Star Wars Celebration 2025: A Recap Of Surprises In Tokyo

The Force was strong in Tokyo this past weekend as Star Wars Celebration 2025 wrapped up an unforgettable three-day run at the Makuhari Messe Convention Center. Marking its 16th iteration, this was the largest international Celebration to date, drawing a record-breaking 105,000 fans from 125 countries, and spotlighting Lucasfilm’s ambitious future across film, television, and animation.

A New Era of Star Wars Theatrical Releases

Friday’s opening festivities launched with a seismic announcement: Star Wars: Starfighter, a brand-new theatrical film directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, is set to premiere on May 28, 2027. Set five years after The Rise of Skywalker, the film promises fresh characters and untapped corners of the galaxy. Levy and Gosling joined Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and CCO Dave Filoni to share insights into this standalone story.

Meanwhile, Jon Favreau took the stage alongside stars Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, and the beloved Grogu to present The Mandalorian and Grogu, hitting theaters May 22, 2026. Fans were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at Din Djarin and Grogu’s next big-screen adventure, a sweeping journey across the galaxy that continues the legacy of the Emmy-winning Disney+ series.

Lucasfilm Animation Turns 20 With Big Announcements

Celebrating two decades of groundbreaking animated storytelling, Lucasfilm Animation delivered some of the weekend’s biggest buzz. Creator Dave Filoni unveiled Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld, an anthology series debuting on May 4, 2025, which follows iconic underworld figures like Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane. Fans were also surprised by the reveal of Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, starring Sam Witwer, arriving in 2026.

And yes, youngling favorite Nubs is back! Season 3 of Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures lands this fall on Disney+ and Disney Jr., promising more High Republic-era fun and droid-centric escapades.

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ILM at 50: Celebrating Visual Effects Magic

Friday also included a heartfelt tribute to Industrial Light & Magic, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Filmmakers from the Light & Magic docuseries revealed the trailer for Season 2, highlighting ILM’s pioneering efforts in digital effects. Guests included visual effects legends like John Knoll and Rob Coleman, with taped messages from director Joe Johnston and producer Ron Howard.

Disney+ Series Take the Spotlight

Saturday brought thrilling updates on some of Disney+’s most popular Star Wars series. Andor returns with its final season on April 22, and fans at the event were treated to the first episode and exclusive footage. Creator Tony Gilroy and star Diego Luna led a panel that teased the high-stakes path ahead for Cassian as the Rebellion intensifies.

Meanwhile, Ahsoka fans got their wish with confirmation that Hayden Christensen will return as Anakin Skywalker in Season 2. The late Ray Stevenson’s role as Baylan Skoll will now be played by Game of Thrones alum Rory McCann. The panel also showcased concept art and early production stills, ahead of filming beginning next week.

And in a surprise appearance, Ahmed Best revealed LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild Galaxy – Pieces of the Past, a whimsical new animated series diving deep into LEGO Star Wars lore, with returning fan-favorites and new Force-powered adventures.

Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 and Beyond

Sunday was a love letter to animation as Volume 3 of Star Wars: Visions was officially revealed, premiering October 29, 2025, on Disney+. Featuring nine new shorts from acclaimed anime studios such as TRIGGER, WIT Studio, and Kamikaze Douga, this volume promises to return the anthology to its Japanese roots. Directors shared insights into their unique stories, and fans got a first look via exclusive footage and a star-studded voice cast that includes George Takei and Stephanie Hsu.

The day concluded with the announcement of Star Wars: Visions Presents, a new banner for longer-form storytelling within the Visions universe. The first project? The Ninth Jedi, a limited series continuing the journey of Lah Kara from Volume 1, with Kenji Kamiyama returning as supervising director. The series will debut in 2026.

Looking Ahead

As a special treat, Lucasfilm confirmed that the 20th anniversary release of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith will hit U.S. and select international theaters April 25, including—for the first time ever—in immersive 4DX.

With more than 26 hours of stage programming, 100 hours of fan panels, and a galaxy’s worth of content reveals, Star Wars Celebration 2025 lived up to its name and then some. From brand-new films and returning series to beloved animation and fan-favorite characters, Lucasfilm continues to chart a bold course through the galaxy far, far away.

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