RETURN OF THE : SEASON SEVEN PRIMER! a

GOING BY THE ACTORS WHO PLAYED HIM! “ THIS IS THE + WIN! ” THE RISE OF WAY SKYWALKER COLLECTOR’S EDITION Creating The BOOK Mandalorian! , Dave Filoni and Destroy The have spoken. Playing the games that invited fans to take down the dreaded Imperial superweapon! Rise of the Inside the new attraction at : Galaxy’s Edge

ENFYS NEST: a rebel UNCOVERED!

A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR ™

MARCH 2020 TITAN EDITORIAL Editor / Chris Cooper WELCOME... Managing Editor / Martin Eden Editorial Assistant / Pheobe Hedges Art Editor / Andrew Leung

The very first clip I ever saw of Star Wars was on a children’s television quiz show called Screen Test. There was some cool Senior Editor / Brett Rector guy in an orange spacesuit flying a cool space plane, with that Art Director / Troy Alders Creative Director / Michael Siglain bleeping robot I’d seen on The Donnie and Marie show sitting Asset Management / Tim Mapp, right behind him. I didn’t know the correct terminology was Erik Sanchez, Bryce Pinkos, “,” or that the cool guy was the coolest space hero and Nicole LaCoursiere, Sarah Williams, Shahana Alam future , . In fact, at that point I’m not Story Group / Pablo Hidalgo, even sure I knew the title of the movie. What I did know Leland Chee, Matt Martin was that there were laser blasts, whizzing stars, a sense of CONTRIBUTORS thrilling urgency, and that I was excited. Kristin Baver, Tara Bennett, To this day, it’s the space battles that put the star war Megan Crouse, Mark Newbold, Tony A. Rowe, Jay Stobie, Dan Wallace, Pat Jankiewicz, into Star Wars for me—not that zinging blades, and Bryan Young. AT-AT attacks, and angry don’t float my boat almost as much, it’s just that I get the biggest rush from dogfighting SPECIAL THANKS TO Lucy Goldsmith, Erich Schoeneweiss starfighters. And of all the saga’s space battles, it’s the at Random House, Holly McIntosh, Joseph original that still gets me the most. That dizzying dive into Taraborrelli, Andrea Towers and Jim Nausedas the Death Star trench was the first time a film had physically at , Lizzy Draeger, Tracy Cannobbio and Chris Argyropoulos disorientated me, and I look forward to that feeling every at Lucasfi lm. Chris Troise and Eugene time I watch A New Hope. For very different reasons, I Paraszczuk at Disney. experienced a similar sense of discombobulation watching TITAN MAGAZINES , right at the end of Chapter One. You know Production Controller / Peter James the scene I mean. Suddenly, I didn’t know up from down. Senior Production Controller / Jackie Flook Art Director / Oz Browne I love that Star Wars continues to do that to me. Sales & Circulation Manager / Steve Tothill This issue, not only do we revisit ways to destroy a Publicist / Imogen Harris Death Star, we discover more about The Mandalorian from Press, Publicity & Marketing Assistant / George Wickenden showrunners Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, and star Pedro Pascal, Commercial Manager / Michelle Fairlamb and celebrate the return of The Clones Wars—amongst other Advertising & Marketing Assistant / Bella Hoy delights. So, lock S foils in attack position and get reading. Editorial Director / Duncan Baizley Operations Director / Leigh Baulch And remember, will be with you, always. Executive Director / Vivian Cheung Publisher / Nick Landau

DISTRIBUTION US Newsstand / Total Publisher Services, Inc. John Dziewiatkowski 630-851-7683 US Newsstand Distribution / Curtis Circulation Company US Bookstore Distribution / The News Group US Direct Sales / Diamond Comic Distributors Christopher Cooper UK Distribution / Marketforce

Editor SUBSCRIPTIONS U.S. subscriptions / 1-800-261-6502, email: [email protected] Canada subscriptions / 818-487-4575 U.K. subscriptions / 01778 392085 MEET THE CONTRIBUTORS... email: [email protected] For more info on advertising contact [email protected]

STAR WARS INSIDER MARCH 2020 (USPS 003-027) (ISSN 1041-5122)

Star Wars Insider is published eight times per year (January, March, April, May/June, July, August/September, October, November/December) by Titan Magazines, Jay Stobie Tara Bennett Kristin Baver Mark Newbold Megan Crouse Bryan Young a division of Titan Publishing Group Limited, @CaptStobie @ @KristinBaver @ @ @swankmotron 144 Southwark Street, London SE1 0UP. TaraDBennett Prefect_timing blogfullofwords Contents © 2019 Lucasfi lm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved, Starship fanatic Tara is a New York Kristin was a A writer for U.K. Megan is a regular Bryan is an author, Titan Authorized User. TMN13734 and blogger Jay Times bestselling card-carrying sci-fi magazine contributor to journalist, and PUBLISHER’S U.S. AGENT writes articles for author, journalist, Star Wars fan Starburst and Star StarWars.com and filmmaker. The 2819 Rosehall Lane, Aurora, IL 60503. Periodicals Postage Paid at Aurora IL and at additional StarWars.com and and editor, and has before she had Trek magazine, also writes for podcast host also mailing offi ces. is searching for a written numerous reason to own a journalist Mark is a sci-fi and movie writes for several POSTMASTER way to reside full companion books wallet. Now she’s proud Honorary website Den of websites, including Send address changes to Star Wars Insider, time in the Star for hit movie and an associate editor Friend of the 501st Geek and The StarWars.com, PO Box 18479, Anaheim, CA 92817-8479 U.S. subscriptions $49.99 per year; Canada $64.99 and U.K. £31.99. Wars galaxy. television series. at StarWars.com. and . Mary Sue. , and /Film. U.S. edition printed by Quad. © 2019 Lucasfi lm Ltd. and ™ All Rights Reserved. Used Under Authorization. Email us: CONTACT US [email protected] Star Wars Insider is also available online. Write to us Call us Find us To download, visit: UNITED STATES UNITED KINGDOM To subscribe in the U.S. please WWW WWW.TITANMAGAZINES.COM www.titanmagazines.com/ Star Wars Insider, Star Wars Insider, call toll free on 800-261-6502. digitial Titan Magazines, 144 Southwark For U.K. and all other FACEBOOK.COM/STARWARSINSIDER 2819 Rosehall Street, London destinations please call Lane, Aurora, IL, SE1 0UP, 01778 392085 or @SW_INSIDER Visit www.starwars.com 60503, U.S.A. U.K. +44 (0) 1778 392085

STAR WARS INSIDER / 3 CONTENTS ISSUE 195 / MARCH 2020

26 The Mandalorian Star Wars Insider talks to Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, co-exectuive producers on the hit Disney+ series, about crafting the fi rst live-action Star Wars adventure for television.

4 / STAR WARS INSIDER NEWSSTAND COMIC STORE SUBSCRIBER EDITION EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE SubscribeSu toto StarS Wars IInsider PageP 70

06 32 60 Launchpad Interview: Pedro Pascal Enfys Nest The latest movie and TV news, Who is the man in the beskar mask? Who was the young woman who Insider speaks to the Madalorian himself. merchandise, books, and comics from masqueraded as a criminal marauder, across the Star Wars galaxy. 38 and what was she fi ghting for? 18 Destroy the Death Star 64 How we took on the superweapon, The Comeback Clones in board games and on arcade machines. The Rise of Star Wars Kids Return, Star Wars: The Clone Wars has! Lucasfi lm’s James Waugh explains In preparation for Season 7 of the epic 46 how fun new Star Wars Kids content is animated series, we revisit some of the encouraging younger fans to take their Rise of the Resistance main character arcs of the series. fi rst steps into a galaxy of adventure. An inside look at the development of 26 the new attraction at Galaxy’s Edge. 76 Making The Mandalorian 52 Noughts and Crosses Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni reveal Going Green Which starfi ghter will win in our X-wing how they worked together to unleash Paul Blake and Maria De Aragon on versus TIE fi ghter challenge? The Mandalorian on the galaxy. playing Rodian bounty hunter Greedo. Or will it all end in a... tie?

INCOMING TRANSMISSIONS 44 58 72 80 Prize Giveaway! Jedi Master’s Quiz Worldwide Image Archive Your chance to win a prize bundle Test your knowledge of Fan art, family celebrations, Qi’ra A look inside a TIE fi ghter from of fantastic Star Wars books. Star Wars: The Clone Wars. cosplay, and an X-wing on parade. : A Star Wars Story (2016).

STAR WARS INSIDER / 5 LAUNCHPAD NEWS / BOOKS /COMICS / TOYS / GAMES /FASHION

Now open at Walt Disney World and Disneyland! Resistance Rises

Join the fi ght against the in Disney Park’s immersive new attraction

n December 5, 2019, Star Batuu to General Organa’s secret base aboard First Order the Wars: Rise of the Resistance on Bakura. Meanwhile, Vi Moradi Finalizer. From there it’s a race against O offi cially opened its doors attempted to sneak aboard ’s time to escape from a detention block to visitors at Walt Disney TIE echelon to steal information on First before Kylo Ren catches up with you. World Resort, Florida, welcoming fans Order fl eet movements, and even Utilizing some of the most ambitious to this long-awaited addition to the Hondo Ohnaka and got in Imagineering that Disney Parks has ever Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge experience. on the action. Events culminated in a attempted, the attraction combines A star-studded event the day before stunning lightsaber duel between Kylo multiple ride-systems, elements of saw Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Ren and before the “evacuation” virtual reality, and a thrilling storyline, Parks, Experiences, and Products, host a order was given, and everyone had their which Insider’s Batuu correspondent dedication ceremony that launched the fi rst chance to experience Rise of the described as “awesome” in its ambition, attraction with a Star Wars story all of Resistance for themselves. scope, and scale, with enough detail to its own. Told at various locations across Evacuation is the order of the day in keep you coming back for more. Galaxy’s Edge, the assembled guests the immersive new attraction. Rey gives To learn how Rise of the Resistance watched as Resistance X-wings took to you a mission to help General Organa was developed, turn to page 46 for a the air (as fl ying drone recreations of in the next phase of the war against the behind-the-scenes interview with John the famous starfi ghters), scrambling to First Order, but plans quickly go south Larena, executive creative director at relocate the Resistance outpost from as a tractor beam pulls your transport Walt Disney Imagineering.

6 / STAR WARS INSIDER LAUNCHPAD

STAR WARS INSIDER / 7 LAUNCHPAD

Pack your bags for a Star Wars Departure Details adventure! Galactic Starcruiser terminal revealed in new concept art

s ride fans thrill at Rise of the Disney released two new concept Resistance, the next phase images, revealing how the Galactic A of Disney Park’s quest to Starcruiser departure terminal will look bring the Star Wars galaxy when fi nished, and giving us glimpse experience to Earthlings continues, with at the interior of the Launch Pod that the ongoing construction of Star Wars: will transport guests to the Halcyon for due to open until 2021, so look out Galactic Starcruiser, as revealed in a their two-night cruise into the cosmos. for further news and developments at December update on the project. The immersive holiday destination isn’t starwarsgalacticstarcruiser.com Mesa Bombad Jedi? The Best man to host Disney+ Star Wars game show.

hmed Best, the versatile content & programming, Mickey performer and martial arts Capoferri, “A forest planet, on board A expert known to fans for a Jedi starcruiser, and inside a Jedi playing the prequel’s clumsy temple, immersing them and the Gungan , returns to the audience in a fun, humorous, and Star Wars fold as the host of Star Wars: exciting competition. This is defi nitely Jedi Temple Challenge, coming in 2020 a kids game show like no other!” to streaming service Disney+. Best plays the Jedi Master that Jedi Temple Challenge is a fun and guides the contestants through exciting new game show set within this labyrinth of learning, as they the Star Wars galaxy, in which young gain understanding of the core Jedi contestants take on a variety of tests principles of strength, knowledge, and and trials in an effort to attain the rank bravery. A humanoid droid companion, of Jedi Knight. “The various challenges voiced by Mary Holland, will assist will test a Padawan’s connection to Best’s mentor character in what looks the Force in three locations,” revealed to be an entertaining new take on the Lucasfi lm’s senior director of online Star Wars galaxy.

8 / STAR WARS INSIDER LAUNCHPAD Star Wars Family Portraits Global photographers in saga-inspired collaboration

worldwide collaboration between Lucasfi lm, eBay, A and the British Journal of Photography has resulted in a magical online exhibition that explores the lives of Star Wars-loving families from around the world. Launched to commemorate the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in December 2019, Star Wars Families was an ambitious undertaking that involved 10 internationally renowned photographers visually documenting their subject’s daily lives around the theme of a family portrait. The project was envisaged as a slice of family life across the globe as they looked ahead to the release of the fi nal chapter in the Skywalker saga, refl ecting on the impact the movies have had on their lives while paying tribute to the universal and intergenerational nature of Star Wars fandom. The resulting images and stories of the family involved can be found at starwarsfamilies.com. eBay Speeder Challenge Luke’s X-34 toy goes extra large

aving previously constructed a giant AT-ACT model and H recreated Kylo Ren’s TIE silencer, inventor Colin Furze again joined forces with eBay to build a new creation, this time celebrating the arrival of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. His life-size recreation of a toy , built around an electric golf buggy chassis, was even fi tted with jet engines. The fi nished speeder was later sold on eBay on behalf of U.K. charity Children in Need for $65,500!

STAR WARS INSIDER / 9 LAUNCHPAD

Pre-order this teamup at sideshow.com

at around 8-inches tall, the Jawa fi gure features more than 20 points of Toys From Tatooine articulation and glowing LED eyes, and comes equipped with a weathered cape, Trade up some old junk for this desert duo from Hot Toys a detailed , and other accessories. The resourceful Jawa is accompanied here’s no need to comb the Toys, available to pre-order now at by a 7-inch tall EG-6 power droid that sand dunes of Tatooine if sideshow.com, priced $267.00. boasts a coat of suitably weathered silver T you’re on the hunt for a Scheduled to arrive in the fi rst metallic paint and articulated legs. A wayward droid—just grab quarter of 2020, the detailed duo are specially designed, sand-themed base is yourself the Jawa & EG-6 Power Droid splendid recreations of the scavenging included so that both Jawa and captured Sixth Scale Collectible Set from Hot Jawa and doleful “gonk” droid. Standing power droid feel right at home.

THE LIGHT SIDE By Jamie Cosley

10 / STAR WARS INSIDER LAUNCHPAD Timeline Important dates in Star Wars A Fully Operational Throne history. Execute Order 66 from Your Executive Desk Chair 1967 February 10: , Admiral eeling a desire to rule the Holdo in Star Wars: The Last Jedi galaxy? Do you simply require a (2017), is born. comfy seat? Regal Robot has you F 1971 covered for both occasions with March 16: Alan Tudyk, who their new Emperor’s Throne Executive plays the reprogrammed Imperial Desk Chair. The offi ce chair’s two-tone security droid K-2SO, is born. faux leather in black and purple evoke the design of the original prop from Return of 1976 the Jedi (1983). Experience true power in March 22: Shooting begins on your own custom seat, which is made-to- Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). order and delivers in roughly 8-10 weeks. The desk chair is priced at $1,299.00 and 1979 February 26: Veronica Ngo, Paige currently available at regalrobot.com. Tico in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), is born.

1979 March 5: Filming commences on Star Wars: (1980).

1985 March 26: Keira Knightley, who portrayed Sabé in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999), is born.

1992 March 17: () is born.

1997 February 21: The Special Edition of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) debuts in cinemas.

2006 February 16: Star Wars: Empire at War is released by LucasArts. Home Dining, Droid Style Instant Pot takes the pressure out of cooking up a gorg

vailable exclusively from U.S. more palatable appearance, and there retailer Williams Sonoma, are three capacities to choose from. A Instant Pot has introduced R2-D2 is our favorite of the three a fun new range of pressure the 6-quart capacity Instant Pots, cookers that look set to make any meal which includes and fi t for the hungriest of Hutts. models, as it looks just Breaking from the average pressure like the heroic droid. BB-8 is similarly cooker vibe of brushed metal outer cool, and appropriately smaller at casings and black plastic handles, these 3-quarts capacity, while the mammoth Star Wars-themed kitchen essentials Chewbacca model has a capacity for take a lead from some of the galaxy’s 8-quarts, which is enough to feed an best-known characters to gain a far entire family of !

STAR WARS INSIDER / 11 LAUNCHPAD

May The Fashion Be With You Go to outer space with your outerwear

hether you’re or , a sharp- looking jacket is almost as vital a part of a Star W Wars character’s wardrobe as a fl owing cape. Now fans can follow suit with the new Star Wars x Levi’s collection, a stunning line of Star Wars-inspired clothing. Levi’s highlights the Battle of on a series of jackets and 501 jeans, with the ensemble’s starry fabric becoming the perfect background for vivid images of the saga’s famous starships. There are also a host of other items too, including jackets, hats, shirts and pullovers, exploring the vintage side of the Force. Most products boast original trilogy imagery, including some printed with Kenner action fi gures from the 1970s and 80s, while others are simply decidedly Star Wars in appearance. And as if that weren’t enough, fans can even create custom items, adding a name or phrase of their choice, to garments and tote bags already adorned with Star Wars imagery and quotes, including jeans featuring artwork of Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker (), and (Carrie Star Wars Fisher). Look for the Star Wars range at levi.com. style available from Levi’s!

