Star Wars News Round Up: April 2021

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On Screen News

Following news that Andor had been filming in Canary Wharf, Essex based Star Wars podcast Star Wars Sessions (some say the UK’s best SW podcast) reported that the Disney+ show had been shooting at the Coryton Oil Refinary on Canvey Island. Essex. [20/4/21]

The Droids animated series will join the recently released Vintage Collection on Disney+ later this year, the series which follows the adventures of C-3PO and R2-D2 debuted in 1985 and ran for one season. [2/4/21]

The Kenobi Disney+ series adds Maya Erskine (PEN15, Betas) to it’s cast, Fantha Tracks reports that she is set to be appearing in 3 episodes.


We lost several members of the Star Wars family this month. Phil Eason, puppeteer of Yaddle in The Phantom Menace passes away aged 60 [6/4/21]. Ira Keeler, model maker who worked on Return of the Jedi and was Chief Model Maker on The Phantom Menace passed away aged 80 [16/4/21]. Felix Silla, the actor who played the unnamed hang gliding Ewok in Return of the Jedi passed away at 84 [16/4/21].


Publishing News

Part three of the Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy by Timothy Zahn will be released on 16th November 2021 and will be called ‘Lesser Evil’ following ‘Greater Good’ which was released this month by Del Rey Publishing. [1/4/21]


Del Rey Publishing announced that they will be releasing trade paperback versions of classic Legends books to commemorate Lucasfilm’s 50th anniversary with specially commissioned cover art, the first wave will be available June 15th and includes;

Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire

Darth Bane: Path of Destruction by Drew Karpyshyn

Shatterpoint by Matthew Stover

[2/4/21]


Jabba the Hutt will get a one-shot comic as part of the War of the Bounty Hunters crossover event taking place in Marvel’s Star Wars comics May through July. The one off issue will be written by Justina Ireland (A Test of Courage). [10/4/21]


StarWars.com publishes more details about the next wave of High Republic books which are due to be released between June and August this summer. [12/4/21]


Books published in April 2021

Skywalker: A Family At War - Kristin Baver [6/4/21] DK

Doctor Aphra - Sarah Kuhn (Audiobook Script) [6/4/21] Del Rey

Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good - Timothy Zahn [27/4/21] Del Rey

The Art of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge - Amy Ratcliffe [27/4/21] Abrams

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Character Encyclopedia - Jason Fry [27/4/21] DK Children


Comics Published in April 2021

Marvel The High Republic #4 7/4/21

IDW The High Republic Adventures #3 7/4/21

Marvel Bounty Hunters #11 14/4/21

IDW Star Wars Adventures #7 14/4/21

Marvel Doctor Aphra #9 21/4/21

Marvel Darth Vader #11 28/4/21


Games

TT Games announced on Twitter that the long awaited Lego Star Wars Skywalker Saga will not be ready for a spring release. [2/4/21]


ILMXLAB announces that Dok Ondar will feature in the next chapter of the Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge VR experience, the Ithorian is the owner of Dok Ondar’s Antiquities in the Galaxy’s Edge area of the Disney theme parks.


Toys, Collectibles & Merch

There were a number of reveals at the Hasbro Pulse Fan Fest [9/4/21];

- Vintage Collection Reveals; Hoth Luke, Endor Han, Admiral Ackbar, Emperor’s Royal Guard

- Vintage Collection Gaming Greats; Heavy Battle Droid, Shadow trooper, Scout Trooper, Electrostaff Purge Trooper

- Black Series (Pipeline Reveals from January); General Lando Calrissian, Aurra Sing, Tech, Zero, Koska Reeves

- Black Series Helmet; Wedge Antilles 

- Vintage Collection Antoc Merric X-Wing

There will be another Star Wars Hasbro Pulse event on May 4th. 


Yakface.com reports a rumor of a Rey Skywalker Force FX Elite Saber, the yellow bladed lightsaber we see at the end of The Rise of Skywalker. [3/4/21]


Hot Toys announce Ahsoka Tano & Grogu 1/6 scale figure set.


Hasbro announces more 50th anniversary black series figures with a Clone Wars wave, in throwback packaging. The wave includes Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Clone Pilot Hawk and Arc Trooper Echo. [20/4/21]


Lego reveals a new 2,000+ Piece Collectors edition R2-D2 which stand 12.5 inches tall and feature moving parts.


Other News & Rumors

Jordan Madison reports Lucasfilm files new trademark for ‘Skywalker Academy’ [6/4/21]

https://twitter.com/jordanmaison/status/1379490514198786050?s=21


Din Djarin will appear in the Book of Boba Fett [8/4/21]

https://www.cinelinx.com/movie-news/tv/an-important-mandalorian-will-appear-in-the-book-of-boba-fett-exclusive/


A retractable “Real” Lightsaber shown during Disney Parks Virtual event

https://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2021/04/retractable-real-lightsaber-unveiled-at-disney-parks-virtual-event.html


Hyperspace Lounge adults only bar revealed for Disney Wish Cruise Ship [29/4/21]



See you all again next month!


Jonny O

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