Lucasfilm is perhaps best known for the tales from a galaxy far, far away but this weekend at the D23 Expo, it flexed the full strength of its empire with peeks not just at Star Wars but also Willow and Indiana Jones.

ANDOR

D23 Expo panel Studios Day 220220910_101705Kennedy welcomed to the stage stars Genevieve O’Reilly, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona and Cassian Andor himself, Diego Luna, as their character posters were unveiled. A highlight for all was the showing of the final trailer for the spy thriller filmed over two 12-episode seasons. The era featured in ANDOR the five years before the events of ROGUE ONE is filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero. ANDOR 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. The series also stars Stellan Skarsgård, Forest Whitaker, Denise Gough, Fiona Shaw and Faye Marsay. Toby Haynes, Susanna White and Benjamin Caron direct specific episodes, and Kathleen Kennedy, Tony Gilroy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Diego Luna and Michelle Rejwan executive produce. Tony Gilroy is also the creator and showrunner.

ANDOR the first three episodes of Season 1 premiere exclusively on Disney+ on September 21, 2022.

WILLOW

D23 Expo panel Studios Day 220220910_102537Reflecting on the world created in 1988 by George Lucas and Ron Howard that inspired the next step in the magical journey a new live-action fantasy-adventure series from Lucasfilm and Imagine Entertainment. Kennedy introduced Warwick Davis (Willow Ufgood), who shared his excitement to return to Andowyne before being 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). Christian Slater was also welcomed to stage as a member of the ensemble cast. The excitement continued when a brand-new trailer was shown.

Set in a magical world where brownies, sorcerers, trolls and other mystical creatures flourish, WILLOW is the story of an unlikely group of heroes who set off on a dangerous quest, facing their inner demons and coming together to save their world. An epic period fantasy told with a modern sensibility and plenty of humor, heart, energy and vibrancy.

WILLOW begins streaming on Disney+ November 30, 2022.

STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH

Dave Filoni showed a new image from the upcoming 16-episode second season of the animated series 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 will 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 BAD BATCH features the voices of Dee Bradley Baker and Michelle Ang, with Filoni, Carrie Beck, Athena Portillo, Brad Rau and Jennifer Corbett serving as executive producers. Rau is also serving as supervising director with Corbett as head writer.

STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH will begin streaming on Disney+ with a two-episode premiere on January 4, 2023.

STAR WARS: TALES OF THE JEDI

STAR WARS: TALES OF THE JEDIFiloni segued to six brand-new animated shorts featuring parables built around Jedi from the prequel era. Journey into the lives of two distinctly different Jedi Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku each will be put to the test as they make choices that will define their destinies. To the delight of the audience, Filoni shared the official trailer for the series. The series is created by executive producer Dave Filoni, with Carrie Beck and Athena Portillo serving as executive producers.

STAR WARS: TALES OF THE JEDI six shorts will debut October 26, 2022 on Disney+. 

AHSOKA

D23 Expo panel Studios Day 220220910_103905Filoni shared 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 MANDOLORIAN. AHSOKA is a new live-action series heading to Disney+ starring Rosario Dawson in the title role. Fellow executive producer Jon Favreau joined Filoni on stage to talk about the project and shared first-look images with attendees.

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 executive producers are Filoni, Favreau, Kennedy, Colin Wilson, Carrie Beck with Karen Gilchrist as co-executive producer.

AHSOKA is slated for 2023 and will be exclusive to Disney+.

STAR WARS: SKELETON CREW

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Favreau and Filoni were joined by  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. Applause erupted when star Jude Law came out to greet fans. Favreau, Filoni, Watts, Ford, Kennedy and Michelle Rejwan executive produce.

THE MANDALORIAN 

D23 Expo panel Studios Day 220220910_105225Favreau and Filoni were excited to discuss season 3 of  inviting executive producer Rick Famuyiwa to join them on stage, as well as stars Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Amy Sedaris, Giancarlo Esposito and Emily Swallow. Together, they shared the season 3 teaser trailer with the audience. In the third season of THE MANDALORIAN. The Mandalorian and Grogu have been reunited and continue their journey through the lawless galaxy.  Kennedy and Colin Wilson also executive produce, with Karen Gilchrist and Carrie Beck as co-executive producers.

Season 3 of THE MANDALORIAN is set to launch exclusively on Disney+ in 2023.

INDIANA JONES

D23 Expo panel Studios Day 220220910_110427Before Kennedy concluded the Lucasfilm presentation, she had one more title to share. “I couldn’t leave here without talking about one other project we’ve been hard at work on at Lucasfilm’s INDIANA JONES she said as the familiar theme played and the crowd erupted. “I’m thrilled to welcome to the stage our director, James Mangold. Mangold wowed the crowd with some new details along with a sizzle reel from the upcoming fifth installment of the immensely popular  franchise, Joining Kennedy and Mangold on stage was the one-and-only Harrison Ford alongside co-star and Emmy® winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Ford, who was a little emotional on stage, said, “Thank you for making these films such an incredible experience for all of us. I’m very proud to say that this one if fantastic, and [Waller-Bridge] is one of the reasons.

“Indiana Jones movies are about fantasy and mystery, but they’re also about heart,” continued the actor. “I’m really, really happy that we have a really human story to tell, as well as a movie that will kick your ass.”

INDIANA JONES opens in theaters June 30, 2023.

But Wait, There’s More!

MouseInfo coverage of D23 Expo 2022 spans the entire weekend’s offerings! Stay up to date with all of our #D23Expo content below and don’t forget to follow us on TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

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