Lucasfilms Theatrical Releases for Disney – Star Wars Celebration 2025 came to a close last night in Tokyo, after three days of nonstop excitement celebrating Lucasfilm’s impressive slate of major theatrical titles and live action and animated series and specials on Disney+.
The weekend featured numerous big announcements, surprise celebrity appearances, and exclusive details and first looks at Lucasfilm’s landmark productions, all of which will continue to deliver unparalleled adventure and entertainment that is truly out of this world.
2025 marks the 16th occurrence of the bi-annual global event, and this year’s event was the biggest international Star Wars Celebration ever, with over 105,000 guests from 125 countries in attendance, which is an 8 percent increase in overall attendance from the last Celebration, which took place in 2023 in London.
It was also the fastest Celebration to sell out. The three-day event, which took place at Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Tokyo, featured 26 hours of programming across the three main stages, and 100 hours of fan panel and podcast content.
The weekend got off to a big start on Friday, with news of an all-new theatrical release set in the Star Wars Galaxy.
Lucasfilm’s president Kathleen Kennedy and chief creative officer Dave Filoni brought director Shawn Levy and Ryan Gosling to the stage to discuss “Star Wars: Starfighter,” an all-new standalone adventure taking place approximately five years after the events of 2019’s “Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.”
The film, which will begin production this Fall, is an entirely new adventure featuring all-new characters set in a period of time that has not been explored on screen yet. “Star Wars: Starfighter” will be released in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on May 27, 2027.
The excitement continued when director/co-writer Jon Favreau took to the stage to talk about Lucasfilm’s highly anticipated theatrical release “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” set to hit cinemas May 21, 2026.
Joining him were Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni and the film’s stars, Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, and Grogu himself, for a brief discussion of what fans can look forward to when the characters from the Emmy Award®-winning Disney+ series bring their biggest adventure yet to the big screen.
In the film, the Mandalorian and his young apprentice, Grogu, embark on a thrilling adventure as they travel the galaxy. Behind-the-scenes images and an exclusive first look at the film were shared with the audience.
Friday’s festivities also included a special panel to celebrate Industrial Light & Magic’s contributions to the entertainment industry, as 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking visual effects company.
The filmmakers from “Light & Magic” came to the stageto talk about the second season of the acclaimed documentary series, which first premiered in 2022 and is now streaming on Disney+. Lucasfilm’s “Light & Magic” Season 2 is a three-part series produced by Imagine Documentaries that follows Lucasfilm’s visual effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, as it enters its most challenging and revolutionary period: the dawn of digital.
From creating the first fully realized CG character to solving the challenge of digital water, it is an era that finds ILM scaling new heights of innovation despite dramatic setbacks. The director is Joe Johnston, and the executive producers are Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Justin Wilkes, Sara Bernstein, Joe Johnston, Lawrence Kasdan, Kathleen Kennedy, and Carrie Beck. Jacqui Lopez, Ted Schillinger and Michael Garcia serve as co-executive producers.
The series producers are Meredith Kaulfers and Christopher St. John, and Nicole Pusateri is the supervising producer.
Attendees heard from director Joe Johnston and producer Ron Howard via videotaped greetings, and Sam Witwer (voice of Maul) moderated a panel discussion comprised of Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks), Lynwen Brennan (president and general manager Lucasfilm Business), Doug Chiang (senior vice president and executive design director, Lucasfilm), Janet Lewin (senior vice president, general manager and head of ILM), John Knoll (ILM executive creative director, senior visual effects supervisor), and Rob Coleman (ILM creative director and senior animation supervisor). Filmmakers then unveiled the trailer and key art.
Also on Friday, a special Lucasfilm Animation Panel to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the division that created fan-favourite and critically acclaimed shows like “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “StarWars: Rebels,” and more. The panel wasmoderated by David Collins and included panellists Dave Filoni and Athena Yvette Portillo (vice president, animation production, Lucasfilm), and surprise guest Sam Witwer (voice of Maul).
Fans were treated to the world-premiere of the first episode of Lucasfilm Animation’s “Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld,” an all-new anthology series of animated shorts from creator Dave Filoni, which will premiere May 4, 2025, exclusively on Disney+.
