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Twelve months ago, Disney, fighting for space at the TV Upfronts against both Netflix and Amazon for the first time, flexed its muscles with over 150 stars including Emma Stone and Ryan Reynolds.

The Mouse House also had CEO Bob Iger, appearing for the first time in 30 years, highlighting the “radical changes that have transformed the business over the last three decades”.

Iger evidently enjoyed himself last year as he was back on stage with an introduction from Super Bowl winners Patrick Mahomes and Saquon Barkley. “I’ve not seen you since you won the Super Bowl,” he said to the Eagles running back.

Iger kept things brief, pointing out that it had been a “whirlwind few days for our company” with the launch of a theme park in Abu Dhabi – its seventh theme park around the world, as well as news about the new ESPN streaming service.

“I’m happy...

Suspenseful, hard-hitting, nerve-wracking, and slow-burning, Andor is unlike anything you've seen in Star Wars. When Disney first announced the show about the handsome rebel spy from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in 2018, I had the same thoughts as others: "Why are they making a show about him?" and "Who'd wanna watch that?"

But filmmaker Tony Gilroy's Andor is a bolt of lightning you didn't expect to strike. It isn't your average Star Wars production. It is indisputably the franchise's best release since Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012.

As of 2025, the show has raked in over $300 million in subscriber revenue. Andor's resounding success won't surprise you if you are familiar with showrunner Tony Gilroy's past work in Rogue One and Matt Damon's Bourne franchise. However, if you aren't yet convinced of Andor's greatness, the following seven reasons will dispel all your doubts.

Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) in Lucasfilm's Star...

Ryan Phillippe recalls almost being cast as an iconic Star Wars character.

If you didn’t know, Ryan, now 50, was up for the role of Anakin Skywalker when he was 29. However, he lost the part to Hayden Christensen due to coming across as “too old” alongside Natalie Portman. Natalie was 22 at the time, while Hayden was 19.

“Being a kid born in the ’70s, I was like, ‘What a dream that would’ve been.’ But I think things happen for a reason and it’s easy to make peace with that,” Ryan told Variety in a recent interview.

Keep reading to find out more…

“Part of what we have to develop as actors is that thick skin that comes along with rejection or maybe things not going the way you wanted in a particular project or potential job. So there’s an element of being able to let go and release...

The Star Wars franchise has been around for almost five decades, delivering several diverse projects. Before its rapid expansion on Disney’s streaming service, it went through three distinct eras with complete trilogies, along with a couple of spin-off movies and even an animated feature film.

The franchise has delivered some of the biggest, decade-defining blockbusters, turning it into a multi-billion-dollar franchise. Despite its widespread mainstream appeal, one installment failed to cross the $100 million mark at the box office. It is a major shame, as the film is genuinely one of the most important in the franchise, and here is why.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars is the only movie in the franchise that failed to cross $100 million

Filmmaker George Lucas launched the Star Wars franchise in 1977 with the original film, which emerged as one of the highest-grossing movies. The subsequent original, prequel, and sequel trilogy installments also continued to...

Star Wars has gone to great lengths over its nearly 50 years to show different forms of love to its audience. There's the love between father and son through the story of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker; a mother's love for her children through Padme Amidala; even the love between friends shown through characters like Rose and Finn.

Romantic love, as is to be expected, is a prominent feature throughout the franchise as well. Even this, however, displays differently depending on the story. Anakin Skywalker's love for his wife causes him to go to dangerous lengths to protect her. Han Solo and Leia Organa are reunited in the sequel trilogy largely because of their shared love for their son, which only rekindles their love for one another. In a galaxy far, far away, love often means sacrifice.

Andor Season 2 has hit this point home once again in one of this week's episodes,...

Ewan McGregor is a leading pop culture icon, thanks to his brilliant performance as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars franchise. The fans were elated when he returned to his iconic role, years after the Prequel Trilogy, in the Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ series.

The Obi-Wan Kenobi series was set after the events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. It followed Ewan McGregor’s surviving Jedi Master, coming out from his hiding to rescue a young Princess Leia, kidnapped by the Galactic Empire. Interestingly, McGregor had a brilliant idea for a second season of the show that never came to fruition.

What did Ewan McGregor say about Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 2? Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Disney+ show | Credits: Lucasfilm

Following the mixed reception of the Sequel Trilogy, Star Wars has given out a series of TV shows. Notably, some of them, like The Mandalorian and Andor, have been widely loved by the fans.

Just as Tony Gilroy’s Andor gets into its stride, it’s time to accept that the story is nearly over. While the first season played out over 12 thrilling episodes set in year 5 Bby (Before the Battle of Yavin), the final season has leaped through the galaxy far, far away at breakneck speed. Even though we’ve enjoyed having our own mini Star Wars movie every week, releasing three-episode blocks, with each covering a different year, means there’s been a lot to pack in.

