Good Morning, Youtinians.  It's another new month, which means another roundup of the Star Wars book releases that we can't wait to see! Along with yet another new trailer and a rapidly approaching release, it's once again an exciting week to be a Star Wars fan!

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

October Star Wars Book Releases

Image Credit: Random House Worlds/Youtini Illustration

There are so many good things coming down the Star Wars publishing pipeline! Here are a few that we’re really looking forward to coming up in October:

• Legacy of Vader Vol 1: The Reign of Kylo Ren by Charles Soule and Luke Ross: This trade paperback collects the Legacy of Vader comic series.

  • In this first volume of issues, a young Kylo Ren ventures to Fortress Vader on Mustafar to learn more about his grandfather.

  • If you haven’t had a chance to pick up this series yet but loved Soule’s Darth Vader (2017), we highly recommend you move Legacy of Vader up on your TBR!

  • You can find this collection at your local comic shop on October 7th!

• Revenge of the Sith: Episode III Deluxe Edition by Matthew Stover: If you love this novelization as much as we do, you will not want to miss the 20th anniversary deluxe edition.

  • Matthew Stover worked closely with George Lucas while writing this novelization, and that fact is very clear in the storytelling!

  • This new edition contains more than 170 annotations, many of which feature specific bits about Lucas’ involvement in the book.

  • Once you’ve read the novelization, listen to our Canon Book Club episode covering Revenge of the Sith. We were joined by Legends Lookback cohost Freddy, who recently spoke to Stover at a Legends convention!

  • This book will be released on October 14th!

• The Last Order by Kwame Mbalia: This upcoming young adult book is Kwame Mbalia’s Star Wars publishing debut.

  • This story is set after The Rise of Skywalker. It follows Finn and Jannah as they try to root out a First Order officer who has kidnapped an entire ship of young people.

  • We look forward to learning more about Finn’s and Jannah’s pasts in this book and how they reconcile their history as stormtroopers with their fight for the Resistance.

  • This book will hit bookstore shelves on October 21st!

We're all fine here now — how are you? These are just a few Star Wars reads we can’t wait to check out next month. Check out The Cosmic Force podcast for Caleb, Oz, and Jacob’s thoughts on next month’s comics, and don’t miss Emmi, JG, and Hannah’s thoughts on next month’s books on the Canon Book Club podcast!

Oh, What a Vision!

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

The Force has blessed us with yet another trailer last week! While we were all still abuzz about The Mandalorian and Grogu, Lucasfilm wanted to ensure we didn’t forget about Visions. Adding to the footage unveiled at SWC Japan, a full trailer for the highly anticipated Volume 3 dropped on Thursday!

You can see the full trailer in all its AWESOMENESS here.

What We Know:

• The vision confirmed that NINE new anime shorts make up Volume 3 of Star Wars: Visions.

• Each short is created by a Japanese studio, including Kamikaze Douga, Kinema Citrus Co., Production I.G, and TRIGGER.

The New Information:

• The trailer invites us to witness several stunning action sequences, and as Eric explained, such action has “become synonymous with the anthology series over the first two seasons.”

• In addition to the amazing footage and anime teasers, the release was accompanied by a FULL LIST of episode titles and cast members, including familiar faces and new names.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? Volume 3 will be released on October 29th, 2025, and it will be bigger than a Hutt in a rock band! These animation gems leave indelible marks on the fandom and lore. Keep yourself fired up for what will be compulsory watching, just a month away!

Star Wars: Beyond Victory Launches Next Week

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

Yes, friends, as you read this, the Mixed-Reality Playset is getting ready to launch, due for release on October 7th! You can check out the trailer here.

The Low-Down:

• Beyond Victory is a fully immersive mixed reality (MR) experience (also known as a playset) that is developed by Lucasfilm, Meta, Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), and other partners.

• The action takes place after Revenge of the Sith (Episode III) and before Solo: A Star Wars Story.

The Cast

• Volo Bolus, a young up-and-coming pilot.

• Sornah, a Twi’lek mechanic.

• Luuda, the business partner of a familiar baddie racer!

• Deland Tyerell, a friend of Luuda.

• Grakkus the Hutt, collector and Crime Lord from Nar Shaddaa.

• The BIGGEST reveal is that of the antagonist, Sebulba, voiced by the amazing Lewis MacLeod

The Tech

• The playset is designed for Meta Quest 3 and 3S headsets. You can learn more about those here.

• The new playset uses MIXED REALITY, which blends your physical environment with the digital Star Wars content.

• The new key features include the option to play the game in THREE different modes:

  • Adventure Mode: Play as Volo Bolus and experience the epic primary story.

  • Arcade Mode: Classic podracing but reimagined, with your own physical space transformed into a holotable-style racing arena!

  • Playset Mode: Unleash your creativity and make your own Star Wars stories in a dynamic sandbox!

We’re all fine here now — how are you? We are ALWAYS up for a new game! Fingers crossed that Beyond Victory delivers and becomes another AWESOME addition to our ever-expanding galaxy!

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️On the most recent episode of The Youtini Show, catch up with the new Visions trailer and Spaceballs sequel news, and join the debate over Entertainment Weekly's Star Wars TV show rankings.

🎙️Join The Cosmic Force crew for a look at Doctor Aphra: Chaos Agent #4 and the return of one of Aphra's old 'friends.' 

✏️ Sam looks at the development of BD-1 in the Star Wars Jedi video game series and considers whether he's the best buddy droid in the galaxy.

🧭 Smuggler’s Finds

Fresh Star Wars treasures, hand-picked by the Youtini crew.

• Add the latest Star Wars villain to your collection with The Black Series The Stranger (Qimir). Based on his appearance in The Acolyte, the 6-inch figure features photoreal design and posable head, arms, and legs as well as accurate accessories.

• Recapture the excitement of Din's fastest ride with this LEGO The Mandalorian N-1 Starfighter set! The 412-piece set features minifigures for Din Djarin (complete with a jetpack and the Darksaber!), Grogu, a BD droid, and Peli Motto.

• Stay refreshed on the go while channeling the wisdom of a Grand Master with this stainless steel insulated tumbler featuring Yoda! Available in black, brushed steel, or white, the tumbler's dual wall insulation keeps your drink hot or cold, and its stainless steel design means it's BPA-free.

📆 Releasing This Week

• October 1

  • Star Wars (2025) #6 by Alex Segura. Aren't you a little short for a clone trooper?

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Good morning, Youtinians. Our friends at Lucasfilm kicked off the week with the surprise release of a trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu, and our excitement is off the charts! If you haven't seen it yet, we've got all the details (and, of course, a link to see for yourself!).

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

The Mandalorian and Grogu Trailer Released!

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost six years since a Star Wars theatrical release. We can rest assured that the wait is nearly over now that we can see the first official trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu!

What (and who) we see: 

In addition to Din Djarin and the other half of his Clan of Two, we get to see returning stars as well as some newcomers: 

• Zeb, a member of the Ghost crew in Star Wars Rebels, who we briefly saw in live-action in Season 3 of The Mandalorian, relaxing in a bar, has a more active (and perhaps more prominent) role.  

• Sigourney Weaver, who we learned earlier this year was joining the cast, appears as a New Republic officer (and perhaps one of the few people who can constrain Grogu’s appetite). 

Deep dive: 

• In addition to a new Razor Crest-style ship, the trailer suggests the film will feature a similar flavor to the show’s more recent seasons… coupled with a feature film’s budget. 

• Similarly, the newly released poster and logo have a “pulp” style that echoes the adventure serials that provided much of George Lucas’s original inspiration. 

What else we’ve learned: In conjunction with a consumer products conference this month in China, Disney released the following: 

We’re all fine here now — how are you? The trailer has all of us on the team stoked to see Favreau and Filoni bring the tone and vibe of The Mandalorian to the big screen! We’re just over a half year away from seeing Din and Grogu (and Zeb! And Sigourney Weaver!), and we can’t wait! Join the excitement in Discord and let us know your favorite part of the trailer!

Return of the Jedi!

Image Credit: Youtini Illustration

Mark Hamill. He is Star Wars. We have spoken! He has played Luke Skywalker in live-action and voiced Darth Bane in The Clone Wars, Dobbu Scay in The Last Jedi, Boolio in The Rise of Skywalker, EV-9D9 in The Mandalorian, Luke in LEGO Star Wars specials, and countless other characters.

So, when he talks, we listen. And, he has done just that in a recent interview about his career with James Hibberd from The Hollywood Reporter. 

What were the takeaways?

• After the global success of Star Wars and acting as the titular character of Luke Skywalker, Hamill made a living voicing roles for radio, TV, and film.

• Voicing The Joker changed his perspective and career possibilities enormously. He was so thrilled that people would not even know it was him.

• After reprising the role of Luke Skywalker, his career has seen him step out of the recording booth with several prominent roles in BIG productions:

  • Arthur Pym in The Fall of the House of Usher

  • Professor Arnold Skemmon (Bert Kreischer’s father) in The Machine

  • The Life of Chuck

  • The Major in Steven King’s The Long Walk

Deep Dive 

• On AI Luke Skywalker, he stated. “What you’re asking is so hard to contemplate. Are we going to have to have something in our wills that comment on that, saying ‘I don’t want this done’? I have enough trouble trying to deal with the jobs that I do have than to start speculating about the future.”

• On de-aging for The Mandalorian, he shared, “The reason I did Mandalorian was that Luke had a beginning and an end. There was no middle.” 

• On the current leaders of the Star Wars narrative, he exclaims, “I think Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, boy, do they get Star Wars. They get it. They’re speaking the same language that George did….”

Jedi Masters — They’re Just Like Us!

• On collecting, he states, “I started collecting board games and comic books … Then it occurred to me: I just paid $1,500 (USD) for what was originally a 10-cent comic book… so, I stopped.”

• With career advice for those wanting to be in Star Wars in the future, Hamill shares, "Believe in yourself. Work hard. Never give up. And it will happen for you.”

We’re all fine here now — how are you? He just exudes awesomeness, does Mark Hamill. What a joy to read these quotes and get insight into his thinking and mindset after all his experiences and highs and lows in Hollywood. What is your favorite Hamill character? Jump on Discord and share your thoughts!

Spaceballs Sequel News

Image Credit: Amazon MGM Studios/Youtini Illustration

The year was 1987, and the fandom was still reeling from the death of the Emperor and Vader a few short years before in what most of us at the time thought was the last Star Wars film we’d see.

We craved more, and comedy film legend Mel Brooks did not disappoint!

What was Spaceballs? Brooks is a master of parodies, and in the 1980s, he set out to make a parody of contemporary sci-fi films. 

• Though it also includes references to Star Trek, Alien, Planet of the Apes, and other films, it primarily parodies the original Star Wars trilogy. 

• George Lucas agreed to the parody on the condition that there be no Spaceballs action figures, which led to a gag in the film about merchandising. Lucas later sent Brooks a note saying he loved the film. 

• Though it met with mixed reviews from critics, it became a cult classic and even appeared in a Star Wars YouTube channel video.

“I told you we’d be back.” Although Brooks’s character Yogurt (parodying, you guessed it, Yoda) mentioned Spaceballs II: The Search for More Money, there has been little serious talk of a sequel until now. 

• In June 2024, Amazon MGM Studios announced that a Spaceballs sequel was in development. 

• Back on June 12 of this year, Brooks posted this video clip (xCancel). True to form, the video featured a Star Wars-style scroll. 

• Brooks then appears on screen and says, “After 40 years, huh, we asked what do the fans want? But instead, we’re making this movie! May the Schwartz be with you!”.

• That same day, Josh Gad, who stars and is one of the film’s writers, confirmed the announcement on his Instagram account: "It is therefore the greatest gift of my life to now help take the reins and work alongside Mel and this incredible group to do a sequel to the movie that first inspired George Lucas”.

• The latest update is that principal photography began this month in Sydney! We’re quite sure the choice of filming location in Australia is a testament to our own Doc’s influence!

Familiar faces: Spaceballs 2 will see several actors return from the original film, including a big surprise!

• Bill Pullman returns as Lone Starr (a hybrid parody of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker) and Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa (a parody of Princess Leia). 

• Mel Brooks will reprise the role of Yogurt. 

• In big news, Rick Moranis will return as Darth Helmet (a parody of Darth Vader). The film will mark his return to on-camera acting after taking a long hiatus to focus on his children following his wife’s untimely passing. 

• In addition to these returning actors, Lewis Pullman (Bill Pullman’s son) will appear as Lone Starr’s son. Lewis has previously appeared in Top Gun: Maverick and Thunderbolts*. 

We’re all fine here now — how are you? As of now, we expect Spaceballs 2 to arrive sometime in 2027, though an exact release date has not been revealed. We’re sure that once it hits screens, it will be another Brooks comedy classic! Be sure to keep up with the Dispatch and The Youtini Show for the latest, and may the Schwartz be with you!

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️The latest episode of The Youtini Show unpacks the new trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu, but that's not all! Hear about the latest on-set photo from Starfighter and an exciting reveal in Rebuild the Galaxy! 

🎙️Join The Cosmic Force for a look at the first issue of Boba Fett — Black White & Red and a mission right out of The Clone Wars in Star Wars (2025) #5.

🎙️Jared and Freddy C hit the road for Legends Expo 2025 and have all the highlights, including an interview with author Sean Stewart on the latest episode of Legends Lookback.

✏️ Doc celebrates Andor's awesome job of filling in some space between saga films with relevant and impactful storytelling, and looks at some other areas storytellers could explore.

✏️ Jacob reviews Star Wars (2025) #5, which sees Luke and Han run up against a foe from yesteryear!

✏️Oz reviews Boba Fett — Black White & Red #1. Does Boba's first solo comic series in more than 10 years live up to the hype?

🧭 Smuggler’s Finds

Fresh Star Wars treasures, hand-picked by the Youtini crew.

