Three introduction shorts and a poster for “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” have been released ahead of the series premiere on May 4, 2023.
Set in the High Republic era, “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” is notable for being the first of its kind in the “Star Wars” universe, with a concept specifically geared toward young audiences. Several fans have been excited by this prospect, finally having the potential opportunity to introduce their children to a beloved fandom with less intense but equally qualitative adventures. The story follows a group of Jedi younglings centuries before events witnessed in the prequel trilogy films “as they study the ways of the Force, explore the galaxy, help citizens and creatures in need, and learn valuable skills needed to become Jedi along the way.”
Elliot Bour serves as Supervising Director, with other notable directing work on “Elena of Avalor,” “Kronk’s New Groove,” and “Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo.” Michael Olson is the showrunner, known for his work on “Puppy Dog Pals.” The cast of “Young Jedi Adventures” includes Jamaal Avery Jr. as youngling Kai Brightstar, Emma Berman as pilot/friend Nash Durango, Juliet Donenfeld as youngling Lys Solay, Dee Bradley Baker as youngling Nubs, Jonathan Lipow as droid RJ-83, and Piotr Michael as Master Yoda.
The three shorts are available on the Disney Junior YouTube channel. They will be available on Disney+ on April 26. Watch the first short below.
Disney reportedly has bad news for many Indiana Jones fans.
Indiana Jones, the LucasFilm franchise that has starred Harrison Ford as Dr. Jones, has stood the test of time. Though Raiders of the Last Ark (1981) was released more than 40 years ago, the franchise has continued to be successful. As a matter of fact, Indiana Jones has been so popular that a show, the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort, and a ride, Indiana Jones Adventure, at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, CA have been made to pay homage to the movies.
While fans wait for Indiana Jones 5 to be released this summer, we have some less-than-stellar news for fans hoping the franchise would be moving forward.
Previously, it was announced that a new Indiana Jones series would be coming to Disney+. The series was to be produced by LucasFilm, the company behind the Indiana Jones franchise, and would feature a replacement for Harrison Ford as the main character moving forward.
While some fans were skeptical about the series, others were excited to see the aspects of the franchise coming to Disney+ and the potential for expanded storytelling. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that Disney will be moving forward with the series, after all.
A report indicates that Lucasfilms is choosing to stop moving forward with this series and will focus more on Star Wars and Marvel instead.
“RUMOR: The Ravenwood/Indiana Jones series at LucasFilm is not moving forward, and furthermore, I’ve heard that Disney has told Lucasfilm to focus on STAR WARS going forward, hence the cancellation of WILLOW,” Sneider tweeted.
There have been rumors of replacements for Harrison Ford, which have included names like Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, and even Harry Styles, but it seems that Disney might be content to let the fifth film serve as the final rendition for the franchise.
Harrison Ford has said in the past that the franchise should never be recast and that, once he’s done, the franchise should be retired, as well. Disney has made controversial decisions to move forward with projects before that fans were unhappy with, but it seems that the company will “cool down” on the notion of moving forward with Indy for the time being.
You can catch Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) in theaters beginning June 30, 2023. In addition to Harrison Ford, the film stars Mads Mikkelsen, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, and many others.
For some Disney fans, March 1 means everything, as it marks the long-awaited, highly-anticipated return of what some have deemed a “global phenomenon” after a more than two-year absence.
Every Disney fan has his or her favorite Disney “thing”: a favorite classic film, a favorite live-action movie, a favorite Disney Park, a favorite ride at a favorite Disney Park . . . the list goes on. And when that favorite something disappears, is unavailable, or simply cannot be found, it can turn a fan’s world upside-down. We’re all used to the occasional ride refurbishments and reimagining of attractions, but the coronavirus pandemic propelled us–Disney fans included–into a whirlwind of unprecedented times and unprecedented scenarios–, and at one point, there were very few things the pandemic didn’t affect.
Such is the case with a fan-favorite experience that you can’t find in the parks or amongst the volumes of Disney classic films. That’s because this experience is one that just became available in 2019 and only to a select number of Disney fans–namely, those with a subscription to Disney’s first-ever premier streaming service, Disney+.
When The Walt Disney Company first announced its plans to roll out a streaming platform, fans were excited–no, elated. Finally! There would be one place where Disney fans of all ages could find and watch their favorite films, whether Walt-era classics or PIXAR favorites or . . . but as streaming was in its infancy, it didn’t occur to most that Disney would be in the business of creating series and films solely for the platform on a continual basis.
(Look, I’m just thrilled that I can watch Sleeping Beauty anytime of the day or night–and as many times as I want!)
But when November of 2019 rolled around, it was evident that fans were in for so much more. Disney’s live-action Lady and the Tramp stole hearts from day one, but nothing could have prepared fans for the platform’s most-streamed offering: The Mandalorian.
From the mind of Jon Favreau and showcasing the work of directors like Bryce Dallas Howard, Taika Waititi, Deborah Chow, and Dave Filoni, the series follows Din Djarin, a bounty hunter from Mandalore.
The series begins five years after the storyline in Return of the Jedi (1983) and the fall of the Galactic Empire. The Mandalorian follows Din Djarin, a bounty hunter from Mandalore, who is hired what’s left of the Imperial forces to retrieve “the child” named Grogu, who resembles a youthful Master Yoda. Instead, however, “Mando” finds himself on the run in an effort to protect Grogu. During their journey, they are constantly being pursued by Moff Gideon, a villain who needs Grogu because of the child’s connection to the Jedi Force. Mandalorians are never to remove their helmets, but Din Djarin ends up doing just that and must travel to redeem himself after doing so.
