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

Palpatine died on the second Death Star. And if you had any doubts about that, Ian McDiarmid put them to rest. He told The Phantom Menace 20th Anniversary panel audience that he'd had multiple conversations with George Lucas about it over the years, and Lucas always insisted that Palpatine was dead as a doornail. So how are we to explain the laughter of that madman as heard in the teaser for The Rise of Skywalker? Well, between the movies, books, TV shows, and comics, there are at least seven different explanations for how this is possible, and I'm going to run them all down for you 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.***

It was an amazing five days of Star Wars Celebration, and though the party has left town (as you'll see in the video version of the show, and in photos on our social channels), the fun is just beginning. On today's show, I'm recapping the coverage and the biggest reveals, and announcing the names of all 25 - yes, 25! - interviewees you'll be hearing from on the show in the coming weeks. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Ian McDiarmid teases us about Palpatine; a haunting event gets a sequel; an intriguing new publishing initiative is hinted at; and the first episode of Star Wars Resistance Season 2 debuts! It's a solid finale to an amazing Star Wars Celebration. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

This is a full-spoiler briefing on the season 2 premiere of Star Wars Resistance! If you can't wait to learn the details, it's all here - but please, be sure not to share, comment, or reply to this episode in any way that could reveal spoilers to someone who doesn't want it to be spoiled. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

As opposed to previous days at Star Wars Celebration Chicago, Day 4 only contained two news-breaking story events: panels for The Mandalorian and for Clone Wars Season 7. And the footage they provided in both was stunning, even though they decided not to show The Mandalorian footage to anyone but the attendees at the panel. Here's the top stories update for both events... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Dave Filoni is a man who does not disappoint, and is also a man who loves to make Ashley Eckstein cry. At the Clone Wars Season 7 (aka #CloneWarsSaved) panel at Star Wars Celebration Chicago, he shared clips each of the three story arcs that will comprise the final season of The Clone Wars, and unveiled a full trailer as well. 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 rules said no video recording or flash photography, but if I can't do that, then at least I can tell you what was happening during the two times they blacked out the livestream of The Mandalorian panel at Star Wars Celebration Chicago. This was recorded in the halls of Wintrust Arena while it was fresh in my head, and sheltered from the freak snowstorm outside. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

If we had to pick a winner for Day 3 of Star Wars Celebration Chicago, the panel for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order would get my vote. I've got the full scope of the reveals here, including details about the trailer, the characters, the story, and much 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 reveals from the Star Wars Galaxy's Edge panel at Star Wars Celebration Chicago were all kind of at the little teaser level. As in, snippets of music, mentions of voice actors, hints at ride footage previews, and one "refreshing" revelation. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

It was Galaxy's Edge's turn in the Star Wars Celebration Stage Panel Lottery spotlight, but I think its thunder was stolen by the gangbusters trailer and additional reveals for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. And surprisingly, there were panels on books, comics, and animation where the list of new news could all be summed up neatly in one episode. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Another bonus episode from Star Wars Celebration Chicago! In this one, I'm downloading all the reveals about Vader Immortal Episode I. Toward the end (and with ample warning), there will be a minor spoiler that comes from the gameplay itself, which i09 shared from their experience with it at the Oculus/ILMxLAB/Vader Immortal booth. 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 this bonus episode, I do a deep dive into all the new details we got about Star Wars books from the Lucasfilm Publishing panel during Day 2 at Star Wars Celebration Chicago. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Recapping the biggest news from Day 2 of Star Wars Celebration Chicago, including the title and teaser for Episode IX, the trailer and new details for Vader Immortal Episode I, and some minor new reveals from the Lucasfilm Publishing panel. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Even though there was no official programming for Star Wars Celebration Chicago on Thursday, Lucasfilm managed to drop multiple reveals on us, for Episode IX, Vader Immortal, The Mandalorian, Disney+, and the Cassian Andor series. Details summed up here... 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 an interview with Fast Company, Star Wars Episode IX director and co-writer J.J. Abrams had some juicy and mysterious things to say about the finale to the Skywalker saga, what it took to make it, and how it's shaping up in the editing room. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

