Diary of a first-time Star Wars Celebration attendee
Another early start, today, as I’d won a slot to the “Villains of the Sequel Trilogy” panel, as well as “Looking back at Obi-Wan Kenobi” straight after, so I was in by about 10.15, and at my seat by 10.30. I’ve got to dedicate a quick word to the “show before the show” hosts, who have brought an immense amount of energy to an incredibly tiring weekend. An awful lot of what they do hasn’t hit with me, but fair play to them for keeping it up.
So, Villains of the Sequel Trilogy. A bit of a mixed bag, for me. Gwendoline Christie, Andy Serkis, and Ian McDiarmid on stage to discuss their contributions to the closing chapters of the sequels. I’m (mostly) a sequels guy, but this one just didn’t seem to land with me. I appreciated McDiarmid’s efforts more than his stage partners, but I didn’t feel overly compelled to stick around until the end. A disappointing hour from the sequel’s only representation.
The Obi-Wan panel, however, was a delight. Can I just say, I love how you can just strike up a conversation with someone over something as minor as the release of a new video game trailer? Some guy watching the new Jedi Survivor trailer in the queue for Obi-Wan caught me peering over his shoulder, and we struck up a lovely chat about Star Wars. Which led to a group overhearing us asking me to repeat the bits about the High Republic panel and BAM: I’ve got friends to sit next to!
The Obi-Wan panel was lovely, by the way. I think everyone present, near enough, was hoping for a crumb of a second season, but it wasn’t to be. What we got, however, was a conversation with Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christiansen, Deborah Chow, Indira Varma, and Vivien Lyra Blair. Everyone was so excited and passionate, seeing their favourite scenes on a big screen with loads of people was delightful as well. A real joy.
Just over an hour later, and I’m back in the Celebration Stage for the one panel I’d been looking forward to since the weekend in London was announced: Disney Parks. Full disclosure: I set myself for disappointment. You see, a “Star Wars” land was announced for Disneyland Paris a few years ago, but it’s been radio silence since. To the point where there have been rumours of its cancellation. Well, I’d got it into my head that this would be the moment its return would be announced. We did not get that. What we did get was a really nice discussion about Galaxy’s Edge, the Galactic Starcruiser, and an update to Star Tours in the coming years. Was I disappointed? Yeah, I was a bit. It was entirely my own fault, of course, but still. I’ll leave my Disneyland Paris ramblings for another day, but if someone wants to get me to Galaxy’s Edge, let me know in the comments. Thanks.
The day was winding to a close thereafter, however I did have a slot in the Celebration Store that evening, where I spent far too much on far too little. Couple of t-shirts, a programme, and a pin badge? I dread to double-check my account at the price of that haul. I did get a chance to peruse the (slightly) quieter show floor, and got suckered into the purchase of a Grogu strap for my watch, which is nice. With that, I’m signing off for the night, ready for the final day tomorrow!