NTHONY DANIELS EXCLUSIVE C-3PO INTERVIEW!
WHO IS THE
MANDALORIAN?
SE R I E S
PR E V IE W
ST
+
E
E
FX
ARTFX+ STATUES S
of
Evil?
Whose truth should
you believe in the Introducing the heroes
Star Wars galaxy?
and villains of Star Wars:
The Rise of Skywalker !
ADVENTURES
ON AHCH-TO
Uncovering the stunning
real-world locations of Luke
Skywalker’s island retreat.
© & TM 2019 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Used under authorization.
DISCOVER THE SECRET LIFE OF PORGS!
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, BRING HOME
The ONLY official cookbook for Galaxy’s Edge allows you to sample
the flavors of Black Spire Outpost at home.
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STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE COOKBOOK
• Featuring recipes taken directly from Black Spire Outpost, including Mustafarian
Lava Buns, Falucian Garden Spread and the stick-to-your-ribs Ronto Wraps
• Also featuring over 70 all-new and exclusive recipes.
AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 5TH, 2019
A PIECE OF A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY…
Designed by the New York Times bestselling author and lifelong
Star Wars fan Matthew Reinhart, Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of
Skywalker: The Ultimate Pop-Up Galaxy is a jaw-dropping tribute to all
eleven Star Wars movies.
© & ™ 2019 LUCASFILM LTD. Used Under Authorization.
JOURNEY TO STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER: THE ULTIMATE POP-UP GALAXY.
• Five hugely detailed and interactive spreads that span the entire Star Wars filmography. Watch Obi-Wan Kenobi
duel Anakin Skywalker, Ewoks take down AT-ATs and gain a sneak peek at Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker!
• Unfold all five spreads into one awe-inspiring map of the entire series.
WWW.INSIGHTEDITIONS.COM
AVAILABLE OCTOBER 29TH, 2019 /INSIGHTEDITIONS
A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
™
WELCOME... NOV/DEC 2019
TITAN EDITORIAL
Editor / Chris Cooper
Managing Editor / Martin Eden
Associate Editors / Tolly Maggs,
Jake Devine
Every journey has a first step. Every navicomputer is Art Editor / Andrew Leung
programmed with a final destination. And that last sentence LUCASFILM
is why I don’t write movie taglines for a living. Senior Editor / Brett Rector
Art Director / Troy Alders
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is almost here; the final
Creative Director / Michael Siglain
chapter of a saga that has enthralled me since I was a boy. Asset Management / Tim Mapp,
I’m not sure how I’ll feel as I settle into my seat in a darkened Erik Sanchez, Bryce Pinkos,
Nicole LaCoursiere, Sarah Williams,
cinema, as spoiler-free as I can be, or what kind of state I’ll Shahana Alam
be in when the house lights blaze into life at the end. What I Story Group / Pablo Hidalgo,
do know is that I’m grateful for the 42+ years of storytelling Leland Chee, Matt Martin
and imagination that Star Wars has bought into my life. CONTRIBUTORS
And it’s not as if this is actually “the end.” Tricia Barr, Kristin Baver, Tara Bennett,
James Floyd, Michael Kogge, Melisaa T. Millar,
Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni’s dramatic new TV show,
Mark Newbold, Jay Stobie, Dan Wallace,
The Mandalorian (which we preview in this issue of Insider and Bryan Young.
— see page 28) is a case in point. Star Wars ’ first live action
SPECIAL THANKS TO
television series revels in its use of familiar elements, but it Lucy Goldsmith, Erich Schoeneweiss
also takes us on the first steps of a brand new journey across at Random House, Holly McIntosh, Joseph
our favorite fictional galaxy, with new heroes and villains to Taraborrelli, Andrea Towers and Jim Nausedas
at Marvel Comics, Lizzy Draeger, Tracy
meet along the way. Ewan McGregor is set to return as Obi- Cannobbio and Chris Argyropoulos
Wan Kenobi in his own Disney+ series. The Clone Wars rage at Lucasfi lm. Chris Troise and Eugene
Paraszczuk at Disney.
on. So don’t be afraid. No saga is ever really gone.
Talking of journeys, this issue we visit the filming TITAN MAGAZINES
locations of Ahch-To from The Last Jedi, learn more about Production Controller / Peter James
Senior Production Controller / Jackie Flook
the porgs, and we speak exclusively to a certain protocol droid Art Director / Oz Browne
about his real master’s memoirs. Some guy named Anthony Sales & Circulation Manager / Steve Tothill
Daniels. Now he has some Star Wars stories to tell. Publicist / Imogen Harris
Press, Publicity & Marketing Assistant /
May the Force be with you. George Wickenden
. Commercial Manager / Michelle Fairlamb
Advertising & Marketing Assistant / Bella Hoy
Publishing Director / Darryl Tothill
Operations Director / Leigh Baulch
Executive Director / Vivian Cheung
Publisher / Nick Landau
DISTRIBUTION
US Newsstand / Total Publisher Services, Inc.
John Dziewiatkowski 630-851-7683
US Newsstand Distribution / Curtis Circulation
Christopher Cooper Company
US Bookstore Distribution / The News Group
Editor US Direct Sales / Diamond Comic Distributors
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STAR WARS INSIDER NOV/DEC 2019
(USPS 003-027) (ISSN 1041-5122)
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CONTENTS
I SSUE 193 / NO V-DE C 2019
20
Anthony
Daniels:
Exclusive
Interview
Star Wars Insider meets
the man inside C-3PO’s
mechanical body.
6 / STAR WARS INSIDER
NEWSSTAND COMIC STORE SUBSCRIBER
EDITION EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE
Subs cribe
to Sta r Wars
Ins ider
g
Pag e 72
08 42 66
Launchpad The Secret Life of Porgs Terryl Whitlatch Interview
The hottest Star Wars news, With help from a Star Wars concept Creating the creature concepts for
merchandise, books, and comics. artist and a renowned puffi n expert, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999).
Insider uncovers the inspiration
20 behind the lifestyle of the porgs. 74
Anthony Daniels Interview 50 From a Certain Point of View
Part one of our exclusive two-part How truth, little white lies, and bare-faced
chat with the C-3PO actor. Resistance Reborn whoppers shaped the Star Wars galaxy.
Exploring the story arcs of
28 Luke, Leia, and Rey as our journey 81
through the Skywalker saga reaches
The Man from Mandalore Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). What’s in a Name?
Insider previews the new live-action Tracing the sources of the best
Star Wars TV series, The Mandalorian . 58 known names in the galaxy.
36 Adventures on Ahch-To 92
Insider takes a trip along the wild
The Rise of Skywalker Atlantic coastline of Ireland, on a quest Inside the Fallen Order
Introducing the villains and heroes to visit the filming locations of Luke Introducing the latest Star Wars
of the thrilling new Star Wars movie. Skywalker’s island retreat. video game, Jedi: Fallen Order.
INCOMING TRANSMISSIONS
56 80 88 96
Prize Giveaway! Jedi Master’s Quiz Worldwide Image Archive
Your chance to win a Kotobukiya Test your knowledge of the Endor cosplay, a loft for a Moff, action How many crew members does it take
Star Wars ARTFX+ statue. planets of The Last Jedi . figure photos, and Star Wars fan art. to help a young Jedi find her mark?
STAR WARS INSIDER / 7
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NEW S / BOOK S /COMI CS / T O Y S / G AME S /F A SHI ON
“Hello There!”
Ewan McGregor to return as Obi-Wan Kenobi
bi-Wan Kenobi. Now that’s “Could you ask me, in front of all of Kenobi will return in an all-new
O a name we’ve not heard for these people, all of these witnesses, series on the Disney+ streaming service,
a long time. A long time.
could you please ask me: Am I going to
set 8 years after the rise of the Empire
Unless, of course, you’re play Obi-Wan Kenobi again?” chances in Revenge of the Sith. Like Darth
the kind of fan who revels in rumors, are that many fans in the room already Vader, we’ve been waiting a long time
and has been longing for the return knew the actor’s answer would be a for this, but with the show only just
of Ewan McGregor to the role he last resounding “Yes!” entering pre-production, we’ll have
portrayed in 2005’s Star Wars: Revenge McGregor went on to reveal that to wait a little longer to discover what
of the Sith—not counting a subtle Kenobi’s return had been secretly in new adventures (and dangers) the Jedi
line of voiceover work for The Force the works for quite some time. “It’s Knight will encounter. Until then, fans
Awakens (2015), of course. been four years of saying, ‘Well, I don’t can sit back and enjoy a huge catalogue
So, when McGregor walked on know.’ Now I can say ‘Yes, we’re going of Star Wars movies and animated
stage at Disney’s D23 event and asked to do it,’” he coyly admitted to the series on Disney+, and The Rise of
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, thrilled audience. Skywalker in theaters this December.
8 / STAR WARS INSIDER
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Clone
Wars
Climax
Launch of the fi nal season
on Disney+ confi rmed.
nother major event we’ve
A been waiting a long time for
is the upcoming seventh and
final season of Star Wars: The
Clone Wars, which was announced at
San Diego Comic Con way back in 2018.
Disney has now confirmed that the
series will land on the new streaming
(Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
service Disney+ in February 2020.
