Star Wars Bits: Thrawn Returns, A Skywalker Family Reunion Planned, And A New Sith Lord Revealed

In this edition of Star Wars Bits:

The Star Wars novels have been a fantastic way for fans to learn more about and expand on the characters that they love. One of the newest additions to the ever expanding canon is the Han Solo and Lando Calrissian novel Last Shot, which tells the story of three different times in the BFF'S lives. StarWars.com has looked at five of the biggest things that we learnt from the radical tale from Daniel José Older.

FUN FACT: I've never met this woman. https://t.co/YYIFku1CVQ

— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) June 9, 2018

Mark Hamill is an ever shining light of the Star Wars galaxy and recently went to his twitter account to reveal that he has never met his on screen mother Padme Amidala A.K.A Natalie Portman! It was the lauded actresses birthday and Hamill responded to the official Star Wars Twitter account proclaiming that he had never actually managed to meet Portman in public!

Marvel Comics Star Wars line has done a great job introducing vital new parts of canon to the galaxy far, far away, and as Screen Rant reports this month's Star Wars Annual #4 has brought something pretty vital to the forefront of Sith lore. Following one of the comics best inventions, Sana Starros, the book introduces a brand new canon Sith lord named Darth Atrius and his twin crossbar lightsabers. Fans were shocked when Kylo Ren introduced the crossbar saber into canon, but this issue insinuates that these particular weapons may end up haunted by the people who wield them! And we just have to say that this reveal could potentially have massive implications on the films going forward...

If you don't like Star Wars or the characters understand that there are decisions makers and harassing the actors/ actresses will do nothing. You're not entitled to politeness when your approach is rude. Even if you paid for a ticket! 🤷🏾‍♂️

— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) June 12, 2018

None of us deserve John Boyega. Whether it's his fantastic performance as Finn in the new Star Wars trilogy, his iconic turn as Moses in the cult sci-fi Attack The Block, or his radical reinvention of mech movies with Pacific Rim Uprising, Boyega is an utter joy to behold on screen. But it's his brilliance on social media which has gained him a rabid and loyal fanbase, and his recent comments on the grim harassment of Kelly Marie Tran were as usual pitch perfect. Boyega was quick to point out that actors only have so much creative control, and that attacking them achieves nothing.

Ever wanted to see some very cute dogs in costumes? Of course you have! Well luckily for you the newest addition of The Star Wars Show saw Pablo Hidalgo exploring the world of Han Solo's home world Corellia, and more importantly the gorgeous doggos who played the planet's Corellian hounds! This is a truly lovely glimpse at the hard working animals who help bring the Star Wars universe to life.

Looks like Disney has epic plans for the recently announced immersive Star Wars hotel which is currently being built next to Orlando's Hollywood Studios park. We knew the hotel would be high tech, but as Walt Disney World News reported, a new patent means they're pushing the boat out to create what could be incredible interactive multi-pane windows to fully immerse guests in the depths of galactic space! The site also notes that the technology could also be used for Epcot's upcoming space restaurant.

Disneyland has long been called the "Most magical place on Earth," but in recent years it's come to light that the staffers at Disneyland are vastly underpaid, with many ending up homeless and living in their cars. This vile abuse of workers' rights came to a head when a former Disneyland worker named Yeweinisht Mesfin died of a heart attack whilst living in her car. Per Variety, a movement to support an $18 minimum wage has made it onto the city council ballot this year, and it's about time.

Jedi News has gotten hold of the fantastically exciting blurb for the upcoming Thrawn: Alliances novel from Thrawn creator Timothy Zahn. It confirms that the new novel will see Thrawn and Vader team up to face down a threat against the Empire, as well as mentioning the planet where Disney's theme park Galaxy's Edge will be set. Here's a sneak peek at the new story:

"Ominous words under any circumstances, but all the more so when uttered by Emperor Palpatine. On Batuu, at the edges of the Unknown Regions, a threat to the Empire is taking root–its existence little more than a glimmer, its consequences as yet unknowable. But it is troubling enough to the Imperial leader to warrant investigation by his most powerful agents: ruthless enforcer Lord Darth Vader and brilliant strategist Grand Admiral Thrawn."

Earlier in Star Wars Bits, we mentioned that Mark Hamill was dreadfully upset that he had never met his Star Wars mother, Natalie Portman. Well luckily on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Portman attempted to rectify that terrible wrong, stating that she would love to meet Hamill! Hopefully we'll see a Skywalker family reunion really, really soon.