• Just in time to hop on board The Mandalorian and Grogu hype train, snap up this Mission Fleet figure set! The collection includes Fennec Shand, Boba Fett, a Dark Trooper, Stormtrooper, and, of course, Mando and Grogu! At 2.5 inches, the figure features a series-inspired design and accessories.

• Make your walls a shrine to your favorite franchise with this set of posters from the Original Trilogy! Each measures 24x36 inches and is printed on quality paper.

• This is a special take on a special species. As part of their Star Wars collection, Swarovski Crystal offers this design depicting Wicket, the Ewok scout who befriends Leia on Endor. Its 349 facets feature black and brown crystal to give the figure an authentic look, including the iconic hood.

📆 Releasing This Week

• September 24

  • Doctor Aphra — Chaos Agent #4 by Cherish Chen

  • Hyperspace Stories: Codebreaker #4 by Ethan Sacks

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Good Morning, Youtinians.  As you may have read or heard us say before, it really is a great time to be a Star Wars fan. We’ve got news of another outstanding achievement for Andor — and while the excitement might change tone a bit, it certainly doesn’t stop as the latest LEGO Star Wars caper is almost here!

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

Andor Wins Its Fifth Emmy Award!

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

On Sunday at the 77th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Andor won its fifth award after racking up four wins earlier at the Creative Emmy Arts Awards. 

• Dan Gilroy, brother of Andor creator Tony Gilroy, earned the Best Writing for a Drama Series award.

• The award specifically recognizes Episode 9, “Welcome to the Rebellion,” which centers on Mon Mothma denouncing Emperor Palpatine in an iconic speech to the Senate.

Standing Out in a Crowded Field

• The second season of Andor earned 14 Emmy nominations. 

• With five awards, Andor tied for the sixth-most recognized show of the year.

• With stiff competition from other shows like Severance, The Penguin, and The Pit, the Star Wars series was in good company, indeed!

We’re all fine here — how are you? Of course, many of us Star Wars fans couldn’t help but wish Andor might have brought home even more hardware, but it was great to see the show and everyone who worked on it honored! Dan Gilroy was right in his acceptance speech — they really do have friends everywhere! Join the celebration with all of your friends in the Youtini Discord!

Time to REBUILD!

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

Only days, just hours, remain until we can watch the highly anticipated LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy — Pieces of the Past, the second season of the latest endearingly zany Star Wars LEGO project. 

Yes, the return of Sig and his brother Dev to Star Wars LEGOLAND drops on Friday, September 19th, and are we ready!

Season 1 Recap: Let's take a quick look back at what happened in Season 1 so we can go into the new adventures fresh:

• Sig Greebling: a young nerf-herder (voiced by Gaten Matarazzo), earns an honest living on his home planet of Fennesa with his brother and friends.

• The Cornerstone: Sig discovers an ancient Jedi relic known as “The Cornerstone”, and finds that this “stone” can rewrite reality. He removes it from the temple, and chaos ensues!

• Role Reversals: What made this first season such a fun ride was the role reversals of the famous characters we know and love:

  • Palpatine, Vader, Dooku, and Jabba are all heroic characters.

  • Rey, Rose, and Jar Jar are all Sith, with Darth Jar Jar a particular highlight!

  • C-3PO and Ewoks as ruthless bounty hunters.

  • Instead of copies of Jango Fett, the clone troopers are all Mon Cala!

What We're Excited About in Season 2:

• The Story: The second season picks up after the events of the first. A new threat emerges in this new reality galaxy. Sig must save his new friends (including his Sith brother Dev) from this new power, or all will be lost forever.

• A New Villain: We meet Darth Solitus, who wields a double-chained purple lightsaber and appears intent on controlling the universe.

• Sig and Dev must join forces to take on the mite of the new Darth Solitus. 

• New Characters: a PLETHORA of new faces (and some familiar voices!) will appear in Season 2, and we CANNOT WAIT!!

  • BrickHeadz Ahsoka voiced by Ashley Eckstein.

  • Jaxxon voiced by Ben Schwartz.

  • Darth Solitus voiced by Dan Stevens.

  • Cal Kestis voiced by Cameron Monaghan

We’re all fine here now — how are you? BRING IT ON!! Get on the anticipation by revisiting the trailer for the new season. The first season was SO COOL, and now the second is going to be BETTER! We've got a good feeling about this! So, cook up a batch of popcorn, grab a Coke (Star Wars themed, of course), and relax in your favorite spot as we spend the ENTIRE weekend watching and re-watching LEGO baby!!

Darth Vader's Lightsaber Sets Auction Record

Image Credit: Propstore/Youtini Illustration

A recent auction has been the scene of quite an astonishing purchase. We all know original props are rare and SOOOOO collectable, but one will definitely be a day long remembered!

The Auction:

• A screen-used lightsaber belonging to none other than the Darkest of Lords, Darth Vader, went up for auction on September 4th.

• Propstore held the three-day auction with hundreds of movie and TV memorabilia pieces.

The Recordbreaking Lightsaber:

• Reportedly made from the handle of a 1950s British camera flash, this is the prop David Prowse and his stunt double Bob Anderson used in The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V).

• This is the lightsaber Vader held when he uttered those now iconic words, "I am your father."

• Its role in Star Wars lore and cinematic history explains its selling price of $3.6 million!

• The previous record for a Star Wars prop was Luke Skywalker's lightsaber, which sold in 2018 for $607,500.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? If you own an original prop from a Star Wars production, you're luckier than The Child! As the years pass, these bits of history will only become more valuable. Whatever you collect, be sure to share it with us in Discord so we can share the love!

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️ On The Cosmic Force, Oz, Jacob, and Caleb discuss Tales from the Nightlands #1 and Jedi Knights #7.

🎙️ Jared returns to The Star Wars Archives to continue the fascinating conversation about theology in the Star Wars universe.  

✏️ Oz reviews Tales from the Nightlands #1, kicking off an all-new horror anthology from Cavan Scott just in time for spooky season!

✏️ Oz also takes a look at Jedi Knights #7, where Mace Windu and Aaya Secura race against time (and assassins) on a life-or-death mission.

✏️ Your dedicated Dispatch reporter, Doc, is back to help out your collection with a round-up of the best Supreme Leader Snoke merchandise!

🧭 Smuggler’s Finds

Fresh Star Wars treasures, hand-picked by the Youtini crew.

Add a unique treasure to your collection with this limited-run 12-coin collection honoring Star Wars: A New Hope. The collection features 12 silver-plated coins with detailed engravings commemorating the original film. Each of only 9,999 units available worldwide comes with a certificate of authenticity guaranteeing its legitimacy and exclusivity.

Help your youngling or Padawan prepare for the Jedi trials with the kind of problem-solving, brain-teasing fun that only a Rubik's Cube can provide, with a special Star Wars twist. This Grogu Cube solves into a unique representation of The Child, with attachable ears and body with hover pram suitable for display.  

What better costume for trick or treating than the Dark Lord of the Sith? This Darth Vader costume comes in various sizes and includes a mask, bodysuit, and gloves. It lights up and has sound effects to complete the look and make the costume an excellent choice for any Halloween event!

📆 Releasing This Week

• September 16

  • Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles by Brandon Wainerdi. A must-have for fighter/ship aficionados, this newly updated edition includes 30 pages of new content, adding more than 70 new entries.

• September 17

  • Boba Fett: Black, White & Red #1 by Benjamin Percy.

  • Star Wars (2025) #5 by Alex Segura.

How 433 Investors Unlocked 400X Return Potential

Institutional investors back startups to unlock outsized returns. Regular investors have to wait. But not anymore. Thanks to regulatory updates, some companies are doing things differently.

Take Revolut. In 2016, 433 regular people invested an average of $2,730. Today? They got a 400X buyout offer from the company, as Revolut’s valuation increased 89,900% in the same timeframe.

No wonder 10K+ everyday people are taking the chance on Pacaso.

Founded by a former Zillow exec, Pacaso’s co-ownership tech reshapes the $1.3T vacation home market. They’ve earned $110M+ in gross profit to date, including 41% YoY growth in 2024 alone. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

The same institutional investors behind Uber, Venmo, and eBay backed Pacaso. And you can join them. But not for long. Pacaso’s investment opportunity ends September 18.

Invest While You Still Can

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Want to create a newsletter just like The Youtini Dispatch? Sign up for Beehiiv and Youtini gets a commission.

Good Morning, Youtinians. We have exciting news for you this week from our partners at Inkstone, plus some early Emmy Awards for Andor! Let's jump right into this week's goodness...

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

Exclusive Early Access to Inskstone's Edition of Yoda: Dark Rendezvous

Image Credit: Insktone Books/Youtini Illustration

Our friends at Inkstone have announced that Sean Stewart's Yoda: Dark Rendezvous will have an exclusive edition to celebrate its release as part of the Essential Legends Collection!

• The special edition will feature hardcover foiling and sprayed edges.

• Each of the 750 copies will be signed and numbered by author Sean Stewart.

• You can also hear an interview with Stewart on Legends Lookback soon!

Now, as if that announcement wasn't exciting enough, there's even more great news to share with Youtini Dispatch readers!

• Inkstone normally only opens preorders to previous buyers and their newsletter subscribers. However, thanks to our partnership, Youtini has an exclusive code you can use to guarantee yourself a copy!

• Starting September 20th, you can preorder your copy by using the code Y0ut1n1Y0da! when you order from Inkstone's website!

We’re all fine here now — how are you? We’re grateful to our friends at Inkstone for this unique special offer! These exclusive editions often sell out, so be sure to order yours before general access opens on September 22nd!

Andor Snags Early Emmy Awards

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youitini Illustration

The Creative Arts Emmy Awards were held September 6th and 7th at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, and our FAVORITE, ground-breaking, Star Wars series has already earned four nods!

• As we know, Andor Season 2 received a well-deserved 14 Emmy Award nominations.

• Michael Wikinson, Kate O'Farrell, Richard Davies, Paula Fajardo, and their team won the Emmy for Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes for the "Harvest" episode.

• Visual Effects Supervisor Mohen Leo and team won the Emmy for Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or Movie.

• Luke Hull, Tony Britton, Rebecca Alleway, and team won the Emmy for Outstanding Design for a Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More).

• Yan Miles, ACE, won for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Drama Series.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? Although there were also some disappointing losses, Andor is still in the running for other awards, including Best Drama Series when the Primetime Emmys air on September 14th!

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️ This week's episode of The Youtini Show discusses Andor's Emmy wins and losses so far and Inkstone's latest announcement!

🎙️ Legends Lookback starts a new season by diving into the beloved video game Knights of the Old Republic.

🎙️ Emmi, Hannah, and JG discuss Sanctuary: A Bad Batch Novel by Lamer Giles on Canon Book Club.

✏️ Oz reviews Hyperspace Stories: Codebreaker #3 and Han Solo — Hunt for the Falcon #1.

✏️ An exciting excerpt has come out for Master of Evil, and Eric has all the details!

✏️Jacob reviews Legacy of Vader #8.

🧭 Smuggler’s Finds

Fresh Star Wars treasures, hand-picked by the Youtini crew.

With Halloween on the way, choose the light or dark path with this excellent Darth Revan adult costume! The six-piece costume features a long-sleeved tunic, hip sash, armor, and gloves.

Collectors and fans of the Jedi video games series (Fallen Order and Survivor so far) won't want to miss this three-figure Black Series Gaming Greats figure set. The three six-inch figures of Cal Kestis, the Second Sister, and Purge Trooper feature game-accurate details and accessories.

Freshen up your office, den, or any other room of the house with a Star Wars wrapped canvas painting! Choose from two images of the Millennium Falcon or any of ten other designs at different prices to suit your budget. With the canvas-textured look, whichever version you pick will be the centerpiece of your decor!

📆 Releasing This Week

• September 10

  • Jedi Knights #7 by Marc Guggenheim

  • Tales from the Nightlands #1 by Cavan Scott

How 433 Investors Unlocked 400X Return Potential

Institutional investors back startups to unlock outsized returns. Regular investors have to wait. But not anymore. Thanks to regulatory updates, some companies are doing things differently.

Take Revolut. In 2016, 433 regular people invested an average of $2,730. Today? They got a 400X buyout offer from the company, as Revolut’s valuation increased 89,900% in the same timeframe.

No wonder 10K+ everyday people are taking the chance on Pacaso.

Founded by a former Zillow exec, Pacaso’s co-ownership tech reshapes the $1.3T vacation home market. They’ve earned $110M+ in gross profit to date, including 41% YoY growth in 2024 alone. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

The same institutional investors behind Uber, Venmo, and eBay backed Pacaso. And you can join them. But not for long. Pacaso’s investment opportunity ends September 18.

Invest While You Still Can

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Good Morning Youtinians.  How lucky are we that Star Wars news keeps coming? Both Andor and The High Republic wrapped up months ago, yet there's still something new to talk about every week! That hasn't always been the case, so let's jump right into the latest updates from a galaxy far, far away...

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

Starfighter News Jumps to Lightspeed

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

Oh my, oh my, how we are loving this period of Star Wars fandom. Not only will our newest favorite duo hit the big screen next year, but Shawn Levy's Star Wars: Star Fighter was confirmed to have STARTED FILMING! Yeah baby!

• The production, starring Ken Ryan Gosling, recently started filming in London.

• Gosling also serves as executive producer alongside Hollywood veterans Dan Levine, Josh McLaglen, and Mary McLaglen.

• Director Shawn Levy shares producer credits with Kathleen Kennedy.

• With Jonathan Tropper as screenwriter, the film will take place in a previously unexplored part of the Star Wars timeline. Cool! 

The Latest Casting News:

• As Youtini reported last week, Lucasfilm has announced the full cast!

• In addition to Gosling, Starfighter's cast includes Academy Award nominee Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, and Flynn Gray (Wednesday, Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2).

Behind the Camera:

• This week, Levy also confirmed that Claudio Miranda will serve as cinematographer.