Rise To The Hoop Take a stand on the high-ground in these Star Wars sneakers

tar Wars and adidas have Windu-inspired purple pattern on The teamed up for a special run Harden Vol. 4. There will also be an S of basketball shoes that X-wing-themed version of the Ultra incorporate elements from Boost footwear, and the Nite Jogger the popular fi lm franchise into some style will be available in both R2-D2 and equally epic sneakers. Mixing fashion Imperial Stormtrooper editions. Divided with the Force, each stylish design uses between white light side graphics and the palette of lightsaber blades to add red dark side imagery, these sneakers are a dash of extra color, from the green defi nitely a Force to be reckoned with. accents on the Dame 5 that echo Luke You can check out the collection at Skywalker’s emerald blade to the Mace adidas.com/starwars.

12 / STAR WARS INSIDER LAUNCHPAD

Run the Gauntlet Get ready to roleplay as the mysterious bounty hunter

arth Vader. Kylo Ren. The Mandalorian. Iconic D characters who hide behind enigmatic masks have permeated Star Wars lore and offered intrigue since A New Hope debuted in 1977. ’s The Mandalorian NERF rocket gauntlet and mask are perfect for any young fan who wants to immerse themselves in a galaxy far, far away. The wrist-mounted gauntlet safely launches NERF darts adorned with Mandalorian iconography, and the mask will keep your face hidden as you hunt down your next bounty. The gauntlet is priced at $19.99, while the mask retails for $9.99. Mandalorian Masterpieces Scaled statues celebrate the live-action Star Wars TV series

otobukiya takes aim at the mysterious Mandalorian with its 1/10 scale Star Wars: The Mandalorian ARTFX+ Statue. The incredibly detailed PVC piece K supplies a stunning look at the armor worn by the main character from the new show. Standing 6 3/4-inches tall and gripping a lethal blaster pistol, this bounty is priced at $99.99 with an expected date of February 2020. Kotobukiya have also tackled another character from the Disney+ Star Wars series with their 1/10 scale IG-11 ARTFX+ Statue. The deadly droid bears his own blaster, measures in at about 8.66-inches tall, and is priced at $110. Both the Mandalorian and IG-11 are currently available for pre-order at sideshow.com. Figure In Your Bounty Characters from The Mandalorian get articulated

ounty hunting may be a Hasbro’s Black Series is getting in B complicated profession, on the act too, with its own awesome but so is collecting! Hasbro renditions of the Mandalorian, Cara is bolstering its Vintage Dune, and assassin-droid-turned-bouty Collection with the addition of the hunter IG-11 joining the range of well Mandalorian and , as seen equipped and gorgeously detailed in the hit Disney+ live-action Star Wars 6-inch action fi gures. Also hitting series, to its 3 3/4-inch arsenal of action shelves alongside the trio of hunters is fi gures. Due to arrive in early 2020, your the Heavy Infantry Mandalorian fi gure, bounty puck will tell you that Hasbro’s who is making his presence felt in stores price is $13.99 apiece. now, priced at $29.99.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 13 LAUNCHPAD Book Club Upcoming Star Wars books rise to the occasion of the Skywalker saga fi nale.

Available in bookstores March 3!

More than the whole story! Rae Carson’s expanded novelization adds extra sparkle to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

It’s an old theatrical adage that you should always leave your audience wanting more—and if there’s one audience that always wants more, more, more, it’s the dedicated fans of Star Wars. Even with the Skywalker saga now complete, and all the long-protected secrets of The Rise of Skywalker out in the open, fans with a desperate need to know the complete story will delight in Rae Carson’s novelization of the movie. This expanded edition contains additional, intriguing new plot details and original scenes that bring even more depth and color to its tale of darkness, danger, and ultimate redemption. Best known as a writer of teen fi ction, Carson has previous form in rii ng on the events and characters of Star Wars, having written a short story for the 40th Anniversary anthology A Certain Point of View, Wanted, the Solo: A Star Wars Story them into something fresh and new, and a longer tale—Hear Nothing, See (2018) tie-in which dug deeper into Carson’s expanded take on The Rise Nothing, Say Nothing—for the Canto the lives of young Han and Qi’ra as of Skywalker, to be released by Del Bight anthology that revealed more they struggled to survive Corellia’s Rey and available on March 3, will about the casino world of Star Wars: criminal underbelly. Adept at taking have you revisiting the movie with a The Last Jedi (2017). Her fi rst full existing characters and situations whole new perspective on what you length Star Wars novel was Most then fi nding novel ways of twisting thought you knew.

14 / STAR WARS INSIDER LAUNCHPAD

02

03 01

01 02 03 The Art of Star Wars: Star Wars: Collecting a Galaxy: R2-D2 is Lost! It’s hard to believe that Star Wars The Art of Sideshow Written by Caitlin Kennedy with Rebels ended almost two years charming illustrations by Brian Known for its intricately detailed ago, after four seasons of epic Kesinger, this follow-up to C-3PO and screen-accurate range of Star storytelling. If you’ve missed the Does Not Like Sand! is the delightful Wars sculptures and fi gures, the adventures of and second installment in the fun Droid work of Sideshow Collectibles is the crew of the Ghost, or have Tales picture book series from much coveted by fans. And the an interest in how the animated Disney Lucasfi lm Press. process behind the creation of each series was made, then The Art of This time out, our favorite trio of Star Wars Rebels from Dark Horse incredible item is just as intricate, as Star Wars droids have left the dusty Books will give you a fascinating revealed in Sideshow’s heavyweight plains of Tatooine far behind and inside look at how the show was new book, Star Wars: Collecting headed to the familiar forest moon conceived and realized. a Galaxy: The Art of Sideshow, of , where C-3PO is pleased Author Dan Wallace opens written by Samuel C. Spitale with to fi nd himself being treated like a a gateway to a world between a foreword by Phil Tippett. god by his friends once more. worlds, revealing how a team of The deluxe 348-page hardcover Meanwhile, the ever curious BB-8 is award-winning Lucasfi lm artists features dramatic photographs of keen to learn more about his furry turned sketched outlines into fully Sideshow’s output alongside pre- new companions, while R2-D2 fi nds formed characters, creatures, and production artwork and sculpts, himself on a wilderness excursion environments. Illustrated with and details the passionate work of gone wrong when he comes across a wealth of never-before-seen the artists who create such faithful a small Ewok in need of help. concept art and process pieces, and imaginative representations The perfect addition to any The Art of Star Wars Rebels will of Star Wars’ galaxy of characters. youngling’s growing library, R2-D2 be available on April 21, 2020. Available now from sideshow.com. is Lost! is in stores on February 12.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 15 LAUNCHPAD Comics Roundup The dark side of the Force takes hold in this month’s Star Wars comic releases. Hell Hath No Fury as a Dark Lord Scorned The tragedy of Vader continues! Star Wars: Darth Vader #1 “Join me, and together, we can rule the galaxy as father and son!” This was Darth Vader’s shock o er to Luke Skywalker at the climax of their blistering Cloud City duel in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), but having just sliced o the young rebel’s hand and revealed his true parental lineage, the heavy-breathing henchman of the Emperor should have guessed he’d receive a less than positive response. Luke chose certain death over servitude to the dark side of the Force and fl ung himself into the abyss below, but where did that leave Vader? In this all-new series from Marvel Comics, writer Greg Pak sets out to reveal what e ect Luke’s refusal had on the psyche of the Dark Lord of the , in this epic, previously untold story of vengeance, fear, and anger. As he grapples with Luke’s rejection, Vader embarks on a bloody mission of rage-fuelled revenge against everything and everyone who had a hand in hiding and corrupting his only son. But even as he uncovers the secrets of Luke’s origins, Vader must face shocking new challenges from his own dark past. Joining Pak on the creative team chronicling this escapade of evil is artist Ra aele Ienco, with cover art by InHyuk Lee. Darth Vader #1 is available in stores from February 5.

Star Wars #1 Facsimilie Edition Hard as it may be to believe in this modern age of spoiler lockdowns and movie secrecy, the fi rst issue of Marvel Comics’ original Star Wars adaptation arrived in stores months ahead of A New Hope’s release in theaters in 1977. Consequently, it served as many eager readers fi rst introduction to a galaxy far, far away. Written by Roy Thomas with art by Howard Chaykin, the groundbreaking adaptation has been reprinted in full many times and in many di erent formats, but this facsimilie edition re-presents issue #1 just as it was originally published, complete with over-the-top coverlines and vintage ads. Available In stores on February 26.

16 / STAR WARS INSIDER LAUNCHPAD Incoming Don’t Miss These Upcoming Releases Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren #3 (of 4) Ben Solo’s descent towards the dark side takes him to a place of fi re and blood in issue #3 of The Rise of Kylo Ren, written by with art FEBRUARY by Will Sliney. A price will have to be paid to the Star Wars Adventures #31 Knights Of Ren if they are to welcome IDW Comics Kylo to their ranks, but before this Writers: Cavan Scott, destiny is fulfi lled, a battle must be Michael Moreci joined at an ancient Jedi outpost on Artists: David M. Buisan, the planet Elphroda. Fear leads to Arianna Florean anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads Cover Artist: Arianna Florean to su ering—and everyone here is afraid! Ben Solo most of all. On sale in MARCH all good bookstores from February 12.

Star Wars #4 Marvel Comics Star Wars #3 Writer: Charles Soule Artist: Jesus Saiz Writer Charles Soule and artist Jesus Cover Artist: R. B. Silva Saiz continue to chart the Imperial rout of the in Star Wars Star Wars Volume 13 #3, as the cunning Commander Zahra Marvel Comics unleashes her fury against the splintered Writer: Greg Pak and scattered survivors of their recent Artist: Phil Noto battles. But where have the Rebellion’s Cover Artist: Phil Noto greatest heroes gone when their cause The Rise of Kylo Ren #4 (of 4) needs them the most? Marvel Comics Returning to Bespin’s Cloud City, Writer: Charles Soule Luke Skywalker searches for his lost Artist: Will Sliney lightsaber—his only hope of becoming a Cover Artist: Clayton Crain Jedi Knight—while Leia undertakes her own covert mission. Meanwhile, Lando’s mysterious reason for returning could ruin all of their chances at success. Star Wars #3 is in stores on Feb 26.

Doctor Aphra Volume 7: Rogue’s End Collecting the shady archaeologist’s adventures from issues #37 to #40 and Annual #3 into one volume, writer and artists Caspar Wijngaard and Elsa Charretier take right back to where she started—working for Darth Vader! What insidious use has the dark lord found for Aphra to make him spare her life, and how much time does she have to slither out of harm’s way before he decides to fi nish what he started, so long ago? But with a family reunion and a former fl ame to contend with, perhaps Vader is the least of her worries? In stores on February 12.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 17 THE SPECIAL EDITIONS COMEBACK CLONES

Return, Star Wars: The Clone Wars has! In preparation for the 12 new episodes airing soon on Disney+, Insider revisits some of the main character arcs of the epic animated series so far.

WORDS: KRISTIN BAVER

t was a war left the Lost Missions, a partially fi nished unresolved. On batch of episodes intended to make up I March 2, 2013, Star half of the sixth season. Among them Wars: The Clone were more stories of sacrifi ce, deleterious Wars ended abruptly prophecies, and Jedi Master after fi ve broadcast himself reconciling a spiritual crisis and seasons, going out with a bang with confronting his own dark side. But it “The Wrong Jedi.” seemed we would never see where the After being put on trial for a story was truly meant to end. Until now. crime she didn’t commit, Anakin The fi nal 12 episodes promise to Skywalker’s Padawan, , be an explosive reunion of old friends was stripped of her rank and status, and foes, and new faces, with a proper and remanded in custody. Although send-off to the story that inches closer she was exonerated by the end of the to the events of Star Wars: Revenge of episode, a fi nal twist saw Ahsoka walk the Sith (2005). As fans get ready to away from the Jedi order, and the end rejoin the battle, we remind ourselves of credits rolled. the character journies so far of Anakin On March 7, 2014, the fi nal 13 Skywalker, Clone , Ahsoka episodes of the series were released as Tano, and that dark side terror, Maul.

18 / STAR WARS INSIDER THE COMEBACK CLONES ANAKIN

they grew to with the staunch Republic militarist trust one another. and future Imperial Grand Moff. When Ahsoka was And although the war frequently plagued by brain kept them apart—Anakin on the worms, Anakin’s frontlines of battle and Padmé in rage consumed the senate and offworld, offering him, driving him diplomacy to end the suffering— to venture closer brief reunions over the course of the to the dark side animated series shined a light on their as he mercilessly strained but committed relationship. interrogated Although deeply in love, professional Geonosian leader obligations often took precedent Poggle the Lesser. over personal feelings, a dichotomy On Mortis, the that Anakin wrestled with often as Force-wielders he tried to fulfi ll his confl icting roles beckoned Anakin as husband and Jedi. At times, their to fulfi ll his destiny personal attachment led them to as the Chosen make strategically unwise decisions, One and take the including when Padmé agreed to place of the Father trade a key prisoner of war, General As the focus of the prequels, to maintain balance, showing him Grievous, for Anakin to ensure her Anakin Skywalker’s rise to terrible visions of his future should secret husband’s safety. Jedi Master and fall to the dark is well he refuse. The specter of Darth Vader We will have to wait and see documented on fi lm. But through The was wiped from his memory before exactly what role Anakin and Padmé Clone Wars, and Dave he was permitted to return to his own play in the new episodes, but with Filoni explored more of the internal realm, but he still walked the path to Ahsoka on her own and ultimately struggles the warrior was facing in the dark side. Indeed, during a rescue rushing in to battle Maul once more, balancing not just his fears but his from the Citadel, his fi rst encounter Anakin’s test to learn to let go of all urge to control the world around him with Captain Tarkin led to discovering that he fears to lose, including his and protect the people he cared for, he shared a surprising commonality former Padawan, is far from over. including his secret wife Padmé. The Clone Wars were a time of growth and new challenges for Anakin, punctuated by the occasionally thankless task of teaching young Ahsoka, who at times turned out to be just as impertinent and impulsive as her master. The surprising assignment to lead Ahsoka’s training came from wise Jedi Master Yoda, who hoped the exercise would fi nally teach Skywalker how to let go. (Unfortunately, we know how that ultimately turned out.) Initially, Anakin and Ahsoka butted heads as his patience was stretched thin by his energetic Padawan, but

STAR WARS INSIDER / 19 THE COMEBACK CLONES

classroom, Ahsoka had learned by- the-book Jedi teachings, including lessons on combat and warfare in the trying tumult of the raging Clone War. But Anakin regularly challenged her to see things from a different point of view, helping her to contain her boundless enthusiasm and outspoken nature in favor of more measured considerations and aggressive negotiations (when the situation called for it.) Serving in the war meant regularly risking her life—fearlessly clashing sabers with Separatist , fi nding the strength to survive trapped in a laboratory and infected with the Blue Shadow Virus, and holding out long enough to neutralize a parasitic brain worm infestation that threatened Ahsoka and her entire transport crew. Through her friendship with Padmé Amidala, Ahsoka’s black-and-white thinking of the world and the war itself began to shift as she began to understand the nuances at play. She met a young Separatist named Lux Bonteri, and began to realize that her mortal enemy in the confl ict was more than just a faceless aggressor threatening democracy. On the mystical world of Mortis, Ahsoka and Anakin’s bond was tested when the Togruta warrior became corrupted by a dark side-aligned Force-wielder known as the Son. A tool to bring her master to the brink Ahsoka Tano bounded into our of his dark destiny, Ahsoka’s life was lives in the The Clone Wars ultimately saved by the light. The theatrical release in 2008, a bright- trials on Mortis were something of a eyed, Force-sensitive Padawan who turning point. Ahsoka came into her was hungry to learn and even more own, fi nding the strength to become adamant about speaking her mind more reliant on herself using the and leaping into the fray. The lessons she’d gleaned from Anakin, brainchild of Dave Filoni and Star rather than succeeding in his shadow. Wars creator George Lucas, the fi lm On Felucia, Ahsoka rallied a and the series were launched as a handful of Jedi younglings to fi ght means for Lucas to tell even more against their Trandoshan captors stories, introduce new characters, and with a little help from a gentle but explore the time between Star Wars: fi erce walking carpet, Chewbacca. Attack of the Clones (2002) and Her leadership skills blossoming, she Revenge of the Sith beyond the acted as shepherd to a new class of constraints of a movie’s duration. younglings on the sacred quest of the Amid the Battle of Christophsis Gathering, a Jedi rite of passage to and in its earliest days, Ahsoka’s fi nd a kyber crystal and construct an assignment to be taught by Anakin elegant weapon. Skywalker was as much a test for But framed in the bombing at the Padawan as it was for master. In the Jedi Temple and accused of murder, AHSOKA

20 / STAR WARS INSIDER THE COMEBACK CLONES

Ahsoka went from war hero to outlaw Fans of Star Wars Rebels already Menace (1999), performing acrobatic on the run. Her resourceful nature know where Ahsoka’s allegiance motion-capture feats for the duel. allowed her to escape from prison on eventually landed, long after the time The new episodes will also explore a quest to clear her name, and even of the Clone Wars and at the start Ahsoka’s readjustment into regular though her master never truly gave of the Galactic Civil War pitting the society, a new challenge for one who up on her, believing in her innocence Rebel Alliance against the Empire. has been with the Jedi since she and helping to discover the true But these new episode of The Clone was very young. Still a teenager, one culprit of the crime, Ahsoka’s faith Wars give Filoni the chance to explore story will see the former Padawan in the Jedi was irreparably damaged some of the time between. He has plummeting into the depths of the thanks to their lack of faith in her promised an epic lightsaber battle underworld due to a innocence. Free from the protections between Ahsoka and , a malfunction, where she and restrictions of the Jedi way, when sequence animated with the help will encounter two sisters, Trace and we last saw Ahsoka in the series she of Ray Park, who played the Zabrak Rafa Martez, as she fi ghts for survival was forging a new path. Sith Lord in Star Wars: The Phantom on the infamous level 1313.

