Exclusive swag at the end of a Star Wars Celebration panel has become almost as expected as rain in the British summertime. These highly collectible items often fetch ridiculous sums on the secondary market, but true fans will want to keep hold of theirs as a tangible memory, linking them directly back to the event.
I was among the many Brits to attend Star Wars Celebration in Chicago, and even rarer to find, someone who made it into all 4 of the main panels via the lottery system.
My winning badge gave me access to Episode IX, The Mandalorian and Galaxy’s Edge on the Celebration Stage. For the 20th anniversary of The Phantom Menace I would have to make do with the Galaxy Stage, but hey, no complaints here!
SWAG 1 – EPISODE IX BEANIE HAT
Ordinarily, fans would hope to receive something at the end of a panel. At Celebration Orlando I received the beautiful Carrie Fisher poster following the 40th Anniversary panel and teaser poster for Episode VIII after its trailer.
This time around, and rather fittingly in the bitter chill of Chicago, the exclusive item of a IX beanie hat was given out in the streetside queues. Each hat was passed to those waiting to go through to the main stage with a cheery “courtesy of J.J”.
Okay, I admit it. I would rather have had a teaser poster on that cold Chicago Friday. However, the beanie will forever remind me of the anticipation of the final teaser trailer – and its stars on stage – plus exactly why Chicago is referred to as ‘the windy city’.
SWAG 2 – GALAXY’S EDGE COCA COLA T-SHIRT
There is an old saying, “the devil’s in the detail”. So as the wonderful Galaxy’s Edge panel came to a close, folk were starting to wonder what they could possibly be given as a momento. Free entry to the theme park? A stay at its hotel? No chance.
Josh Gad, assisted by the folk charged with bringing Disney’s authentic Star Wars experience to life, gave an amusing account of where things are heading.
As the panel came to a conclusion, it was revealed that Coca-Cola was among the park’s major sponsors. However, the cans and bottled drinks won’t look like your regular sodas. Each fizzy drink will resemble a thermal detonator labeled in the Star Wars language of Aurebesh. Even the bottled water embraces the theme.
Were attendees going to receive a can? No such luck. But, the tie-up between such global brands had to be marked.
A voucher given out on entry to the panel gave the holder the right to an exclusive Coke shirt with Coca-Cola written in Aurebesh. Very clever. Luckily for me, the shirts were all size XL. Not so great if you were any other size.
SWAG 3 – MANDALORIAN TEASER POSTER
I was expecting Episode IX to be the highlight of this year’s panels, but for me The Mandalorian presentation stole the show.
In addition to character/actor reveals, the BTS montage and extensive clip from the forthcoming Disney+ TV series certainly got fans hyped up.
The familiar armour, most notably worn by Boba and Jango Fett, features in the promo poster handed out following the panel.
Cleverly, the eponymous character is cast in shadow on the exclusive print, but it is a beautiful piece all the same.
SWAG 4 – ERM?
The panel for The Phantom Menace‘s 20th anniversary was a somewhat lacklustre affair.
Yes, Ahmed Best and Ian McDiarmid were there, as was Anthony Daniels and Ray Park, but it all felt rather flat.
On the way out I was hoping for a poster, a pin, a patch. Anything.
Nothing.
Of the four panels, this had been the one that had “going through the motions” written all over it. A shame really. It was a golden opportunity to celebrate a milestone year for the franchise, and the Celebration brand too.
NOTABLE MENTIONS
Other swag given out included posters for the Rebels and The Clone Wars panels, plus promotional prints for Jedi Fallen Order and Vader Immortal.
It was a wonderful five day fan experience, with some great giveaways. Mercenaries will make a killing by selling on their freebies. True fans will guard their prizes as if protecting a holocron.