Gilroy previously told Empire how Andor will lead directly into the events of 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. As well as Diego Luna leading the charge as the titular Cassian Andor, Rogue One alumni including Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly), Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn), Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker), and Bail Organa (recast with Benjamin Bratt) are neatly knitting things together. The question is, what...

Genevieve O’Reilly could have easily lost her chance to truly bring Mon Mothma to life. In the final cut of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, you can briefly see her in the background when Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker make their destructive return to Coruscant. She does not appear again and has no lines. The only proof she was meant to play a bigger role originally are the movie's deleted scenes, in which O'Reilly -- as Mothma -- shines brilliantly, even if only briefly.

But the actor never really let the character go. In 2016, she seamlessly slipped back into the role in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, then voiced Mothma again in 2017 in Star Wars Rebels. Her prominent role in the first season of Andor finally allowed her to make the character her own, and this has become even more obvious in the show's second and final season.

Thanks to "Star Wars Rebels," we've known that the Ghorman Massacre was something that would be coming to a head at some point during this season of "Andor." This third batch of episodes in season 2 has given us a look at exactly how the Imperial Security Bureau baited the Ghormans into protest, how they shaped the galactic sentiment against the Ghormans, and how they crushed them with superior firepower. Now that we've seen the eighth episode of this second season and the massacre itself played out, we're able to understand the utter depravity with which the Empire operated. It was so disgusting it was even revolting to Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), and that says quite a bit given he's been so dedicated to the order brought about by the Empire.

The Ghorman protest and ensuing massacre isn't without echoes of films from the past, though, and there are two in...

[This story contains spoilers through Andor season two’s eighth episode.]

In Andor’s season two premiere, Denise Gough’s Dedra Meero is paid a very specific compliment by Orson Krennic. Ben Mendelsohn’s Imperial Director recognized that the highly determined Isb Supervisor could foresee the future, particularly the pitfalls of his plan to seize the planet Ghorman through a propaganda campaign. Dedra then raised the added idea of cultivating a local radical insurgency, so that the Empire could ultimately use brute force to eliminate their manufactured “terrorist” threat and strip-mine the planet of its kalkite mineral to help fuel their forthcoming Death Star.

In the second chapter of creator Tony Gilroy’s first three-episode block, Dedra issues a plea to her superior, Major Partagaz (Anton Lesser), to keep her on the trail of Axis (Stellan Skarsgård’s Luthen Rael) instead of the secretive Ghorman assignment. But Partagaz quickly shuts her down out of respect...

This article contains spoilers for "Andor."

When George Lucas' "Star Wars: Episode IV -- A New Hope" was released in 1977, it gave generations of children dreams of joining the Rebel Alliance and fighting the forces of the evil Empire. By virtue of the fact that it was a two-hour movie, the notion that one could join the Rebels seemed fairly simple, and thus the fantasies they sparked were similarly unadorned. As the franchise has continued over the decades, this "good guys vs. bad guys" concept has continued to be developed, subverted, examined, and altogether deepened by a number of filmmakers, not the least of which was Lucas himself. As those generations of fans have grown up, they, along with "Star Wars" itself, have come to realize that joining and/or starting a rebellion is no simple task.

That's why the monologue delivered by Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgǎrd) in season 1, episode...

Star Wars is an extensive franchise primarily known for its blockbuster movies but has also expanded into television shows and video games. Historically, animated shows have dominated, but since Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm, there has been a shift towards more live-action content.

Today, let’s explore Ranker, a popular site where fans rank a wide range of topics, including live-action Star Wars shows, to see which ones are currently considered the best. Please note that rankings can fluctuate, and the list may not reflect the most current voting trends on the site.

6. ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’

‘The Acolyte’ is the newest addition to the Star Wars franchise and has sparked significant controversy. The show has been both praised and criticized, making it challenging to assess objectively at this stage. It’s currently being scrutinized as potentially one of the weakest live-action shows, but with the series ongoing, its full impact remains to be seen.

"So this is how liberty dies..." and how it returns to the big screen.

On April 25, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith returned to theaters for a limited one-week run, celebrating its 20th anniversary. Lucasfilm brought the final installment of the prequel trilogy to select theaters across the U.S. and international markets, including AMC, Regal, Cinemark, and more.

This re-release offered me a unique chance to experience Anakin Skywalker’s tragic fall and the rise of Darth Vader on the big screen once again. Notably, this marks the film’s first-ever presentation in 4Dx, featuring motion-enabled seating synchronized with over 20 environmental effects to enhance key moments — from the opening space battle above Coruscant to the climactic duel on Mustafar.