Ahsoka’s faith in the Jedi was irreparably damaged thanks to their lack of faith in her innocence. SPECIAL EDITIONS and the and REX CLONES

Those familiar with Star Wars Rebels know that Captain Rex survived the Clone Wars and went on to eventually be reunited with his friend Ahsoka Tano in the fi ght against the Empire. But his debut in The Clone Wars, alongside countless identical brothers in arms, was an war machines who, although designed fearlessly charge into battle alongside enlightening exploration of the on Kamino to fi ght the Republic’s war, his brothers, as well as Anakin and humanity and unique identities of the were also fl esh-and-blood with minds Ahsoka, Rex’s bravery and loyalty to seemingly interchangeable soldiers, and hearts of their own. the cause was equally balanced by bred for battle and ready to fi ght. A by-the-book fi ghter who rose his compassion and a keen sense of Over the course of the series it to the rank of captain, Rex could fi ghting for what was right. Whether became clear that the clone troopers often be found leading his men defending a diplomatic leader on shared the same DNA, but were often alongside Anakin Skywalker. At the the frozen world of Ord Plutonia or wildly different from one another, Battle of Christophsis, Rex helped to charging toward a rampaging Zillo an aspect that allowed the series’ uncover a traitor in the clone ranks Beast, Rex was a loyal soldier, always showrunners to demonstrate the with some help from Commander ready for action. importance of individuality and the Cody. On the Rishi Moon, the pair But he also knew the importance internal struggles of these organic once again teamed up with a squad of thinking for himself, a trait he no of untested rookies when a routine doubt learned from watching Anakin. inspection turned into a surprise Shot down over Saleucami, Rex Separatist attack. Ever willing to came face-to-face with a deserter.

22 / STAR WARS INSIDER SPECIAL EDITIONS

The emotional campaign left Rex and the other surviving clones with upsetting questions about how the war was being conducted.

Disillusioned with the futility of the confl ict, and keenly aware of his own expendability, Cut Lawquane chose to run, forging a new life with a family of his own. This brief interaction forced Rex to confront his own thoughts and feelings, including the unsettling idea that loyalty was not a given, and even he could choose a different path for himself at the expense of his dedication to the Republic and the ongoing war effort. Rex is also a prime example among the clones that loyalty, while admirable, cannot be given blindly. When his squadron was dispatched to Umbara, their leader Anakin replaced by the nefarious Jedi General Krell, Rex and his fellow soldiers had to In The Lost Missions, Rex was designations and tattoos, dye, contend with the enemy outside and confronted by his longtime friend and warpaint to distinguish their within, fi ghting against Umbaran Fives, an ARC trooper who discovered identical faces and armor from one forces as well as a commander who that every clone was implanted with a another, Rex and other clones in had no respect for clone safety or bio-chip as part of a mass conspiracy the new episodes will appear with autonomy. Constantly at odds over that would render their autonomy, fl aming orange helmets bearing the Krell’s plans that amounted to suicide and indeed their ability to think for unmistakable markings of Ahsoka’s missions, the emotional campaign left themselves, obsolete. skin, in tribute to her. And we’ll fi nally Rex and the other surviving clones The series gave us far too many get the chance to meet Hunter and with upsetting questions about courageous and wholly unique clones the the Bad Batch, a group of clones how the war was being conducted, to mention here, but with the new who take individuality to a whole new and how best to walk the fi ne episodes, Filoni promises to continue level using deformities and medical line between insubordination and expanding on the stories of individual mistakes from the process to standing up for what was right when clones in extraordinary circumstances. their advantage with specialized skills, their leader was patently wrong. Having long used nicknames over honed for battle.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 23 THE COMEBACK CLONES MAUL

Finally, there is Maul. Having survived being cleaved in two by Obi-Wan Kenobi’s lightsaber, during the time of the Clone Wars the horn-headed warrior was on an all-consuming quest for revenge against the Jedi who almost ended his life. Saved from the scrapyards of Lotho Minor, where he subsisted on the brink of insanity with spider-like legs cobbled from refuse, Maul got a second chance thanks to his brother Savage Opress and Mother Talzin, a purveyor of dark magicks who gave Maul newer, stronger mechanical legs. Through many battles with Kenobi, and senseless bloodshed to lure the Jedi into the fray, Maul parried with his sworn enemy. At one of his lowest moments, a chance encounter with Mandalore’s Death Watch gave Maul new limbs and a fresh idea—to secure a base and rule Mandalore as well as a powerful galactic criminal syndicate. A full assault on Black Sun and the attention of Darth Sidious himself, Clan strengthened the Shadow ending in a thrilling lightsaber duel. Maul opted to Collective, but after Mandalorian Savage was killed in the battle, but warrior Pre Vizsla betrayed Maul, Maul was permitted to live, his former allow Kenobi they settled their feud with a duel master conceiving a new use for his to the death. Amid his sweet victory old apprentice. Now, Ahsoka and Maul to live but and inheritance of the Darksaber, will go toe-to-mechanical-toe once as well as the loyalty of the Death again, in their ultimate confrontation. killed Satine Watch behind him, Maul opted to With these character arcs reaching allow Kenobi to live but killed Satine their apogees, and the long-awaited Kryze in front of the Jedi’s eyes. “Siege of Mandalore” playing a crucial Kryze in Maul’s ultimate act of revenge was part in the epic story Filoni and Lucas to brutally slay someone else Kenobi conceived nearly a decade ago, these front of the cared for, and force him to live 12 episodes will fi nally end The Clone with his grief. The act attracted the Wars just as the makers intended. Jedi’s eyes.

24 / STAR WARS INSIDER OFFICIAL MARVEL STUDIOS COLLECTIONS

SOFTCOVER ALSO AVAILABLE! MARVEL’S AVENGERS: $14.99 AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO THE FILMS On Sale Now • $26.99

ALSO AVAILABLE dC d

THE ULTIMATE COMPANIONS TO MARVEL STUDIOS’

BLOCKBUSTER MOVIES! in the U.S. and Canada. available Only

AVAILABLE IN ALL GOOD BOOK STORES AND DIGITALLY AT TITAN-COMICS.COM © 2019 MARVEL “I’ve always felt that Jon’s tone would be really, really good for Star Wars.” Dave Filoni

26 / STAR WARS INSIDER MAKING THE MANDALORIAN

JON FAVREAU & DAVE FILONI

With a second season already in production, Star Wars Insider talks to Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni on working together to bring The Mandalorian to fans around the world.

WORDS: BRYAN YOUNG

ave Filoni is a name that has been long familiar to Star Wars fans. He was selected by George Lucas to help build D Lucasfi lm’s animation department that gave us Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2014, 2020), Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018), and—most recently— (2019-2020). While cloistered up at Skywalker Ranch in the early days of working on The Clone Wars, Filoni met Jon Favreau. Although their paths diverged, with Favreau going on to make some of the most popular fi lms of the last decade, Filoni had hope his creative peer would return to Star Wars. At least, that’s what he revealed to Star Wars Insider when the pair of them sat down to talk about the epic new Star Wars TV show The Mandalorian, which began streaming on Disney+ on November 12, 2019. “The fi rst time I ever saw Iron Man,” Filoni recalls, “I thought it had that same great feeling as Star Wars, because to me it combined a lot of fun moments, a lot of adventure, action, and comedy, with an incredible sense of, ‘I care about this and it could still get dramatic.’ And that didn’t come at the expense of the meaningful nature of the characters or their relationships. I’ve always felt that Jon’s tone would be really, really good for Star Wars.” Favreau got his start in the movie business by way of comedy, most notably with the indie-hit Swingers (1996), which he wrote, produced, and starred in. The creator of The Mandalorian knew before he came aboard that there had

STAR WARS INSIDER / 27 MAKING THE MANDALORIAN

“[TELLING STORIES] IS as exciting to a 50-year- old fan as it is to a 10-year-old, when you do it right.” Dave Filoni

01 to be some guiding light for the in movies was probably formed in a the fi lms that infl uenced Lucas. So, use of comedy in Star Wars, and he big way from seeing George Lucas’ looking at fi lms by Akira Kurosawa, relied on Filoni to help him craft original fi lm,” he says. “I learned John Ford, Sergio Leone—through those guidelines. “Dave was very about cinema through the lens of A the eyes of that generation—and clear about it. There are certain New Hope. While watching it, my then trying to channel that as best types of humor that can be used in father would explain to me how we could. Now of course, we were Star Wars and there are certain types things were inspired by something always going to put our spin on it, that can’t be,” Favreau explains. “If you would see in a samurai movie because fi lmmakers, cast, and writers we’re making fun of Star Wars, we’re or a western or a World War II fi lm. are always going to put their spin on stepping outside of it.” That fi rst movie was my inroad.” a project. However, we always made As they developed the series, sure we adhered to something that Something Old and Favreau and Filoni agreed they had structure and respect for what Something New would embark on The Mandalorian came before.” The tone and craft of the long- with an eye on staying true to the One of the things that fascinates running saga is something that things that made George Lucas’ Star Favreau so much about working is baked into Favreau’s DNA as a Wars fi lms great. “We really tried not on The Mandalorian is this shifting storyteller and as a fi lmmaker, and to make it a refl ection of what we of the generational lens through it was his love of Star Wars that interpreted Star Wars to be,” Favreau which Star Wars is viewed, and how grabbed his heart and held onto it at explains, “but instead went back George Lucas reacted to the movies a very young age. “My whole taste to the source code and looked at he grew up with—the fi lms of the

28 / STAR WARS INSIDER MAKING THE MANDALORIAN

02

03

World War II generation and their ideals of good and evil—from his perspective as a Baby Boomer. “With the subversiveness of their movies in the 1970s, George’s generation had respect for the fi lms they grew up with, but they put a twist on them,” says Favreau. “Then my generation was presented a cinematic view through the lens of George Lucas. And now we’re telling stories for another generation.” “I think it’s as exciting to a 50-year-old fan as it is to a 10-year- old fan, when you do it right,” Filoni adds. “The trick is in getting that formula right. It’s very hard.” FACTS AND FIGURES Keeping It Unreal THE PITCH computer graphics conference), 01 Pedro Pascal Just as George Lucas had done Jon Favreau revealed that The plays the “After the stories of Jango and Boba Mandalorian. with Star Wars, Favreau and Filoni Fett, another warrior emerges in the Mandalorian was utilizing the worked to push the technology used Star Wars galaxy. The Mandalorian Unreal Engine—a method of 02 The Child, around whom on making The Mandalorian. Their is set after the fall of the Empire and rendering photo-real graphics before the emergence of the First the plot of challenge was to create a theatrical Order. We follow the travails of a in video games—to replace a lot the series quality experience for a streaming lone gunfi ghter in the outer reaches of the traditional green-screen hinges. television service. “That’s one of of the galaxy far from the authority work audiences might normally of the New Republic.” 03 Dave Filoni the dreams George had even when expect to fi nd on a Star Wars (left) with Jon Favreau I worked with him on The Clone Number of Episodes: 8 production. This iteration of (right) at Wars,” Filoni reveals. “He would First Aired: November 12, 2019 Star Wars has worked to break Star Wars talk about the future; the idea of barriers in technology like all Celebration WRITERS: 2019. streaming and being episodic.” Jon Favreau (Chapters 1-4, 7, 8) the best Star Wars projects The disconnect between the Dave Filoni (Chapter 5) before it, and fi lmmakers on affordability of effects and the Christopher Yost and The Mandalorian were able to quality of fi lmmaking required Rick Famuyiwa (Chapter 6) simultaneously work with both to make Star Wars work on the DIRECTORS: the actors and environments on small screen had previously Dave Filoni (Chapters 1 & 5) a live set as well as the digital prevented hopes for a live-action Rick Famuyiwa (Chapters 2 & 6) elements that would traditionally Star Wars TV series taking shape, Deborah Chow (Chapters 3 & 7) be inserted in post-production. Bryce Dallas Howard (Chapter 4) but technology has since taken Taika Waititi (Chapter 8) Instead of the green screens for huge leaps forward. At 2019’s set expansions like George Lucas SIGGRAPH event (an annual pioneered on The Young Indiana

STAR WARS INSIDER / 29 MAKING THE MANDALORIAN

Jones Chronicles and the Star Wars prequels, the Unreal Engine allowed the minds behind The Mandalorian to drop in LED panels that were tied to the position of the camera. As the camera moved, the scene on the panel shifted, creating real-time, in-camera special effects. It’s a modern blend of old-school matte-painting effects and post-production background replacements. And since it compressed the time between production and post-production, it made shooting a television show like The Mandalorian much more cost-effective, and also afforded it the movie-quality effects Star Wars fans are accustomed to seeing. Much To Learn Both of these experienced executive producers came to The Mandalorian with skillsets honed in different mediums: Favreau was a Hollywood veteran of highly successful live-action movies while Filoni’s critically acclaimed animated series’ have introduced many fan-favorite characters into the Star Wars saga. 04 Within this dual creative dynamic in mind, what did each bring to the table, and what did they forward-thinking with regards to someone who worked in a similar learn from one another? technology and using tools to help vein while really being challenged, “Working with George on The enable greater storytelling; I saw and Jon has challenged me.” Clone Wars, he would always speak that in The Jungle Book (2016), “A lot of what’s wonderful about in terms of live-action, so I was which was just incredible and so working with Dave,” Favreau adds, familiar with the terminology but very inspirational, and with the “is that continuity of vision passed I didn’t always understand how to work that he’s done in The Lion down by George Lucas. That has apply it,” Filoni explains. “Working King (2019). For me, it was a great been a really special thing for me.” with Jon is really natural. He’s very opportunity to collaborate with Filoni also likens the process to a boot camp in the world of live-

05 action fi lmmaking. “It defi nitely has affected the way I look at what can I accomplish in a day,” he elaborates. “That’s a big difference for me, fi lmmaking-wise. When we arrived on the back lot, Greig Fraser [the director of photography on Chapter One] was like, ‘Well the sun is up, we gotta get going.’ And I thought, ‘Oh, right! Because it’s gonna go down!’ In animation we don’t really have that problem,” he laughs. So, while Filoni credits Favreau with mentoring him in live-action fi lmmaking, when it came to the ways of the galaxy far, far away, the roles were somewhat reversed. “I

30 / STAR WARS INSIDER “It was fun to add MAKING06 THE MANDALORIAN easter eggs that harked back to past storylines familiar to the audience.” Jon Favreau

07

08

tried to offer the knowledge 04 The eponymous bounty hunter. that had been passed on to me by George for Star Wars 05 The Child: a things,” Filoni explains. “If small, green force of nature. there was some minutia of Star Wars detail that I was very sold 06 Nick Nolte on because it had always been provides the voice for vapor that way, Jon would ask, ‘But farmer why?’ You know who else used to do that all the time? George. 07 New rules at the Occasionally when I would Cantina. fans. It was fun to add Easter eggs because I wanted to be challenged, come to him with something, that harked back to past storylines to hit another level. It has been a 08 he would ask, ‘Why does that (Cara Dune) familiar to the audience—and that great collaboration and a great step have to be that way? That’s with Chapter 4 included content from the animated for me to take. I’m really thrilled never been said.’ Depending director Bryce programs Dave worked on. But at with the show and I hope the Dallas Howard. on my response, sometimes he the same time, we didn’t want to audience is, too.” would go for it, and then other divide and segment the audience; Favreau’s evident excitement at times he would just say, ‘Maybe we wanted to bring everything being able to collaborate with Filoni that’s not the best story.’” together so it created an overarching on this project is also palpable, Favreau agrees with Filoni’s narrative that rewarded everyone, with his enthusiasm lighting up assessment. “Dave has been a to include not only the people who the room. “I wouldn’t be doing this treasure trove of information, have grown up with Star Wars since without Dave Filoni,” he’s happy and during the course of creating they were kids but also for newer to admit. “It’s this relationship and the show we tried to work stuff fans who are experiencing Star Wars what I learned from him, and what in, like making a reference to Life for the fi rst time.” he learns from me, that really makes Day or including a prop that is Filoni reveals, “I feel this is some it. We’re both students. We both appreciated by a core group of the best stuff I have worked on, love to learn.”

STAR WARS INSIDER / 31 INTERVIEW: PEDRO PASCAL

32 / STAR WARS INSIDER INTERVIEW: PEDRO PASCAL

Pedro Pascal The Mysterious Gunslinger Who is the Mandalorian? If you’ve not yet caught the new live-action Star Wars television series, then all we can tell you is that the actor who plays the mysterious bounty hunter is Pedro Pascal. Insider caught up with Pascal shortly before the series premiered on Disney+, where a sense of mystery was all part of the fun.

