Welcome to Force Friday — our weekly roundup of all things Star Wars. This edition includes a new documentary about The Force Awakens, the expansion of Star Wars offerings on the Disney Cruise Line, and new comics fans of the saga should look out for.
Here's what's happening around the Star Wars galaxy this week:
Films:
“Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey, ” a feature-length documentary will have its world premiere during the South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW), being held in Austin, Texas, March 11-19, 2016. The documentary, a bonus feature on the upcoming Digital HD and Blu-ray Combo Pack release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is an inside look at the making of this epic movie, revealed through in-depth footage and exclusive interviews with the actors and filmmakers.
The documentary will be shown at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Austin on Monday, March 14, at 12:00 p.m. Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ BAFTA Award–winning and Academy Award–nominated visual effects supervisor Roger Guyett, Academy Award–nominated supervising sound editor Matthew Wood and co-producer Michelle Rejwan will be on hand for a Q&A following the screening.
Disney Cruise Line:
Disney Cruise Line announced the return of Star Wars Day at Sea in early 2017 aboard the Disney Fantasy. Unlike last year, the offering will be on both Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries resulting in an increase from 8 to 15 sailings. For more information about dates and the activities scheduled to be onboard, check out our report.
Comics:
Marvel has announced a new Han Solo five-issue limited series that will begin in June. Marjorie Liu and Mark Brooks hop in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon to bring you a swashbuckling tale of high adventure in deep space featuring everyone's favorite scoundrel. Han Solo has finally entered his ship into the Dragon Void Run – an infamous high-stakes race across the stars. Only there’s a catch – his entry into this legendary race is a top-secret undercover mission for Princess Leia and the Rebellion.
Comics on Sale Next Week:
Kanan #12
Television:
Star Wars: Rebels returns to Disney XD March 16 at 9pm with "The Forgotten Droid." Accidentally abandoned at an outpost during a hasty escape, Chopper stows away on an Imperial freighter where he befriends an Imperial navigation droid, recruiting him to the rebel cause and receiving his help in finding a location for the much-needed rebel base.
Events:
The rebels’ adventures on Kaller come to an end. But when a friend from Kanan’s past needs help, he stays behind...The look into the past of the former Jedi concludes here.
StarWars.com’s annual "This is Madness" event, where you choose the most popular character of a galaxy far, far away, is back. Voting begins at StarWars.com/This-Is-Madness on Monday, March 14 with matchup every day until the championship showdown on Monday, April 4.
In This Is Madness, characters are divided into two conferences: Light Side and Dark Side. Jedi, scoundrels, Sith, bounty hunters, princesses, and ball-shaped astromechs all compete against each other, and you decide the winner by voting for your favorites. New entrants this year come from all facets of the Star Wars universe. From Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rey, BB-8, Finn, Kylo Ren, General Hux, and Captain Phasma join the fray; Star Wars Rebels‘ Sabine Wren, Agent Kallus, the Fifth Brother, and the Seventh Sister also make their tourney debut. Once the competition begins, new matchups occur daily, and are decided by fan voting, leading up to a final round where a single character is crowned champion. Real-time matchup updates are available on the site, letting you know if your favorite characters are winning…or if you need to double your efforts and rally the troops. This year, the odds-touting golden droid, C-3PO, will offer his opinion on each matchup.
Visit Predict the Madness, pick who you think will win each matchup and, ultimately, the tournament. The most accurate brackets will qualify for prizes. The deadline to submit your bracket is Monday, March 14, at 9:59 am.
Quick Takes:
Disney Begins Planning Another Five Star Wars Features
BB-8 Inspires a Funk Jam (Complete with Some Droid Sampling)
Her Universe to Premiere New Products at Wondercon
Star Wars: A New Hope as Told by Tsum Tsum