I'm only a half-hour's walk away from the Star Wars Celebration festivity prep, so I took a walk yesterday and scouted out the scene. Get the details on where to see the developments happening at McCormick Place, and learn more about how I'll be covering #SWCC for you. 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 time has come to reveal my one-question interview inquiry for Star Wars Celebration. Each year of Celebration, the question has been asked of authors, artists, podcasters, and Lucasfilm employees, and for the first time, I'm widely sharing the 2019 question with my listeners. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

I'm here! Star Wars 7x7 is coming at you from Chicago ahead of Star Wars Celebration. Today's episode, recorded outside Wintrust Arena and McCormick Place, features some of my last-minute advice for people coming to SWCC, and collections of advice from other folks, too. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Have you ever wondered how the whole autograph and photo op situation works behind the scenes? In part 2 of my interview with Frank Rich of Star Wars Autograph News, Frank reveals how the system works, and why you see (or don't see) certain Star Wars stars in the photo ops at Star Wars Celebration. 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 autograph and photo op setup at Star Wars Celebration Chicago is shaping up to be the largest one ever at Celebration! But how did autographing as a business get started, and how did it become what it is today? In the first of a two-part interview, Star Wars Autograph News owner and founder Frank Rich joins me to set the scene. We'll talk about his history as a Star Wars fan and how it led him to collecting signatures and from there to creating Star Wars Autograph News. We'll also talk about how the autographing industry has changed over the last decade, and I'll give a preview of what's on tap for tomorrow'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.***

Want to know more about the time in between The Last Jedi and Episode IX? Pirate's Price has more answers, including how Hondo deals with Bazine Netal and her mysterious employer, and how the Falcon got to Batuu in time for the Galaxy's Edge experience. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Similar to how three novels targeted to younger readers for "The Journey to The Force Awakens" included sequel-era prologues and epilogues, the "Flight of the Falcon" series has prologues and epilogues that are very "Journey to Episode IX" in their nature, but this time, there's a central plot and character - Bazine Netal's hunt for the Millennium Falcon. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

While we count down the final days until the big reveals at Celebration Chicago, I'm circling back to a title with storytelling that takes place between The Last Jedi and Episode IX. It's "Lando's Luck" by Justina Ireland, part of the "Flight of the Falcon" 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.***

Thanks to everyone who had such nice things to say about yesterday's April Fool's Day episode! Today, I'm running down some other pranks that popped up, and looking back at the history of April Fool's Day episodes on Star Wars 7x7. 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 honor of the 20th anniversary of its debut, Disney has created a Special Edition version of The Phantom Menace for limited release next month! Here's the scoop on some of the changes Disney made, as well as the strategy behind this surprising move. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

It's time for our monthly Patron Q&A session! This time around: Why Leia didn't become queen after the destruction of Alderaan, and what being Padme's daughter got her on Naboo; the changing story of why Vader didn't (or did) sense the Force in Leia in A New Hope; and my favorite Star Wars ship... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

I don't approach Star Wars Celebration like the average fan, or even the average podcaster. I'll explain in today's episode, and reveal the theme for this Celebration's one-question interview. Plus, I'm asking for your support in making this show possible... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Just because it's the last day of Star Wars Celebration Chicago, don't go thinking there won't still be some major news and story updates to reveal. On today's show, I'm flagging my top three panels in that regard, naming two honorable mention panels, and adding a couple of last 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.***

Disney+ is taking center stage on Sunday at Star Wars Celebration Chicago, with the main newsbreaking highlights of the day coming from two panels related to content on the upcoming streaming service. Plus, one stage at Celebration we haven't talked about yet, which has some pretty stellar programming... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Saturday will be the first of two Star Wars Celebration Chicago clusterfest days in terms of attendance, but luckily there's a handful of must-attend panels to keep you away from the crowds. Here's my top five list, along with three very honorable mentions. 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 a ton of amazing things happening on Friday at Star Wars Celebration Chicago. Here are my selections for the top 5 events of the day, including one that hasn't been getting anywhere near the level of attention it deserves. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