WORDS: BRYAN YOUNG

STAR WARS INSIDER / 33 INTERVIEW: PEDRO PASCAL

01

edro Pascal is no stranger to does he come from? What is he after? These big franchises like Star Wars. questions drive both the storyline and Pascal. P Over the course of his career, “Sometimes we’re very much a mystery to the Chilean-born actor has ourselves,” he refl ects. “Our own identity is in the appeared in TV shows such discovery of what you’re capable of, or what your as Buffy the Vampire Slayer destiny is, or whether you will live for yourself or and Game of Thrones, and feature fi lms such for others. It’s very much a part of Jon Favreau’s as Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017). Most vision of the story, which is built upon the galaxy recently, he even landed the villainous role George Lucas introduced to all of us.” of Maxwell Lord in the upcoming Wonder So, are we to believe that this bounty hunter Woman 1984, the sequel to 2017’s smash hit might fi ght for something more than himself and fi lm starring Gal Gadot. Now, he has stepped a fi stful of credits by the end of his assignment? into a galaxy far, far away, taking on the Will there be more at stake for him than just the title role of The Mandalorian, a mysterious money? Pascal makes it clear those are questions character who says little and reveals even less. that can only be answered by watching the show. Much like his character on the Disney+ Star Wars show, Pascal likes to present a taciturn Inside The Armor image, especially when asked to spill the beans One thing Pascal is happy to talk about is his on the Mandalorian bounty hunter and his iconic costume, although he remains cagey about adventures. Who is the Mandalorian? Where whether audiences will see the character remove

34 / STAR WARS INSIDER INTERVIEW: PEDRO PASCAL

03

02 PROFILE PEDRO PASCAL Born in an era of political unrest in his native Chile, José “Our own Pedro Balmaceda Pascal relocated with his family to Denmark identity when he was still a baby, before the family is in the moved to the U.S. and settled in Orange County, California. He discovery of studied acting at New York University’s Tisch what you’re School of the Arts, and enjoyed an extensive stage career as an capable of, actor and director. Pascal appeared in or what your numerous TV series, including an episode of Buffy the Vampie destiny is.” Slayer in 1999, before fi nding international fame as Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones (2014), and as DEA agent Javier Peña in Narcos (2015-2017).

04

01 The Mandalorian his helmet during the course of the series. As cool work on the show, on every single detail of our (Pedro Pascal) with as he knows it looks, the armor can be diffi cult costumes, of the sets, the special effects, the the mysterious Child. to work with. “Nothing that looks that good is lighting,” he says. “It’s a humbling reminder to 02 Never removed in going to be easy to wear,” Pascal admits. “You really respect the artwork that goes into building public, the inscrutable just have to surrender to that fact and focus on this world.” beskar mask of the Mandalorian. the story. Because the language of the character is strictly physical, negotiating his story—with It’s All About the Story 03 Under attack, the resourceful all of the costume pieces—is his story, essentially. Mandalorian armor may not be the most Mandalorian won’t That’s new to me. It’s cool and very challenging.” comfortable apparel, but Pascal keeps his let competitors stand Despite the fact that it caused the actor focus on his performance and staying true to in the way of securing his bounty. some physical pain at times, Pascal is quick to the amazing storytelling set forth by executive credit the costume designers who created the producers Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, for whom 04 The fateful first impressive outfi t. “We talk about the characters he has nothing but kind words. “Dave Filoni is meeting between the Mandalorian and the fi lmmakers, and all the departments very self-deprecating and humble,” Pascal says. and the Child. involved in making the whole piece, but to “But he’s also extremely open. He has no agenda. me the biggest stars, really, are the people who You don’t get that too often, especially with

STAR WARS INSIDER / 35 INTERVIEW: PEDRO PASCAL

“Every single project that you get involved in feels like you’re becoming a part of a family. This is the most invited into a family I’ve ever felt.”

05

06 07

something that is as established as the Star 05 Pascal describes the intimidating. It is a visual-effects experience, and Wars galaxy.” welcome he received an art-department experience. As a cast member, at Celebration 2019 Pascal is equally as effusive about working with as a visceral “exchange to have that kind of support to lift you into it, Favreau, and he feels the combination of the two of energy.” is such an essential component—more so than

creatives has made for a very special project. “To 06 Dave Filoni and Pedro anything I’ve ever done.” have people who are as excited about it as you are, Pascal have fun with Another pleasant surprise for Pascal has been and as the fans are—and as anyone who really the audience at Star how welcoming the wider world of Star Wars Wars Celebration. wants a good story is—it makes for a really, really has been, including how the fans have embraced genuine, unique experience,” he says. 07 Taking a bow at the series. “Every single project that you get For his part, Pascal feeds on that energy, Celebration 2019: involved with, it feels like you’re becoming part (Left to right) crediting their enthusiasm for the Star Wars Jon Favreau, Dave of a family, but this is the most invited into galaxy as a key part of what he has been able Filoni, Pedro Pascal, a family I have ever felt,” he shares. “It is an Gina Carano, and to bring to the role of the Mandalorian. “That Carl Weathers. exchange of energy. It hit me like the back of a energy helps you do the job,” he explains. jet in Chicago at . It’s like “It’s a component that you don’t count on, a visceral realization. I have never felt anything especially with Star Wars, because it can be very like that.”

36 / STAR WARS INSIDER DISCOVER DEADPOOL´S BEST (AND WORST!)

UncoverU the wiles and insightsi of the Merc with a Mouth in this lavishly presentedp collection.

Includes Deadpool’s ggreatest moments - the oones we love to remember ((or wish we could forget), aaccompanied by the mmusings of our morally cconfused comrade!

OUT NOW THE PHILOSOPHY OF DEADPOOL $14.99 / Hardcover

AVAILABLE IN ALL GOOD BOOK STORES AND DIGITALLY AT

© 2019 MARVEL TITAN-COMICS.COM DESTROY THE DEATH STAR

It’s the ultimate David vs. Goliath face-off: one tiny starfi ghter against a moon-sized battle station during freedom’s most desperate hour. For decades, fans of all ages have turned to tabletop and videogames in order to recapture that magic of piloting an X-wing at full throttle in a trench run, or weaving the into the heart of the second Death Star. Game historian Tony A. Rowe looks at the many opportunities gamers have had to blow up a Death Star.

WORWOW ORR DS:DSD S:S TTOO NYN Y AA. ROWROR OWW E

38 / STAR WARS INSIDER DESTROY THE DEATH STAR

had to orbit the Death Star until they 01 BOARD AND could line up with the superweapon’s equatorial trench to make an attack run ELECTRONIC on the exhaust port. As the disk rotated, players could suddenly fi nd themselves GAMES under attack from TIE fi ghters or even Darth Vader himself. In the U.K., Palitoy designed a very different Destroy Death Star (1978) game that was based on their 1976 “All pilots to electronic naval warfare game, Salvo! your stations.” Players moved their X-wing fi ghter and TIE fi ghter pawns into battle and tried One of the fi rst opportunities for fans to maneuver a hidden light under the Star Assault Game from Parker Brothers to relive the fi nal battle from Star Wars: A board to “hit” either Yavin 4 or the was a cross between a board game and a New Hope (1977)—months before action Death Star, and thereby win the game. pinball machine. Players used an X-wing fi gures had even hit stores—came in the In 1995, Decipher’s Star Wars fi ghter shooter to launch steel ball black plastic form of Kenner’s Star Wars Customizable Card Game let players “proton torpedoes” at TIE fi ghter targets Electronic Laser Battle Game. The device, build their own custom light side or dark on the Death Star’s surface. One direct which featured electronic sound effects side decks of characters, locations, and hit on Darth Vader destroyed the Death and lights and included a Death Star at equipment, and it became one of the Star and sent Vader fl ying into the air! its hub with two fi ghter control panels most popular collectible card games of Set during the time of Star Wars: at opposite ends, pitched two X-wing the era. The A New Hope expansion pack (1983), Star Wars: pilots against each other added the fi rst Death Star The Interactive Video Board Game to see who could press a The Death Star to the dark side player’s was released in 1996 and featured button the fastest after arsenal, with the power a combination of traditional board the game’s “go” signal. Assault Game to “blow away” entire game elements with all-new Star Wars Each victory brought the from Parker planets. Rebel starfi ghters footage on a VHS tape acting as a timer pilots one step closer to could attempt a trench on the game. As “Force-sensitive rebel the Death Star, and the Brothers was a run, but the dark side saboteurs,” players were sent on a winner was rewarded cross between player could respond with mission to plant explosives inside the with a brief audio snippet TIE fi ghters. The Death second Death Star, maneuvering their of the main Star Wars a board game Star II expansion added rebel counter and trusty R2 unit on a theme while the Death and a pinball the second Death Star to game board version of the Death Star. Star fl ashed brightly as the game in 2002, which The included video tape played for it “exploded.” machine. became fully operational 60 minutes, revealing Darth Vader’s Just in time for that only when its reactor core machinations to foil the rebels’ plans, Christmas, Kenner released Star Wars was put into play. Rebel fi ghters had to including attempts to sway players to Destroy Death Star, a board game in hit its core and escape before being the dark side. The specially shot footage which players commanded their X-wing caught in the resulting blast. featured the return of David Prowse squadrons from the rebel base towards Also released in 1995, during a period and James Earl Jones to their shared the large, rotating Death Star disk at the in which there was a resurgence in Star role as, respectively, the body and center of the game board. The ships then Wars-related merchandise, the Death voice of Vader.

02 01 Hasbro released Angry Birds Star Wars Jenga in 2012, with a pig-shaped Death Star

02 Star Wars Electronic Laser Battle Game gave fans their first chance to destroy the Death Star.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 39 DESTROY THE DEATH STAR

03 Atari’s Star Wars FLIGHT arcade machine pitched SIMULATIONS gamers into a 3D attack on the Death Star.

“Switching to 04 M.N.M. Software’s targeting computer.” Attack on the Death Star Attempts to recreate the visceral thrills (1991) was only released of the Star Wars movies and that fateful in Japan. encounter with the Death Star really came into their own with the advent of 05 Arcade1Up recently video games—originally the province of recreated exotic cabinets in shopping mall arcades. Atari’s Star Wars One of the greats of this golden era, arcade game was Atari’s offi cial Star Wars arcade game, cabinet. which arrived in 1983 as Return of the 03 Jedi made its box offi ce debut. Players lined up to pilot Luke Skywalker’s X-wing player to fi re their weapons at will while in a solo mission against the Death Star. all enemy fi ghters and guns remained The groundbreaking game featured frozen. Later, director Steven Spielberg colored vector graphics, (an avid gamer, himself) displaying wireframe TIE The Star Wars spent his breaks during fi ghters and trench walls post-production on Indiana with a convincing 3D effect arcade game Jones and the Temple of while John Williams’ iconic turned up Doom (1984) playing the soundtrack and digitized game on Langston’s modifi ed dialogue fi lled the air with on screen in cabinet and loved it so audio straight from the fi lm. Joe Dante’s much that he ordered one Designer Mike Hally created for himself. However, when a three-act structure that was Gremlins his Star Wars arcade cabinet later duplicated by many (1984). arrived at his offi ce, he was of the trench-run games disappointed to discover the that followed: dogfi ghting Force button didn’t come TIE fi ghters in orbit, blasting turbolaser fi tted as standard. The Star Wars arcade towers while skimming the surface of game turned up on screen in Joe Dante’s the Death Star, and Gremlins (1984), executive- fi nally dodging catwalks produced by Spielberg, in 04 and laser blasts during which one of the naughty a fi nal run along the critters is seen playing the by raster graphics and an isometric claustrophobic confi nes game’s trench run. viewpoint on the action. of the trench. Atari’s follow-up, Parker Brothers, who had already Atari sent a copy 1984’s Return of the Jedi scored a hit with their console version of the game to the arcade game, featured of the original arcade game, released Lucasfi lm offi ces where numerous levels in which Return of the Jedi: Death Star Battle Peter Langston, head of the Millennium Falcon was for Atari’s home consoles and the ZX the Lucasfi lm Games piloted towards the core Spectrum computer in 1983. In this division, devoured the of the second Death Star, game, the Millennium Falcon battled arcade cabinet’s technical intercut with speeder bike TIE interceptors and Imperial shuttles manual. He discovered chases and a stolen AT-ST on defending the second Death Star, aiming that he could make some the forest moon of Endor. to penetrate its outer shield and destroy special modifi cations This sequel retained the same the energy core. In a twist on the events to the controls, adding fl ight control mechanism of the movie, if you took too long in a button he labeled as from Atari’s original Star escaping from the core, the Death Star “The Force” that would Wars game, but the fi rst- could rebuild itself and activate its activate the game’s debug person perspective and “death ray,” at which point it was mode, enabling the 05 vector graphics were replaced game over for the rebels.

40 / STAR WARS INSIDER COMICS: DOCTOR APHRA 06 The first ever Death Star strategy game was released in 1982, but only in Japan (see page 43).

STAR WARS INSIDER / 41 DESTROY THE DEATH STAR

07 The Death Star trench as played in X-wing (1993).

08 LucasArts’ space combat simulator X-wing spawned many imitators.

09 TIE Fighter was the sequel to the orginal X-wing game.

10 Rebel Assault was released in the same year as X-wing, and strayed somewhat from movie continuity.

07

“Now let’s blow this 08 09 10 thing and go home!”

In LucasArts’ Star Wars Rebel Assault, released in 1993, players took on the role of “Rookie One,” another hotshot pilot from Tatooine facing down the Empire in place of Luke Skywalker. The somewhat muddled premise of the game had players helping evacuate Rebel Alliance forces from their base on Death Star. The game spawned several Star attacks, with the player able to issue before the Death Star could obliterate sequels before X-Wing: Alliance fi nally commands to other squadron members the planet. Rookie One then joined Blue concluded the original trilogy storyline and engage the targeting computer to Squadron in an attack on the Death Star in 1998, with a tunnel run mission to help highlight enemy turrets. Rogue as it approached their new base on Yavin destroy the second Death Star. Squadron III: Rebel Strike added a two- 4! It was a somewhat unorthodox take In 1993, Sega and LucasArts player, cooperative Death Star mission, on the events of the saga. combined forces to bring the saga back and included an emulated version of Where Rebel Assault may have into arcades, with the suitably entitled Atari’s original Star Wars arcade game taken a few liberties with the Star Wars Star Wars Arcade. Using the same 3D as a bonus unlockable feature. timeline, 1993’s PC game X-wing aimed rendering technology as Sega’s Virtua X-wing fi ghters even went mobile in to be the ultimate starfi ghter fl ight Racing and Virtua Fighter games, Star Trench Run, published by THQ Wireless simulation game. George Lucas had Wars Arcade had a mix of battle scenarios in 2009, in an intuitive game for the based his starfi ghter dogfi ght scenes from the original trilogy, including iPhone and iPod Touch controlled by on actual World War II aerial combat separate attacks on both Death Stars. tilting the screen to steer your starfi ghter footage, so there was nobody better to Meanwhile, couch pilots had their through the trench. capture that same feeling in a computer chance to take on the Empire thanks In 2016, a Death Star DLC expansion game than Larry Holland, who had to Nintendo, developer Factor 5, and for Star Wars Battlefront added new already created several hit World War LucasArts. Rogue Squadron for the N64 maps and a “Battle Station” mode to II fl ight simulator games including featured “The Death Star Trench Run” as the multiplayer console and PC game, Battlehawks 1942 and Secret Weapons an unlockable level, adding numerous becoming the most recent way for of the Luftwaffe. X-wing was a huge 90 degree turns to the famously players to undertake the Death Star success, telling the story of rebel pilots straight trench. The 2001 sequel, trench run—or to stop the rebel scum prior to the events of A New Hope Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader for in their tracks, if you happened to be and up to the attack on the original GameCube, began and ended with Death playing as an Imperial.

42 / STAR WARS INSIDER DESTROYDESD TROYYT THETHEE DEATHDEATHH STARSTAR

STRATEGY GAMES

“I suggest a new strategy, Artoo.”

