong on any number of topics. Not only did rumors emerge earlier this year that Lucasfilm was pulling back on the Star Wars spin-offs—although the studio suggested otherwise in a subsequent story—but Ewan McGregor, who was reportedly starring in the Kenobi movie, said there were no plans just a few months ago. Oh, and then there’s that whole "George Lucas has been retired from Star Wars for some years now" thing.