Skywalking Through Neverland: Keeping the Star Wars Magic Alive

This D23: Ultimate Fan Event 2024 celebrated The Sherman Brothers in a big way. They have contributed so much to Disney's legacy, so we wanted to take this episode to pay our own special tribute to them. Walt Disney hired Richard and Robert Sherman in 1960 to be the Walt Disney Studios ONLY in-house composers, and they worked on such classics like Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, The Parent Trap, "The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room", "it's a small world after all", and hundreds more. Richard and Sarah give a brief history of the Sherman Brothers and share our personal stories meeting Richard Sherman.

Then, sit back and listen to the entire "Road To Cherry Tree Lane: Walt Disney's Mary Poppins" panel, recorded at D23 2024. Disney music historian Randy Thornton hosted this panel in which he shares how Walt's daughters Diane and Sharon, Davy Crockett, Disneyland/Vista Records, and Annette Funicello were all crucial intersections on "The Road to Cherry Tree Lane " and Walt Disney's Mary Poppins. You'll hear some great history, and also audio excerpts from the story meetings between the Sherman Brothers and P.L. Travers - writer of Mary Poppins books. If you watch this episode on YouTube, you'll see a slideshow of images to go along with the panel.

Prepare yourself, because the tributes continue! During the D23 Disney Parks Showcase panel at The Honda Center on 8/10/24, Meghan Trainor stepped onstage to sing "Feed The Birds", and we've included an excerpt here.

Happy Birthday Ahmed Best! For the Star Wars Prequels, Ahmed Best provided the motion capture and voice for Jar Jar Binks who was the first fully-computer-generated supporting character in a feature film.

He also provided the voice for Jar Jar in Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series and has a cameo as Achk Med-Beq in Attack of the Clones.

Ahmed returned to the Star Wars saga in a flashback to Order 66 in The Mandalorian episode, "Chapter 20: The Foundling," He is the Jedi Kelleran Beq who saves Grogu. Best had previously appeared as Kelleran Beq when he hosted the children's game show, Jedi Temple Challenge.

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Welcome to Part 2 of our D23 discussion! After attending the entire weekend and all the big Disney Showcase panels, we sat down with Courtney & Kelly Turckel (Neverland Clubhouse) and Joey Pittman (Disney Universe Podcast) to record this roundtable into the wee hours of the morning. This Part 2 discussion includes:

• Disney Parks Showcase
  • Deadpool crashes the party
  • Avenger's Campus updates
  • Avatar coming to DCA
  • Villains Land and Cars update at Magic Kingdom
  • Tropical Americas with Encanto and Indiana Jones coming to Animal Kingdom
  • Smuggler's Run getting Mandalorian and Grogu update
• Legends Ceremony
  • Harrison Ford
  • Frank Oz
  • John Williams
  • Jamie Lee Curtis
  • Miley Cyrus
  • & more
• Overall experience wrap-up

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Is your head still swimming from all the D23 2024 news?? We will happily break it all down for you in 2 episodes! After attending the entire weekend and all the big Disney Showcase panels, we sat down with Courtney & Kelly Turckel (Neverland Clubhouse) and Joey Pittman (Disney Universe Podcast) to record this roundtable into the wee hours of the morning. Part 1 discussion includes:

• D23 2024 Disney Entertainment Showcase
  • Lucasfilm
  • Marvel
  • Disney+
  • National Geographic
  • Disney Animation
  • Disney Live Action
• Overall Show Floor Experiences
• Pros and Cons of the convention
• Disney Parks Showcase - just the opening. This discussion continues in Part 2.

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.

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LFG with Deadpool & Wolverine!! In this episode, we discuss the film that broke all R-rated box office records and made $444 billion in its opening weekend - DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. We'll give our opinions, explain some cameos, and share sound bytes from Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman about their beloved characters. We also have some behind-the-scenes info from D&W composer Rob Simonsen, courtesy of San Diego Comic-Con! This is an in-depth, awesome discussion so YES, there will be SPOILERS.

Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade become parents to Ben Skywalker in The New Jedi Order: Edge of Victory II: Rebirth, written by Greg Keyes. This is the second book of The New Jedi Order duology that is contained within the 19-part New Jedi Order series.