The new episodes bring to a close
the adventures of Anakin Skywalker
(Matt Lanter), Obi-Wan Kenobi (James
Arnold Taylor), and Ahsoka Tano
(Ashley Eckstein) as they continue to
battle against Separatist forces during
the final days of the Republic, in a
climactic series that inevitably dovetails
with the events of Revenge of the Sith.
The 12 episode-long season will at
last chronicle the legendary Siege of
Mandalore, and explore the immediate
fallout of Order 66.
STAR WARS INSIDER / 9
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A vacation
cruise in
another Halcyon Days
galaxy!
All aboard the Star Wars space cruise
alaxy’s Edge may be this a holiday destination and more as a First Order stormtroopers, who appear
G planet’s most immersive Star cruise ship to the stars, with a two- in the latest concept images released
Wars experience for now, but
by Disney (see above). Johnson went
night itinerary that will pitch guests
another Disney attraction is into an intricate storyline that unfolds on to warn that guests should “be
waiting in the wings to steal its crown. during the voyage. wary of who you make allegiances
According to new information “Throughout your journey, you’ll with, because the choices you make
revealed by Disney Parks at August’s share your adventures with some affect the course of your journey, and
D23 event, Star Wars: Galactic interesting characters, some of whom ultimately determine how your Star
Starcruiser—the newly announced you’ll be meeting for the very first time. Wars story unfolds. You may just be
name for the hotel attraction currently Some, you may already know,” revealed called upon to become a hero.”
under construction at Walt Disney Ann Morrow Johnson, executive The launch date for the Starcruiser
World, Florida—will take guests on producer and creative director at Walt Halcyon is yet to be confirmed, but you
a two-day adventure vacation to a Disney Imagineering. Those will likely can follow developments by visiting
galaxy far, far away. Think of it less as include Chewbacca and a squad of disneyparks.disney.go.com.
01 Aboard the Starcruiser Halcyon, passengers will be able to relax in their hi-tech cabins or keep fit with a session of lightsaber training.
10 / STAR WARS INSIDER
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A Galaxy Of Games
You can do your chores later. Let’s play Star Wars
!
he many worlds and battles When Star Wars Insider recently
T of the Star Wars movies spoke to the game’s developers at
Zen Studios, they admitted that
have long proven to be an
inspiration to the developers adapting the saga to pinball was a little
of numerous computer and video overwhelming at first, as was deciding
games. That tradition continues to which memorable characters, iconic
expand, with a new batch of digital scenes, and epic moments they should
delights, either out now or on the immortalize in a pinball table, but ideas
horizon. Here are the latest titles that started popping up among the team
armchair rebels can look forward to. right away.
“The most challenging, and also
the most fun job for a designer, is to
invent a way to present a given scene in
a not only appropriate, but sometimes
outright innovative pinball form,”
That’s Wizard! said game designer Peter Grafl. “For
example, there is the speeder bike scene
Feel the Force of Pinball flippers from Return of the Jedi (1983). We knew
it had to be included, so we came up
ZEN Studio’s popular Star Wars Pinball with a very cool minigame where you
is out now for Nintendo Switch, can actually dodge trees during a high-
featuring 19 tables based on the worlds, speed chase, controlling a speeder bike
characters, and spectacular battles of by shooting the ball up certain ramps.
the movies. The game also features a While we could also mention a whole
career mode for dedicated players, plus lot of other examples, the point is that
a soundtrack that is playable in jukebox we had a blast while coming up with
The Battle of mode. Blistering animations, a vertical ideas, and it also exemplifies why Star
Wars is perfect pinball material.”
gameplay option, and the console’s
the Bricks Force-like HD Rumble effect make for a Star Wars Pinball for Nintendo
Star Wars game unlike any other. Switch is in stores now.
LEGO mobilizes its forces
The fate of the galaxy will soon be in
the palm of your hand, quite literally, Kyle Katarn
in a new LEGO Star Wars mobile game
on its way in the new year. Strikes Back
LEGO Star Wars Battles will pit
armies of minifigure-style characters Classic Star Wars tale hits
against one another in real-time, one- Nintendo Switch and PS4
versus-one multiplayer standoffs, on
planets and battlefields drawn from Fans of action-adventure game Star
across the Star Wars eras, including Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast will be
Hoth, Naboo, Scarif, Geonosis, and thrilled to learn that the beloved classic
more. The game will match strategy is now available for Nintendo Switch
and action with classic LEGO Star Wars and PlayStation 4, giving gamers a
humor, offering opportunities to collect chance to relive the adventures of
and upgrade characters and vehicles, rebel and Jedi Knight Kyle Katarn.
master the light and dark sides of the Remastered for modern consoles by
Force, and build different LEGO towers developer Aspyr, the Nintendo Switch
to defend and equip your forces. version includes Joy-Con gyro aiming
LEGO Star Wars Battles will be support. Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi
available on both iOS and Android Academy is also set for release on the
in 2020. same platforms in early 2020.
STAR WARS INSIDER / 11
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A Nutcracking Holiday Special nutcrackers,
Cracking
Star Wars
out now!
Celebrate the season of goodwill with the nuttiest Star Wars homeware
hen R2-D2 isn’t harboring the cheery Ewok nutcracker tops our list tall—depicts the rebellious Alderaanian
W Death Star plans or saving the of the cracking devices on offer. decorating the beloved droid with
a star and lights. Meanwhile,
Constructed of wood and
day, the little droid apparently
serves as the perfect platform resin, the 7 1/2-inches tall the Yoda ornament sees the
for celebratory seasonal décor and nut retails for $48.99. Other little Jedi Master sitting
cracking duties. A set of new homeware nutcracking Star Wars atop a snowy chimney,
products in Kurt S. Adler’s Star Wars characters in the line wearing a Santa Claus
collection arrives just in time for the include R2-D2, a furry outfit, and carrying a
holidays, including table ornaments, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, bag of presents ready
decorative lights, and a fun range of and bounty hunter Boba for younglings to tear
nutcrackers for breaking open your Fett, among others. open. Both items are priced
favorite nutty treats. As for table ornaments, at $54.99 and are made of
Fittingly, however, and given the Princess Leia and R2-D2 table polyester, plastic, and fabric mache.
their taste for nuts and berries, the statuette—standing at 5 1/2-inches Discover the range at kurtadler.com.
THE LIGHT SIDE By Jamie Cosley
12 / STAR WARS INSIDER
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Timeline
Important dates
in Star Wars
history.
1965
November 22: Mads Mikkelsen,
Galen Erso in Rogue One: A Star
Wars Story (2016), is born.
Worth Its Weight In Coaxium 1972
November 6: Thandie Newton, Val
Accessorize your saga with stylish Star Wars jewelry in Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018),
is born.
new series of Star Wars RockLove’s Planetary Medallion 1978
A accessories from RockLove pendants focus on the diverse worlds November 17: The Star Wars
Holiday Special premiered on CBS.
Jewelry includes necklaces,
seen in the original Star Wars trilogy.
medallions, earrings, and Each reversible medallion shows the
even an Ahsoka Tano-themed ring. Each location’s name written in Aurebesh, 1979
December 29: Diego Luna,
item is sculpted in sterling silver and with characters and landmarks associated
Cassian Andor in Rogue One: A
incorporates unique features, like the with the planet featured on both sides
Star Wars Story (2018), is born.
Gonk Droid necklace’s articulated legs of the coin. RockLove Jewelry’s limited
and the faceted orange crystal eyes on edition run of Star Wars products is 1980
the Jawa earrings. There’s even a Thermal available now at RockLove.com/ November 29: Janina Gavankar,
Detonator necklace. Collections/StarWars. who provided the voice, likeness,
and motion capture performance
for Iden Versio in Star Wars :
Battlefront II, is born.
Devastating Decorations 1989
November 22: Alden Ehrenreich,
Deck your halls with Hallmark’s 2019 Star Wars ornaments Han Solo in Solo: A Star Wars
Story (2018), is born.
his holiday season, Hallmark (width) x 1.74-inch (height) x 6.7-inch 1993
T have a set of new Keepsake (depth), and it is priced at $39.99. December 19: Hermione Corfield,
Feeling rebellious? Hallmark’s C-3PO
Tallie Lintra in Star Wars: The Last
Ornaments with which to
adorn your tree. Crafted and R2-D2 Peekbuster Motion-Activated Jedi (2017), is born.
by artist Robert Hurlburt and based Sound Ornament might be just right
on Darth Vader’s personal ship, the for you. Crafted by Orville Wilson, the 2003
November 19: PC game Star
Devastator, the Imperial Star Destroyer 4.7-inch high plastic ornament is priced
Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Ornament With Light and Sound can be at $29.99, and portrays C-3PO wearing
is released on PC.
plugged in with a Keepsake Power Cord a Santa Claus hat alongside his long
(sold separately) to provide constant suffering counterpart R2-D2, who doesn’t 2017
illumination. Featuring the Tantive seem concerned that a string of holiday December 15: Star Wars: The
IV suspended from its cargo bay, the lights has been draped across his dome. Last Jedi (2017) is released in
Star Destroyer is part of Hallmark’s This motion-sensing droid duo will cinemas worldwide.
Storytellers series, and will put on a protect the presents under your tree, as
sound and light show from A New Hope any nearby movements will prompt the
with the press of a button. The plastic rebel heroes to warn trespassers against
ornament’s dimensions are 3.72-inch having a sneaky peek at the gifts below.
