Skywalking Through Neverland: Keeping the Star Wars Magic Alive

In Part 4 of our Rebel Scum Con experience, we go behind the scenes with MORE talented artists who gave life to a few of our favorite Star Wars characters.

We sat down with Toby Philpott, one of the puppeteers behind the massive Jabba the Hutt. From controlling Jabba's grotesque expressions to (maybe?) licking Princess Leia, his stories from the set are not only fascinating but filled with tips and tricks for any aspiring puppeteers out there.

Next up, Femi Taylor, who played the ill-fated (but always fabulous) Oola, shares her experience on the set of RETURN OF THE JEDI. She dives into what it was like returning to the role years later and how the character still connects with fans today..

And if that wasn't cool enough, Howie Weed gives us a detailed look at his time inside the suit of the terrifying Wampa, and shares his experience with George Lucas directing! Howie even drops a hint or two about the Wampa's survival odds after that little run-in with Luke Skywalker.

Each guest was incredibly generous with their time and insights, offering a mix of behind-the-scenes stories, performance techniques, and even a dash of "what if" when it comes to the fate of their characters. We couldn't get enough.

Each interview is also available separately on our YouTube channel—subscribe here.

Rebel Scum Con, held August 8-10, 2025 is a fan-run event which means the organizers knew exactly what we wanted! Throughout the next month we are sharing ALL that content, so look up episode 525 to and 526 for more interviews.

11 years ago... Star Wars: A New Dawn, written by John Jackson Miller with a foreword by Dave Filoni, was released by Del Rey. Serving as a prequel to Star Wars Rebels, it holds the distinction of being the very first novel in the official new Star Wars canon.

We celebrated the book's 10th anniversary back in episode 481—well worth a listen if you missed it!

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.

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

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/skywalkingpod
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkywalkingPod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skywalkingthroughneverland
• Send emails to [email protected] and follow us on Facebook.

Never Land on Alderaan!

The Rebel Scum Con fun continues! In this episode, we're serving up double Wedge and a dash of Watto for your Star Wars enjoyment.

First up, we're honored to be joined by Denis Lawson, the legendary actor who portrayed Wedge Antilles in the original trilogy and returned in The Rise of Skywalker. He shares stories from set and reflects on Mark Hamill's hug in the galaxy far, far away.

But wait—there's more Wedge to go around! We're also joined by David Ankrum, the voice of Wedge in A New Hope, who helped bring the iconic pilot to life. And did you know Wedge makes a subtle appearance in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story? We'll reveal exactly where to hear him.

And it wouldn't be a proper celebration without a visit from one of the galaxy's most unforgettable hustlers—Watto himself! Andy Secombe, who voiced the junk dealer in The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, stops by for a spirited game of Chance. And no surprise, there's a bit of funny business going on. Sorry, Watto!

Rebel Scum Con, held August 8-10, 2025 is a fan-run event which means the organizers knew exactly what we wanted! Throughout the next month we are sharing ALL that content, so look up episode 525 to and 526 for more interviews.

48 years ago today... Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca graced the cover of Rolling Stone—Star Wars had officially gone mainstream.

Inside, the feature article "The Force Behind George Lucas" gave fans a behind-the-scenes look. For the first time, Lucas dropped a bombshell: Darth Vader once lost a duel with Ben Kenobi and was knocked into a volcanic pit. (Sound familiar, prequel fans?)

And in another first, Lucas revealed the voice behind the Dark Lord himself—James Earl Jones.

A legendary moment in Star Wars history, captured in print!

Here's our Skywalking episode all about it.

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.

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

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/skywalkingpod
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkywalkingPod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skywalkingthroughneverland
• Send emails to [email protected] and follow us on Facebook.

Never Land on Alderaan!

Are you ready to hear from some great Star Wars artists? At Rebel Scum Con, we had the amazing opportunity to connect with four talented artists who are not only passionate about Star Wars, but also masters of their craft. These creators opened up about their inspirations, creative journeys, and the unique processes behind their work. Each artist also gave us a personal tour of their booth, offering a closer look at the artwork that brings the galaxy far, far away to life. You'll hear directly from:

• Jason W. Christman – known for his bold, graphic style and minimalist takes on iconic Star Wars moments.
• Brian DeGuire – blending classic design with an in-universe propaganda twist.
• Tom Hodges – known for his Star Wars Universe Park Map, well before the announcement of Galaxy's Edge.
• Spencer Brinkerhoff III – bringing a playful and vibrant approach to the Star Wars universe with his imaginative illustrations and entrepreneurial spirit.