Accompanying the re-release was a striking new poster by artist Matt Ferguson. The artwork centers on a hooded Anakin, shrouded in lava and surrounded by war, with...

We’re in the endgame of Tony Gilroy’s Andor, and while season 1 of the Star Wars spy thriller played out across 12 weeks, things have been moving at a breakneck speed as each three-episode arc covers a year in the run-up to the cataclysmic events of 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Proving it’s much more than just biding time until we get to a presumably shocking finale that cues that fateful mission to Scarif, Andor continues to dip into the forgotten annals of Legends canon to bring back the forgotten past of the galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars has been spinning out from the mainline Skywalker Saga for decades, but when Disney bought the rights in 2012, the House of Mouse tightened the reins and attempted to bring everything under one roof. Although some of the best Star Wars stories and characters were confined to the defunct Legends continuity,...

After opening to great reviews, Ahsoka will be back on your screens before you know it with another killer season. Starring Rosario Dawson, the Star Wars series will dive deeper into the legacy of the Jedi, galactic politics, and long-awaited reunions. While we don’t know much about season 2 for now, Rosario Dawson and Eman Esfandi have given a positive update about the project.

The two actors sat side by side as they confirmed to the audience that Ahsoka Season 2 has officially begun filming, and has even successfully completed the first week back on the set. Take a look at what they have had to say.

Ahsoka Season 2 completes a week of filming Rosario Dawson and Eman Esfandi in Ahsoka | Credits: Disney+

Rosario Dawson and Eman Esfandi joined the Ahsoka panel at Comic Con Liverpool recently, where they talked about what it was like returning to their respective roles, Ahsoka Tano and Ezra Bridger.

May the 4th be with you.

Every year on this say, Star Wars fans the world over show their appreciation for all things Galaxy Far, Far Away, and Lucasfilm has now joined the celebration by releasing an all-new montage of footage from every movie, live-action and animated series in the saga.

The video cleverly mashes-up footage and dialogue from all three movie trilogies, as well as the likes of The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars Rebels, Visions, Skeleton Crew, and more.

We haven't seen Star Wars on the big screen since The Rise of Skywalker, but that will soon change. In addition to Shawn Levy's Star Wars: Starfighter, Lucasfilm has Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's untitled Rey-focused movie, James Mangold's Dawn of the Jedi (probably not the official title), and Dave Filoni's "Mandoverse" crossover event in the works.

“I think it’s a very clever way for fans...

Spanning 11 live-action feature films and six live-action TV shows (and counting), the “Star Wars” universe is ever-expanding. And starting with the very first installment, filmmaker George Lucas made clear to audiences that he was telling a saga out of order. The title “Episode IV: A New Hope” underlined there was both a past and a future beyond the 1977 film, and indeed this saga has moved forward and backward in time throughout its history, telling a number of different kinds of stories in a galaxy far, far away.

To that end, whether you’re new to the franchise or hold it dear as a favorite film series, you may be looking for a way to watch all the “Star Wars” movies in order. From young Anakin Skywalker to Rey Palpatine, we’ve got the full story in order below.

But not just that – we also weave in how to watch the “Star Wars” shows in order,...

With week one of filming for the Star Wars spinoff series Ahsoka Season 2 complete, series star Rosario Dawson showed how bruised up the show has left her.

Dawson is returning to play Ashoka Tano in the Disney+ series' second season. The actor took to Instagram to show off the bruises she sustained during the first week of filming. Dawson captioned the post, "Week 1 Won! Not A Weak One." Fans of the franchise's elaborate fight scenes can expect to see more in the upcoming season.

View this post on InstagramA post shared by rosariodawson (@rosariodawson)

As a spiritual successor to the iconic animated Star Wars: Rebels, Ahsoka brought the titular former Jedi into the world of live-action. Dawson announced that Season 2 had begun filming in a different Instagram post with a behind-the-scenes teaser.

What to Expect From Ahsoka Season 2

Season 1 followed Ahsoka exploring the galaxy after the events of Star Wars: Rebels and The Clone Wars.

Disney delighted Star Wars fans last week by re-releasing Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith in theaters worldwide, but for a limited time only. The movie made way for fellow Disney release Thunderbolts* this week, but not before it passed a massive global box office milestone. Audiences excited to watch it on the occasion of Star Wars Day on May the 4th would be disappointed, but they can celebrate the film’s most recent achievement: passing the $900 million mark worldwide. This makes Revenge of the Sith the sixth-biggest film in the franchise.

Thanks to this re-release, which was conducted in celebration of the film’s 20th anniversary, Revenge of the Sith was able to pass the $900 million mark at the worldwide box office. It’ll have to wait a while before making an attempt to hit the coveted $1 billion milestone. It’s worth remembering that Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace...