STAR WARS INSIDER / 13
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Seeing Red
The Rise of Skywalker
’s Sith troopers takes San Diego by storm
he buzz surrounding the the Sith?’ Beeline revealed a lighter Sith Trooper Premier Bookmarks
T crimson Sith troopers that take on the new bad guy in the form emblazoned with the red Sith helmet.
of their Sith Trooper Geeki Tikis and
will appear in The Rise
Do you prefer to demonstrate your
of Skywalker reached a Sith Trooper Mini Muglet. Meanwhile, allegiance for all to see? From Fifth
crescendo at San Diego Comic-Con, Funko added their exclusive Sith Sun’s short sleeve Sith Trooper Tees
where a plethora of Early Release Trooper Pop! into the mix, with the to Loungefly’s Sith Trooper Unisex
Edition products connected to collectible bobble-head refl ecting Backpacks, the convention exclusives
the groundbreaking armor were the company’s craftsmanship and had fans covered—literally! To top
showcased. Hasbro’s Black Series attention to detail. it off, Heroes & Villains by BioWorld
Special Edition debuted an impressive A bonus Sith Trooper card and a made their Sith Trooper Hats and Sith
action figure based on the crimson Star Wars Authentics Sith Trooper Trooper Pins available both separately
stormtrooper design, while Hot Toys Photo were provided with every and as a set.
unveiled their own 1/6 scale Sith purchase of the Topps Star Wars: The We’ll soon learn what role the Sith
Trooper fi gure. Power of the Dark Side Trading Card troopers play in the new movie, but
You’ll need to stay hydrated while Set that was available at the show, there is no time like the present to seek
trooping, so why not take a ‘sip of while Trends International gave away out these Sith-worthy collectibles.
14 / STAR WARS INSIDER
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Always Two
There Are
From hyperspace to HyperReal
ollowing in the footsteps of
F the company’s HyperReal
Darth Vader fi gure, Hasbro
premiered their 8-inch Black
Series HyperReal Luke Skywalker at San
Diego Comic Con. Outfitted in the
fatigues he wore on Cloud City, this
poseable figure captures Mark Hamill’s
likeness in an astonishing fashion, and
Available for
comes with Luke’s iconic blue lightsaber.
pre-order now
Due to ship in May 2020, the HyperReal from Hasbro!
The Star Wars Luke Skywalker is priced at $79.99 and is
available for pre-order now.
Shoe ‘Scene’
Footwear paired with
storyboard artwork
OMS Shoes’ new
T collaboration with Star
Wars takes us back to
the saga’s origins. The
popular shoe brand has developed
a line of canvas kicks featuring
designs based on concept art and
storyboards that inspired numerous A Heady Bounty
scenes depicted in the films.
From slip-ons that display
dogfighting TIE fighters and Join the hunt for the ultimate in Mandalorian headwear
menacing AT-ATs to lace ups
that highlight classic characters art of Hasbro’s elite Black design team considers this to be their
like the Ewoks, the new line has P Series line, the wearable Boba most screen-accurate helmet to date.
*Rontos excluded. To find out more about the line Equipped with precise details and a bounty hunter’s signature headgear is
Fett helmet also debuted
something for feet of every size*.
Currently available to pre-order, the
at San Diego Comic-Con.
priced at $119.99, and is expected to
and where to order a pair, visit
TOMS.com/Star-Wars.
moveable range finder, the Hasbro
ship by May 2020.
Snack With A Sith Lord
Keep your treats as secure as Vader’s Castle
o you need a safe place to Made by Vandor (not the snowy
D hide your cookies so hungry planet), the jar is an intimidating
recreation of the Dark Lord that will
Gungans stop snapping
them up with their whiplash keep prying paws away from your
tongues? Then the Darth Vader Limited favorite Sith snacks. Measuring in at
Edition Sculpted Ceramic Cookie Jar 11-inches tall and 6-inches wide, the
could be for you—certain to keep your cookie jar is priced at $73.99 and is
snacks more secure than a Scarif vault. expected to ship in early 2020.
STAR WARS INSIDER / 15
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Book Club
Learn to cook the Galaxy’s Edge way, avoid getting eaten by Ewoks,
and discover Jedi secrets in the latest Star Wars books!
Available in
bookstores this
November!
Turn the
pages, you
must!
Luke Skywalker spills
The Secrets of the Jedi
Even though the Jedi Order stood
firm for a thousand generations, after
the Emperor’s purge of their kind only
Luke Skywalker remained to interpret
their legacy. Star Wars: The Secrets of
the Jedi, out on November 19 from
Insight Editions, offers a history of the
noble tradition through the centuries,
presented through Luke’s uniquely
humble point of view.
“The Luke Skywalker who is
writing this particular tome is a long
way from the optimistic farm boy he
was back when his journey began,”
writer Marc Sumerak has revealed.
“Because of that, he’s able to look
past the glorified stories of the Jedi
of old to find the truth about the
Order, no matter how difficult it may
be for those reading to hear.”
The book spans the full sweep of
the saga, from the prequel-era movies accompany the prose, and the book the Jedi provides vital insight into the
through to the events of Star Wars: also features interactive elements that guardians of peace and justice.
The Last Jedi (2017). As the include a pop-up holocron, a Jedi Says Sumerak, “It’s always a great
in-universe author, Luke puts an equipment booklet, and a translator pleasure to get to return to a galaxy
accessible spin on every factoid, card. Incorporating lore from the far, far away for another project, but
reflecting the candor of a inheritor aformentioned movies, as well as having the chance to explore the path
with no obligations to previous animated projects like Star Wars: The of the fabled Jedi Order through
traditions and no appetite for Clone Wars (2008-2015) and Star Luke’s eyes was an honor like none
pretention. Beautiful illustrations Wars Rebels (2014-2018), Secrets of I’ve ever had before.”
16 / STAR WARS INSIDER
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03
01
02
01 02 03
Star Wars: The Ultimate Star Wars: How Not Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge:
Pop-Up Galaxy to Get Eaten by Ewoks The Official Black Spire
Out now from Insight Editions, this and Other Galactic Outpost Cookbook
astonishing pop-up celebrating the Survival Skills Now that Galaxy’s Edge is open for
Skywalker saga is part of Lucasfi lm’s business in California and Florida,
Journey to The Rise of Skywalker The Star Wars galaxy can be fans are immersing themselves in
book campaign, and relies on a dangerous place, fi lled with the sights, sounds, and flavors of the
ferocious beasts, extreme weather,
intricate paper engineering to galaxy far, far away—especially the
depict iconic scenes and exotic alien and backstabbing allies. The last flavors! While there’s no substitute for
worlds from the Star Wars movies. thing you want is to find yourself at enjoying fried Endorian tip-yip inside
Conceived by legendary pop- the wrong end of an Ewok’s spear! Batuu’s Docking Bay 7, now you too
up artist Matthew Reinhart and That’s where this handy pocket can experience the deliciousness in
featuring illustrations by Kevin guide comes in, packed as it is with your own home, thanks to The Offi cial
M. Wilson, Star Wars: The Ultimate invaluable survival tips & tricks. Black Spire Outpost Cookbook.
Pop-Up Galaxy is presented in a Need to avoid disintegration by a Writers Chelsea Monroe-Cassel
dynamic 360-degree format that bounty hunter, or worried about and Marc Sumerak (channeling
enables the action to be viewed escaping from Tusken Raiders on Strono “Cookie” Tuggs, former head
from all sides, while the book can Tatooine? Writer Christian Blauvelt chef for Maz Kanata) present a full
also open up to form a displayable provides answers, laying out menu of out-of-this-world meals and
3D diorama of the complete saga. everything you need to know to intergalactic eats prized by Outer
What’s more, the clever paper avoid the stickiest of interstellar Rim traders and pirates, gathered
mechanics help readers interact situations, using everything from by Tuggs during his travels through
with each diorama to launch rebel disguises to diplomacy. How Not space. This truly unique Star Wars
snowspeeders or even send an to Get Eaten by Ewoks and Other cookbook from Insight Editions is
AT-ST stomping across Endor. Survival Skills is out now. out on November 5.
STAR WARS INSIDER / 17
LAUNCHPAD
Comics Roundup
Prepare for The Rise of Skywalker
with this month’s Star Wars comic releases
Choose Your
Allegiance
The Resistance prepares
for its final battle in the Star
Wars: Allegiance collection
In Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the First
Order obliterated the Resistance HQ
on D’Qar, and hounded the survivors
towards a pivotal confrontation on Crait.
Marvel Comics’ Star Wars: Allegiance
picks up the story of the embattled
Resistance, now on the run, and badly
in need of weapons, warships, and
warriors to continue the fi ght against
Kylo Ren’s vile regime.
Originally published over four weekly
installments in October 2019, Star Wars:
Allegiance acts as a prequel to The Rise
of Skywalker, and the adventure is now
available in a single paperback volume.
Featuring the talents of writer Ethan
Sacks (Age of Republic) and artist Luke
Ross (The Force Awakens, Thrawn), the
story chronicles General Leia Organa
and Rey’s desperate venture to seek
help from expert shipbuilders the Mon
Calamari. But Leia’s diplomacy might
not be enough to win the support of
a species with fresh memories of the
Empire’s brutality, and some will stop at
nothing to maintain peace on Mon Cala!
