Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025: Top Highlights and News

Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Japan was an epic event, brimming with thrilling announcements that have fans buzzing. From the galaxy far, far away, we got a glimpse of the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter featuring Ryan Gosling, a new series centered on Darth Maul, and a first look at Rory McCann portraying Baylan Skoll. We also learned that fans will soon have the chance to care for Grogu on the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction, among many other exciting reveals.

There's a lot to be excited about, and we've compiled a list of the most unmissable announcements. Let us know which one has you most thrilled about the future of Star Wars!

Star Wars Celebration's Ahsoka Panel Featured the First Look at Rory McCann's Baylan Skoll, the news of Anakin's Return, and More

The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration was packed with major reveals and engaging behind-the-scenes stories for the show's second season. A highlight was the first look at Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll, following the late Ray Stevenson. The panel showcased an exclusive image of McCann as Baylan, which you can view below. Additionally, it was confirmed that Hayden Christensen will reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker in Season 2.

Season 2 promises the return of fan-favorite characters like Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper. We also learned that Admiral Ackbar will play a significant role, facing off against Grand Admiral Thrawn. The season will feature adorable Loth-Kittens and, according to Dave Filoni, a variety of starfighters including "X-Wings, A-Wings, and Wings I can't tell you about."

Hayden Christensen on Returning to Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka and Liking When 'Star Wars Goes Dark'

Following the announcement of his return for Ahsoka Season 2, Hayden Christensen shared insights on reprising his role as Anakin Skywalker after nearly two decades. He discussed his appreciation for the darker themes in Star Wars and even revealed his favorite Anakin meme.

Rosario Dawson Had No Idea Mark Hamill Was Returning as Luke Skywalker in The Mandalorian Until He Walked On Set

In a conversation with Rosario Dawson, Dave Filoni, and Jon Favreau about Ahsoka, a humorous story emerged. Dawson was unaware that Mark Hamill would return as Luke Skywalker until he appeared on the set of The Book of Boba Fett. She, like many, expected Plo Koon to be the mysterious Jedi savior in the Season 2 finale, as Filoni and Favreau had used him as a decoy in the scripts.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Panel, Everything Revealed

The Mandalorian & Grogu is set to hit theaters on May 22, 2026, marking the first Star Wars film since 2019's The Rise of Skywalker. The panel kicked off Star Wars Celebration with teases for the film and the surprising announcement of Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, slated for release on May 28, 2027.

Footage shown to the audience included scenes of an Imperial ship ready for battle, Mando facing off against Flame Troopers, AT-AT walkers collapsing in the snow, and the first look at Sigourney Weaver's character. Grogu, as always, stole the show with his adorable and chaotic antics, including swimming and levitating objects.

The Mandalorian & Grogu's Sigourney Weaver on Grogu Stealing Her Heart and More

Sigourney Weaver, who joined The Mandalorian & Grogu, shared her experience at Star Wars Celebration. She admitted to not having watched an episode of The Mandalorian before being cast but quickly fell in love with Grogu. She even playfully speculated on whether Grogu might be more powerful than a Xenomorph.

Star Wars: Starfighter Is a New Film Starring Ryan Gosling That's Arriving in Theaters in May 2027

Star Wars: Starfighter, announced at Star Wars Celebration, will feature Ryan Gosling in a new role set five years after The Rise of Skywalker. While details are scarce, the film will join other upcoming projects, including films from Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, James Mangold, Taika Waititi, and a trilogy from Simon Kinberg.

For more information, check out everything we know about Star Wars: Starfighter's plot and timeline.

Bringing Star Wars Experiences to Life With Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Live Entertainment

Walt Disney Imagineering's Asa Kalama and Disney Live Entertainment's Michael Serna discussed the future of Star Wars experiences at Disney Parks. They revealed a The Mandalorian & Grogu-themed update for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, the introduction of adorable BDX droids, and more. They also shared insights into how they bring Disney Magic to life, allowing fans to experience their favorite stories and characters in real-world settings.

