We are very excited to have back on the show James Kahn, author of the New York Times best-selling Return of the Jedi novelization. Also on his resume - he has resuscitated a dying extraterrestrial (E.T.) and saved many humans as an ER doctor IRL. Kahn’s writing career blossomed from writing the novelizations of Goonies, Poltergeist, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, to writing on TV shows Melrose Place, Star Trek: Voyager & a sitcom E/R with actor George Clooney (NOT ER!). 

 

James just released My Jedi Memoir: A Double Life, an autobiography that uses the hero’s journey in his Jedi novelization to outline the phases of his own life. It’s a fascinating read available now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. We loved reconnecting with James and encourage you to read his book.

 

THIS WEEK in Star Wars History 5/19 - 5/25

 

May 19th - 26th Anniversary of The Phantom Menace

 

May 19th - 20th anniversary of Revenge of the Sith

 

May 21st - 45th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back

 

May 25th - 48th Anniversary of A New Hope

 

May 25th - 42nd Anniversary of Return of the Jedi

 

May 25th - 7th Anniversary of Solo: A Star Wars Story

 

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Christopher Sean, voice of Kazuda Xiono from Star Wars Resistance, joins us to discuss this last and final arc of Andor Season 2. In particular, we discuss character motivations and scenes, such as Dedra’s gleeful confrontation with Luthen, Krennic’s brutally weird interrogation of Dedra, and Cassian’s subtle nod to the Force healer as he takes his final walk into Rogue One. 

Christopher also gives us insight into the audition process for Star Wars Resistance, and what he brought to the character - you may even hear Kaz’s voice! He also shared a great story about recording in person with Oscar Isaac (voice of Poe Dameron). 

Christopher will be signing at Boonta Eve Special Edition right before Rebel Scum Con this coming August. Richard and Sarah (we) will also be in attendance - come join us!

Episodes we break down:

• E10: Make it Stop
• E11: Who Else Knows?
• E12: Jedha, Kyber, Erso

 

Today in Star Wars History 5/14/1944

 

The birth day of the maker himself - George Lucas! Today he celebrates his 81st birthday having been born on May 14, 1944.

 

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THUNDERBOLTS* was just released on May 2nd, and Richard and Sarah are excited to break down this movie! We get into details such as character relationships and history, our expectations vs. reality, any nitpicks, and why this film is the INSIDE OUT 2 of the Marvel universe. And what about Bob? How does he fit in, and what did we think of his character and possible relationship with Yelena??

 

We are happy to say that the film is off to a strong start at the box office. Over the weekend it grossed $74 million, and it currently has an 88% Fresh rating with critics at Rotten Tomatoes. 

 

Today in Star Wars History 5/6/1964

 

Happy 61st Birthday to Lars Mikkelsen! Lars Mikkelsen, voiced Grand Admiral Thrawn in Star Wars Rebels ,then went on to play the live-action character in Ahsoka. 

 

SPONSORS

 

Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

 

SUPPORT THE SHOW

 

Find out how you can become a part of the Skywalking Force and unlock bonus content.

 

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Never Land on Alderaan!

 

Convention season is now in full swing. Next up - Comic Con Revolution (CCR)! Programming director David Nieves joins us to discuss what goes into putting on a pop culture convention. What were our first convention experiences? San Diego Comic Con was first for some, while others were relegated to a single banquet room at the local Sheraton Hotel (looking at you Richard). If you ever dreamed of working at a con, David gives tips on how you can make that happen. 

 

David tells us about a NEW feature for this year’s CCR. Attendees will have an opportunity to experience a special pop up with Trapped Escape Room. In The Henchmen's Heist, you and your crew are aspiring villains! You join Madame Graffiti's band of art thieves. The mission? To steal as many pieces of art as possible from the world-famous Lumina Museum at their annual Spectrum Gala. 

 

Along with the many superstars and escape room, we will also be there with TWO of our Trivia party game shows. Sunday May 18th we will host our Pop Culture Trivia Challenge at 12pm. At 2:45 we will play our Star Wars Trivia Challenge Strikes Back!

 

Today in Star Wars History 5/2/2006

 

Revenge of the Sith wins top honors in two categories at the 32nd Saturn Awards. The film wins ‘Best Science Fiction Film’ and John Williams wins for ‘Best Score.’