The convention, held August 8-10, 2025 is a fan-run event which means the organizers knew exactly what we wanted! Throughout the next month we are sharing ALL that content, so look up episode 525 to hear from some Star Wars actors.

A rocket-firing J-slot Boba Fett action figure recently sold at a Goldin auction for an astonishing $1.34 million, setting a new record. This 1979 Kenner figure now holds the title of the most expensive toy—and the priciest Star Wars collectible sold that isn't a movie prop. It surpassed the previous high mark of $525,000, which was set just the prior May by an L-slot rocket-firing Boba Fett figure.

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.

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

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/skywalkingpod
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkywalkingPod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skywalkingthroughneverland
• Send emails to [email protected] and follow us on Facebook.

Never Land on Alderaan!

We just got back from the 2nd annual Rebel Scum Con in Frisco, TX, and had an absolute blast! This was the most productive convention we've ever been to! Not only did we host two panels, but we also had the opportunity to speak with many Star Wars alumni, from actors to artists.

The convention, held August 8-10, 2025 is a fan-run event, which means the organizers knew exactly what we wanted! Throughout the next month we will share ALL that content, so in this episode you'll hear from:

Omid Abtahi (Dr. Pershing in THE MANDALORIAN) Eric Walker (the original Mace in THE EWOK ADVENTURE films) Dermot Crowley (General Madine in RETURN OF THE JEDI)

Once Upon A Galaxy: A Journal of the Making of The Empire Strikes Back, by Alan Arnold, is published by Del Rey.This paperback book includes a journal into the day-to-day making of The Empire Strikes Back, interviews with the cast and crew, and behind-the-scenes photos.

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.

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

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/skywalkingpod
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkywalkingPod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skywalkingthroughneverland
• Send emails to [email protected] and follow us on Facebook.

Never Land on Alderaan!

Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time at San-Diego Comic-Con: GEORGE LUCAS!!!!

On Sunday 7/27/2025, George Lucas along with Lucasfilm's senior vice president and executive design director Doug Chiang and filmmaker Guillermo del Toro were guests at a highly anticipated panel highlighting the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art! The panel was expertly moderated by Queen Latifah.

Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will be the world's first institution dedicated to the exploration of narrative art, celebrating illustrated storytelling across eras and cultures, from ancient cave drawings and children's book illustrations to comic books and digital media.

The panel marked one of the most talked about and widely attended sessions in Comic-Con history, drawing over 6,000 on the final day of the convention. And we were there! We will play and discuss favorite quotes from each of the panelists, and give our opinions on the panel.

View the Full Panel:

2019's Lucas Museum Panel at SDCC:

Happy Mark Hamill Day! A ceremony is held as a residential street in San Diego, CA is dedicated in honor of Mark Hamill. Mark Hamill lived in the neighborhood on Castleton Drive (aka Mark Hamill Drive.)

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.

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

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/skywalkingpod
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkywalkingPod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skywalkingthroughneverland
• Send emails to [email protected] and follow us on Facebook.

Never Land on Alderaan!

The next big Star Wars convention is just around the corner. We go behind-the-scenes and reveal what we are doing at Rebel Scum Con! This year marks the 2nd annual RSC held August 8-10th, 2025 in Frisco, TX, and we have convention coordinators Ken Tucky and Bobby Roberston on to get us hyped. Even if you're not attending, this episode has plenty of fun Star Wars discussions.

We discuss the special guests including the first U.S. appearance of Kyle Soller (Syril in Andor), Robert Emms aka #HotLonniSummer (Lonni in Andor), The Sackhoff Show with Katee Sackhoff (Bo-Katan in The Mandalorian), and more guests from Andor.

Our friends at The Virtual Cantina Network are putting on Boonta Eve with Star Wars Live Band and Karaoke on the first night of the convention - August 8th, where we will also be selling our books. Tickets are available now.

Episode discussion links: Rebel Scum Con Boonta Eve details "You Rebel Scum" actor Barrie Holland interview

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, Bob Chapek, reveals the official name of the new Star Wars land at Disney's D23 Expo as Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

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.

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

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/skywalkingpod
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkywalkingPod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skywalkingthroughneverland
• Send emails to [email protected] and follow us on Facebook.

Never Land on Alderaan!

Star Wars and Coca-Cola go back as far as the original film releases in 1977 when they collaborated with Burger King for their collectible posters and drinking glasses. Now Coca-Cola and Star Wars join forces once again with the new promotion - "Refresh Your Galaxy!".