Meanwhile, Poe Dameron and Finn join
forces to locate an old Imperial armory
on the moon of Avedot. What they don’t
yet realize is that they’re being hunted
down by the most notorious criminal
gang in the galaxy!
In keeping with the original four-issue
mini-series, the Star Wars: Allegiance
collection has four different covers to
choose from, combining to create a
single composition. Marco Checchetto’s
stunning art spotlights the heroes and
villains of this tumultuous era, featuring
Rey and Chewie, Leia and Rose, Finn and
Poe, and Kylo Ren and General Hux. Look
for it in stores on November 20.
18 / STAR WARS INSIDER
Incoming
LAUNCHPAD
Don’tMissThese
UpcomingReleases
Star Wars: #74
Multiple storylines converge in the
penultimate issue of Marvel Comics’
Star Wars series, including the sight of
Chewbacca and Darth Vader engaging
in hand-to-hand combat! NOVEMBER
Star Wars #74, written by Greg Pak
with art by Phil Noto, is jam-packed with
StarWars#75
characters and clashing motivations. Can
MarvelComics
Luke Skywalker truly rely on shady grifter Writer: GregPak
Warba Calip? And will Han Solo, Leia Artist:PhilNoto
Organa, and Dar Champion survive their Cover Artist: PhilNoto
battle with an Imperial Star Destroyer?
The rebels need to find a new HQ, and DoctorAphra#39
MarvelComics
this time failure is not an option! Setting
Writer:SiSpurrier
up what promises to be a wild climax,
Artist:CasparWijngaard
issue #74 is in stores on November 6.
Cover Artist: AshleyWitter
DoctorAphra Volume 6:
Star Wars: Unspeakable Rebel
Superweapon
Jedi: Fallen Order MarvelComics
Dark Temple #4 (of 5) Writer: SiSpurrier
Artist:WiltonSantosandothers
Hostilities continue to grow around Cover Artist: AshleyWitter
the excavation site of Ontotho’s dark
temple, in this comic series prequel to StarWars:
the video game from Lucasfi lm and TargetVader#5 (of 6)
Respawn Entertainment. Marvel Comics
Jedi Knight Eno Cordova and his Writer: Robbie Thompson
reckless Padawan Cere Junda have Artist: Stefano Landini
inadvertently stirred up a hornet’s
nest. Dueling factions—including the Cover Artist: Nic Klein
planet’s armed forces and a squad of
deadly Temple Guardians—are closing Star Wars Adventures #28
in, threatening to silence the temple’s IDW Comics
secrets forever. Jedi: Fallen Order: Writers: John Barber and
Dark Temple, written by Matthew Michael Moreci
Rosenberg, with art by Paolo Villanelli Artists: Tony Fleecs and
and a cover by Will Sliney, is in stores Derek Charm
on November 13. Cover Artist: Derek Charm
Doctor Aphra #38
The latest installment in Doctor Aphra’s
adventures, out on November 6, sees
the Empire’s top archaeologist forced
to defend her title from her own father!
Issue #38, from writer Si Spurrier,
artist Caspar Wijngaard, and cover
artist Ashley Witter, continues the
“Rogue’s End” storyline, and sees
Doctor Aphra figuring out how to
deal with dear old dad, who endures
interrogation at the hands of Imperial
droids Triple-Zero and BeeTee-One.
Meanwhile, a ghostly aura emanating
from an ancient Jedi temple draws
Darth Vader under its spell. Who can
say what effect this magic will have on
a Dark Lord of the Sith?
STAR WARS INSIDER / 19
DID YOU HEAR THAT?
From the first line of dialogue heard in
a Star Wars movie through to the The
Rise of Skywalker, Anthony Daniels
has more than inhabited the golden
shell of protocol droid C-3PO.
In part one of our exclusive two-part
interview, Daniels reveals how he came
to write his new Star Wars memoir,
I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story
.
W ORDS: MARK NEWBOLD
INTERVIEW: ANTHONY DANIELS
uffice it to say, 01
I Am C-3PO: The
S Inside Story isn’t
Anthony Daniels’
first foray into
writing about
Star Wars. Back in 1995, he began
contributing a wonderful column
to early editions of the magazine
that you’re holding right now.
Star Wars Insider: Some years
ago, long before your C-3PO
memoirs, you wrote the Wonder
Column for Star Wars Insider.
Anthony Daniels: I did, and I’m
thrilled when people remember
it. I wrote the column with Dan
Madsen, who ran the official Star 02
Wars fan club at the time, to tease
my brain, I think. It was written
in a particular style that was
certainly elliptical and humorous,
and slightly challenging to read. It
made me laugh. I remember writing
something about Julius Caesar
going to the supermarket during
spring break and getting a six-pack
of steak knives in his back, so I tried
to extend the remit, if you will.
Dressing up as C-3PO only goes so
far, so I tried to show that I wasn’t
just a man in a suit.
Your book isn’t a straightforward
autobiography, as it focuses very
much on your Star Wars work.
Apart from one or two dives to the
left and right, it is purely about my
life in Star Wars, which has been
44 years. I wish it had come up
to a nice number like 50, but I’ve
got to live a few more years to do
that. I made a decision, and it was
absolutely conscious, to only really
talk about my life with Star Wars
01 Anthony
and the Star Wars spin-offs, which
Daniels with
are legion, and things that are his C-3PO
associated with Star Wars of which costume
from The
I’m a part. But if you use the word
Empire
autobiography, no it’s not. Strikes Back
(1980).
What made you decide to write 02 Daniels
your memoirs at this point in as C-3PO,
enduring the
your career?
desert heat
Well, I didn’t. It wasn’t my idea at in 1976.
all. The publisher asked me. They
03 Daniels on
asked for 40,000 words, and that
the set of A
sounded manageable, and I said, New Hope.
22 / STAR WARS INSIDER
INTERVIEW: ANTHONY DANIELS
“OK, if you think people will be The only Star Wars object on
interested,” and they said, “Oh yes,” display in my home is a LEGO
so I agreed. Then they said 60,000 statue of C-3PO. My wife and I
would be better, so I’ve written both adore that figure because it
95,000, give or take the odd word. represents more than C-3PO. It’s unattended. People’s jobs were to
I hadn’t thought about doing it more than Star Wars, it’s more than make me as comfortable as possible,
before because it’s a lot of work to LEGO, it’s a unique piece of art which was difficult. It had taken
write a book, even with a computer that was a gift from LEGO to me two hours to put the costume on,
and a keyboard. My heart goes out when I was on stage with them at so they weren’t about to take it off
to Charles Dickens. And thank Celebration Anaheim. I love it partly for lunch. That was difficult, but on
goodness for the spellcheck. because of that history, but also the second day we did because I said
because it’s a piece of pop art. I can’t do this. People’s loyalty was
You mentioned wondering extraordinary, nobody would have
whether potential readers would You’ve told so many stories at dreamt of doing something spiteful.
be interested in C-3PO. Are you conventions like Celebration over Some of these silly stories, like
surprised that people are so the years. Did you find you’d ever they left me in the costume for
passionate about the character, mis-told a story when you came to hours—they had to, because there
and Star Wars in general? research the book? was no time to take it off. That I
It’s funny you should ask that, When you tell a story, whether it’s fainted in the desert—no, but I fell
because I explain why I get it now in a book or onstage, or when you’re over a couple of times. In every
in the opening chapter of the book. telling a story to friends or telling a movie I fell over. Fortunately, I know
It’s an entirely true story, and it joke, you naturally have to enhance how to fall. Not my favorite thing.
only happened ten years ago. I was it. Not all true facts come in an
hosting Star Wars In Concert, so I How honest have you been in
was in a situation where night after the book about your experiences
night I was facing thousands of “Dressingupas making the movies?
Star Wars fans and lovers of John I think you’ll be surprised. There
Williams’ glorious music. And C-3POonlygoes are no shocks, no great revelations,
because they were live shows, live sofar,soItried there’s nothing sensational in
theater, there was a real energy that it, but there are things where, in
came across the footlights at me. toshowthatI normal conversation, you might
It was like a crash course in what mold your language and thoughts
I’d been missing all these years. wasn’tjusta to what is acceptable in public. It’s
Genuinely, I began to see through to important to note, this is not a book
maninasuit.”
the fan’s faces, so I’m a late learner. for children, at all. It’s a book for
people who are interested in Star
So, until the penny dropped, you Wars, interested in this particular
only saw Star Wars as a job? encapsulated form with a beginning, character, and by extension in me
It is a job. An amazing job. One a middle and an end. I do try to a bit. It’s not entirely comfortable,
that I initially turned down because end each episode in the book with a because if I said everything was
I didn’t think it was a good idea, flourish, because that makes it worth wonderful, I’d be on a different
not something I wanted to do. But reading. In writing, and in talking, kind of medication.
circumstances changed my point you naturally have to dramatize and It’s a rather odd and surprising
of view, thank goodness. It has make it interesting. At a convention, journey, through a world I never
always been a gig, and it worries the audience needs a little cue, when thought to inhabit. Certainly, I
03 me sometimes that I don’t want to to applaud, and sometimes you see censored myself around The Rise of
fib about that, that I don’t want to speakers who don’t understand that Skywalker, but I showed J.J. Abrams
eulogize for the sake of saying “I’m and the audience is waiting for that what I was writing, and he said it
a disciple too.” No, it’s a job. I play cue, their hands are poised to clap, was all fi ne.