 

SPONSORS

 

Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

 

SUPPORT THE SHOW

 

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Star Wars Celebration Japan gave us Loth Kittens, Shadow Lords, Grogu and Gosling, and so much more. We are still processing all the big announcements and surprises, so we brought on a special guest. Our good friend B.J. Priester (Hyperspace Theories/Fangirl Blog) shares his experiences at the Main Stage, the merchandise store, and he helps us break down and analyze all the Star Wars reveals. What were you most excited about? 

Topics discussed:

1. MANDALORIAN AND GROGU
   • Why wasn’t there a Lucasfilm Showcase panel?
   • Footage described in detail
2. STAR WARS: STARFIGHTER
   • Is this the DEADPOOL of Star Wars with director Shawn Levy??
3. AHSOKA Season 2
   • Lothballs! (Loth Kittens)
   • Baylan Scoll recasting
   • Thrawn vs. Admiral Ackbar
4. Updates to SMUGGLER’S RUN: Mandalorian and Grogu version
   • Let’s flip this switch! They are testing this version right now in Disneyland!!
5. ANDOR Season 2
   • It’s here!
6. LFL 20th Anniversary Animation Panel - MAUL: SHADOW LORD
   • Footage discussed in detail
7. Highlights
8. Merchandise
9. Cosplay

 

Today in Star Wars History 4/29/1980

 

John Williams debuts as conductor of the Boston Pops at a Symphony Hall performance in Boston, MA. R2-D2 and Anthony Daniels as C-3PO make guest appearances and conduct the “Main Title” from Star Wars.  Williams conducts two brand new never-heard before themes from The Empire Strikes Back soundtrack - “Yoda’s Theme” and “The Imperial March.” The performance airs live on PBS. 

 

SPONSORS

 

Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

 

SUPPORT THE SHOW

 

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We break down and review the first 3 ANDOR Season 2 episodes, with a special focus on the “Dinner Party from Hell!” with Dedra Meero, Syril Karn, and his mom the emotionally abusive Eedy. Actors Denise Gough (Dedra) and Kyle Soller (Syril) coined “Dinner Party from Hell” at Star Wars Celebration Japan, and there is no better description. This truly relatable “meet the in-laws” dinner speaks to the entire series, as ANDOR is full of relatable moments juxtaposed with galaxy-altering events. Mon Mothma consoles her daughter while Luthen Rael ruthlessly protects information vital to the upstart Rebels. B2 plays tag with kids while Cassian inadvertently finds a new base for the burgeoning Rebellion.

 

Episodes we break down:

 

• E1: One Year Later
• E2: Sagrona Teema
• E3: Harvest

 

Today in Star Wars History 4/21/1980

 

The Empire Strikes Back Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by John Williams, was released. Before the film’s release the album had already sold three million copies. The soundtrack spends eighteen weeks on Billboard's 200 list and peaks at #4 on the week of July 12th.

 

 

 

SPONSORS

 

Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

 

SUPPORT THE SHOW

 

Find out how you can become a part of the Skywalking Force and unlock bonus content.

 

CONTACT US

 

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Never Land on Alderaan!

Bryce Eller, the man behind all the Darth Vader TV appearances and the official Vader meet and greets at local department stores, gives us exclusive stories of his time on many TV variety shows and live meet and greet engagements. 

As a companion piece to my article, Star Wars x 1970’s Variety TV, I talk with Bryce to fill in details you won’t find anywhere else. Bryce appeared on Midnight Special with Wolfman Jack, Donny and Marie, The Wacko Saturday Preview and Other Good Stuff Special, and Kaptain Kool and the Kongs Present ABC All-Star Saturday! 

We also go into voicing Darth Vader for these shows, perfecting the Vader walk, and the time he was hit on at a wrap party by a woman who wanted to turn Darth Vader to the deep dark side. 

Bryce made his Skywalking debut on the two part episodes - 236 and 237.

But little did we know then, there were even more stories to tell. 

ANDOR Season 2 is just around the corner! But where did we leave off with Cassian and friends in Season 1? After all, it was 3 years ago. What really happened between ISB agent Dedra Meero and Imperial wanna-be Syril Karn? How was Maarva Andor weaponized? 

 

If you don’t remember, we are here to remind and prepare you for this new season that premieres on Disney+ on April 22nd. There is lots to go over especially how ANDOR crosses over with STAR WARS REBELS. We also look back at our roundtable interviews with Production Designer Luke Hull and Costume Designer Michael Wilkinson to see how their creations will add to the storytelling of ANDOR Season 2. 