Mark Hamill: "Pablo Hidalgo just told me about this. It doesn't surprise me. Somebody's using their head. George had talked about me handing Excalibur down to the 'new young hopefuls' if there ever was a sequel trilogy. it makes sense that Ben ends up being the most influential person in Luke's life. I'm glad the caretakers are doing such a good job with the galaxy."

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Our ACOLYTE breakdown continues! THE ACOLYTE marks the 5th live-action Disney+ Star Wars series. We've seen the entire first season, so now it's time to share our educated review. We invited Mike Celestino (Laughing Place/ Who's the Bossk) to join us in sharing our favorite moments, surprises, and cameos. What is Qimir's relationship with Darth Plagueis? Should season 2 be R-rated? Will there be a season 2? And did the soundtrack by Michael Abels stand the test of time? Tell us if you agree with our assessment.

If you haven't already, listen to Part 1 of our series review with creature performer & actor Dee Tails (Rogue One, Solo, The Force Awakens). He played Senator Chuwant and had some great behind-the-scenes stories.

Lucasfilm Head of Marketing, Charles Lippincott, presents the panel, "The Star Wars: A preview w/ Roy Thomas, Howard Chaykin, and Charles Lippincott" at San Diego Comic-Con International.

• Marvel comic writer Thomas and artist Chaykin follow the slide show with a Q&A. The Chaykin poster sells for $1.75, (You can get it on Ebay right now for $6,195!)
• According to Lippincott, this presentation starts the tradition of announcing and marketing films at San Diego Comic-Con.

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.

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Creature performer & actor Dee Tails (Rogue One, Solo, The Force Awakens) joins us to talk about his role as Senator Chuwant and shooting the finale for THE ACOLYTE! He upheld a J.J. Abrams tradition when playing this character - do you know what it is? You can meet Dee at our Classic Marvel Star Wars Comics panel at San Diego Comic-Con, and he will also be signing on July 29 during the Virtual Cantina tour at Scum & Villainy in Hollywood.

We planned on having Dee on the same show as our ACOLYTE breakdown with Mike Celestino (Laughing Place / Who's The Bossk) but there was so much to each part that we separated them and our full breakdown will come out in just a few days. Stay tuned!

Due to its overwhelming popularity, the theatrical run for Star Wars extends another seven weeks. Although some may call this a re-release, however it was never pulled from theaters. Fun Facts:

• A new poster is created for this extended release featuring artwork by Charlie White III and Drew Struzan.
• A monaural audio mix with extra lines of dialogue and sound effects was included in these additional prints. Extra dialogue includes C-3PO's line about cutting the Death Star's tractor beam to allow the Millennium Falcon to leave, and the Stormtrooper shouting to "Close the blast doors," while chasing Han Solo and Chewbacca through the Death Star corridors. Before this we only heard "Open the blast doors!"
• The number of film prints totals 1,756 for this release which is an industry record. 300 more prints is added the next week which is the first time a film played in more than 2,000 theaters.
• Because of a clause in their contract, the only theater to continue playing Star Wars following the seven week extension is the Westgate Theater outside of Portland, Oregon. Following the 76 week run, Star Wars continues there until 11/07/1978.

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.

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Craig Miller is back to tell us about his new book, More Movie Memories. Craig worked in publicity and marketing on Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back, but in his new book he shares stories about working on films like Superman 2, Heavy Metal, The Muppets Take Manhattan, and The Hand. Did you know Craig was present at a taping of The Dick Van Dyke Show??? This blew our minds and we had to ask him about that! We only scratched the surface in our conversation so we highly suggest picking up More Movie Memories!

Look for Craig Miller and his new book at San Diego Comic-Con (July 25-28) and at BIGS in Fullerton (July 30) for Boonta Eve: Special Edition Anaheim.

Star Wars Celebration Europe III begins in London, England. The convention, held at the ExCeL center, continues through July 17th. Highlights include

• Alden Ehrenreich is introduced for the first time as Han Solo in the upcoming (then) untitled Han Solo Star Wars Story.
• Panel for "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" - Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma) hosts the panel that features cast, crew, an exclusive sizzle reel, and a new trailer.
• Ben Mendelsohn appears in costume as Director Krennic flanked by two Death Troopers.
• "Future Filmmakers Discussion" - Lucasfilm Story Group's Pablo Hidalgo hosts the panel that discusses what the future holds for Star Wars. Guests include Kathleen Kennedy, Rian Johnson, Chris Miller and Phil Lord.