• Miranda previously worked on Tron: Legacy, F1, and Top Gun: Maverick. The perfect resume for a starfighter-based flick!

• He's earned an Academy Award for Life of Pi (2012) and a Visionary Achievement Award at Cine Gear Expo for his contributions to advancing his field, particularly in digital technology and LED lighting integration.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? Levy and Gosling already looked like a partnership primed to rule the galaxy! Now with award-winning cinematographer Miranda, Starfighter seems set to be absolutely mind-blowing! Be sure to join us in Discord to share the excitement!

Disney Partnership with WEBTOON to Include Star Wars

Image Credit: Marvel/Youtini Illustration

In a recent announcement, we learned about a new multiyear collaboration between Disney and WEBTOON!

What is WEBTOON? Launched in 2004 in South Korea, WEBTOON is a popular platform for digital comics.

• WEBTOON presents graphic storytelling in a mobile device-friendly vertical scroll format.

• It has grown into a global service for millions of creators and readers worldwide.

What's the Deal?

• The deal covers Star Wars, Marvel, 20th Century Studios, and Disney.

• Fans will be able to access classic comic series, graphic novels, and all-new original series.

• Original series will include new adventures for familiar characters.

• Marvel's Amazing Spider-Man (2022) will be the launch title later this month, with Jason Aaron's Star Wars (2015) as the first title from our favorite universe.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? It hasn't always been easy to follow comics on mobile devices, so a partnership that brings epic Star Wars storytelling to a handy vertical-scrolling format is exciting news! We can expect to learn more during New York Comic Con in early October. 

Forbes on Star Wars Villains

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

Business magazine Forbes — curator of the annual Billionaires List, The Forbes 400 list of richest Americans, and the list of the World's Most Powerful People — recently turned its high-powered spotlight onto a couple of villains from the Star Wars universe.

Iconic Villainy: In a recent list of the 30 most memorable villains in cinematic history, Forbes covers 94 years of film.

• The list is a who's who of evil that includes Dr. Evil himself and Bond villains, Velociraptors, Heath Ledger's iconic portrayal of the Joker, and even an animated Disney baddie.

• Perhaps no surprise to us, the baddest of the bad is none other than Darth Vader.

• Noting that his arc spans six films ("choosing just one film for Darth Vader slightly undersells the character"), the list specifically cites David Prowse's physical presence and James Earl Jones's legendary vocal performance.

The Stranger: Forbes also revisited The Acolyte a year after its release. Writer Paul Tassi doesn't flinch from the financial realities that likely contributed to the show's cancellation, nor the "absolutely insane hate the show, its star, and its showrunner got."

At the same time, he gives Manny Jacinto's Qmir well-deserved props!

• Tassi argues that "Manny Jacinto’s The Stranger, in particular, was one of the best original villains we’ve seen appear in Star Wars in the entire Disney era..."

• He states that Episode 5 features "a top 3 lightsaber fight in the history of Star Wars."

We’re all fine here now — how are you? It's no surprise to us that Darth Vader tops the list of most memorable movie villains! But it's even more heartening as Star Wars fans to see Forbes recognize Qmir's epic evilness. Where do you think The Stranger ranks among Star Wars villains? Where would you put Darth Vader among all the bad guys and gals in cinematic history? Join the conversation in Discord!

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️ You don't want to miss the guys from The Cosmic Force covering Aphra's reunion with Han Solo!

🎙️ Join Legends Lookback for an end-of-summer road trip with a twist! Jared, Emily, Rick, and Freddy take you on a tour of the darkest, most twisted corners of a galaxy far, far away.

✏️ Eric wraps up all the exciting Star Wars: Starfighter casting and production updates.

✏️ The Dispatch's own Doc has the definitive list of the best Darth Maul merch for your Star Wars collection!

✏️ Fantasy Flight Games has announced its sixth set for Star Wars: Underworld, and Youtini has all the details.

🧭 Smuggler’s Finds

Fresh Star Wars treasures, hand-picked by the Youtini crew.

• Toast the creed with this set of four Mandalorian-themed glasses. The set features the helmets of Paz Vizsla, Bo-Katan, The Armorer, and Din Djarin with matching colored bases.

• If you couldn't make the trip to Japan in April, fear not! With this pullover hoodie, you can still rock this beautiful design, based on traditional Japanese art! The sweatshirt features Darth Vader from Celebration 2025's key art on the back and TIE fighters, X-Wings, and an Imperial walker with Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms with a rising sun design on the front.

• Head back to school in old-school style with this graphic T-shirt. Featuring the Millennium Falcon and a retro-style logo designed to give a vintage vibe. Tell everyone you've been in this since you were six years old without saying a word!

📆 Releasing This Week

• September 3

  • Han Solo — Hunt for the Falcon #1 by Rodney Barnes

  • Legacy of Vader #8 by Charles Soule

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Good Morning, Youtinians.  A new month approaching means a new round-up of Star Wars book releases. And that's not all: Celebration and San Diego ComiCon might be in the rearview mirror, but exciting reveals from the convention circuit keep coming! 

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

September Star Wars Releases

Image Credit: Marvel/Youtini Illustration

There are so many good things coming down the pipeline! Here are a few that we’re really looking forward to coming up in September:

• Han Solo: Hunt for the Falcon #1 by Rodney Barnes and Ramon Rosanas: This is the first issue of a new five-issue miniseries from Marvel.

  • This new miniseries takes place between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, and it tells the story of Han and Chewie’s search for the Millennium Falcon.

  • Of course, Han and Chewie aren’t the only scoundrels in the galaxy with a particular affinity for the Falcon, so we definitely expect to get more than our fair share of pirates and rogues in this miniseries!

  • You can find this first issue at your local comic shop on September 3rd!

• Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles by Brandon Wainerdi: This is the official and authoritative reference to all the starfighters and vehicles in the Star Wars universe!

  • Newly updated and expanded to include 30 pages of new content!

  • This edition covers more than 230 vessels, ships, and vehicles, including all the latest ones introduced in The Rise of Skywalker, The Mandalorian, and Ahsoka.

  • Richly illustrated with detailed images, the book also includes detailed specifications such as performance, weapons, and more.

  • Be on the lookout for this new reference book on September 16th!

• Boba Fett: Black, White, & Red #1 by Benjamin Percy and Chris Allen: The next installment in the Black, White, & Red comics from Marvel.

  • This new four-issue miniseries will focus on Boba Fett in the series’ classic colors, which have already featured Darth Vader and Darth Maul.

  • In this first issue, we will see Boba Fett begin to track his next bounty: a mysterious individual who somehow found themselves on the wrong side of both the Empire and the Rebellion.

  • This first issue will arrive on September 17th!

We're all fine here now — how are you? These are just a few Star Wars reads we can’t wait to check out next month. Check out The Cosmic Force podcast for Caleb, Oz, and Jacob’s thoughts on next month’s comics!

Are We Having Visions?

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

With the upcoming release of Star Wars: Visions Volume 3, we just got a big new dose of hype with the official poster reveal and some tantalizing hints at the surprises in store for us!

What happened? The revelations came at Anime NYC, the East Coast’s largest Anime Con. Held over four days at the Javits Convention Center in New York, it showcases the very best from this Japanese pop culture phenomenon.

• Anime NYC featured a Star Wars Panel on the Main Stage last Friday, August 22nd.

• Lucasfilm’s James Waugh (Senior Vice President of Franchise Content and Strategy) was joined by Lexi Nieto (voice artist) to discuss the new series.

The Reveals: We also got our first look at the new season's official poster!

• The poster is simply awesome. An image with three vertical brush strokes in graduated hues of blue superimposed with characters from the upcoming Volume 3.

• Highlights include the return of the Ronin from "The Duel," F from "The Village Bride," and Lah Kara from "The Ninth Jedi."

• The poster also included never-before-seen troopers in broken armor from "BLACK," an episode in Volume 3.

Advanced Screening: Attendees also got to take in a special advanced screening of "BLACK" and heard pre-recorded comments from its director, Shinya Ohira.

• Ohira's previous work includes Akira, Spirited Away, and O-Ren Ishii's animated backstory in Kill Bill: Vol. 1.

• The sneak peek into his highly anticipated Star Wars debut showed a masterful combination of music and Anime imagery.

• The film features intense imagery and music from Sakura Fujiwara, a popular Japanese singer-songwriter.

• In his message, Ohira-san explained that "we wanted to offer a film that was mainly based on Sakura Fujiwara’s singing voice set against these visuals of intense battles. That was our vision as we made the film”.

We're all fine here now — how are you? Take a look back at our Visions Volume 3 announcements from Hannah and Eric here and here. We, like you, cannot wait for October 29th and the release of the latest installment in this groundbreaking series. Stay tuned with The Youtini Show and Youtini.com as the news jumps into hyperspace for this upcoming Volume 3!

Hasbro Announces New Shoretrooper Helmet

Image Credit: Hasbro/Youtini Illustration

FanExpo Toronto was the ultimate destination for Northern Star Wars fans over the weekend. Among other things, they were treated to a new announcement from Hasbro about a long-awaited addition to their legendary Star Wars line.

What’s the hype?

• The Shoretrooper, also known as the Imperial Coastal Defender Stormtrooper, is a very special breed of stormtrooper in Star Wars lore.

• These unique and visually striking troopers first appeared in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). The trooper was designed and colored for tropical and coastal combat environments: perfect for Scarif.

• Preorders open today, August 26th, through Hasbro and Amazon. 

We're all fine here now — how are you? Hasbro's timing is perfect, coming just after Andor's epic conclusion. While the original stormtrooper design is certainly iconic, the shoretrooper look is next level. We hope you enjoy yours!

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️ Eric sits down with author Lamar Giles to talk about Sanctuary: A Bad Batch Novel and how his writer's journey led him into a galaxy far, far away.

🎙️ The Canon Book Club discusses The Acolyte: The Crystal Crown and analyzes its characters, worldbuilding, and ties to the Disney+ series.

🎙️ The Cosmic Force reviews Star Wars (2025) #4, which sees Leia depart on a perilous mission for the New Republic while Luke, Han, and Valance have their hands full keeping the galaxy in balance.

✏️ Eric recalls an earlier time in young adult dystopian storytelling in his review of Tessa Gratton's The Acolyte: The Crystal Crown.

✏️ The latest Star Wars Audible exclusive features Rey in a new Cavan Scott story, and Eric has all the details.

✏️ Caleb reviews Leia's latest adventure in Star Wars (2025) #4.

🧭 Smuggler’s Finds

Fresh Star Wars treasures, hand-picked by the Youtini crew.

• Fly along with LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy - Pieces of the Past with your own model of the Force Burner! Featuring distinctive flame decals, the set also includes minifigures of Sig Greebling, Darth Dev, and Solitus.

• That's no moon. Dress up your workspace or prepare for the coming school year's assignments with this wireless USB keyboard. Low-profile keys feature durable, full-color printing. The keyboard is ready for easy plug-and-play with batteries and a USB nano-receiver included.

• Like Avar Kriss, you can hear the song of the Force (or the latest Youtini podcast!) with these wireless earbuds. With a wireless range of 35-50 feet and up to four hours of use per charge, they deliver crisp, powerful tones and come with a recharging case.

📆 Releasing This Week

• August 26

  • Modern Era Epic Collection: Kanan the Last Padawan by Greg Weisman

• August 27

  • Doctor Aphra: Chaos Agent #3 by Cherish Chen

  • Hyperspace Stories: Codebreaker #3 by Ethan Sacks

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Good Morning, Youtinians. It's been a big week in Star Wars news. While we mark the passing of another actor who has helped bring the mythos to life, we find still more to celebrate with both Andor and LEGO. There's a lot to cover, so let's make the jump.

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

Lucasfilm Releases Andor Zine With Tony Gilroy's Season 2 Pitch

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

Lucasfilm has released a zine celebrating Andor's 14 Emmy Award nominations, including Best Drama Series.

What's a Zine?:

• Zines are traditionally non-commercial, usually fan-driven publications focusing on specific subjects. The medium's independent nature makes it a fun choice given the show's focus on the Rebel Alliance's early, underground days.  

• Titled REBELIÓN, the zine is also part of the campaign to win votes before the Awards next month.

What's inside:

• REBELIÓN includes new art, sheet music, and behind-the-scenes photos.

• Even more exciting, the zine includes Tony Gilroy's original pitch for Season 2! Here's a brief excerpt:

We’re all fine here now — how are you? In keeping with zines' traditional do-it-yourself nature, Lucasfilm initially released REBELIÓN at pop-up locations in Los Angeles. The rest of us can access it digitally, including the rest of Tony Gilroy's 2022 pitch!

LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy - Pieces of the Past Poster and Trailer Released

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

LEGO just does not stop when it comes to Star Wars excitement, and this brick-tastic week was no exception! As one of our Youtini colleagues put it: "I go to lunch for one hour and we get LEGO Revan?!"

The Latest:

• The official trailer and poster for LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy - Pieces of the Past arrived on Thursday, August 14.

• The four-part sequel series comes to Disney+ on September 19.

• The poster includes Sig with his orange lightsaber and an ominous-looking Solitus taking up the top third of the image.

The Hype: Among some of the fun details we see:

• A majestic porgil: a blend of Ahch-To's porgs and the purrgil from Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka.

• The legendary Billy Dee Williams makes a triumphant return as the Landolorian ... which is exactly what it sounds like!

• Other favorites, including Ashley Eckstein, Catherine Taber, Cameron Monaghan, Nika Futterman, and James Arnold Taylor, also return.

• We even see Jaxxon, the legendary Lepi, first introduced in the first-ever Star Wars comic book series! (Where's Cavan Scott? Is he alright?)

The Most Exciting Reveal? The trailer has a clip beginning at 1:03 minutes that had fans (including us here at Youtini!) buzzing!

• A Sith-looking animated minifig ambushes Sig and Dev, wearing a hood and what looks like a Mandalorian-style mask!

• The Sith weilds two lightsabers, one red and one violet!

