With Star Wars Celebration Chicago 2019 less than a month away, the details have solidified about all aspects related to the con, from the final schedule of panels (which I’ll pick a Top 5 for each day), how the new virtual lottery/queuing system works, exclusive Celebration Store merchandise has been revealed, and of course a plethora of guests announced for photo-op/signings/mysterious panel appearances. I’ve throw all that info together into one post, just below, so get all your SWCC 2019 info right here!
For starters, let’s go over the new panel reservation and lottery policies, which after having been at Anaheim 2015, Europe 2016, and Orlando 2017 (the worst of the bunch), the new system, “LIGHTSPEED Virtual Panel Reservations and LIGHTSPEED Lane Virtual Queuing powered by ThinkGeek,” looks to solve some of the panel queuing problems, alleviate stress, overnight lines, and allow for those with disabilities a much fairer chance at enjoying some of the big marquee panels. Only on those morning marquee panels at the Celebration Stage (like Episode IX or The Mandalorian), and the stages where those panels will be streamed to, the Galaxy and Twin Sun Stages, there is a lottery system to gain attendance which opens Friday March 29 and closes on Thursday April 4 (unless you have Jedi Master VIP passes). Any subsequent panel at the Celebration Stage is available to walk-in, or if you got in to the morning panels, you can stay put. Any panel on the Galaxy and Twin Sun Stages, minus the morning streams of the marquee panels, can have reservations made via online or the mobile app. The Virtual Queuing is for the Celebration Store and other features, while exhibitors will also do a lottery system. The system isn’t perfect and there are plenty of unanswered questions and potential unclear wording, but overall this sounds like a better system than the wristband stuff of prior years. I do not agree in the slightest with how late in the game they announced these policies and plans, and how delayed the panel schedule ended up being released as well, but once this system goes into effect and they iron out the edges, this could be the much preferred system in Celebrations for years to come. Check out all the details in this expansive FAQ at the Celebration site.
A quick aside before going over the daily Top 5 panels: this is the first time I didn’t get a media pass for Celebration, which I’ve been going to since Anaheim 2015. I’ve made my peace with not getting it this year and have only gotten tickets (for me and my girlfriend) for Monday, so I’ll be throwing my saber in the ring for both The Phantom Menace 20th Anniversary and Star Wars Resistance panels when I go, and otherwise I’ll still be covering news here on the site as it trickles in from livestreams/tweets/TOS! However, due to a very exciting personal event the same weekend (I’ll be posting about what it is on Twitter), and going to Celebration on Monday, any news from Saturday-Monday panels probably won’t go up on the site until the following Tuesday (April 16) and later. Thanks for your understanding in advance!
Anyways, on to the Top 5 panels per day (which the site sort of did itself)!
Friday
Episode IX; Celebration Stage; 11am-12pm
Starting the weekend off with the biggest panel is a brilliant idea, as Anaheim 2015 began with The Force Awakens‘ panel and the hype/buzz from the trailer seeped into the entire weekend, and I bet Ep. IX‘s title/trailer/details will be a similarly giant boost to the Celebration goers. UPDATE: Here’s the trailer/panel for Rise of Skywalker!
Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series; Celebration Stage; 1:30-2:30pm
Announced late last year, ILMxLAB and Oculus will be showing off the first details about the upcoming VR series, specifically about the first episode. If you miss out on the panel, as a trailer for a VR project never quite captures the same feeling as playing it, try to get into booth on the show floor to give it a chance yourself. UPDATE: Here’s my thoughts on the trailer for the first episode.
The Music of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace with David Collins; Galaxy Stage; 3:30-4:30pm
It is the 20th Anniversary of TPM, and to get yourself hyped up for the Anniversary panel on Monday, why not dissect its fantastic music? I’ve always missed out on these, but if I was going, this would’ve been the year I’d made it.
The Creatures, Droids, & Aliens of Star Wars; Celebration Stage; 4-5pm
Getting an inside look at the process the creature shop goes through to bring all the incredible creatures, droids, and aliens has always fascinated me, and since we don’t have as much information on the sequel trilogy’s process over the original/prequel trilogies, I would hope this panel covers more of the recent films. Here at the Manor, we got to interview lead sculptor Colin Jackman, so check that out in the meantime!
Lucasfilm Publishing Panel; Twin Suns Stage; 4:45-5:45pm
The best place to get details on all the current and upcoming novels, including announcements for titles we don’t know about, like probably Ep. IX, The Mandalorian, and Jedi: Fallen Order tie-in content, you do not want to miss out on this one!
Other Highlights: Hasbro, 20 years of the LEGO Star Wars Story, Predicting the Future with Star Wars
Saturday
Bringing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Life at Disney Parks; Celebration Stage; 11am-12:30pm
Just like the upcoming publishing program will give plenty of fans who may never go to the Galaxy’s Edge parks, this panel could be the next closest thing to going if you can make it to Celebration.