C-3PO, and I’m very glad people like and it doesn’t happen. But they do
him. Do I want to play him every it anyway out of politeness. Did writing the Wonder Column
minute of every day? Absolutely help develop your ability to turn
not. Do I have a perfectly lovely Does your new book address any a phrase?
private life? Absolutely. And of of the urban myths surrounding I have them on file, and I was
course, the one helps the other. your character, like being left on amused to find that occasionally I
a trolley in the desert while the would do the opposite of a one-word
crew went off for lunch? sentence. I would weave, purely
Oh, the ridiculous stories. Not for effect. It was totally written
for one moment was I ever left for another medium. But this,
STAR WARS INSIDER / 23
INTERVIEW: ANTHONY DANIELS
04
being a proper book, I needed to
be more grown up. It sort of came
naturally. What you will fi nd odd
is that I wrote the end fi rst, because
curiously endings are one of the people might be interested in. I
things we’re most secure about. To use the phrase “movie magic,”
begin at the beginning is slightly because sometimes it just is magic.
tired, so why not fl ip people’s Sometimes it’s stage magic, old
expectations? Sometimes you have fashioned smoke and mirrors,
to manipulate a story, and make literally mirrors. Always with the
sure you give evidence, so that the single eye of the camera, which
audience is prepared for the payoff can be tricked quite simply and
and appreciate it, and everybody’s magically, and very inexpensively.
satisfied. So mechanically it’s a bit A ten-year-old would enjoy it; a ten-
like writing the Insider column. year-old who wanted to buy dad a
I have had to trick my brain into Christmas present, now that would
concentrating properly. be a double whammy (Laughs).
There is a certain pretentious There’s a bit about being at the
pleasure in choosing exactly the Academy Awards, which was a
right word, and then a few days nightmare. Backstage in this huge
later thinking, “Oh no, that word is green room. It was one of the
much better,” or to reverse a phrase most terrifying moments I’ve had.
so it’s more felicitous than before. Terrifying. But the story is not so
I’ve completely much about that,
trashed the rules “It’s a rather odd it’s about what
of punctuation. nearly happened.
Any schoolchild and surprising Boy, does that
reading this will survive in my
journey, through
be destroyed, head. And also
because they’ll being on The
have been told that a world I never Muppet Show.
a sentence must
have a subject, a thought to In which C-3PO
verb, and an object. inhabit.” danced!
I have one-word Yes, he did. And I
sentences, because amazed myself. I
we speak like that, we speak in actually found the choreographic
interrupted thoughts, we speak in notes that I wrote for the dance
ellipses. It’s how I think. number. Wait, step left, step right,
tap—all that kind of simple stuff.
Was it difficult to remember all of
the Star Wars things you’ve been Did you find the writing process
05
involved with? difficult at all?
Being involved in all of the movies, I wasn’t afraid of writing. It wasn’t
some of the stories were pretty fresh, like, “Where do I begin?” I could
or constantly being refreshed in my never, ever write a novel or a
mind. The Yoda Chronicles sticks in mystery, or a thriller. I recognize
my mind as being one of the most that I just don’t have that kind of
wonderful offshoots of the whole brain—absolutely not. But I do
thing, but when I look at some of the know some of the rules of writing
chapters, I had to think. I’ve done so a cliffhanger, for example, and
many things I can’t remember. hopefully not insulting the reader’s
I write about how some things intelligence. I hope it doesn’t talk
were achieved when making down in any way to anybody.
the movies, which I thought And the relief of fi nishing it,
finally, of not being able to fi ddle
with it, because I’m a great tinkerer.
I can think of a better way of saying
that now.
24 / STAR WARS INSIDER
INTERVIEW: ANTHONY DANIELS
06 04 Daniels
returned to
the role of
C-3PO in
The Force
Awakens
(2015)
05 Anthony
Daniels as
protocol
droid C-3PO.
06 C-3PO is
reunited
with his
sparring
partner
R2-D2, at the
climax of The
Last Jedi
(2017).
STAR WARS INSIDER / 25
07
So you now understand how 08 I have said what I have said, I don’t
George Lucas must have felt, need to say anything else. There are
when he decided to make the areas that I touched on lightly, there
Special Editions ? are areas that I remember better
Some people were critical of him than others. Christine (Daniels’
making them, but suddenly I began wife–Ed.) pointed out that I seem
to see why he wanted to do that. to have a very full memory of the
It was like he’d thought of a better fi rst film. But why wouldn’t I? It
way of phrasing them. I suppose the was such a seminal experience, in
difference is that my book hasn’t so many ways.
become public before I fiddled. I
fiddled before the fact, his was after 09 You’re not going to remember
the fact, in a fairly major way. making all nine of the fi lms to
People have asked me, “How the same degree.
do you feel, now you’ve finished it No, which is kind of a bit sad. But
and you don’t have to write?” Most then we came back for Episode 7.
mornings I was up early, typing Working with J.J. Abrams was so
away. I was on airplanes typing away, visceral, I think you can tell how
I was on the film set. I was on trains. much we enjoy working with him.
Anywhere I got a moment. In France, It’s been a complete joy. And now
in our new house with no central C-3PO is back in action in Episode
heating, wrapped up in scarves, 9, and what an end piece for him.
overcoat, blankets, a hot water bottle.
I found space, but now I don’t have Now that we’ve reached the fi nal
to do that anymore, it’s quite curious. episode of the Skywalker saga,
would you be happy to play
Is that a relief? Do you miss it? C-3PO again?
Half and half. I think I might Oh, totally. He’s my best friend,
actually read it the next few days, 07 Daniels promises that The Rise of Skywalker apart from my wife. He’s a very
knowing I can’t change anything. sees C-3PO at his best. good friend.
It’s something I had to do, and only 08 Anthony Daniels with director J.J. Abrams.
I could do it, so that was a bit weird. NEXT ISSUE: In part two, Anthony
09 C-3PO actor Daniels is a veteran of three
I hope people like it. Whether or not Daniels reveals what it was really
Star Wars trilogies, having appeared in all
they do, I am not unsatisfied with it. nine Skywalker saga movies. like to inhabit C-3PO’s metal body.
26 / STAR WARS INSIDER
THE MAN
FROM MANDALORE
LAUNCHING ON THE DISNEY+ STREAMING SERVICE
ON NOVEMBER 12, 2019, THE MANDALORIAN
DELIVERS ALL THE THRILLS, SPILLS, AND EPIC
ADVENTURE OF THE CINEMATIC STAR WARS
GALAXY DIRECT TO YOUR TELEVISION SCREENS!
STAR WARS INSIDER REVEALS WHAT YOU CAN
EXPECT FROM THE ALL-NEW SERIES.
W ORDS: TAR A BENNETT
PREVIEW: THE MANDALORIAN
or executive
producers, Jon
F Favreau and
Dave Filoni, The
Mandalorian
has been their
passion project since they began
developing the series in early
2018. But the roots of
the show, and their
“It’s like the old
collaboration, go back
much further. In fact,
Samurai movies and
Filoni recently revealed
that their adventure in
the live-action Star Wars the Westerns, where
galaxy was practically
fated all the way back in the gunfi ghters are
2007, when each of the
on separate projects at roaming and people
creatives was working
George Lucas’ famous
Skywalker Ranch. are fighting for their
At the time, Filoni was
working with Lucas on own safety.”
the animated series Star
Wars: The Clone Wars Jon Favreau
(2008-2015) when he
heard that Jon Favreau
was also there, mixing “a tiny Filoni as a willing voice for the
movie about an obscure comic animated series, if a suitable spot
book,” called Iron Man. “I got ever came up. Consequently,
word Jon Favreau would like to the key character of Pre Vizsla (a
see if he and his son could come Mandalorian warrior, no less!)
over to the studio and see what we was written especially for the
were doing on The Clone Wars,” director, marking Favreau’s formal
Filoni recalls. “Up to this point, no entry into the Star Wars galaxy.
one had seen The Clone Wars, so I
did what anyone would do with a Together Again, Huh?
top-secret property, I said, ‘Sure. If The two were reunited a decade
I can see Iron Man, I will make you later when Favreau learned of
that trade.’” Disney’s intention to develop
Their friendship was forged original Star Wars content for the
in those screening rooms, and company’s planned streaming
Favreau even pitched himself to service, Disney+. The life-long
Star Wars fan immediately
booked a meeting with Lucasfi lm
president Kathleen Kennedy, with
an idea for a television series.
“I came in and pitched to
Kathleen a version of a show
that took place after Star Wars:
Return of the Jedi (1983),
STAR WARS INSIDER / 29
PREVIEW: THE MANDALORIAN
01
01 The gunslinger
and bounty
hunter known
as “the
Madalorian”
(Pedro
Pascal).
02 Moff Gideon
(Giancarlo
Esposito)
attempts to
maintain
order.
03 It seems the
galaxy does
not remember
the Empire
fondly.
04 Familiar tech
finds new
owners in The
Mandalorian.
05 The
Mandalorian’s
carbon frozen
catch.
06 IG-11 (Taika
Waititi).
after the revolution, and after
everybody is done celebrating,
because the Empire is gone and
then chaos reigns!” Favreau
explains of his original concept
for The Mandalorian. “There is
no central government in the
galaxy, so it’s like the old Samurai
movies and the Westerns, where
the gunfighters are roaming and
people are fighting for their own
safety to build safe communities.