This week, a preview of the biggest happenings at Star Wars Celebration Chicago, and what you can expect to hear and see from me and Star Wars 7x7! Today: the Thursday, April 11th events of #SWCC. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Fans got a little nervous about the cold Chicago nights when they heard that lining up overnight for Star Wars Celebration panels wasn't going to happen. But now they've announced a new online panel lottery and reservation system, and here's how it's going to affect the show and what you'll catch on Star Wars 7x7 during the event. 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 lot of announcements dropped that I'll be talking about next week, but one of them is a stand-alone thing that I'll cover today - new news about the novel "Black Spire" and how it applies to that currently mysterious time between Episode VIII and Episode IX. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Eagle-eyed observers saw new Disney job postings tagged with "Lucasfilm Games" and got all worked up over it. Were they taking gaming in-house? Was EA in more trouble? The answer's "no" on both counts, and the job descriptions for these new postings made that super-clear - as well as flagged a big priority for Disney in the coming years. 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 could an apparent throw-away line in a comic book from last year turn into a driver of events in Star Wars Resistance this year? The connection explained, plus thoughts on what will greet the Colossus when it emerges from hyperspace, and two First Order characters whose prospects for appearing in season 2 seem grim. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Sure, we knew the First Order was armed to the teeth and could take control of the galaxy in a matter of weeks after the Hosnian cataclysm. But how did they build up to that point? Star Wars Resistance offered us some answers, and shed some more light on the First Order in the process. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Now that the first season of Star Wars Resistance is in the books, let's take a look back and see what we've learned about the Resistance itself over the course of these 21 episodes, and how it fits into what we already know from other media sources. 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 choice of loyalties, a major death, and a cliffhanger that opens up a whole new realm of possibilities - that's what's in store for you in "No Escape, Part 2," the season 1 finale for Star Wars Resistance. 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 movies, they'd call it a post-credits scene. It's an apt comparison for the epilogue of E.K. Johnston's "Queen's Shadow," since the epilogue doesn't wrap up the events of the novel - it takes place several years afterward. And it hints at some juicy new storytelling opportunities. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Not only does Queen's Shadow tie into other Star Wars stories, it also features surprise character appearances, deepened appreciations, and - most shocking of all - the revelation of an attempt to right a wrong that didn't work out (but could have changed the course of the galaxy if it had). Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Mary Franklin, leader of Star Wars events for Lucasfilm and ReedPOP since 2001, has left to take on a new challenge. Today, a tribute to her tireless dedication to Star Wars fans, and the incredible effort she put into making the new Star Wars Celebrations as awesome as humanly possible. Also, great news for fans looking to buy and sell Celebration tickets... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

What I've been telling you for months has finally been confirmed! The Episode IX panel at Star Wars Celebration Chicago will take place on Friday, April 12. Who will appear, who's already scheduled to be there, and who's yet to be announced? I'll run it down 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.***

Last month it was JJ Abrams. This month it's Oscar Isaac, promoting something else entirely and getting asked about Episode IX. Oscar had his own single-word description of the movie, repeated a detail or two, and shared a few new ones... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Turns out the makers of Star Wars Resistance have even crazier things planned for the season finale than we know, because they sank the Colossus two episodes before the finale in "Descent," episode 19 of season 1. As Neeku says, "Or it's so crazy, it's crazy." 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 personal tragedy has been hiding in plain sight all season long, and it comes to devastating fruition in "No Escape, Part 1," episode 20 of the first season of Star Wars Resistance. I'm recapping the major points today for you... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

What does Episode IX have to do with Captain Marvel and the vote brigading going on during its opening weekend? It's a preview of how things are going to go in December, and how the concept of "Audience Scores" may be becoming a thing of the past. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

New guests and a trio of animation panels make the picture of Star Wars Celebration Chicago much clearer than it was during our last update. I'll be sorting through all the details on today's show for you... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Opening dates and phases for Galaxy's Edge were revealed at the Disney shareholders meeting yesterday, and some shots from Episode IX appeared in a sizzle reel. The mildest of mild Episode IX spoilers, with ample warning and delivered from a hammock, 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.***

Mild spoilers continue in my discussion of E.K. Johnston's Star Wars: Queen's Shadow. We know from Attack of the Clones and the Clone Wars cartoon series that Nute Gunray holds a grudge against Padme Amidala. Johnston's novel fills in more of that backstory, and how it affects Padme's first year in the Senate. Plus, the fate of Captain Panaka, and a Battlefront II tie-in... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***