Strategy games are more focused on autonomous gameplaying decisions, where the player can affect the outcome and direction of a game through their actions and thought process rather than pure chance or manual dexterity. In 1982, Tsukuda Hobby’s prolifi c designer scenario detailed, Atsutoshi Okada created the very fi rst in the main real-time land licensed Death Star strategy game. It rulebook, with and space battles was an impressive effort that was, sadly, rules for a trench run as players wrestled for only ever released in Japan, and featured but no Death Star surface control of the galaxy. An three levels of complexity to choose map to play it on. Players of Imperial player could build a Death from, with advanced rules including Fantasy Flight’s offi cial X-Wing Star which was capable of blowing away aerobatics like Immelmann Turns and game, originally released in 2012, planets but was vulnerable to attack Split-S maneuvers. assemble squadrons of highly detailed, by Luke Skywalker’s Red Squadron. West End Games acquired the license pre-painted starship miniatures to battle The Forces of Corruption expansion to to publish Star Wars games in 1987, each other on any fl at surface—no this game added the second Death Star releasing Star Wars: The Roleplaying game board or map required! Popular along with a new threat from bounty Game and a starfi ghter combat board fan-made scenarios have hunter IG-88, who was game Star Warriors (1987), ushering in added rules for attacks on To defeat a able to destroy a Death Star a new era of stories and games set in the Death Star, and some by hacking into its central the galaxy far, far away. Star Warriors players have even built Death Star, the computer system! included an Attack on the Death Star custom Death Star surface rebel player Designer Rob Daviau’s environments to play on. 2004 board game, Risk: Building a Death Star had to roll an Star Wars Original Trilogy was an integral element of 18 on three Edition, took the mechanics Fantasy Flight’s 2016 game, of the classic game of Risk Star Wars: Rebellion, in attack dice. and applied them to the which the Imperial player galactic confl ict. To defeat begins with one Death Star but could a Death Star, the rebel player had to roll build more! Death Stars are vulnerable an 18 on three attack dice. Fortunately, to attack if the rebels get the “Death Star bonuses added from fi ghters, bombers, Plans” objective, especially if they also and capital ships in the battle gave get a “One in a Million” shot. them a fair chance, especially if the Empire at War, published by Force was with them (for up to a +3 Petroglyph Games in 2006, allowed for bonus). The 2014 edition carefully recreated the fi nal battle in Return of the Jedi on three simultaneous fronts: sabotaging the defl ector shield generator on Endor, the space battle around Death Star II (based on traditional Risk rules), and the duel between Luke and Vader in the Emperor’s throne room. After destroying the shield generator, the rebel player could attack the Death Star, destroying it if they rolled a 6 on at least one attack die. Whether that equates to bullseying a womp rat from a moving T-16, however, is debatable.

STARSTATAARRW WWARSARSRSS INIINSIDERSIDERE / 4343 GIVEAWAY

Five bundles to give away!

The A to Z of Star Wars Win a set of titanic Star Wars specials covering astromechs to Zorii Bliss!

To celebrate the release of Star Wars: (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), What is the name of the actor who The Rise of Skywalker (2019), our (Poe Dameron), and (Kylo plays Zorii Bliss in Star Wars: The prize giveaway this issue is fi ve sets of Ren), The Offi cial Collector’s Edition is Rise of Skywalker? incredible Star Wars specials, courtesy an essential read for all Star Wars fans. of our friends at Titan Comics: Star Featuring rarely seen images and A) Loli Kerfuffle Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Offi cial little-known trivia, Star Wars: Aliens, B) Keri Russell Collector’s Edition and Star Wars: Creatures, and Droids celebrates the Star C) Carly Roffel Aliens, Creatures, and Droids! Wars saga’s non-human but sometimes Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: humanoid characters, in a collection of Send your answer to our regular email The Offi cial Collector’s Edition features classic interviews with Warwick Davis or postal address (see ‘Contact Us’ on stunning photography, breathtaking (Wicket), (C-3PO), page 3), marked “SW SPECIALS” by concept art, and exclusive profi les of Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Matthew Wood March 16, 2020. the heroes, villains, droids, and ships of (General Grievous) and acclaimed writer the sinister First Order and the heroic Paul Dini (the Ewoks animated series). Terms and conditions are available forces of the Resistance. Packed with To be in with a chance of winning, at titanmagazines.com all-star interviews with the cast of the just send us the correct answer to the blockbuster fi lm, including following Star Wars trivia question: May the Force be with you! www.titan-comics.com © and TM 2020 Lucasfi lm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

44 / STAR WARS INSIDER THE SAGA WILL END. THE STORY LIVES FOREVER.

ALSOALSO AVAILABLE!AVAI SOFTCOVERSOFT OONN SSALEALE $9.99$9.99.9 NOW!NOW!

$$19.9919.99 | HaHardcoverrdcover

TThehe officialofficial collector’scollector’s guideguide toto StarStar Wars:Wars: TheThe RiseRise ooff SSkywalkerkywalker, thethe concludingconcluding chapterchapter ooff thethe SSkywalkerkywalker sagasaga – a sagasaga overover 4040 yearsyears inin thethe making!making! GoGo behindbehind thethe scenesscenes ooff StarStar Wars:Wars: EpisodeEpisode IXIX withwith tthishis mmust-haveust-have edition,edition, ffeaturingeaturing eexclusivexclusive iinterviewsnterviews wwithith tthehe cacastst aandnd crcrew,ew, aass wwellell aass a galaxygalaxy ofof revealingrevealing on-seton-set photos,photos, ddroidroid aandnd crcreatureeature ggalleries,alleries, aandnd nnewew charactercharacter pprofilrofilees.s. An eessentialssential ccompanionompanion ttoo tthehe ffinalinal ffilmilm iinn tthishis llegendaryegendary sseries!eries!

AAVAILABLEVAILABLE ININ ALLALL GOODGOOD STORESSTORES AANDND ONLINEONLINE TTITAN-COMICS.COMITAN-COMICS.COM © & TM 2019 Lucasi lm Ltd. RISE OF THE RESISTANCE

COMING ATTRACTION Inside Rise of the Resistance

46 / STAR WARS INSIDER RISE OF THE RESISTANCE

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance—the crowning glory of Disney Parks’ Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge—is now open at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. Star Wars Insider discovers how the groundbreaking new attraction was created by Disney’s incredible Imagineers.

WORDS: TARA BENNETT

STAR WARS INSIDER / 47 RISE OF THE RESISTANCE

01

n both Star Wars: one of the most cutting-edge and 02 Galaxy’s Edge ambitious attractions ever created I lands, which by Disney’s Imagineers, who opened worked tirelessly with Lucasfi lm to in California and bring fans a live Star Wars action- Florida during adventure unlike anything in the 2019, there has been a mysterious galaxy. And the entire endeavor corner of the Batuu landscape has been years in the making. that has thus far remained totally John Larena, executive inaccessible. Somewhere beyond creative director at Walt Disney a Resistance gun turret, obscured Imagineering, has been on the by trees and overshadowed by ground level of Rise, designing, the unique rocky landscape, a planning, testing, and building it deserted, winding pathway has since 2014, after Disney bought led… to what? Lucasfi lm in 2012 and started Now, all has been revealed with kicking around Star Wars theme the opening of the immersive park ideas. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance “There have been a lot of experience, fi rst at Florida’s Walt ideas for character greetings, for Disney World Resort on December other attractions, and even ride 5, 2019, and then at Disneyland systems,” Larena reveals to Star Resort in California, on January Wars Insider. During these early 17, 2020. Rise of the Resistance is discussions came suggestions, including simply meeting Darth Vader, which evolved into more “Rey is asking you to join complex notions, such as guests in on this mission. She being captured and taken aboard tells you, ‘We’ve got a the Death Star, where Vader would interrogate them. “The seed of an ship out here. It’s fueled. idea got planted, and an outgrowth It’s ready. Let’s go!” of that is a construct of what now

48 / STAR WARS INSIDER RISE OF THE RESISTANCE

ENRICHING THE EDGE

Margaret Kerrison, managing story editor at Walt Disney Imagineering, and story lead for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, is one of the key minds behind the land. She worked with the story and visual teams at Lucasfi lm to integrate Batuu into the ever-expanding movie mythology. In particular, she 03 worked with the Lucasfi lm Story Group to support vital story elements in the narrative of Rise of the Resistance. happens in Rise of the Resistance,” “The Resistance has set up “We knew that there were Larena explains. “You are captured certain characters who were aboard a Star Destroyer, you are shop in ancient ruins that very popular with the fans, given the third degree by Kylo Ren and we wanted to include were originally created by them as much as possible,” in an interrogation cell, and then Kerrison says. “So, we worked as soon as he leaves, you get broken a long gone civilization.” diligently and had to be very out of that cell by Resistance spies resourceful in how we could integrate these characters into that get you off that ship.” was up to us not to drop the ball our attractions. There was a lot the second you get in our queue, so of piggybacking on The Force Breaking the Concept you’re not saying to yourself, ‘Okay, Awakens when they were shooting in London.” Figuring out how to implement now I’m in a line.’” There’s also an active such cool ideas logistically, in the Instead, in story terms, the desire to ensure that Galaxy’s real world, proved to be something queue is all about leading guests Edge remains as exciting as of a conundrum, and Larena and into a Resistance encampment. possible for guests over the years. Asked if there could be his fellow Imagineers spent years “The Resistance has set up shop in unexpected changes to the coming up with a way to make ancient ruins that were originally narrative of the attractions and such an experience repeatable, created by a long gone civilization, world over time, Kerrison was very enthusiastic. based around a ride system that and they brought in all their “When we feel the need, would allow audiences to be in modern tech into these old, or we get a sense from our the thick of the action. 01 A Star carved-out rooms,” Larena says. guests that they want us to “Having all these different Destroyer “Right there, you start the story tell new stories, we always hangar consider that,” she explains. things happening is really makes for with a very familiar thing. As “We always think about how crucial,” Larena explains, an impressive we’ve seen in Star Wars: A New we can make our attractions “because that breaks the transition in Hope (1977), and the other Star and our experiences feel fresh Rise of the and surprising. That’s what concept of an attraction, and it Resistance. Wars movies, there’s this really we do so well at Walt Disney becomes more of an experience interesting dichotomy of military Imagineering. We always want 02 The queue, to make our guests feel that that could be upwards of 12 to which passes tech that’s brought in and stapled they have something new 15 minutes long.” through a onto ancient temple walls. You’re to discover. We’re already In reality, Rise is a quarter Resistance like, ‘Gosh, this really feels like base, is as talking about how we can of an hour long, but the much a part A New Hope. This really feels enrich Galaxy’s Edge as much overall story actually begins of the overall like The Force Awakens.’ And as we can, knowing what’s going to happen in The Rise of the moment a guest enters experience as then, while you’re in that line, the attraction Skywalker. This land is always the Black Spire Outpost area. itself. you’re starting to hear all of these going to evolve, because “You’re truly in this story,” communications—between fl ights Batuu is a living outpost, and it 03 A Resistance should grow with the stories of Larena says of this immersive, transport and landings, and droid repair Star Wars.” all-encompassing world. “It awaits. shops. You can tell there’s

STAR WARS INSIDER / 49 RISE OF THE RESISTANCE

activity going on, and they’re out, and there is a ship waiting for gearing up for something. And you. You actually board the ship. we’re a part of that something.” It’s really a moment that comes to As an aside, Larena shares that life for you.” one of the only differences between This transition is one of Larena’s the Orlando and Anaheim Rise of favorite sections of the attraction. the Resistance experiences is the “That was a bucket list thing for queue, which is expanded in Florida. me,” he adds. “You have to go up “Because of the Florida climate, we the ramp, so you’re really on that built more of a covered queue there. ship. And, then you get captured. If you go through We’re really tapping the standby queue in “There are so into that same dread Florida, you’ll actually of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s go through some many things famous line, ‘That’s different rooms before to see, you no moon!’ You’ve your mission briefi ng. gotten yourself tractor But that’s the only will have to beamed by the First difference between the ride this again Order. Your whole attractions on each of and again ship is there. What are the two coasts.” you going to do now? and again.” You have to think on That’s No Moon your feet, how are you Continuing on, the ancient tunnels going to get out of this? Now, we’re lead guests to an encounter with Rey tapping into Princess Leia and Han (Daisy Ridley), who explains that the Solo being quick-witted. The way Resistance needs our help and we’re they fi gured out how to get off the going off-planet. Larena says that Death Star, you’ve got to fi gure a this call to action harkens back to way to get off this Star Destroyer 05 the moment we see Luke Skywalker before things get even worse and on Tatooine in A New Hope, looking in the meantime help out the out to the twin suns and wishing for good guys.” 06 adventures of his own. Larena is also very happy with “We’re tapping into that with the hangar bay. “Every movie this attraction,” he enthuses. “Rey touches on just how imposing the is asking you to get involved in this bad guys are, that they can build mission. She tells you, ‘We’ve got a these huge hangars, at that scale. ship out here. It’s fueled. It’s ready. So, including that, and having 50 Let’s go!” Doors open, you walk stormtroopers standing at attention

04

07

50 / STAR WARS INSIDER until we’d built it to go in there and program things. Thanks to pre-visualization technology, we’ve been able to actually experience it with a VR headset on, to work it out and program all of this stuff in advance. For example, we might ask, “Does it make sense to blow out that hole in the wall before this gunfi re happens, and before this character says this line?” Getting all of that choreography done in VR in advance has allowed us to pack more stuff in and have enough time to choreograph it perfectly for our guests.” And while all of the bells and whistles are impressive, Larena says the ultimate goal is to give guests repeated experiences that are forever illuminating. “A big takeaway for me has always been Pirates of the Caribbean,” he says of the classic Disneyland attraction. “It’s been around for quite a while. People still love to ride it, and every time I’ve ridden it, there’s always at least one thing that I’ve never noticed before. There are so many elements in Pirates, and that’s in that hangar bay, it’s always been the Star Destroyer, and how big 04 Two AT-ATs part of its allure. So, it was really a dream of mine.” the room containing the AT-AT make their important for us to make Rise of intimidating From this point, Rise of the walkers is.” presence felt. the Resistance just as rich, with so Resistance morphs into something many details in the sets, and in the 05 Rise of the else again, moving away from Virtually Real Resistance dialogue and the special effects. the Resistance recruits traveling Another secret weapon for Rise takes guests There are so many things to see, independently on foot and entering of the Resistance has been the into space on you will have to ride this again and a dangerous the second ride system portion of integration of virtual reality mission. again and again. You’ll always be the experience, which operates (VR) into the development picking up certain nuances of what using a unique trackless system. and timing of the fi nal 06 There are happened. And depending on what several story “These are the fi rst trackless experience. “This attraction segments side of the vehicle you’re on, you’ll vehicles to be so low to the ground, has an unprecedented amount during the go, ‘Oh wow, I never noticed that experience . and that’s a really big deal,” of triggered effects, triggered we were orbiting over this planet Larena explains. “Up until now, animation, triggered media,” 07 Trackless and you can see it out the window our trackless systems were built Larena discloses. “There are vehicles below you,’ or ‘I never noticed that whizz guests pretty high off the ground. So, so many things happening through the ship spiraled out of control and hit there’s this detachment of scale in every scene, and they’re adventure. that ship, which hit that ship, and because you’re so much higher up. happening in quick succession. created this whole chain reaction.’” You can’t imagine that you could In the past, we would have gone Larena says the greatest reward ever mimic whizzing down the into these scenes and worked out is seeing the expressions on the hallways of a Star Destroyer if your the timing while we’re in the scene. faces of guests after they fi nish their vehicle puts your head 8 feet high. At most, there would be about fi ve Rise of the Resistance experience. Nothing’s going to scale out right. to ten things to time in total.” “People are just blown away,” he But, having a vehicle so low to the In contrast, Rise of the enthuses. “When I see their jaws ground, like a go-kart almost, your Resistance has around thirty-fi ve drop in person, it feels really good. feet are literally nine inches above to forty different events that have It’s just a wonderful feeling to see the fl oor. That allowed us to bring to happen in quick succession that look in people’s eyes when the scale, very, very close to reality during some sequences. “There’d they exit the attraction. That’s of how big these corridors are on be no way that we could wait exactly the look I’m looking for.”

