Star Wars 7x7: A Daily Bite-Sized Dose of Star Wars Joy

The final story arc of Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures features some very powerful moments as it interweaves with the events of Midnight Horizon. On this Spinner Sunday, we run through the highlights... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

A little more of a "down-to-business" vibe on the latest episode of The High Republic Show, which features more Phase 2 reveals and the answer to an early Project Luminous question: what do the Jedi fear? Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Three of (at least) four major panels announced. A new stage host revealed. Updated health and safety guidelines. And what about Rogue Squadron??? We'll check in on all of it in our latest Star Wars Celebration Anaheim update. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

All the "Essential Legends Collection" books come with an introduction that talks about the history of Star Wars storytelling and how it inspires the current canon. Today, we'll talk about a couple instances of that in the second Rogue Squadron novel, "Wedge's Gamble." Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The stories the Empire tells about the Battle of Endor and the history of the Jedi Order are so insidious (pun intended) in their propaganda that I thought it was worth talking about today - especially since it's the sort of thing we're dealing with in our daily lives right now. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

They're paying particular attention to Rogue Squadron in the Essential Legends Collection - probably because of the movie next year! And that attention includes an all-new, unabridged audiobook version of "Wedge's Gamble," the second novel in the Rogue series. Our (mostly) non-spoiler review today... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Darth Vader's been fantasizing about Obi-Wan Kenobi - about begging Kenobi to kill him, about what he could have done to defeat Kenobi on Mustafar. In our latest Obi-Monday episode, we'll talk about Vader's obsession and what it reveals about his mindset going into the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

For this Spinner Sunday, we're back on course to wrap up our looks at The High Republic Adventures! Today, we'll hit the highlights of "Back Together and Away," issues 8-10 from the IDW series. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

In our latest "What to Watch Now" episode, we consider the ILM videos for Solo: A Star Wars Story! A couple of them are great; the rest leave you wanting more. And unlike Rogue One and The Last Jedi, these weren't made for an Oscar push. Punch it! And here's the link to our playlist with all the Star-Wars-related ILM videos. The Solo ones are numbers 16-20 in the list: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL68FO-pA3xg7ePUyXmLbGWhAeKcOYMtJc ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

In the last of our release-week episodes about Queen's Hope, the final novel in the YA Padme trilogy, we'll talk about the surprise gambit that happens in the novel - and how it makes one wish that the series continues beyond this trilogy. Punch it! And thanks once again to Disney Lucasfilm Press for sending me a review copy of the novel, so we could talk about it with you on the show! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

In our latest Star Wars Celebration Anaheim update, we'll talk about the first programming news (live-action!) and how it reflects Lucasfilm priorities; plus new guests, ticket resale updates, and more. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

We're moving a bit into spoiler territory for Queen's Hope, the final novel in the Padme trilogy from E.K. Johnston! In particular, we're going to address something new we learn that could affect what we see in the Kenobi series next month... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Queen's Hope is the final novel in the Padme Trilogy from E.K. Johnston, and it's out today! Strong character development and relationships are on display once more, and we'll explore further in our non-spoiler review. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

For today's Obi Monday, we're taking a break from looking at Obi-Wan stories to consider the Kenobi premiere date change. I think there may be a Star Wars Celebration angle, and they could be treating it like a movie premiere... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Star Wars Celebration may affect the amount of news we get this month about Star Wars storytelling projects! But there's still a bunch of stuff happening in April 2022, and we'll check in on what's to come today. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

How the Suicide Squad reboot, the live slug reaction meme featuring Klaud from The Rise of Skywalker, and other elements came together to inspire our annual April Fool's Day episode. Plus, a brief history of our other attempts... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The 2027 Star Wars movie is part of a larger group of movies under the banner "Project Rogue"! And we've got the first details about Kevin Feige's movie, including the characters involved in a story about the search for Starkiller Base in 30 ABY. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Inquisitors have appeared in comics, books, animation, and video games! Now that they're making the jump to live action in the Kenobi series, let's come up to speed on who they are and the threat they pose to Obi-Wan - and to Luke. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

We've got as close to an official confirmation as we're going to get - season 3 of The Mandalorian is a wrap! Now that filming has finished, what's next? When might we see it? And more... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The floodgates have opened! The first photo op, featured guest, and stage host announcements have been made for Star Wars Celebration Anaheim. We'll update you on the details, and make predictions for each day's major anchor event panels. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

On this, our 5th Monday Obi-Day installment, we look at the final story featuring him in the 1st series of Star Wars comics. It's a mini tale, highlighting his evolving relationship with the Tuskens. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Did you know Jabba the Hutt was well over 300 years old and up to his usual tricks in during the High Republic Era? In our Spinner Sunday episode, we're looking at his actions in "Mission to Bilbousa," from issues 6-7 of The High Republic Adventures. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

In our latest "What to Watch Now," we're checking out the highlights from another of ILM's VFX Academy Award campaigns, this time for The Last Jedi. Punch it! To watch them yourself, check out videos 12-15 in this playlist on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL68FO-pA3xg7ePUyXmLbGWhAeKcOYMtJc ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Two masters of their craft sharing how Star Wars was their inciting incident, and a third master (about to join the High Republic crew) with a fantastic answer to the one-question interview. Today, flashing back to SWCC with Jason Fry, Matthew Reinhart, and Zoraida Córdova. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

A trio of interviews that all center around a common theme: how compelling Star Wars continues to be, over the decades. We're flashing back to conversations with Paul Duncan, Clayton Sandell, and Tom Spina. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Yesterday, the present and future of ILM and visual effects. Today, the past and legacy of ILM and visual effects! I'm revisiting a conversation with ILM co-founder Lorne Peterson on the show... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