Once a heroic Jedi named Anakin Skywalker, the man took a sharp turn to the dark side and became the much-dreaded villain of the galaxy far, far away. Whether you view Darth Vader as a tragic fallen hero or the ultimate villain, you have to agree that he is the face of Star Wars. If there is a fictional universe where the villain is more popular than the hero, it is this one. While the dark side has many unforgettable characters, Darth Vader will always remain the most iconic out of all, and for all the right reasons.

For years, fans have thought about the exact moment that Anakin crossed the threshold of ethics and morals to become Darth Vader. While many link the villain’s first appearance to the infamous massacre in Revenge of the Sith, he actually appeared a little earlier in the story, if you remember. And if you don’t,...

There aren’t too many things binding the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the Star Wars galaxy. Apart from the fact that the parent companies of both these IPs co-exist under the Walt Disney umbrella. But as anyone could tell, Lucasfilm and Marvel are far more connected than just through ownership.

Now, this isn’t as simple as a Death Star Easter egg in Spider-Man or a cheesy Obi-Wan Kenobi reference from Phil Coulson. Instead, we must look at something called the celebrity paradox.

When a character’s pop culture presence breaks through into other worlds because the actor exists in our minds as someone else from a different universe, that is a celebrity paradox. And no place is this paradox louder than two of Disney’s biggest franchises in the 21st century.

The MCU Spider-Man loves Star Wars, but that’s only the celebrity paradox Ned with the Lego Death...

The new animated series will see two beloved villains return to the Star Wars universe.

The Star Wars galaxy isn’t made up solely of dashing heroes, terrifying villains, and cute little critters. There’s also a different side, one in which bounty hunters, scum, and villainy thrives by living on the wrong side of the law — no matter who is making that law. That’s the focus of “Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld,” which debuts on Disney+ on Sunday, May 4. Watch the series exclusively with a subscription to Disney+.

How to watch ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld’ When: Debuts Sunday, May 4 at 3:01 a.m. Et TV: Disney+ Stream: Watch with a subscription to Disney+. From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a Vpn. Everything you need to know about ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld’

How to watch ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld’

What time does it come out?...

10 stars who were almost major parts of the Harry Potter world (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Yup, the Wizarding World could’ve looked very different. When Hollywood caught Pottermania, everyone wanted a seat on the Hogwarts Express, including some huge stars who either passed, fizzled in auditions, or got magically recast.

From wizards who were nearly someone else to villains who just missed their dark mark, here are 10 actors who were this close to donning robes, casting spells, or sipping Butterbeer on set. Get ready for a wild game of “what if” that might just make you rewatch the movies with new faces in mind, at least in your imagination. Accio alternate timeline!

Tilda Swinton as Professor Trelawney

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A post shared by Tilda Swinton (@tildaswintonislove)

Before Emma Thompson floated into Hogwarts as the delightfully oddball Trelawney, the crystal ball almost landed in Tilda Swinton’s lap. Known for her ethereal screen presence,...

Was Chris Tucker’s First Friday Audition Was A Disaster? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Chris Tucker almost fumbled the bag, big time. Before his breakout as Smokey in Friday, his first shot at the role was anything but smooth. In fact, casting director Kim Hardin didn’t sugarcoat it. “The first time he auditioned for me, he was horrible,” she recalled. Tucker was fresh off a comedy tour, unprepared, and hadn’t even read the script.

He didn’t know comedians could improvise during auditions, which caught him off guard. Most casting directors would’ve passed. As Hardin put it (via Complex), “Any other casting director may have been like, ‘You were horrible. Next!’” But she gave him another shot. And that second try? Pure fire.

Friday wasn’t just another comedy. It was Ice Cube and DJ Pooh’s response to movies like Boyz n the Hood. They wanted to...

Did another director want to direct Thunderbolts* back in the day?(Photo Credit –Facebook)

The latest Marvel superhero movie, Thunderbolts*, is now running in theatres across the globe. Many fans have opined that this is the film that might extract the Marvel Cinematic Universe out of its creative depression. And rightly so, because the movie has got a big thumbs up from critics and audiences alike. Thunderbolts* has been directed by Jake Schreier. But did you know that long before the film went on floors, another top-notch Hollywood filmmaker was interested in directing Thunderbolts*? Read on to know which director that was.

The Hollywood Filmmaker Who Wanted to Direct Thunderbolts*

It was none other than the current DC Studios co-ceo James Gunn who expressed his willingness to direct a Thunderbolts-based film. In an earlier interaction with Screen Rant, the creatively gifted filmmaker revealed that he once told Marvel Studios...

Who’s the most well-settled Avenger star?(Photo Credit –Facebook)

Marvel Cinematic Universe has delivered some of the most successful superhero films, including Avengers. But it hasn’t just created superheroes on-screen, it has launched the careers and fortunes of the actors behind the masks, shields, and suits.

