Star Wars Celebration is celebrating 40 years of the Star Wars saga and the show is set to be out of this world. One of the many features of this four-day gathering is the massive list of panels and screenings during the event. We decided to break it up into each individual day for ease of access and to see all the top panels (in chronological order, mind you). Be sure to check back for our Panel listings for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Here’s a look at highlights of the panels happening Thursday, April 13th at Star Wars Celebration!
40 Years of Star Wars
April 13, 2017, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Star Wars Galaxy Stage – Valencia ABC, 4th Floor
Live on the Galaxy Stage; streamed to the Celebration and BTS Stages
A very special tribute to the 40th anniversary of Star Wars will kick start Celebration Orlando in grand fashion. The panel, hosted by Warwick Davis, will feature Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and discussions with some of the saga’s brightest stars, highlighting the impact of the galaxy far, far away and the fandom that has propelled it for the last four decades. As is tradition, this marquee Celebration event will undoubtedly include many not-to-be-missed surprises. Speakers include Billy Dee Williams, Hayden Christensen, Peter Mayhew, Mark Hamill, Ian McDiarmid, Anthony Daniels, and Dave Filoni.
40 for 40: Highlights from Four Decades of Star Wars Collectibles
April 13, 2017, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Star Wars Collectors’ Stage – W307, 3rd Floor
Join life-time collectors and podcasters Matthew Fox from “This Week in Star Wars,” and Jake Stevens from From4-LOMtoZuckuss.com as they celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Star Wars by chronicling 40 different toy lines and collectibles from the past four decades. Selections will include the famous, the infamous, and the forgotten. Memorable not only for what they are, these collectibles also tell the story of how Star Wars changed over the years. A unique franchise which has been diversely perceived and marketed over the years: surprise phenomenon to kids’ property; dormant franchise to 90’s nostalgia revival; prequel oversaturation to pre-Disney aimlessness to the omnipresent cultural staple it is today. Whether you prefer Kenner or Hot Toys, Hasbro or Lego, Pez or Bend-Ems, the hosts cover it all with a 40-year look at the good, the bad and the ugly from the ever-expanding universe of Star Wars collectibles.
Star Wars Rebels Theater
April 13, 2017, 12:30 PM – 7:00 PMStar Wars Rebels Theater – W312, 3rd Floor
Right across from the Star Wars Family Room (W311 EFGH), the Rebels Theater screens story arcs from the favorite series selected especially for Celebration by Executive Producer Dave Filoni. Stop in any time, sit down, and enjoy a little or a lot of Star Wars Rebels.
At “last call” the Rebels Theater will feature different Star Wars game shows Friday and Saturday nights. Star Wars Rebels Story Arcs chosen specifically for Celebration by Executive Producer/Supervising Director Dave Filoni. See mobile app and onsite signage for details.
Smooth Talkin’ With Billy Dee Williams
April 13, 2017, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Celebration Stage – Chapin Theater, 3rd Floor
Hello. What have we here? The master of smooth on stage with Warwick Davis for a one-on-one about his extensive career in entertainment and art.
Dave Filoni: Animated Origins and Unexpected Fates
April 13, 2017, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Star Wars Galaxy Stage – Valencia ABC, 4th Floor
Dave Filoni, Executive Producer and Supervising Director of Star Wars Rebels and Supervising Director of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, is joined on stage by creative executive Pablo Hidalgo. They’ll discuss some of the most cherished characters to come out of Lucasfilm Animation, reveal some untold origins of heroes and rogues, and with rare clips and artwork, they will track the surprising fates of this generation of Star Wars characters.
The Growing Galaxy of Women’s Star Wars Fashion
April 13, 2017, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Star Wars Collectors’ Stage – W307, 3rd Floor
Women’s Star Wars fashion has been around since 1977, but has grown significantly as geek culture has become mainstream and female Star Wars fans have become more visible and active in demonstrating their passion for the fandom. This panel takes a look at all aspects of women’s Star Wars fashion (both collecting and wearing), highlights from the range of commercial products and designer Star Wars garments on the runway, as well as examining the concept of Star Wars clothing as both self-expression and a collecting focus.
I’ll Take Droids for $500, Obi-Wan: An Intergalactic Game Show
April 13, 2017, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Behind-The-Scenes Stage – W304, 3rd Floor
Test your Star Wars knowledge, competing head-to-head with Chuck Wendig (Aftermath; Empire’s End) and Timothy Zahn (Thrawn) in categories like “Halt! Who Goes There?,” “Jedi Line Trick,” “Punch it, Chewie!” and more, using audio clips from Star Wars audiobooks. Narrator Marc Thompson will host and one lucky audience member will have a chance to compete onstage as a contestant!
