The Direct • March 30, 2021

The Direct: One Year's Progress

On March 17, 2020, The Direct website was officially launched. A group of writers and creators eager to make content about the MCU and Star Wars. Within the last year, that "group" of writers and content creators became a team. We extended our coverage to DC content in addition to video games, growing our team in the process. We expanded our roles on the team, with many team members becoming editors, photo creators, and social media administrators, furthering improving our content. We even laun

Star Wars Direct • July 16, 2020

Future Star Wars Movies Rumored to Have Lower Budgets

The ongoing pandemic has altered all semblance of normalcy, forcing everyone to adapt to a "new normal." Even after the health crisis comes to pass, there is a possibility that these changes in day-to-day life become a permanent fixture. The current pandemic has affected a galaxy far far away as well, but one thing that cannot be taken away is the fans' appreciation for all things Star Wars. Star Wars fans may have to wait for the next feature film, but there is a chance that the return to a ga

Star Wars Direct • June 18, 2020

Star Wars Squadrons: New Official Gameplay Trailer Released

Have you ever felt that your one true calling was to pilot the iconic X-Wing of the rebellion? Or that you were born to join the Imperial Academy? Your moment is near as Star Wars Squadrons is set to be released in October of this year. Following continued speculation, Electronic Arts' newest release is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games for fans of a galaxy far, far away. After a spectacular initial release trailer, EA has revealed its latest gameplay trailer, focusing on new de

Star Wars Direct • June 15, 2020

Star Wars Live-Action Connected Universe Rumored for Disney+

Star Wars news has recently overtaken the internet much like the Empire overtook the Rebel base on Hoth, and like the iconic battle, the recent news has both its highs and lows. The trailer release of Star Wars: Squadrons had fans excitement at its peak, only for the high to be quelled with the announcement that this year's Star Wars Celebration was canceled, and would not be returning until...2022. Nonetheless, to tip the scales back in favor, a new rumor hints that fans will be rewarded with m

Star Wars Direct • May 29, 2020

New Ezra Bridger Live-Action Casting Search Details Revealed

The Star Wars universe continues to expand, and fans will be seeing both new and familiar faces along the way. With Disney+ proving to be the newest home for content from a galaxy far, far away, Lucasfilm is taking advantage of the opportunity to bring popular animated characters into live-action form. Ahsoka Tano and Captain Rex, Sabine Wren, and Bo-Katan Kryze, the list of characters soon coming to live-action continues to grow. But don't think Star Wars: Rebels is getting left behind, as the

Star Wars Direct • May 10, 2020

The Mandalorian Season Two: Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren Could Set Up a Rebels Sequel

In an update from Kessel Run Transmissions regarding The Mandalorian's second season, early indications are that Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren will both be limited to a single episode appearance, presumably both being present together in the same episode. Additionally, the belief is that Ahsoka and Sabine will appear in large part to set up a future sequel series: Both updates can be seen in the video below, starting around the 5:00 mark: The Mandalorian season two is expected to follow a simil

Star Wars Direct • May 9, 2020

The Mandalorian Season 2 Could Add Captain Rex, Also Portrayed by Temuera Morrison

Diving deeper into the report of Boba Fett appearing in The Mandalorian season two, Nerdist shared the thought that Temuera Morrison would not be limited to solely portraying the iconic bounty hunter. In fact, Morrison could also be portraying an iconic Clone Wars character: Those reliable sources in agreement come in the form of Jordan Maison, Editor-in-Chief of Cinelinx, who has heard similar whispers regarding Temuera Morrison doing double duty in season two: If there's no C-3PO without R2-

Star Wars Direct • May 7, 2020

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Begins a New Video Game Franchise with Sequel On the Way

While speaking on an earnings call, Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson commented on the planned future of the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order gaming franchise. Wilson's comments were shared through IGN, in which he states Fallen Order is the "first title in an entirely new franchise." This is the first confirmation that the 2019 release is not a standalone adventure. Unlike Darth Vader's iconic reveal to Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back, this news shouldn't be all too surprising. Star Wars

The Direct • May 5, 2020

Disney CEO Bob Chapek: No Estimated Return to Film, Big-Budget Productions

Among the topics discussed during the Walt Disney Company's second-quarter earnings call, CEO Bob Chapek delivered an update on the potential return to large-scale film production. Chapek's comments were shared by Aaron Couch of The Hollywood Reporter on Twitter: First and foremost, it is comforting to hear that the health and safety of Disney's employees are the top priority according to CEO Bob Chapek. As a result, this means waiting to return to large-scale film production only when the cons

Star Wars Direct • April 25, 2020

Dark Rey's Lightsaber Revealed In New The Rise of Skywalker Concept Art

In an Instagram post by concept artist Matthew Savage, he shared five close-up images of Dark Rey's lightsaber from which he worked on for The Rise of Skywalker, which can be viewed below. Savage provided some additional context with the caption: Dark Rey’s lightsaber from Rise of Skywalker: After 5 Star Wars movies I finally got to work on some lightsabers! @jjabramsofficial requested adding an element of Vader’s saber, points if you can spot it (answer on the second slide) Matthew Savage ma