But it’s a dangerous world.”
It was then that Kennedy asked
if Favreau knew Filoni and, once
their shared background was
revealed, she connected the pair 02
to develop the series together.
Favreau wrote several scripts
immediately and passed them over in Jon. I’m incredibly fortunate to much that fans will only learn
to Filoni to give his feedback. work with him on this project.” as the series airs. What won’t be
Filoni remembers, “What I a surprise is how authentic the
loved about [the scripts] is that The Real Deal small-screen Star Wars adventures
it felt like Star Wars to me, and As with every Star Wars project, will look. Despite a more modest
I don’t say that lightly. It was story secrets and plot details budget than its big-screen cousins,
exciting. I was looking for a way to have remained closely guarded, great care has gone into replicating
break into live-action, and I have and even with the series debut the signature look of the Star Wars
to say what a great mentor to have just around the corner, there is movies for The Mandalorian.
30 / STAR WARS INSIDER
03
04
05
MAKING THE
MANDALORIAN
DAVE FILONI
Originally from Pennsylvania,
life-long Star Wars fan Dave
Filoni headed west after
college to work in animation.
His fi rst jobs in the industry
were working as a storyboard
artist on animated shows like
06 King of the Hill, Kim Possible,
and Nickelodeon’s Avatar:
The Last Airbender, for which
he would eventually direct
several episodes.
Having made a name
for himself in the medium, it
was none other than George
Lucas who asked him to
help establish Lucasfi lm
Animation, which launched
with The Clone Wars movie
in 2008, followed by six
critically acclaimed seasons
of the television series, which
makes it’s return with new
episodes in February 2020.
His innovative storytelling
quickly made him a favorite
with the Star Wars fandom,
who have loyally followed
his work on subsequent
animated series including
Star Wars: Rebels, Star Wars:
Forces of Destiny, and Star
Wars: Resistance.
07 Cara Dune 07
(Gina
Carano)
takes aim.
08 The
Mandalorian
(Pedro
Pascal).
09 Renowned
actor Werner
Herzog plays
a villainous
role.
10 Greef Carga
(Carl
Weathers),
head of the
Bounty
Hunter Guild.
11 In the right
hands, even
a door can be
a weapon.
08
MAKING THE MANDALORIAN
JON FAVREAU
While the world may think of Jon Favreau as an
actor, writer and/or director (depending on the
creative project), he is quick to label himself as both
a fan of Walt Disney and Star Wars. Both have had
tremendous infl uence on his career path, which is
why he now fi nds himself deeply entrenched with
the Walt Disney Company and Lucasfi lm for his
current creative endeavors. He’s even a newly
minted Disney Legend.
Back in the day, the Flushing, Queens, New
York native was initially known as a comedian and
actor in fi lms like PCU (1994) and Swingers (1996),
and television shows like Seinfeld (1989-1998)
09
and Friends (1994-2004). It wasn’t until 2001 that
Favreau transitioned into directing with Made, a
crime-comedy he also wrote and co-starred in.
He continued directing fi lms such as the much-
loved holiday classic, Elf (2003), the sci-fi family fi lm,
Zathura (2005), and then Marvel Studio’s fi rst self-
produced fi lm, Iron Man (2008) and its sequel, Iron
Man 2 (2010). More recently, Favreau has directed
and produced several live-action remakes for Disney,
including the studio’s well-received 2016 version of
The Jungle Book. A huge hit, it led him to direct
and produce another adaptation of a Disney classic
animation property, The Lion King. Now extremely
adept at VFX-centric fi lmmaking, Favreau was
uniquely prepared to use the tools of CGI to assist in
bringing the world of The Mandalorian to life on the
small screen, just as richly as any fi lmmaker has done
in bringing Star Wars stories to the big screen.
PREVIEW: THE MANDALORIAN
10
“All of
the derelict
background
characters
from the
bar in the
very fi rst
Star Wars
movie are
now front
and center.”
Pedro Pascal
A fact endorsed by Favreau, who
proudly states that, “Thanks to
Disney+ and Lucasfilm, we were
able to put together a production
that stands up, side-by-side, with
all of the feature films.”
Series star Pedro Pascal is also
hugely impressed with the visual
spectacle of the production, and
particularly its setting. “The edgier
background of the world-building
comes center stage,” Pascal says,
revealing that “it’s like all of the 11
derelict background characters from
the bar in the very first Star Wars Wars, it’s a whole new storyline, in • The Mandalorian premieres
movie are now front and center.” a whole new timeframe that hasn’t on Disney+ in the U.S.,
Breaking new ground for Star been covered yet. But if you are a Canada, and the Netherlands
Wars, The Mandalorian represents Star Wars fan, we’ve got you. Much on November 12, followed
a unique opportunity to welcome like we did with Iron Man, it was shortly thereafter by Australia
new fans to the galaxy, as well as new characters for new people who and New Zealand, with the
providing thrills for the die-hards. might not know superhero films. But streaming service expected
As Favreau enthusiastically pointed if you knew the Iron Man books and to be available in all major
out, “There’s a whole new set of you saw that movie, you knew that markets within the first
characters, so if you are new to Star movie was for you.” two years.
STAR WARS INSIDER / 33
PREVIEW: THE MANDALORIAN
THE MANDALORIAN AND ASSOCIATES: MEET THE CAST
- - - - -
PEDRO GINA CARL GIANCARLO TAIKA
PASCAL CARANO WEATHERS ESPOSITO WAITITI
The Mandalorian Cara Dune Greef Carga Moff Gideon IG-11
Like a lone gunslinger Described as a former Acting legend Carl Never let it be said that The New Zealand
in Westerns of yore, Pedro rebel shock trooper, Cara Weathers, best known for Giancarlo Esposito doesn’t native has made quite the
Pascal’s Mandalorian is the Dune is another of the his iconic recurring role know how to craft an name for himself writing,
central figure of the series. galaxy’s bounty hunters. as Apollo Creed in the indelible villain. Whether directing and acting in
A bounty hunter who Whether she’s a friend or first four Rocky movies, is he’s voicing Batman such gems as What We
seems well-versed in the foe to the Mandalorian is now perhaps even more villain Ra’s al Ghul in the Do in the Shadows (2014),
combat style of the famed as yet unknown, but it’s a famous as the voice of animated adventures Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Mandalorian warriors, likely safe bet that they’ve Combat Carl in Toy Story of Gotham’s masked (2016), and Thor:
he goes where the work got a history that brings of Terror (2013) and Toy vigilante, or exuding the Ragnarok (2017).
takes him. In this case, their skill-sets together. Story 4 (2019). calm menace of drug lord Working in the Marvel
he’s summoned by Greef Dune is played by Weathers brings wit Gustavo Fring in Breaking Studios camp, Waititi
Carga to find a valuable Gina Carano, a former and gravitas to the outer Bad (2008-2013) and crossed creative paths
asset. The rest remains a Muay Thai and MMA reaches of the galaxy as Better Call Saul (2015), with Jon Favreau, who cast
mystery, down to what he champion, which means Greef Carga, the leader Esposito always leaves him as the voice of bounty
looks like under his mask, she’s bringing her own of a bounty hunter guild an impression. hunter droid, IG-11. It’s
or sounds like for that authentic physicality and who ultimately hires the He intends to do the unknown if there’s a direct
matter. But we do know stunt skills to the role. Mandalorian to track same as Moff Gideon, relation to the classic
that Pascal is no stranger As Carano explains, a mysterious asset. Is a bad man who was an droid, IG-88, but Watiti
to passionate fandoms, “I think the world of that asset innocent or Imperial leader before joked that he likes to think
as he’s played high profile bounty hunters is a very nefarious? It’s likely to the Empire fell. “We they were made in the
roles like Oberyn Martell lonely place, and violent be just as complicated don’t know how much same factory. As for IG-
in Game of Thrones (2011- at times,” so expect as Carga’s relationship knowledge Gideon has,” 11’s story arc, Watiti claims
2019), and Agent Whiskey the character to bring a with this latest bounty reveals Esposito, “but that the sharpshooting
in Kingsman: The Golden weighty back story along hunter to wear the armor he seems to know the droid becomes “a very
Circle (2017). with her warrior ways. of a Mandalorian. movements of everyone.” loveable character.”
34 / STAR WARS INSIDER
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
E V E R Y S A G A H A S A N E N D
TH E R I S E O F
SK Y W A L KER
VI LL AI N S
VE RS US H E RO ES
Will the evil forces of the First Order triumph, or can
the heroes of the Resistance turn the tide of galactic
history? As fans await the return of Star Wars to the
big screen on December 15, 2019, Insider introduces
the major players who will determine the fate of a
galaxy far, far away….
SUPREME
LEADER
KYLO REN
Portrayed by Adam Driver
Since assuming the
mantle of Supreme
Leader of the First
Order after the death of
Snoke, the antagonistic
and intimidating Kylo
Ren now wields more
power than ever before. GENERAL
Hungry for even more,
Ren scours the galaxy HUX
for the darkest secrets
of the Force in his quest Portrayed by
for ultimate supremacy. Domnhall Gleeson
The ruthless and
sadistic First Order
general remains
driven to crush
the rebellious
Resistance, and
bring order to the
galaxy through a
combination of
brute force and
terror.