Season 1 of The Mandaloriandrew millions of viewers across an audience comprised of lifelong diehard Star Wars fans–as well as those who loved them. And the series had the power to make fans out of those who previously had no interest in the galaxy far, far away. Season 2 had the same effect, but since the end of the second season in December 18, 2020, there’s been no new content. Though fans were told a third season would be released, the coronavirus pandemic rendered filming nearly non-existent. When production resumed, it was evident that Season 3 would be a long time coming.
The wait is over, though, as of March 1, as Epidode One of Season 3 of The Mandalorian is available for streaming. If you’ve never watched it, give it a try! The series, referred to by critics as a “global phenomenon” might just make a Mando fan out of you. (And by the way, you can be a Mandalorian fan and still not be down with the rest of the Star Wars galaxy.)
Bringing the Disney Wish, the latest Disney Cruise Line ship, from an idea to the sea was a five-year undertaking by thousands of dedicated crew and Cast Members. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into the process, a new documentary by National Geographic gives an amazing behind-the-scenes look at the last year and a half of construction. “Making the Disney Wish: Disney’s Newest Cruise Ship” debuts on Disney+ on February 17. We were able to catch a screening of the show and talk to the filmmakers to learn more about this documentary.
The documentary is a 90-minute special that gives an incredible behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring a Disney Cruise Line ship to life. From designing to constructing and launching the Disney Wish, viewers will be amazed at the process and challenges that Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering faced as they worked through the pandemic, which caused numerous delays.
Filmmakers Chad Cohen (director, writer, and producer) and Bethany Jones (producer and writer) have created a great documentary that will give you an appreciation for the ship and shipbuilders and the incredible Imagineers who were challenged to bring this ship to life. It was especially interesting to learn how the cast and crew worked around the clock during the transatlantic voyage from Germany to Port Canaveral in June 2022. The ship transformed before their eyes as spaces went through last-minute construction, such as painting, carpet laying, and more.
When we spoke to the filmmakers, we learned that they wanted to give some great behind-the-scenes look at the engineering and construction of the ship while also highlighting the heart and dedication of Walt Disney Imagineers. We thought they did a fantastic job covering more technical aspects of the Disney Wish while showing the power of people to pull together to make something amazing. Chad Cohen said they tried very hard not to be an advertisement, and we think they pulled it off. He said it well when he told us he tried to make a documentary that showed “passionate people making cool stuff.”
One very cool scene was the speed trials the ship went through to test the systems. Normally, cameras are not allowed during such tests, and the filmmakers were originally told they would not be able to film, but in the end, they were able to gain access. We’re glad they did because it was neat to see how rigorous the testing is. Another cool scene in the documentary was seeing actor Anthony Mackie film his scenes for the dinner experience at Worlds of Marvel. It’s amazing all of the work that goes into one meal a guest would experience during the cruise.
After watching the documentary, we felt a new appreciation for everyone who brought the ship to life. Having been on the Disney Wish, we know the ship is amazing, and it’s a great reminder that the skill and dedication of the cast and crew are what brought the Wish to life. We highly recommend watching this documentary! We really do think you’ll love it.
“Making the Disney Wish: Disney’s Newest Cruise Ship” debuts on Disney+ on February 17. It’s currently available on Hulu Live and on the National Geographic Channel.
Something that is so much fun, is parents can check their children into the kids club in the Grand Hall on deck 3 and then send them “down the rabbit hole” on a twisting slide to land directly and securely into the central hub of Disney’s Oceaneer Club on deck 2.
Jon Favreau‘s The Mandalorian is getting a special debut that Lucasfilm has never done before.
Fans know that March 1st is when Season 3 of The Mandalorian is set to debut and bring fans to Mandalore, Coruscant, and other planets in the new brand story with everyone’s favorite duo. Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin will try to redeem himself by going to Mandalore, while some stories will focus on Coruscant due to the Empire’s secret dealings being exposed.
It’s still unclear how Giancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideon will fit into the story, as there are plenty of rumors that the cloning story seen in the Sequel Trilogy might continue to play a role in the series. For some reason, Gideon wants Grogu’s blood, and Season 3 might finally give some answers.
Disney, on the other hand, is making room for all fans whether or not they have Disney+ and have announced that part of The Mandalorian Season 1 will be debuting on television. According to Gizmodo, fans can watch the first episode on Freeform, ABC, and FX on February 28 at 8 pm EST.
This nostalgic revisit of the first episode will be a great way to relive that special moment when Mando found Baby Yoda, and the internet was forever changed. Surprisingly, Disney is planning to show one episode, but this is now the second time they have done something like this.
First, it was with Diego Luna’s Andor due to the series not having a lot of viewership right off the bat, but The Mandalorian has been Disney+’s flagship for views ever since the streaming platform debuted back in 2019. For Star Wars to give the first episode away to be broadcasted is not normal for the company and makes fans wonder if Disney is getting desperate for more subscribers.
Due to their recent financial issues causing Bob Chapek to be swapped with Bob Iger, it would make sense that Disney might be relying on The Mandalorian to provide more fans joining the platform. The series constantly breaks records, and it won’t be surprising if Season 3 follows suit and shatters more.