STAR WARS INSIDER / 51 COMICS: DOCTOR APHRA

GOING GREEN THE GREEDO STORY

52 / STAR WARS INSIDER GOING GREEN

For Han Solo, bounty ndirectly, Paul Blake has the hunter Greedo was I casting director little more than on a Christmas special of classic an unwelcome British childrens’ distraction during television series Jackanory to thank for his role as Greedo in a stop-off in the Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). infamous Mos Eisley Performing alongside him was an actor who would soon become Cantina. But for Star internationally famous for playing Wars fans the ill-fated C-3PO—actor Anthony Daniels. and there was nobody there apart “Tony was playing a prince from this guy in the far corner, so showdown cemented and I was playing a hunchbacked I went up to him and said, ‘My the Rodian’s place in minstrel,” recalls Blake. “A week name’s Paul. You couldn’t get me a the saga’s galactic after we’d fi nished, he rang me at cup of coffee, could you? I’ve just home and said, ‘I’m doing this sci-fi come from London and I haven’t fi rmament. fi lm and the director’s asked me if I had any breakfast or anything.’ He Insider recently know of any other character-actors went off, got me a cup of coffee who are around who could do a and handed it to me. I asked him, caught up with the bit in it. Would you be interested?’ ‘Do you know anything about two actors who Like every other young actor of the the movie they’re shooting here? time I was desperate for work, so I’m here to see somebody called originally played him: I said, ‘Yeah, if I’m being paid, I’ll Geoffrey or George something,’ and Paul Blake and Maria be there.’” he said, ‘I’m George Lucas.’ Blake turned up a week later at “That was my fi rst introduction De Aragon. Elstree Studios and walked onto an to George, and for some reason he all-but empty set. “It wasn’t a set at still gave me the job!” INTERVIEWS: all really, it was a soundstage with MARK NEWBOLD & a lot of sand and arc lights,” he Going Somewhere, Solo? PAT JANKIEWICZ says. “It was early in the morning Three weeks later, Blake received a copy of the script in the mail and took a look to see how much he was in it, “Like every actor does when you get a few scenes!” he laughs. “I read it and didn’t think much more about it until about a month later. Incidentally, I’ve still got that script to this day. It’s somewhere up in the attic.” The actor was called down to the movie’s wardrobe department at Elstree where make-up artists

STAR WARS INSIDER / 53 GOING GREEN

“I thought all my bits would be the ones that I did with the original .” Paul Blake

Stuart and Kay Freeborn took a 01 life mask. “In those days they put plaster of Paris on your face at the front and the back, which solidifi ed and formed the shape of your head,” says Blake, explaining the process. “Then they put the halves together and poured in some Indian rubber solution which, when it set, formed the basic shape of your head that fi nished below the neck. Then Stuart, as he did for all those other creatures in the cantina, had to come up with yet another alien.” Greedo’s cantina appearance wasn’t actually his fi rst to be fi lmed, as Blake was required to play the Rodian on the Docking Bay 94 set, in the scene featuring Jabba the Hutt, which only became part of A New Hope when the special edition was released, two decades later. Then, after George cut those scenes, the actor decided to ask his director “I thought all my bits would all that was left was the one I’d for some guidance. “Because I was be the ones that I did with the done with , which I such an earnest young actor, I went original Jabba the Hutt, Declan think we fi lmed late on a Friday. I up to George on the fi rst day of Mulholland,” says Blake. “I had two know the crew wanted to get home, shooting,” smiles Blake. “I said, or three scenes with Declan and Sir absolutely annoyed they had to do ‘George, how do you want me to Alec Guinness, before we shot the this scene that had taken all day to play this alien, because there’s lots cantina scene. I didn’t really pay set up.” of ways to do it.’ And he looked at too much attention to it because Blake fi lmed his scenes before me for about a minute and said, I thought I’d be in the other bits. the character even had a name, and ‘Play it like they do in the movies.’ Which was, of course, the best

02 advice anyone could possibly get!” Unlucky Greedo With numerous edits over the years, determining whether Solo or Greedo shot fi rst has become something of a talking point among fans. What may surprise people is that not everything was decided even when the scene was originally, ahem, shot. “They didn’t have any idea how they were going to kill me off, and neither did George until Peter Diamond, the special effects chap, said, ‘Why don’t we do the scene up to the point where Paul is shot by Harrison and put a dummy in Paul’s seat, and fi ll it

54 / STAR WARS INSIDER GOING GREEN

03 with explosives. We’ll blow the 01 Paul Blake’s Having completed his scenes, “We all thought dummy up, take the costume first scene on Blake left the studio and continued set as Greedo off the dummy, and put it back ended up on his career, oblivious to the huge that would be the on Paul so he can do the shot the cutting sensation that Star Wars would room floor. where he dies. So that’s exactly become. “I never thought anything last we’d see of what we did, but of course they 02 Blake is more about it,” he admits. “As soon nearly blew up half the set!” helped into as we’d fi nished, we couldn’t wait any of it. No one had his Greedo After the set was gloves and to leave and get on to the next job, any expectations.” reconstructed, a second take mask for his because we all thought that would was fi lmed—as quickly as first scene. be the last we’d see of any of it. No Paul Blake possible, as the crew were eager 03 Rehearsing one had any expectations.” to fi nish for the day. “Eventually the infamous However, Greedo’s story was face-off we redid the shot, and they between far from over, as Lucas eventually reshoots, a local U.S. actor was immediately ripped the costume Greedo decided to reshoot some of the sought to don the costume for the off the dummy, brushed it (Blake) and Rodian’s close ups later at Industrial additional shots at ILM’s studio, Han Solo with incense—which stank to (Harrison Light & Magic in California. “My and American actor Maria De high heaven—and pumped it Ford) mask wasn’t animatronic,” explains Aragon was cast. around the set to make it look Blake. “It was solid, very rigid, and De Aragon made her name like smoke,” Blake remembers. the ears didn’t rotate or anything appearing in a string of action- “Then they poured a bit of acid like that. They didn’t shoot any packed B-movies that saw her play on the back of the costume and close-ups of it with me because it everything from a kick-ass femme put me back into it while it was wouldn’t move, so I was mostly in fatale saving the Earth from alien still smoking with all this stuff. the long shots.” invaders in The Cremators (1972) Because the costume was still on fi re to the kung-fu heroine of cult I just slumped forward and died. I Greedo Take Two movie Wonder Women (1973). couldn’t wait to get out of it!” With Blake unavailable for the However, when she accepted a

STAR WARS INSIDER / 55 GOING GREEN

04

small role in A New Hope, little did actor reveals. “Anthony Daniels “They said: ‘Good news— she realize the ardent following it was going to be unavailable for would earn her. some pickup shots, so they needed we have you in mind for “As an actress, I would ask the someone to stand in for him good Lord to help me get a part in during second unit fi lming. After your very own monster!’” a fi lm of some importance,” she I interviewed for the C-3PO fi ll-in Maria De Aragon admits, before adding with a giggle, job, they showed me some of his “Of course, when that did happen, mannerisms so I could match them I was wearing an insect alien mask if needed.” and costume.” She’s also happy to However, it was at that point keep me posted if they needed me admit that it was pure luck that that fate intervened, in the form of in the future.” brought the role to her. a horrifi c car crash that shocked the Thankfully, Hamill recovered “When they were fi lming A entire production to its core. from his injuries fully and the New Hope, I was a working actress, situation eventually worked out trying to join the Screen Actors Greedo Take Two for everybody. De Aragon got Guild,” she explains. “My friend “I was ready to fi lm, but then Mark the news she had been hoping George E. Mather was working for Hamill had a car accident,” De for. “I suddenly got a call from Industrial Light & Magic, and he Aragon remembers. “It was early production,” she shares. “They thought there was something for in the morning—about 6 a.m. We said: ‘Good news—we have you me in Star Wars. He thought I was were supposed to go shoot pickup in mind for your very own the right size for a creature or robot. shots in the desert as the call came character! If you come on in, “They didn’t approach me for about Mark being badly injured we’ll outfi t you.’ I was very excited Greedo—originally, I was supposed in the car crash. Shooting was to hear that, and that’s how I to do something as C-3PO,” the canceled. They told me they would became Greedo.”

56 / STAR WARS INSIDER GOING GREEN

05 06 04 George Lucas adds gloop to Greedo’s snout during reshoots.

05 The original Greedo mask and hands.

06 The lenses were the final element of the Greedo makeup to be applied.

07 Greedo is prepared for the camera on the Mos Eisley Cantina set.

Since the original round of fi lming, makeup artists Rick Baker and Rob Bottin had found a way to further articulate Greedo’s head and make it more expressive, with a moving mouth and antenna. “That mask was really interesting,” the actress recalls. “But I didn’t do his voice because he wasn’t supposed to be female. They had a weird, alien voice planned for him.” However, once on set, it wasn’t all plain sailing. Filming her scenes 07 with just a small crew, the FX team and George Lucas, the actor found herself challenged in a way she had real trouble. There’s a famous shot “I liked Greedo. He never expected when she ran into of George with me in the Greedo diffi culties in the suit. mask, but you can see I’m wearing was misunderstood!” “Mr. Lucas actually helped pink pumps!” De Aragon laughs me when I had trouble,” she as she recalls, “George liked the Maria De Aragon reveals. “Something happened hand gestures I was making when I while I was wearing the Greedo was in trouble, so he had me keep suit. The mask was ever so tight doing them!” the world, say to me, ‘I had your around my neck and throat, and it Despite the brevity of her tenure action fi gure!’ It is incredible to was hard to breathe. They wanted on the fi lm, the actress looks back think that you’re immortalised in me to do the dialogue and, at on her Star Wars moment with plastic forever,” laughs Paul Blake, the same time, breathe through a great fondness. “It was fun,” she who shares De Aragon’s fondness straw. At one point, there wasn’t says with a smile. “I have a Greedo for the character. “I’ve been very enough air coming through and action fi gure in my house, and it’s lucky. I’ve had a great career, been I started gasping for breath and a nice reminder of my Star Wars in many plays in the West End, making gestures. George Lucas saw experience. I liked Greedo. He was worked all over the world, but on what was happening and sent a misunderstood!” my tombstone it will read ‘Here lies prop man over to get me an oxygen “Everybody I meet, all over Greedo. He shot fi rst,’ but on the tank. For a moment there, I was in the United States and around back it will say ‘Or did he..?’

STAR WARS INSIDER / 57 The Clone Wars pitted Jedi Knights and clone troopers against ’s clanking droid army. Test your knowledge of the heroes and villains who participated in the epic struggle that ended with the creation of the Galactic Empire. Compiled by Jay Stobie

“FOR EVERYTHING YOU GAIN, YOU LOSE SOMETHING ELSE.” Folllow thee warr’s devastatiing effectss as batttles raage accross the galaxyy and heroees emergge on bothh sides.

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE SEPARATISTS AND THE SECRETIVE SITH THE JEDI MASTERS AND THE REPUBLIC THEIR PADAWANS 1: Who forged a special bond 6: Which ship did Admiral 11: Which Jedi Master fi rst with clones Trench command as part of brought a young Ahsoka Waxer and the Separatist blockade in Tano to Coruscant to begin Boil in “Cat and Mouse?” her Jedi training? “Innocents A/ Invincible A/ Qui-Gon Jinn of Ryloth?” B/ Malevolence B/ Plo Koon A/ Shaak Ti C/ Resolute C/ Anakin Skywalker B/ Hera D/ Valiant D/ C/ Numa 8: Who betrayed the Republic D/ Aayla during the Umbaran campaign? 12: Who A/ Captain Tarkin attempted to 2: Which legion did clone B/ General Krell kill Ahsoka Captain Rex serve in? C/ Admiral Yularen Tano and A/ 41st D/ Commander Cody several B/ 212th younglings in C/ 501st 9: General Grievous maintained “ Hunt?” D/ 607th his personal stronghold on a A/ Aurra Sing moon orbiting which planet? B/ Trandoshans 3: Where did a small group A/ Sullust C/ of clones valiantly defend B/ D/ an outpost in “Rookies?” C/ Devaron A/ The oceans of Kamino D/ Vassek 13: Obi-Wan Kenobi faked his B/ The forest moon of Endor 7: Count Dooku’s apprentices, own death so that he could C/ Ord Plutonia and Savage 10: Even as the war continued, go undercover as which D/ The Rishi moon Opress, both hailed from who did Senator Mina Bonteri bounty hunter? which planet? remain friends with? A/ Rako Hardeen 4: Who acted as a source of A/ Geonosis A/ Obi-Wan Kenobi B/ inspiration for B/ Coruscant B/ Anakin Skywalker C/ Bossk the clones C/ Christophsis C/ Padmé Amidala D/ Moralo Eval on Kamino D/ Dathomir D/ Ahsoka Tano in “ARC 14: Who took part in the Troopers?” attack on the Jedi Temple A/ Clone 00 in “Sabotage?” B/ Clone 66 A/ Luminara Unduli C/ Clone 99 B/ Kit Fisto D/ Clone 100 C/ Barriss Offee D/ Nahdar Vebb 5: Which clone commander assisted Luminara Unduli 15: On which planet does aboard the Tranquility in Anakin receive visions of his “Cloak of Darkness?” dark future? A/ Cody A/ Mortis B/ Gree B/ C/ Wolffe C/ D/ Bly D/ Tatooine

58 / STAR WARS INSIDER “TRUTH CAN STRIKE DOWN THE SPECTER OF FEAR.” Reccall whiich faan-favvorite ccharacterss from Thhe Cloone WWars sppoke thesee memmorablle lines:

1. “THE PRICE FOR JUST ONE WOULD MAKE A MAN RICH... AND WE ALL KNOW HOW MUCH I LIKE TO BE RICH.”

2. “WELL, THIS IS A FINE 3. “If we try to take MESS YOU ‘MECHS Mandalore by force, our GOT US INTO.” people will turn against us.” 4. “I WAS SET UP AND DECEIVED, AS YOU ARE BEING DECEIVED NOW!” 5. “We are brothers. The true Lords of the Sith.”

“NEVER GIVE UP HOPE, NO MATTER HOW DARK THINGS SEEM.” Idenntifyy theese leadeers whoo diligently guidedd theiir folloowers throuughouut the war:

1. 2. 3. 4.

Senator Amidala. Senator Yoda, Master Satine, 4

3 HAVE YOU PAID ATTENTION TO THE LESSONS TAUGHT

Duchess Duchess Farr, Senator

2 1

“NEVER GIVE UP HOPE, NO MATTER HOW DARK THINGS SEEM.” SEEM.” THINGS DARK HOW MATTER NO HOPE, UP GIVE “NEVER THROUGHOUT THE CLONE WARS? Darth Maul. Darth Tano, Ahsoka Vizsla, Pre

5 4

3 0-9 Colonel Gascon, Gascon, Colonel Ohnaka, Hondo 2 1 “TRUTH CAN STRIKE DOWN THE SPECTER OF FEAR.” FEAR.” OF SPECTER THE DOWN STRIKE CAN “TRUTH A failure in planning is a plan for failure, so try to plan better next time.

A. C, A, B, B, C, D, B, D, A, B, C, D, C, C, 10-19 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 QUIZ Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Not bad, but keep studying. 20-24 Courage begins by trusting oneself, and so does knowledge. Well done!

STAR WARS INSIDER / 59 ENFY NEST AND THE CLOUD-RIDERS

Enfys Nest and the Cloud-Riders Who was the young woman masquerading as a criminal marauder, and what was she fi ghting for? Insider investigates the life of Enfys Nest, as revealed in Solo: A Star Wars Story and beyond.

WORDS: MEGAN CROUSE

60 / STAR WARS INSIDER ENFY NEST AND THE CLOUD-RIDERS

efore the Galactic Civil War, against greedy, power-hungry people like Dryden the Rebellion was scattered Vos, who destroyed the lives and livelihoods of B underground. Most rebels the people of Savareen, and had no interest in didn’t know a wider anti- explaining her motivations to the smugglers who Imperial network existed. she saw as trying to steal from her. Only when it Some people who might later became advantageous for her to work with Han have called themselves rebels looked more like did she reveal anything, and then purely because scoundrels, stealing from the rich and giving to she had the upper hand. the downtrodden. Nest also wanted to carry on the legacy begun It was into this time of by her mother, who led the chaos that Enfys Nest appeared. Cloud-Riders before her. While Inheriting her helmet and Enfys Nest wants details surrounding Enfys armor from her mother, she to strike not Nest’s mother’s life were largely also inherited a leadership role unknown, one fact seemed to in the Cloud-Riders, a band against the ring true: she defi nitely instilled of freedom fi ghters who lived in her daughter a desire to in the shadows at the edge of Empire directly, fi ght. Nest also had a score society. In Solo: A Star Wars but against those to settle. Her homeworld was Story (2018), the Cloud-Riders terrorized by many criminal were introduced trying to take who would live by organizations, including down the criminal organization Crimson Dawn. Crimson Dawn. Their battle for dark principles in Nest’s armor was both a valuable fuel coaxium brought the underworld. practical necessity and a symbol them into both confl ict and of her cause. Keenly aware of uneasy alliance with Han Solo how her young age was likely to and . Nest’s role in Solo helped to make enemies underestimate her or move swiftly illustrate how Han learned not to trust easily, and against her, she completely obscured her identity was one of his early experiences with someone behind her mask. A vocoder box disguised her actively fi ghting against greed and corruption. voice, making it hard for anyone to ascertain her Enfys Nest wanted to strike not against the age, gender, or appearance. Empire directly, but against those who would live One of the most striking, but also easiest to by dark principles in the underworld. She fought miss, elements of Nest’s armor was the poetry

STAR WARS INSIDER / 61 ENFY NEST AND THE CLOUD-RIDERS

01 have to go through her electroripper staff Nest’s true fi rst. The weapon was motivations strong enough to destroy metal, and her and more than a match for the most struggle deadly opponent. against Beyond the impossible Last Edge: Nest’s Hidden odds were History things Han Before the events of Solo, Nest built would long a reputation as a remember. fearsome raider who only attacked powerful, guilty targets. One of her earliest 02 missions was a raid against an Imperial cache, where she stole medical-grade spice, destined for use in emergency kits and doctors’ packs. The cache also included raw spice that could have been sold for a high price on the black market. The Cloud-Riders didn’t touch this raw spice, leaving an Imperial agent who investigated the incident to wonder whether the attack was meant to support a military group with ideological stances against selling raw spice on the black market, such as the nascent Rebellion. Nest and her crew lived in the shadows for 03 years, sometimes getting other people to do their dirty work. In Solo, Tobias Beckett recognized Enfys because of a previous confrontation. Posing as Beckett’s employer Dryden Vos, Nest once tricked Beckett into stealing blank identichips from an underworld slicer for her. Once he completed the mission, Nest took him prisoner and demanded the identichips. This time, Nest failed, and Beckett destroyed the contraband in his successful escape. While the story never told us what Nest wanted to do with those blank chips, it’s possible they were connected to her work for the Rebellion. Forging Imperial identities would help rebels get into secure facilities or learn secret information. 01 Nest wields printed across her helmet. Reading “Until we The most obvious connection between the her deadly reach the last edge, the last opening, the last Cloud-Riders and the early Rebellion came when electroripper staff during the Vandor star, and can go no higher,” it illustrated her Nest met . As revealed in the Solo conveyex heist. determination. It’s unknown whether these were novelization, Nest’s plan all along was to sell the 02 The Cloud-Riders verses precious to her mother, or were chosen by coaxium to the rebel extremist. Gerrera’s violent and Tobias Enfys for their meaning or their context. Ether methods didn’t line up with the wider Rebellion, Beckett’s gang vie way, they were part of a fearsome ensemble. but he shared Nest’s goal to bring down the greedy for posession of the stolen coaxium. Behind the poetry her armor extended out into and cruel organizations of the galaxy. rigid spikes. These, like the extendable fi ns on her Years later, would be the leader of the 03 The threatening gauntlets, were made of beskar: an alloy forged team that brought the Death Star plans to the masked visage of Enfys Nest. by the Mandalorian people that was capable of Rebel Alliance. Erso was Saw’s ward when she and withstanding a glancing blow from a lightsaber. Nest fi rst met, thrown into war at an even earlier But anything trying to get to Enfys’ armor would age than the Cloud-Rider. For her part, Enfys saw