The Mandalorian and Grogu-Themed Update to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Will Let Engineers Take Care of Grogu

Alongside the theatrical release of The Mandalorian & Grogu on May 22, 2026, Din Djarin and Grogu will feature in a new story-based mission at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The mission follows a "different path" from the movie, where Hondo Ohnaka learns of a deal on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and pirates, leading to a high-stakes chase across the galaxy. Guests will join Mando and Grogu to track them down and claim a bounty in a dynamic adventure.

Engineers will have the unique opportunity to care for Grogu during the ride and choose the adventure's course, plotting routes to Bespin, the Death Star wreckage above Endor, or the newly-revealed Coruscant.

Everything Announced at the Andor Panel

The second and final season of Andor is set to debut on April 22 on Disney+. At Star Wars Celebration, Diego Luna teased that fans should watch Rogue One after Andor Season 2, suggesting it will be seen as a "different film." The new season promises to be "more ambitious" than the first, featuring 140 sets across seven stages, two backlots, 700 costumes for principals, 150 creatures, 30 droids, and 4,100 VFX shots.

For more, including deep dives into the beloved characters of Andor, check out our recap of the Andor panel.

Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord Announced at Star Wars Celebration

Star Wars Celebration announced Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord, an animated series set to premiere on Disney+ in 2026. The series will follow Sam Witwer's Darth Maul as he plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire, following the events of the final season of The Clone Wars.

Star Wars: Visions Gets a Volume 3 Release Date and a Spin-Off Series That Will Debut With a Ninth Jedi Story

Star Wars Celebration revealed that Volume 3 of Star Wars: Visions will be released on October 29, 2025. Additionally, the series will have a new spin-off debuting with the next chapter of The Ninth Jedi story, which began in Volume 1.

Star Wars Outlaws Gets Second Story Update A Pirate’s Fortune in May

Fans of Star Wars Outlaws can look forward to a new story update, A Pirate's Fortune, on May 15. This update will see Kay Vess and Nix teaming up with the beloved pirate Hondo Ohnaka to take on Stinger Tash and her gang, the Rokana Raiders, and engage in smuggling for the Miyuki Trade League. This story takes place after the events of Star Wars Outlaws, so make sure to complete the campaign first.

Star Wars Outlaws Release Date Announced for Nintendo Switch 2

Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2 on September 4, 2025, following the console's launch on June 5.

Hasbro Reveals Incredible New Dash Rendar and Jedi: Survivor Figures

Fans of Dash Rendar will be thrilled with the announcement of a new figure from Hasbro, alongside an impressive lineup of figures based on Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. The lineup includes figures of Nightsister Merrin, a three-pack of Cal Kestis, Turgle, and Skoova Stev, a smaller Merrin figure, and a Rocket Launch Trooper in the Vintage Collection line, among others.

You can check out all of these figures and more in the slideshow below.

Everything Revealed at Hasbro's Star Wars Celebration 2025 Panel

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Hasbro Reveals New The Mandalorian Figures at Star Wars Celebration 2025

Hasbro unveiled two new figures from The Mandalorian at Star Wars Celebration: Moff Gideon and Cobb Vanth, which will join the Star Wars: The Vintage Collection lineup. These 3.75-inch scale figures feature packaging inspired by the classic Kenner Star Wars figures.

Exclusive images of the Moff Gideon figure, inspired by his Dark Trooper armor, and Cobb Vanth, with his look from The Book of Boba Fett, are available below. Both figures will be priced at $16.99 and available for pre-order on April 18 at 3pm ET/12pm PT.

Star Wars: The Vintage Collection Moff Gideon & Cobb Vanth Figures - Preview Gallery

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Star Wars and The Mandalorian Invade Monopoly Go

Monopoly Go is set to launch a Star Wars event from May 1 to July 2, inspired by the Skywalker Saga and The Mandalorian. The event will feature Star Wars characters in a Monopoly-style look, a Star Wars Go sticker album, podracing in the Mos Espa Grand Arena, and collectible in-game items like tokens, shields, and emojis.