I. Am. Floored. In fact, the trailer above is so visually intriguing and promising, I would’ve been fine with just that ahead of Star Wars: Vision’s Vol. 2 release on May 4. Add in the fact how wonderful and unforgettable the first volume turned out to be, I don’t need anything more to convince me to tune in. But if you’re like me, you want all the details they’ll offer and the panel didn’t disappoint, revealing a little something about all 9 shorts, including each one’s cast, like Denis Lawson returning to voice Wedge Antilles!
The panel was streaming on Celebration Live Day 4’s coverage, though big thanks to live-tweeters like Skytalkers Pod, Friends of the Force, and Star Wars Explained.
“Sith” By El Guiri {Spain}, with writer-director Rodrigo Blaas.
“A former Sith apprentice, leading a peaceful, but isolated life, is confronted by the past when her old master tracks her down.”
Cast: Úrsula Corberó as Lola | Luis Tosar as Sith Master. They’ll voice their characters in the Spanish dub.
It’s the one which opens the amazing looking trailer above, if you couldn’t guess by the title and the very Sith-looking dude. I love how Lola had a second blade pop out, while her first yellow one looked more like a Samurai sword! According to the panel, the short is 14 minutes long, they designed new lightsabers for it (like Lola’s!), and the question for it was, “What if we could use the force not just to fight but to create art.” Love that quote!
“Screecher’s Reach” By Cartoon Saloon {Ireland}, directed by Paul Young.
“A young girl, seeking reprieve from her days in a rural workhouse, discovers a legendary haunted cave with her friends. The cave’s dark pull will change the trajectory of her life forever.”
Cast: Eva Whittaker as Daal | Alex Connolly as Baython | Noah Rafferty as Quinn | Molly Mccann as Keena | Anjelica Huston as Sith Mother | Niamh Moyles as Ghost.
Paul Young was on hand to talk about it, essentially calling it an “Irish ghost story with a twist.” In the trailers, it’s the one with the speeder bikes against the ethereal background
“In the Stars” By Punkrobot {Chile} with writer-director Gabriel Osorio.
“Two sisters, the last of their kind who live in hiding on their ravaged land, squabble about how to survive with the Empire encroaching. On a water run, the sisters must fight back when they are discovered.”
Cast: Valentina Muhr as Koten (Also for Spanish Dub)| Julia Oviedo as Tichina (Also for Spanish Dub) | Kate Dickie as Officer | Amparo Noguera as Officer
This might be one of my most anticipated by the animation alone, as this is the one in the trailer with the little village girl facing off against that TIE flying toward her. Osorio says he wanted the tale to reflect the strength of the Patagonia people, while there’s a lot of discussion about families overcoming pain with hope, call the Force a connection to our roots. It’s a mix of stop-motion and 3D animation.
“I Am Your Mother” By Aardman {UK}, directed by Magdalena Osinska.
“Young pilot Anni, who is embarrassed by her sweet, but clingy mum, must team with her for a madcap family race at the academy. Along the way, their relationship is tested by the elements, their old ship, other racers…and each other!”
Cast: Maxine Peake as Kalina Kalfus | Charithra Chandran as Annisoukaline Kalfus | Daisy Haggard as Dorota Van Reeple | Bebe Cave as Julan Van Reeple | Denis Lawson as Wedge Antilles
While the panel was on the livestream, fans in attendance got a special treat: watching Aardman’s short! It sounds like a riveting blast. It’ll center on mothers, often overlooked by Star Wars and most on-screen content, while Wedge (who has more dialogue than in the OT) is there running the race Anni gets involved in. Count me in!
“Journey to the Dark Head” By Studio Mir {South Korea}, directed by Hyeong Guen Park.
“A hopeful mechanic and disillusioned young Jedi team up for a risky and unlikely quest to turn the tide of the galactic war, but dark forces tail them.”