Star Wars Rebels Remembered; Galaxy Stage; 12:45-1:45pm
It’s been just over a year, and if the recent Twitter campaign to share memories of the show is any indication, the much beloved show is still strong in fan’s hearts (including mine). Dave Filoni and “special guests” will provide an inside look at the series, but they’ve been going out of their way to note they will not be announcing a new show at the panel, a thought many people had considering some of the exciting threads left open from the series finale.
The Galaxy-Wide Premiere of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order; Celebration Stage; 1:30-2:30pm
As a video game fan, specifically single-player heavy games, myself and many other gamers/Star Wars fans have been left out for most of EA’s tenure with the franchise. Thankfully Jedi: Fallen Order is really happening (we’re even getting toys) and arrives later this year, so the first footage and details will finally be revealed here! This and The Mandalorian‘s panel might be the most exciting because they are the biggest unknowns for me, as I can imagine Ep. IX likely will be a great finale for the Skywalker Saga. UPDATE: Intrigued but apprehensive still after the trailer/panel.
Marvel Comics Presents: Star Wars; Twin Suns Stage; 2:30-3:30pm
The comics have been a big focus for the Manor over the years, and Doctor Aphra is basically my favorite character in the entire saga, so you can imagine for any comic fan, this’ll be a must-see. While it looks like it’ll focus on Age of Rebellion and the Galaxy’s Edge tie-in, expect announcements, like hopefully what’s next for the Star Wars series after Kieron Gillen leaves it later this year (as the solicitations for the July comics will go live a little over a week after this panel, so of course we will get any new series revealed here).
SISTERS OF THE FORCE, A Celebration of Women and Star Wars; Celebration Stage; 4-5pm
Featuring Ashley Eckstien (Ahsoka), Vanessa Marshall (Hera), Cather Taber (Padme), Amy Ratcliffe (Women of the Galaxy author), plus surprise appearances (like I hope Daisy Ridley and Kelly Marie Tran can make it!), this panel is all about the ladies of Star Wars and celebrating the role of those involved with bringing their stories to life!
Other Highlights: Changing Roles of Women in the Star Wars Universe; Del Rey Behind the Scenes; Pride Squadron Presents: Navigating Gender, Crossplay, and Trans Costuming in a Galaxy Far Far Away; Star Wars Author Track – Claudia Gray (my favorite author of the new canon!); Step Into Our Star Wars Stories: ILMxLAB
Sunday
The Mandalorian, Celebration Stage, 11am-12pm
The first live-action TV show, coming exclusively to Disney+ later this year, is unveiled to the world! This is my second most anticipated panel as I can’t wait to see how Star Wars translates to TV when its live-action. Great cast, great directors…no doubt it’ll be a great show! UPDATE: They made footage Celebration-only, which is a little disappointing.
#SWRepMatters: Celebrating Diversity in a Galaxy Far, Far Away; Fan Stage; 1-1:45pm
This is a well-deserved panel for those who started the #SWRepMatters hashtag, as it sparked an enlightening and important discussion on how the GFFA has been in regards to diversity and inclusion. Hopefully some creatives who are working on Lucasfilm projects, and those that might, tune in too to see how much this really matters to all fans.
Doug Chiang: The Evolution of Star Wars Design – Designing Episode I; Galaxy Stage; 1:15-2:15pm
I’ve had the chance to see Doug Chiang discuss his work back at Europe 2016 and it was an illuminating panel, and I’d love to catch this one as many of his designs are highly important to look and feel of the prequel trilogy. Also, going to this will definitely help build hype for TPM’s 20th Anniversary Panel on Monday!
Star Wars Author Track – Delilah S. Dawson; University Stage; 1:30-2:30pm
Claudia Gray is easily my favorite author of the new canon, and while her panel didn’t make the cut for Saturday’s Top 5 (it’s in the other highlights) simply due to so many other great options, I’d definitely try to make Dawson’s because she’s also an excellent author and easily in my top 5 overall. Either way, I’d always suggest trying to see a panel like this because it can offer some fun insight into how your favorite novels are written and some writer’s advice is usually included. I had the chance to see Chuck Wendig at Orlando 2017.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Sneak Peek; Celebration Stage; 3:30-4:30pm
In case you somehow missed the reveal that The Clone Wars would have a limited return on Disney+, it’ll be hard not to know about it after whatever footage of the upcoming episodes is revealed here. If The Mandalorian didn’t have a panel on Sunday, this would be the most exciting one of the day for me, but now it’s a second, though not very far behind. Can’t wait to see what this reveals about the show’s return, like if it’s only episodes about the Siege of Mandalore or not. UPDATE: It’s not just the Siege and it sure looks spectacular!
Other Highlights: Behind the Scenes of the Cantina; Pride Squadron: Creating a Space for Queer Fandom; In Conversation with Alan Tudyk (K-2SO himself! Maybe this is before or after the reveal he’s definitely back to play the role in the Cassian Andor show); Into the Archives.
