StarWars.com has revealed a list of six things to look forward to from Star Wars in 2016. We’ve ranked them, and added a seventh.
There’s no doubt 2015 was a huge year for Star Wars, the biggest since the premiere of Revenge of the Sith in 2005. But, as Count Dooku would say, “This is just the beginning.” 2016 promises to be just as big, with new books and comics, another Star Wars Celebration, and, of course, the first official Star Wars spinoff movie.
Check out our ranking of what we’re looking forward to the most in the slides to follow, based off the list from StarWars.com.
Next: 7. New Star Wars: Battlefront Content
7. New Star Wars: Battlefront Content
Good news for Star Wars gamers: Four expansion packs for the much-anticipated Battlefront game, released in November 2015, are coming later this year. According to StarWars.com, some new content you can look forward to “include four new heroes and villains, four new game modes, 16 new multiplayer maps, and over 20 new pieces of galactic tech.”
What do you want to bet a lot of the expansion packs will include characters from The Force Awakens? I know a lot of people who would love to pay to play Kylo Ren. Kylo and Darth Vader could even battle it out; how’s that for irony.
Next: 6. New Star Wars Comics
6. New Star Wars Comics
The second year of Marvel’s Star Wars run begins with Obi Wan and Anakin, a five-issue mini series set between Episodes I and II. As far as what else is happening, we know very little. We do know Kanan will end later this spring, but no other cancellations have been reported. That means Star Wars and Darth Vader will continue on.
RELATED: Marvel’s Kanan Will End With Issue #12
As for what’s new, perhaps we’ll see more stories set in the thirty years between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, like Shattered Empire. We may get more Star Wars Rebels tales, or mini series about other prequel era characters.
As Yoda said, always in motion is the future.
Next: 5. New Star Wars Books
5. New Star Wars Books
Coming in May and July are New Republic: Bloodline by Lost Stars author Claudia Gray, and Aftermath: Life Debt by Chuck Wendig, who penned the first installment in the Aftermath trilogy last year. What’s special about these two books is they both take place after Return of the Jedi, in what is now unexplored territory. Even more interesting, Bloodline takes place about six years before The Force Awakens. Perhaps “bloodline” refers to a certain important family featured in new movie?
RELATED: Aftermath: Life Debt By Chuck Wendig Cover Revealed
New Republic: Bloodline will hit store shelves May 3rd, followed by Life Debt on July 13th. And after that? Not even the outer rim is a limit.
Next: 4. New Star Wars Rebels Episodes
4. New Star Wars Rebels Episodes
The Ghost crew is expected to return to television screens later this month for part two of its second season. In addition, season three is slated to start this fall. That makes for a lot of Star Wars Rebels content this year, and we couldn’t be happier about it. The show has come a long way and introduced a lot of cool characters. It’s also had some pretty awesome cameos, including Darth Vader and fan-favorite The Clone Wars Jedi, Ahsoka Tano.
It’s been reported Star Wars Rebels may return on January 20th, with an episode titled “A Princess On Lothal.” Perhaps the title’s indicative of another cool cameo…? All I need now is Old Ben to show up, and my fan girl heart will be full.
Next: 3. Star Wars Celebration Europe
3. Star Wars Celebration Europe
Last year, Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim was the biggest event for fans next to the premiere of The Force Awakens. We got all kinds of new content, from a The Force Awakens behind the scenes video, to interviews with the cast, to previews of new books, comics, and Star Wars Rebels episodes.
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This year, from July 15 to July 17, Star Wars Celebration will be in London for what could be the biggest Celebration ever. Some exciting things we may have to look forward to are a trailer for Rogue One, previews of Star Wars Rebels season three, early copies of New Republic: Bloodline for sale, and announcements for Marvel comics.
If we’re fortunate, we may even get appearance from the Star Wars: Episode VIII cast and new behind the scenes footage. After all, they shoot right there at Pinewood Studios in London. And with Celebration taking place less than a year out from Episode VIII‘s premiere, we may even get a teaser trailer.
Next: 2. Star Wars: Episode VIII News & Rumors
2. Star Wars: Episode VIII News & Rumors
This is the one I added to StarWars.com’s list, because as a fan and a Star Wars news writer I’m already looking forward to all the Episode VIII news and rumors we’re going to get throughout 2016 and early 2017. The wait for The Force Awakens was a long one, but I think Episode VIII will come a little faster. We’re already only a few months from being a year away from the premiere, so I think we can at least expect a title in the near(ish) future.
Next: 1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
1. And last but not least: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
The first of many Star Wars spinoff movies, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a landmark event coming December 16th. Director Gareth Edwards (Godzilla) is putting the “wars” in Star Wars, with a battle for the first Death Star plans and a female Rebel soldier at the center of the plot (no Bothans will be involved, that’s the Second Death Star).
RELATED: Casting News Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Not only will Rogue One be the first live action Star Wars movie outside of the saga to premiere in theaters, but it will also see new characters, a new storyline, and a whole new genre. December 16th will truly be a day long remembered.
Next: Han Solo: A Star Wars Story Will Not Be An Origin Tale
2016 is going to be an amazing year for us Star Wars fans. Keep checking Dork Side for all the latest updates.