• Neither Lucasfilm nor Atomic Cartoons has confirmed the minifig's identity, but it seems pretty clear to us!

We’re all fine here now — how are you? Just when we thought we couldn't love LEGO Star Wars any more than we already do! Be sure to join the conversation in our Discord and let us know what you think!

Remembering Terence Stamp

Image Credit: Lucasfilm

Legendary actor Terence Stamp died over the weekend at the age of 87.

Stamp portrayed Chancellor Finis Valorum in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (Episode I).

Terence Stamp's Story

• Born in East London in 1938, he earned a scholarship to drama school. His acting career spanned six decades.

• He earned an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor and a Golden Globe for best newcomer for the titular role in 1962's Billy Budd.

• His work in 1994's The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert garnered BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations.

• He also played General Zod in Superman and Superman II.

• Producer Harry Saltzman also approached him to replace Sean Connery as James Bond, but Stamp recalled that his ideas about the character kept him from landing the role.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? In a statement, Stamp's family said, "He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer, that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come." Like other creators we remember and celebrate, Terence Stamp contributed to the rich tapestry of the franchise we love so much. May the Force be with you, Mr. Stamp.

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️ On the latest episode of The Youtini Show, listen to Corey, Eric, and Wes discuss the Matt Smith Starfighter casting news, LEGO Star Wars excitement, and more!

🎙️ Join the Legends Lookback crew as they look back at their 19-book journey through the New Jedi Order series.

🧭 Smuggler’s Finds

Fresh Star Wars treasures, hand-picked by the Youtini crew.

• Whether you're rewatching your favorite Star Wars movie or series, or your favorite team's grav-ball match, you'll probably want something to nibble on. This Death Star popcorn maker is the ultimate snacking power in the universe; we suggest you use it.

• Just like Cassian, you can keep the loyal (if sardonic) K-2SO close by with this LEGO set. With 845 pieces, the set includes a stand, an information placard, and a K-2 minifig. The completed model is poseable and stands 16 inches high!

• Update your wardrobe with this Star Wars T-shirt! The design takes a fresh look at the classic logo with vibrant colors and a lightweight, classic fit.

📆 Releasing This Week

• August 19

  • The High Republic Adventures (2023) Vol. 4 Trade Paperback by Daniel José Older, collecting the thrilling fourth arc in the series's Phase III run. Follow Lula, Zeen, and all their friends in the climactic Battle of Eriadu!

  • The Art of Star Wars Outlaws by Dark Horse Books

  • The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic: Volume II by Kristin Baver

• August 20

  • Star Wars (2025) #4 by Alex Segura. Look for our review later that day!

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Good Morning, Youtinians. It’s a week full of our favorite things: we always love to hear about future Star Wars movies, and the most recent news is a gem! And since Youtini got its start focusing on Star Wars books, we’re happy to dive into the latest release!

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

Starfighter Has Another Villain!

Image Credit: BBC/Youtini Illustration

Incredibly, the hype for May 28, 2027, is already building as we hear more and more about the highly anticipated new movie Star Wars: Starfighter. The latest news has had the Youtini team and community buzzing!

The latest news: According to Deadline, the highly anticipated 2027 film will feature Matt Smith as a main antagonist.

• Matt Smith is a bona fide star, having snared lead roles in franchises such as the global hit House of Dragons and the English favorite Doctor Who.

• It's not his first connection with Star Wars, either. Rumors for The Rise of Skywalker initially had him in a lead role, but the character reportedly was cut before production.

What we know so far: Lucasfilm has confirmed the film is a standalone journey in the Star Wars galaxy with no direct connections to the Skywalker Saga.

• It takes place five years after the events of Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. 

• Jonathan Tropper will write the screenplay. His previous credits include Banshee, Warrior, and Your Friends and Neighbors, all directed by Gavin O’Connor and all dealing with characters battling the intense personal conflict of shifting loyalties, betrayal, and moral righteousness. Perfect for a Star Wars classic, wouldn’t you agree?

• In June, we learned that Mia Goth will also play a lead villain, which created massive excitement. Now, there are two of them!

• Principal photography will begin in Fall 2025.

Tokyo Revisited: Cast your minds back to Star Wars Celebration Japan, which seems SO long ago now! Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni were on stage, and the revelations came fast:

• After director Shawn Levy's introduction, the crowd (and internet!) went bonkers to see Ryan Gosling's introduction as the lead star!

• That's also when we learned the film's title, Star Wars: Starfighter, and planned release date of May 28, 2027.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? Our hearts pump faster with every announcement! We love hearing about this next film and imagining these big names joining the Star Wars universe. We'll keep you up to date as we learn more, so stay tuned to the Youtini Show for all the latest and join us in Discord to share your thoughts!

Tech Returns!

Image Credit: Inkstone Books/Youtini Illustration

Thank Mortis, with the release of Star Wars: Sanctuary: A Bad Batch Novel, our favorite techie in clone trooper armor is back and ready for action!

Yes, thankfully, author Lamar Giles has time-warped back to before The Bad Batch Season 3 finale episodes that, without spoiling too much, are CRUSHING, to allow us to read Tech’s story and hear his voice in our heads again.

The Story: Tech and friends find themselves on Pabu, looking for a safe haven after some of the chaos we saw in Season 2 and finding the locals in need of help.

• Giles blends fast-paced action with deep conversation and character moments that help us appreciate the Bad Batch even more than we already did.

• The story introduces all-new adversaries whom Giles successfully makes every bit as menacing as any of the foes encountered on-screen!

• The story is brilliantly paced, with a succession of scenes that take us on a journey that sets up a satisfying ending.

• For more, be sure to see Eric's review!

A Little Teaser: Sanctuary: A Bad Batch Novel is out now, and available wherever you buy your books!

• Inkstone has a special edition with sprayed edges featuring the crew's helmets and a depiction of their ship, the Maurader, on the back. Pre-orders are sold out, but you can join a waiting list for extra copies.

• If you're still waiting for your copy to arrive (or for a chance to visit your bookstore), Kobo has an exclusive excerpt available to get you started!

We’re all fine here now — how are you? Look for a new episode of Youitni's Canon Book Club podcast with a roundtable discussing the book soon! Meanwhile, jump on Discord and let us know how much you love it!

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️ In the latest episode of The Youtini Show, hear an exciting announcement about a new partnership, Eric's Vegas adventure, and all the Star Wars news from San Diego Comic-Con.

🎙️ Eric joins Hannah, JG, and Emmi on the Canon Book Club to look back on The High Republic Initiative as a whole.

🎙️ On last week's Cosmic Force, follow Kylo Ren on a quest to chase down a mysterious Order 66 survivor in Legacy of Vader #7.

🎙️ This week, the Cosmic Force dives into Jedi Knights #6, featuring Qui-Gon Jinn, Mace Windu, and Ayla Secura investigating a puzzling murder.

✏️ Read Oz's review of Legacy of Vader #7, in which Kylo's latest quest proves a unique challenge!

✏️ At Fan Expo Boston, John Boyega shared some fascinating insight into his original thoughts on Rey and Finn's arc, and Eric has all the details.

✏️ Jacob reviews Jedi Knights #6 and unpacks the murder mystery Qui-Gon Jinn, Mace Windu, and Ayala Secura have to solve.

🧭 Smuggler’s Finds

Fresh Star Wars treasures, hand-picked by the Youtini crew.

• Outfit your reading chair (or dorm room if you're finally off to the Academy this year!) with this feather-knit, fluffy throw blanket. As fall weather nears, you'll love curling up with this blanket to read your favorite Star Wars books ... or study the ancient Jedi texts.

• Recreate Cassian Andor's iconic ride with this LEGO U-Wing Starfighter. The 594-piece set includes minifigures for Cassian, K-2SO, Dedra Meero, and an Imperial tactical agent. The built model features pivoting wings so you can make the jump to hyperspace (even if K-2 hasn't finished the calculations).

• Freshen up your wardrobe with this Boba Fett floral print shirt. The 100% cotton shirt is available in several sizes and features a sharp-looking Hawaiian-style print on a black background. You'll be almost as stylish as Legends Lookback's own Freddy C!

📆 Releasing This Week

• August 13

  • Jedi Knights #6 by Marc Guggenheim

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Good Morning, Youtinians. As we race through hyperspace towards Star Wars’s 50th anniversary, the exciting announcements seem to accelerate, too! Whether you’ve been along for the ride from the beginning or are new to our far, far way galaxy, the next couple of years promise to be a great time to celebrate, and we’ve got the latest!

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

A New Hope 50th Anniversary Screening Announced

Image Credit: Lucasfilm

Lucasfilm continues to announce exciting plans to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the release of what is now known as Episode IV: Star Wars: A New Hope. It turns out Celebration's return to the US is just the beginning!

We expect a MASSIVE year in 2027 with the celebration of the movie that started it all. Happily, our friends at Lucasfilm and Disney are right there with us, as they have announced HUGE news!

• On April 30th, 2027, Star Wars: A New Hope will re-release in theatres everywhere for a limited time.

• The timing is clearly Force-inspired, landing right before Star Wars Day on May 4th!

• You can count on the Youtini Dispatch, our website, and our podcast network to keep you updated on when and where to buy tickets.

Star Wars Re-releases

• Episode IV has had several re-releases, including 1981, which introduced the title A New Hope, and the 1997 Special Edition.

• The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V) re-releases included the 1997 Special Edition and one for its 40th anniversary in 2020.

• Return of the Jedi (Episode VI) was also included in the 1997 Special Edition release. It had its own 40th anniversary re-release with a limited screening in 2023.

• The Phantom Menace (Episode I) had a 3D re-release in 2012 and one for its 25th anniversary in 2014.

• Attack of the Clones (Episode II) has not yet been re-released.

• Revenge of the Sith (Episode III) recently had an epic re-release for its 20th anniversary, which included interviews, at least one entertaining promo, and an opening message from Hayden Christensen. Christensen even teamed up with Samuel L. Jackson to surprise fans in person for one screening at LA's El Capitan Theater!

• Finally, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story re-released briefly on IMAX in 2022 to promote the first season of Andor.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? Can 2027 be any bigger? As these announcements come out (Celebration LA, now Episode IV re-release), the excitement is already NEXT LEVEL! Jump on Discord and tell us your plans!

Original Trilogy Novel Reprints

Image Credit: Random House Worlds

In case you missed it, our friends at Random House Worlds just published reprints of the original trilogy novels as trade paperbacks with gorgeous new cover art by Devin Schoeffler!

Available Now:

• A New Hope: Star Wars: Episode IV. Originally titled Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker, this is the 1976 novel ghostwritten by Allan Dean Foster from George Lucas's script.

• The Empire Strikes Back: Star Wars: Episode V. Like its predecessor, this novelization came out shortly before the film. Can you imagine coming across one of the biggest twists in film by reading it before the premiere?

• Return of the Jedi: Star Wars: Episode VI. Written by James Kahn, who was working in an emergency department when, thanks to Kathleen Kennedy, he got involved in the production of E.T., including a small on-screen role! Crossing paths with Steven Spielberg led him into the world of novelizations. His adaptation of Return of the Jedi is one of the best in the franchise.

More on the Way!

That's not all! Random House Worlds has indeed been busy, with more exciting reprints coming soon!

• Random House Worlds will bring its trade paperback efforts and Schoeffler's art to Prequel Trilogy novelization reprints next year.

• As announced a few months ago, Random House Worlds has a deluxe edition of Revenge of the Sith planned for later this year. Matthew Stover's adaptation isn't just one of the best Star Wars film novelizations; it's one of the best Star Wars novels, period.

• This fall's reprint will include special features such as a new introduction and more than 170 annotations from Stover himself, red foil edges, illustrated endpapers, and more! The reprint comes out on October 14th and is available for preorder now.

The Art of Star Wars: Andor (The Complete Series) Available for Preorder

Image Credit: Abrams Books

Reference books that take us either deeper into the Star Wars universe's lore or behind the scenes have been popular with fans for years! The 'Art of' series, in particular, has put the production design side of the franchise into a magnificent and well-deserved spotlight!

The New Edition:

Lucasfilm Creative Art Manager Phil Szostak recently announced in a post on the Star Wars website that a new volume will soon join the library.

• Abrams Books will release The Art of Star Wars: Andor (The Complete Series) in 2026.

• The book will comprehensively cover the series' production design from the release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story until the end of Season 2 post-production.

• The book will be Szostak's seventh 'Art of' book. He consulted on another and wrote the short story "Fancy Man" about Max Rebo for the book From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi.

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️ On the latest episode of The Cosmic Force, Caleb, Oz, and Jacob wrap up Marvel's The High Republic series and discuss Keeve's final chapter. They also dive into Kit Fisto's arc in Tides of Terror #1.

✏️ Eric shares exciting news about Youtini's newest collaboration! The comprehensive Youtini timeline and release schedule you've relied on now powers The Cantina Archive, an app that helps fans log and track their Star Wars books. The app is available now on both iOS and Android devices, with more features on the way!

✏️ Oz reviews Cavan Scott's conclusion to The High Republic, while Jacob looks at Dark Horse's Tides of Terror #1.

✏️ Eric updates us on Mike Chen's return to the Star Wars universe with Low Red Moon, a prequel novel to Star Wars Outlaws.

🧭 Smuggler’s Finds

Fresh Star Wars treasures, hand-picked by the Youtini crew.

• Light up your workspace, TV room, or any other spot with this crisp Star Wars logo light. The light is freestanding and wall mountable, so it can sit on a shelf, windowsill, or desk, or hang neatly on your wall. It includes a USB cable, or you can use three AA batteries for a cord-free look.

• Join Ahsoka Tano and fly into battle with a LEGO model of her Jedi Interceptor! The 290-piece set includes Ahsoka, Anakin, and R7-A7 minifigures. It also features an opening cockpit, adjustable wings, spring-loaded shooters, and storage for Ahsoka's two lightsabers (included).