Monday
Star Wars: Phantom Menace 20th Anniversary Celebration; Celebration Stage; 11am-12:30pm
Not only is it Celebration’s own 20th Anniversary, it’s also The Phantom Menace’s! Warwick Davis hosts as they, “rare behind-the-scenes content and special guests brought together to share their memories and insight into the film’s creation.” We already know Ahmed Best (Jar Jar) will be at the show, but could we see Liam Neeson (Qui-Gon), Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan), and, the Force be good, Natalie Portman (Padmé)?! I also wouldn’t be too surprised about a George Lucas cameo, and maybe some other BTS movers and shakers, but unfortunately Jake Llyod probably wouldn’t show up, though it would be amazing if he did so the fans there could show him the love and support he deserved but didn’t get all those years ago following the release of the film.
Whose Line Is It, Alderaan?; Fan Stage; 11:45am-12:30pm
I’ve always been a big fan of Whose Line, from the original run, where I saw a live performance once when a few of the actors visited Milwaukee, to even the return on the CW a few years back. The idea of a Star Wars-flavored one by fans sounds too good to pass up!
Star Wars Resistance Season Two Sneak Peek; Galaxy Stage; 1:30-2:30pm
Star Wars Resistance’s first season had a bit of a rough, but enjoyable start, and then its second half really flew into high gear, ending on a truly exciting finale with a great cliffhanger. Considering we’re going to be getting our first details about Ep. IX, like if there’s a prolonged time jump between it and The Last Jedi, we’ll get to see where/when Resistance’s second season stacks up in the sequel timeline.
Short Stories with Warwick Davis; Celebration Stage; 1:30-2:30pm
I’ve never seen a solo show from Davis, but he has been an exceptional host throughout all the Celebrations I’ve seen him at and I can only imagine his own show could be a real treat!
Celebration Chicago Closing Ceremony; Celebration Stage; 3:30-4:30pm
The last few Celebrations’ Closing Ceremonies haven’t quite awed, but considering there is so much more going in Star Wars than even what is being revealed here this weekend, I wouldn’t be shocked if we really got some big surprises/announcements during this year’s ceremonies, beyond just knowing when the next Celebration will be. But…I could be wrong, so best go into this one with tempered expectations and you’ll never be disappointed!
Other Highlights: Star Wars Author Track – Alexander Freed; It’s A Maulvelous Life!; IDW Publishing: The Adventures Continue! (the panel where only the kids can ask questions so you know this will be a fun one!)
As for the exclusive merchandise, there’s the requisite Funko Pops, this time a pure blue look to each character, some really cool busts of Spider Maul and Hera, the 20th Anniversary TPM figures on Episode 1 cardback of Maul and Obi-Wan, and so much more (with stuff yet to be revealed!). But so far, the most exciting piece of merch for me is the Ralph McQuarrie R2-D2 and C-3PO keepsake ornaments, because while it might make my girlfriend angry we have another Star Wars ornament on our tree, these original designs are really eye-catching and it would be neat to own a physical representation of something I’ve only ever seen as art. I’ll update this as they reveal more. UPDATE: Now there’s a cool Maul jacket, Celebration Exclusive covers for Queen’s Shadow and Master & Apprentice, some sick mugs with Aunt Beru’s face on it, and more!
As for the guests, Erin Kellyman aka Enfys Nest is there. Who else matters when the baddest badass lady of Solo: A Star Wars Story, who got completely shuttered out of the film’s publicity for no damn good reason, is there and deserves to be worshiped by the masses??!!? Beyond her, Chicago’s guest list is one of the most extensive in years, and while I don’t normally consider getting photos/signatures, there are WAY too many amazing options this time around.
UPDATE: They have announced a MASSIVE mural for SWCC! The image above is just the original trilogy section, and each film plus the animated shows Rebels and TCW will have the same amount of space allotted for them. The images will be on merchandise you can buy either at the convention or even over at Amazon.
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website @MynockManor.
EPISODE IX NEWS:
Episode IX Begins Filming August 2018, New Cast Announced, and Familiar Faces Return!
THE MANDALORIAN NEWS:
Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Giancarlo Esposito, and More Officially Cast in The Mandalorian! (UPDATED)
Live-Action TV Show Titled The Mandalorian, First Details and Directors Announced
Rian Johnson Set to Create New Star Wars Trilogy, Live-Action TV Show Plans Announced
JEDI: FALLEN ORDER NEWS:
Jedi: Fallen Order Title of Respawn’s Star Wars Game, Coming Holiday 2019
EA Provides Minor Updates on Upcoming Star Wars Video Games from Visceral Games, Respawn Entertainment, and More
LEGO Game Expands The Force Awakens Lore, Respawn Entertainment Working on New Star Wars Game