The last few times I’ve had news duty there’s basically be NOTHING going on (like, so little there hasn’t been a column). As we approach Star Wars Celebration Chicago (SWCC), THIS WEEK HAS SOME NEWSSS *rap airhorn*

Since we’re already on the subject of Celebration, let’s talk about some exclusives. If you love Star Wars toys like some (me), Funko, Hasbro, and LEGO will all have Celebration exclusives available through an advanced lottery and at their respective booths. More details are here.

Details about non-toy exclusives are here. If you’re obsessed with Spider Maul and want a Letterman Jacket, they’ve somehow got you covered??? Speaking of clothes, there will be Her Universe exclusives branded under the collection “Sisters of the Force”, which is sure to make us all fangirl even more than the terrific Her Universe brand usually does (somehow). Please click through–there is so much good exclusive content that y’all will want that it’s better to look at it than to hear me describe (dog shirts, mugs, JABBA CHIA PETS). Also, as a Book Wars Pod team member, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the load of Celebration exclusive book editions–you can find E. K. Johnston’s Queen’s Shadow as well as Claudia Gray’s Master & Apprentice. Seriously, please click through so you can see the artwork on the exclusive covers. Grabby hands for days, tbh.

Some more Celebration news–THREEPIOOO IS COMINGGG. And by that I mean, Anthony Daniels, who has played C-3P0 in every Star Wars film to date will be at SWCC. If you’ll be there, you can find him on Sunday at 5:15 p.m. when he’ll be presenting “Droidography” on the Galaxy Stage. For additional details and other times you can see him, click through. Also click through HERE for the A M A Z I N G mural Doug Chiang and Jason Palmer that they designed and created to (to paraphrase Kathy Kennedy) “create a piece of art that would encapsulate the entire Star Wars saga, visually representing the complete stories of Star Wars through art”. Do you think it’s overkill to get the whole thing as a back tattoo?

In other, non-Celebration news, who wants to fly the Millennium Falcon at Disneyland!!! (I really, really, do.) Smugglers Run will be at Disney Land and riders will enter the line through “‘Ohnaka Transport Solutions'”, a shady shipping operation run by Hondo Ohnaka” aka, I’m losing my mind and I want to do so many pirate adventures PLEASE?! The details sound tantalizing and full of scoundrel stuff and buttons and all the best things.

AND MORE. Darth Revan just got added to Galaxy of Heroes! THERE’S A NEW MEDIUM–AUDIO-ONLY BOOK!!! As a BWP homie, I am especially excited about Dooku: Jedi Lost.

Alright, seriously, so much news. Please, for the love, click through on all the things so you can get more than my teeny snippets. And enjoy our last few weeks before Celebration!!!

Search no more, dear reader, for the schedule has been bestowed unto thee.

That’s right – the full schedule of panels for Star Wars Celebration Chicago is out, and we’re already panicking over the panels that overlap with one another. A tradition unlike any other. Whether its details on the new VR experience Vader Immortal: Episode I that you’re looking for, or you want to see a sneak preview of The Mandalorian, the Celebration Stage will have you covered. But when will you need to get in line? How will the lottery system work? Well, we kind of know those details thanks to StarWars.com, but the Tosche Station team takes no responsibility if, say, these rules change with no notice and no one actually makes it clear to the attendees. Remember kids, communication is key.

Don’t care about the panels? Just going for the experience? Well, we’ve got you covered there too, with these previews of the collectibles and merchandise that will be available at the show store – with more sure to come in the next few weeks leading up to April 11. And hold onto your sand, because the Chosen One himself, Hayden Christensen, will be gracing SWCC with his presence. We truly, deeply love him.

What’s that – you don’t care about Celebration news? LIES! DECEPTIONS!

Ok fine, there’s something for you this week  as well – never let it be said that we aren’t here for our readers. We got a sneak preview of some of the high-tech functionality coming to Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Walt Disney World via your mobile devices. We got a (gorgeous) cover, a new release date, and a new synopsis for the upcoming novel from Del Rey, Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire by Delilah S. Dawson, which revealed that old friend Vi Moradi is indeed bringing her presumably-still-unfinished knitting project to Batuu. And finally, a hearty congratulations to The Star Wars Show for earning another Emmy nomination, this time for their hilarious Arrested Development-style recap of A New Hope.

And just think, we aren’t even at Celebration yet. Hold onto your butts.

This week’s Holonet Blast is all about Star Wars Celebration, which is coming up way too fast. (Only three more weekends to prepare! This is totally fine!) While the full panel schedule isn’t out yet, and probably won’t be for another week or so judging by historical trends, certain awesome-sounding panels have already been announced.

To no surprise, there will be a Galaxy’s Edge panel on Saturday. According to the Official Site, it will include team members from Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Imagineering to discuss previously-announced news as well as some surprises. Galaxy’s Edge is set to open in Anaheim on May 31 and Orlando August 29. (No, I will not be there opening weekend in Walt Disney World. I’m not that crazy.)

Also to absolutely no surprise, the Star Wars Show announced an Episode IX panel set for Friday, featuring J.J. Abrams. No news on other guests, but if previous Celebrations are any indication, expect the main cast to make an appearance. This is for sure to be the most popular panel of the convention, so start lining up now. (I’m only slightly kidding.)

In addition to those panels, the Official Site announced a slew of guests, including: Forest Whitaker, Katee Sackhoff, Lee Towersey, Josh Lee, Matt Denton, Hugh Quarshie, Bobby Moynihan, Warwick Davis, Lorne Peterson, Annabelle Davis, and Penny McCarthy.

Stay tuned for more Celebration Chicago announcements, which are sure to happen on the regular from now until April 11.

Good morning and welcome to another edition of the Holonet Blast! I’m still living on a Padmé high after the release of Queen’s Shadow and the Age of Republic comic. You all go read both of them, by the way. But on with the news!

In non-Celebration related news, Christian Blauvelt  is writing another book, this time titled “How Not to Get Eaten by Ewoks: A Guide to Surviving the Star Wars Universe”. It certainly looks amusing to say the least.

And then Celebration news. Ohhhh Celebration news. For fans of the animated shows, get excited for panels! Saturday will be Rebels Remembered, Sunday is The Clone Wars, and Monday is Resistance. We also got a slew of new guest announcements including Paul Bettany, Ahmed Best, and Erin Kellyman!!!

Oh and there’s this little thing called Galaxy’s Edge… you may have heard of it…. we have opening day dates! The one in Disneyland will open on May 31st and Disneyworld will open on August 29th. If you’re planning on going, be sure to do your research first as there are things like reservations and staggered ride openings involved.

And that’s it for the week! I’ll go back to dreaming of Batuu now…