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.

Peter Mayhew has passed away

Peter Mayhew has died, his family announced today. The original Chewbacca actor passed away April 30 at his Texas home, they said in a statement tweeted from his Twitter account:

He’s survived by his wife Angie and three children. The family asks that, instead of gifts, fans consider donations to the Peter Mayhew Foundation.

Mayhew originated the role of Chewbacca in the original Star Wars trilogy. He returned in Revenge of the Sith and in some scenes of The Force Awakens, where he taught and passed the role to Joonas Suotamo.

https://twitter.com/JoonasSuotamo/status/1124095635332853760

More remembrances from George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Kathleen Kennedy.

An open memorial service is being planned for December in Los Angeles.

Rise of Skywalker teaser beats TFA, TLJ numbers

The Rise of Skywalker teaser that debuted at Celebration Chicago had 111M views within its first 24 hours, Deadline reports, beating the equivalent numbers for the first teaser from The Last Jedi and doubling on the Black Friday 2014 teaser for The Force Awakens.

It’s not an overall record – the last two Avengers films still hold that – but as Deadline notes, a good chunk of Star Wars fans were watching via the convention livestream. (Although, bear in mind, The Last Jedi teaser also debuted during a livestreamed Celebration!)

The catchup: Galaxy’s Edge reservations, is Rise of Skywalker going to SDCC?

Fans without hotel reservations will be able to make reservations for Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland on May 2. The reservations are free, but you will need a park ticket or be a passholder to get one. The system only applies in California – when the Florida version is up in August it’ll be open to all immediately. Speaking of Disney World, here’s some rumored name and theming details for the Star Wars hotel that’s still in the planning stages.

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