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
SITH TROOPERS
Imbued with a fanatical devotion to the
First Order, the Sith troopers are an elite
force of stormtroopers that draw inspiration
THE KNIGHTS and power from a dark and ancient legacy.
Aggressive and well-trained, the Sith
OF REN troopers are adept in armed and unarmed
Ominous, mysterious, and combat, and are equipped with an array of
implacable, the Knights of Ren are deadly energy weapons and explosives.
members of an enclave of masked
warriors, and the fearsome
enforcers of Kylo Ren’s dark will.
Each wields a distinctive
weapon, best suited to their
individual expertise in close-
quarter and ranged combat, such
as a war club, a long axe, an arm
canon, and a blaster rifl e.
STAR WARS INSIDER / 37
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
B
N
N
A
J JANNAH C CHEWBACCA
P Portrayed bby P P Portrayed by Joonas SSuotamo
E
k
N Naomi Ackie ROSE The faithful former co-pilot of
Hailing from an T TICO Han Solo continues to honor
oceanic moon, his friend’s memory, manning
y
Jannah is fi erce, P Portrayed by the controls of the Millennium
a
principled, and K Kelly Marie TTran Falcon as he carries out daring
honest. Skilled in The loss of her missions against the First Order.
archery and riding, sister, Paige, made
she leads a band of Rose Tico ever more
warriors who are determined to bring
ready to battle the an end to the First
forces of the First Order’s domination
Order to protect of the galaxy. She
their home. now plays key role in
Resistance activities.
Z Z ZORII BLISS
P Poortrayed by Keri Russell
As the war between the First Order and the Resistance rages
across the galaxy, it is difficult for scoundrels and rogues to retain
their neutrality. A tough, no-nonsense smuggler and pilot, street
smart Zorii Bliss is one such individual. But the time has come
when she and the Spice Runners of Kijimi must choose a side.
38 / STAR WARS INSIDER
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
L
L LANDO CALRISSIAN
P Portrayed by Billy Dee Williams
Former smuggler, sportsman (read: gambler), and
self-styled galactic hero, Lando Calrissian has
long been associated with the cause of freedom.
A friend to Han Solo and General Leia Organa,
Calrissian returns to the fray during the climactic
end game of the fight against the First Order.
O
O
C C-3PO
P Portrayed by
y
A A Anthony Daniels
A veteran of three
galactic confl icts,
C-3PO longs for
more peaceful times.
Unfortunately for
the worry-prone
protocol droid, he
once again fi nds
himself on the
frontlines of war.
R R2-D2
Providing a vital link in Resistance
operations against the First Order, the
reliable astromech droid continues to play
an active part in the ongoing confl ict.
STAR WARS INSIDER / 39
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
R REY F FINN P POE
D DAMERON
O
P Portrayed by Daisy Ridley P Portrayed by John Boyyega
Rey has come a long way Fully committed to the
P Portrayed by Oscaar Isaac
since her childhood as a Resistance cause, Finn is
scavenger in the desert determined to bring an end to Poe Dameron learned a
wastes of Jakku. Devoted the fierce First Order regime. valuable lesson about the
to fighting the inexorable Despite having left his past as responsibility of command
might of the First Order, a stormtrooper far behind, that when the Resistance was routed
Rey has continued to training has helped him become by the First Order during the
study the ways of the Jedi, a more confident soldier as evacuation of D’Qar. Now, the
but has growing concerns he fights alongside his closest heroic pilot joins friends Rey
about what the future— friends to achieve that goal. and Finn on a dangerous quest.
and the Force—might
hold in store for her.
D D-O
B BB-8 An impressionable little roller
droid, cobbled together from
P P Portrayed by odd components and spare
B B Brian Herring and Dave Chhapman parts, D-O is cute, curious,
The resourceful pal of Poe Dameron and fixated with BB-8. D-O
continues to play a vital role supporting will follow the astromech
the Resistance and his master’s friends. through thick and thin.
STAR WARS
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THE
SECRET
LIFE
PORGS
OF
From the moment they were first glimpsed in the teaser trailer for
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), fans have been fascinated by the
porgs of Ahch-To. With help from the artist who designed them
and a renowned puffi n biologist, Star Wars Insider uncovers the
secret life of Chewbacca’s feathered friends.
W ORDS B Y MELI SS A T. MILLER
THE SECRET LIFE OF PORGS
orgs—those
cute, curious
P inhabitants of
Ahch-To—are
perhaps the most
notable addition
to Star Wars fi eld guides in recent
years, having been inspired by
the Atlantic puffi ns crowding and he notes that puffins’ legs are “I saw them as
the island of Skellig Michael off set far back on their bodies, a trait
the coast of Ireland where some they have in common with porgs. semi-aquatic,
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) “It means they stand upright,
scenes were filmed. Instead of and the leg position also has a lot imagining that they
digitally removing them, director to do with how they lift off into
Rian Johnson embraced the flight,” he explains. Puffi ns usually would jump off
opportunity to showcase more need to get a running start, either
wildlife onscreen. Now, puffi n on land or water, before they fl y. cliffs to swim and
researchers here on Earth can Alternatively, they can leap off
provide insights into the porgs cliffs to become airborne—behavior hunt like penguins.”
of Ahch-To. that is also seen amongst porgs in
Although the original directive The Last Jedi. Jake Lunt Davies
was that the porgs be a similar size,
shape, and color to puffi ns—so What They Eat
that myriad background shots Perhaps the most striking physical
with fl ocks flying through them difference between puffi ns and
didn’t need to be altered—there porgs can be found on their faces.
was still plenty of room for creative While puffins sport a large, colorful
changes. The challenge fell to Star beak, the snub-nose and teeth-fi lled
Wars creature concept designer Jake mouth of the porg more closely
Lunt Davies. resembles that of a seal. Both
“The first iteration of porgs puffins and seals eat fi sh, making
had seal fur and flippers instead of it likely that porgs do too, despite
wings, then further down the line it never being shown onscreen.
in the creative process, a decision “Puffins require large numbers of
was made to change this to feathers fish to survive,” says Kress. “The
and make them more avian,” Lunt chicks, especially, rely on a diet
Davies reveals. “They were always a of fi sh.”
bit bird-like with their little webbed As has been well-documented
feet. I saw them as semi-aquatic, in recent years, fi sh populations—
imagining that they would jump and thus puffins and many other
off cliffs to swim and hunt, just animals that rely on them for
like penguins.” food—are fi nding themselves
It turns out that, despite increasingly under threat from
Lunt Davies’ artistic license, environmental problems such as
these attributes are actually climate change and overfi shing.
supported by science. Stephen When unsustainably large numbers
Kress, Ph.D., the Vice President of fish are removed from the ocean,
for Bird Conservation at the it affects every plant and animal
National Audubon Society and that relies on them as part of a
Visiting Fellow at Cornell Lab of healthy food chain. Additionally,
Ornithology, has dedicated his many species of fish can only
career to studying the natural survive in a narrow range of
behavior of puffi n populations, temperatures and are dying off
or moving to deeper water, farther
away from nesting islands, as the
oceans warm.
However, it’s unlikely that Luke
and the caretakers are having any
01 Sketches of porg nests by Star Wars: The Last Jedi
such negative effects on Ahch-To concept artist Jake Lunt Davies.
STAR WARS INSIDER / 43
THE SECRET LIFE OF PORGS
and its native inhabitants. The 02
island in The Last Jedi has a
healthy underwater environment,
evidenced by its ability to support
large species of fish. In fact, the
addition of Luke’s X-wing as an
artificial reef could even serve
to increase the abundance of
small species that likely provide
nourishment for porgs.
Just a Bill?
Unlike other birds who regurgitate
partially digested food, puffi ns
return to their burrows carrying
intact small fish. They use their Puffin photographs by Stephen Kress.
large bills to transport the fi sh—
sometimes dozens at a time—back
to their chicks. Porgs would not
be able to do this, and it remains
unclear how they feed their
03
offspring; it’s possible that they
nurse their young instead.
Platypus and echidnas are the
only animals here on Earth that
both lay eggs and nurse their
young, and neither species has
typical suckling habits. Instead,
the female sweats milk from
specific areas of her body, in a
process which typically requires
her to stay on the nest rather than
leaving it to hunt for herself. Every
shot of an active nest in The Last
Jedi shows an adult porg sitting on
it, so this hypothesis has potential.
But an impressive bill isn’t
solely important for dietary
requirements: for puffins, it also
plays a pivotal role when it comes decisions could mean about the this careful defense doesn’t protect
to attracting a mate. “Recent lifestyle and behavior of porgs. “I against predation by human-
work has shown that the bill 02 Puffins might watch a David Attenborough introduced mammals like rats,
actually glows under ultraviolet gather at wildlife show or something similar. which can be devastating to
Matinicus
light,” says Kress. “That may Rock, Maine. It soaks in and somehow seeps its puffins and many other species of
indicate health, age, breeding way back out again in my designs,” birds around the world.