• Let the epic music of Star Wars accompany you wherever you go with this Bluetooth speaker. It is designed for high-quality sound without distortion and has a wireless range of 32 feet and six hours of battery life. Its water resistance means it can handle splashing water or sweat while you train on Dagobah or the rains of Kamino!

📆 Releasing This Week

• August 5

  • Sanctuary: A Bad Batch Novel by Lamar Giles. Hunter, Tech, and Omega may have found a safe place to avoid the ever-vigilant Empire on the planet Pabu. But the island community has been hard-hit by the merciless sea, and the crew takes on a risky mission to help rebuild the settlement. Be sure to check out our review!

  • Visions Treasury Edition by Takashi Okazaki and Peach Momoko.

  • I Find Your Lack of Candy Disturbing: Halloween Greetings from a Galaxy Far, Far Away from Chronicle Books.

• August 6

  • Legacy of Vader #7 by Charles Soule

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Good Morning, Youtinians.  Between last week's San Diego Comic-Con and a new month of releases to look forward to, we've got an exciting update for you this week! Plus, there's a new book excerpt out on the holonet. We've got all the details, so let's dive in!

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

Star Wars August Releases

Image Credit: Penguin Random House/Youtini Illustration

There are so many good things coming down the Star Wars pipeline! Here are a few that we’re really looking forward to coming up in August:

• Sanctuary: A Bad Batch Novel by Lamar Giles: This is our first adult novel tie-in for the incredible animated series, The Bad Batch.

  • This book is set after Season 2, Episode 13 of the show and will focus on the batch’s mission to help rebuild their oasis of Pabu.

  • Hunter, Tech, Wrecker, and Omega follow Phee Genoa’s lead (for better or worse) to acquire some much-needed resources for the island planet.

  • We don’t have long to wait for this one as it comes out on August 5th!

• The Art of Star Wars: Outlaws by Dark Horse Books: This art reference book is perfect for anyone who enjoys the game!

  • The Art of Star Wars: Outlaws features concept art and creator commentary from the game, and if the cover is any indicator, the concept art will be well worth the price.

  • Star Wars: Outlaws came out last year and follows Kay Vess as she travels the galaxy during the Imperial era, hoping to get by and perhaps escape her past.

  • You can find this one at your local bookstore on August 19th!

• Modern Era Epic Collection: Kanan: The Last Padawan by Greg Weisman, Jacopo Camagn, and Andrea Broccardo: A new collection of the incredible comic series, Kanan: The Last Padawan.

  • In keeping with our animated series tie-ins next month, we also have this new collection of Kanan: The Last Padawan to look forward to.

  • This comic tells the story of how Caleb Dume became the Kanan Jarrus we know and love from Rebels. If you are a Rebels fan, this 12-issue comic is definitely worth your time.

  • Be on the lookout for this collection at your local comic shop on August 26th!

We're all fine here now — how are you? These are just a few Star Wars reads we can’t wait to check out next month. Check out the Youtini Canon Book Club podcast for Emmi, Hannah, and JG’s thoughts on next month’s books and The Cosmic Force podcast for Caleb, Oz, and Jacob’s takes on next month’s comics!

Star Wars News From San Diego Comic-Con

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

A new image from Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord was just the beginning at this year's San Diego Comic-Con. A convention is never just a convention when George Lucas makes an appearance, AND at SDCC, he did just that!

So, let’s break down the key takeaways from just a few days in San Diego:

Thank The Maker

Yes, George Lucas made his first-ever appearance at an SDCC (dang it… should have gone!), where the crowd received him with a thunderous standing ovation.

• He focused on the upcoming opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, set to open its doors to fans in LA in 2026.

• Lucas spoke about amassing more than 40,000 pieces of art over the past 50 years and how he cannot wait for it to have one special place to call home.

LEGO Does It Again

They have done it AGAIN! For the third Dispatch in a row, my friends, LEGO has come out swinging with FIVE new sets to add to our ridiculously MASSIVE Star Wars collections!

• Battle of Felucia Separatist MTT (75435), 976 pieces of pure Clone Wars joy!

• Republic Juggernaut (75413), 813 pieces with Ki-Adi-Mundi and Galactic Marines.

• Jango Fett’s Starship (75433) - 707 pieces of Bounty Hunter scum!

• V-19 Torrent Starfighter (75432) - Asajj and Obi-Wan…WHAT!?!

• 327th Star Corps Clone Troopers Battle Pack (75431) - enough said.

Hasbro News

LEGO had plenty of company in terms of big announcements! Hasbro unveiled several new figures, and oh, my oh my, these are CLASSICS!

In their Star Wars The Black Series line, Hasbro announced:

• Darth Sidious and Mace Windu - Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith duel

• Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker - Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back duel

• Anakin Skywalker and Captain Rex

• Jango Fett and Asajj Ventress

• The Stranger (Qimir)

But that's not all. In the Star Wars The Vintage Collection, Hasbro announced

• Han Solo and Chewbacca

• Force Spirits Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Anakin Skywalker

• Imperial Shock Trooper

Additionally, we learned that the latest HasLab project is the LAAT/i Republic Gunship, which you can support until September 8th, with a planned release in Fall 2026

The Lucasfilm Publishing News

Always providing awesome reveals and new stories, Lucasfilm’s Michael Siglain hosted a panel full of amazing announcements:

• The Finale covers of Marvel’s Star Wars: The High Republic comic

• The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic Volume II cover

• Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures - The Training Sessions cover

• The Art of The Acolyte

• Tales from the Nightlands, a comic from Dark Horse Comics

• Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories: Grievous cover

• ILM 50th Anniversary book

• Star Wars: The Mandalorian Visual Guide cover

• Star Wars: You’re My Little Grogu cover

• Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories: The Bad Batch covers

• Comic reveals from Doctor Aphra, Legacy of Vader, and Star Wars: Jedi Knights.

• Star Wars: Outlaws is back with Low Red Moon by Mike Chen!

We hope we’re all fine here — how are you! After all that exciting news, let’s take one GIGANTIC breath together. Star Wars went next-level at SDCC, and we have to digest this Bantha burger!! We'll have all the news analyzed and dissected on The Youtini Show and in articles on Youtini.com. And be sure to jump on Discord, where we can’t wait to hear what you think about these news drops!

Kobo Releases Crystal Crown Excerpt

Image Credit: Penguin Random House/Youtini Illustration

Tessa Gratton has penned some of our favorite High Republic stories. Star Wars: The Acolyte: The Crystal Crown looks like it will be no exception, with the highly anticipated return of some of our favorite characters from The Acolyte. 

Well, if you want a sneak preview of this amazing new journey, then you're in luck. Kobo's UK website has an exclusive excerpt that sheds some light on what promises to be an awesome story!

What’s in the Excerpt:

• The excerpt includes the title page and the entire first three chapters!

• Yord, Jecki, and their respective Masters embark on a mission investigating hypermatter fuels, and the two Padawans discover they have more in common than they first believed.

Key Takeaways:

• Even though the e-book isn’t available from Kobo in the US, American readers can still access the excerpt. Visit the UK Kobo site, then click on the ‘Preview Now’ text directly below the image of the cover. You may need to adjust the font size or screen resolution (as your humble editor learned after much vexation with the Trials of the Jedi excerpt).

• While the excerpt has a few tantalizing teases, you'll have to wait for the full-length book for the big reveals. That means you can enjoy the excerpt without fear of major spoilers.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? This is the second little gem from Kobo, and don’t we love it when we can delve just a moment into an exciting new tome before anyone else? Brace yourselves for the return to The Acolyte timeline. Are you excited about Jecki and Yord returning? Jump onto Discord and tell us your thoughts.

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️ On this week's episode of The Cosmic Force, the crew breaks down Doctor Aphra — Chaos Agent #2.

✏️ Eric takes you behind the scenes at Inkstone Books for a fascinating look at how they've revolutionized the world of Star Wars special edition books.

✏️ Speaking of behind the scenes, Sam lifts the curtain on all the hard work and collaboration that went into creating Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.

🧭 Smuggler’s Finds

Fresh Star Wars treasures, hand-picked by the Youtini crew.

• Get your youngling or Padawan ready for school (or get yourself something sharp for your next adventure!) with this Star Wars backpack! In addition to the classic wordmark, it sports an all-over print featuring some of the franchise's most iconic characters. It also has a comfort strap for everyday wear and compartments to keep everything organized.

• Whether it's the Dune Sea on Tatooine or summertime here on Earth, you need to stay hydrated! Do it in style with this lightsaber water bottle that pairs the iconic look of a Jedi's weapon with unmistakable sound effects. A wrist strap makes it easy to carry and hold, while a push-button opens the top, just like you'd activate your blade! Available in both red and blue, so you can stay refreshed no matter which side of the Force calls to you.

• One of the things that makes the Star Wars universe so epic is its assortment of memorable alien animals! Learn about them all, and enjoy stunning artistic depictions of them, in the richly illustrated Star Wars Beastiary, Volume 1. And if you haven't seen it already, be sure to check out Anthony's review!

📆 Releasing This Week

• July 29

  • The Acolyte: Crystal Crown by Tessa Gratton. While their Masters clean up a political mess left behind by one of their own, Padawans Jecki and Yord are drawn into a planet-wide coming-of-age ritual as featured guests. When the final event is interrupted, they'll have to use all of their abilities and work together to keep each other and their new friends safe from danger.

  • The Star Wars Archives: Episodes I-VI by Paul Duncan. This volume combines two earlier separate releases covering the Original Trilogy and Prequel Trilogy. The book features script pages, concept art, storyboards, on-set photography, and more.

• July 130

  • Star Wars: The High Republic — The Finale #1 by Cavan Scott. Marvel's High Republic series draws to a close, with cameos from characters from across the series.

  • Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories — Tides of Terror #1 by George Mann.

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Good Morning, Youtinians.  As the summer blazes on, it’s that time of year for Emmy award nominations and San Diego Comic-Con. We’ve got the latest on how Andor fared with the nominations, and the best Star Wars con-exclusive merch for all those lucky enough to attend (or has someone who can snag something for you) and the rest of us who enjoy the “window shopping!”

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

Emmy Award Nominations for Andor Season 2

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

Andor Season 2 dominated our viewing and discourse this spring. It's no secret that we here at Youtini thought it was AWESOME, and A LOT of people agreed. So, it is no surprise that the show appeared more than a dozen times in last week's Emmy Award Nominations!

The Emmy Awards

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS) held the first ceremony to celebrate and recognize excellence in the television industry in 1949. Ever since, the Emmy Awards have grown in stature and importance.

• They are part of the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) quadrella, for outstanding and multi-talented artists. Famously, the late James Earl Jones is the ONLY Star Wars actor to have achieved this honor so far.

• The 77th Primetime Awards Ceremony for the 2025 Emmy Awards will occur in Los Angeles on September 14, 2025.

What are the nominations?

Andor received 14 Nominations for its second and final season.

• Outstanding Drama Series

• Outstanding Production Design for A Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More)

• Outstanding Cinematography for A Series (One Hour)

• Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes

• Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series

• Outstanding Picture Editing For A Drama Series

• Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score)

• Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics

• Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series — Forest Whitaker as Saw Gerrera

• Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance  — Alan Tudyk as K-2SO

• Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour)

• Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Drama Series For A Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour)

• Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Season or A Movie

• Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series

The Reaction

We are all, of course, STOKED at the news, but what was the reaction?

• Tony Gilroy exclaimed, “I’m really proud”, and “This is substantial work and a substantial amount of people’s lives went into this. And I really view these awards as community property on this show.”

• Starwars.com was equally gushing, stating that the 14 nominations went a long way to “securing Andor’s place among this year’s greatest series for its immersive storytelling, from scripting of each episode to the final cut.”

Other Star Wars Nominations

The Television Academy also recognized The Acolyte and Music by John Williams.

• The Acolyte earned a nomination for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour)

• Music by John Williams earned nominations for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Nonfiction Or Reality Program and Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Nonfiction Program.

Star Wars history at the Emmy Awards

Star Wars television projects have earned 15 wins at the Emmys since 2004, with many more nominations.

• Star Wars: Clone Wars (the micro-series) and Star Wars: The Clone Wars won Daytime Emmy Awards in 2004 and 2008, respectively.

• Ahsoka's Shawna Trpcic won an Emmy (2024) for Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes. Sadly, it came after Trpcic's untimely passing.

• The Mandalorian has won 15 Emmys in 2020, 2021, and 2023.

• Andor Season 1 and Obi-Wan Kenobi received multiple nominations but no awards.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? Be sure to add awards show to your schedule, as it is one NOT TO MISS! Jump on to Discord to tell us about your Emmy memories and hopes, then tune in to The Youtini Show for updates and discussions!

Lucasfilm Announces Star Wars Exclusives for San Diego Comic-Con

Image Credit: Displate

We here at Youtini love a good convention and the chance to gather and celebrate Star Wars. San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) is a longtime fixture on the calendar and one of the largest pop culture fan events in the country!

This year's event runs from July 23-27. The Lucasfilm Pavilion celebrates Lucasfilm Animation's 20th anniversary, and the recently announced convention exclusive merchandise lives up to the occasion!

What’s available?

The selection from Lucasfilm this year is just AMAZING! Amongst the many, here are some standouts:

• A limited edition Star Wars Darth Vader Tamagotchi that puts you in charge of Anakin Skywalker's path!

• Seven new, fist-to-market action figures by Beast Kingdom, including a Stormtrooper, 501st Clone Trooper, and Darth Vader.

• A limited edition metal poster of The Mandalorian and Grogu by Displate.

But wait, there’s more!

• A Darth Vader Premiere Helmet from Denuo Novo, a painstaking recreation using artifacts from the archives and photos from The Empire Strikes Back.

• A 2025 Convention Exclusive edition of Star Wars: Unlimited, the game taking over the Youtini team. This set includes six variant cards featuring a unique blueprint-style design showcasing some of Star Wars's best droids.

