The second half of Disney’s showcase of upcoming releases at D23 Expo 2022 kicked off on September 10 with Lucasfilm, which includes not only “Star Wars” projects, but “Willow” and “Indiana Jones,” too.
Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, took the stage to reveal all of the news on its many upcoming movies and series.
Here’s what we found out:
ANDOR
Kennedy first welcomed “Andor” series star and executive producer Diego Luna, as well as costars Genevieve O’Reilly, Kyle Soller, and Adria Arjona, to tease the upcoming “24-episode spy thriller in space.”
The era featured in “Andor,” which covers the five years before the events of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” is filled with danger, deception, and intrigue.
It finds Cassian Andor (Luna) embarking on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.
The series presents “Star Wars” from a different perspective, focusing on everyday people whose lives are affected by the Empire. The decisions they make have real consequences, and the stakes for them…and the galaxy…couldn’t be higher.
Luna and his costars also unveiled a final trailer for the series, which debuts with the first three episodes on September 21, 2022.
Here is that trailer:
WILLOW
Next, Kennedy welcomed actor Warwick Davis to the stage to talk about the new Disney+ series: “Willow.”
Based on the 1988 feature film of the same name (directed by Ron Howard and produced by Disney Legend George Lucas), it is a live-action fantasy-adventure series that returns to the world of Andowyne.
Now, in a magical world where brownies, sorcerers, trolls, and other mystical creatures flourish, the adventure continues, as an unlikely group of heroes set off on a dangerous quest to places far beyond their home, where they must face their inner demons and come together to save their world.
Davis was then joined by series stars Joanne Whalley (Sorsha), Ruby Cruz (Kit), Erin Kellyman (Jade), Ellie Bamber (Dove), Dempsey Bryk (Airk), Amar Chadha-Patel (Boorman), and Tony Revolori (Graydon), and as a special surprise, Christian Slater was also welcomed to stage as a member of the ensemble cast.
After chatting about the show, the cast showed a new trailer for the series. I’m told as they left the stage and the trailer started, Slater stayed at the edge of the stage to watch it with the audience.
“Willow” begins streaming on Disney+ November 30, 2022.
STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH
Next up, Kennedy welcomed Dave Filoni, who shared a host of amazing Star Wars-related announcements.
First, Filoni showed a new image from the upcoming 16-episode second season of the animated series “Star Wars: The Bad Batch.”
Months have passed since the events on Kamino, and the Bad Batch continue their journey navigating the Empire after the fall of the Republic.
They’ll cross paths with friends and foes, both new and familiar, as they take on a variety of thrilling mercenary missions that will take them to unexpected and dangerous new places.
The second season of the series will begin streaming on Disney+ with a two-episode premiere on January 4, 2023.
STAR WARS: TALES OF THE JEDI
Filoni next revealed news about “Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi,” six brand-new animated shorts featuring parables built around Jedi from the prequel era.
Journey into the lives of two distinctly different Jedi known to “Star Wars” fans: Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku.
Each will each be put to the test as they make choices that will define their destinies.
Filoni then confirmed that the series will arrive on Disney+ on October 26, 2022, and debuted its first trailer.
AHSOKA
Filoni also talked about the grown-up Ahsoka, who is getting her own self-titled series with Rosario Dawson in the role.
He shared with Hall D23 how much the character of Ahsoka means to him, having crafted her story since her 2008 debut in the animated series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” through her live-action debut in “The Mandalorian” season 2 (watch the season 3 trailer here).
Disney Legend Jon Favreau then joined Filoni on stage to talk about the series, and shared first-look images with the assembled fans.
Set after the fall of the Empire, “Ahsoka” follows the former Jedi knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy.
The new series is slated for 2023 on Disney+.
STAR WARS: SKELETON CREW
Favreau and Filoni were then joined by “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford, who talked about the series, which is coming soon on Disney+.
“Skeleton Crew” tells the story of four kids who find themselves lost in in the vastness of the galaxy trying to find their way home… and as a special surprise, series star Jude Law joined Favreau and Filoni to greet the fans!
Once the “Star Wars” portion of the reveals ended, there was only one project left to talk about…
INDIANA JONES 5
Kennedy returned to the stage and welcomed the film’s director, James Mangold, who shared some incredible details and first-look footage from the upcoming fifth installment of the immensely popular Indiana Jones franchise
Then, much to the utter delight of Hall D23, Kennedy and Mangold were joined on stage by the film’s stars, Harrison Ford and Phoebe Waller-Bridge!
“Thank you for making these films such an incredible experience for all of us,” said an emotional Ford. “I’m very proud to say that this one is fantastic, and this is one of the reasons (points at Waller-Bridge).”
“Indiana Jones movies are about fantasy and mystery, but they’re also about heart… I’m really, really happy that we have a really human story to tell, as well as a movie that will kick your ass.”
The as-yet-untitled “Indiana Jones 5” will opens in theaters June 30, 2023.
One of the coolest Indiana Jones moments actually happed backstage, when Ford ran into his former co-star Ke Huy Quan (who was there for the Marvel part of the showcase) for an “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” reunion:
Finally, it wasn’t a part of this panel, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t spotlight one more upcoming “Star Wars” series highlighted at D23 Expo 2022:
STAR WARS: YOUNG JEDI ADVENTURES
This animated series was talked about during the Disney Branded showcase as it will air on on Disney Junior, but it will also stream on Disney+ after.
Set during the High Republic era, “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” will follow a group of Younglings as they embark on missions where they will help people in need, discover exotic creatures, clash with villainous pirates, train with their masters, and ultimately learn the valuable skills needed in order to become Jedi: compassion, self-discipline, teamwork, patience and friendship.
“Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” stars Jamaal Avery Jr. (“Abbott Elementary”) as Kai Brightstar, a Jedi Youngling who hopes to follow in the footsteps of his hero, the great Master Yoda, and become a Jedi Knight; and Emma Berman (Pixar’s “Luca”) as Nash Durango, a pilot who befriends Kai and his friends and joins them on their adventures across the galaxy.
Produced by Lucasfilm for Disney Junior and Disney+, the series is executive produced by Lucasfilm’s James Waugh, Jacqui Lopez and Josh Rimes. Michael Olson (“Puppy Dog Pals”) is showrunner and executive producer. Elliot M. Bour (“Elena of Avalor”) is co-producer and supervising director; Jeannine Hodson (“Puppy Dog Pals”) is producer; and Lamont Magee (“Black Lightning”) is consulting producer.
The audience was also treated to this first image showing the characters:
Which of these upcoming projects are you looking forward to from Lucasfilm? Let us know in the comments!
And when will the Indy 5 trailer be shown to the public?
Hi Adrian! They didn’t give a time frame during the presentation. The movie is due in theaters June 30, 2023, so I’m thinking a teaser trailer might come around the holidays, with a first full trailer in January or February. Lucasfilm has only released one shaded image so far, so they’re being really cagey about showing anything from the movie so far But as soon as they release any trailers or official images, we’ll post them here on the blog.
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