The Mandalorian: We might get some Baby Yoda merch after all

Because the character was kept under wraps for so long, we’ve all been assuming there won’t be any Baby Yoda merch this year… But CNBC says some may launch as soon as tomorrow – and in fact there’s already a t-shirt on Amazon. But will there be a plush? Galaxy’s Edge has already improvised with the existing Yoda toys, but will it pass muster?

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Concept art of [spoiler] and more The Mandalorian news

The cat is out of the bag, and so this is the last post where I’m going to play coy at the big spoiler at the end of The Mandalorian’s first episode. I know the show isn’t available worldwide just yet, but keeping the very existence of what is clearly going to be a pivotal character secret is simply not feasible for a news site. Even the official folks have given up the ghost, and per usual I am taking my cues on what is and isn’t a spoiler from them. Consider yourselves warned!

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Into the gap: Journey to the Rise of Skywalker books revealed

For May 4, StarWars.com has revealed the Journey to The Rise of Skywalker publishing slate. And this time, with a gap between films, we actually get several novels focusing on sequel trilogy characters.

From Del Rey, that means a new-to-Star Wars author, Rebecca Roanhorse, taking on Resistance Reborn, and Justina Ireland (Lando’s Luck) with the middle-grade Spark of the Resistance. Cavan Scott and Elsa Charretier also return with Choose Your Destiny: A Finn & Poe Adventure. From Marvel, there’s Allegiance, a miniseries involving Leia and the Mon Calamari. (Go into the galleries for more detail.)

It’s not in the gap, though: Kevin Shinick, another new-to-Star Wars author, has Force Collector, starring a “restless teenager” on Jakku prior to The Force Awakens.

Spark of the Resistance and A Finn & Poe Adventure are first out on October 4; The four-issue Allegiance begins October 9 and drops weekly through the 30th; Resistance Reborn is out November 12 and Force Collector on November 19.

For our nonfiction and reference offerings, we’ve got the same basic template we’ve seen since TFA. Phil Szostak’s The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Pablo Hidalgo’s The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary are both due out the same day as the film: December 20.

A movie novelization isn’t expected until spring. There’s more of the usual kid stuff and sticker books at StarWars.com.

The Art of Star Wars Rebels arrives in October

This has been bouncing around fandom for a few days, but here it is, officially: The Art of Star Wars Rebels is coming out in October. The hardcover is written by Dan Wallace and “will chronicle the making of the show over its four-season run, complete with never-before-seen concept art and process pieces.” It will include commentary from Dave Filoni, Simon Kinberg, Carrie Beck and others, and is already up for preorder.

For the time being, there’s plenty of behind the scenes content in the series guide on StarWars.com, including the above, a lighting concept by Molly Denmark for the series finale.

The spoilery concept art for The Last Jedi has landed

io9 has the concept art for some of The Last Jedi’s biggest surprises – the stuff that was held back from the art book due to spoilers. There are only a handful of pieces, but they’re some good ones.

StarWars.com has an interview with Joonas Suotamo on taking over Chewbacca full time for The Last Jedi and Solo. He also appeared on the latest Star Wars Show. They also talk to droid builder Lee Towersey.

Kelly Marie Tran stops by Oh My Disney (with BB-8!) and Fangirling to talk shooting The Last Jedi, ships, and working with John Boyega and Benicio del Toro.

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Solo book lineup features novels from Daniel José Older, Rae Carson

The Solo book lineup is here, and it’s extensive. All the usual suspects are here: Novels from Del Rey and Disney Lucasfilm Press, comics from Marvel and IDW, the standard non-fiction… And a whole lot of kids stuff, because Star Wars. It’s all over at Entertainment Weekly, but here are my highlights.

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