• Enamel pins by FiGPiN and Hallmark, because what's a convention without pins? The selection includes Force Ghost Qui-Gon, Jedi Knight Revan, and K-2SO as well as a mystery box series.

• Darth Vader MiniCo figure by Iron Studios, a small-scale and stylized version of the Sith Lord himself featuring a billowing cape and tiny holograms.

A True Kyber Treasure

And finally, a unique chance to create a true memory of your Star Wars SDCC experience with a necklace or bracelet engraved with your name in Auerbesh!

WHAT?!?!

We’re all fine here now — how are you? That's just the merchandise! With panels on the schedule, surely more surprises await (and you can count on Youtini's webpage, podcasts, and Dispatch to bring you all the news). If you're attending, be sure to jump on Discord and share your journey!

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️ On last week’s episode of The Youtini Show, Eric sits down with Inkstone Books founder Brett Kirchner to talk Star Wars, fandom, and collectible editions.

🎙️The Youtini Show kicked off this week by unpacking the Emmy nominations news before preparing for the upcoming Star Wars: Unlimited Galactic Championships.

🎙️ On The Star Wars Archives, Jose and Trev follow the evolution of Stormtrooper design.

🎙️It will be a day long remembered: Legends Lookback reaches the end of the New Jedi Order series, and breaks down The Unifying Force.

🎙️Emmi, Hannah, and JG discuss the final novel of The High Republic Initiative, Charles Soule's Trials of the Jedi, on The Youtini Canon Book Club.

🎙️The Cosmic Force has everything you need to know from a big week in Star Wars comics! Get caught up with Star Wars (2025) #3, Bad Batch: Ghost Agents #5, and the grand finale of High Republic Adventures.

✏️ Anthony Schullo looks at the key role studio executive Alan Ladd, Jr., played in bringing George Lucas's epic vision to the silver screen.

✏️ Eric introduces us to Korbanth Sabers and their vast selection of high-quality Canon and Legends replica lightsabers.

✏️ Oz reviews Star Wars (2025) #3 as we head further into the post-Return of the Jedi era of Star Wars comics.

✏️Jacob reviews High Republic Adventures #20, the endearing saga’s swan song.

🧭 Smuggler’s Finds

Fresh Star Wars treasures, hand-picked by the Youtini crew.

• Jazz up your figure collection with The Vintage Collection The Modal Nodes! This 7-piece set features the famous Bith band from the Mos Eisley Cantina. The figures are 3.75-inch, just like the original figures, and the packaging features classic Kenner branding and package design.

• Keep your Star Wars reference shelf up-to-date with the most recent Star Wars Encyclopedia. The most comprehensive Star Wars reference book available includes more than 2,200 entries covering characters, places, ships, and equipment.

• Recapture the iconic opening scene of A New Hope and the Star Wars franchise with this 654-piece LEGO Tantive IV set. Designed for display, the completed model measures 12.5/32cm long and includes a buildable stand.

📆 Releasing This Week

• July 22

  • Modern Era Epic Collection: Yoda's Secret War Omnibus by Jason Aaron.

• July 23

  • Doctor Aphra — Chaos Agent #2 by Cherish Chen

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Good Morning, Youtinians. We’ve got quite an update for you this week, including unexpected news from Rian Johnson. And you thought we had exciting LEGO news last week with the new villain from the next season of Rebuild the Galaxy, wait till you see what we have for you this time around!

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

Rian Johnson Discusses His Star Wars Trilogy

Image Credit: Youtini Illustration

Dare we say that The Last Jedi may just be the sleeping giant of the Star Wars Saga. One thing is certain: the eighth episode, released in 2017, evokes strong and passionate reactions and discussions from all across the fandom.

Its director, Rian Johnson, recently sat down with Rolling Stone to discuss his current role as writer and director of the second season of Poker Face. Along the way, he also addressed his journey in a galaxy far, far away.

What About His Trilogy?

• He states that after The Last Jedi, Lucasfilm said, “We had a great time working together… let’s keep doing it.” To which he replied, “Great!”

• Johnson confirms that he had discussed a trilogy with Kathleen Kennedy, Lucasfilm head honcho. The project was “very conceptual” and did not go as far as having an “outline or treatment”.

• The trilogy never got off the ground due to Knives Out's success, as the hit murder mystery films demanded his complete attention.

Is There Hope?

• We reported in May 2025 that in another interview, Johson said he would “love” to return to the Star Wars director’s chair.

• In this more recent interview, he reiterated that position, telling Rolling Stone that if there was a chance to "do something else in Star Wars, I would be thrilled.”

• Johnson also shared his thoughts on The Last Jedi's reception, which you can read more about in Eric's article.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? While we are not sure where this Bantha track is leading, we know Johnson has a place for Star Wars in his heart. Another trilogy in the shadow of his first movie would surely be a massive moment for us all. Jump on Discord and share your thoughts!

New LEGO Sets!

Image Credit: LEGO

LEGO had more news than we could fit in one Dispatch — and how do they always seem to get it right? Set after set hits the spot, clicks the click, and makes our bank accounts just a bit lower because we just have to have them!

Two New Sets

LEGO has two new sets for collectors and builders of all ages. One comes from the new Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy season, while the other is a wonderful tribute to a fixture in the Star Wars universe and fandom, Warwick Davis.

The Force Burner Snowspeeder (75414): Featuring a vehicle from the upcoming season, this set takes a fun spin on the snowspeeder you know and love from The Empire Strikes Back.

• Wow! Have you ever wanted to spice up a Star Wars vehicle with custom paint? Well, wish no more because LEGO just did it for us!

• This new 349-piece set is just the best. The colors rock, and the flames are lit! It is just the perfect addition to your collection. After you drop some illumination with a lighting kit or four, this will be even more amazing!

• In addition to the speeder, the set includes two speeders. One detaches from the speeder and resembles an Imperial Speeder Bike first seen in Episode VI on Endor. The other is a Single Trooper Aerial Platform (STAP) used by the Battledroids of the Separatist Droid Army in Episode I.

• That's still not all, because with these three vehicles come three new amazing minifigures! You'll get Sig Greebling, his brother Darth Dev, and the newly announced Solitus, complete with his double-bladed lightsaber!

• The set is available on August 1, 2025!

Wicket the Ewok (75430): After many minifigs and play sets, we can finally build an Ewok from scratch. And not just any Ewok, but the brave (yet also adorable!) Wicket, famous for rousing Leia from her fall in Episode VI.

• This is a big project at 1,010 pieces and 9 inches (23cm) tall! Once you finish, it will stand out and look very impressive in any home or workplace.

• The buildable figure comes with a spear and a minifig to add to the black and blue information plate.

• This set is also available on August 1, 2025.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? How does LEGO keep delivering gems? We have THE best time clicking bricks and creating our favorite ships, landscapes, and characters. Long may the love affair continue. Jump onto Discord and tell us all about your collection!

Everything You Wanted to Know About the Star Wars-Coca-Cola Collab

Image Credit: Coca-Cola/Lucasfilm

You may have seen the cans out in the wild, come across pictures on the internet, or catch an ad on TV. It seems only natural: think back to all the cantina scenes we've encountered in Star Wars! From the Outlander Club on Coruscant to swanky Canto Bight, we're no strangers to interstellar refreshment. But what's the deal with the Star Wars-themed Coca-Cola products?

We DO Serve Their Kind Here: In a recent announcement, two of the biggest brands in our universe announced an exciting collaboration: Coca-Cola x Star Wars: Refresh Your Galaxy.

The details, from a certain point of view, are in the bubbles:

• There are a total of 30 collectible cans and bottles with all-new art depicting some of our favorite Star Wars characters.

• The campaign includes a new augmented reality (AR) experience where you can send holographic messages to your rebel friends!

• Scan a bottle or can to gain access to the AR experience and learn more about the collectability of the merchandise.

• Follow the prompts to record a message of hope, friendship, or even how much you love The Youtini Dispatch for your friends!

Go Back To Your Drinks: Here’s the impressive roster of what we fans can collect:

• Original Taste: Start with these 13 cans by looking out for: Lando, Obi-Wan, Padmé, Kylo Ren, Ahsoka, Darth Maul, K-2SO, Boba Fett, Poe, Din Djarin, Cassian, General Grievous, and The Emperor.

• Zero Sugar: Then you can add 14 more starting with: Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Anakin, Luke, Chewbacca, Han, BB-8, C-3PO, R2-D2, Finn, Rey, Grogu, and an Imperial Stormtrooper.

• Resort Exclusives: Take a trip to your nearest Disney Resort to secure the final three exclusive cans: The Mandalorian and Grogu, a First Order Stormtrooper, and Chewbacca.

But wait! There’s more: Now sit back and watch the vision here! Coincidentally, this is basically what Youtini staff get-togethers look like.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? True, many of us already have SO many collections, but what's just one more? These cans and bottles will look great on your bookshelf. Go ahead. Buy them. The Force is strong here, my friends. Keep us updated with your collection on Discord, or even let us know if you have multiples for a trade or two in the collections channel!

🧭 Smuggler’s Finds

Fresh Star Wars treasures, hand-picked by the Youtini crew.

• This 450-piece LEGO set of the Acclamator-Class assault ship from Attack of the Clones will look great on your bookshelf or desk. At 11 inches long, it's the perfect blend between easy-to-display (or play!) and detail. It includes a buildable stand and a sharp-looking nameplate.

• You've heard about it on The Cosmic Force and The Youtini Show, and it's got its own channel in our Discord. If you're ready to jump in and see what all the excitement is about, snag this Star Wars: Unlimited starter set. Designed for two players, it includes two ready-to-play decks, a quickstart guide, and everything else you need to get started!

• Whether you're taking your Star Wars: Unlimited cards to the next tournament or want to travel in style on your next trip, this backpack has you covered. Durably constructed and featuring a Rebel Alliance-inspired look, it's just the thing for someone who has friends everywhere.

📆 Releasing This Week

• July 16

  • Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures #20 by Daniel José Older. The triumphant conclusion of the epic (and epicly fun!) series is here! The creators who started it all get back together to bid a fond farewell to Lula, Zeen, Ram, Farzala, and the rest.

  • Hyperspace Stories: The Bad Batch: Ghost Agents #5 by Michael Moreci

  • Star Wars (2025) #3 by Alex Segura

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Good Morning, Youtinians. This week brings mixed news, as we honor the life of an actor from the Star Wars Original Trilogy. But we’ve also found some good news that will hopefully lift your spirits for the week, too.

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

Kenneth Colley Passes at Age 87

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

All of us at Youtini were saddened to hear the news of Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley’s death, so we want to take a portion of this edition of the Dispatch to memorialize his role in the galaxy far, far away.

Colley’s Career: Kenneth Colley brought the role of Admiral Piett to life aboard Vader’s flagship, the Executor.

• Admiral Firmus Piett served the Imperial Navy during the Battle of Hoth and the Battle of Endor as an Imperial Officer and, eventually, commanded the Executor.

• Kenneth Colley portrayed Admiral Piett in The Empire Strikes Back and The Return of the Jedi. Colley even reprised the role to voice Admiral Piett in the 2012 animated movie, LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out.

• His acting career outside of Star Wars spanned six decades. He also played diverse roles, such as a German officer in the award-winning World War II miniseries War and Remembrance, the Duke of Vienna in a BBC production of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, and a Soviet officer in Clint Eastwood’s Firefox.

Colley’s agent released a statement announcing that the actor passed peacefully, surrounded by friends, on Monday, June 30th.

We're all fine here now — how are you? With Star Wars premiering in theaters almost fifty years ago now, it is a great time to rewatch and reminisce on the Original Trilogy and the cast and crew who made the movies happen.

LEGO Star Wars Introduces a New Villain

Image Credit: LEGO/Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

It's almost been three months, and the dust is still settling from some of the news that emerged at Star Wars Celebration! Among other surprises, we were excited to hear from Ahmed Best that LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy will return!

The Second Season

• The second season will be titled LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy — Pieces of the Past.

• It will be a 4-part story featuring both new and returning characters.

The New Villain: Among the new characters, poster art revealed last week shows a new Sith Lord!

• His name is Solitus (which in Latin means usual, ordinary, or customary - let’s hope he’s anything but!)

• Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey, Beauty and the Beast) voices him.

• From the first images, he appears to be a Duros (the same as the awesome Bounty Hunter, Cad Bane), and he sports the familiar dark Sith hooded cloak.

• He has double PURPLE lightsabers chained together at the bottom of the hilts. Why, do we wonder?

• Solitus is Jedi Bob's former master who has turned to the dark side of the Force and seeks to control the LEGO Star Wars universe!

Other Character News: Other exciting new characters have been confirmed:

• Ashley Eckstein as the voice of BrickHeadz Ahsoka Tano

• Ben Schwartz as Jaxxon the Lepi

As well as many returning favorites and exciting cameos:

• Gaten Matarazzo as Sig Greebling

• Tony Revolori as Dev Greebling aka Darth Dev

• Bobby Moynihan as Jedi Bob

• Marsai Martin as Yesi Scala

• Michael Cusack as Servo

• Ahmed Best as Darth Jar Jar

• Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker

The new season comes to Disney+ on September 19th, 2025.

We're all fine here now — how are you? We're so grateful that LEGO has maintained its license for these incredibly fun animations! Stay tuned, as next week we’ll have an exciting look at new LEGO sets on the way later this summer!

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️On this week's episode of The Youtini Show, listen to the latest rumors about a second season of Obi-Wan Kenobi and follow the crew further down the Star Wars: Unlimited rabbit (lepi?) hole.

🎙️The Cosmic Force looks at Poe Dameron's return in Hyperspace Stories: Codebreaker #2 and Jedi Knights #5, featuring Yaddle, Dooku, and Trade Federation troubles.

🎙️On The Star Wars Archives, Oz joins Jose and Trev to unravel the timeline in Phase III of The High Republic. 