62 / STAR WARS INSIDER ENFY NEST AND THE CLOUD-RIDERS

something of herself in Jyn Erso—someone who wasn’t able to have a normal, peaceful childhood. The war stole that opportunity from both of them. She also saw Erso as another who would be underestimated because of her age. While they only interacted during a brief conversation, it was intense, and ended with Erso telling Nest that Saw would underestimate her, too. Jyn Erso’s advice wasn’t the only sign of tension between Nest and Gerrera. They disagreed on the use of the coaxium, revealing some of Nest’s reservations about the methods she had been forced by circumstance to support. Saw believed he was doing the best thing to destroy the Empire. Nest wasn’t so sure. A Matter of Trust One aspect of the storytelling in Solo was to connect the young smuggler with Han’s characterization in A New Hope. More specifi cally, it sought to understand how Han could desert his THE CLOUD-RIDERS friends as the rebels prepared their assault on the Death Star, only to came back at the last minute Enfys Nest’s team was made up of a diverse group of humans and aliens, many from worlds Nest’s gang helped liberate. Believed to have been formed by to do the right thing and save the day. It boiled Enfys’ mother, the Cloud-Riders differentiated themselves from other gangs down to Han having trouble putting his trust in with their signature swoop bikes. Their home base was the starship Aerie, a anyone other than Chewbacca—and during the carrier vessel. Also known as the marauders, they would drop from their ship period when he encountered Enfys Nest, Solo’s on their modifi ed rides to bear down on their enemies like birds of prey. While their work led them to act as smugglers or pirates depending on the ability to trust anyone was tested to the absolute needs of each mission, they were not motivated by profi t alone. Enfys Nest and breaking point. her mother ensured that the group targeted only criminals and the Empire, or Beckett and Qi’ra both betrayed Han for those who enabled its vile domination of the galaxy. different reasons: Qi’ra to secure power and

For her part, Nest saw fi nancial success as a crime lord, and Beckett to sell the coaxium and retire. From them, something of herself Han learned to suspect anyone who appeared to be a friend. Nest, initially portrayed as an in Jyn Erso—someone aggressor and certainly not to be trusted, turned who wasn’t able to out to be one of the less untrustworthy characters 04 Unmasked, Enfys in the movie. Surrounded by scoundrels and have a normal, Nest (Erin desperate people since childhood, the Corellian Kellyman) rallies had never met anyone as loyal and determined peaceful childhood. the Cloud-Riders. to help others as Enfys Nest. The reveal of Nest’s true motivations and her struggle against 04 impossible odds were things Han would long remember, and recognize in Leia and Luke several years later. Despite her youthful age, Nest had never been shielded from witnessing the horrors of war fi rst- hand. All her life, she had been among people who believed that sometimes they had to do violence in order to prevent further violence down the line. But, as her conversation with Saw showed, Nest had moral lines that she would not cross. Like Han Solo, she grew up knowing it was essential to fi ght to survive. That need had forged her into a formidable warrior, and one who understood that power must not be used to oppress others, but to aid the oppressed.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 63 STAR WARS KIDS

Lucasfi lm’s James Waugh explains how Star Wars Kids, the online home of Star Wars content aimed at younger fans, is bringing the saga to the next generation.

WORDS: KRISTIN BAVER

64 / STAR WARS INSIDER STAR WARS KIDS

01 Star Wars: Galaxy of 01 Adventures takes scenes and characters from the movies and reanimates them for a new generation of fans.

he fi rst time curiosity to astonishment and then at imaginary opponents and Luke Skywalker unabashed joy. His blond hair is pretending to fi ght like a well- T gripped the hilt windswept as he’s quite literally trained Jedi Knight. of his father’s blown away by the power of the “I think what makes Star Wars lightsaber and Force, and he does what any kid so magical is that sense of wonder. ignited the (or, let’s be honest, adult) would The awe and exploration,” says blade, his destiny shifted, new do in that moment—he begins to James Waugh, Lucasfi lm’s vice possibilities forming before his leap around, swinging the blade president for franchise content eyes. We all know well the look and strategy. For more than a year, of wonder on Luke’s face in Star Waugh has helped lead the charge Wars: A New Hope as he presses “i tH nK wH t as a new generation of fans have that button and sees the weapon   begun to discover the saga through of a Jedi come to life in his own mAeS STr Star Wars Kids, the online home two hands. of a galaxy of kid-friendly content But in translating the emotion WAs S MgIaL including Galaxy of Adventures, of the scene for a new generation, the adorably stylized Roll Out the minds behind the Star Wars iS tHt eNe shorts, and other educational Galaxy of Adventures shorts tried oF wO dE . offerings that provide a gentle something altogether new. In avenue for younglings to take their the animated short, the dialogue TH Ae nD fi rst steps into the larger world of remains the same, but onscreen the Star Wars saga. The site aims a young Luke’s face shifts from eXlOaToN.” to capture the emotional pull that

STAR WARS INSIDER / 65 STAR WARS KIDS

acts as the beating heart of Star between young fans and the sequel moments. Waugh notes that the Wars storytelling and bottle it in trilogy—the adventures of Rey, series takes great pains to treat bite-sized installments that can be Finn, Poe, and BB-8, fi ghting for even the most iconic scene without easily understood and absorbed by justice against Kylo Ren and the spoilers, giving young viewers viewers 12 and under. First Order—with a new run of 18 a chance to discover the twists And although the Skywalker individual shorts set in the age and reveals for themselves when saga is now complete on fi lm, with of the Resistance. “We’re going they watch the fi lms later. And the epic conclusion in Star Wars: to celebrate the friendship of Poe there’s a companion series, Galaxyxyy The Rise of Skywalker in theaters and Finn. We’re going to celebrate of Adventures Fun Facts, which now, for many young fans the Leia Organa and the fact that she takes an even deeper dive into journey is only beginning. has been a mentor to so many of , droids, aliens and otherer the heroes,” Waugh says. And, of topics new fans will surely have lotsts A Whole Galaxy of course, there will be no shortage of of questions about, a crash course Adventures bad guys, he adds, promising “lots in the imaginative creations that The fi rst 24 installments of of Kylo Ren.” makes Star Wars so unique. Galaxy of Adventures focused Three of the shorts will be on introducing classic characters focused on a planet children and Rolling Out Imagination and essential information to little their families can visit on Earth Star Wars Kids offers children and ones who had never seen a Star —Batuu, the home of Black Spire parents alike the chance to embrace Wars movie. Opening with a short Outpost inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s new ways of making Star Wars theirr introducing Luke Skywalker, the Edge at Disneyland and Walt own. Waugh says the platform moisture farmer who embraced his Disney World resorts. The themed has given creators the liberty to destiny and his heritage to become land exists at the same point in try new things that the standard a Jedi Master, the series went on to constraints of in-world storytelling establish other essential original just can’t provide, with the benefi t trilogy characters like R2-D2, “te lAfOm of real-time feedback online. “The Princess Leia, Darth Vader, and freedom to experiment,” he says, Boba Fett. But much more than an gAe s hE “seeing what’s working and what’s animated character encyclopedia, fReDm o aY not. And then integrating that into the shorts introduced important our thought process as far as what’s moments like the Rebellion’s lE’S tR Nw next for us.” successful X-wing attack on the fi rst In Star Wars Roll Out, stylistic Death Star, enduring relationships sTlE O animated versions of Rey, like the unbreakable bond between ST r aR .” Chewbacca, BB-8, and other Chewbacca and Han Solo, and  beloved characters looking very even tackled generation-spanning similar in shape to Poe Dameron’s confl icts like the struggle between the Star Wars timeline, nestled on one-of-a-kind orange and white the Jedi and the Sith, an essential an Outer Rim planet that’s home droid take viewers on all-new piece of lore for new fans seeking to smugglers and rogues peddling adventures. “I think we’re always to understand the allure of the their wares and has only recently looking from a certain perspective: saga. “It is a unique style and begun to see activity from the through the lens of kids,” Waugh expression of Star Wars,” Waugh Resistance and the First Order. says. “This is defi nitely a younger says, focused more on the emotions The shorts will explore the fi ction expression of Star Wars.” the story evokes than authentically behind the park’s two attractions, The end result is pure visual capturing an animated version of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance storytelling grounded by universal what plays out on fi lm. “Luke gets and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers themes, a way to ensure that his lightsaber, turns it on, wind Run, Waugh says, from a different these shorts can reach the global blows through his hair. It’s exciting. perspective. And the spectacle of audience that embraces the Star Overblown. That’s not the way that Batuu itself will be introduced from Wars galaxy without being bogged scene happened in the fi lm. But the the special point of view of a pint- down by expansive explanation style of the animation creates a sort sized visitor just arriving on the and dialogue. of handshake with the viewer who planet, hoping to capture some of “The platform gave us the accepts that it’s an exaggeration, the excitement of a child seeing the freedom to say let’s try new styles that it’s okay it is different because park in real life for the fi rst time. of Star Wars. Let’s have fun with it it’s about the authenticity of the Plus, with the 40th anniversary in a way that our mythic, canonical feeling, and it’s absolutely true of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes storytelling couldn’t,” Waugh says to the kid perspective.” Back on the horizon, there will be of the shorts. “Star Wars Kids When the series returns in at least a few new shorts centered allowed for the opportunity for 2020, it will help bridge the gap on the fi lm’s characters and key experimentation.”

66 / STAR WARS INSIDER STAR WARS KIDS

02

02 Let’s Draw Star Wars encourages younglings to express their artistic side.

03 Star Wars Roll Out explores the characters of Star Wars in an entirely unique way.

03

STAR WARS INSIDER / 67 STAR WARS KIDS

04

04 Kids with an interest in science and engineering will love Galactic Builders.

05 Let’s Make Star Wars sees two young hosts create a dazzling array of fun Star Wars objects.

05

68 / STAR WARS INSIDER STAR WARS KIDS

On Let’s Make Star Wars, kid exposition of a longer series, Star Star Wars saga. In By the Numbers, hosts Sean and Marissa take the Wars Resistance helps to capture a super cut of moments and scenes lead for fun and educational those imaginations and the thrill splices together everything from craft tutorials infused with age- of living in the galaxy from the every creature in the fi lms (90, and appropriate jokes and puns. The relative safety of a community they’re all name-checked here) to series, along with its sister program of neighbors cohabitating and every question Luke Skywalker asks Let’s Draw Star Wars led by a team working together aboard a refueling (153 for the inquisitive Jedi). If you of Industrial Light & Magic artists, platform. Focused on pilot-turned- can count it, chances are it will puts the magic of making Star spy Kazuda Xiono and his high- get its own installment, including Wars fi rmly in the hands of its fl ying friends aboard the Colossus, tracking Kaz’s screams and tumbles youngest fans. “It’s the type of stuff the brightly colored animated show (230 total, although he yelps a lot I love that we’re doing, especially delivers highly relatable characters more often than he falls down). having my own kid who loves to and fast-paced starfi ghter racing, Star Wars Under Five Minutes draw everything,” says Waugh, plus action and intrigue. Kaz may is more of a crash course for the counting his young son among be a spy, but he’s still learning uninitiated. “Star Wars can appear the fans. “I think every parent has the ropes and he can often be to be a daunting franchise,” Waugh that dilemma of Sunday afternoon found bumbling through a well- admits, with nine Skywalker saga where there’s been too much TV meaning ruse or tripping over his fi lms, two standalone live-action and you have to fi gure out what own feet. His friend Neeku takes movies, and hundreds of hours of to do. It sparks their imagination everything literally, to a hilarious animation already out there. The and also celebrates what they and sometimes disastrous effect. series is intended to be a welcoming love.” Waugh hopes that fans entry point for all ages and anyone discovering these how-to shows with a couple of minutes to spare. will embrace how it helps teach the “tiS iS aN “For the parent or the kid who’s fundamentals and simple shapes oPoRuNtY just trying to get into Star Wars but that make up the Star Wars galaxy, doesn’t know where to start, you allowing even the youngest fans fO PrEtS tO can watch these and catch up with to make Star Wars their own and everyone else, laugh along with it bring it into their daily lives. It’s a iNrOuC STr and you’re in,” Waugh adds. tangible and fun way to celebrate WA s T T eI “We want to be able to meet the creativity that brought the kids where they are. It’s been very fi ctional galaxy to life in the kIs nD fO special to be able to make this fi rst place, while supporting the stuff and then watch its impact,” natural inclination toward drawing kIs o iSoVr Waugh says, especially sharing and crafting that helps children the site with his young son. “He’s understand their world. STr aR.” who I’m making them for as For older viewers, Galactic much as everybody else, because Builders pulls back the curtain even And they’re surrounded by sharply I think anybody who’s a fan of further to explain how practical drawn characters who all have the franchise wants to share that effects bring BB-8 to life along with their own unique perspectives— experience. This is an opportunity other feats of Star Wars on-screen from Tam, mechanic-turned-First for parents to introduce Star Wars engineering. The series shines a Order cadet, to Torra Doza the to their kids and for kids to discover spotlight on real prop makers and precocious young racer, to Synara Star Wars and maybe introduce it to toy builders as well as competitive San the mysterious pirate spy with their parents.” kids who are rising stars in the a heart. The show is available on It’s a place of possibility, a blank STEAM fi elds—science, technology, Disney Channel, Disney XD, and canvas for exploring the heart of engineering, art, and mathematics. DisneyNOW, with Season One what makes Star Wars so great— The series, made in conjunction also available on Disney+, and characters who feel as real and with FIRST and Star Wars: Force for fans who want to know more familiar as your own friends and for Change, acts as a guide for about how it connects to the saga family; the imagination behind kids fascinated by Star Wars tech as a whole, Star Wars Kids offers a the strangest creatures, aliens, and parents considering how that behind-the-scenes look, Bucket’s starships, and droids possible; and predisposition might lead their List, with a short list of weekly fun an epic mythological underpinning younglings to a future career path facts accompanying each episode. of good versus evil battling it out or hobby. There are also shorts like Star in the gritty galaxy. Star Wars is Wars By the Numbers and Star Wars for everyone. But Star Wars Kids Joining the Resistance in Under Five Minutes, created is making the galaxy far, far away For children and adults more by Lucasfi lm’s online team to a whole lot more accessible to the inclined toward the lengthier specifi cally offer a fresh take on the next generation of young fans.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 69 SUBSCRIBE TO

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE

EXCLUSIVE SUBSCRIBER COVER WITH EVERY ISSUE

BEST DEAL SPECIAL SAVE 40% OFF THE COVER PRICE SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS

16 ISSUES OFFER - SAVE UP TO 40%* $94.99 $124.99 £54.30 £139.99

8 ISSUES OFFER - SAVE UP TO 37%* $49.99 $64.99 £27.99 £72.99

TWO EASY WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE : TITAN-COMICS.COM : U.S. & CANADA 1 800 261 6502 - U.K. & REST OF THE WORLD +44 (0) 1778 392085 THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE COMPLETE YOUR COLLECTION!

#179 #180 #181 #182

#183 #184 #185 #186

#187 #188 #189 #190

#191 #192 #193 #194

MORE BACK ISSUES AVAILABLE ONLINE : TITAN-COMICS.COM © & ™ 2020 Lucasfi lm Ltd. All Rights Reserved. *Free delivery for the U.S. and U.K. subscription orders only. For overseas prices - Canadian price includes shipping and handling ($15 for 8 issues and $30 for 16 issues) and rest of the world prices include additional postage and packaging costs (£12 for 8 issues and £24 for 16 issues). WORLDWIDE CELEBRATING THE SAGA

BORN INTO STAR WARS Celebrating a fandom family tradition in a galaxy far, far away....

t turns out that the Skywalkers Jackie. “Somehow, he fell for this Fisher, who became the fi rst people aren’t the only family with Star nerdy girl, and over the last 16 years to hear the news about the new I Wars in their blood. At the age of he has been super supportive of my family member. 12, Jackie Cordero began using the love of the movies, events, collecting, Baby Lorenzo was born later that saga as a means to escape from the Disney trips, Halloween costumes, year and subsequently accompanied bullying she encountered at school. and even the decorating of our two his parents to Star Wars Celebration “All the worlds and characters and kids’ nurseries!” Orlando in 2017. The Corderos stories just became a place I could However, their journey to building continued their new family tradition live in and enjoy,” she recalls. From a family was an arduous one, with in 2019, when they brought Lorenzo consuming Star Wars novels and the couple su ering tears and and his new baby sister, Liana, to listening to John Williams’ scores on disappointments, until the fi nal day Celebration Chicago. The event her daily commute, to covering the of Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in provided many memories to cherish, walls of her college dorm room with 2015, when the couple learned that including seeing their daughter’s face posters of Han Solo, Jackie’s interest they were expecting. “We were light up as she touched a real-life R2 in the franchise quickly became ecstatic! We decided to try and unit. “It warmed my heart to share more than a casual hobby. memorialize that moment,” reveals something I love so much with my “My husband enjoyed the movies, Jackie. So, the pair headed o to a family and experience it together,” but that was it for his fandom,” says photo op with Mark Hamill and Carrie Jackie beams.