With back-to-back blockbusters, billion-dollar box office numbers, and smart business moves, the Avengers stars have become some of the richest and most influential names in Hollywood. But with all that success, one question naturally arises — who is the wealthiest Avenger? Well, let’s take a closer look at the top 5 richest members of the Avengers as we unravel their reported net worths.

1. Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) – $300 Million

Robert Downey Jr. is one of the key faces of the MCU. He practically started the franchise with his superhit Iron Man film, released back in 2008. Rdj’s deal with Marvel was one of the smartest in Hollywood.

How did James Cameron rock his Aliens pitch? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

The legendary tale of how James Cameron scribbled a dollar sign into the title and convinced Fox to greenlight a sequel is more than just Hollywood myth, it came straight from Cameron himself.

Back in the early ’80s, the pressure was on. Alien had already become a sci-fi classic in 1979, and Fox wanted a follow-up. Ridley Scott, who directed the original, didn’t return. Instead, a young James Cameron fresh off his breakout with The Terminator stepped in to take the reins. And with him came a bold vision: bigger, louder, and definitely more lethal.

Unlike Scott’s slow-burn horror, Cameron leaned into all-out warfare. His version wasn’t just about one creature stalking a spaceship crew, it was about a swarm. And in a pitch meeting that’s become the stuff of legend, he explained that shift in the simplest,...

How much was Yelena Belova’s writer paid for MCU appearance? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Marvel has built the biggest franchise in cinematic history by tapping into the rich legacy of comic book storytelling. Its universe is packed with beloved characters who were first imagined by writers and artists decades ago. While the actors portraying them get paid handsomely and the box office rakes in billions, what happens to the original creators who brought those characters to life on the page? The answer, in many cases, is far less glamorous.

One such story that quietly emerged during the post-Black Widow era involves Yelena Belova, the sardonic, lethal spy played by Florence Pugh. First introduced in 1999 by writer Devin Grayson and artist J.G. Jones, Yelena has since become a breakout star of Marvel’s Phase Four and beyond. But behind the scenes, the financial reality for her creators tells a starkly different story.

Met Gala 2025: Priyanka Chopra, Madonna, Demi Moore & More Stars Set to Light Up the Red Carpet! (Photo Credit – Instagram)

With only a few days left for fashion’s biggest extravaganza aka The Met Gala, fans are excited to see their favorite stars absolutely wow them with their on-theme costumes. For the unversed, the 2025 edition’s theme is Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, while the dress code is Tailored for You.

While co-chairs are confirmed to attend, news reports have revealed the names of other stars who are expected to attend the event. Here’s the list of people who are set to attend the Met Gala, with the likes of Priyanka Chopra, Demi Moore, Shakira, Zendaya, Nick Jonas, and more set to arrive.

Met Gala 2025: Madonna, Demi Moore, Priyanka Chopra & More Attending

According to Page Six, Madonna and Stevie Wonder will attend the Met Gala, which will take place...

This Hollywood Live-Action Flopped In 2017 But Is Now Taking Netflix By Storm!(Photo Credit –Netflix)

Many of us grew up watching reruns of the classic 1940s animated show Knock Knock, so we all know and love Woody Woodpecker. But did you know a live-action Woody Woodpecker movie was released in 2017? Chances are, you might’ve missed it! The film never made it to US theaters, but it got a proper release in Latin America, where Woody is a lot more popular.

Reception For Woody Woodpecker

When it came out, the movie didn’t exactly win over hearts; critics and audiences alike weren’t too impressed. For example, its Rotten Tomatoes‘ Tomatometer score is just 13% from 8 reviews. The Popcorn Meter was a bit more generous, with 36% from over 250 ratings. On IMDb, the film has a rating of 4.2 out of 10, based on 5.7 thousand user ratings. At the box office, it made a...

Ben Affleck & Matt Damon(Photo Credit –Facebook)

Before Hollywood fame, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon had each other’s backs—literally. They shared a bank account as teenagers. It wasn’t for a crazy shopping spree or a wild trip to Vegas, though. It was all about survival. The duo opened a joint checking account in the late 1980s, and it was their lifeline.

“As long as one of us had money, we knew the power wasn’t going to get shut off. After doing [1993’s] ‘Geronimo’, I probably had 35 grand in the bank. I was like ‘we’re good for a year.’” Damon laughed, reflecting on their early days on The Bill Simmons Podcast (per CNBC News).

The two had been inseparable since high school, both chasing the same dream—making it big in Hollywood. The acting world can be tough, and the gigs aren’t always steady. That’s...