Star Wars Direct • April 24, 2020

The Mandalorian Season Two Will "Blow People's Minds" According to Star Wars Actor

In part four of an exclusive interview with Star Wars Holocron Blog, Darth Maul voice actor Sam Witwer had time to chat about The Mandalorian and the surrounding fandom of the Disney+ show. In teasing the second season, Witwer had this to say regarding expectations, and teased some big things in the future: There are things that [Dave Filoni] has coming in The Mandalorian Season 2 that are going to blow people’s minds. Because the thing is that Dave and George always had the same instinct when

Star Wars Direct • April 22, 2020

The Rise of Skywalker Ranks As The Lowest Profiting Movie Of Star Wars' Sequel Trilogy

As the final numbers were tallied in Deadline's Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament of 2019, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker closed the saga as the ninth-most profitable film of 2019, accruing $300 million in net profits by the end of its theatrical run (taking into account total global revenues). When compared to its predecessors, The Rise of Skywalker's net profits are the lowest of the sequel trilogy, behind The Force Awakens ($780.1 million in profits) and The Last Jedi ($417.5 million in

Star Wars Direct • April 21, 2020

Jamie Lee Curtis and Michael Biehn For The Mandalorian Season 2: One's In, One's Out

In recent updates via Making Star Wars, Editor-in-Chief Jason Ward shared new developments regarding the reported new cast additions to The Mandalorian season two. In an update regarding Jamie Lee Curtis' rumored casting: I have a small update on Jamie Lee Curtis which I ran with extreme caution as a rumor a few weeks back. I’ve been told that Curtis was on the set, involved, but the role may have fallen through due to a movie scheduling conflict. However, I’m told she had read the scripts, ha

Star Wars Direct • April 12, 2020

The Mandalorian Season 2 Predictions: 5 Theories For What's To Come

"The Beskar belongs back into the hands of a Mandalorian. It is good to restore the natural order of things, after a period of such disarray. Don't you agree?" The Client's words in the pilot episode, combined with flashbacks to Mando's childhood, loom over the remainder of the first season. The Mandalorians are known to be arguably the greatest warriors in the galaxy, and yet there are so few remaining and those that do remain are left in hiding, as we see in season one. The Siege of Mandalore,

Star Wars Direct • April 7, 2020

Exclusive: Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka Tano Contract is a Disney+ Multi-Show Deal

According to our contributing insider Daniel Richtman, Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka Tano contract is reportedly a multi-show deal. For reference, this is a unique type of contract seen most often with MCU actors and actresses who have signed onto other film and show properties in the past. This is not a confirmation that Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka Tano will indeed appear in other Disney+ shows, rather, that Lucasfilm is potentially interested in having her character make future appearances in other show

Star Wars Direct • April 4, 2020

Next Star Wars Film Still Set for 2022 Release Despite Disney's Updated Film Slate

In an official announcement released from Walt Disney Studios, the studio unveiled their updated release schedule, noting that many of their upcoming films would be delayed due to the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis. Despite many other 2020 and 2021 films being pushed back, upon further review, the next Star Wars film will still be released in its original slot on December 16, 2022. It is difficult to envision any 'good news' coming from the current global health crisis, and for many fans of fil

Star Wars Direct • April 2, 2020

Solo: A Star Wars Story Sequel on Disney+ is Unlikely According to Writer Jonathan Kasdan

In a response to a fan via Twitter, writer Jonathan Kasdan noted that a Solo sequel is unlikely to happen, on Disney+ no less: Don't think anyone's pursuing a Solo sequel at the moment @KenobiJj I think a feature, at this point, would be a tough sell & the D+ Star Wars slate is really...pretty packed, all shows I'm lookin forward to…Certainly appreciate but hard to advocate for & here's why: with multiple SW series in development/production, set at different points in the timeline. Without know

Star Wars Direct • March 24, 2020

Ashley Eckstein Speaks Out On Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka Live-Action Casting in The Mandalorian

In a recently published Instagram post, Ashley Eckstein took the time to comment on fans' questions and the larger report of the Ahsoka Tano live-action casting. In regards specifically to the reported casting, she noted: Last week, a rumor was released about Ahsoka Tano being in season 2 of The Mandalorian. I’ve read all of your questions and comments about this story and thank you for your patience as I’ve taken the much-needed time to sort through these questions. The truth is, I am not invo

Star Wars Direct • March 19, 2020

Disney+ Will Launch in the UK With Two Episodes each of The Mandalorian and The Clone Wars

According to a report from Deadline that details an official confirmation from Disney, the company has confirmed that the streaming service will debut on March 24 with 26 original series and movies in the UK, including The Mandalorian. The first two episodes of the Star Wars spinoff will be available on launch day, while the third goes live on March 27. In addition, the first two episodes of the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars will also debut on March 24. Similarly, two episodes will i