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.

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Celebrate Indiana Jones' 125th birthday with an Indiana Jones location tour! Justin Smith (Downtown Toon Town) shares his experience on the Indiana Jones Fortune and Glory location tour - a bus tour that visited all the filming locations for the original Indiana Jones trilogy located in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as the Lucasfilm offices at The Presidio.

Justin has the unbeatable record of seeing Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny 52 times in the theater, and is the biggest Indiana Jones fan we know. He is the perfect guest to share this experience.

• Steps of Washington DC (Raiders of the Lost Ark)
• Indiana Jones' house (Raiders)
• Water plane to Nepal (Raiders)
• Shanghai Chase scene (Temple of Doom)
• Nang Tao Airport (Temple of Doom)
• Berlin Airport (Last Crusade)
• Motorcycle chase (Last Crusade)

• Justin Smith's Tour Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdKNTi-Lh9Y
• California Jones on Instagram
• Tour creator Eugene Shin - you can follow his art at LostDeltaOutpost

The inaugural Course of the Force Lightsaber relay begins at the Santa Monica pier and ends at the San Diego convention center on July 11th in time for Comic-Con, raising money for Make-A-Wish Foundation.

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.

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Imagine an alternate universe where another set of podcasters were also breaking down classic comics. Well, that universe just collided with ours! Andrew Kilpatrick and Phil Oberholzer of the podcast THIS IS GETTING GRAPHIC join us to break down 1982's Classic Marvel Star Wars Annual #2!! I don't know when we've laughed so hard while doing a comics episode!

What does this comic issue have in common with The High Republic? Will Han Solo become the next Satab? And what would a Star Wars x Kojak cross-over look like? All these questions will be answered in this KING-SIZE EPISODE of over 2 hours long!!

We recommend watching the video version of this episode which contains the full comic as we page through it.

Release Date: August 17, 1982 Writer: David Michelinie Artwork: Carmine Infantino, Rudi Nebres, George Roussos Cover Art: Carmine Infantino, Rudi Nebres

Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, and C-3PO evade Imperial Stormtroopers when they duck inside a palace containing a giant golden statue of Han Solo. The Rebels are puzzled until Rov Vetter Pin appears, declaring that Solo is the savior of the planet Ventooine. He activates a recording of Solo's voice which recounts the story of how Solo saved the planet.

Solo and Chewbacca were traveling to Ventooine to deal in Sansanna spice. When Solo is run out of the Cantina when he is labeled a supporter of the Satab, he saves Tieress Chrysalla, the consort to the Satab. Solo is brought back to the Satab's palace as a hero where he discovers that the Satab rules the planet through the use of a stone known as the Shade-shine.

Because of his heroics, Solo is placed in line to take the title of The Satab. Will he be the new ruler and at what cost? Why is there a giant gold statue in the middle of this palace? And where is Chewbacca during all this?

As usual, 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!

1. Sansanna Spice is mentioned in The Book of Boba Fett "Chapter 2: Tribes of Tatooine" and The Clone Wars, season 5 "The Revival"
3. The setting of an abandoned throne room with statues, and talking rocks, may have a tie to Claudia Gray's High Republic novel Into The Dark

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John Goodson, ILM model maker & digital artist, has worked on everything from Star Trek: First Contact to the Star Wars Disney+ series. He shares his stories and behind-the-scenes knowledge with us. We also debate how Star Trek communicators work and evolved! Films and models discussed in part 2:

• Star Trek: First Contact - Enterprise NCC-1701-E
• The Mandalorian - Razor Crest
• Star Wars: Special Edition
• Return of the Jedi: Special Edition
• Skeleton Crew
• Battleship USS Iowa Museum

We highly recommend you watch the YouTube version which contains pictures and video illustrating our discussion. You can meet John and get his autograph on August 1 during the Virtual Cantina tour when it stops in San Francisco. Part 1 of our discussion available here.

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.

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Never Land on Alderaan!