. My daughter just finished reading The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. After talking to her about it and rewatching the 1983 film, I only want to share this poem by Robert Frost with you before sending you into the weekend.
Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.
According to Johnny, a tragic character from The Outsiders, this poem is about being a kid. It’s about having fresh eyes on the world, untainted by hate, cynicism, and resentment. It’s about innocence. Johnny says to his friend Ponyboy as he himself is dying, “Stay gold, ponyboy.”
Johnny wanted his friend to stay pure, hopeful, and grateful for every sunset. I want that for all of you out there reading. In keeping with that, the next few days will be a little different for Subscribers of This Is The Way, but in a good way. My friend and collaborator Riley Blanton is going to be reporting on announcements and news coming out of Star Wars Celebration in London. This is the annual Star Wars fan bonanza with tons of news, trailers, panels and teases about what is to come next in the Star Wars franchise.
This is the way.
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Updated for convention finale— April 9, 2023
Bottom Line Up Front: Star Wars Celebration 23’ Finale
Presented by This is the Way & Riley Writes fueled by 1x cup of Caf
It took me forever and a minute to finally play through Jedi: Fallen Order, but I’m so glad I did.
Cal Kestis, the protagonist, embodies the essence of a rogue Jedi who - on the run after witnessing his master killed in Order 66 - must follow the Living Force as his only guide. (For a time) He reminded me of a young Qui-Gon Jinn. Throughout his journey, Cal demonstrates his willingness to question Jedi dogma and follow his instincts to trust the Force.
We’re reminded:
"Don't center on your anxieties. Keep your concentration here and now, where it belongs"
Qui-Gon’s ethos is exemplified by Cal's approach to the Force and his path as a rogue Jedi.
Mild spoilers: One of the most significant moments in Cal's journey in "Jedi: Fallen Order" is when he ventures to the planet Dathomir, the home of the Nightsisters. Then the Meet-cute moment: He bumps into Merrin, the last surviving member of her clan, who is initially hostile towards him due to her bitter experiences with the Jedi. However, Cal senses the Force's calling and recognizes that Merrin's unique knowledge of Dathomir and the Force is essential in their fight against the Empire.
Cal and Merrin develop a deep bond that transcends the Jedi's prohibition on forming attachments. Cal understands that the Force can guide him toward the right path. (even if it contradicts the Jedi Code) Merrin's knowledge of the Force, especially her connection to the undead Nightsisters, proves to be crucial in the fight against the Empire. Together, they confront the Imperial Inquisitors, including the powerful Second Sister. Merrin's expertise, combined with Cal's combat skills and understanding of the Force, allows them to overpower the Inquisitors and escape Dathomir. Cal's journey with Merrin on Dathomir is a defining moment in his quest to become a Jedi. It highlights his willingness to follow the Living Force's guidance - the “here and now.”
Cal and Merrin as seen in the Jedi: Survivor trailer
BLUF: Star Wars Celebration Day 3
The final trailer for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor was released by Electronic Arts and Lucasfilm dropped the trailer with minimal fanfare during the live stream. The new game follows the story of Cal Kestis, played by Cameron Monaghan, who is a former Jedi Padawan on the run from the Empire. In the game, players will control Cal as he continues his journey through the galaxy, reconnecting with the Force and fighting against the Empire to keep a crucial artifact out of their hands. While details on the plot are still scarce, the trailer promises an action-packed adventure that will expand on the world from the 1st game. I can’t wait to get my hands on the latest installment and see how Cal's story concludes.
KK talks to EW: The crawl is here to stay! Despite the end of the Skywalker Saga, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has revealed that the iconic wall of floating text will continue to grace the beginning of all future Star Wars films. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Kennedy gave a reassuringly blunt statement, saying, "The crawl's coming back." She also gave us some crumbs about the upcoming post-Rise of Skywalker film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. Rey is back and ready to rebuild the Jedi Order, just like she promised Luke Skywalker in Episode IX. Kennedy explains, "The question we’re going to ask with the New Jedi Order and Rey is: Does the galaxy need them anymore? Do they want them back? So there’s a lot of food for thought in what we’re doing, whether it’s in the past, present, or future.”
Lucasfilm Publishing Panel Recap: Lucasfilm Publishing showed off their upcoming releases at Star Wars Celebration, and while there wasn't much that was brand new, there were plenty of goodies for Star Wars book fans. Highlights include the release of DK's Star Wars: 100 Objects, The High Republic: Character Encyclopedia, and Star Wars: Timelines. From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi (Which features 40 stories including Kristin Baver's story about Sy Snootles and Adam Christopher's tale about General Pryde.) Other upcoming releases include Star Wars Flip Pop, Star Wars: The Ultimate Cookbook, and The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Get ready to add more books to your bookshelf!