The popular series, which began in 2022 with “Tales of the Jedi” and continued in 2024 with “Tales of the Empire,” this time focuses on the criminal underbelly of the Star Wars galaxy through the experiences of two iconic villains. Former assassin and bounty hunter Asajj Ventress is given a new chance at life and must go on the run with an unexpected new ally, while outlaw Cad Bane faces his past when he confronts an old friend, now a Marshal on the opposite side of the law.
The panel ended with an announcement many fans have been waiting for: a brand-new series from Lucasfilm Animation, this one focusing on Maul: “Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord,” premiering on Disney+ in 2026, starring Witwer. Guests were then treated to an exclusive first look at the series, and gifted an exclusive Lucasfilm Animation special 20th anniversary poster.
Later that day, everyone’s favourite Pooba, Nubs, then came to the Star Wars LIVE! stage, where it was announced that the third season of “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” will debut this Spring on Disney+.
Set 200 years before “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace,” during the High Republic era, “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” follows Jedi Younglings Kai Brightstar, Lys Solay, and Nubs, as they study the ways of the Force, learn from Jedi Master Yoda, explore the galaxy, and help citizens and creatures in need.
The upcoming episodes will see the Jedi kids embark on a journey into the delightful world of droid care, where they will befriend the lovable and quirky droid owner of a local shop, Dotti, and three adorable new droid friends: Beepers, Dozer, and Gigi.
The day ended with a photo call at Tokyo’s Zojoji Temple featuring Lucasfilm talent and filmmakers, including Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni, Jon Favreau, Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Gilroy, Diego Luna, Rosario Dawson, Hayden Christensen, Shawn Levy, and Ryan Gosling, as well as Grogu and the iconic Stormtroopers.
Saturday was devoted to the return of two of Disney+’s most popular series, as well as exciting news about a new LEGO® Star Wars animated project.
Hosts Sascha Boeckle and DJ Taro took to the stage to kick off the day with a thrilling look at the highly anticipated Season 2 of the Emmy®-nominated drama “Andor,” which returns to Disney+ for its long-awaited conclusion on April 23. The excitement started off with an exclusive look at a recap of Season 1.
The duo then welcomed creator/writer/director Tony Gilroy and executive producer and Cassian Andor himself, Diego Luna, to the stage. They were joined by executive producer Sanne Wohlenberg and cast members Genevieve O’Reilly, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, and Alan Tudyk, for a lively discussion of what fans have to look forward to in Season 2.
The 9,000 guests in attendance were treated to a screening of the first episode, followed by an exclusive preview of Season 2, and a special “Andor” celebration poster.
The second Season of “Andor” takes place as the horizon of war draws near and Cassian becomes a key player in the Rebel Alliance. Everyone will be tested and, as the stakes rise, the betrayals, sacrifices, and conflicting agendas will become profound.
Rife with political intrigue and danger, the series is a prequel to “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” which portrayed a heroic band of rebels who steal the plans to the Empire’s weapon of mass destruction—The Death Star—setting the stage for the events of the original 1977 film.
“Andor” sets the clock back five years from the events of “Rogue One” to tell the story of the film’s hero, Cassian Andor, and his transformation from disinterested, cynical nobody into a rebel hero on his way to an epic destiny. The final Season will unfold over 12 episodes broken down into four chapters of three episodes each.
The first chapter of Season 2 will premiere April 23, with subsequent chapters debuting each week, exclusively on Disney+.
Also on Saturday, Celebration attendees were treated to an exclusive look back at the first season of “Ahsoka” with guests Dave Filoni, Jon Favreau, Rosario Dawson, and Hayden Christensen. Panellists shared never-before-seen photography from Season 1 and early production photography from Season 2.
Filmmakers officially confirmed that Rory McCann has been cast in the role of fan-favourite character Baylan Skoll, originated by the late Ray Stevenson, and that Hayden Christensen will return as Anakin Skywalker in the upcoming season. The panel ended with an exclusive concept art preview of what audiences can expect from “Ahsoka,” Season 2, which officially begins production next week.
Later that day at the Star Wars LIVE! Stage, Ahmed Best thrilled attendees with the announcement of a new “LEGO Star Wars” animated sequel series, “LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild Galaxy – Pieces of the Past”, and an all-new teaser poster. In “Pieces of the Past,” a new threat rises in the galaxy, and Sig Greebling and Darth Dev must combine their powers of Force Building and Sith Breaking to stop it.