A Retrospect On Anakin Skywalker’s Transformation In Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith(Photo Credit –Prime Video)

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith serves more than just the third and final episode of the prequel trilogy, as it also interweaves its narrative with the original Star Wars from 1977. Currently slashing new releases with a red lightsaber thanks to a celebratory re-release, the movie’s box office finally crossed the $900 million mark after a 20-year wait (via Box Office Mojo).

In retrospect, George Lucas’ divisively received screenplay for Revenge of the Sith philosophically paints a deeper picture, examining both the origin story of its anti-hero, Darth Vader, and the nature of villainy itself. It stands alongside the early-2000s zeitgeist that humanized antagonists, from Dexter Morgan and Walter White to Magneto, by shedding light on tragic untold tales. However, the larger debate lingers: Is Anakin Skywalker, as embodied by Hayden Christensen,...

The lightsaber duels constitute a significant part of the Star Wars franchise. Throughout the movies and series in the space-opera saga, we have seen many lightsaber duels that will be etched in our minds forever. The Duel of the Fates and The Battle of Mustafar are counted among the best pop culture moments.

Among all the lightsaber duels seen across the franchise, Star Wars: The Revenge of the Sith has some of the most notable action sequences. Though the final throne room sequence in The Last Jedi is praised by many for its technical brilliance, it fails to touch the greatness of Episode III.

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith features peak lightsaber action Master Yoda vs. Darth Sidious | Credits: Lucasfilm

Following the memorable Duel of the Fates at the end of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, fans did not get good duels in Attack of the Clones.

Among all the depictions of Luke Skywalker, the character undoubtedly looked the most dignified (and was the most mature) in his appearance in Return of the Jedi. While the versions of Luke that came before were still very much training to be Jedi, Return of the Jedi managed to deliver a Luke Skywalker who was as confident and cunning as his father before him.

Luke Skywalker, when contrasted with the likes of Anakin, might come off as slightly incompetent and also less powerful, but given that Luke was able to achieve a lot more without formal training Anakin in a similar situation might point towards why Luke was the perfect candidate to fight his father.

Return of the Jedi showed audiences a Luke Skywalker they could get behind Luke Skywalker with Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi || Credit: Lucasfilm

The Luke Skywalker that was in A New Hope and...

It’s hard to believe that there are just six episodes of Tony Gilroy’s Andor left, but as we scooch closer to the events of Gareth Edwards’ Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, some familiar faces from the galaxy far, far away are sure to stop by. Andor season 2 has already brought back Ben Mendelsohn’s villainous Orson Krennic to expand the Imperial director’s backstory, while Alan Tudyk is confirmed to reprise his role as K-2So. There are whispers we could see more of Mads Mikkelsen’s Galen Erso, and although the idea of Felicity Jones popping up might be a pipe dream, the fact that Andor is confirmed to collide with the start of Rogue One means anything is possible.

More than just old favorites, Andor has juggled his plenty of newcomers with a starring role for Diego Luna’s titular 'rebel scum”. Standouts like Stellan Skarsgård...

A week into its re-release, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is proving to be more successful than most new films these days. The film is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and is showing that, despite the mixed reception upon its original release, it has developed quite a passionate cult of fans over the years. Through its record-setting re-release alone, Revenge of the Sithhas generated over $50 million worldwide, with over $30 million of that total coming from domestic theaters. The movie has also managed to pass major milestones both domestically and worldwide in the last week.

It took the number two spot on the domestic charts in its first weekend back, grossing $25 million. Revenge of the Sith out-performed Ben Affleck's The Accountant 2, which has generated $30 million domestically so far. Thanks to this re-release, Revenge of the Sith has passed the $400 million mark domestically, and the $900 million mark worldwide.

As many parallels are often drawn between Star Wars stories, let's look at the concept of hope in Tales of the Jedi and Tales of the Empire. Both focus on fan-favorite heroes and villains, with the latter exhibiting more of a cautionary tale of straying down a dark path. There are also stories of former Jedi who managed to find their way back to the light.

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi has three episodes featuring Ahsoka Tano of The Clone Wars fame and three episodes of former Jedi Count Dooku, whereas Star Wars: Tales of the Empire has three episodes of Morgan Elsbeth of the Ahsoka series and Barriss Offee a former Jedi who betrayed Ahsoka in The Clone Wars.

Both Tales have moments of tragedy, whether it’s Yaddle losing in a battle to Dooku or Morgan’s Mother losing in a battle to General Grievous. Both villains...

This article contains spoilers for Tales of the Empire episodes 4-6.

Barriss Offee once predicted the fall of the Republic. She sensed that the Jedi had lost their way during the Clone Wars and worried that the growing Darkness had overtaken them. Her fear and anger led her to the Dark Side, attacking both the Jedi Temple and her best friend. After bombing the Jedi Temple, she framed Ahsoka Tano for the crimes. Only after Anakin Skywalker apprehended her did Barriss make a full confession for her actions, exonerating Ahsoka.