There are new cans and bottles with beautiful red, white, and black Star Wars character art, and a new commercial filled with Easter eggs (you know how much we love easter eggs!). We invited laughingplace.com's Mike Celestino (Who's the Bossk?) and Rebekah Moseley to join us as we deep dive for a commercial commentary and the announcement press event held at Galaxy's Edge.

Episode discussion links: Coca-Cola x Star Wars: Refresh Your Galaxy NEW Coca-Cola x Star Wars Collaboration – Product Reveal Interviews: NEW Coca-Cola x Star Wars Collaboration Coca-Cola x Star Wars: Refresh Your Galaxy - Laughing Place On Location

Happy 77th Birthday to William Hootkins!William Hootkins played X-wing pilot, Jek Porkins - Red 6, in Star Wars. Hootkins also appeared in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Batman (1989), and in the episode "Barcelona" from The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992).

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.

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

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/skywalkingpod
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkywalkingPod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skywalkingthroughneverland
• Send emails to [email protected] and follow us on Facebook.

Never Land on Alderaan!

Are you ready to hear some ridiculous Star Wars rumors from the early '70's and '80's? Things like Luke, Han & Chewbacca warping through time to fight in the Clone Wars, and Darth Bane appearing in the prequels played by Christopher Walken!? There are so many fun rumors planted by our friend Craig Miller - the mastermind of early rumors working at Lucasfilm.

This episode is recorded from a panel we hosted at LosCon 2022. Up until now it was just available for the Skywalking Force, now we will share it with the world. Joining us on the panel was Kevin Toft and Max Cervantes from the Max EFX podcast, as well as our friend Craig Miller (Lucasfilm, Fan Relations). Unfortunately we did not video record this Loscon panel so we just added in lots of pictures. Enjoy

Happy 90th birthday (posthumous) to David Prowse. David Prowse portrayed Darth Vader in the original Star Wars Trilogy. He reprised the role in Star Wars: The Interactive Video Board Game (1996) and Monopoly Star Wars (1997).

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.

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

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/skywalkingpod
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkywalkingPod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skywalkingthroughneverland
• Send emails to [email protected] and follow us on Facebook.

Never Land on Alderaan!

We waited 50 years to the date that JAWS premiered (June 20, 1975) to put out this episode.

We celebrate this anniversary with special guest Mike Celestino (Laughing Place / Who's the Bossk podcast) by sharing our personal stories and fun facts of the film's legacy. From JAWS music (da-DUM!) to merchandise (who wore the Shark costume that Halloween?), behind-the-scenes tidbits (who is this "Bruce" the shark was named after?) and YOUR personal experiences with this special film. Everyone has a JAWS story. What's yours?

39 years ago…

The final issue of Marvel's Star Wars comic series ends with issue #107: "All Together Now." To end a galactic invasion the Rebels, along with new allies, plan to capture Prince Serono with hopes that his people, the Tof, will surrender. After a battle in the palace where a traitor has helped the Rebels defeat the Prince and Dark Lady Lumiya to stop the invasion, Luke expresses hope in the future.

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.

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

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/skywalkingpod
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkywalkingPod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skywalkingthroughneverland
• Send emails to [email protected] and follow us on Facebook.

Never Land on Alderaan!

Voice actress Anna Graves IS Duchess Satine, and she joins Richard and Sarah to share stories from THE CLONE WARS recording sessions. We are so excited to welcome her to Skywalking Through Neverland!! Our conversation covered so many topics. How did Anna and James Arnold Taylor develop their chemistry between Obi-Wan and Satine? How did Dave Filoni run the recording sessions? Who was the voice of Maul during *that* fateful episode for Satine? How would Anna voice her very own Ewok? Anna also voices Teckla Minnau, Jedi Masters Tiplar & Tiplee from THE CLONE WARS, and Princess Leia in Disney Infinity. You know Sarah had questions about that!

You can meet Anna "Duchess" Graves at the Boonta Eve Special Edition signing on August 8th in Frisco Texas, during Rebel Scum Con.

Let the Wookiee win, or at least get a medal. And he did! Carrie Fisher presented Chewbacca with 'The Lifetime Achievement Award' at the MTV Movie Awards.

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.

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

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/skywalkingpod
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkywalkingPod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skywalkingthroughneverland
• Send emails to [email protected] and follow us on Facebook.

Never Land on Alderaan!