As midnight arrived on New Year’s Eve, the first thought that came to me was ‘it’s Celebration Japan this year’. In fact, it’s just over three months away, which is crazy to imagine.
Starting next week and for the next 12 weeks, I’ll be presenting a new series about preparing for the big trip. I’m a novice when it comes to the preparation malarkey; I’ve never been to Japan, so it’s been a learning curve to put things into place, and it’s certainly nothing like booking a summer holiday. There’s a lot to get your head around and important things to get right, and while researching there are some things I’ve learned (or stumbled across) that hopefully will help fellow travellers.
In the meantime, let’s have some fun. I did an article similar to this in 2023 for Celebration Europe and we’re doing again it today. The panel presentations make up a big element of any Celebration, so I’m going to predict what we might see during the event. Let’s dive in.
Lucasfilm Studio Showcase
This has been a staple of Celebration since 2022 and normally kicks things off. It’s mostly because there hasn’t been a film since 2019, so it’s more like a turntable of announcements and ‘first looks’ at projects that are in production or releasing soon. Not to be too sour so early, but I’d prefer it if this was dropped. Lucasfilm don’t have the best track record of keeping good on their announced projects, so it’s difficult to get excited about whatever they announce. They may announce the next animated show or give us an update on the Mangold Dawn of the Jedi film. I’d much prefer them to stick to specific project panels, which leads me to the next bunch.
The Mandalorian and Grogu
A Star Wars film is in the can and it’s releasing next year! It’s amazing to think that this is finally happening, and I wonder if we could see a panel with a trailer and some casting announcements in Japan. They could bring out some more of the cast, tease a little story and even bring out the main star himself – Grogu. So much has been kept under wraps that this could really bring the headlines in for Lucasfilm.
Andor Season 2
Surely this is a given. The second season of Andor premieres just a couple of days after Celebration, so dedicating some time to this would be a win on all fronts. I’m calling it here – I reckon they’ll screen the first episode of the new series for some lucky attendees in the crowd. It’s possible Celebration Japan could mostly be about Andor season 2. It is, after all, the most highly anticipated project right now coming from Lucasfilm.
Visions Season 3
This one is no-brainer. My guess is that Visions may arrive on May 4th (just a guess) and with so much of the work done in Japan, having the filmmakers discussing their art in person would be a real treat. Heck, they could even screen an episode during the panel much like they did in London on the final day of Celebration Europe 2023.
Revenge of the Sith 20th Anniversary
This one could be fun even if the two main stars aren’t in attendance in Japan. Ewan McGregor will be treading the boards in London’s West End (I have my tickets, do you?) and we need to think realistically about Hayden Christensen. Ahsoka Season 2 will begin filming in London in April of this year and though Celebrations are fun, the serious work comes first. It might be physically impossible for Hayden to be there, but who knows? He may not be needed for filming until May, so all could work out. Either way, expect a panel celebrating this special film. They may even screen it, or announce that Episode III will return to cinemas much like The Phantom Menace and Return of the Jedi did in recent years.
The Force Awakens 10th Anniversary
Two big anniversaries in one year, and while I think the Sith birthday party will be bigger, a decade on from Episode VII is still a huge deal. Who could attend from The Force Awakens is anyone’s guess, but these panels are always fun to watch and a chance to remember your favourite moments.
Ahsoka Season 2
Tricky to call as we know production will be rolling while we’re over in Japan. If anything, I suspect maybe a video message from the filmmakers and actors to be played during the studio showcase.
A Skeleton Crew Retrospective
Here me out on this one; Obi-Wan Kenobi did something similar in 2023 where the main cast got back together to discuss the making of the show and talked about their favourite moments. The panel was a real highlight for me at the time and seeing as Skeleton Crew has been such a hit with fans then maybe we could see something like this in Japan.
And the rest…
As ever I think we can expect a Hasbro panel, a Disney parks panel and something from the publishing department and there’s always the surprises which are the most fun. I could be wrong on everything here and Lucasfilm have decided to do things differently. One thing we didn’t see at Celebration Europe were actor panels which they could bring back, and there’s also the prospect of the Collecting Tracks panels – wouldn’t it be fun to have a panel on the newly announced Saga Museum? How about a panel on the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and the Maker himself steps out? Right now, the fun is in the not knowing.
Join me next week as we continue our step-by-step preparations for the trip of a lifetime.
Until then, May The Force Be With You for 2025.