For 10 years after those fateful The Clone Wars episodes, we did not hear from Barriss Offee. So, fans were thrilled when it was revealed that Tales of the Empire would focus three episodes on her story. After the success of its predecessor, Tales of the Jedi, I had full faith that these episodes could give me the answers I needed...

Tales of the Empire continues Morgan Elsbeth’s story before the events of The Mandalorian and Ahsoka. The third episode, “The Path of Hate,” tells a story of Morgan’s iron fist rule over the city of Colodan on the planet Corvus.

In this episode, we see Morgan’s path of fear and anger culminate in her path to hate. Let’s explain the ending of the “Path of Hate.”

Jedi Master Yoda once told a 9-year-old Anakin Skywalker that “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

The same can be said for Morgan Elsbeth, especially after having the forests surrounding Colodan scorched. This solidified the suffering she unleashed on the people under her leadership. Like Anakin, Morgan’s path from the time her people were massacred was very clouded and uncertain. And, like Anakin, she had a choice.

As we saw in “Path of Fear,...

Tales of the Empire episode 5, “Realization,” follows up with Barriss Offee, showing the convicted Jedi killer as a novice Inquisitor. It's hard to tell how much time has elapsed since she donned a helmet and committed herself to the Empire. We left her at the end of basic training, but she is now a soldier on an unnamed battlefield with only a fellow Inquisitor, the Fourth Sister, as her unit leader.

The problem with Barriss at the beginning of her career is something that she shares with Anakin Skywalker at the end of his: She is conflicted. Seeing Fourth Sister terrorize villagers who are hiding a Jedi, she approaches a child with an understanding of how she can use that girl’s fear to draw out a simple confession. She is the more successful hunter and the only one who sheds no blood. On the trip out of the village,...

Tales of the Empire began streaming on May 4th, 2024, on Disney+, and since then, the reactions to it have been mostly positive. However, the show leaves a lot to be desired.

The positive reactions make sense, as the animation is gorgeous, the fight choreography is stunning, and the Kiners' background score hits the spot. However, this is nowhere near the quality of its predecessor, Tales of the Jedi. Tales of the Empire lacks the impactful storytelling of last year's Tales of the Jedi. Instead, we have something much shallower, and a lot of it feels pointless.

Morgan Elsbeth was a better character without her backstory

Morgan's character shined in The Mandalorian. Diana Lee Inosanto's performance never falters, and she's one helluva fighter, too. While she nails the difficult choreography in all her duels, including Ahsoka, her character arc ends abruptly when she is killed in the series.

Unfortunately, it...

The first Barriss Offee episode in Star Wars: Tales of the Empire is episode 4, “Devoted.” It’s the story of how she became an Imperial Inquisitor. Let’s recap everything you missed in the episode.

A friendly reminder in case you didn’t watch The Clone Wars, Barriss Offee is in jail because she bombed the Jedi Temple during the Clone Wars and tried to frame Ahsoka Tano for the crime. She was discovered by Anakin Skywalker as the true culprit. Onto the episode.

We open on the night of Order 66. The deaths and screams of Jedi through the Force awaken Barriss from sleep in her jail cell. She looks out of the small window and sees the Jedi Temple on fire in the distance. She asks her clone guards what’s happening. They tell her to be glad she’s not a Jedi anymore because the Order won’t exist tomorrow.

In many cultures, there are certain events that are generational touchstones. When I was growing up, I heard it said “Everyone remembers where they were when Kennedy was assassinated.” I remember being at a friend’s beach house when news of Princess Diana’s death came out and I was in my college dorm on September 11, 2001.

For many characters in the Star Wars universe, the fall of the Republic is one such marker that defines their experience. Revenge of the Sith hit its emotional turning point as we saw Anakin Skywalker lead clone troopers into the Jedi Temple, but we also witnessed Yoda’s overwhelming grief as he experienced the loss of his Order. The Bad Batch ended this week, but its first episode began with the moment Order 66 was relayed to clones across the Republic and somehow failed to compel the titular clones to begin the Jedi Purge.

In...

The Clone Wars has cast a long shadow.

The legacy of a single animated series that began in 2008 stretches to this very day. In an age where high-quality, story-driven 3D animation was a rarity, The Clone Wars stood as a unique example of what was capable from a medium often overlooked as a means of juvenile entertainment.

As of today, that legacy has produced hundreds of episodes of high-quality, story-driven content, which we continue to see in The Bad Batch, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Resistance, Tales of the Jedi, and now in its sequel series, the much-anticipated Tales of the Empire.