Cast:
- Jang Ye Na (Korean Language Cast), Ashley Park (English Dub) as Ara / Young Ara
- Lee Kyung Tae (Korean Cast), Eugene Lee Yang (English Dub) as Toul
- Yun Yong Sik (Korean Language Cast), Daniel Dae Kim (English Dub) as Bichan
- Chwang Kwang (Korean Language Cast), Albert Kong (English Dub, also as Jedi Master A) as Interpreter
- Choi Soo Min (Korean Language Cast), Jonella Landryas (English Dub) Master Duta
- Shin Yong Woo (Korean Language Cast), Greg Chun (English Dub) as Master Leesagum / Shopkeeper
- Lim Chae Heon (Korean Language Cast), Greg Chun (English Dub, also as Padawan) as Training Partner
- Lee So Young (Korean Language Cast), Judy Alice Lee (English Dub) as Master Moru / Another Jedi
This will be about a prehistoric war between Jedi and Sith and feels like it bridges the gap between Vol. 1 and Vol. 2.
“The Spy Dancer” By Studio La Cachette {France}, with writer-director Julien Chheng.
“The premier dancer at a famous, Imperial-frequented cabaret uses her unique skill-set to spy for the Rebellion, but the presence of a mysterious officer threatens to derail her mission.”
Cast: Camille Cottin as Loi’e | Lambert Wilson as Jon | Kaycie Chase as Hétis | Rudi-James Jephcott as The Officer | Barbara Weber-Scaff as Mee’ma & Additional Voices | Bruce Sherfield as Additional Voices | Taylor Gasman as Additional Voices
Inspired by WWI when dancers were spies for the French resistance, this short is the one with what looks like hand drawn animation, where the woman’s outfit explodes out into a billowing piece of art. Looks mesmerizing and I enjoy the idea it’ll focus on what would traditionally be like a background character.
“The Bandits of Golak” By 88 Pictures {India}, directed by Ishan Shukla.
“Fleeing from their village by train and pursued by ferocious Imperial forces, a boy and his force-sensitive younger sister seek refuge in a vibrant and dangerous dhaba.
Cast: Suraj Sharma as Charuk | Sonal Kaushal as Rani | Neeraj Kabi as Inquisitor | Lillete Dubey as Rugal | Sahil Vaid as Maghadi and Scavenger | Richard Joel as Scavenger | Sumanto Ray as Conductor, Jangori Leader and Dhoona | Rajeev Raj as Helper | Aviral Kumar as Stormtrooper | Ish Thakkar as Stormtrooper and Alien | Aaditya Sharma as Stormtrooper and Alien | Shivani Darbari as Crowd
Love how heavily this is seeped in Indian culture and its history, as you can tell from every image of it in the trailer, even down to their hooded take on an Inquisitor! Definitely one of my most anticipated for this deep dive into Indian culture and from the absolutely lush animation.
“The Pit” By D’ART Shtajio {Japan} alongside Lucasfilm Ltd, with writer-director-executive producer LeAndre Thomas, co-director Justin Ridge.
“A fearless young prisoner, forced to dig for kyber by the Empire, plans a risky escape for he and his people.”
Cast: Daveed Diggs as Crux | Anika Noni Rose as Eureka / Mother | Jordyn Curet as Livy | Cedric Yarbrough as Old Prisoner | Steve Blum as Commander | Matthew Wood as Stormtroopers
D’ART Shtajio found Arthell Isom came out in cosplay for the panel…what more do you need to know?! This collaboration between Lucasfilm and D’ART looks great from the little glimpses in the trailer.
“Aau’s Song” By Triggerfish {South Africa}, with writer-directors Nadia Darries and Daniel Clarke.
“An alien child who longs to sing is raised by her loving, but stern father to stay quiet because of the calamitous effect her voice has on the crystals in the nearby mines.”
Cast: Mpilo Jantjie as Aau (dialogue) | Dineo Du Toit as Aau (singing) | Tumisho Masha as Abat | Cynthia Erivo as Kratu | Faith Baloyi as Attu
This one is the most unique looking, as the little Aau looks like a little plush doll you can pick up, and I love the idea of the Force being engaged with via sound and music. Sign me up!
Beyond the shorts, I am hoping we’ll get another novel tying into one of these, as last time led to an absolute revelation in Ronin: A Visions Novel. And just like with Vol. 1, I’ll be reviewing Vol. 2 shorts one at a time, so unless I get early access, expect reviews to drop on May 4 and beyond. Which one is everyone looking forward too?
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.