03 The bright
condition, and all kinds of he suggests. By contrast, “our little porglets
bill of a puffin
things to their potential mates.” helps attract are exposed,” says Lunt Davies,
Lunt Davies admits that, at a mate and Nesting Behavior who drew multiple types of nests
can be used
the time, he didn’t give much Puffins dig deep and winding in his concept art. “I’ll draw many
as a tool for
thought to what his creative digging. burrows to keep their single egg ideas, exploring lots of different
safe from gulls—their natural options, but ultimately only one
predators—using the tools route gets chosen. So you can
“Birds that nest in provided to them by evolution. ignore anything else if it isn’t in
the open, like gulls and Kress explains that they utilize the movie.”
their large bill, “like a pick axe,
Porgs making open nests from
terns, are usually much and they also use their webbed feet grass and other scavenged items,
more aggressive.” as little shovels. They claw with like wiring or fabric from passing
sharp toenails and, dog-like, kick YT-1300 Corellian freighters,
Stephen Kress, Ph.D soil out behind them.” However, may seem like a small thing,
44 / STAR WARS INSIDER
THE SECRET LIFE OF PORGS
04
05
but it belies major differences
between their behavior and that
of puffins. It’s possible that there
is little predation on the island,
which would allow porgs to lay and
hatch multiple eggs in their open
nests without fear. Or it could be
that porgs have a side to them not
shown onscreen.
“Birds that nest in the open, like
gulls and terns, are usually much
more aggressive,” explains Kress.
“They’re all over a predator that
gets near the nest, and multiple
birds will join together to attack or
chase it away.” He also speculates
that porgs nesting on the surface
rather than in burrows would likely
be aggressive around those nests.
“Maybe that’s where the teeth come
in,” he says, “though there are birds
that just sit tight and hope no one
will see them. If they do fly off, they
poop all over the eggs, which has a
predator-deterrent smell.”
Lunt Davies confirms this theory
about the porgs, as it turns out
that the possibility of the little
creatures defending their nests did
come up in pre-production. “We
looked at the idea of sticking a nest
to the side of the cliff for practical
reasons,” says Lunt Davies. “We
could operate the puppets from
underneath and keep the shot
generally free of rod-removal in
post-production. At that time,
04-05 The nesting habits of the porgs were fully explored during pre-production for The Last Jedi, with the
the parent was going to react cliff-dwelling creatures protecting their young from airborne predators. Concept art by Jake Lunt Davies.
STAR WARS INSIDER / 45
THE SECRET LIFE OF PORGS
defensively to the threat of larger
“One moment Chewie’s eating them, flying predators circling above.”
Once they’re ready, puffi n chicks
the next minute they’re happily leave the nest—or ‘fl edge’—and head
inside and jumping all around him.” out to sea, then often don’t return to
land for two to three years. But some
Jake Lunt Davies
puffins do return to the nesting
grounds before they are ready to
actually breed. “Young birds arrive
later in the season than the older
06
breeders and ‘prospect’ for years
before they nest for the fi rst time,”
explains Kress. “Pair bonding, and
occupation and defense of a burrow,
can happen in the year before egg
laying.” This could explain the
different types of nests seen in The
Last Jedi, with some on the grass
while others are built on cliff faces.
Chewie and the porgs
Chewbacca’s relationship with
porgs can also be studied through
the lens of puffin biology. “They’ve
certainly gotten very tame around
our observation blinds at the
research site,” says Kress, who notes
that puffins and other seabirds are
naturally curious about new people
and spaces. Rey may have had to
wait a few hours (and audiences
07 two years) for Luke to speak, but
06 A number of
porgs nested in that time she interacted with
aboard the the curious porgs living on Ahch-
Millennium To, who didn’t seem to view her
Flacon.
as a threat.
07 Stephen As for the threat Chewie poses,
Kress meets having apparently captured and
a puffin on
Eastern Egg killed at least two of them, it’s
Rock, Maine. likely the porgs would remember
Photo by Bill
Scholtz. that. “Birds do certainly recognize
individual researchers, we think by
08 Ahch-To’s facial features,” says Kress. “None of
porgs don’t
take too our researchers look like a Wookiee,
kindly to but I’m sure that body shape would
the dietary be easily recognized.”
habits of
a certain The porg who stares down
Wookiee. Chewie could be the mate of one
of the porgs he killed. While it’s
09 Animatronic
porgs await difficult to say puffins mourn per
their cue se, if one dies, “its mate will not
during
filming breed that year. They take a year
of The off when a mate is lost,” says Kress.
Last Jedi.
If only Luke or the Caretakers had
shared some fish or thala-siren
milk, Chewie may not have had to
resort to hunting on his own!
However, porg curiosity is
apparently enough to overcome
08
any memory they have of
Chewbacca as a predator, as they
investigate and eventually infest
the Millennium Falcon. The porg
that stays onboard and travels to
Crait likely has a lot of adjustments
to make in order to live away
from Ahch-To, and the fact that
echoing Chewie’s battle cry could
indicate that porgs are an adaptable
creature. While puffins don’t mimic
other vocalizations, there are birds
that do.
The porgs’ relocation from
cliff-top to spaceship is something
that, Lunt Davies admits, perplexes
him. “One moment Chewbacca’s
eating them, the next minute they
are happily inside and jumping 09
all around him,” he says. “They’re
obviously quite invasive creatures.”
Neither Kress nor Lunt Davies feel Kress. However, “if the burrow is regulated, thanks to the island’s
qualified to speculate, but it badly destroyed, it would likely listing as a site of both historic and
could be that the nest seen on be the end of nesting that year.” natural importance. Though tourist
the Millennium Falcon belonged Disruptions can come from boats are allowed to land there,
to one of the porgs Chewie killed. predators, but trampling by careless guides ensure that visitors respect
With porglets already hatching, humans is also a threat. Though the the rules to minimize their impact.
it’s unlikely that an adult would residents of Ahch-To may not stay
choose to move its nest except on marked paths, it’s incredibly Get Involved
under extreme circumstances, important that humans do if they There are many ways to help
or with help from a certain choose to visit the fi lming location. puffins, the charismatic seabird
remorseful Wookiee. Thankfully, most seabird that inspired Star Wars’ porgs,
“Puffins seldom abandon colonies are protected areas, and including supporting policy to slow
chicks following disturbance,” says access to Skellig Michael itself is down and reverse the effects
STAR WARS INSIDER / 47
THE SECRET LIFE OF PORGS
10
of climate change. Eating only that is the plastic problem. As 10 Concept art but balloons end up in the ocean.
sustainably caught fish can also has been widely publicized, it by Jake Lunt I have even seen puffi n chicks
Davies,
go a long way toward encouraging enters the ocean and breaks detailing entangled with balloons and the
an end to over-fishing. “One of down into small pieces that porg nests trailing strings in their burrows.”
and a feisty
our hopes,” reveals Kress, “is that are then easily swallowed by When asked about potential
young
better managed fisheries will leave seabirds, so the use and disposal porglet. threats to the porgs, Lunt Davies
more fish in the water and help of plastic is something that we says, “I imagine the planet would
birds adapt to climate change.” should all strive to be aware continue to stay a backwater.
Many fish populations bounce back of. In the U.S., the plastic problem Nonetheless, porgs strike me as
relatively quickly when fishing is has taken a somewhat unexpected somewhat adaptable.” So hopefully,
regulated, and the Monterey Bay shape. “Here in North America, these curious little island-dwellers
Aquarium has developed an app the prevailing winds take balloons will be safe from environmental
called Seafood Watch that keeps out into the ocean,” reveals Kress. threats (unless Supreme Leader
an updated list of seafood options “We’re collecting them all the Kylo Ren looks to blow up
to help make choices that support time to keep wildlife safe. The the whole island, of course).
healthy oceans worldwide. birds can get tangled up, swallow Through continued research
Puffins are also facing an them, and bring them to their and conservation, the hope is
environmental challenge in the nests. When you live in the interior that puffin populations can also
shape of pollution—a planet-wide U.S., sometimes you think ocean recover and thrive. “Healthy puffi n
issue—and perhaps chief amongst issues are someone else’s problem, populations indicate a healthy
marine environment,” says Kress.
“Lots of birds means the ocean is
“None of our researchers look like healthy and producing food for not
a Wookiee, but I’m sure that body just puffins, but for everything else,
shape would be easily recognized.” including humans.” And hopefully
porgs will continue to fl ourish in
Stephen Kress, Ph.D that galaxy far, far away.
48 / STAR WARS INSIDER
Galactic, merry,
and bright
These festive takes on your favorite characters are sure to
impress. Pick up a 3D pop up card for everyone on your list!
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lovepop.com/starwars
© & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd.
THE
SKYWALKER
SAGA
RESIST ANCE
REBORN
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Death and rebirth are central themes of Star Wars:
The Last Jedi (2017). Insider explores how these and others
shaped the arcs of Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Rey
in the penultimate episode of the Skywalker saga.
Words: Tricia Barr
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The official Star Wars Insider magazine is your one-stop guide to the greatest space adventure ultimate saga
of all time, Star Wars Insider really gets the reader inside the worlds of Star Wars through interviews,
behind-the-scenes exclusives and unrivalled access to the Lucasfilm archives. Each issue offers star
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Keep up to speed with any incoming transmissions within the Star Wars galaxy, with updates with any news, fan questions answered, reminisce with regular archive features and so much more
In This Issue
Our ongoing journey through the Skywalker Saga reaches its penultimate chapter! Plus: an exclusive interview with C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels. Visit Ahch-To, as we make the trip to the real-life filming locations in Ireland. Discover the Secret Life of Porgs, as we find out more about their biology and how they were created for the movie. Learn the history behind some of the galaxy's more exotic names, and how you can create your own. And separate the truths from the white lies of the Star Wars universe in a special fact-or-fiction file!
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