With the new Star Wars movie just four months away, it's time for the galaxy—or, at least, the part of the Internet that's really, really into Star Wars—to become as overwhelmed by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story as the sun is overwhelmed by the Death Star in that new trailer. But don't worry: there's also movement on a couple of TV-related stories. But first, didn't we just mention something about a new trailer?
Source: Lucasfilm's marketing machine
Probability of Accuracy: It's most definitely a trailer. 100%. We've all seen it.
The Real Deal: By now, you've all certainly seen this already, but you should probably watch again, just in case:
This is technically the third trailer for Rogue One; in addition to the two officially released versions, there was an entirely different one that screened at Star Wars Celebration Europe last month that seems destined to remain hidden from the general public. For what it's worth, the big climactic shot of that one was the same as this: the reveal of Darth Vader. Also worth noting from this trailer, though, is that it gives us a closer look at Jyn Erso's group of would-be thieves. It also suggests that not only is she not part of the Rebellion, she's someone that the Rebellion had previously locked up for some unknown reason (see: the "Can you be trusted without your shackles?" line). Is this Star Wars Suicide Squad? There's a pretty good analysis of the trailer over at Entertainment Weekly if you're wanting to read some theorizing with behind-the-scenes info.
Source: The horse's mouth—by which we mean the actor in question. (He's not actually a horse.)
Probability of Accuracy: Presumably spot-on, unless this is a cruel prank.
The Real Deal: So, perhaps Hayden Christensen won't cameo in Rogue One as was much rumored some time ago—with Darth Vader confirmed to appear, it would be unlikely that young(er) Anakin Skywalker also shows up—but there is one familiar face from the prequels that has been confirmed to appear in this December's movie: Princess Leia's adoptive father, Bail Organa.
If this movie includes him saying something like, "I'm going back to Alderaan... Hopefully no one blows up the planet while I'm there," then the sound of loud crying you hear in the theater is probably someone from WIRED. Galactic Matt Santos, you deserved so much more!
Source: *Rogue One'*s director and one member of its cast, unaware that they were (in separate interviews) revealing different pieces of the same puzzle
Probability of Accuracy: It might be accidental, but that doesn't mean this doesn't seem entirely true.
The Real Deal: If the name of the desert planet in Rogue One sounds a little like the name of the cosmic order of knights that holds the Star Wars mythology together, that's not exactly a coincidence. "We were trying to find a physical location we could go to that would speak to the themes of losing your faith and the choice between letting the Empire win, or evil win, and good prevailing… It got embodied in this place we called Jedha," director Gareth Edwards told Entertainment Weekly about one of the new planets introduced in the upcoming movie. "It’s a place where people who believe in the Force would go on a pilgrimage," he continued. "It was essentially taken over by the Empire. It’s an occupied territory… for reasons we probably can’t reveal… There's something very important in Jedha that serves both the Jedi and the Empire." Hmm. Wonder what that could be?
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Well, now we know.
Source: Disney XD's PR arm
Probability of Accuracy: It comes from Disney itself; this is as legit as it gets.
The Real Deal: Disney XD has released a synopsis and premiere date for Season 3 of Star Wars: Rebels, the first episode of which introduces Grand Admiral Thrawn to the official Star Wars canon. The synopsis goes a little something like this: "Having established a secret base on Atollon, the Ghost crew, now led by a more powerful Ezra, strengthens the rebel fleet by acquiring new resources and recruits eager to stand against the Empire. However, the Imperial efforts to eliminate the rebellion are now being led by the coldly analytical Grand Admiral Thrawn, whose strategic, tactical and cultural insights make him a threat unlike any they have faced before. In season three, Ezra and Sabine take on new roles and challenges as the rebels prepare for their biggest mission yet—a direct assault on the Empire." The episode, titled "Steps Into Shadow," premieres Sept. 24 at 8:30pm Eastern on Disney XD.
Source: ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey herself
Probability of Accuracy: It's pretty vague, so let's say 50-50.
The Real Deal: Not for the first time, ABC is teasing plans for a live-action Star Wars TV series. The channel's entertainment president Channing Dungey told the audience at the Television Critics Association Press Tour that the network was having conversations with Lucasfilm on the topic, before going on to tell Entertainment Weekly that Lucasfilm "exists under a big shroud of secrecy," and that, although talks "are ongoing[…] we don't have an official timeline yet." The prospect of a live-action Star Wars series has been in the air for more than a decade now. What are the odds of this actually coming to fruition?