Alongside Jedi Bob, Yesi Scala, and Servo, they will journey into the deepest corners of LEGO Star Wars lore, uncovering pieces of all the galaxies that have come before…
On Sunday, hosts Sascha Boeckle and DJ Taro provided fans a first look at Volume 3 of “Star Wars: Visions,” which will debut October 29, 2025, exclusively on Disney+, followed by a panel discussion featuring filmmakers from david production, Kamikaze Douga, Kinema citrus Co, Polygon Pictures, Production I.G, Project Studio Q, TRIGGER, and WIT Studio.
Volume 1 of “Star Wars: Visions,” which premiered in 2021, received an Emmy® nomination for the short, “The Duel.” The Emmy, Lumierre, and Annie Award-winning second volume was released in 2023, and featured shorts by global animation studios, including Aardman, Cartoon Saloon, Triggerfish, and Punkrobot.
With Volume 3, the animated anthology returns to where it all began with nine shorts from nine different anime studios to further demonstrate the diversity and creativity of Japanese animation.
The titles of each studio’s short, the directors, and key details were revealed for all nine shorts:
David Production – “BLACK”
Directed by Shinya Ohira
A psychedelic battle between past and present, light and dark, and life and death plays out in the haunted psyche of an Imperial trooper who is on the cusp of defeat.
Kamikaze Douga + ANIMA – “The Duel: Payback”
Directed by Takanobu Mizuno
With the help of some unexpected allies, Ronin faces off against his greatest foe – a twisted Jedi known as the Grand Master who is bent on revenge.
Kinema Citrus – “The Lost Ones”
Directed by Hitoshi Haga
After assisting refugees escape a natural disaster, an incognito F is forced to confront the ghosts of her past when their refugee ship is intercepted by the Empire.
Kinema Citrus – “Yuko’s Treasure”
Directed by Masaki Tachibana
A sheltered orphan teams with a street rat kid to rescue his droid caregiver and find a long lost treasure.
Polygon Pictures – “The Bird of Paradise”
Directed by Tadahiro Yoshihira
After she is blinded in battle, a hot headed Jedi padawan must undergo a series of spiritual trials in order to overcome the temptation of the Dark Side.
Production I.G – “The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope”
Directed by Naoyoshi Shiotani
Pursued by Jedi Hunters, and blasted adrift into space, Kara encounters a seemingly abandoned ship tended to by a mysterious droid.
Project Studio Q – “The Song of Four Wings”
Directed by Hiroyasu Kobayashi
A princess-turned-rebel protects a child from the might of the Empire on a snowbound planet.
TRIGGER – “The Smuggler”
Directed by Masahiko Otsuka
A smuggler, desperate for a quick payday, agrees to take on a job to bring a wanted young prince to safety as the Empire pursues.
WIT Studio – “The Bounty Hunter”
Directed by Junichi Yamamoto
A rogue bounty hunter takes on a job for a shady industrialist that has unexpected consequences for her and her droid.
While complete cast details have not been announced, an exclusive sizzle was screened for fans in room (and on the Star Wars LIVE! Stream), which featured the voices of Ami Maeshima, Yasuko Hatori, Takako Honda, Yume Miyamoto, Makoto Koichi, and Chinatsu Akasaki from the Original Language cast, and George Takei, Sonoya Mizuno, Nick Kishiyama, Lincoln Bonilla, Jimmie Yamaguchi, Mike Bodie, and Stephanie Hsu from the English dub.
The day ended with an announcement from James Waugh, Lucasfilm’s senior vice president, franchise content and strategy, who also serves as an executive producer on “Star Wars: Visions,” that the series will continue with the creation of an all-new banner “Star Wars: Visions Presents,” which will be used to tell longer-form “Star Wars: Visions” stories. Kenji Kamiyama, who directed “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” joined Waugh on stage to announce the first title to be released under the new banner: “Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi.” Kamiyama will serve as supervising director of the limited series, which will continue the story of Lah Kara that first debuted in “Star Wars: Visions,” Volume 1. “Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi,” a new ‘Star Wars: Visions Presents’ limited series, will premiere on Disney+ in 2026.
Be sure to check out the 20th anniversary release of Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith,’’ in cinemas on 24, 25, 26 & 27th April, 2025.
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