Star Wars Bits: New ‘Star Wars Rebels’ Footage, ‘Episode 8’ Rewrites, Star Wars: Rebellion Board Game Review, Disneyland Star Wars Land Details
Welcome back to Star Wars Bits, your regular source ofStar Warsnews in bit-form! In today’s edition:
If you were hoping to see a live actionStar Warstelevision series anytime soon, start lowering those hopes right now.TV Linereports that there are no current plans to produce a series of this kind, so you had better just hugStar Wars Rebelsall the tighter. Interestingly, one unnamed industry insider called this “smart brand management” and praised Lucasfilm and Disney for “looking to avoid the Marvel-ization of the franchise.” And we get that – how many people actually watch Marvel moviesandMarvel Netflix showsandAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.on ABC? Restricting live actionStar Warsto the big screen may be the best way to maintain the franchise’s mystique and power as Lucasfilm starts pumping out one movie a year.
When it was announced thatStar Wars: Episode 8was jumping from a July 29, 2025 release to June 25, 2025, writer/director Rian Johnson shared this oddball gem. In other words, how lucky are we that this guy is making aStar Warsmovie?
Obviously the December date worked out very (very) well for them but I’ve also heard they are rewriting the script.
— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit)July 26, 2025
I’ve heard from several sources the rewrites are positive, based on audience reaction to the new characters. People loved them.
So strongly. And Lucasfilm was surprised at how well they were received, according to several sources.
Speaking of thatStar Wars: Episode 8release date change, The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit confirmed rumors that Johnson is working on a new draft of the screenplay that will increase the roles of the Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, and Kylo Ren. It seems that nobody at Disney and Lucasfilm was prepared for these characters to prove so popular and new characters are being reduced to give these returning favorites more screen time. As far as reasons for rewrites go, that’s a pretty good one.
With construction on the Star Wars Land set to begin very soon at Disneyland,Making Star Warshas revealed a slew of new details about what we can expect to see in this ambitious new expansion. Some of this aligns with what we already know (the area will open with two major attractions in addition to shops and such), but some of it is totally new and showcases how Disney Imagineers are already utilizing their knowledge ofRogue OneandEpisode 8. Here’s what you need to know:
Poe Dameron’s black X-wing fighter will greet guests at the 3rd entrance toStar Wars Land, although anEpisode VIIIfeature to the fighter might make it different from what we know about it fromThe Force Awakens.
Characters and creatures fromStar Wars: Episode VIIIwill be featured in the park.
TheFalconwill be real, life sized, not scaled down at all, and sitting on top of a launch pad.
TheFalconwill be opening and closing its main door and aliens/ troopers will be walking around asking people if they’ve seen anyone leave the ship.
There will be two major attractions, one larger than “Toon Town” itself.
Don’t worry about not being able to go inside theFalcon. One of the major attractions will take care of that for you as you fly in the cockpit of the freighter itself.
The word is the Imagineers loved theRogue One: A Star Wars Storyscript, but if that will come into play is still hazy. Initial word was the second major attraction would featureRogue Onecontent, but now that appears to be somewhat unlikely.
It’s no secret that this expansion is Disney’s way of directly competing with Universal Studios' Wizarding World of Harry Potter and it looks like they’re truly going for broke. Here’s our next question; will the Star Wars Land at Walt Disney World in Florida feature the same details or will it be a different experience altogether?
Speaking ofStar Warsat Disney theme parks, it looks like you will soon be able to meetStar Wars Rebelscharacters at Walt Disney World.Disney Auditionshas revealed a casting call looking for actors to portray Ezra and Sabine:
Ezra Bridger:male, 5'3" – 5'7", slender build; Ezra is a street-smart orphan who has savvy, charm, and a strong survival instinct. Must be at least 18, but resemble a 14 year-old kid.
Sabine Wren:female, 5'4" – 5'8", slender build; Sabine is an expressive, colorful, and energetic saboteur. She maintains and customizes the group’s technology and weaponry.
If you live in central Florida, fit that description, and could use some work, follow that link above. Otherwise, prepare to wait in line for 30 minutes to have your picture taken with these two.
I actually forgot I had worked on these a long, long time ago. I’m not sure if they ever saw the light of day but it was a fun exercise nonetheless. #starwars #starwarsart #darthmaul #clonetrooper #anakinskywalker
A photo posted by Eric Tan (@erictanart) onJan 19, 2016 at 9:05pm PST
ArtistEric Tanhas revealed thisStar Warsprequel trilogy poster set that he designed and never previously released. Say what you want about the prequels, but that is some pretty slick art.
io9has assembled a very entertaining list of the best newStar Warscharacters who aren’t inStarWars: The Force Awakens. If you want to get to know these men, women, droids, and aliens, you’ll have to dig into all of the new comics and novels. My personal favorites on the list: Doctor Aphra and the droids 0-0-0 and BT-1, who give Darth Vader a support team worthy of his infamy in the pages of Marvel’sDarth Vadercomic.
The board game review series Miami Dice has posted their review of Star Wars: Rebellion and it’s nothing short of a rave. We’ll be posting our own review of this huge game – which simulates the battle between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire in minute detail – after it hits shelves in February.
It looks like we won’t have to start a “Where’s Leia?” campaign anytime soon. Following all of the hubbub surrounding the lack of Rey toys available for purchase, Hasbro has revealed that Princess Leiawill be getting a new action figureinspired by her appearance onStar Wars Rebels. And yes, her new outfitisbased on old Ralph McQuarrie concept art.
And while we’re on the subject ofStar Wars Rebels, Disney has released a new midseason promo teasing episodes to come. The emphasis here is on action beats and comedy, so even you serious spoiler-dodgers can get away with watching this one.
And finally, a new clip from the next episode ofStar Wars Rebels, titled “The Protector of Concord Dawn,” has arrived online. Here’s how Lucasfilm describes it:
In this preview of the Star Wars Rebels episode “The Protector of Concord Dawn,” Sabine is cornered by a group of armed Mandalorians forcing her to reveal her parentage. Though the details of her history may have earned her some new enemies…
