Earlier today,Star WarsCelebration kicked off with the40th Anniversary panel, which featured a bunch of previously-announced guests likeMark Hamill,Hayden ChristensenandPeter Mayhew, with the panel hosted byWarwick Davis. If you weren’t in attendance in Orlando, LucasFilm has provided us with photos from the panel, along with even more shots from backstage, and in case you missed the live stream, you can still watch this two-hour panel at your own leisure below. This enormous event kicked off what should be an incredibly memorable weekend forStar Warsfans young and old alike.
LucasFilmhas provided us quite a few photos from the event, which kicked off with a huge surprise. After panel hostWarwick Davisintroduced LucasFilm presidentKathleen Kennedy, she in turn introduced the man who started it all,George Lucas, who was met with a thunderous ovation from the Orlando crowd. While the rest of the panelists rotated in and out throughout the morning,George LucasandWarwick Daviswere the panel’s constants, greeting their old friends as they were welcomed by the Celebration crowd. Of course, that wasn’t the only surprise the panel had to offer, with the crowd erupting once again whenHarrison Fordtook the stage.
Some fans were surprised by one thing the panel was lacking. There had been numerous rumors that Disney and LucasFilm would debut the firstStar Wars 8 trailerduring the 40th Anniversary panel, but that didn’t happen. That big reveal may be saved for tomorrow, whenKathleen Kennedyand directorRian Johnsonwill take the stage for theStar Wars: The Last Jedipanel, which takes place from 11 AM ET/8 AM PT to 12:30 PM ET/9:30 PM PT. While those are the only two confirmed guests at this panel, the official panel description teases that there will be, “plenty of surprises and special guests.”
SinceMark Hamillwill also be hosting a special panel where he plays tribute to the late greatCarrie Fishertomorrow from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, it certainly seems likely that Luke Skywalker himself will put in an appearance during the panel. Still, no other surprise guests have been confirmed yet, and it hasn’t been officially announced that the first trailer will in fact debut during this panel, or during any other portion of the weekend’s festivities. Last year’s Celebration only featured a handful of big announcements, with the reveal that Grand Admiral Thrawn will be introduced to the newStar Warscanon inStar Wars Rebels, along with the official announcement thatAlden Ehrenreichwas playing Han Solo, which wasn’t exactly awell-kept secretat that point.
While there were no massiveStar Warsreveals during this opening panel, it was still quite memorable, with a heartwarming tribute toCarrie Fisher, the assembled cast members sharing various stories from the production and the first look atCarrie Fisheras Leia Organa inStar Wars 8. The panel ended with one final surprise, with legendary composerJohn Williams, whoGeorge Lucashimself called the “secret sauce” of the entire franchise, composing a live performance of belovedStar Warsthemes, with the help of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