✏️Oz has the rundown on Poe's undercover mission inside the First Order in Hyperspace Stories: Codebreaker #2. 

✏️Jacob reviews Legacy of Vader #6, following Kylo Ren from Naboo to Corellia. 

🧭 Smuggler’s Finds

Fresh Star Wars treasures, hand-picked by the Youtini crew.

• Update your figure collection with this Star Wars The Black Series 3-pack featuring Grand Admiral Thrawn, Darth Vader, and General Grievous. Each six-inch figure features premium material, design, and articulation as well as accessories and individual cardbacks.

• Refresh the decor of any bedroom in your home (or all of them!) with this 7-piece bed set. Available in twin, full, queen, and king sizes, the set includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet, comforter, two pillowcases, and two shams.

• Still buzzing from Andor's epic second season? Us too! Keep the excitement going with this LEGO U-Wing set. Its wings move just like you see on screen, and the set includes minifigures of not only Cassian and K-2SO but also Dedra Meero!

📆 Releasing This Week

• July 8

  • Ewoks: Caravan of Courage (Trade Paperback) by Steve Orlando

• July 9

  • Legacy of Vader #6 by Charles Soule

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Good Morning, Youtinians. Thanks for bearing with us for a couple of days as we had some unexpected circumstances pop up (Lando’s folks told us they fixed the hyperdrive…). But we’ve got some exciting news about an updated web-based version of the Star Wars galaxy map, as well as a couple juicy interviews.

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

A Revamped Look at the Star Wars Galaxy Map!

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

There are a ton of cool pages to check out on starwars.com, but one of our new favorites is the interactive galaxy map, and we think it is worth losing a few hours to!

The Map: The map first appeared on the site as a companion for the 2009 reference book Star Wars: The Essential Atlas.

• This map genuinely shows it all, including specific sectors of the galaxy. These include the Deep Core, Core, Colonies, Inner Rim, Expansion Region, Mid Rim, and the Unknown Regions.

• You can also check out specific lines of famous trade routes throughout the galaxy, including the Corellian Run and the Perlemian Trade Route.

• And if the interactive map isn’t enough fun for you, there is also an updated PDF appendix of systems linked on the page, which currently runs a very impressive 59 pages.

We're all fine here now — how are you? This story is a little shorter than some that we bring you here in the Dispatch, but we wanted to take a moment to recognize the work that goes into making a resource like this for us Star Wars fans and ensure you know about it! Next time you have a couple of hours to spare, brew yourself a cup of caf and check out the map!

Two Interviews Hint at the Future of Our Galaxy

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

An interview with a key Star Wars person is always fun to watch, and often includes one or two little gems for us to enjoy! So, when two interviews dropped this week, we were ecstatic!

Ahsoka Season 2

As we reported earlier, Ahsoka Season 2 started filming in late April in the UK. In a recent interview with GamesRadar+, Ivanna Sakhno (aka Shin Hati) lifted the curtain ever so slightly by giving some super exciting tidbits! Even with the veil of secrecy, she shared what she could, and it was scintillating!

What's new?

• Her interview confirms that filming is progressing and the new season is on track.

• “It’s such an exciting time for us to be back together, and we’re currently in the middle of filming it”.

• “All I can say is that it is bigger and even more in-depth, and I'm really excited for people to see it. It means the world”.

• “I had a wonderful, wonderful stunt team and personal trainer as well, who are very grounded people”.

• “We did quite a bit of obviously, like Krav Maga and different styles of fighting. We also did Tai Chi and studied the ability to move your energy from one place to another in order to remain still”.

This news is SO exciting as we imagine what could happen next and dare to dream of the awesomeness around Ezra meeting Thrawn again!

Skeleton Crew News?!

Skeleton Crew was everything it was hyped up to be: a wonderful trip with a great cast and an awesome story that opened up another new chapter of Star Wars, with a side order of 80s-style kids' adventure!

What's new?

• Skeleton Crew director Jon Watts sat down for a chat at the Mediterrane Film Festival, 21-29 June, in Malta, and provided us with reason to HOPE for more!

• Watts expressed a strong desire to keep working in the Star Wars galaxy. He stated, “I love Star Wars. I would love to do more Star Wars, and I can’t say anything more.”

• When the moderator dug into the Skeleton Crew Season 2 chest, Watts’s response was cryptic and vague, stating, “I can’t say exactly what it might be if it were even a thing”.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? Season 1 blew us away - Purrgils, Thrawn, Marrok, Hera, Jacen, OMG!! Skeleton Crew was SO much fun to watch and live again and again with Jod, Fern, KB, SM-33, and of course, Neel, oh Neel! Watts’s news is also magic.

These little interviews just take our anticipation to the next level. Share your thoughts and love of Ahsoka and Skeleton Crew with us on Discord or tune into The Youtini Show to listen to updates as the wait continues!

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️ On this week's episode of The Youtini Show, we look at the story Mark Hamill used to get in character as hermit Luke Skywalker and get excited about the new galaxy map!

🎙️ Star Wars Archives dives deep into analyzing the timeline of The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. Just how many in-universe days did those movies span? Trev is the man to ask!

🎙️ The Cosmic Force follows Kylo Ren to Naboo in Legacy of Vader #5, then wraps up the Battle of Eriadu in the penultimate issue of The High Republic Adventures.

🎙️With summer here, Legends Lookback takes a fun angle on sharing their book recommendations, with a few surprises along the way.

✏️ Eric reviews Star Wars: The Acolyte Visual Guide, the latest in a long line of books chock-full of fascinating details about our favorite fictional galaxy.

✏️ Jared explains how Revan’s redemption in Knights of the Old Republic is unique among Star Wars redemptive arcs.

🧭Smuggler’s Finds

Fresh Star Wars treasures, handpicked by the Youtini crew.

• Strap in and fly into battle with this LEGO ARC-170 Starfighter. The 497-piece set includes three clone pilot minifigures (one for each opening cockpit) and an R4 droid. Measuring over 14 inches wide, the set features four lever-operated wings to switch between cruise and attack modes for when the fun really begins!

• Luke! We're gonna have company! Get the good glasses! Entertain in style with this set of six 16.9 oz retro-style glasses. The set includes Master Yoda, R2-D2, Chewbacca, Red Leader, a Jawa, and Darth Vader in a themed box and comes with glass straws.

• Pre-order the not-to-be-missed Star Wars: The Phantom Menace: A Visual Archive. Written by veteran Star Wars reference book authors Amy Richau, S.T. Bende, Kelly Knox, and Clayton Sandell, the book will be packed full of behind-the-scenes photos, concept art, and more.

📆 Releasing This Week

• July 1

  • The High Republic Adventures: Dispatches from the Occlusion Zone (Trade Paperback) by Daniel José Older, Alyssa Wong & Cavan Scott

  • Star Wars Insider: Revenge of the Sith: The 20th Anniversary Special Edition, from Titan Comics

• July 2

  • Jedi Knights #5 by Marc Guggenheim

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Good Morning, Youtinians. It's almost the end of June, which means taking a look at what’s coming out next month. Additionally, we've added a new section featuring cool Star Wars items that we've found and want to share with you, which helps support the newsletter.

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

This email may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Star Wars Publishing July Releases!

Image Credit: Abrams Books

There are so many good things coming down the pipeline! Here are a few that we’re really looking forward to coming up in July:

• The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic Volume II by Kristin Baver and Rebecca Henderson: The second installment of High Republic art is almost here!

  • This art reference book will cover Phases II and III of The High Republic, featuring exclusive artwork of characters, ships, and creatures.

  • This collection features many artists, including Phil Noto, Iain McCaig, and Ario Anindito.

  • We don’t have long to wait, as this book will be released on July 1st!

• The Acolyte: The Crystal Crown by Tessa Gratton: Following Justina Ireland’s The Acolyte: Wayseeker from this month, we are now looking forward to this final tie-in novel.

  • In this young adult novel, we gain a deeper insight into the working relationship between Padawans Jecki and Yord.

  • This book will find Jecki and Yord wrapped up in a coming-of-age ritual on a distant planet without their Masters around to guide them.

  • The Crystal Crown will hit bookstore shelves on July 29th!

• The High Republic: The Finale: The Beacon by Cavan Scott and Marika Cresta: The comic finale to The High Republic!

  • This one-shot comic finale will truly wrap up all that The High Republic has given us over the last several years, and we absolutely cannot wait.

  • Set after the dust has settled between the Republic and the Nihil, this comic tells the story of one final golden era celebration and the decisions made there.

  • Catch this one-shot at your local comic shop on July 30th!

We're all fine here now — how are you? These are just a few Star Wars reads we can’t wait to check out next month. Check out the Youtini Canon Book Club podcast for Emmi, Hannah, and JG’s thoughts on next month’s books and The Cosmic Force podcast for Caleb, Oz, and Jacob’s thoughts on next month’s comics!

Hasbro Goes Boom

Image Credit: Hasbro

Once or twice in a lifetime, a release happens that blows us away. We all read and see new characters in our favorite novels, drawn in the best-ever comics, or EVEN on the computer screen in the games that keep us up ALL night and then some!

Well, NOW, Hasbro has given us one of those moments with the announcement of four new figures in The Black Series line. How big has the news been with collectors? Two of them are already sold out!

The Black Series:

• Launched in 2013, Hasbro's Black Series has been a game-changer for figure collectors.

• The series features larger figures with greater detail and craftsmanship.

• The series has also expanded to include characters from across the entire Star Wars franchise, not just the films and TV shows.

The Ronin

• We love books, and OH, what a moment when we met the Ronin in Emma Mieko Candon's Ronin: A Visions Novel. The intriguing former Sith had us at the first word.

• His Black Series figure is available for preorder and expected to ship on September 1st.

The Exclusive Shoretrooper and Death Trooper

• This 2-Pack is THE collector's gem that will take you right to the beach on Scarif with Bodhi, Chirrut, and Baze.

• Available for pre-order, the 2-pack is expected to ship around September 1st. 

Going Fast! According to Hasbro’s site, these two are already sold out! But, as of Monday night, Amazon still lists them as available. Don’t miss out!

Barriss Offee

• Peer of Ahsoka Tano, the two became friends before Barriss chose a different path after all she saw in the Clone Wars.

• If you manage to get one before they’re all gone, the figure is scheduled to ship on September 1st.

Jedi Temple Guard

• With their distinctive masks, they cut a uniquely stoic figure (even by Jedi standards) in The Clone Wars.

• Like the others, this one ships on September 1st.

BUT WAIT! Ezra and his lightsaber are also available for PREORDER!

Move quickly, and you can land a new Black Series version of Ezra Bridger and an epic reproduction of his signature weapon!

• The figure features an all-new sculpt based on Eman Esfandi's portrayal in Ahsoka.

• Of the lightsaber, Hasbro says, “Combining advanced LEDs and entertainment-inspired sound effects, the Force FX Elite Lightsaber is the most realistic Star Wars Lightsaber yet.” 

• The saber's features include a wall-cutting effect, blaster-deflecting sound, and progressive ignition, all with the press of a button on the hilt.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? Hasbro continues to go above and beyond to bring us THE BEST Star Wars merch ever. Once you’ve planted the money tree, pick a couple of leaves and pre-order NOW so you don’t miss out. Let us know if you‘ve been caught up in the fantastic plastic that is figure collecting!

Bring This Bounty Home Warm

Image Credit: Marvel Comics

It's time to reacquaint yourself with your comic collection. Or, my friends, if you've not started one, now's the time! The Star Wars stories and art are taking it to the next level with the release of two amazing comics.

What is the fuss?

• Ever since the franchise burst onto the scene in 1977, the comic book has been a loyal partner to the Star Wars films, books, and TV series.

• Some of our favorite characters have long histories in comics, with Boba Fett's first comic book appearance coming in Star Wars #42 (from the original 1977 Marvel run).

• Han and Chewie have been there since almost the very beginning, appearing in Star Wars #2.

Well, Boba Fett is BACK!

• Announced on starwars.com, an all-new comic miniseries will star our favorite bounty hunter.

• Four issues will be published in a black, white, and red color palette that has become familiar to fans.

• The first issue features writing by Benjamin Percy, interior art by Chris Allen, and a cover by Alex Maleev.

• Percy states, “I set him (Boba) up with a merc mission that goes wrong in a hundred different ways.”

• The new comic miniseries arrives on shelves September 17th, 2025.

And Han and Chewie find the Falcon before they lose it!

• Reports have circulated about a five-issue comics series that brings our favorite smuggler back to animated pages, along with his galactic family: Chewie, Leia, and Lando.

• The comics are titled Star Wars: Han Solo: Hunt For The Falcon and tell the story of how exactly the Millennium Falcon ended up in a junkyard on Jakku.

• The action takes place between Lando flying the Falcon in the successful destruction of the second Death Star and Rey and Finn sighting a ‘piece of junk' early in Episode VII.

• Issue #1 has a story written by Rodney Barnes, along with interior and cover art (with four variants) by Ramon Rosanas.

• This new comic series goes on sale September 3rd, 2025.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? For many, many of us, the comic was the way into Star Wars fandom and a galaxy far, far away. What was your first comic? Do you have the collection? Are you hooked on animation? For the best in Star Wars comics talk, join Oz, Jacob, and Caleb every week on The Cosmic Force!

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️ On this week's episode of The Youtini Show, we recap Trials of the Jedi’s finale, celebrate Andor breaking records, and dive into Starfighter and the future of Star Wars.

🎙️ The Canon Book Club dives into The Acolyte: Wayseeker by Justina Ireland, exploring Vern’s growth, tie-ins to the show, and hopes for The Acolyte’s future.

🎙️ On The Cosmic Force, we celebrate Pride Month with Doctor Aphra: Chaos Agent #1 and break down the finale of The Rise of Skywalker adaptation in issue #5!

✏️ Doctor Aphra is finally back in her very own comic, and she’s just as chaotic as ever. Check out Oz’s review.

