The Next Star Wars Celebration Will Be Held in 2019.

Amidst all the other stories that hit yesterday, one seemed to slip by without much notice – the fact that Lucasfilm announced that the next Star Wars Celebration event would be held in April 2019. This means that 2018 will be the first time in the Disney era that there will not be a Celebration event tied to a Star Wars movie being released later on in the year.

 

From the offficial Star Wars Celebration website:

While we might be in the thick of getting ready for Star Wars Celebration Orlando, it’s never too early to start thinking about when the next Celebration will be. Celebration is the official, definitive Star Wars event, with entertainment, interactive experiences and exclusives that can only be found at this Lucasfilm production. They are the ultimate community fan gathering as well, and friends will want to start planning to be together again to commemorate everyone’s favorite saga. The next official Celebration is slated for a location and date soon-to-be announced, in 2019.

With the convention skipping 2018, it signifies a couple of things. The first being that they’ve already deemed that a 2018 event wouldn’t have enough content to sustain an entire convention, even a 3-day one. Last year’s Celebration Europe III was largely criticized for lacking the kind of content that Celebration Anaheim had, so such a decision wouldn’t be too surprising – and this should probably reassure attendees that this year’s Celebration will be filled with content. The second thing is that, if the event had been held, it likely would have been too close to – or shortly after – the release of the Han Solo movie for a panel about the movie (which would be the defining reason for fans to show up) to make a real difference, provided that it sticks to its late May 2018 window. (If this reasoning holds true, then this would also imply that Star Wars Episode IX is targeting a post-May release date.) The third thing is that this gives Disney D23 and other subsequent conventions a bigger opportunity to promote the Han Solo movie, as the absence of a standard Star Wars convention means that the movie will have to seek a new avenue to be promoted in. While there’s nothing to really support this from the information explicitly given, it also may be possible that Lucasfilm will use the 2019 event as a way of promoting Indiana Jones 5 as well, since both it and Star Wars Episode IX are targeting 2019 release dates (making 2019 Lucasfilm’s biggest year ever in the grand scheme of things).

 

While no location for Celebration 2019 has been set, it will presumably be in the United States. We’ll be sure to keep you covered as we learn more information about Celebration and more.

 

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Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.

Grant Davis (Pomojema)

Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.

27 thoughts on “The Next Star Wars Celebration Will Be Held in 2019.

  • March 9, 2017 at 1:20 pm
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    Last year’s celebration was super disappointing. They did announce Thrawn into canon but knowing now how he has been handled even that seems lame.

    • March 9, 2017 at 4:21 pm
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      Why were you disappointed in the last Celebration? I attended Celebration Anaheim and it was a blast. More fun, in fact, that the previous Celebrations I went to. Overall, I think people had a really good time. What didn’t you like about it?

      • March 10, 2017 at 1:32 am
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        I am sure being there was a blast but the panels as far as reveals and such was lacking big time.

        • March 10, 2017 at 2:22 pm
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          Wait. So you weren’t even there?

          • March 11, 2017 at 12:55 am
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            Never said I was.

          • March 11, 2017 at 1:27 am
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            Well, it’s sort of odd that you would call a Celebration “super disappointing” if you weren’t even there. But I think you’re totally missing the point about why these events are held.

          • March 11, 2017 at 7:19 am
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            No I said that announcements and reveals was lacking. I even admitted being there among the fans was probably really fun. You are getting triggered for some reason and not even taking the time to read my comments.

          • March 11, 2017 at 2:32 pm
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            You should read your own posts. If the lack of news reveals is your gauge for how successful a Celebration is, then you’re using the wrong ruler.

            And “triggered” is so last year.

          • March 11, 2017 at 3:17 pm
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            I do read my own post, I have been cordial with you but I see you do not have that intent with me. I said from the beginning that is how I gauged it (being I dont go so other stuff has no weight for me)and it I said it was cool if you used a different barometer and I did not blame you.

  • March 9, 2017 at 2:48 pm
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    Obviously, the year during which the celebration supposedly would have been held in europe. bah.

  • March 9, 2017 at 3:42 pm
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    Interesting. I would have to think that this move is because Han Solo is coming out in May and they won’t have a lot to promote by the time Celebration rolls around next year. We will likely have seen a couple of trailers for Han Solo by then and its still likely a bit too early for Episode 9 footage.

    Lucasfilm may not want to shortchange everyone again like they did last year so they just won’t hold a celebration at all.

    • March 9, 2017 at 4:22 pm
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      “Lucasfilm may not want to shortchange everyone again like they did last year so they just won’t hold a celebration at all.”

      How did Lucasfilm shortchange anyone?

      • March 9, 2017 at 4:26 pm
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        There was a lack of movie news. The only thing high profile announcement was Thrawn becoming canon and Alden being announced as Han Solo even though everyone already knew.

        • March 9, 2017 at 5:08 pm
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          if people are going just for movie news, then they are missing the point.

          • March 9, 2017 at 5:31 pm
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            Yep. But I think the problem was that Lucasfilm knew what the only real highlight would be and they also were aware of fan expectations. Honestly I think this is the best way to go and it shows they’re trying to be as true to the fan base as possible. Yes you shouldn’t go if you’re only expecting movie news, but if it were my business and I knew how personal and important SW is to people, I would make a similar move because I’d know the big takeaway at the end of the day for everyone going to Celebration is always going to be movie news whether they acknowledge it or not. Plus like the person above mentioned since they’ve decided to actually stick to their guns and allow Han Solo to stay in May there’s no need to build up the Star Wars fever. First half of Rebels S4 starts this fall, followed by The Last Jedi in December, then the second half of Rebels S4 (which is possibly the last one) will be releasing in February thru March, and on top of that you’ve got Solo in May? If anything I can see them using D23 of 2018 to maybe mention the next Standalone film and then wait till Celebration 2019 to pimp Episode IX.