Dark Horse Comics made several announcements at the Star Wars Celebration event in London, giving fans a sneak peek at what's to come. Among the highlights was the unveiling of the first cover for Daniel José Older's Phase 3 edition of The High Republic Adventures, featuring adult versions of Zeen and Qort, which will relaunch in December once Phase 2 wraps up. Claudia Gray's Quest of the Jedi, set for release on April 26, will take readers to the earliest point in the High Republic era. Cavan Scott's Tales from the Death Star, dropping on September 19, will follow Grand Moff Tarkin on his last day aboard the station. In addition, a cover for Hyperspace Stories Issue #9 was revealed, featuring a duel between Quinlan Vos and Cad Bane. No release date for the issue was given. Fans can stay tuned to Star Wars News Net for more updates from Celebration, including news from Lucasfilm Publishing and Marvel.
Scum and Villainy: One of the standout panels was the "Villains of the Sequel Trilogy" panel, which featured actors Ian McDiarmid, Andy Serkis, and Gwendoline Christie, as well as the awesome moderation of Amy Ratcliffe. I loved Amy’s engaging questions that helped shed light on the motivations and experiences of these iconic Star Wars villains. This panel was unique in that it was really the only significant programming related to the Sequel trilogy.
Amy asked the actors about their favorite villains from childhood and their characters in the sequel trilogy. Serkis had been scared by Christopher Lee's Dracula as a child, Christie was terrified by Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians, and McDiarmid liked Christopher Lee's character too. The actors also discussed their characters in the sequel trilogy and the creative process behind them. Finally, Amy asked if they had taken any props home from the set, to which Ian McDiarmid replied playfully that he got nothing as there wasn't much to give. (badum—pshhhhh) The entire panel is now available to watch on the Star Wars YouTube channel.
That’s it for Bottom Line Up Front: Star Wars Celebration 2023!
I hope you’ve enjoyed our coverage & be sure to join me over at
I attended every Star Wars Celebration between 2010 to 2017. There's something special about being surrounded by fellow Star Wars fans and immersing yourself in the galaxy far, far away. I miss it.
In the age of social media, online fandom can often be a breeding ground for negativity, cynicism, and well… politics. Star Wars Celebration is none of that. Instead, it offers a refreshing antidote to those trends. The convention provides a space for fans to come together and celebrate their shared love of the Star Wars universe in a positive and supportive environment.
In-person, fans can connect with one another, share their excitement, and revel in the joy of being part of a community that values creativity, imagination, and a sense of wonder. Star Wars Celebration is a special event for me because it was a family tradition that my sister Bethany and I shared. She and I started going together in 2010 and we've prioritized attending every Celebration we could since. Over the years, we've made so many incredible memories, from meeting our favorite actors and creators to standing in line for hours with our closest Star Wars buds, sharing our excitement and anticipation for the latest announcements and reveals. It's become more than just a convention, it's a place where we come together as a family, a community of passionate Star Wars fans, to celebrate what we love about this beloved franchise.
*Steps down from soapbox*
Let's dive into the exciting panels to look out for at this year's Star Wars Celebration!
First up is Lucasfilm's Studio Showcase. This must-see showcase will feature live-action filmmakers and special guests discussing the many current and upcoming Star Wars adventures, including The Mandalorian, Andor, and more.
Me and my sister at the big Last Jedi panel at Celebration in April 2017.
Fans of Ahsoka will want to tune into the panel with Executive Producers Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau. They'll be joined by special guests for a look at the upcoming Disney+ series.
UPDATE (8AM EST)
For fans of the original trilogy, the 40 Years of Return of the Jedi panel is not to be missed. Hosted by Ming-Na Wen, Star Wars legends of the past, present, and future
The Villains of the Sequel Trilogy panel is another highlight, featuring Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine), Andy Serkis (Supreme Leader Snoke), and Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma) discussing their villainous roles in the final chapters of the Skywalker Saga.
Fans of the hit limited series Obi-Wan Kenobi will want to check out the panel with Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Indira Varma, Vivien Lyra Blair, and executive producer/director Deborah Chow as they look back on the show.
For those interested in the immersive experiences at Disney Parks, the Disney Parks: Where Star Wars Comes to Life panel is a must-see. Discover more about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Galactic Starcruiser (the hotel experience) and more.
Star Wars buds, Aaron and William at Galaxy’s Edge
Last but not least, fans of Star Wars: The Bad Batch will want to tune into the panel with executive producer and supervising director Brad Rau, executive producer and head writer Jennifer Corbett, executive producer Athena Portillo, and actors Dee Bradley Baker (Bad Batch) and Michelle Ang (Omega) as they discuss highlights from the second season of the acclaimed series.
With such a star-studded lineup of panels, Star Wars Celebration 2023 promises to be an unforgettable experience. If you’re like Stephen and me, stuck on your couch watching from afar…
This Is The Way is excited to be bringing you daily coverage of all the coolest events and news from Star Wars Celebration Europe.
There will be daily posts that begin with one key Star Wars insight on living, which you know and expect from This Is The Way, followed by the latest Star Wars news coming out of Celebration.
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