Star Wars Celebration Japan Day 1: Gosling Joins Galaxy in ‘Starfighter’, Mando & Grogu Footage Stuns, Maul Animated Series Revealed & More!
The Force resonated powerfully through Tokyo as Star Wars Celebration returned to Japan for the first time in 17 years, kicking off an explosive Day 1 at the Makuhari Messe convention center. Friday, April 18th, immediately sent shockwaves across the galaxy, proving Lucasfilm’s commitment to bold new adventures on screens both big and small. Eschewing the single, large-scale studio showcase panel seen in recent years, the day saw massive announcements strategically deployed across dedicated project panels, leaving fans reeling and setting an electrifying tone for the weekend.
Future of the Force: Films Take Flight
‘Starfighter’ Surprise – Gosling Enlists!
The day’s most stunning revelation arrived unexpectedly during the opening panel, which was initially focused on The Mandalorian & Grogu. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni brought director Shawn Levy to the stage, who confirmed his long-developing Star Wars film is officially titled Star Wars: Starfighter. Set to begin filming this fall, the movie is targeting a May 28, 2027 theatrical release.
Levy described Starfighter as a standalone adventure featuring entirely new characters, venturing into the largely uncharted territory roughly five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This marks a significant, deliberate step into the post-sequel trilogy era, testing the waters with fresh faces and a story unburdened by direct ties to previous sagas.
Then came the bombshell confirmation of a major casting rumor: Ryan Gosling will star.
Gosling himself made a surprise appearance, delighting the crowd by sharing a childhood photo with Empire Strikes Back bedsheets and praising Levy and the “original,” heartfelt script.
Mando & Grogu’s Big Screen Debut – Footage Revealed!
The journey from streaming sensation to cinematic event continued as director Jon Favreau, star Pedro Pascal, and newly announced cast member Sigourney Weaver joined Filoni and Kennedy to discuss The Mandalorian & Grogu. Favreau confirmed the film, hitting theaters May 22, 2026, will receive an IMAX release, underscoring its cinematic scale.
Attendees were treated to exclusive footage that showcased the film’s thrilling action and expanding scope.
The clips featured Din Djarin (Pascal) ruthlessly battling Snowtroopers within the confines of an AT-AT before escaping its fiery destruction on a snowy world, rumored to be Hoth last seen in The Empire Strikes Back.
The footage provided the first look at Sigourney Weaver’s character, a New Republic official who hires Mando but critiques his “messy” methods. Fans also caught glimpses of Grogu swimming, using the Force against a new mouse droid, the return of the Razor Crest, a brief appearance by Star Wars Rebels‘ Zeb Orrelios walking alongside the leads, and even Rotta the Hutt (reportedly voiced by Jeremy Allen White) inside a gladiatorial arena.
Adding to the synergy, a new Mandalorian-themed mission for the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction at Disney Parks was also teased. How will the intimate story of Din Djarin and Grogu translate to the epic scope of the cinema screen?
Kennedy Confirms Other long-Gestating Film Projects Still in Development
Kennedy also reassured fans that other previously announced films from directors James Mangold, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Taika Waititi, along with a trilogy from Simon Kinberg, remain in development.
Animation Ascends: Maul’s Shadow and Expanding Universes
Maul’s Animated Revenge – ‘Maul: Shadow Lord’ Announced!
The Lucasfilm Animation 20th Anniversary panel proved animation remains a vital engine for Star Wars storytelling, delivering perhaps the day’s second-biggest shock: Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord. This brand-new animated series, set for Disney+ in 2026, sees Sam Witwer reprise his iconic voice role as the fan-favorite former Sith Lord.
An exclusive, action-packed trailer revealed Maul, seemingly working with the Shadow Collective, training a new pink-skinned Twi’lek apprentice, and even engaging in a lightsaber duel with the Inquisitor Marrok from Ahsoka and Tales of the Empire. The animation itself showcased a striking, painterly evolution building on the style of The Clone Wars, lending a new aesthetic beauty to the galaxy’s underworld. Could this series finally bridge the gap and reveal how Maul rebuilt his criminal empire before his appearance in Solo: A Star Wars Story?
A Galaxy of Animation Continues
The breadth of Lucasfilm Animation was further highlighted by an exclusive screening of an Asajj Ventress-centric episode from the upcoming Tales of the Underworld series (premiering May 4, 2025). Discussions also touched upon the second season of the acclaimed documentary Light & Magic, the confirmation of a third season for the preschooler-focused Young Jedi Adventures, and a rare look at an animatic from a previously cancelled Clone Wars arc featuring a young Boba Fett mentored by Cad Bane.
Across the Galaxy: Series, Books, Games, and More
Beyond the headline film and animation news, Day 1 offered updates across the Star Wars landscape. Dave Filoni confirmed that filming for Ahsoka Season 2 commences immediately upon his return from Japan.
Fans also enjoyed a deep dive into the design process for last year’s series Skeleton Crew with Lucasfilm’s Doug Chiang.
The Lucasfilm Publishing panels unveiled a treasure trove of upcoming literary adventures. Highlights included manga adaptations of popular stories like Thrawn and Jedi: Fallen Order – a fitting nod to the host country’s culture – alongside details on the grand finale of The High Republic publishing initiative (Trials of the Jedi), a new Darth Vader novel titled Master of Evil set shortly after Revenge of the Sith, and updates on various ongoing comic series.
Gamers received a sneak peek at the Star Wars Outlaws story DLC, A Pirate’s Fortune, featuring the return of scoundrel Hondo Ohnaka. Collectors also had plenty to cheer about with reveals from Hasbro (including the surprise return of Legends character Dash Rendar), a life-size LEGO K-2SO build celebrating a new set, and new model kits from Bandai Spirits.
Day 2 is now upon us, with more exciting news sure to land. Stay tuned.
