It might seem like things are quiet right now on the Star Wars front, but it's just the calm before storm. Both Comic-Con International and Disney's D23 Expo are about a month away and chances are a lot of new information will come out of both. What info? It's hard to tell, but just remember we still don't know the title of the upcoming Han Solo movie or the follow-up to Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Actually, now that we're already talking about Episode IX let's just jump right into all the latest Star Wars news and rumors, shall we?
Source: Star Wars: Episode IX director Colin Trevorrow
Probability of Accuracy: Lying about this particular topic would be very strange, so let's say it's confirmed.
The Real Deal: Star Wars: Episode IX director Colin Trevorrow is finally talking about his work on the Skywalker Saga, saying in a recent interview that "everybody’s engaged in making sure this is the most satisfying and emotionally resonant conclusion that we can possibly deliver." Lucasfilm head honcho Kathleen Kennedy already revealed earlier this year that the story for Episode IX had to be changed following the death of Carrie Fisher, but according to Trevorrow "I can guarantee it will be handled with love and respect, and all of the soul that Carrie Fisher deserves."
Source: Facebook fan pages (no, really)
Probability of Accuracy: It seems legit, if not necessarily official.
The Real Deal: Images of new characters and vehicles from The Last Jedi are showing up on Facebook, of all places. A few days ago, the fan page "Templo Jedi Aztlan" started sharing images of what it claimed where "Elite Praetorian Warriors" (or Troopers) who protect Supreme Leader Snoke, a new-look stormtrooper, and a new walker, the AT-M6.
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Eagle-eyed fans have kind of seen some of these images before. Those walkers were briefly in the teaser for The Last Jedi. But everything else? It's all new, and indicates that there will be a lot more of the First Order in the next Star Wars installment. Makes sense—it is a middle movie after all.
Source: Star Wars: Rebels' Dave Filoni
Probability of Accuracy: Is the refutation of a theory something that can accurate per se?
The Real Deal: Bad news for conspiracy theorists who were sure that they had the fourth season of Star Wars: Rebels all figured out. Knowing that Ahsoka lives on, despite evidence to the contrary—or, at least, that's the expectation given showrunner Dave Filoni's shirt proclaiming "Ahsoka Lives!" at Star Wars Celebration a couple of months ago—many fans had wondered if she'd continue on the show in a different form than before. Would she, perhaps, be that giant wolf glimpsed in the trailer for the Rebels Season 4?
Unfortunately, Filoni took to Twitter to debunk that theory, via a visual guide offered on his own birthday:
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"Clarification"? That doesn't clarify anything!
Source: The future (well, past) Lando himself, Donald Glover
Probability of Accuracy: His comments seem entirely his own, so… accurate.
The Real Deal: How much are fans looking forward to the still-untitled Han Solo movie? Even more now that they've seen Donald Glover talk about the experience of playing Lando Calrissian in a recent interview. "This is probably one of my favorite experiences ever," he said, admitting that he's got a lot to live up to. "Lando seems to be a lot of people’s favorite character. It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s also very exciting. He was my favorite character too. I grew up on Star Wars. It’s just cool to see him again. I feel like people like him ’cause he has a lot of style, but also he’s a complicated character in this world. I think even Han isn’t as complicated as Lando is. From the first time you meet him, you don’t know whether to trust him or not, and you’re constantly not knowing whether to trust him. I like that about him." A complicated Lando who might also be the most stylish character in a galaxy far, far away? Yes, please.
Source: Official Disney press release
Probability of Accuracy: As accurate as all press releases.
The Real Deal: Next month's D23 Expo is sure to feature more than its fair share of Star Wars news, and we already have an idea of at least part of what to expect: On Saturday, July 15, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek will host a presentation about future park attractions, which includes Star Wars Land, which will also be previewed as part of the "Galaxy of Stories" display during the three-day event. According to the official description, "Galaxy of Stories" will be "showcasing models, artwork, and media [and] provide a first-ever look at some of the locations, starships, creatures, and droids that will bring Star Wars to life at the new Star Wars-themed lands, which are set to debut in 2019. For the first time, guests will be able to view a fully detailed model of the overall vision for this new experience that was once 'far, far away,' but is now very, very near!" So close, but still so far away.
