"Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025: Highlights and Major Announcements"

Star Wars Celebration 2025 was an unforgettable experience for fans, delivering a wave of exciting announcements from a galaxy far, far away. From the groundbreaking reveal of *Star Wars: Starfighter* starring Ryan Gosling to the debut of a new Darth Maul animated series, the event was packed with surprises that left fans buzzing. Highlights included a first look at Rory McCann’s Baylan Skoll in *Ahsoka*, the emotional return of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, and the heartwarming news that players will get to interact with Grogu in the updated *Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run* attraction.

There was no shortage of epic reveals, and we’ve rounded up the most exciting ones below. Let us know which one got you most excited about the future of Star Wars!

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Star Wars Celebration's Ahsoka Panel Featured the First Look at Rory McCann's Baylan Skoll, the news of Anakin's Return, and More

The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration delivered a treasure trove of exciting updates for Season 2 of the hit series. Among the highlights was the first official look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll, stepping into the role following the passing of Ray Stevenson. Fans were treated to an exclusive image of McCann in costume, offering a glimpse of what’s to come.

Additionally, it was confirmed that Hayden Christensen would reprise his iconic role as Anakin Skywalker in Season 2. The panel also teased the return of beloved characters like Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper, while revealing that Admiral Ackbar will play a major role facing off against Grand Admiral Thrawn. Dave Filoni teased action-packed sequences involving X-Wings, A-Wings, and other mysterious ships, along with adorable Loth-Kittens making their debut.

Hayden Christensen on Returning to Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka and Liking When 'Star Wars Goes Dark'

In an exclusive interview following the big reveal, Hayden Christensen shared insights into reprising the role of Anakin Skywalker nearly two decades after Revenge of the Sith. He discussed his thoughts on returning to such an iconic character, how he feels about fan interpretations—including his favorite Anakin meme—and why he appreciates when the Star Wars universe dives into darker storytelling territory.

Rosario Dawson Had No Idea Mark Hamill Was Returning as Luke Skywalker in The Mandalorian Until He Walked On Set

In a behind-the-scenes moment revealed by Rosario Dawson, Dave Filoni, and Jon Favreau, it turns out even the actors were kept in the dark about some major casting decisions. Dawson admitted she had no idea Mark Hamill was set to return as Luke Skywalker in The Book of Boba Fett until he walked onto set. She, like many fans, originally believed Plo Koon would be the Jedi hero of the finale—something Filoni and Favreau cleverly used as a decoy in early scripts.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Panel, Everything Revealed

The highly anticipated The Mandalorian & Grogu film is set to arrive in theaters on May 22, 2026—the first theatrical release since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. At Star Wars Celebration, the film received its grand introduction, including a sneak peek at footage showing Mando battling Flame Troopers, collapsing AT-ATs in snowy environments, and the debut of Sigourney Weaver’s mysterious character. Of course, Grogu made multiple appearances being both adorable and Force-powered chaos.

The Mandalorian & Grogu's Sigourney Weaver on Grogu Stealing Her Heart and More

Sigourney Weaver joined the celebration to talk about her role in The Mandalorian & Grogu, sharing how she hadn’t seen any episodes before joining the cast, how Grogu quickly stole her heart, and whether she believes the little green powerhouse could take on a Xenomorph.

Star Wars: Starfighter Is a New Film Starring Ryan Gosling That's Arriving in Theaters in May 2027

One of the biggest surprises of the event was the announcement of Star Wars: Starfighter, a brand-new film starring Ryan Gosling scheduled for release on May 28, 2027. Set five years after The Rise of Skywalker, the film will introduce a completely new character played by Gosling. This film joins upcoming projects from Taika Waititi, James Mangold, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Simon Kinberg.

Bringing Star Wars Experiences to Life With Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Live Entertainment

Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Live Entertainment gave fans a sneak peek into the future of Star Wars-themed attractions. They revealed updates to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, featuring The Mandalorian & Grogu-inspired storyline, where guests can now interact with Grogu during the ride. Additionally, the team provided insight into how they bring immersive, real-world experiences to life, blending cutting-edge technology with classic Star Wars storytelling.

The Mandalorian and Grogu-Themed Update to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Will Let Engineers Take Care of Grogu

As part of the