🧭 Smuggler’s Finds

Fresh Star Wars treasures, handpicked by the Youtini Crew

• Bring Boba Fett to your next party with this officially licensed Geeki Tikis Star Wars punch bowl set featuring a tropical-style Firespray ship and bonus mini Boba Fett mug — a must-have centerpiece for any galactic gathering!

• Celebrate Star Wars with this detailed 1,050-piece LEGO R2-D2 set, featuring a rotating head, detachable leg, tools, and an R2-D2 figure—plus a special Darth Malak minifigure with 25th anniversary display stand, perfect for building, playing, or displaying.

• Dive deeper into Star Wars lore with this deluxe boxed set of in-world handbooks — including The Jedi Path, Book of Sith, The Bounty Hunter Code, and Imperial Handbook — richly illustrated and annotated by iconic characters like Yoda, Vader, and Leia, all housed in a collectible slipcase.

📆 Releasing This Week

• June 24

  • Star Wars Insider #232 by Titan Magazines

• June 25

  • Legacy of Vader #05 by Charles Soule

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Good Morning, Youtinians. The day is here. Happy release day, Trials of the Jedi. Check our website later today for the full review. Whether you read it right away or hold off, we hope you enjoy and savor what has been an incredible four years of storytelling from a fantastic team of writers, editors, and artists! For light and life!

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

Celebrating Pride Month With Star Wars

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

From Stonewall to Sullust, June has always been a MASSIVE month for the LGBTQ+ community.

The History

• In 1969, the Stonewall Riots in New York became a pivotal catalyst for the formation of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

• June then became a focal point for Pride celebrations in communities across the US, and it has since grown into a worldwide observance.

• The celebrations commemorate the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people throughout history and emphasize the continued importance of advocacy, legal protection, social acceptance, allyship, and the end to discrimination.

• Many nations now host Pride events, although they occur at different times of the year in some places.

Star Wars Comes Out

• The world in 1976/77 was far, far different from what we know in 2025. Pride was not openly acknowledged or on the radar for George Lucas and his galaxy-bending concepts and ideas at the time.

• But times change. As the Star Wars universe has expanded, there have thankfully been ever more diverse characters from all corners of the galaxy!

Celebrating Star Wars Characters and Representation for Pride Month

• Larma D’Acy and Wrobie Tyce in Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

  • The movie delivered the finale of the original Skywalker story in such an awesome and unique way!

  • Among the strongest and most beautiful images of the Resistance's jubilation after defeating the Final Order was the passionate embrace of these two women.

• Mother Aneseya and Mother Koril from Star Wars: The Acolyte 

  • These mothers raised twins that just may have changed the galaxy (before, you know, those other twins).

  • Fiercely protective, proud, and maternal, Aneseya met an unfortunate end.

  • Koril fought in a way similar to Morgan Elsbeth in the Mountain Clan, full of fear and craving for revenge.

• Cair San Tekka and Xylan Graf in Star Wars: The High Republic: Defy the Storm

  • This couple recalls Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: Key members of massively influential families.

  • Thankfully, their love shines through in numerous books and remains intact after many amazing missions and journeys, both together and apart.

• Ceeli and Kryys Durango in Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures

  • The mothers of Nash, the best pilot in the galaxy — just ask her!

  • Nash is best friends with younglings Kai, Lys, and Nubs.

  • With her faithful droid RJ-83, they race speeders and spaceships, fighting pirates and protecting the Jedi Temple on Tenoo.

  • Her mums come to the rescue in Season 2, and who knows what will happen in the upcoming Season 3 this year!

• Cinta Kaz and Vel Sartha in Andor: A Star Wars Story

  • Mon Mothma’s family plays a crucial role in this ground-breaking series and TV smash hit!

  • Mon's cousin Vel (portrayed by the amazing Faye Marsay) dresses up or down — whatever the occasion requires — to further the cause of the fledgling Rebel Alliance.

  • Her partner, Cinta, a brave and cunning fighter, is also key as Luthern Rael moves them around the galaxy to crack the foundation of Imperial rule.

• Lando Calrissian

  • The suave and charming gambler, baron administrator, and general has always had a way with all people ... and droids, if you ask L3!

  • Jonathan Kasdan, screenwriter for Solo: A Star Wars Story, revealed that in his interpretation, there is a ‘fluidity’ to Lando’s sexuality and that he sees the character as pansexual.

  • This news was celebrated in 2021 with an awesome Marvel Comics Pride Month cover variant of Star Wars #14. 

Some other very notable characters include Sky Graf, Terec and Ceret, Vernestra Rwoh, and Varko Grey. 

We’re all fine here now — how are you? Many of us will have close connections to Pride Month and share genuine pride in the loved ones and friends around us who are living the authentic lives they deserve! How awesome is it that humans of all kinds can look up to the stars and recognize themselves in a Star Wars hero or heroine!

The Future of Boba Fett

Image Credit: Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration

Will Boba Return? The Lobbying Begins

We never quite know exactly what is in store for our favorite characters, do we? To be a fly on the wall in the Filoni or Kennedy office would be just amazing; however, in some ways, isn’t it better to be surprised?

This week, Temeura Morrison sat down for an interview for his new movie In The Fire of Wall. The conversation turned to Star Wars (and why shouldn’t it!) and with it, Temuera revealed some magical little gems for us to ponder upon!

What was said?

With the conversation turning to Temuera’s unforgettable role, he did not hold back:

• About Ahsoka 2, Morrison lamented, “I’m trying to ring them up. Can I be Rex and take his helmet off, please?” Remembering that Temuera is the template for all clones, this could really open up the options for him to return!

• Moving on to The Book of Boba Fett, Morrison was even more candid, "I'm sad too. Where is The Book of Boba Fett Season 2? Where the hell is Season 2? I know they're doing Ahsoka Season 2. I'm going, 'Ah, where's my Season 2?'”

The SWC Meeting 

Morrison says he was at Star Wars Celebration Japan and had the opportunity to speak with key Lucasfilm figures about his return. And, looking below, although ever the well-mannered gentleman, he left no doubt of his wishes:

• "Dave and Jon, I actually ran into them at Celebration. You know what it's like when you see guys, they got a look on their faces, and there's so much going on. And I go, 'Hey, hey, hey. Remember Boba Fett!' We had a big hug. And at the end of the day, I said, 'Look, look, I'm not sure what's going on with you guys, but anyway, I had a great time. Thank you so much."

• And, with that, we should never forget that red herrings are not uncommon in the Filoni/Favreau world! Could we see Boba appear in The Mandalorian and Grogu, or even in Ahsoka Season 2? Hmmm, just maybe!

We’re all fine here now — how are you? This amazing Kiwi actor has been such a loyal and dedicated keystone of the Star Wars family. This amazing Kiwi actor has been such a loyal and dedicated keystone of the Star Wars family.

It's almost hard to believe it's been more than 20 years since he entered the fray in Episode II as Jango Fett, the father of Boba, and then starred as the adult Boba escaping from the Sarlaac on Tatooine! 

Please, oh please, grant us one last dance, just one would be perfect! Jump on Discord and let us know your favorite Morrison moments, or speculate about his possible final stand.

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️ On this episode of The Youtini Show, we talk Starfighter casting, Mark Hamill’s take on Star Wars’ future, streaming cuts, and the coming end of The High Republic.

🎙️ On the latest episode of The Cosmic Force, Luke hunts a lost Jedi artifact as the Nagai emerge in Star Wars (2025) #2. Plus, the Bad Batch team up for a wild mission in Ghost Agents #4!

🎙️ The Legends Lookback crew unpacks The Final Prophecy, exploring Nom Anor’s unraveling, wild twists, living planets, and big NJO themes ahead of the finale.

✏️ Celebrate belated Father's Day with a look at some of the most iconic fathers and father figures in the Star Wars universe!

✏️ Explore the world of plays, musicals, radio dramas, staged readings, and other performances based on Star Wars!

🚀 Ready for Dispatch

• Andor’s series finale brought it to the top of the national television ratings, and Rogue One wasn’t far behind.

• While attending a screening of the original print of Star Wars at the British Film Institute, Kathleen Kennedy confirmed that the next Star Wars film is well into production.

• The epic relaunch of the Star Wars comic series shifts focus to Luke Skywalker with another gripping adventure from Alex Segura and Phil Noto.

• The Batch returns for their penultimate issue and make an unlikely team in order to protect the Ghost Agents of the Republic!

📆 Releasing This Week

• June 17

  • The High Republic: Trials of the Jedi by Charles Soule

  • The Acolyte: The Visual Guide by Pablo Hidalgo

  • Star Wars Legends: The Rebellion Omnibus Vol. 3 by Ryder Windham

• June 18

  • Doctor Aphra — Chaos Agent #01 by Cherish Chen

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Good Morning, Youtinians.  Trials of the Jedi, the culmination of The High Republic initiative, releases in one week! Be sure to keep an eye out for the review from our pal Eric, and we can’t wait to dive in ourselves and discuss what’s sure to be an epic story.

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

Starfighter and Gosling Get An Awesome Villain

Image Credit: Amy Herrity/Youtini Illustration

We were either sitting anxiously, hyped to the max, in the rows of Celebration's Twin Suns Stage just under two months ago, or glued to a screen, watching as every tantalizing second unfolded. Regardless, Shawn Levy’s announcement was dank!

Reliving THE Moment

• When Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Fillioni introduced Shawn Levy, we knew this could only be BIG news. Then, after a bit of banter, the Celebration Stage doors slid open, the atmospheric haze cleared, and Ryan Gosling introduced himself to the Star Wars family!

What We Know About Star Wars: Starfighter

Let’s take a moment to recall the key facts:

• Levy has said: “It’s not a prequel, not a sequel. It’s set in a period of time we haven’t seen yet.” Officially, the new movie is set five years after the events of Episode IX.

• More mouthwatering details also emerged recently, indicating that Gosling will play a pilot whose mission is to “protect his young charge from evil pursuers.”

• Directed by Levy and with a script by Jonathon Tropper, the film premieres May 28, 2027, galaxy-wide!

NOW, onto a MAJOR update

The latest big news from the eagerly anticipated film is its new, original villain!

• As it happens, one of these "evil pursuers" is none other than the highly respected screen talent Mia Goth.

• Goth has established herself as a genuine talent and emerging star, with numerous Hollywood and TV credits to her name.

• The 21-year-old, born in Southwark, London, England, has already excelled in "evil" roles with critically acclaimed portrayals of the killer, Pearl, in Pearl, and the antagonist Maxine Minx, in the film X. 

We’re all fine here now — how are you? Wow, time to breathe deeply and pause in absolute wonder!

Can Mia Goth elevate her performance to the legendary status of Vader or Maul? What about The Stranger or Thrawn? OMG, we SO hope she does!

Check out Eric’s article, then join us in our Discord to share your thoughts!

New Star Wars LEGO Sets in June!

Image Credit: LEGO/Youtini Illustration

We’ve got a few new LEGO sets this month in general, but there are three Star Wars sets that we are particularly excited about!

New Star Wars LEGO: There are three small sets for us this month — let’s get into the specifics!

• Death Trooper and Night Trooper: This 119-piece set features death trooper and Night Trooper mini-figs along with their dropship.

• Darth Maul Mech: This 143-piece set is definitely one that you’ll want to add to your collection. It features a Darth Maul mini-fig as well as his large mech suit and a double-bladed saber to match the size of his suit!

• Plo Koon: The June releases end on a high note with 89 pieces that come together to form Plo Koon, his trusty astromech, R7-D4, and his Jedi Starfighter.

We're all fine here now — how are you? Personally, I find Star Wars LEGO to be super nostalgic, and these smaller sets are a great way to spend an afternoon. We’ll keep you updated on any future LEGO Star Wars releases here in the Dispatch!

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️  On The Cosmic Force, Jedi Knights #4 brings Qui-Gon and Shaak Ti face-to-face with Jango and Zam, while Fear of the Jedi #5 ends with Keeve’s final stand on Eriadu!

🎙️ On this episode of Canon Book Club, we discuss A Valiant Vow by Justina Ireland, the growth of its young heroes, and the future of Star Wars middle-grade stories.

✏️  Discover every narrative thread that links Andor to Rogue One, from character arcs and Rebel foundations to covert missions and growing Imperial tension.

✏️ Trevor, the keeper of the Youtini timeline and cohost of The Star Wars Archives, walks through the true timeline of events between The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

🚀 Ready for Dispatch

• Check out Oz’s review of The High Republic: Fear of the Jedi #5. When confronted by their deepest fears, Keeve Trennis and her fellow Jedi must rally together to fight off the Nihil’s final stand.

• While you're at it, be sure to see Jacob’s review of Jedi Knights #4. Qui-Gon and Shaak Ti are recruited to hunt down a hoard of stolen credits, but not just for anyone.

📆 Releasing this Week

• June 10

  • Star Wars Life Size by Dorling Kindersley

• June 11

  • Star Wars (2025) #02 by Alex Segura

  • The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation #5 by Jody Houser

  • The High Republic Adventures (2023) #19 by Daniel José Older

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Good Morning, Youtinians.  Hello June! Pride month is here, and the end of The High Republic and Summer are a few weeks away. It's a jam-packed month with plenty of new Star Wars stories to explore from books and comics.

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

The High Republic: Trials of the Jedi Drops An Excerpt

Image Credit: Random House Worlds/Youtini Illustration

In an exclusive excerpt released on Kobo’s UK site, we get a sneak peek at the final book of The High Republic initiative, which reveals many intriguing details for the remainder of the story!

What’s in the Excerpt:

• The dreaded blight continues to spread, consuming the spaceport on the planet Estavera as a family prepares to board a flight.

• Back on Coruscant, as Jedi meditate to contain the blight in the depths of the Temple, we learn that the Order has achieved a remarkable breakthrough in dealing with the Nameless.

• Next, the Jedi Council must select a team to capitalize on this fortunate turn of events and end Ro’s reign of terror!