What to expect from Lucasfilm's Panel at D23 this August

Mark your calendars! Disney's D23 Expo is coming to Anaheim, California from August 9-11, and Star Wars fans are in for a treat! It promises to be a weekend packed with breaking news, behind-the-scenes insights, and exclusive reveals about the most anticipated upcoming Star Wars projects.

Panels and fan events will happen at the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center. According to The Walt Disney Company, in addition to Disney's Entertainment Showcase which features exclusive looks at upcoming series, movies, and a general idea of what's next, Disney will also share updates about Disney Experiences, highlighting the development around the world in Disney Parks.

The weekend will be capped off on Sunday with an event honoring Disney Legends, hosted by Ryan Seacrest:

"This year, the Walt Disney Archives is honoring Colleen Atwood, Angela Bassett, Martha Blanding, James L. Brooks, James Cameron, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Steve Ditko, Harrison Ford, Mark Henn, Frank Oz, Kelly Ripa, Joe Rohde, and John Williams."

- The Walt Disney Company.

Be on the lookout for Star Wars legends Harrison Ford, Frank Oz, and John Williams to be honored at 2024's Disney Legends Awards Ceremony. But if you're waiting for news on upcoming Star Wars movies and shows, mark your calendar for August 9, when the Disney Entertainment Showcase will be held at the Honda Center from 7 to 9 p.m.

If Andor Season 2 is still on track for an early 2025 release, then it's very likely that an official premiere date will be announced. If those in attendance are lucky enough, Tony Gilroy might show up with exclusive footage from Season 2, though I'm not sure if Star Wars will officially drop any Andor Season 2 teaser before the end of the year.

There's a higher probability that a trailer for Skeleton Crew, which premieres December 3, might drop during D23, with Jude Law and series creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford in attendance. There's not much hype and information about Skeleton Crew yet, and Lucasfilm should capitalize on D23 to help generate interest in the series.

Additional information on Ahsoka Season 2 and a possible second season of The Acolyte aren't completely out of the question. Ahsoka Season 2 is in development, as announced in January, and The Acolyte just ended. This is a good time to give fans an idea of its future. Furthermore, with the conclusion of The Bad Batch just a few months ago, Star Wars may announce its next animated series at D23.

On the movie front, we can expect updates on the post-sequel era Star Wars movie starring Daisy Ridley and directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, which is scheduled for a December 2026 release. However, updates on other films, including Taika Waititi's, James Mangold's, and Dave Filoni's Mandoverse crossover films, will probably be saved for the Star Wars Celebration in Japan next year.

Nevertheless, Lucasfilm might drop much-needed news regarding The Mandalorian & Grogu, which will premiere in May 2026. As the Mando movie is the first Star Wars movie to release in years, Lucasfilm may start hyping that up, share when filming begins, and drop a behind-the-scenes picture featuring the cast.

It's important to remember that Lucasfilm hasn't made any huge Star Wars announcements since Disney's 2020 Investor's Event, when they announced multiple projects, including Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka, and Andor. Therefore, it's best to keep expectations low!

Disney's D23 Fan Expo takes place from August 9-11 in Anaheim, California.