72 / STAR WARS INSIDER INSIDER NEEDS YOU! We want to hear from you! Tell us about your Star Wars experience. What made you want to become a fan? What have you done in the name of Star Wars? Tell us your Star Wars story by sending your photos, art, and letters here: ARTISTS’ ALLEY [email protected] Talented Star Wars fans share their amazing Or via regular post: UNITED STATES UNITED KINGDOM drawings inspired by the galaxy far, far away.... Star Wars Worldwide, Star Wars Worldwide, Star Wars Insider, Star Wars Insider, Titan Magazines, 144 Southwark 2819 Rosehall Lane, Street Aurora, IL, 60503, London, SE1 0UP, U.S.A. U.K.

01. “PURGE TROOPER” AND “ZORII” BY DEVIN DOTY

Intrigued by the designs for the Imperial purge troopers and Keri Russell’s Zorii Bliss, fan artist Devin Doty was inspired to craft vector art posters for the characters in Adobe Illustrator, before completing her tributes by adding fi nishing touches in Photoshop. “I’m inspired by all the character designers and concept artists at Lucasfi lm,” reveals Devin.

02. “BOSSK” AND “TARKIN” BY FRUZSI LIPTÁK

Fruzsi Lipták masterfully utilizes Adobe Illustrator to digitally depict the Star Wars characters that capture her imagination. The Hungarian fan ranks Bossk as her favorite bounty hunter, whereas Tarkin’s appearance in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) proved to be a welcome surprise for the artist. Fruzsi primarily focuses on Star Wars themes, and her work can be found on Instagram at @fruzsi.liptak.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 73 BOUNTY HUNTERS WORLDWIDE Scouring the galaxy for the Photo by Brad Behles stars of Star Wars...

Meet the stars, show the evidence, win the bounty! Bounty Hunters is sponsored by Kotobukiya. Each issue's winner will receive a fantastic Kotobukiya Star Wars statue kit! To see more, visit www.facebook.com/kotobukiya

ddison Farnsworth and her husband James made the most of their time A at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago, where they met two talented actors from the franchise. The couple adored Hermione Corfi eld’s portrayal of the Resistance pilot Tallissan “Tallie” Lintra in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), so meeting her for a memorable photo op was a joy for the Farnsworths. “It was such a wonderful experience getting to meet her,” Addison says, happily. The two fans also stopped by to share a moment with Jason Isaacs, the voice of the Grand Inquisitor from Star Wars Rebels. As an added bonus, the couple were also thrilled about Isaacs’ role in the series The OA. “Jason was amazing to have a photo op with,” says Addison. “He even had music playing while you were in his photo booth. CALLSIGN: ROGUE TWO? He was such a cool guy to meet in person.” Cosplaying as Jyn Erso and

01 en Markham and her husband cosplay regularly until he saw the joy Jeremy demonstrate their that trooping with the 501st and J affi nity for costuming and Star Rebel Legions brought to Jen. Wars by cosplaying as Jyn Erso and So how did the couple decide on her nemesis Director Orson Krennic. the intriguing pairing of Jyn Erso and “I think I dressed as Princess Leia Director Krennic? “Rogue One: A Star four times for Halloween, as both a Wars Story (2016) entranced me, not child and a teenager,” remembers least because it was the fi rst Star Jen. Halloween is now an important Wars movie where a woman received holiday for the couple, and Jen has top billing,” says Jen. “I was drawn to 02 made new costumes each year after Jyn. She was a fi ghter and a survivor, taking sewing and pattern-making who relied on her smarts. She was classes in New York City. independent and bristled at authority, While researching Rey’s attire and I could relate to her attitude.” from Star Wars: The Force Awakens After constructing Krennic’s (2015), Jen became enamored by the uniform for Jeremy and variations of concept of creating screen-accurate Jyn Erso’s wardrobe from Rogue One, ensembles. “I enjoyed solving the the couple have discovered that the mysteries of what the actual costume best part about their hard work is design team might have used, and meeting fellow cosplayers and fans. hunting those items down,” says the “I’ve met so many little girls who are 01 James and Addison Farnsworth pose with talented fan. The costumer estimates so excited to meet Jyn,” exclaims Jen. Hermione Corfield, known for her role as Tallie that she put together 13 costumes “And Jeremy loves talking to kids as Lintra in The Last Jedi. within the fi rst year, and even learned Krennic as well, explaining how he 02 Jason Isaacs, who voiced the Grand Inquisitor in Star Wars Rebels, joins the couple for a photo at about 3D modeling, leather working, built the Death Star and why learning Celebration Chicago. and building armor. Jeremy didn’t science and math is so important!”

74 / STAR WARS INSIDER WORLDWIDE PARADING WITH POE Building Dameron’s X-wing

ason Isaac believed that his hometown’s annual parade was J missing one key component: some Star Wars magic! But while considering himself to be a hugely passionate fan, he admits that his infatuation with the franchise tends to drive his partner crazy, and delayed entering the parade for several years until fi nally taking the two miles, Jason soon realized that used the machine’s batteries to plunge when he realized the 2019 the arduous walk might be a bit increase the scooter’s power so that event would take place on May 4th. much for his kids. “I saw a mobility it could accommodate the weight of The superfan knew he wanted scooter for sale for £100, and my son three people and the X-wing’s to build something special that could wanted to fl y a spaceship,” he wooden structure, which he painted involve his four-year-old daughter explains, “so the X-wing was born.” with the markings of Poe Dameron’s and seven-year-old son. With the Salvaging an old CPU that was no Black One. parade’s route running for around longer needed, the enterprising fan It took three months to bring the project to life but the results were worth the e ort, and the X-wing fl ew the Isaac family into a fun–fi lled day. With his children piloting the craft dressed as Poe and R2–D2, their e orts amazed the crowds lining the parade route, and Jason and his Padawans won fi rst prize in the parade’s walking category. A QUEST FOR QI’RA Photo by Marco Mallegni Cosplaying the stylish Corellian

osplayer Sewpoke’s interest Qi’ra. At that point, Sewpoke knew in the saga began at an early she wanted to build a Qi’ra cosplay C age, when Star Wars: A New that focused on the dress worn during Hope (1977) became one of the fi rst the character’s reunion with Han on movies that her father showed to her Dryden Vos’ yacht. “I draped the and her sister. “We both remember pattern myself and sewed it out of being scared the fi rst time we saw some black scuba fabric,” the talented that trash compactor,” exclaims fan explains. “The necklace is made of Sewpoke, who later enjoyed making foamboard and Worbla hung from paper dolls of Padmé Amidala’s scraps of leather trim.” outfi ts with her sibling. As a frequent visitor to Italy, Sewpoke’s hobby developed into Sewpoke was cosplaying as Qi’ra at and enthusiasm for cosplay, with her the San Marino Comics festival when earliest subjects being Padmé and a tumultuous downpour a orded her Leia, but when Solo: A Star Wars a unique experience. “I ended up Story (2018) debuted in theaters, her sheltering in a tent booth with some imagination was sparked by the Jedi and Darth Maul. It was a great fashionable attire of Emilia Clarke’s way to meet fellow fans,” she beams.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 75 NOUGHTS & CROSSES

76 / STAR WARS INSIDER NOUGHTS & CROSSES

X-wings vs TIE Fighters

Space battles are no game, but, with their distinctive wing and hull confi gurations, X-wing and TIE fi ghters would make for the perfect participants in a round of galactic noughts and crosses. We’ve matched both starfi ghters across three categories to draw a line under (or through) which is the dominant force in space combat.

WORDS: JAY STOBIE

STAR WARS INSIDER / 77 ROUND 1 NOUGHTS & CROSSES Ride & Safety ROUND 2 The view from the pilot’s perspective

An X-wing’s cockpit provides note of Leia Organa’s observation Range & greater visibility to a pilot than the that was laying Firepower forward-facing viewport of a TIE a trap when the Death Star only fi ghter. The Imperial cockpit design dispatched four TIEs to pursue Putting the “fi ght” blocks much of its pilot’s peripheral the Millennium Falcon. into starfi ghters vision, making it diffi cult to avoid Protective energy shielding being sideswiped by an asteroid or offers an extra layer of defense for Finding your sightseeing tour of ambushed by a Corellian freighter. rebel fl yers, while the technology’s Tatooine a little dry? The icy vistas X-wing pilots aren’t encumbered by absence on Imperial TIEs increases of Hoth making you feel blue? Or hefty life-support helmets, either, their vulnerability. Unconfi rmed are you on the receiving end of and they have a loyal astromech reports have emerged that a blind some unwanted Imperial interest? onboard to watch their back. monk once downed unshielded TIEs An X-wing allows you to escape Speaking of astromechs, what with a mere hand weapon on Eadu. such perils in the blink of an eye, did the TIE fi ghter pilot say to their Flying into a battle zone is nerve- as the nimble starfi ghter packs its R2 unit? Nothing, of course: they wracking enough but doing so at own hyperdrive. The downside to don’t have one! Missions into deep such a disadvantage should strike this convenience is the abundance space can be lonely, so an X-wing’s fear into any pilot. The First Order, of interplanetary errands that your repair droid is a big win over the TIE, as in so many instances, remedied rebel and Resistance pals will likely as an astromech can fi x your spirits this Imperial oversight and fi tted ask you to run for them. as quickly as it can a faulty circuit. their TIEs with shields as standard. While the First Order’s Special Imagine the tales that a 30-year old A TIE fi ghter’s fragility should Forces TIE fi ghters are also equipped droid can tell to pass the time on inspire caution in its pilots, who for hyperspace travel, their standard a long voyage? Astromechs can be know that a single mistake can cost cousins and Imperial predecessors a bit feisty, mind you, so don’t be them their lives, but their devotion are short range ships. However, their afraid to tell your droid to watch its to the Empire is enough to quash speed and agility makes up for their language if its bleeps and bloops get such thoughts. On the fl ipside, lack of a hyperdrive, and they are a bit fruity. emboldened by their rugged and adept at preventing enemy fi ghters Imperial pilots may be alone in sturdy ships, many courageous evade their clutches. Pilots should their cockpits, but as TIE fi ghters rebels fall victim to recklessness. take care when traversing through typically launch in endless waves, X-wing pilots have been known trenches and canyons, however! backup is never far away—although to “stay on target” a little too long High-speed maneuvers tend to test friendly collisions do tend to occur before being atomized by a TIE one’s intestinal resilience and have worryingly frequently. If you fi ghter’s green blaster bolts. resulted in cases of unsanctioned stumble across a single TIE fi ghter, Imperial squadrons have weight space sickness. chances are that the rest of its of numbers, but X-wings punch As for fi repower, once they have squadron (or a moon-sized space above their weight with personailty you in their crosshairs, TIE pilots station) will be lurking nearby. to spare, so round one has to go to rarely miss. The same cannot be Rebel pilots should therefore take the Incom-built fi ghter. said about an X-wing’s targeting computer, which failed to deliver a single decisive blow against the Death Star. Luke Skywalker was able to save the day with a “one in a million” shot, but only by placing his trust in the Force rather than his ship’s computer. A long-range fi ghter fi tted with proton torpedo tubes, an X-wing needn’t jump right into the fray with lasers blazing, however, as it can launch torpedoes from a much safer distance. Discretion is often the better part of valor, even in a galaxy far, far away. TIE fi ghters may not always have the legs of an X-wing, but their effectivenes in one-on-one battle makes them the clear winner here.

78 / STAR WARS INSIDER NOUGHTS & CROSSES

ROUND 3 Value for Money Second-hand stores or brand-new stock?

Rebel and Resistance pilots alike Engineers and scientists are also put much faith in pre-loved goods, constantly making advancements such as when Luke Skywalker and implementing new TIE designs refused to replace R2-D2 with a to keep their forces one step ahead newer astromech prior to the Battle of the opposition, resulting in a of Yavin. Similarly, both forces wide variety of TIE types being used obtain their craft second-hand, by both the Empire and the First demonstrating the X-wing fi ghter’s Order. Yet however far each new durability and longevity—provided iteration strays from the earlier it doesn’t get shot down, of course. models, the twin ion engine’s As Resistance fi ghters engage signature roar remains, striking fear the First Order in their fi nal battle into the hearts of their enemies, and above Exegol they have a scant granting TIE fi ghters a psychological number of X-wings in active service, edge over their adversaries. It’s said maintained using parts scavenged that many recruits cite this awe- from numerous fi ghters downed inspiring sound as their motivation during the confl ict—a testament to for signing up. the X-wing’s sturdy construction. Maintaining an effective military The ship is even waterproof, which force is an expensive business, and might come in handy were you to that might explain why Imperial crash on a swamp planet or need TIEs are not equipped with shield to hide your fi ghter in an ocean emitters or hyperdrives. However, inlet. Built to last, purchased on the with so many ships being built, the cheap, and easy to maintain, an economies of scale involved surely X-wing is worth every credit spent. make manufacturing TIEs extremely So what about TIEs? Serving an cost-effective. all-powerful Emperor or Supreme For reasons as divergent as the Leader has its advantages, including two sides that fl y them, there’s little a seemingly endless supply of to distinguish between the value of factory-fresh TIE fi ghters and an each ship to their respective causes, equally neverending stream of so we have no option but to call this ideologically driven raw recruits. round a draw.

AND THE WINNER IS…

X-wings and TIE fi ghters are iconic craft that look fantastic and fuel our imaginations. By weighing their pros and cons, we can decisively conclude... that we simply cannot choose between them. In other words, it’s a TIE! The Star Wars Archive Lights! Camera! Action! Rare images from the Star Wars photo archives.

80 / STAR WARS INSIDER The cockpit interior of a TIE fighter, as seen in the original , was exactingly recreated for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). Photo: John Wilson

STAR WARS INSIDER / 81 NEXT ISSUE

196 The Rise of Skywalker Screenwriter Chris Terrio and producer Michelle Rejwan on crafting the movie’s story! - Inside the Lucasfilm Archive Star Wars archivist Madlyn Burkert on adding The Rise of Skywalker artifacts to the collection! - Now This is Podracing! Replaying the classic Star Wars: Episode 1 U.S. Racer game today! Newsstand - Mar 17 Exclusive Interviews: U.K. Newsagents Insider talks to actor Andy Secombe and Industrial 16 Apr Light & Magic alum Rob Coleman!

Subscribe today at www.titanmagazines.com U.S. 800 261 6502 | U.K. 01778 392085 COMPLETE YOUR STAR WARS COLLECTION!

Star Wars: The Rise of Star Wars: Star Wars: Rogues, Star Wars: Star Wars: Star Wars: Skywalker Aliens, Creatures Scoundrels and The Best Of The Saga The Last Jedi The OOffiffi cial ColCollector’slllector’s’ EdiEditiontion Andd DrDroidsoids BountyBountyty HuntersHunters TheTh OriginalOrigiginal TrTrilogyilogy BegBeginsins ThThe UltimateUltimimate GuGuideide $19.99 • Out Now $24.99 • Out Now $24.99 • Out Now $24.99 • Out Now $24.99 • Out Now $24.99 • Out Now Go behind-the-scenes of Including material from A Celebrates the Star Wars The iconic characters from Celebrates Episodes I-III This comprehensive guide Star Wars: Episode IX with New Hope to Solo: A Star saga’s characters who exist the original Star Wars of the Star Wars saga: includes interviews with this must have edition, Wars Story, this title in the shady underworld trilogy are the main event blockbuster movies The Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, featuring exclusive includes profi les of the between the rebels and the in this new collection that Phantom Menace, Attack of John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, interviews with the cast and otherwordly characters Empire. Includes classic explores the heroes and the Clones, and Revenge of and director . crew, on-set photos and including R2 D2 and C-3PO. interviews with Harris Ford villains that we all know the Sith. character profi les. and Peter Mayhew. and love.

ALSO AVAILABLE IN A GALAXY NEAR YOU.

Solo: A Star Wars Story Solo: A Star Wars Story Star Wars: The Last Jedi Star Wars: The Last Jedi Star Wars: Star Wars: The Ultimate Guide The Offi cial Collector’s The Offi cial Movie The Offi cial Collector’s Icons of the Galaxy Heroes of the Force Edition Companion Edition

Star Wars IV: A New Hope Star Wars: The Best of The Best of The Best of The Best of The Offi cial Celebration Lords of the Sith Star Wars Insider Star Wars Insider Star Wars Insider Star Wars Insider Special Volume Four Volume Three Volume Two Volume One

AVAILABLEAVAILABLE ININ ALLALL GOODGOOD BOOKBOOK STORESSTORES AANDND ONLINEONLINE TITAN-COMICS.COM

© & TM 2020 Lucasfi lm Ltd.