With all the talk about how VFX has changed with the way things are done on The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and the Kenobi series, I thought it would be fun to revisit this brief conversation with ILM's Rob Bredow... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Obi-Day is here! Today we're talking about the latest story Obi-Wan relates in the journal meant for Luke Skywalker. It's mostly a Yoda story, but with lessons for Luke, and a surprising link to the Kenobi trailer. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Looking for more fun Star Wars stuff to watch? I made a playlist for you! It's all the Star Wars videos from the ILM YouTube channel, and on the podcast today, I'm talking about the five videos specific to Rogue One. Punch it! Here's the playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL68FO-pA3xg7ePUyXmLbGWhAeKcOYMtJc ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

A new Obi-Wan Kenobi show description! Something different about the hunting of Jedi! And another Lucasfilm source rejects the Darth Maul thing! Plus late-breaking Mando Season 3 news... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Wrapping up our two-part conversation about Maul and Kenobi in Star Wars Rebels, how that all worked out, and how it reflects on the potential events of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Because of all the chatter around Maul and the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, I thought it would be a good time to revisit their showdown in Star Wars Rebels, what led up to it, and how that reflects on the possibility of Maul ever having been in an earlier Kenobi series draft. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Something about that Hollywood Reporter piece on Maul being cut from the Kenobi series didn't ring right. So I sat with it for a day or two, and now I'm ready to dig into the elements that aren't adding up - including where Maul *could* appear instead. Punch it! As promised in the show, here's the link to the Hollywood Reporter article: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/obi-wan-kenobi-darth-maul-scenes-cut-luke-skywalker-replaced-during-creative-overhaul-1235108192/ ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The script version of Cavan Scott's High Republic audiobook original arrives today! On this podcast, we'll talk about the hardcover implementation of "Tempest Runner," the meatiest of all three audiobook-original scripts to date. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Kenobi versus Krrsantan! On today's look back at Obi-Wan's time in the deserts of Tatooine, we cover the highlights of that fight, Luke's Force instincts, and how the encounter affects all their relationships (including Owen and Beru). Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Star Wars Insider is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Attack of the Clones with a "Galactic Tales" short story series! Today, we'll look at the first of those, and peek ahead at what else is in store. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

From the original film idea to the live-action series coming soon, the Entertainment Weekly cover story on Obi-Wan Kenobi fleshes out the key points of its development. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

More of Entertainment Weekly's Obi-Wan Kenobi cover story has been released, including new details about Darth Vader and about Obi-Wan's story arc. Punch it! Here's the main cover story mentioned in the show: https://ew.com/tv/obi-wan-kenobi-ewan-mcgregor-hayden-christensen-cover-story/ And here's the Vader-specific breakout article: https://ew.com/tv/darth-vader-obi-wan-kenobi-hayden-christensen-exclusive-photo/ ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

It's here! And so much earlier than anticipated! On today's episode, a rapid-fire breakdown of the Obi-Wan Kenobi teaser trailer... Punch it! Here's the trailer in case you want to watch it again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqWCPTeJd6c ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

It's getting more and more real! ReedPOP has released a major update on health and safety guidelines, as well as a date for new ticket sales - and all ticket types will be available. Punch it! Ticket information: https://www.starwarscelebration.com/en-us/tickets.html Health & Safety: https://www.starwarscelebration.com/en-us/safety-guidelines.html ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Daniel José Older joins Shima Shinya on Volume 2 of "The Edge of Balance," which sees Jedi Knight Lily and the people of Banchii challenged in a whole new way. Our (mostly) non-spoiler review today... Punch it! And thanks to VIZ Media for sharing a review copy for us to have this conversation! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

It's an Obi-Day Monday, and we're looking back on another story set during Kenobi's time in the desert - this one taking place only a year before the live action series. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

On this Spinner Sunday we're conducting a full spoiler review of Trail of Shadows, the Jedi noir by Daniel Jose Older that's set at the end of Phase 1 of The High Republic. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

There's precious little new Star Wars content on the main Disney YouTube channel, but we'll see what's there and also consider what to watch on Disney+ prior to the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The man who greenlit Star Wars at 20th Century Fox, Alan Ladd, Jr. passed away earlier this week. He was a titan of the filmmaking industry, and widely regarded as one of the most decent executives and producers in Hollywood. Today, a tribute to his life and work.

There's a reason why the Kenobi series isn't debuting on May the 4th, and it seems to validate a pattern in the Disney+ release schedule that may mean we won't see Mando season 3 until next year... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The first reviews for Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser are in! Generally, it's a non-stop experience that's mostly positive, but with some reservations. We'll dig deeper on today's show... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Rogue Squadron is still on the new Disney film calendar! We'll do a parallel update and check in on all the other Star Wars storytelling news for the month of March. Punch it! These are the storytelling categories we cover every month: Movies Live-action TV Animation Books Audiobooks Short Stories Comics Virtual Reality Video Games Experiential (Events/Conventions/Parks) Merchandise Streaming ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Fett Day is now Obi Day! For the Mondays leading up to the debut of the Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi series, we'll focus on stories from Ben's time in the desert. We start with a story that takes place two years before the Kenobi series. Punch it! As mentioned on the show, here's the link to the Ukrainian Red Cross Society: http://redcross.org.ua/donate/ That page is in Ukranian, but there's a button on the page in English for donations coming from outside Ukraine, and it leads here: https://donate.redcrossredcrescent.org/b?cid=69&lang=en_EN

I thought we'd check out something light for today's Spinner Sunday, but it turns out that the Life Day one-shot is thickly packed with stories from across the timeline. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***