This feels like an inevitable next step for the realm of The Clone Wars animation style and storytelling. If expressed as a continuous saga across all the programs that share this same animation style, we see a story, broad and deep, stretching from the dying days of the...

Asajj Ventress is back from the dead in The Bad Batch Season 3 episode "The Harbinger," but her exciting return gives us plenty to ponder. Ventress died in the novel Star Wars: Dark Disciple, so her return is a shocker for anyone who read that novel.

Though a return from the dead might not sit too well with fans who hold Star Wars books and comics close to their hearts, the series creators and Ventress' voice actor Nika Futterman insist that everything will be "revealed in future content." Many fans have been speculating what "future content" will continue Ventress's story, and one obvious guess is Tales of the Jedi Season 2, which is just around the corner.

Tales of the Jedi Season 2 will be released later this year, and The Bad Batch Episode 9, "The Harbinger," perfectly sets up a possible return for Ventress in the series. The series can easily explore multiple decades in Ventress's life,...

The anthology series Tales of the Jedi is a wellspring of potential storytelling. While we’ve already covered different characters who could be featured in the series, there are still plenty of potential candidates from every era. Sticking with the prequel and Imperial era from Season 1, here are 5 more characters who would be fantastic additions to Tales of the Jedi.

1. Barriss Offee

A huge question mark of a character coming out of The Clone Wars is Barriss Offee. She is a character fans have been asking about since her last full appearance in Season 5 of the series. Pretty much anytime a mysterious new character or Inquisitor pops up, especially around Ahsoka Tano, the speculation mill starts to churn. She was a good friend to Ahsoka which is why Barriss' turn was so shocking.

This friend-turned-enemy is exactly what needs to be explained. It’s a big jump from The Clone...

Tales of the Jedi is an anthology series written by Dave Filoni that premiered one year ago on Disney+. Season 1 was highly well-received and comprised of six episodes. After the great response to Season 1, a second season was announced at this year’s Star Wars Celebration. Season 2 is on track for a 2024 release.

Season 1 of Tales of the Jedi focuses on Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku and shows them at various points in their lives. Though they have vastly different fates, both are driven by their disillusionment with the Jedi Order. So far, there’s no information on the format of Season 2 and which Jedi it will follow, but we have a few ideas.

Here are 5 Jedi who deserve to be featured in future seasons of Tales of the Jedi:

Asajj Ventress

Asajj Ventress went through a lot in her life, and we know her mostly from The Clone...

Tales of the Jedi provided us the opportunity to reconnect with many of our favorite characters from The Clone Wars.

While Count Dooku and Ahsoka Tano were at the center and heart of the show, many of the fan-favorite characters returned for an episode or two. Here are the actors who returned to voice them:

Ashley Eckstein

Star Wars Rebels – “The Future of the Force” – The rebels learn that the Inquisitors are seeking out Force-sensitive children, and they work together to protect the young ones from the Inquisitors’ pursuit. This episode of “Star Wars Rebels” airs Wednesday, December 2 (9:30 Pm – 10:00 Pm Et/Pt) on Disney Xd. (Disney Xd)Ahsoka, Kanan

Eckstein has been the voice of Ahsoka for every animated project that her character appears in from her introduction in The Clone Wars movie onward. In total, she is credited for the voice of Ahoska in 12 different project including Tales of the Jedi.

In the twenty years since Dooku’s first appearance, opinions have wildly shifted on what the fallen Jedi Master’s true motivations were.

The new animated series Tales of the Jedi has added another layer of depth to the man who came to be known as Darth Tyranus. Here we witness Dooku as a younger man, still a respected member of the Jedi order.

Seeing the Master of Qui-Gon Jinn without his notable white mane of hair truly shows us a time in the galaxy previously unexplored in an on-screen capacity. There have been a handful of books and comics that delve into this chapter of history, but Star Wars is an inherently visual medium, with the motion of the screen being its true home.

By that same note, we have heard vague mention of Dooku’s reasons behind leaving the Jedi order and becoming one of the “Lost Twenty...

In Episode 5 of Tales of the Jedi, unsatisfied with the test Ahsoka is given to assess the progress of her lightsaber training, Anakin Skywalker decides to put together an exercise that will truly test his padawan’s skills.

Standing in front of a group of clone troopers with their blasters set to stun, Ahsoka is instructed to deflect the shots with her weapon. When she is stunned, as soon as she wakes up, she is expected to try again. And again. And again.

In explaining why the test matters, Anakin speaks a line that might haunt you if Tales of the Jedi isn’t your first dive into Star Wars animation.

“The best way I can protect you is to teach you how to protect yourself.”

It’s not the line itself that hurts the most. It’s the moment you realize Anakin’s unique training technique — having Ahsoka defend...