Rancho Obi-Wan with Steve Sansweet
April 13, 2017, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Star Wars Collectors’ Stage – W307, 3rd Floor
For many collectors across the world “Rancho Obi-Wan” is a near mystical place. Steve Sansweet and a team of volunteers have turned it into a true destination that everyone can visit. Hear and see all about this amazing destination for Star Wars fans, why it was done, how the museum operates, and a close-up look of some of its treasures.
Ian McDiarmid: Tales from the Dark Side
April 13, 2017, 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
Celebration Stage – Chapin Theater, 3rd Floor
The Master and the Apprentice, reunited on stage for a Sith-inspired talk with host Warwick Davis. At last they will reveal themselves to the Celebration audience….
Food and Fandom: Star Wars Recipes
April 13, 2017, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Star Wars University – W300, 3rd Floor
Join Jenn Fujikawa as she talks about creativity and inspirations for her classic recipes featured on StarWars.com.
The Music of Rogue One: Analysis with David Collins
April 13, 2017, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Star Wars Galaxy Stage – Valencia ABC, 4th Floor
Come celebrate the music of Star Wars as host David Collins explores the connections between Michael Giacchino’s score for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the legendary work of John Williams in the saga films. The music will be analyzed in connection to story and character, breaking down both new and classic themes.
Doug Chiang: The Production Design of Rogue One
April 13, 2017, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Behind-The-Scenes Stage – W304, 3rd Floor
Join Doug Chiang, the Academy Award-winning artist, author and production designer, as he talks about designing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Chiang served as co-Production Designer on the movie, so can share unique insights into the process of creating the worlds of Star Wars. Currently the Vice President and Executive Creative Director at Lucasfilm, Chiang oversees designs for all new Star Wars franchise developments including films, theme parks, games and new media.
Meet the Mandalorian Mercs
April 13, 2017, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Star Wars Fan Stage – W308, 3rd Floor
For ten years, the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club has represented the elite warriors from a galaxy far, far away. Learn what it takes to become a member, and express your own creativity while celebrating STAR WARS™ and helping those in need through charity.
Ray Park: Prepare to Be Mauled
April 13, 2017, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Celebration Stage Schedule – Chapin Theater, 3rd Floor
There’s always excitement when Sith Apprentice, actor, and champion martial artist Ray Park takes the stage. Prepare for an hour with Darth Maul – if you dare!
Disney Parks & Star Wars Merchandise
April 13, 2017, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Behind-The-Scenes Stage – W304, 3rd Floor
Discover a galaxy of merchandise celebrating the Star Wars saga! Be among the first to get a sneak peek into what new exclusives will be coming from the Disney Parks in 2017 and 2018. You will also take an inside look behind the magic at how Disney Parks creates exclusive Star Wars merchandise, with insights from Disney’s creative development team. With Brad Schoeneberg, Cody Hampton, and Quynh Kimball.
Collider Jedi Council
April 13, 2017, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Star Wars Fan Stage – W308, 3rd Floor
Collider’s popular Star Wars show, Collider Jedi Council, hits Celebration for the first time. Darth Harloff, Kristian Harloff is joined by popular council members such as John “Obi John” Kenobi, “Kylo” Ken Napzok, Grand Moff Perri Nemiroff and “Mark 2 D 2” Mark Ellis. The crew will be talking all things Star Wars, what the deal is with canon, and taking questions from the Celebration audience.
LGBTQ+ in the Galaxy Far, Far Away
April 13, 2017, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Star Wars University – W300, 3rd Floor
A look at the LGBTQ+ characters and themes in the Galaxy Far, Far Away and a discussion of the Star Wars fandom from the perspectives of LGBTQ+ fan bloggers and podcasters.
Droid Building 101
April 13, 2017, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Star Wars Fan Stage – W308, 3rd Floor
Presented by the R2-D2 Builders Club. An introduction to building R2-D2 including a history of the club and what to expect when building a droid. Talk will include an overview to the various materials required to build a droid along with tools required and answers to the top questions asked by potential builders.
Click here to view all of Thursday’s panels and screenings.
Be sure to check out our article covering the Guests appearing this year.
We also have an article on Star Wars Celebration Orlando 2017 – The Events.
`
`
`
`
`
*** info/images courtesy of StarWarsCelebration.com