 

Today in Star Wars History 4/15/1963

 

Happy 63rd Birthday to Tom Kane! Tom Kane voiced hundreds of animated characters in dozens of series. To Star Wars fans he is Yoda and Admiral Yularen in The Clone Wars and did the opening newsreel narration for each episode. He also voiced Admiral Ackbar in The Last Jedi and Star Tours. 

 

Unfortunately Tom Kane had to retire from voice acting in 2020 after a stroke.

 

 

SPONSORS

 

Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

 

SUPPORT THE SHOW

 

Find out how you can become a part of the Skywalking Force and unlock bonus content.

 

CONTACT US

 

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/skywalkingpod
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Never Land on Alderaan!

What would Classic Marvel Star Wars Comics look like if it crashed into John Carter, Warlord of Mars? This comic is your answer. On this episode we break down Issue 53: THE LAST GIFT FROM ALDERAAN from August 1981. This issue inserts Princess Leia into repurposed Carmine Infantino artwork from the cancelled JOHN CARTER, WARLORD OF MARS series, and boy, can you tell! Not only does it have narration in first person, it also has some scenes intended only for an over-18 audience. Make sure those little ones are nowhere near this comic!

 

Today in Star Wars History - April 9, 1984

 

Return Of The Jedi wins a ‘Special Achievement Award for Visual Effects’ at the 56th Academy Awards. Cheech and Chong present awards to Richard Edlund, Phil Tippet, Ken Ralston, and Dennis Muren. 

 

 

#53 “THE LAST GIFT FROM ALDERAAN"

 

Release Date: August 18, 1981 Writer: Chris Claremont Artwork: Walt Simonson, Walt Simonson Coloring: Glynis Wein Cover Art:  Walt Simonson

 

Princess Leia Organa investigates Imperial activity in the Shiva system, but her ship is damaged by a space mine. Leia escapes in a shuttle which crashes on Shiva IV and is attacked by a savage raiding party. A group of natives led by Aron Peacebringer (The Star Wars-adapted John Carter) and Kéral Longknife thwart the raiders and rescue the princess. Leia returns to the capital city with Aron, and tries to warn him of the danger of the Galactic Empire, but the warlord is not convinced that such an Empire exists. During a gala, Aron then learns the hard way about this non-existing Empire.

 

We take our Facebook Group Comments on the cover into account as we analyze this issue. Become a part of our Facebook Group to contribute!

 

 

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Season of the Force is upon us once again. NEW food, NEW merchandise, and most importantly - NEW Death Star popcorn buckets!! Join Richard and Sarah behind the scenes of opening day, where we interviewed an Imagineer, specialty chefs, the merchandise team, and Star Wars: The High Republic authors. We learned about the new nighttime projection show “Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Story” and saw Luke Skywalker walk amongst us muggles on Batuu. Most importantly, we shared the experience with all of our friends, which is what Disneyland is all about. Oh, and someone was the Rebel Spy. Can you guess who??

 

This episode contains interviews from the following:

 

• Matt Martin from the Lucasfilm Story group and Michael Serna, Executive Creative Director with Disney Live Entertainment. 
•  
• Chef Adolfo Salazar, Disneyland Resort Chef
•  
• Nataly Guzman, Season of the Force Merchandise Spokesperson
•  
• Megan Roth, Senior Manager - Event Production
•  
• Star Wars: The High Republic authors
  • Claudia Gray
  •  
  • Alyssa Wong
  •  
  • Charles Soule
  •  
  • Cavan Scott
  •  
  • Zoraida Cordova,
  •  
  • George Mann

 

Today in Star Wars History 4/1/1983

 

Let’s wish a big happy birthday to Matt Lanter who was born on 4/1/1983 - 42 years ago. We all know Matt Lanter’s work as the voice of Anakin Skywalker in The Clone Wars and Tales of the Jedi. He also cameoed as Republic officer, Lant Davan, in The Mandalorian episode “Chapter 6 - The Prisoner.” A role we thought (and hoped) would be a recurring character.

 

SPONSORS

 

Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

 

SUPPORT THE SHOW

 

Find out how you can become a part of the Skywalking Force and unlock bonus content.

 

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Never Land on Alderaan!