          • March 9, 2017 at 6:44 pm
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            “…at the end of the day for everyone going to Celebration is always going to be movie news whether they acknowledge it or not…”

            That’s absolutely untrue. I’ve attended three Celebrations. News drops didn’t mean much to me. Celebrations are social gatherings. Who cares if a new trailer debuts at Celebration? Who cares if a new movie title is announced? If it happens, great. If not, well, that’s not what I flew across the country for. I know a lot of Star Wars fans. Personally, I don’t know one of them that attended a Celebration in order to be at “ground zero” when some news tidbit is dropped. I don’t know one of them that left disappointed that some new trailer didn’t screen. Hungover? Yeah. Underslept? Sure. Broke? Quite likely. Disappointed? Never.

          • March 9, 2017 at 6:56 pm
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            D23 is every two years, so as of now there isn’t anything scheduled for next year. Disney could certainly make it every year though.

          • March 9, 2017 at 8:13 pm
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            If they don’t have movie news, then they shouldn’t manufacture if bc fans want it.

        • March 9, 2017 at 6:39 pm
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          Celebrations aren’t about news drops. Why travel across the country and rent a room for several days in order to hear news or watch a commercial that’s going to be all over the Internet a few minutes later? It’s doesn’t make sense that folks judge a Celebration by whether or not a trailer debuted. They are completely missing the point. Celebrations are about hanging out with thousands of other SW fans, talking shop, gaming, meeting cast members, and gathering around pubs after hours and enjoying the community.

    • March 9, 2017 at 11:37 pm
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      I think the writing is on the wall for Celebration. Once Disney purchased the franchise with the intent of 1) making new films, 2) creating new animated series, 3) deleting the old canon for the new, and 4) merchandising off each, it became a corporate power structure that focused on the media (those items listed) over the fan base. It costs a small fortune to put Celebration on, and for Disney/Lucasfilm, that is not cost effective. Thus, the limit the number of celebrations. I know Celebrations are a great time and used to be a gathering akin to ComiCon. However, Disney (being the owners of the franchise now) are media and profit driven, Thus, they will cut out anything that they feel will limit their margins, even at this cost. It’s not like when George owned it, and fans were the central focus, even allowed to make fan made films without fear of copyright infringement. Now it’s the product that is king and while I love getting new films, series, etc…it seems to have come at a steep cost. Note, this is just my opinion on how it looks, not a shot at Disney, Lucasfilm, Lucas, or anyone else.

      • March 9, 2017 at 11:54 pm
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        This is mostly bull. First off, Disney didn’t delete the “old canon”. The Expanded Universe was never actually canon. This has been discussed over and over again. The EU might have been YOUR canon, but it wasn’t actually canon according to the owners of the property. As far as Disney being “media and profit driven”…well, pre-Disney Lucasfilm was no different. Star Wars has always been about films, comics, novels, video games, and other ways to convey a story. Those are all forms of media. In that respect, not a thing has changed. And every single one of those things was created to turn a profit. Lucasfilm is in the entertainment business. They entertain you. You give them money. That’s how it works.

        If anything, Disney is likely to be a huge champion for these types of events. In addition to an entertainment company, Disney is well-steeped in destination attractions. They are, in fact, probably better at it than anyone else in the game.

        Celebrations are alive and well. The United States has a Celebration every two years. This won’t change that. It just looks like Celebration will take a hiatus from doing an out-of-US convention in 2018. That’s hardly an atmosphere that should bring about any dire predictions.

        • March 10, 2017 at 12:24 am
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          It’s still my opinion, bull or not. Personally I prefer most of the new canon to the previous, with exception to most of Zahn’s trilogy, so it’s not MY canon, it’s just what was. Nevertheless, I understand your thoughts on the matter. I hope this is a one time thing.

      • March 10, 2017 at 6:13 am
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        “It costs a small fortune to put Celebration on, and for Disney/Lucasfilm, that is not cost effective. Thus, the limit the number of celebrations. ”

        Where are you getting this from? It’s only thank to Disney (and their drive to make a new SW movie every year) that we’re getting Celebrations as often as we are!

  • March 9, 2017 at 10:42 pm
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    A shame. The experience at these kinds cons is always more important than what is announced there. Also a shame if this means that Europe won’t get another celebration until at least 2020.

  • March 10, 2017 at 6:10 am
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    RIP 2018. Someone better put me into stasis come January 1st.

  • March 10, 2017 at 5:28 pm
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    No real surprise there. Just going back to how it’s always been, and it gives them more time to fully prep and get things ready to ensure a higher quality Celebration. I take this as good news.

  • March 11, 2017 at 10:33 pm
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    I’m not so sure there won’t be a 2018 Star Wars Celebration. James Cameron revealed that Avatar 2 is no longer going to be released in 2018 (it was expected to come out December 21, 2018). So I’m now anticipating the untitled Han Solo movie release date to be changed from May 2018 to December 2018. So if that happens (which there’s a HIGH possibility for it to happen – now that AVATAR 2 is out of the way) then it makes far more sense to have a Celebration event centered around the Han Solo movie. And hopefully it would take place in April 2018.

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